Heretic's fork

Heretic's fork (strap missing)
Diagram of main components of a Heretic's Fork

The heretic's fork was a torture device, loosely consisting of a length of metal with two opposed bi-pronged "forks" as well as an attached belt or strap.[1]

Description

The device was placed between the breast bone and throat just under the chin and secured with a leather strap around the neck, while the victim was hung from the ceiling or otherwise suspended in a way so that they could not lie down.[2] Usually the Heretic's fork was given to people who spoke the lord's name in vain, blasphemers, or liars. This way, the punishment made it nearly impossible for them to talk. Also, a person wearing it couldn't fall asleep. The moment their head dropped with fatigue, the prongs pierced their throat or chest, causing great pain.[1][3] This very simple instrument created long periods of sleep deprivation. People were awake for days, which made confessions more likely.[1]

Traditionally, the fork was engraved with the Latin word abiuro (meaning "I recant"), and was used by the various Inquisitions.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Instruments Gallery". Historical Torture Museum. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  2. ↑ Golub, L. (1985). "About This Artwork - The Heretic's Fork, c. 1985". The Art Institute of Chicago - The Collection. The Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Di Perna, A. (September 2008). "Hurts so good". Tune-Ups - Profiles. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  4. ↑ Stocker, T. (2009). The Paleolithic Paradigm. AuthorHouse. p. 64. ISBN 1-4490-2292-8. Retrieved 13 January 2010.


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