On September 15, 1571 Queen Elizabeth I wrote the following authorization for the use of torture against two of the plotters in the Duke of Norfolk's effort to secure the English throne for Mary Stuart (which came to be known as the Ridolfi Plot). The letter is addressed to Sir Thomas Smith, who opposed the use of torture, and Thomas Wilson, who was in charge of the Duke of Norfolk's interrogations and had himself been tortured by the Inquisition.
"Right trusty and well beloved, we greet you well, and finding in traitorous attempts lately discovered that neither Barker nor Bannister, the Duke of Norfolk's men, have uttered their knowledge in the under-proceeding of their master and of themselves, neither will discover the same without torture; forasmuch as the knowledge hereof concerneth our surety and estate, and that they have untruly already answered, we will and by warrant hereof authorize you to proceed to the further examination of them upon all points that you can think by your discretions meet for knowledge of the truth. And if they shall not seem to you to confess plainly their knowledge, then we warrant you to cause them both, or either of them, to be brought to the rack and first to move them with fear thereof to deal plainly in their answers. And if that shall not move them, then you shall cause them to be put to the rack, and to feel the taste thereof until they shall deal more plainly or until you shall think meet. And so we remit the whole proceeding to your further discretion, requiring you to use speed herein, and to require the assistance of our Lieutenant of the Tower."
The Duke of Norfolk was executed for treason on June 2, 1572.
The Duke of Norfolk was executed for treason on June 2, 1572.