Judas cradle

The Judas cradle, also known as the Judas Chair, was a torture device allegedly used by the Spanish Inquisition. In Italian it was known as the culla di Giuda; in German the Judaswiege; and in French as la veille - "the wake" or "nightwatch" (as when the muscles contracted the victim could not fall asleep).

The Judas Chair is a pyramid-shaped seat. The victim was placed on top of it, with the point inserted into their anus, vagina or scrotum, then very slowly lowered by ropes. Some theories suggest that the intended effect was to stretch the orifice over a long period of time, or to slowly impale. The victim was usually [...], adding to the humiliation already endured.

Other sources describe a different way of use, stating the ability to raise or lower the victim can change the pressure. The pyramid shaped seat was able to stretch the anus or the vagina, but the point of the pyramid may have been used to cause pain by pressing against the inside of the orifice. This contrasts to the stretching theory, in that the actual torture was caused not by the stretching of the vagina or anus, but by the different effects achieved by positioning the victim against the pyramid's point. Additionally, stretching of the anus or vagina could result in rips and tears causing pain and even death.

Disputed origin

The invention and use of Judas Cradle is attributed to the Spanish Inquisition. Historically, a similar device, known as a horse, was used in Prussia to discipline soldiers. This device was not designed to break the skin.

Sources

ISBN 963-9409-08-1 - Torrente del Bosque: Kínzások és kivégzések története

  • In Bayonetta, the titular protagonist Bayonetta uses this torture device to kill the Joy seraph when a torture attack is performed.
  • In Trapt, the Judas Cradle is used as a trap against enemies with the purpose of inflicting damage to their HP and stalling them, but it is shown as a rocking horse.

cs:Jidášova stolice es:Cuna de Judas hu:Lofat pl:Kołyska Judasza fi:Juudaksen tuoli sv:Judasstol