Punishment in the Middle Ages

The Ducking Stool A punishment used for minor crimes such as: Gossiping Arguing Lying Fighting

Thumbscrews Used mostly to extract a confession. The device worked by slowing crushing the thumbs to a pulp.

The Scold’s Bridle

Head crusher This device caused head to be slowly compressed. First the teeth are shattered into the jaw; then the victim slowly died with agonizing pain, but not before his eyes were squeezed from his sockets. This instrument was a formidable way to extract confessions from victims as the period of pain could be prolonged for many hours if the torturer chose to. This could be done by repeatedly turning the screw both ways. If the torture was stopped midway, the victim often had irreparable damage done to the brain, jaw or eyes. Many variants of this instrument existed, some that had small containers in front of the eyes to receive them as they fell out of their sockets.

The Hanging Cage Victims of this instrument of torture died from hunger, thirst or the elements. If they were hanging in summer, victims could die of heat stroke. If they were hanging in winter, they could die of severe cold. Victims were usually left inside the cage until their bones began to fall apart.

Pillory or stocks People found guilty of minor crimes were placed in the pillory in the middle of the town. If they had been found guilty of selling rotten food, for example, they would have it placed underneath their nose.

The Rack The wooden frame had a roller at each end. The victim was tied across a board by his ankles and wrists. The rollers at either end of the board were turned, pulling the body in opposite directions. The victims body was initially stretched. Limbs would be dislocated and prolonged use would end with limbs being torn from their sockets  inducing excruciating pain.

The cat’s paw It was commonly reserved for thieves and unfaithful wives. The cat's paw could be used to rip off the skin of any part of the body including, but not limited to the face, back or chest. This torture very frequently caused death not because of the injuries, but because of the infections that came along with the torture. The cat's paw would cut so deeply that one could see the bone itself which, combined with the fact that this device was very seldom - if at all - washed, could bring deadly infections and diseases.

The Iron Maiden Both doors had similar spikes. When the accused was inside, the doors were closed slowly. The object was not to use the Iron Maid to quickly kill someone. The object was to inflict pain and punishment. One documented case of the iron maiden being used was against a German man who had forged. As the doors were slowly shut, spikes penetrated the forger's body just enough to cause excruciating anguish but not enough to kill him. Crying in vain, the forger lived two days.

Peine forte et dure or “pressing” Pressing, also known as peine forte et dure, was both a death sentence and a means of drawing out confessions. Heavy objects such as stones were slowly placed on an individual until they suffocated and their organs were crushed. This type of punishment dates back 4000 years where animals such as elephants were used to stomp on the heads of criminals and prisoners.