Medieval Torture Devices & Their Uses

On a recent trip to Medieval Times I made the mistake of taking the kids into the dungeon display where a number of torture devices were laid out for all to see. The kids were fine but I spent the remainder of the day walking gingerly, and at times cross-legged, as the thought of those nasty pieces of equipment crossed my mind. Criminals today don't realize how easy they have it. Just one visit to that dungeon would stop them complaining about their human rights violations. Let's take a look at some of the more popular, probably not the best word to use here, devices.

Probably the most recognizable to most is the Iron Maiden. This was an upright coffin that had large spikes on the door which, when closed, impaled the person inside. The spikes also closed off the wound which meant that the person inside couldn't bleed to death and they would sometimes survive for days in excruciating pain. It's interesting to note that there is a heavy metal band named after this device and their music gives one the feeling that metal spikes are being driven into their ears. Coincedence? I think not.

Another well know device is The Rack. This was a device where the criminal was bound by hands and feet to a table device with rollers. A handle was attached which, when turned, would stretch out the victim eventually dislocating, and oftentimes tearing off, their limbs. I believe these are actually still used for "adjustments" at the chiropractor's office.

The one device that really makes me cringe is the Jesus Cradle. This was a pyramid shaped "chair", the pointed end of which was placed in the nether regions of the offender. This could either be a quick or very slow, painful death depending on the level of cruelty of the torturer. Weights were sometimes placed on the feet to hasten how quickly the person was impaled but more often than not this was a torture that lasted for days as the person was slowly lowered via ropes onto the pyramid. Remember that feeling you get two hours after eating a taco from a roadside stand. Imagine that in reverse and amplified tenfold and you may get an idea of how painful it must have been.