SPANISH TICKLER

 

The spikes are dragged across the victim's skin

The Cats Paw was created during the Spanish Inquisition in 1478 in Spain Design, materials, and function of the cats paw Originally the Cat' paw was the Spanish Tickler, which had 4 spikes and shaped like a rake. Eventually it became the Cat's Paw, which had 3 spikes shaped like talons. Cruel and unusual Punishment It was created at the behest of Queen Isabella I of Spain It was focused most heavily on Jews Queen Isabel of Spain was a devout Catholic and believe anyone who wasn't Catholic, mostly Jews, had to be converted or expelled from the country. Any who didn't were tortured and killed. She is the same monarch who helped Columbus. What is cruel and unusual punishment? It is either too much punishment or more pain than is needed.

This instrument of gruesome design is pretty cut and dry.  A series of metal “claws” are attached to a pole, acting as an extension of the torturer’s own hand.  The victim is stripped naked and tied upright.  The spikes are then dragged across the victim’s skin, usually beginning with the limbs and then moving to the back, chest, neck, and finally…. the face.

Because of the design of the Spanish Tickler, it could rip through anything… skin, muscle, and bone. It was often used as a means of excruciating execution, although sometimes people were sentenced to a shorter session, and then released.