How Did Women Use Torture During The Elizabethan Era

Extracting information was a brutal task during the Elizabethan Era, loyalties were strong and alliances were stronger. Without lie detectors or modern science the only method they deemed fit to guarantee the truth was through force. There were over 1000 ways to obtain the truth from someone by force whether it be quartering, boiling, or stretching. During the Elizabethan era (1558-1603) thousands were tortured for the truth. However, many were tortured and gave false truths just to make the pain stop. It was more common for men to be tortured for information. One of the most common ways of torturing men for information was with the rack. The rack was a torture device that the victim would be tied too laying down. Once the victim was tied

However, women had just as cruel torture treatments if not crueler, they made the rack seem less painful at least they would die faster. Women had things such as Judas cradle or the Pear of Anguish. Judas Cradle was a triangle that a man or woman, mostly women, were placed on pyramid like seat naked, with their feet tied together . The point would be placed in the anus or vaginal area and the victim would be lowered on to it inserting into the genitles. The victim would be left to sit on the point until the torturer obtained the information needed or the victim died, the tearing and ripping would last days. If the torturer thought that they weren't getting information fast enough they would add weights to the victims feet. If the weights were not helping they would rock the person or repeatedly drop them on it(Judas Cradle). The Pear of Anguish was a tool that was inserted into one of a persons orifices . The instrument consisted of four leaves that slowly separated from each other when the torturer turned the screw, spreading and tearing(Pear of Anguish). A method that was strictly for women was called the breast ripper, a four pronged device that looked like huge iron tongs with spikes(Medieval Torture). The breast ripper could be used as a means of getting information or punishment. For getting information they would heat the device, place the breast between the teeth and slowly close the

Boiling was not specific to a certain sexuality it was used to gain information and death for more severe crimes. The process of boiling was filling a giant pot with boiling oil, lead, water, or tar, the victim could be inserted before the pot began to boil or after. Then the victim was placed naked into the pot and left to die or until the information they needed was obtained(Medieval