Why Is Torture Important In The Middle Ages

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Torture was common in the Middle Ages. Torture in the Middle Ages was used for various reasons and there were many torture devices in the Tower of London, including the rack. The goals of torture were to intimidate, deter, revenge or punish. Torture was also used as a tool or a method for the extraction of information or confessions. Torture was even used to satisfy personal hatred. Until the second century AD, torture was used only on slaves. A slave’s testimony was only valid if extracted by torture. Torture was used almost exclusively for the crime of treason. In civil society this meant in practice that torture was mainly confined to monarchs and the highest nobles. The penalty for treason by men was to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. The penalty for woman traitors was to be burned at the stake. Torture was used for numerous reasons. …show more content…

William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, created the first fortifications after the conquest of England. The Conquest of England was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army of Norman, Breton, and French soldiers led by Duke Williams II of Normandy, later known as William the Conqueror. The Tower of London was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. This tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. The Tower of London is 89 feet tall. The primary function of this tower was to be a military stronghold. This function didn’t change until the late 19th century. Twenty-two executions took place inside of the Tower of London. The Tower of London had some torture devices inside of it: the rack, Scavenger’s daughter, and manacles. The Tower of London was a unique tower with a variety of items inside of