What was the torture device the Catherine Wheel used for and why? And who was it named after?
The Catherine Wheel Torture
The St Catherine's Wheel is also known as the Breaking Wheel. The Breaking Wheel was a device used for torture in the ancient and medieval periods. The condemned were placed on a cart-wheel with their limbs stretched out along the spokes over two sturdy wooden beams. The wheel was made to slowly revolve, and a large hammer or an iron bar was then applied to the limb over the gap between the beams, breaking the bones. This process was repeated several times per limb. St Catherine's Wheel is named after St Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian saint and martyr claimed to have been a noted scholar in the early 4th century. The Orthodox Churches venerates her as agreat martyr," and in the Roman Catholic Church, she is traditionally revered as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Peace!
Catherine Wheel The Catherine Wheel, also known as the Breaking Wheel, was one of the most widely used torture devices during the medieval times in Europe. It was used to execute criminals and other accused people since the times of antiquity, although its use became more widespread during the medieval times. In some instances, the wheel continued to be used even after the medieval times. This torture device is often associated with Saint Catherine of Alexandria. While the practice was prevalent throughout Europe, it was particularly popular in France and Germany. History of the Catherine Wheel The history of the Catherine Wheel can be traced back to antiquity when it was used as a torture device for capital punishment. References to The Wheel are also found in the works of the sixth century author Gregory of Tours. During the reign of the Holy Roman Empire, the punishment of the Wheel was mainly reserved for men who were convicted of aggravated murder. The punishment remained common throughout the medieval times but began to be abandoned with the beginning of the early modern era. Catherine Wheel - Breaking Wheel The Catherine Wheel or Breaking Wheel Torture Device was used to break the bones of Victims Catherine Wheel Names The Catherine Wheel was also known as the Breaking Wheel since it was a device used to break the bones of the accused and crush them to death. Sometimes it was also known simply as “the wheel” and the people who faced torture and death through this device were said to be “broken on the wheel”.
