Crossword-Solution: TORMENTUM 9 letters, 1 clue 🏆 scrabble score: 13

The _tormentum_, which was an elastic instrument, discharged stones and darts, and was continued until the discovery of gunpowder.

And he, when a certain man was accused of theft, and condemned by him to the torture of the cross (_ad crucis tormentum damnasset_), with rustic simplicity sent the criminal to the church that he might confess his sins, first taking his word that he would return after confession.

This engine is called a _tormentum_, because all its parts are twisted (_torquetur_); or a scorpion, because it has an erect sting; but modern times have given it the name of the wild-ass, because when wild asses are hunted, they throw the stones behind them by their kicks so as to pierce the chests of those who pursue them, or to fracture their skulls.

When they wanted to go to their meetings "they would anoint their wrists and foreheads with an oyl the spirit brings them, which smells raw," after which they were carried off, saying: "Thout, tout, a tout, tout, throughout and about:" on their return changing the stave to "Rentum Tormentum," which was the shibboleth to bring them back.

Grillandus informs us that he experimented with it in a difficult case of two monks “et profecto vidi ea quæ prius non credebam, quod illud affert maximum tormentum et fastidium in corpore absque aliqua membrorum læsione.”—Grillandi de Quæstione et Tortura Art.