The public torture of the red hot pincers on the chart was applied to Dolcino (italian heretic) and his lover Margherita di Arco (this gruesome torture also appears in Umberto Eco´s famous novel: The Name of the Rose).
The history of capital executions in Vercelli had its peak, so to speak, with the burning of Fra Dolcino and Margherita. The two well-known heretics, founders of the "Apostolic" movement (who in some ways anticipated communism or, if you prefer, the hippie community utopia) were captured in the decisive battle against the forces of the Bishop of Vercelli on 23 March 1307 in Mosso - Monte Zebello (“Rubello”), where the heretics were barricaded. Brought to Vercelli, after the ritual torture, the two lovers were burned at the stake on June 1, 1307. Here are some passages from a historical reconstruction by Dolcini. «Dolcino and Margherita placed on a cart, with the executioners at their sides, among an endless crowd of spectators, preceded by the bishops and the chapter, by the Inquisitors and by the high members of the Holy Office, by the captain of the people at the head of all the men of armed, they were led to the place of execution. During the journey, the two unfortunates had to endure the most atrocious tortures, feeling their flesh torn again under the bites of the red-hot pincers, but they didn't let out a moan, they didn't have a moment of weakness. Grim, insensitive to the torture and insults of the mob, they showed only one will: that of resisting to the end. The sad procession stopped outside the city, on the bank of the Cervo river. Two fires were prepared there. On the first Margherita was led and tied, and before the eyes of Dolcino she was burned and burned "so that the torment of the man who had brought that unfortunate creature to such misery would be more agonizing". Then it was his turn.
Here the story in italian