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An inhuman instrument which was commonly used in the first stages of torture by the Spanish inquisition. It was in use in England also. The REV. Wm. Carstairs was the last who suffered by it before the Privy Council, to make him divulge secrets entrusted to him, which he firmly resisted. After the revolution in 1688, the thumb-screw was given him as a present by the council. King William expressed a desire to see it on, bidding the doctor to turn the screw; but at the third turn he cried out, �Hold! Hold! Doctor; another turn would make me confess anything.�
It was in use even before the Spanish Inquisition, as it was certainly in use in England in the Middle Ages. Edward I used them in the 13th century, for example, to force information from people (such as the conquered Welsh) who knew of plans to fight against him. The thumbscrew was later introduced in Scotland (1600s) against those accused of witchcraft, again to extract confessions. In Scotland the thumbscrew was known by the quaint name of 'pirnie-winks'.
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