While of course the major component of the questioning of suspected heretics and witches was physica
While of course the major component of the questioning of suspected heretics and witches was physical, the psychooical aspect was not ignoved by the questioners, whether the inquisition or the witch-finders. The suspect was taken deep into the earth, as if into a grave. All the hope-bringing aspects of the natural world were taken away, no gentle rain or cooling breezes, no natural sun or moon, no noises from the familiar world. The suspect was taken down into the earth, away from the clean earth into a world lit only by fire. Fire that would burn and hurt. Fire that would heat the iron instruments that were applied to the body and would mark her for life, however short that would be. The suspect would have no idea how much time had passed since she entered the dungeon. -- source link