We wouldn’t specify, since context clues is good enough. We don’t -use- medieval torches in the modern day, so if it’s in the modern day, we just assume modern torches.

If someone said “there’s an angry mob with torches and pitchforks”, we’d know to imagine (non-literally since it’s mostly just an expression) medieval torches. 

If someone described a group of people working together to search for a missing person at night and described them as carrying torches, we’d assume that, if it’s the modern day, they’re using modern torches.

If you described all that, and also described or implied that this was happening in medieval times, we’d assume medieval torches.

(Reblogging because tumblr seems to be eating my comments)