10 Medieval “Disciplinary” Practices That Actually Existed and 10 That Never Did

The spiked “Iron Maiden” is one of the best-known symbols of fictional medieval cruelty, but historians have discovered that it appeared much later, and that decorative versions were displayed after the Middle Ages. In reality, the story originates from modern writings rather than medieval documents, so what you see is actually a legend that has outlived the evidence supporting it.

The “pear” is often portrayed as a medieval torture device used by the Inquisition, but research suggests otherwise. According to historians, objects known as “pears” first appeared in the mid-19th century. You know what that means: we have no evidence that this medieval torture device ever existed… which is probably for the best.

You’ve probably heard about it before: husbands on crusades who would lock up their wives using this brutal device. However, all of this is widely considered a myth. In fact, research suggests that the surviving examples are actually Victorian reproductions. So, even though this idea is still very widespread, the “medieval” context is not supported by evidence.

Lists of medieval devices often include the bronze bull, but this story has no connection to medieval Europe. The legend dates back to Phalaris of Acragas and the supposed bronze bull of the 6th century B.C., which places the story well outside the Middle Ages.

Despite its name, this method is not presented as a traditional Chinese technique, nor is it medieval in the sense that you mean. The earliest known version was documented in Bologna in the late 15th century, and the term itself did not appear until much later.

The ear screw is often presented as a medieval artifact, but historians have discovered that it first appeared in Europe during the early modern period, not in the Middle Ages. Museums themselves date it to the period between the Middle Ages and the Industrial Revolution. Thus, even though it is still marketed as a medieval artifact, historical documents prove otherwise.

It may seem like an almost cute fable, but this horrific device of restraint was anything but. Although it was real, describing it as “medieval” is misleading; it is associated with the state power of the Tudor era. The Royal Armories describes the Scavenger’s Daughter as having been invented during the reign of Henry VIII, thus placing it in the 16th century.

People often regard the diving stool—a device used for public humiliation and punishment—as a medieval relic, but both the term and the device appear in later documents. The first mention of this device actually dates back to the early 17th century.

Although people often associate the chastity belt with medieval tales, its actual origin, as documented in historical records, dates back to the 16th century. Often used on women considered to be gossips or even drunkards, there are records of its early use in Scotland in 1567, which places it after the medieval period.

Wait a second—we’re here to set the record straight. Yes, torture racks did exist. No, not in every medieval castle. The device is well documented in ancient contexts, but selective examples exaggerate its supposed ubiquity in the Middle Ages. Even though it seems logical that every king would have had one in his dungeon, this is really just speculation.

Don’t lose all hope: there were many so-called disciplinary devices, and we’re going to explore them.

Sometimes called “corda,” this basic device is exactly what its name suggests: a person suspended by their wrists, which are tied behind their back. It is, in a sense, a suspension device attached to the wrists, which often causes the shoulder to dislocate (weights were sometimes added to intensify the pain).

With a name like that, you know it can’t be anything good. The wheel of torture was used to break the bones or beat the condemned to make an example of them. Worse still, it remained in use throughout Europe for centuries.

Medieval public squares? They’re never anything good. Just ask any victim of the pillory—a device that immobilized a person’s head and hands to punish them publicly. It was a widely recognized instrument with a long history.

At first glance, the word “stocks” doesn’t seem so terrible, but don’t be fooled by its innocent appearance. It was a device used to restrain a person’s limbs—most often the ankles—and was employed to inflict humiliating public punishments, particularly throughout Europe starting in the Middle Ages. Although it appears identical to the pillory, the stocks immobilized the ankles of a seated person, whereas the pillory forced the person to stand.

Unfortunately, handcuffs are not just a legend: they are artifacts that have survived, designed to restrain the hands and sometimes the feet. Dating from the 15th to the 17th century, they were in fact simple steel or iron shackles that were used primarily as handcuffs.

Criminals, here are the iron collars: a restraint device used to control movement and enforce compliance. (Just look at them to understand why.) They date back to the 15th through 17th centuries and are one of the most common types of disciplinary devices.

There’s no denying their existence, especially since museums today still display them. Dating from the 15th to the 17th century, this tool wasn’t used only on criminals; sometimes it was used to brand livestock or even to prevent the theft of tools. However, that doesn’t mean it didn’t come into contact with human skin from time to time.

Also known as “Peine Forte et Dure,” this was not a rumor, but an official legal response in force in medieval England when a defendant refused to plead guilty. In practice, the defendant was subjected to weight torture as a coercive measure. Good luck holding out under those conditions.

If you know even a little about the Salem witch trials, you know what a stake is. It was simply a fixed wooden post used to hold a person in place so they could be executed by burning. Today, this method is widely recognized and was later adopted in Europe. It specifically refers to the fate of Joan of Arc in 1431.

“Send them to the gallows!” You’ve heard the phrase in songs and books: it refers to the device used for executions by hanging. It isn’t strictly a “medieval” invention (it existed throughout several eras), but it was undoubtedly part of medieval capital punishment.