Mancuerda

By Crusader1307

A not often used method of Spanish (and later Italian) Torture from the 15th to 16th Centuries – the Practice of Mancuerda, was a painful and purposely ''long lasting'' Torture. Not necessarily seen as a method to extract ''truth'' (Confession) – The Mancuerda was more for a slow and painful death. It involved the use of two very simple ''tools''. These were rope and weight. As applied, thin but strong ropes were wrapped (tight, but with a space of a hand or pulley wench – perhaps). Using counterweight, the tighter the rope became – the more it cut into the flesh of the Victim. In addition to stopping the flow of blood, in time – bones will break and (again depending on the overall width of the rope used), will cut thru the flesh just as effective as any blade. Naturally, if used as a ''cutting method'' – once the flesh was sliced in one location – the Torture would be applied over and over to other body locations (normally at joints in the body). Generally, blood loss was the overall cause of death.