witch-finder-general: Application of the “Water Torture” depicted in film.During the lat
witch-finder-general: Application of the “Water Torture” depicted in film.During the late medieval period “The Water Torture” was a very much favored technique/method for interrogation, as well as form of punishment, and one of the most commonly used forms of torture utilized by “The Holy House of the Inquisition,” nearly all European Witch-Tribunals, and secular authorities of that era.Though most often in our modern day era confused and used interchangeably as what is today known as “Water Boarding,” there is no comparison. “Water Boarding” relies on the victims fear and sensation of drowning. The “Water Torture” used in the past was to cause pain, suffering and horrific agony virtually beyond human comprehension.Her suffering and inhumane agony will be exquisite as the water ever so slowly trickles from the cauldron above her and down through the funnel into her throat. Over the period of many hours, her stomach will eventual fill and swell to proportions not easily imagined (numerous artistic examples are posted on this blog illustrating this), and she will experience what the meaning of torture truly entails.The legs chained, as in this image, is quite an accurate portrayal of one variation widely used. In the later stages of the torture, as her stomach became bloated until she looked 9+ months pregnant, her legs and hips would have been lifted well above the level of her torso. Causing her stomach and the massive amounts of water to shift upwards towards her chest. Putting tremendous pressure on her diaphragm, lungs and heart. Breathing became horribly labored and difficult until only the briefest pants would allow her enough air to remain conscious. After a few minutes her legs would have been lowered to the position you see, and she would have been urged to confess. If a confession was not forth coming, more water would have been allowed to trickle into her and the process continued once again to an ever greater and greater level of torture. On and on it went… She would have confessed sooner or later. They all did. Only death, unconsciousness, or confession would have ended her torture.Historical Note: As physicians testified during the WWII war crime tribunals stated, “Visceral distention by means of forced liquid induction activates nocicepters and produces some of the most intense pain known to mankind.” Seams, that historically, water torture administered by the Japanese military during the war was actually quite common, but that is a study for another post. Though the Inquisitors and Torturers of the “Middle Ages” obviously didn’t understand the chemistry, neurology, etc… behind their methods, they knew and understood extremely well what techniques served their purpose. They were indeed Masters of their profession!!! -- source link