Plus torture, chastity belts and the Medici family

Happy Thursday Before gunpowder was popularized in the mid-14th century, these machines served as the weapon of choice. Do you know what they are? Find out in our article. The Medieval Origins of the Insult Rap Battle By Kristen Hall-Geisler These fighting words could influence public opinion or serve as entertainment in the court. Read more >> More About History 10 Medieval Torture Devices The very definition of cruel and unusual punishment, this list may cause you to lose some faith in humanity. Read more >> How Helen of Troy Became the Scapegoat of the Trojan War Should we really blame "the face that launched a thousand ships"? Read more >> Being 'Hanged, Drawn and Quartered' Was Even Worse Than You Think For once, Hollywood actually downplayed the horrors of this execution. Read more >> The Ridiculous History of the Chastity Belt The entire getup would have been both inhumane and very unsanitary ... if it were real. Read more >> Murder! Money! Power! Meet the Medici Family   In Florence, you can hardly walk a block without running into a palace, church or museum that bears the Medici crest. Read more >> Riddle of the Day! Throw away the outside and cook the inside, then eat the outside and throw away the inside. What is it?   Check Your Answer What did you think of this email?   Copyright © 2024 HowStuffWorks, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website howstuffworks.com Our mailing address is: HowStuffWorks 4235 Redwood Ave Marina Del Rey, CA 90066 Want to change how you receive these promotional emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list