painted. This was worn by the supposed witch on her way to be
burnt at the stake.
Burning to death was a very frequent punishment in all European
countries; and in the olden time belief in witches was so strong
that burning or drowning of some poor women accused of
“overlooking” or “bewitching” someone or something was nothing
out of the common. On all such occasions a tablet such as shown
was worn on the way to doom.
401 =An extra strong Long Iron Chain=, with extra strong shackle
at one end and heavy padlock at the other; to secure some very
determined culprit or evil-doer, most likely one who had been
accused of slandering the reigning king or queen.
402 =Very Powerful Pair of Heavy Iron Leglets=, with arrangement
to fit any size and to lock on.
[Illustration: A detailed, historical German engraving titled
“Rechtfertigung der Vornehmste verräther In Engellandt” (Execution of
the principal traitors in England). It depicts a bustling public square
in a European city where multiple prisoners are being drawn on hurdles
by horses, while others are being hanged, drawn, and quartered on a
large wooden scaffold before a massive crowd.]
403 & 404 =A Pair of Iron Ankle Shackles.=
405 & 406 =A Pair of Double Thumbscrews=, to fasten up both
thumbs; one with lock.
407 =A very Curiously Shaped Thumbscrew=, with extra powerful
movement.
408 =A large Double Finger-screw=, so arranged as to close on
two fingers of each hand. Very cruel.
409 & 410 =A Pair of Gallows Choking Ropes.=
411 =A strong Gallows Hook.=
412 =Sheath of an Executioner’s Dagger.= Very early.
413 =Iron Liar’s Knife=, with bells and rattles, engraved with
the following verses on both sides of the blade and handle.
On the handle.
“Das Aufschneidt Messr. Wers kan machs besser.
Hettest du jetzt fein still geschwigen
So wer das Messr ruhig blieben.—HANS SACHS.”
TRANSLATION.—“Who can do better for the Liar’s Knife?
Had you quiet held your tongue
The knife still on the nail had hung.”
On the blade.
“Wann dein Maul redet was wer wahr,
Durften die Glöcklein nicht kommen dar
Und dich erinnern dass hinfort
Dich besinnst ehe du redst ein Wort.”
TRANSLATION.—“If your mouth speaks only true,
The bells they do not ring for you
To remind you that forsooth
You should only speak the truth.”
On the other side.
“Damit man nicht pfeiff oder leut
Dass jedermann merkt was es bedeut,
Dass dich dass Messer nicht verletz
Und dich in Spott und Hohn versetz.”
TRANSLATION.—“So that none may whistle or shout
And all know what this is about,
Let this knife bring you no shame
And nought but doubtful fame.”
This knife was also used by people to show that they could not be
imposed upon, the bearer being supposed to be himself “a sharp
blade.”
414 =Long Wooden Roller=; was used on the rack. The victim was
stripped and then rolled over this uneven surface while being
stretched until his bones were nearly all dislocated.
415 =A Fragment= of the cloak of the Christian Martyr Johannes
Huss, who was burned at the stake at Constanz. See “Foxe’s Book
of Martyrs.”
416 =Iron Brank or Mask=, completely covering the face, with
mouth in the act of whistling and with long ass’s ears; worn by
persons convicted of gluttony or other excesses.
417 =Half Iron Brank=, only covering the head, nose, and ears;
very curious headpiece, in centre of which a candle was placed
and lighted. Ordered by the Holy Inquisition. An exceedingly
rare specimen.
418 & 419 =Two very Powerful and Painful Wrist-holders or
Bracelets.=
420 =An Exceedingly Strong Iron Body Ring=, with handcuff at
each side and a 29-link iron chain.
421 =Very Curious Old Chain= with eccentric shaped links and
feet-holders. The prisoner was fastened to a wall and left for
days or weeks before being removed to confinement, so that all
passers might see and remember the delinquent.
422 =Another=, somewhat similar, with strong padlock to lock on
to leg.
423 & 424 =Two Shackles=, frequently used with the foregoing.
425 & 426 =Two Very Curious Early Prison Padlocks.=
427 =Iron Shame Brank=, from the town of Friedberg, near
Augsburg; spectacled eyes, protruding nose, overlapping lip, and
ass’s ears. Worn by drunkards.
428 & 429 =Two Pairs of Leg Shackles=, each with strong iron
chain. Worn during severe punishments.
430 =An Extra Strong Ankle-holder=, with long iron chain.
431 =A Similar=, lighter and smaller, for female prisoners.
432 =A Very Curious Wrought-iron Mouth-opener=; was placed
between the teeth, which were then easily kept apart while the
tongue was torn out, or boiling oil or molten lead was poured
down the throat.
433 & 434 =Two different Double Thumbscrews= for holding both
thumbs.
435 =A strong Double Hand-fastener of Wrought Iron=, with
aperture to fix on end of chain. The victim was usually dragged
along by a mounted police officer or at a cart’s tail.
436 =Hair-Cord=, which, when put on and rubbed over the arms and
feet, caused a most maddening irritation of the flesh.
437 =A Cloth Eye-binder=, with two raised parts, which pressed
over the victim’s eyes and kept them closed.
