Punishments back in the day were pretty bizarre. We’ve all heard of the grotesque and inhumane punishments and torture methods from way back when, but what about the medieval punishments that you didn’t know about? Whether gruesome or just hilarious, we’ve gathered a list of six examples of this.
6. Ordeals
Trials by ordeal are one of the most bizarre yet gruesome medieval punishments on the list. And there were three that could happen. You could either get into cold water, as to which, if you sank, you were indicated as innocent, or guilty if you floated. You could face hot water, where you must pluck a stone from a cauldron of boiling water, and if your wound was healed within three days, you were innocent. Or go up against hot iron, where you carry a pound of boiling iron to show your righteousness.
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5. Animal Masks
Medieval punishments knew how to make something ridiculous. Like having someone wear terrifying animal masks around town or in the stocks. Along with that? Some would wear crime-specific badges to show their punishment, and they would have to wear them for life to forever hold on to the crime they committed. One badge looked like two huge red tongues, which indicated you committed perjury.
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4. Scold’s Bridles
The Bridle might be something you’ve heard of before. If not, then here is one of the most bizarre medieval punishments that you can learn about. The Scold’s Bridle was worn by women who spread gossip or spoke their opinion a bit too much for their husbands’ liking. Thankfully, it’s more humiliating than painful for the wearer, as it just straps around your head and forces a bit in your mouth to prevent you from talking.
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3. Animals in Court
The animals weren’t safe, though. Even critters like pigs were subjected to medieval punishments. Animals commit crimes too, like mauling and murder, and are given criminal trials instead of being immediately put down.
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2. White Sheets
One of the weirdest medieval punishments that would be hilarious to see today is the punishment of apologizing while wearing a white sheet. If you had done something offensive and needed to perform penance for the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, you would need to wear a white sheet, as if you were dressing as a ghost, stand outside the local church, and beg very loudly for forgiveness.
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1. Thrown in Water
What part of the olden times wasn’t sexist? Along with the Bridle, which was used to prevent women from gossiping, there was the ducking stool, which was used when women caused problems. The tool saw women strapped to the chair and then dropped into the nearest stream or lake repeatedly. Not only is it a bizarre medieval punishment, but an insane way to prevent gossip from spreading.
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