Rat torture, also known as ratting, was a particularly gruesome form of execution that was used during the medieval period. The method involved placing a rat on the victim's stomach and then covering it with a metal pot. The pot would then be heated with fire, causing the rat to panic and burrow into the victim's flesh in an attempt to escape the heat. The resulting injuries were often fatal, and the process was designed to be slow and torturous.
The use of rats in torture was particularly effective because the animals are known for their sharp teeth and ability to gnaw through almost anything. As the rat burrowed into the victim's flesh, it would cause excruciating pain and leave the victim with severe injuries that were often fatal. The psychological trauma of the experience was also intended to be a deterrent against future crimes, as witnesses were often horrified by the brutality of the punishment.