The sound of cracking bones, the smell of burning flesh, and the sight of dark red blood were common to the senses of people in the Middle Ages. This frightening period in England is commonly referred to as the medieval era and widely known for its extensive practice of gruesome torture. Many factors led to the acts of torture committed on humans, one of them being the rise of the powerful clergy. Many deadly devices were concocted during this time; as well as the development of literature, some of which derives from cruel methods of punishment. It is clear that the medieval era is by far one of the most intriguing, but also horrifying, periods that England has ever known. This electrifying era first marked the transfer of power to the dominant clergy. Before the change of rulers, England was ruled by eight kings and a queen. The beginning of this period occurred in 1066, when William the Conqueror came to the throne of England after the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror was also known as William I, who had a positive influence on certain aspects during the medieval period. However, it also established negative ways of governing that would lead to the brutal torture that people would face later in the century. The laws established by William had a great impact on every person in England. in a more negative than positive way. Eventually he gained a reputation as a tyrant, and his vigorous laws paved the way for others to inflict torture punishments as the century progressed (William the Conqueror special issue). William could not have become the tyrant he was without the help of the Church's accomplice. The church in medieval times played a magnificent role in England; more than any other period...... middle of paper ......resources in the context database. (Accession no. GALE | EJ2108102433)Crime and punishment. (nd). Retrieved April 1, 2014, from The Learning Curve website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/candp/punishment/g03/g03cs1.htm Definition of torture. (nd). Retrieved April 2, 2014, from Middle Ages Torture website: http://www.lordsandladies.org/middle-ages-torture.htmGeoffrey Chaucer. (2013). In Columbia electronic (6th edition September 2013). Retrieved April 8, 2014, from http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=13&sid=be154714-dfc7-4e73-9196-2549392f57cc%40sessionmgr4003&hid. =4214& bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=khh&AN=39051649Knox, SE (nd).Breaking the law. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from Europe in the Late Middle Ages website: http://europeanhistory.boisestate.edu/latemiddleages/society/breakinthelaw.shtml