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Stories and Inverviews

a medieval torture chamber with a victim subjected to the 'Vox Torturae' (Voice of Torture)

When Sound Becomes a Weapon: Noise in Torture and Fear

From the echoes of medieval dungeons to the relentless drums in interrogation chambers, sound has long been more than a mere backdrop in human history. The psychological effects of noise on captives reveal a hidden dimension of cruelty, demonstrating that auditory experiences can inflict suffering as sharply as physical punishment. Across centuries and cultures, rulers […]

Illustration of medieval torture symbols on shields, including the breaking wheel, gallows, stocks, chains, and a knight’s armor

From Wheel to Gallows: Medieval Torture Icons in Heraldry and Art

When thinking of Medieval heraldry, we tend to picture noble crests, proud escutcheons, and colorful pageantry. But behind the banners and shields lies a dark legacy in which instruments of justice, punishment, and intimidation had become incorporated into coats of arms and heraldry. The medieval symbols of torture included in coats of arms were not […]

Portrait of Tomás de Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor of Spain, holding a book in front of a medieval torture scene

Tomás de Torquemada: Biography of Spain’s Grand Inquisitor

Among the most notorious personalities in the history of the Spanish inquisition, Tomás de Torquemada left an indelible mark on an era of tribunals, persecution, and stark orthodoxy. Torquemada is a central figure in popular biographies of medieval inquisitors and virtually every biography of famous executioners. He is regarded as one of the most infamous […]

Medieval medical treatment scene showing a group of medieval doctors performing surgery on a patient, with historical surgical tools and tents in the background

How Medieval Torture Shaped Early Medical Practices

The connection between medieval torture and medicine is more complex than it first appears. While the Middle Ages are remembered for cruelty and superstition, this period also laid foundations for medical knowledge that would shape future centuries. Through the brutal reality of punishment, war, and disease, healers and executioners gained experience in anatomy, pain relief, […]

a medieval blacksmith and a monk in a dimly lit stone chamber

Biographies of Notorious Executioners and Inquisitors

When we leaf through the biographies of notorious executioners, we meet an unsettling cast of men who straddled the worlds of religion, law, and violence. Their deeds fill dusty archives, yet their shadows still stretch across modern discussions of justice and human rights. The Stage and Its Actors Public killings were scripted theatre. The gallows […]

A medieval execution scene. A man is tied to a post, burning at the stake, his body charred

How Fire Was Used to Torture and Kill in the Middle Ages

Fire has long been associated with purification, punishment, and pain. In the Middle Ages, it became one of the most feared tools in the arsenal of torturers across Europe. The use of fire as a torture method was not only physically devastating but also psychologically paralyzing. From branding to full-scale executions, flame-based torture methods were […]

5 Myths About Torture

5 Myths About Torture: What People Get Wrong

Torture has always been a subject riddled with misconceptions, myths, and controversy. People unintentionally hold false beliefs about torture whether it’s in movies, books, or popular television. While false beliefs about torture are popular, in this article we will debunk 5 myths about torture you may believe, and shed light on the facts concerning torture […]

Medieval doctor examining tortured prisoner in dark dungeon with executioner and skeleton in background

The Intersection of Medicine and Torture: How Doctors Were Involved in Medieval Punishments

Throughout the Middle Ages, the boundaries between healing and cruelty often blurred. Physicians were not always seen solely as compassionate caretakers. In certain grim circumstances, they stood at the intersection of torture and medicine, lending their knowledge of the human body to systems of punishment and public executions. To modern readers, the very thought of […]

Haunted medieval torture relics with skull, spiked chair, iron maiden, and ghostly portrait lit by candles.

The Most Haunted Objects of the Medieval Torture Museum: Cursed Relics and Dark Legends

Stepping into the Medieval Torture Museum in Chicago, visitors expect to confront the raw brutality of history — chains, racks, and devices forged to inflict fear and pain. Yet, for many, what lingers longest is not just the iron and wood, but the unsettling sensation that something else moves in the shadows. Among the countless […]

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