The Pear of Anguish was a pear shaped instrument of torture used in the Middle Ages. The Pear of Anguish was reserved for women who had a miscarriage, liars, blasphemers and homosexuals.
The Pear of Anguish was placed in the following orifices: the vagina for women, the anus for homosexuals and the mouth for liars and blasphemers. After it was placed in an orifice the torturer turned the screw top and the four quarters of the pear separated, slowly separating, tearing and mutilating the orifice.
This form of punishment very rarely killed the victim, but it was usually followed by different forms of torture.
