The Progress of Cruelty:
The Development of Torture in Medieval Literature

By Larissa Tracy

Torture is one of the most notorious aspects of medieval culture and society. It has evolved into a dominant mythology, one that suggests that the Middle Ages were a period during which sadistic torment was inflicted on citizens with impunity and without provocation. Museums of medieval torture can be found in most modern European cities displaying barbarous implements like the rack, the strappado, the gridiron, and the Iron Maiden. But how pervasive was torture in the Middle Ages? Was it as commonly applied as the modern mythology suggests? Edward Peters has written the definitive historical study on torture, but very little has been said about its influence on medieval society through literature. There is no doubt that torture existed and was used by secular and religious authorities to extract the “queen of proofs” during interrogation. However, torture is noticeably absent from a large portion of popular, secular literature. Its development in literature through the medieval period, in small, specific instances, suggests that torture was not a common threat hanging over the heads of the civilian population and that torture remained in the realm of judicial punishment and was not wielded with careless savagery.