The Law, Crime, Torture and Punishment - Branding There were no laws or rules to protect the treatment of prisoners who faced torture or punishment, such as the Branding. No matter what the type of torture or punishment was used it was seen as a totally legitimate means for justice to extract confessions, obtain the names of accomplices, obtain testimonies or confessions or to impose a penalty, sanctioned by law for a wrong committed.The following description provides facts and information about the Branding. The Branding Description - Method, Instruments or Devices used to brand There were various methods and devices used to torture or punishing a victim using branding or burning techniques. The red-hot brazier, which was passed backwards and forwards before the eyes of the culprit, until they were destroyed by the scorching heat. Red hot pokers were applied to various parts of the body. Various marks branded on to the flesh using red hot branding irons. A branding-iron had a long bolt with a wooden handle at one end and a brand with a letter at the other. Two iron loops were used for firmly securing the hands during the excruciating process of branding. Facts and Information about the Branding - The Crimes The punishment of branding was adopted in the Dark and Middle Ages by the Anglo-Saxons. In 1547 the Statute of Vagabonds ruled that vagabonds, gipsies and brawlers were ordered to be branded, the first two with a large V on the breast. the last with F for fighter (brawler). Slaves too who ran away were branded with S on cheek or forehead. This law was repealed in 1636. |