The Heretic's Fork

This torture implement was used during the Inquisition to force heretics to recant their beliefs. It was designed for maximum pain and discomfort rather than as an instrument of death.



It consisted of two little forks, one set against the other so that the four sharp points rammed deep into the flesh under the chin and into the bone of the sternum.
A little collar held it in place allowing the victim to do little more than murmur his confession.



If during their inquest they failed to utter the words "I recant" they were either hanged or burned at the stake.



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