Whirligig

By Crusader1307

While ''Suspension Torture'' was not ''new'' to Europe of the 17th Century AD – a device was born out of The English Civil War known as The ''Whirligig''. While the ''name'' have MANY different meanings throughout The World (normally as a child's hand held toy), it was used to torment Prisoners in the 1640s. Basically a Gibbet Cage, suspended on a high bar or tree limb, the Victim was then spun around and around, eventually becoming sick from the constant motion. Later versions placed The Gibbet onto a spinning platform which could be hand turned with more effective results. Often, the victim was overfed or given alcohol to increase the eventual vomitus that was forthcoming. The Whirligig was used over and over again, with the victim not allowed to change their clothes – having to remain in their own filth for days. Used as a form of humiliation by Parliamentarian Forces against captured Royalist Supporters, it's use ceased in the 1660s.