438 =A Choking Rope.=
439 =Crown of Straw and two Plaits.= This was worn by a fallen
virgin. The victim was shorn of all her hair, and had to stand
in a church door or other public place.
440 =Spanish Gaiter used for Torturing the Leg=, with very
formidable uneven shinbone presser.
441 =A somewhat similar one.=
442 =Another=, extra heavy and larger.
443 =Pair of Cruel Wood Pinching Shears= for breaking the
fingers off after crushing the bone.
444 =An Iron Handscrew= for pressing the entire five fingers.
445 =Another=, somewhat different.
446 to 449 =Two Long Heavy Chains=, with heavy shackles for male
prisoners, and two lighter and smaller for women or children.
450 =Iron Mask for Military Prisoners=, made in the shape of a
helmet, with long speaking-tube. Mouth and shield on forehead.
451 =Somewhat similar Iron Mask=, with flat face and protruding
snout. Coat-of-arms on the forehead. Belonged to some feudal
knight.
452 =Very Heavy and Massive Wrought-iron pair of Braces=,
consisting of belt, two front bars, and shoulder irons, with
strong padlock. When fastened up in this, all efforts at flight,
resistance, or even rest, were of no avail.
453 =A very similar set of Irons.=
454 =Long Iron Stake=, with top cross-bar having an armlet at
each end, long chain at bottom, with shackle for each foot. This
in itself forms a complete imprisonment.
455 =Very heavy square-linked Wrought-iron Chain and
Foot-fastener.=
456 =Another similar, heavier.=
457 =Iron Head Crown=, with jagged nails inside. With this on,
culprits were fastened to the wall.
458 =Terrible Spanish Spiked Iron Collar=, completely studded
outside, inside, and on edges with sharp iron spikes so arranged
that the wearer knew no rest, sleeping, waking, standing,
sitting, or lying.
459 =Small Iron Wire Whip=, for flaying the victim while
stretched on the rack.
460 =Torture Ladder=, about 15 feet long, with sharp
three-cornered rungs, with cords and pulleys. On this a man was
stretched to his fullest extent, to receive the torture which
may have been ordered.
461 =Thief-catcher.= Very curious instrument; long iron handle,
terminating at the top with a round hoop, garnished inside with
triangular iron spikes. The front of the hoop is made to push
open, so that the officer of the law can push it round the neck,
arm, or leg of whoever he wants to catch, who on his or her part
has no possible means of getting away, the ring having closed on
him and preventing any effort to escape.
462 =Thief-catcher=, similar form.
463 =Wheel=, with strong protruding iron shaft so as to break
the victim’s joints.
464 =A curious Antique Iron Brank or Mask=, with long snout, for
boastful people and liars.
465 =A long Chain and heavy Shackle.=
466 =A Curious Witches’ Idol=, carving of a devil’s head,
supposed to have been worshipped by witches. See No. 400.
467 =A Mandragora Root=, cut into the form of a man; said to
have great efficacy in the hands of witches against the person
they were “overlooking.” A nail or a needle driven into the
mandragora caused a pain to shoot through the heart of the
living man at the same moment, and nails or needles were driven
into it until the person died. Also the mandragora was supposed
to have the power of helping its owner to discover hidden
treasure, etc., etc.
468 =A Long Chain=, with two very strong shackles at each end.
469 & 470 =A Pair of Ditto=, lighter.
471 =An old Hour-glass=, divided into hour, three-quarters,
half, and quarter, by which the duration of the torture was
timed.
472 =Strong Iron Body Ring, Pair of Iron Manacles.=
473 =Strong Iron Leg Ring, a Handcuff and Padlock=, attached to
long, strong iron chain.
474 =An Antique very large-bore Blunderbuss=, with wheel lock.
Forbidden by International agreement.
475 =Large Wooden Brank or Shame Mask=, in the shape of a
death’s head. This was worn by criminals who were pardoned the
death penalty, and was worn by them in public places before
being taken to the prison where they were incarcerated forever.
476 =A Thief-catcher=, similar to No. 461.
477 =Another Wheel=, somewhat similar to No. 463.
Breaking on the wheel was not a figure of speech, but a stern and
terrible reality. When the condemned was laid out on the wooden
bed and the wheel brought into action over and over him and
weighted with all the strength of the executioner and his
assistants, every bone in the body was literally broken. In some
countries the victim was tied on to a wheel and turned round and
round as the wagon moved; he, sometimes over, sometimes under
it. But here the combination of wheel and wooden bed seems much
more cruel and lingering.
478 =Witch-catching Staff=, with the words Jesus, Nazarenum, and
Ave Maria. Under the iron point for prodding is also a hook for
catching hold. This was so arranged that when a witch was to be
caught it was unnecessary to touch her, as in those days of
superstition no man could lay his hand upon a witch for fear of
all sorts of evil spells. Catching hold of her with this staff,
protected as it was by the words Jesus, Nazarenum, and Ave
Maria, was considered to have the effect of circumventing all
her machinations.
479 =Witch-catcher Staff= of a somewhat different kind.
