The Heretic’s Pitchfork: Medieval Torture So Brutal It Will Haunt Your Dreams!
The medieval era was a time of harsh and often brutal punishment, especially for those accused of heresy. The Church and inquisitorial authorities devised various methods to instill fear and maintain religious orthodoxy. Among these cruel instruments of torment was the heretic’s pitchfork, a device designed not for immediate death, but for prolonged suffering, humiliation, and psychological torment. The heretic’s pitchfork was a deceptively simple yet highly effective instrument of torture. It consisted of a metal rod with two sharp prongs at either end. One end pressed against the victim’s chin, while the other was forced against their sternum or…
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