Head crusher

A head crusher is a medieval torture device. It is not documented before the 15th century.

Use

It’s said that this device was a uniquely German device, first recorded in 1530;also going by the names Kranz or Schneiden. This metal device featured a plate that sat below the victim's jaw, which was connected by a frame to the head cap. As the torturer slowly twisted the handle, the gap between the head cap and plate decreased in width, causing crushing of the skull and facial bones, including teeth and jaws, and ultimately inducing death; even if the torturer stopped before death, permanent damage to the facial muscles and structure would occur. The victim's head would slowly be crushed, killing the victim, but not before the victim's jaw had been crushed, and their eyes had popped from their sockets.[1] To make the pain more unbearable, the torture master would sometimes amuse himself by tapping on the metal cap with a small hammer.[2]

There were many variations of the head crusher during the Middle Ages, some of which even had a container in the front to catch the popped eyes of the victim.[3]

In popular culture

Megadeth's song "Head Crusher" (from the album Endgame) is about the device.

Popular TV series by Canal Plus and Netflix, "Borgia" has an example of this device in Season 3, Episode 1 ("1495").

See also

References

  1. ↑ "infernal device - Head Crusher". occasional hell. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
  2. ↑ Donnelly, Mark, and Daniel Diehl. The Big Book of Pain: Torture & Punishment through History. Stroud: History, 2008. Print. Schneiden(headcrusher)
  3. ↑ "The Head Crusher". Medievality.com. 2008-11-29. Retrieved 2013-09-02.

Methods of torture


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