The extremist Reep judge trying to halt all abortions using an abortion pill (previous post)- which can be a means of self-abortion- brings to mind analogous use of herbs to achieve the same end in the early to later Middle Ages. Use of certain herbs and prepared potions at the time provided one of the few methods of aborting the unwanted fetus. However, if caught, women faced some of the most terrifying tortures known under the RC Inquisition. And many of these were often linked to witchcraft.
Most of these punishments were specifically prescribed by the Malleus Maleficarum of Heinrich Kramer (Dean of Cologne University) and Jacob Sprenger (Dominican Inquisitor General of Germany). This was the book which gave the detailed methods for exposing those possessed by demons, or under their influence, including: accused witches, familiars, succubi, and incubi) . This was under a Bull issued by Pope Innocent VIII.
Not often mentioned is how women who self-aborted were often placed under the same category as witches. But while the latter were usually disemboweled then hung on a revolving pole, e.g. see the forlorn accused witch (below) to the left of the accused heretic:
The self-aborting woman was instead subjected to the 'breast ripper' - most often employed in Bavaria in the 16th century,The monstrous device had hooks which were attached to a wall, while long fangs were clamped to each of the poor woman's breasts. The torturers would then rip the fangs away tearing the flesh and ripping away the breasts. While the victim wasn't killed outright - like the witches - she did often suffer severe infection, itself a terrible death sentence at that time.
Note that Sprenger and Kramer also recommended such methods to secure the confession of witches. Once the suspect was identified as a potential witch (especially if possessing a "familiar', usually a cat) it became necessary to obtain her confession.
The procedure first required obtaining evidence in the form of "devil's marks". Prosecutors and examiners often made great displays of such searches, which usually included the shaving of the head and genitals in public as the witches were prodded with sharp implements by their accusers. The Malleus, after all mandated "diligent and careful inspections of secret parts". The Malleus also advised that torture, deception and terror be used to extract confessions- hence the introduction of the breast ripper or a similar device, the "Spanish spider".
The rack, scourging, burning and eye gouging were additionally sanctioned as inducement to confess, and the impetus for confessions was primarily driven by the fact the more confessions forthcoming the more the pay for the prosecutors-Inquisitors. Thus, under torture, the accused witches were routinely forced to name any and all accomplices including those who participated in sabbats. Sadly, using similar means - like the 'Spanish spider'- ordinary women who self-aborted could also find themselves facing the same torments as witches.
One of the most infamous cases, as described by historian Henry Lea ('The Inquisition of the Middle Ages' ), concerned a 71 -year old woman put to the rack no less than seven times, especially after confessing to signing a pact with the devil.
Females suspected of being witches and in congress with "the Devil" caught holy hell for sure, with ultimate tortures that would give most people today psychotic nightmares.
Recounting these horrors helps us to put today's authoritarian efforts, whether against abortion or simply being "woke", in perspective. The main thing to ensure for future posterity is that no unhinged Reepo degenerate or demagogue - namely Donald J. Trump (who once bragged of mauling women's genitals) - ever be allowed in power again.
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