Torture and death penalty instruments

From the Middle Ages to the Industrial Era


The Iron Maiden
of Nuremberg

The headman’s sword

The guillotine

The saw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Judas cradle


Chain scourges or
chain flails

 

 

 

 

 

 


Head crusher

The chastity belt

Breaking with the wheel

The thumbscrews

Hanging cages

The stocks or pillory

The heretic’s fork

A cat’s paw

The oral, rectal
and vaginal pear

Saint Elmo’s belt

A breast ripper

Branks or scold’s bridles