Medieval Punishments By: Emma Davis 5th

Middle Ages Time when kings and queens would rule harshly to stay in control This lead to punishments that were sometimes even more violent and more ethically wrong than the crime itself Time of unfairness dealing with social status

Torture Most controversial type of punishment Was used to acquire information, as a punishment, or to control the group in which the victim belongs Most used during the Spanish Inquisition Most well known torture device was the rack

Simple Devices of Torture Toe wedges Apparatuses for crushing head, toes, thumbs, and feet Tongue slicer Copper boot Scottish boot

Painful tortures Juda cradle Breast ripper Cat’s paw The pear

Other Tortures Cage confinement Water torture Whirligig

Other Facts about Torture Torture chambers-in lower parts of the castle Torture dungeons were very small; some measuring only 11 feet by 7 feet Ten to twenty prisoners were confined at the same time Torture was finally abolished in England in 1640

Execution Position of executioner Execution by fire Decapitation Quartering Hanging Clemency

Conclusion The Middle Ages was a very violent and gory time of history. There were many cruel and brutal punishments Although our society today still has some cruelties, we have greatly evolved to become much more civilized.