On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.

Things.

On October 17, 1483, Dominican friar Tomas de Torquemada was appointed by the Pope to the position of Grand Inquisitor, launching the Spanish Inquisition.






Inquisitors used many methods and devices in their "inquisitions," i.e. torture sessions designed to force confessions out of accused heretics.  The strappado was usually not as elaborate as the system pictured here. The accused would have their hands tied behind their back, similar to handcuffing. A rope would be tied to the wrists and passed over a pulley, beam, or hook, depending upon the place where the torture took place. As the accused was pulled off of the ground, they were hanging from their arms. Then, they were dropped. At the very least,shoulders would be dislocated.

Water torture was also used. The accused would lay on his or her back and be strapped to a board. Securing the ankles, wrists, arms, and legs was essential to prevent the accused from thrashing around. Once secured, a rag or some type of cloth would be inserted into the mouth. Officials of the tribunal would then pour water over the rag, mimicking the sensation of drowning.

The rack has a long history of use. A person would be secured to a board at the wrists and the ankles with some type of cuff, then chains would be attached to the cuffs. The chains would be attached to a wheel and a crank would turn the wheel. As the chains were tightened, the body would stretch and joints, ligaments, and tendons would snap, crack, and pop.

Finally, there's the wheel.  Intended as capital punishment, it sometimes was used as a form of torture. Generally, a wagon wheel was used and the accused or convicted would be stretched over the wheel. Then they would be beaten. The spaces between the spokes would allow bones to break upon contact with a club or other device. 

Dogs of God is a really interesting book that ties the Inquisition, the Reconquista, and Columbus's voyages together, all part of Ferdinand and Isabella's quest to prove that they were God's most faithful servants on Earth.

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