[A Historical Deep Dive into Medieval Torture Methods]-[Episode Revisit: Torture]

Morbid · B2 · 2026-05-14

📋 Summary

The Dark History of Medieval Torture

In this episode of Morbid, hosts Ash and Alaina take a journey back in time to explore the gruesome and often terrifying methods of torture used throughout history. Before diving into the macabre subject matter, the hosts share some exciting updates, including a collaboration with Hunt a Killer for a new game called The Salem Slicer and the release of new merchandise. They also touch upon recent true crime news, specifically the developments in the case of the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo.

The Brazen Bull: A Human Crockpot

One of the first devices discussed is the Brazen Bull, invented by Perillos of Athens in the 6th century BC. Designed for the tyrant Phalaris, this hollow bronze statue was a literal "human crockpot." Victims were placed inside, and a fire was lit beneath, cooking them alive. Perillos engineered the bull with internal pipes to convert the victim's screams into the sounds of a snorting beast. Interestingly, the creator himself is said to have been the first victim of his own invention after Phalaris was disgusted by the cruelty of the design.

The Iron Maiden and The Boots

The Iron Maiden is described as an upright, sarcophagus-like device lined with spikes. While some scholars debate its historical existence, the hosts emphasize that such a concept aligns with the dark nature of the era. They also discuss The Boots, a form of torture that didn't necessarily kill the victim but left them permanently maimed. One version involved soaking leather boots in boiling water, which dissolved the flesh, while another utilized wooden wedges hammered into the shins to shatter bone.

The Scold’s Bridle and The Breast Ripper

Targeting social behavior, the Scold’s Bridle was an iron muzzle used to punish women for "gossiping." It featured a metal bit—sometimes spiked—that pierced the tongue if the wearer attempted to speak. The hosts also cover the Breast Ripper (or Iron Spider), a claw-like device designed to tear at the breasts, highlighting the gendered nature of many medieval torture practices.

Severe Punishments: The Blood Eagle and The Rack

The Blood Eagle is presented as a particularly nightmarish Viking tradition, where the victim’s back was carved open, ribs severed, and lungs pulled out to drape over the shoulders like wings. Moving to the Rack, the hosts describe a pulley-based system that stretched the body until joints snapped and limbs were potentially torn from sockets. This was often used as a tool to elicit confessions by forcing other prisoners to witness the agony of the victim.

The Cradle of Judas and Rat Torture

The Cradle of Judas involved lowering a victim onto a wooden pyramid, causing penetration of the perineum—a method used by the Spanish Inquisition. Finally, the hosts discuss Torture by Rats, a method where a cage of rats was placed on the victim's stomach and heated, forcing the animals to burrow into the victim's body to escape the heat.

Conclusion

The hosts wrap up the episode by reflecting on the extreme nature of these historical practices. Despite the horrific content, they maintain their signature conversational style, even teasing a future interview with the "Vampire King and Queen of Austin." The episode serves as a chilling reminder of the dark, often cruel ingenuity of humanity throughout history.

🎯Key Sentences

I do a pretty good impression if you ask me.

I believe this one is the medieval torture episode which, like wow, we're really throwing it way back there, dolls.

Numero uno is if you're not on the social media, you don't know the big cool news.

I mean, can you think of a more perfect name for a game?

Elena and I are so stoked about this.

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📝Key Phrases

on the ones and twos

full circle moment

have something written all over it

the bee's knees

without further ado

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📖 Transcript

Hey weirdos, I'm Ash.

And I'm Alina.

And this is Morbid.

Okay, did you guys catch that that actually was not Big Red?

I mean, I do a pretty good impression if you ask me.

But guys, Big Red is feeling not so, not big good.

So like for good luck or something. like you know some people like maybe just wear your lucky socks yeah it's it's the same rub a rabbit's foot pretty much the same day and according to 12th and 13th century scholars it was most popular in scandinavia because vikings uh-huh and it was reserved when it wasn't being used just as like a pump up thing for battle this is just like a pregame as a pregame for battle Then it was used for literally the worst of the worst people.

So, Despite the fact that those administering the torture may also be hitting you or hanging you upside down to keep you awake and alert, which they often did you may lose consciousness from blood loss, from pain and fear, or because your brain is most definitely going to go into self-preservation mode and just start shutting shit down.

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