An iron chair is a

torture Torture is the deliberate infliction of severe pain or suffering on a person for reasons such as punishment, extracting a confession, interrogational torture, interrogation for information, or intimidating third parties. definitions of tortur ...

device that has several different variations depending on its origin and use throughout history. It is also known as the Chinese torture chair or the torture chair. In all cases, the victim was seated on several strips or plates of

brass Brass is an alloy of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in proportions which can be varied to achieve different mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other wit ...

and placed over an open flame and slowly roasted alive. In other variations, the victim was tied to an iron armchair and then slowly pushed nearer and nearer to a blazing fire." Other versions of the chair had the addition of small sharp spikes which lined the back, seat, armrests and leg rests. The number of spikes ranged from 500 to 1,500.

Origin

The iron chair originated from Europe's

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

, though it was used around the world in different variations as well.

Lead

The iron chair was a torture device that was added to

dungeons A dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Dungeons are generally associated with medieval castles, though their association with torture probably belongs more to the Renaissance period. An oubliette (from ...

in the Middle Ages. It experienced its prime in popularity in Europe. The iron chair has many different variations depending on its location but they consisted of 500-1500 spikes covering the whole chair with a hole on the seat for fire and coal to be placed under. The iron chair was used as punishment. Crimes that are punishable by the iron chair include

adultery Adultery (from Latin ''adulterium'') is extramarital sex that is considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal ...

witchcraft Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. A practitioner is a witch. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have ...

, murder, etc. The instrument was used until the late 1800s in Europe.

Variations

Another variation of the iron chair was called the Chinese torture chair because it was a very common torture technique in China. Though the Chinese torture chair is slightly different it was used in the same psychological way as Europe's version. The Chinese torture chair was used in from 1701 to the 1900s in China and was "...made from wood with 12 steel blades in the arm, back and foot rests and seat" ( Science Museum, London).

Effects

This device was used on convicted people or suspects because it instilled fear in a person. It was used to extract confessions from people by watching another get tortured. If that failed, the person them self had to suffer from it as well. The iron chair "...lies primarily in the psychological fear caused on the victim" (Medievality). The iron chair was especially unique because it relied on the psychological effects rather than physical, unlike many other torture instruments. Physically, this instrument punctures the skin while the person is tied down tightly onto the chair. If they do not cooperate, the person gets tied down tighter, digging the spikes deeper into their flesh. The large hole at the bottom of the seat was made to put coal and fire under to burn the victims lower body parts and slowly roast them alive. This torture technique did not necessarily cause death itself, it was usually followed with an infection after the person was released. Death was far from instant with the iron chair.{{Cite web, url=http://broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/objects/display?id=92956, title=Wooden torture chair with 12 steel blades, China, 1701-1900, website=broughttolife.sciencemuseum.org.uk, language=en, access-date=2018-05-10

References

Instruments of torture European instruments of torture