Deciphering the Enigma: Top 10 Reasons Torture Was Used in Medieval Times

The medieval period was an age marked by darkness, where the specter of torture loomed large. Across Europe, torture was a grim reality in both religious and secular societies.


Catherine Wheel - Breaking Wheel
The Catherine Wheel or Breaking Wheel Torture Device was used to break the bones of Victims

Although shocking and abhorrent to modern sensibilities, the use of torture in medieval times was driven by a myriad of complex factors.

Hans Spies being tortured on a Strappado

In this article, we delve into the Top 10 Reasons that Torture Was Used in Medieval Times, shedding light on the dark underbelly of an era that grappled with notions of justice, power, and fear.


1. Extracting Confessions

One of the primary reasons for torture was to extract confessions from accused individuals. In the absence of modern forensic methods, authorities often relied on brutal interrogation techniques to secure admissions of guilt.


2. Enforcing Authority

Torture served as a potent tool for rulers and religious authorities to assert their dominance and maintain control over their subjects. The fear of torture was used to deter potential dissenters and keep the population in check.


3. Inflicting Punishment

Torture was a favored method of punishment for various crimes, ranging from theft to heresy. Public displays of torture aimed to strike fear into the hearts of others, discouraging criminal behavior.


4. Uncovering Hidden Knowledge

In an age rife with conspiracies and plots, torture was believed to be an effective means of extracting hidden knowledge, such as information about alleged traitors or secret societies.


5. Combating Heresy

The Church utilized torture during the Inquisition to combat heresy and suppress religious dissent. The accused were subjected to brutal methods to force them to renounce their beliefs and conform to orthodox teachings.


6. Settling Disputes

In some cases, torture was used as a means of settling disputes or resolving legal conflicts when evidence was scarce or witnesses were unreliable.


7. Public Spectacle

Torture was often carried out publicly as a form of entertainment and a warning to potential wrongdoers. Public executions and torture spectacles were popular events that drew large crowds.


8. Demonstrating Divine Judgment

Torture was occasionally seen as a way to discern divine judgment. If a person survived torture, it was taken as a sign of divine intervention and innocence, although few survived such ordeals.


9. Reinforcing Social Hierarchy

Torture reinforced social hierarchies by targeting marginalized groups, such as peasants or minorities, as a means of upholding the status quo and reinforcing the power of the ruling class.


10. Legal System

In medieval legal systems, torture was regarded as a legitimate means of obtaining evidence and securing convictions. It was seen as a way to ensure that justice was served and the guilty were punished.



Witch Being Burned at the Stake

The use of torture in medieval times was a grim and troubling aspect of the era’s history. Motivated by various factors, torture was employed as a means of control, power, and perceived justice.

Today, looking back at this dark chapter, it stands as a stark reminder of humanity’s capacity for cruelty and the importance of upholding human rights and dignity in our modern societies.


Medieval Torture | 5 Books

“The Medieval Inquisition: A Study in Religious Persecution” by Edward Peters
This book delves into the historical context of medieval torture, focusing on the Inquisition and the methods used to extract confessions from alleged heretics. It provides an in-depth analysis of religious persecution and the role of torture during that period.

“The Machinery of Torture: An Illustrated History of the Inquisition” by Jean Kellaway
This book offers a visual journey through the dark history of medieval torture, focusing on the instruments and methods used by the Inquisition to extract confessions and punish heretics.

“Torture: A Collection” by Edward Peters
This comprehensive anthology examines torture throughout history, including its medieval origins and practices. It provides insights into the psychological, societal, and legal aspects of torture in different cultures and time periods.

“The Demonology of King James I: Includes the Original Text of Daemonologie and News from Scotland” by King James I and Montague Summers
This book includes King James I’s work on demonology, which discusses the belief in witchcraft and the use of torture during witch trials in the medieval and early modern periods.

“The Torture Chamber: A Study of the Inquisition in Spain” by Bernard Hamilton
Focusing on the Spanish Inquisition, this book explores the history and practices of torture in Spain during the medieval era. It examines the societal and political factors that led to the use of torture as a means of control and punishment.

Please note that books on this subject matter can contain graphic and disturbing content. Readers should approach these works with sensitivity and discretion.