WHAT METHODS DID THE CHURCH EMPLOY TO PUNISH HERESY? - HISTORY - 2024

The methods used by the church to punish heresy during the so-called “Holy Inquisition” were cruel and varied. The inquisition punished with punishments such as cutting off hands, crucifixion, different methods of torture and even burning.

Dr. Hubertus Mynarek in his book The New Inquisition (1999) describes a large number of these in detail. Before starting in the context of the methods of punishment applied, it is necessary to define the term "Heresy". According to the Wikipedia website:

In relation to the concept, it is important to note that if the "novel theory" is not accepted by the majority, problems arise. This is where the church and the aforementioned holy inquisition come in.

Continuing, the torture methods involved instruments that were quite well developed for their purpose: to generate suffering. In punishment practices, the executioner was in charge of carrying them out.

The main methods of punishment used by the church

The pear

The pear was one of the instruments used as a method of torture. This pear-sized device (hence its name) was inserted into the vagina, anus or mouth.

The destructive power of this device is that once inserted, it can be expanded into the cavity by means of screws. The result is total internal destruction.

Cat's claw

The so-called cat's claw or breast ripper, consisted of a forceps with curved and sharp ends. By means of this, the breasts of women who committed adultery were torn.

The victims ended up with skinned breasts, literally. Without doubt one of the worst methods applied by the church.

The bull of Falaris

The Falaris bull is described by the chroniclers as one of the most ruthless "tools" used in the inquisition.

It consisted of a wooden statue, in the shape of a bull. Inside this, people were introduced who were later cremated.

Chain whips

Perhaps one of the most “simple” methods among the previous ones described. However, the level of pain it generated to its victims was quite strong.

The instrument consisted of several chains attached to a metal rod. The heretic was whipped with said instrument until his bones were shattered.

Water torture

Various authors have mentioned water as one of the elements most used by the Catholic Church in torture in their studies. Despite skeptics to the contrary, with specific use the liquid can be deadly.

Among these uses, there is the one of supersaturating the system of this through forced ingestion of the victims. They were made to consume about 10 or 12 liters without stopping until they died "burst." This is what Doctor Mynarek says in his book.

Some other methods of torture existed, but were not properly documented. The official list of historians like Mynarek, describe a total of 37 methods. Obviously, the time of the inquisition was darker than what is claimed in books.

Others

Death of Joan of Arc. Hermann Stilke, 1843.

In addition to the punishments discussed, burning at the stake could be used as a method of execution.

References

1. Wikipedia in Spanish. Heresy. (2017). Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org
2. Wikipedia in Spanish. The Holy Inquisition. (2017), Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
3. Hernández J. On heresy and the Inquisition (fragment) / How did the Inquisition process? (2009). Recovered from: sindioses.org
4. wordpress.com. The 37 methods of torture practiced by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages. (2011). Recovered from: todoempiezaqui.wordpress.com
5. Sanjuana Martínez. Holy Inquisition: Methods of torture. (2010) Recovered from: www.ateoyagnostico.com
6. theologue.de. Inquisition - the cruel methods of torture of the Church -The Inquisition and women. (2012). Recovered from: theologe.de.