The Hanging Cage - a photo on Flickriver

The Hanging Cage

            This  would be a terrible way to die and that is by the hanging cage,  these cages could be found all over Europe's cities and towns. Whether hanging outside Palaces of Justice, cathedrals or from the Bridge of Sighs, hanging cages were a part of the European landscape until the 18th century. 

Victims of this instrument of torture died from hunger, thirst or the elements. If they were hanging in summer, victims could die of heat stroke. If they were hanging in winter, they could die of severe cold. Victims were usually left inside the cage until their bones began to fall apart.Made of slats of wood or iron, in myriad shapes and sizes, this device served as a simple punishment (the victim was displayed and eventually freed) or a slow, brutal execution (the victim was left to the elements, facing eventual death). 

The bodies of executed highwaymen, covered in tar for preservation, were often displayed in these cages along rural routes. It was thought that this presentation would deter other thieves. 

The remains were usually left in the cages until the bones fell apart. To discourage friends and relatives from attempting to retrieve the body, some cages were studded in nails. The poet William Wordsworth once encountered a hanging cage and was panicked by the sight.

Taken on: March 30, 2010

Tags:

Hanging

Cage

Sets appears in: • Tortue Devices

Groups appears in: • Illustration • ART DISTRICT more » • deviantART Deviants • 日本語flick'r • Art of Photography - The Eye of the Beholder! • Outsider Art • !FlickrSoup for Soul • Art After Art • ART OUT LOUD • Abstract images • ABSTRACT ART - *comment 1 per post • Art For Artists sake • Stupid as a painter • Paintings from you... THE ARTIST • Purposeful Art • Art - Drawing and Painting • ANYTHING ALLOWED!!!!!! • Your photo goes here! no 30/60 • A Painter's Canvas • ART / REAL • Favorites: 5 • *Paintings & Drawings* • ::Ars Longa Vita Brevis:: • ART PAINTINGS • theMoMAproject [NYC] • art for art • ART-X • Surreal Images • Hideous paintings • `No Rules! • Abstract Paintings • *** A C R Y L I C ☼ P A I N T I N G *** • Artists Without Borders • Art for Art's Sake • ! ART & PHOTOGRAPHY ! All artistic works welcome • Abstract Surrealism Art • Raw Art Visionary • dadaïsme/dadá • Expressionism/Expressionismus • Art Directory • Expressionism • NordKunst / Art - international (no photoart, no digitalart) • Colour Art Awards -=Post 1, Award 3=- (Colours ONLY) • Abstract Paintings, Call for Submissions (San Francisco Exhibit) • Raw Modern • Art Evokes Emotion • ART 藝術 • Art Visions - no 30/60 - no SL • Art galleries London • Artists living in Japan (non-photography) 日本在住の画家 • The acrylic group • Flickr Number One !! • Art from All Artists • Art and anarchy • Abstract Photography, Art and More... • The Biggest Group! - Playground For Psychotics • !!Perfect Composition!! • the best illustrators ever • DEATH in EUROPEAN ART & PRINT • Shadow of a Doubt • RAW (Raging Artists of the World) • Outsider Folk Art! • All my art work • Fascination and love of life • as beautiful as you want • PAINTINGS & ART • Theatre Of Life • Punk Expressionism Art Movement • Threatened LIFE - ART EXPRESSIONS • We Are Free / Somos libres • ***ART 2024 GROUP***ART FROM 2024 ONLY! • The Best of ArT [P1/P2] • art for non-snobs • Bite Me! • LORD BYRON - MAD, BAD and DANGEROUS TO KNOW • Art Experiment • ㋡ DARK SIDE ☽ of the ☾ MOONLITE ㋡ • MAKE MORE ART. Opted Out 30/60 • Adventures Around our World • !Art Book (18+) • Expressionism / Expressionists Lair , 表現主義 ,expressionni • [][][] Modern Times [][][] • Art dans tout ses états • La passion de la peinture • The Blind Pig Speakeasy • A FEAST FOR MY EYES (Public Group) • ㋡ flickr ○● DEPOT ㋡ • !*ALL ARE WELCOME*! • This is Why I Bought A Camera • !*Flickr All Stars*! • Group for all users of FLICKR - No 30/60 Groups Limit • Express Art - NOW RE-OPEN TO SUBMISSIONS - abstract or surreal a • ＷＥ'ＲＥＡＬＬＭＡＤＨＥＲＥ • !*Only Your Best*! • FLICKR INTERNATIONAL - No 30/60 Groups Limit • Shadows and Moods • World of Artistic and Photography Artists - (Admin Invited Only) • Elite Artists Artistic Creation Arts • Opt out no limits for art work! « less

Stats: 4,593 views / 15 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: