Скачать или смотреть The Horrifying Treatment of Women in Medieval Prisons Will Stun You

The Horrifying Treatment of Women in Medieval Prisons Will Stun You

In the cold stone confines of medieval Europe, from the gaols of England to the oubliettes of France, women faced a form of incarceration that blurred the line between justice and erasure. Upon entering these prisons—often carved into castle walls or buried beneath city halls—female inmates were subjected to procedures designed to break identity: the shaving of heads, the locking of shackles, and confinement in lightless spaces. These acts were not merely punitive, but symbolic, reducing personhood to silence under the weight of authority and belief.

Across regions and centuries, records show how women accused of immorality, theft, or witchcraft endured branding, starvation cells, and torture behind bars. The use of oubliettes, bilboes, and public markings reveals a system where punishment extended far beyond the sentence. In places like York, Loches, and London’s Bridewell Palace, imprisonment was shaped by gendered fears and religious codes. These medieval punishments left lasting scars—both physical and social—underscoring how confinement became a tool of control rather than a path to justice.

0:00 Shaved Heads and Shackles: The First Step Inside
01:57 Starvation Cells: The Forgotten Corner of the Dungeon
04:20 Branded for Sin: Punishment for ‘Immorality’ Behind Bars
07:06 Witch Trials Behind Bars: Torture Before the Verdict

NOTICE: This documentary is for educational and historical purposes only. This video does NOT promote hatred, discrimination, or violence. These events are condemned to ensure they are never repeated.