If you think that medieval torture devices were all about spikes, fire, and blades, think again. There was one device that was so simple and yet so cruel that it would make even the most hardened criminal confess to anything. It was called the cup of wine, and it was nothing more than a plain wooden cup filled with wine.

The cup of wine was used to torture victims who were accused of heresy, witchcraft, or treason. The victim would be strapped to a wooden bench and forced to drink the wine from the cup. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. The wine was not ordinary wine, but a concoction of vinegar, salt, pepper, and other spices that would burn the victim's mouth, throat, and stomach. The wine was also laced with a powerful laxative that would cause the victim to soil themselves uncontrollably.

The victim would be given no water or food, only more wine. The torture would last for hours or even days, until the victim was dehydrated, malnourished, and humiliated. The victim would suffer from intense thirst, nausea, cramps, and ulcers. The victim would also be mocked and taunted by the torturers and the spectators, who would laugh at their misery.

The cup of wine was designed to break the victim's spirit and willpower, as well as their body. Many victims would confess to anything just to end the torture. Some would even die from the effects of the wine. The cup of wine was one of the most effective and sadistic torture devices ever invented.

So next time you enjoy a glass of wine, remember the cup of wine and be thankful that you are not living in the Middle Ages.