Editing Breaking wheel (section)

==Punishment==
[[File:Klassisches Radern.png|thumb|Illustration of execution by wheel ([[Augsburg]], Bavaria, 1586): Classic example of the "breaking wheel" punishment, with wheel crucifixions in the background]]
[[File:Städtisches museum zittau - 44.jpg|right|thumb|An execution wheel exhibited in the Museum of Cultural History Franziskanerkloster in [[Zittau]], Saxony, Germany, dated in the centre with year 1775. Bolted to the lower rim edge is an iron blade-like thrust attachment]]
Those convicted as [[murder]]ers, [[rape|rapists]], [[treason|traitors]] or [[Robbery|robbers]] were to be executed by the wheel, sometimes termed to be "wheeled" or "broken on the wheel", would be taken to a public stage [[Scaffold (execution site)|scaffold]] site and tied to the floor. The execution wheel was typically a large wooden spoked wheel, the same as was used on wooden transport [[cart]]s and [[carriage]]s (often with an iron rim), sometimes purposely modified with a rectangular iron thrust attached and extending blade-like from part of the rim. The primary goal of the first act was the agonizing mutilation of the body, not death. Therefore, the most common form would start with breaking the [[leg bones]]. To this end, the [[executioner]] dropped the execution wheel on the [[Tibia|shinbones]] of the convicted person and then worked his way up to the arms. Here, rhythm and number of beatings were prescribed in each case, sometimes also the number of spokes on the wheel. To increase its effect, often sharp-edged timbers were placed under the convict's [[joints]]. Later, there were devices in which the convicted person could be "harnessed". Although not commonplace, the executioner could be instructed to execute the convicted person at the end of the first act, by aiming for the neck or heart in a "[[coup de grâce]]". Even less often, this occurred immediately from the start (from the head down).<ref name="DGDG">{{Cite book |last=Schild |first=Wolfgang |title=Die Geschichte der Gerichtsbarkeit: vom Gottesurteil bis zum Beginn der modernen Rechtsprechung; 1000 Jahre Grausamkeit; Hintergründe, Urteile, Aberglaube, Hexen, Folter, Tod |date=1997 |publisher=Nikol Verlagsgesellschaft mbH |isbn=9783930656745 |location=Hamburg |page=202 |language=German |trans-title=The history of the judicature: from the judgment of God to the beginning of modern jurisprudence; 1000 years of cruelty; Backgrounds, judgments, superstition, witches, torture, death}}</ref>

In the second act, the body was braided into another wooden spoked wheel, which was possible through the broken limbs, or tied to the wheel. The wheel was then erected on a mast or pole, like a [[crucifixion]]. After this, the executioner was permitted to [[Decapitation|decapitate]] or [[garrotte]] the convicted if need be. Alternatively, fire was kindled under the wheel, or the "wheeled" convict was simply thrown into a fire. Occasionally, a small [[gallows]] was set up on the wheel, for example, if there were a guilty verdict for theft in addition to murder.<ref name="DGDG" />

Since the body remained on the wheel after execution, left to scavenging animals, birds and decay, this form of punishment, like the ancient [[crucifixion]], had a sacral function beyond death: according to the belief at that time, this would hinder transition from death to [[resurrection]].<ref name="MSK" />{{rp|180}}

If the convict fell from the wheel still alive or the execution failed in some other way, such as the wheel itself breaking or falling from its placement, it was interpreted as [[God]]'s intervention. There exist [[Votive offering|votive images]] of saved victims of the wheel, and there is literature on how best to treat such sustained injuries.<ref name="DGDG" />{{rp|204}}

The survival time after being "wheeled" or "broken" could be extensive. Accounts exist of a 14th-century murderer who remained conscious for three days after undergoing the breaking wheel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sporschil |first=Johann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uOUyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA162 |title=Geschichte des Entstehens: des Wachsthums und der Grösse der österreichischen Monarchie |publisher=Oscar Banckwitz |year=1847 |volume=2 |location=Leipzig |pages=162–163}}</ref> In 1348, during the time of the [[Black Death]], a Jewish man named Bona Dies underwent the punishment. The authorities stated he remained conscious for four days and nights afterwards.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Horrox |first=Rosemay |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1O_PX2wVD0sC&pg=PA211 |title=The Black Death |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=1994 |isbn=9780719034985 |location=Manchester |pages=211}}</ref>  In 1581, the German [[serial killer]] [[Christman Genipperteinga]] remained conscious for nine days on the breaking wheel before expiring, having been deliberately kept alive with "strong drink".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Herber |first=Caspar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dJBSAAAAcAAJ |title=Erschröckliche newe Zeytung Von einem Mörder Christman genant, welcher ist Gericht worden zu Bergkessel den 17. Juny diß 1581 Jars |year=1581 |location=Mainz}}</ref>

Alternatively, the condemned were spreadeagled and broken on a [[saltire]], a cross consisting of two wooden beams nailed in an "X" shape,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Abbott |first=Geoffrey |url=https://archive.org/details/whatwaytogo00geof/page/36 |title=What A Way To Go |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-312-36656-8 |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/whatwaytogo00geof/page/36 36]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kerrigan |first=Michael |title=The Instruments of Torture |date=2007 |publisher=Lyons Press |isbn=978-1-59921-127-5 |location=Guilford, Connecticut |page=180}}</ref> after which the victim's mangled body might be displayed on the wheel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Abbott |first=Geoffrey |url=https://archive.org/details/whatwaytogo00geof/page/40 |title=What A Way To Go |publisher=St. Martin's Griffin |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-312-36656-8 |location=New York |pages=[https://archive.org/details/whatwaytogo00geof/page/40 40–41, 47]}}</ref>