The spanish boots
 
 
This method of torture was probably invented and widely used by spanish inquisitors and was later called "the spanish boots" , even if other countries adopted it eagerly . The upper picture shows  the original method using wooden planks  and ropes , tightly imprisoning the legs of the victim . An additional piece of wood was used as a wedge and helped to squeeze and crush the delinquent's limbs .
 
 
This device is already more sopisticated  and was used in german torture chambers of the 17th century . The victims legs and ankles were tightly attached in iron shackles which could be tightened even more to inflict intense pain . The refinment consists in the rear  plate which , with the use of an additional screw, could be tilted  backwards until the legs broke !
 
 

Other cruel devices have the form of metal boots with sharp spikes on the inside . They were applied on the delinquents legs and were screwed more or less tightly until the desired confession was obtained  ...
 
 
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