The middle-ages were brutal. The fact that there weren’t any democracy and a ruler would dictate whatever they wanted. This reflected in everything from the way they went to war to the punishments one would get for going against the land. King Henry VIII beheaded his wife Anne Boleyn for, allegedly, cheating on him.
Crimes were punished severely. Here is a list of medieval punishments.
Gossip And Rude Offenses
Unlike today where gossip and pop culture obsession is normal. In the middle-ages Scold’s Bridle—gossip and rudeness—were considered a punishable offense.
This was used, mostly, on women. These women would be called witches. The Scold’s Bridle was a metal mask type of device that disabled women from talking as they walked around in public.
Petty Crimes
Mocking was a common punishment inflicted on petty crimes. These people would be dragged around the land getting mocked. This form of punishment is called The Stocks.
It’s not uncommon for a person’s legs to be tied while spending a few days with rotten eggs constantly being thrown at them.
Interrogation
There was a painful torture device, which was used mainly on prisoners to extract confessions. These prisoners were usually women accused of witchcraft. This torture device was called the wooden horse.
The wooden horse is a triangular device resembling a horse with a pointy edge. By being lowered on the device with your full weight, it would cause immense pain.
Adultery
In medieval times, adultery was a high crime and published severely. A torture device used was called the breast ripper.
Somehow, this punishment only applies to women, as men of the era were allowed to take mistresses and multiple wives.
If a woman was found to cheat on her husband, her breasts would be strapped into this device and slowly being torn off.
Opposing The Catholic Church
Going against the catholic church in the medieval times were considered heresy, blasphemy, or an insult. The catholic church didn’t take being opposed lightly. A special punishment for people that spoke out openly against the church was called the heretic’s fork.
The device is used to spike the person with sleep being deprived until the scream the words “I recant.”
