Editing Blood Eagle

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[[File:The Blood_Eagle.jpg|thumb|340px|A drawing of the Blood Eagle.]]
The '''Blood Eagle''' was a method of [[torture]] and execution that is sometimes mentioned in Nordic saga legends. It was performed by cutting the ribs of the victim by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebral_column spine], breaking the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rib ribs] so they resembled blood-stained wings, and pulling the lungs out through the wounds in the victim's back. Salt was sprinkled in the wounds. Victims of the method of execution, as mentioned in skaldic poetry and the Norse sagas, are believed to have included King [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86lla_of_Northumbria Ælla of Northumbria], Halfdan son of King [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harald_I_of_Norway Haraldr Hárfagri] of Norway, King [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1el_Gualae Maelgualai] of Munster, and possibly Archbishop [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86lfheah_of_Canterbury Ælfheah of Canterbury].

The historicity of the practice is disputed. Some take it as historical evidence of atrocities fueled by pagan hatred of Christianity. Others take it as fiction: heroic Icelandic sagas, skaldic poetry and inaccurate translations.

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[[Category:List]]
[[Category:Villainous Event]]
[[Category:Execution]]
[[Category:Sadists]]
[[Category:Mutilators]]
[[Category:Torturer]]
[[Category:Barbarians]]