The prisoner scenario: a though experiment

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People were indeed silenced, imprisoned, and even put to death for unwelcome ideas. Giordano Bruno (1600) is a famous case, but again this is in 1600.

Well, the followers of Jan Hus (Hussites) are examples from the early 15th century. It can be assumed that followers from higher social classes were imprisoned and could read and write. A prominent example is Jerome of Prague, who, however, according to his own statements, was not even given anything to read during his imprisonment. Other, “nameless” individuals may have had it relatively easier, and not all of them will have been held in solitary confinement.