Charts & Graphs

Medieval Torture

Horrible punishments from the Dark Ages.

  • Pear of Anguish

    Crimes: Homosexuality, Miscarriage, Blasphemy, Lying

    Punishment:

    • Step One: Insert small, pear-shaped instrument into anus, vagina, or mouth.
    • Step Two: Slowly separate instrument’s four leaves from each other, expanding enough to mutilate victim.

  • The Rack

    Crimes: Various

    Punishment:

    • Step One: Fasten hands and feet to rollers or cords at opposite ends of a wooden frame.
    • Step Two: Turn handle and ratchet slowly, pulling limbs in opposite directions until joints are dislocated.

  • Hanged, Drawn, and Quartered

    Crimes: Various

    Punishment:

    • Step One: Hang victim until near death.
    • Step Two: Disembowel victim while conscious.
    • Step Three: Throw innards into a fire within victim’s sight.
    • Step Four: Cut or tear off limbs and behead.

  • Coffin Torture

    Crime: Blasphemy

    Punishment:

    • Step One: Enclose victim inside human-shaped metal frame under the sun.
    • Step Two: Set rats loose to consume victim’s flesh.

  • Barrel Pillory

    Crime: Excessive Drinking

    Punishment:

    • Step One: Fit oaken cask over the body.
    • Step Two: Force victim to kneel in his or her own filth for days.

  • The Judas Chair

    Crimes: Various

    Punishment:

    • Step One: Slowly place vaginal canal or anus over the point of a pyramid-shaped chair.
    • Step Two: Lower victim onto chair, stretching the orifice and causing internal mutilation.