GILES COREY
Giles Corey was an old man in Salem Village. He was a quarrelsome man and violent. In the beginning of the trials, he was prepared to testify against his wife. However, he soon found himself as the accused. He then tried to defend his wife, which led to him lying. He made a horrible impression on the courts (Hansen, 63).
The reason Giles Corey tends to be well-known is because of how he died. All the executions were done by hanging the accused. During his examination, Corey claimed his innocence by refusing to speak. Refusal to speak meant that he could not be tried. Unfortunately, he could be tortured in an effort to get him to speak. They performed "peine forte et dure," or pressing. Corey lied down and they gradually placed heavy weight on top of him. Corey stood his ground and refused to speak. After two days of pressing, he finally passed.
The reason Giles Corey tends to be well-known is because of how he died. All the executions were done by hanging the accused. During his examination, Corey claimed his innocence by refusing to speak. Refusal to speak meant that he could not be tried. Unfortunately, he could be tortured in an effort to get him to speak. They performed "peine forte et dure," or pressing. Corey lied down and they gradually placed heavy weight on top of him. Corey stood his ground and refused to speak. After two days of pressing, he finally passed.