Oubilette

By Crusader1307

Perhaps beginning with the earliest of traditional Castle (Fortress) constructions, a Dungeon (from The French ‘’Donjon’’ – or Keep), were developed to contain Prisoners. Dank, dark places – these Cells were designed to hold a Person awaiting either trial, torture or execution. But around the 13^th Century in Europe, a ‘’new’’ development known as The ‘’Oubilette’’ was created. Meaning ‘’Forgotten Room’’, these ‘’cells’’ were more torture than anything. Located below a traditional Dungeon, or the lowest point in a Castle, these ‘’Rooms’’ were in reality (possibly) – sewage points. Water, waste and all other manner of liquid debris would collect and (thanks to gravity) – eventually make it’s way into The Oubiltte. Normally, these locations were but small stone cylinders or crawlspaces that led (most of the time), to a small enclosure….where it sat, fetid and foul.

At some point, someone somewhere, got the idea to use The Oubileete as a means of both torture and execution. Only the very worst of Criminals would be placed inside the confines. Often thrown or at best allowed to descend via ladder, in some systems – a Person could only but stand, not even able to turn around. In other cases, they descended into a 5-foot by 4-foot ‘’room’’ (again with barely any way of moving, let along standing. Often, the Prisoner ‘’shared’’ His confines with rats and human remains – from the ‘’last Guest’’. Barely fed and given water, if a Victim died – it was from a wide variety of disease. Oubilette’s were seldom cleaned out. When they were – due to the fear of plague perhaps, bilge’s were applied to pump out the fetid water. Dry straw was added – which was then in turn set on fire. This would ‘’sterilize’’ the confines, only to be used again at a later date.