Middle Age Torture Tactics

Execution By Quartering

Likely the most painful and brutal form of execution in history, being hung, drawn, and quartered was invented in the year 1241, in order to punish a pirate by the name of William Maurice. Unlike most other forms of execution and torture, the hanging, drawing, and quartering method was not held back from being performed on royalty or peasants alike; in other words, it did not matter your social or economic standing, this method could be used on anyone.


Picture
Usually, this form of execution was used on prisoners convicted of treason. It was reserved to the most hated of criminals, as it was easily the most sadistic and barbaric form of execution ever invented.

A chronicler by the name of William Harrison portrayed the execution of hanging, drawing, and quartering as:
"The greatest and most grievous punishment used in England for such as offend against the State is drawing from the prison to the place of execution upon an hurdle or sled, where they are hanged till they be half dead, and then taken down, and quartered alive; after that, their members and bowels are cut from their bodies, and thrown into a fire, provided near hand and within their own sight, even for the same purpose."