The sound of crunching bones, the smell of burning flesh, and the sight of deep red blood were common to the senses of people in the Middle Ages. This chilling period in England is commonly called the Middle Ages and is widely known for its extensive practice of gruesome torture. Many things have led to the acts of torture committed on humans, one of which is the rise of the powerful clergy. During this era, many deadly devices were invented; along with the development of literature, some of which resulted from the cruel methods of punishment. It is quite evident that the Middle Ages are by far one of the most intriguing, yet horrifying periods that England has ever experienced. This electrifying era makes its mark for the first time with the transition of power to the ruling clergy. Before the change of leaders, England was ruled by eight kings and one queen. The beginning of the period occurred in 1066 when William the Conqueror ascended the English throne after the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror was also known as William I, who exerted a positive influence on some aspects during the medieval period. However, he also established negative ways of governing that would lead to the brutal torture people would face later in the century. The laws established by William had a great impact on every person in England. in more negative than positive ways. He eventually earned a reputation as a tyrant, and his vigorous laws paved the way for others to inflict torturous punishments throughout the century (special issue William the Conqueror). William could not have become the tyrant he was without the help of the complicit church. The church in the Middle Ages played a magnificent role in England; more than has occurred in any other historical period... half of the document... resources in the Context database. (Accession no. GALE|EJ2108102433)Crime and punishment. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2014, from The Learning Curve website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/candp/punishment/g03/g03cs1.htm Definition of torture. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2014, from the Middle Ages Torture website: http://www.lordsandladies.org/middle-ages-torture.htmGeoffrey Chaucer. (2013). In Columbia Electronic (6 September 2013 ed.). 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, S.E. (nd).Breaking the law. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from the Europe in the Late Middle Ages website: http://europeanhistory.boisestate.edu/latemiddleages/society/breakinthelaw.shtml