Some methods were considerably crueler than others these 10 being among the most barbaric and brutal.
Europes Medieval period lasted from the 5th to the 15th century.
Different types of torture were used depending on the victims crime, gender, and social status.
There are dozens upon dozens of different torture techniques and devices.
I recently visited the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments in Prague where these 10 caught my eye.
But before you read any further, be warned that they are very graphic and disturbing.
The Judas Cradle
Also called the Judas Chair, this Italian invention was particularly cruel.
Victims would be tortured by intense pressure and stretching of the orifice, resulting in permanent damage.
In many cases, the victim would succumb to rips in the muscle tissue that would later become infected.
Weights would be added to facilitate the effect, often resulting in death by impalement.
A similar gadget, called the Spanish Donkey (or wooden horse), achieved a similar effect.
This was done either by sawing the individual in half across or along the body length.
It was also used to punish liars, blasphemers, and homosexuals.
It rarely caused death, but was often followed by other torture methods.
The equipment was typically a large wagon wheel with radial spokes.
Offenders were were lashed to the wheel and their limbs beaten with a club or iron cudgel.
The gaps in the wheel allowed the limbs to give way and break.
Iron Chair
This torture unit was used extensively during the Middle Ages.
This could go on for hours, sometimes days.
Head Crusher
Pretty self-explanatory.
The gadget, which is basically a vise for the head, slowly crushes the skull and facial bones.
Even if the torturer stopped before death, permanent damage to the facial muscles and structure would occur.
Rat Torture
Rats have also been employed to perform torture.
A rat was then placed on the stomach covered by a metallic container, which was gradually heated.
The rat began to look for a way out, which inevitably meant through the victims body.
Digging through the body usually took a few hours, resulting in a painful and gruesome death.
Coffin Torture
This was one of the most dreaded forms of torture during the Medieval Period.
The accused were placed inside a caged coffin, rendering them completely immobile.
Victims were often put on public display, where they would be mocked and abused by angry locals.
Breast Ripper
This ones particularly nasty not that the other items on this list arent.
It was also used for interrogations.
The instrument would be latched onto a single breast of the woman.
Blood sometimes splattered onto her children.
If the woman did not die, she would be disfigured for the rest of her life.
Image credit: Flominator.
Other variations of this torture also existed.
The technique would render the knees useless.
Image credit: FutureX.
All images are mine unless otherwise noted.
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