Judith Beheading Holofernes (Detail), Caravaggio, ca. 1599, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Rome

On the 7th of December Mengho was tortured under the supervision of four magistrates and a notary. He confessed, and the notary recorded it. More goods were recovered. Once he had admitted to stealing the silk, Mengho confessed to numerous other crimes over the past few years. On the same day, he confirmed his confessions before the court and judge Vecto.

 

Ken Pennington, Torture and Fear:  Enemies of Justice

 

La corda:  The most common instrument of Torture