Pitchcapping facts for kids
Pitchcapping was a very harsh form of punishment. It involved pouring hot pitch or tar into a paper cap. This cap was then forced onto a person's head. Pitch and tar were mainly used back then to make ships waterproof.
After the hot cap was on, it was left to cool down. When it was cool, it was quickly pulled off. This often caused the person to lose skin and other tissue from their head. It was a very painful experience.
What is Pitchcapping?
Pitchcapping is a type of torture. It uses hot, sticky tar or pitch. This hot material is put into a cone-shaped paper cap. The cap is then pushed onto someone's head. When the pitch cools, it sticks to the skin. Pulling it off causes serious injury. The injuries were similar to scalping. This means skin and hair were ripped off.
A Look Back in History
The idea of using hot liquids as punishment is very old. It dates back to ancient times. For example, in 88 BC, Mithridates VI of Pontus used molten gold. He used it to execute a Roman leader named Manius Aqullius. There were also stories about Marcus Licinius Crassus. He was a Roman general. Some believed he was killed with molten gold too. This was after a battle in 53 BC. However, this likely happened after he was already dead.
Pitchcapping in Ireland
Pitchcapping was used a lot during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This was a fight against British rule in Ireland. Government forces used this punishment. Groups like the militia and yeomanry often did it. They used it against people they thought were rebels.
One famous person who suffered pitchcapping was Anthony Perry. He was a leader in the Wexford Rebellion. Before pitchcapping, a victim's hair was often quickly shaved. This made the painful process even worse.
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