Here is a set of photos from the Torture Museum in Amsterdam! I put these in a separate post because some of them are a bit graphic, so feel free to skip this post if you have a weak stomach! I apologize for the crappy quality of the photos; the lighting inside was very... atmospheric.
The Violin: Although there were single-person violins, double-violins were often used for two people who had been fighting; they had to remain locked together until agreeing to get along and not cause any more trouble.
The Spanish Horse. The victim would straddle this lovely thing and for extra pain, weights would be added to the legs.
My favorite title- The Flute of Shame. This was mainly used for people making a public nuisance. Like overeager jesters. I have a feeling the Dr. Rockso of the 15th century would be locked up in one of these.
The Heretic's Fork. Prongs poke into the clavicle and soft under-jaw. Despite the pain, the victims could only stop it by sufficiently saying "I repent."
The Garrotte! Check out the spike at the back of the neck.
The Rack.
Masks were used for loudmouths and gossips, and had ridiculous features, often animal-like.
A Chastity Belt. Contrary to popular belief, these weren't used to enforce fidelity so much as they were used to prevent rape. Both the front and rear holes have barbed spikes- yikes!
IRON MAIDEN!!! Actually made out of wood. With no spikes inside. And apparently these were actually never used.
The Hanging Cage. A slow, rotting death.
The Scavenger's Daughter. This use apparently used on Guy Fawkes.
Tha Skullcrusher!!
The Judas Cradle- used to punish adultery and sodomy.
One thing that made me laugh was the calm expressions on the faces of the torture victims in the period illustrations.
Under pressure! Interestingly, torture could not take place until a plea was entered by the victim. This device was used to speed along the process.
Yikes! Sawing people in half! Yowza!
Let's wrap things up with an oldie but a goodie: the guillotine.
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