The Elizabethan era was violent and bloodthirsty. In these barbarous times legislators increased the horrors of torture and punishment. Torture was used to extract confessions for crimes, and if one was accused of a crime it could result in torture. It did not matter what type of torture was used, it was seen as a legitimate means for justice to extract confessions. Different types of torture methods were forced, depending on the crime and the social status of the victim, using various methods and types of devices. Criminal action was divided into two main categories: treason and felonies. Treason was the most serious of all crimes. High treason was any act that could threaten the monarchy. The punishment of high treason was very severe and
