Waking a witch was a method of torture formerly employed on women who refused to confess to being a witch. A metal bridle with four prongs was fastened around the head, the prongs being thrust into the victim's mouth, and this bridle was chained to a wall so that the victim was unable to lie down. Men kept vigil by the victim to prevent her from sleeping, and she was kept until she confessed, often suffering for several days before relenting. Research Waking A Witch
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