What is the breaking wheel?

The breaking wheel, also known as the Catherine wheel or the wheel of torture, was a medieval execution device used to torture and kill criminals. The wheel consisted of a large wooden wheel with radial spokes, on which the victim was placed. Their limbs were then tied or nailed to the wheel, and the executioner would proceed to strike the victim's body with an iron hammer or iron bar, breaking their bones in a slow and painful manner.

The breaking wheel was often used as a form of public execution, intended to not only physically torture the victim but also to serve as a deterrent to others. The severity of the punishment would vary depending on the crime committed, with more serious offenses resulting in a longer and more brutal execution process.

While the breaking wheel was used in various parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, it eventually fell out of favor and was replaced by more efficient and less gruesome methods of execution. Today, the breaking wheel is primarily seen in historical reenactments or as a symbol of medieval torture and brutality.