In the view of modern humans were an invention of the Middle Ages torture sadists-crazed monks and kings on cruelty.In fact, they were an integral part of medieval life, in particular, one of the court proceedings, and religious ritual.To understand the path of human development, human society, it is necessary to look at the Middle Ages torture without fear and disgust.
Brief background
wrong to assume torture fiction dark Middle Ages: as the procedural process it was used long before that.By and large, the torture of the Middle Ages were the legacy of antiquity.However, in ancient Greece, it was only possible to torture slaves, and free, by law, torture was not used.The same rule applied during the Roman Republic.The Empire also began to retreat from it, but still remained "untouchability» honestiores (decent).However, if the person suspected of a crime against the emperor, his social position values did not matter.The Germanic tribes conquered Rome torture could also be applied only to slaves and captives.Free Teuton exempt from charges by the security for a family.Everything changed with the spread of Christianity and the emergence of such a thing as an ordeal - "the judgment of God."On the use of torture began to look much more democratic - because all are equal before God.
Medieval torture
purification through pain and suffering - one of the tenets of Christianity, which is the confirmation of its main symbol - the cross.Which, in fact, not that other, as an instrument of torture.Add to this the categorical belief in the afterlife and observed daily deaths from diseases and wars, and you do not seem that death - a severe punishment for the offender.Therefore, in the medieval torture easily applied for punishing, or as a way to establish the truth.Moreover, a confession obtained without torture, could not be taken into consideration by the court.In the twelfth-thirteenth centuries after the reception of Roman law in Western Europe received the legal status of torture.Since then, the law was enshrined as one, and when you can be tortured.
most terrible tortures of the Middle Ages
Since torture received procedural status, it immediately brought to terrifying perfection.To not only causes her pain, but she thought of her faith led to criminals and the law for the immediate repentance.Medieval instruments of torture, with a few exceptions, were simple, but eerily effective.Most of them were designed to crush small bones or joints, and at their inverting and stretching.Obvious examples of such tools is the rack and all sorts of vices to the fingers and the knees.Very common was tortured and giving the body a certain position in which it could be days, while it could pierce (so that no damage vital organs) or burning fire.Against this background, somehow looks unnatural requirement of the law to the judges and executioners to be moderate and not to use torture, are not provided for by law.
