The Breaking Wheel – One of the Worst Forms of Punishment in History

The Breaking Wheel was one of the worst forms of punishment in history. According to the Sachsenspiegel , an important medieval law book, it was reserved for the worst of crimes. While this is a medieval source, the breaking wheel had been allegedly in use since antiquity and remained so until to the early modern period. It was both a very spectacular and exemplary form of punishment. It was carried out publicly and usually attracted many spectators. The breaking wheel is sometimes also referred to as Catherine Wheel. According to legend, Saint Catherine of Alexandria touched the wheel and it shattered magically.
Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/sandrhomanhistory
Bibliography:
Horrox, Rosemay, The Black Death. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1994.
Schild, Wolfgang, Die Geschichte der Gerichtsbarkeit: Vom Gottesurteil bis zum Beginn der modernen Rechtssprechung, Hamburg 1980, p. 204.
Blazek, Matthias, Letzte Hinrichtung durch Rädern im Königreich Preußen am 13. August 1841, in: Fachprosaforschung – Grenzüberschreitungen, Baden-Baden 2011.

Видео The Breaking Wheel – One of the Worst Forms of Punishment in History канала SandRhoman History