What is durance vile?

Durance vile is a French term that means "hard, painful imprisonment." It is often used to describe being held captive in a small, dark and confined space, often without access to food, water or basic hygiene. The term originated in the medieval era, where many people were subjected to prolonged confinement in damp and cold dungeons, often leading to severe illness and death. Today, the term is still used to describe the most severe forms of imprisonment, including the use of solitary confinement for extended periods of time, which is considered a form of torture by many human rights organizations.