|
This story makes FirstFoot
happy to be alive in the 22nd century.
In 1596, Edinburgh born Alison
Balfour, "a known and notorious witch" was held for 2 days
in the "caspie claws" , an agonising medieval iron vice which
crushed the victims arms.
That was the easy bit.
Whilst undergoing this torture
at Edinburgh Castle, she was also obliged to watch her 81-year
old husband being slowly crushed to death by 700 lbs of iron
bars.
It gets worse ..... really.
Her son was placed in the
"Spanish Boots" and given 57 blows designed to crush his bones
to pulp.
 |
| Thumbscrews - as applied to
Alison Balfour's 7 year old daughter. |
|
Her seven year old daughter
got the thumbscrews, whilst Mum watched.
Last but not least, her servant
was flayed to the bone with the lash.
To add metaphorical salt
to the wounds, she was obliged to pay her torturers for each
of these acts.
Although she confessed at
the time of torture (hardly surprising) she later recanted.
It made no difference, they burned her on December 16 1596.
By law her persecutors were
entitled to deduct the cost of her trial and execution from
her estate. Which they did.
Good eh ?
|
