In the Middle Ages, which lasted from 395-1500 AD,  torture was administered to most, if not all, felons convicted of a crime. Depending on the accused's social standing, in addition to the magnitude of the crime itself, the form of torture imposed would vary from a mere discomfort to a long and painful death. There were little to no laws to protect the accused from their torture; therefore, it was in control of the torture administers as to how dreadful the torture would be.

On this website, one can find a wide variety of information regarding the numerous tactics of the Middle Ages. One can learn about various forms of torture, from the humility of the pillory, to the discomfort of the water torture, to the sheer terror that execution by quartering entailed.