Legal Status of Torture in England

Torture was never legally sanctioned as a means of law enforcement in England, operating instead as an instrument of the state that could be authorized by the king. While the infamous case of Guy Fawkes exemplifies how torture was used under royal decree, it wasn't prevalent in English legal practice. In fact, instances of torture were rare, with many judges historically expressing reluctance to impose it, emphasizing a preference for legal principles over coercive tactics. This reluctance was particularly notable in cases where suspects were deemed to be standing mute, and judges often sought alternative means of obtaining pleas or evidence, indicating a cultural aversion towards torture.