Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition

You think that sitting in church for a Sunday morning is torture? If you lived in midievel times and didn't go to church, or spoke against the church, the church felt that penance through torture was in order. With machines like the pear and the rack, it still amazes me what human beings are willing and able to do to each other.

The pear was a devious hand held device that used screw technology. This one was used for people who spoke against the church, or committed adultery or homosexuality. For speaking against the church, the metal devise was inserted into the mouth and expanded until the person could no longer close their mouth. This was to elicit a confession of heresy. For adultery or homosexuality, the pear was inserted into the offending orifice and extended.

One of the most versatile of all the torture devices is the rack. This was a table that had an axle at each end that could be turned. The offender was strapped in, feet at one end and hands at the other, then the axles were turned using a lever. Using a longer lever would multiply the torque, increasing the pulling power on the ropes. This would dislocate joints, causing excruciating pain. These aren't even the torture devices that are lethal.

Other devices that the church officials used weren't as forgiving as to allow you to live. This was the price that you paid for speaking against the Catholic Church or going against the scriptures. If you can't convince someone to believe through teaching, force them to believe through pain.