480 =Curious Iron Brank or Mask=, with small eyes, with pointed
beard and weathercock on crown, showing a changeable disposition
or one given to untruths.
481 =Strong Iron Body Ring=, with two chains.
482 =Another=, lighter, with hinged movement.
483 =Curious Mask= without any face, with long speaking-trumpet
and snake on which to hang any stolen property; for thieves.
484 =An Iron Brank=, without face, long ass’s ears for
drunkards.
485, 486, 487 =Three strong Iron Leglets=, with long chains.
488 =Large Iron Chandelier=, used for lighting the torture
chamber.
489 to 491 =Three long Chains and Iron Fasteners=, various sizes
and strengths.
492 =A Strong Circular Wood and Iron Pulley= and rope for
running victim up to a beam, when his feet were heavily weighted
until his joints were broken.
493 =Nobleman’s very curious Iron Brank or Shame Mask=, shaped
like a man’s face, with movable visor and mustache, at each end
of which is a bell; also one at each ear, a larger one at the
point of the beard, and surmounted by two iron rods, each
terminating in a bell. The use of this brank seems lost in
obscurity, and we have searched in vain for its application; but
there can be little doubt it was worn by malefactors of noble
birth; and the idea seems to be that it was worn on the way to
execution by a parricide, the bells being to call all the
world’s attention to the despicable criminal.
NOTE.—In England branks seem only to have been used for scolds;
but in the cities of the Continent they were used for criminals
of both sexes.
494 =An Executioner’s Cord or Rope=, by which the delinquents
were bound before going to execution.
495 =Another Executioner’s Rope=, similar.
496 to 554 =A Large Collection= of strong iron manacles,
shackles, and body rings of various times and nationalities.
NOTE.—Although the space at our command will not allow us to
individualize and describe each of these manacles, shackles, and
chains, each and every one is different, made at different
periods, and of various designs. They played a great part in the
criminal history of Europe, having been used in every country.
Criminals wore them in prison, in the torture chamber, at the
stake, and in the Tumbril. In the penitent’s cell they also
found their place. In fact, volumes might be written on their
use and abuse.
555 =A Model of the Guillotine=, made of wood.
556 =A Metal Model= of same, differently constructed.
557 =Iron Coal Stove= on tripod feet. In this the coals were
lighted and got to a white heat in order to make the branding
irons red hot, and so burn the marks or letters into the flesh
of the forehead or back.
558 =Iron Coal Box= for same purpose.
559 =Pair of Bellows=, used for blowing up the fire in above.
The history of branding is so well known that it is needless to
enter into it here. Both men and women were branded in all
European countries for all sorts of crimes, and even in the
earlier times a serf bore his master’s brand mark.
560 =The Condemned’s Cup or Mug.= Made of glass, with engraving
of the crucifixion. Out of this cup the condemned was given wine
to drink during his last day.
561 =An Antique Fayence Beer Jug=, with burnt-in picture of
Hiesel and his big dog.
562 =Punishment Officers’ Drum.= This small, long four-cornered
iron-bound oak drum or rattle was used to call all wayfarers’
and passers’ attention to the culprit, so that all might see,
hear, and take warning by the punishment thus being meted out.
563 =Soup Bowl and Spoon.= This was used to affix to a scolds’
collar, in which two females were fastened, so that if, as it
frequently happened, the shame of the punishment did not bring
the combatant females to a renewal of friendship and
forgiveness, they were reduced by _hunger_. The bowl was hung
close under their noses, filled with soup or stew; the women had
one hand loosened, and were glad to eat out of the same bowl,
using the only spoon one after the other. This was taken as a
sign of returning affection.
564 =Iron Wristscrew=, of great cruelty, with outward roughed
movement for lacerating the arm.
565 =Spanish Gaiter= for torturing the leg, with strong screw
and roughed inner movement for crushing the shin bone.
566 Ditto, with similar movement, different screws.
567 =Another=, of different construction.
568 =Another=, different.
569 =Another=, different.
570 =Another=, larger and more powerful.
571 =Another=, with an addition of sharp iron teeth in base.
572 =Another=, still different, with double screws for entirely
crushing the leg bone.
573, 574 & 575 =Three very curious and different large
Prison-gate Padlocks.=
576 & 577 =Two Scolds’ Wooden Collars=, with aperture for neck
and both hands.
578 =A large Wooden Winder or Pulley=, used to stretch
criminals.
579 Ditto, of wood and iron.
580 =A long Wooden Spiked Hare=, with strong spikes. (See No.
89.)
581 =Strong Iron Neck Collar=, with outstanding iron rod with
bell on end, so that prisoner could never move without giving
warning.
582 =A Witches’ Idol Figure of the Evil One=, which witches were
supposed to worship.
583 =An Iron Chandelier=, somewhat similar to No. 488.
[Illustration:
_See Catalogue, No. 1019._
]
584 =Curious barred face Helmet or Mask=, worn by juvenile
criminals.
585 =A Poacher’s Flint Gun=, made of iron, formed so that it
looks like a mountaineer’s stick, with a chamois horn handle,
the lock made so that it can be taken off and put on at will.
586 =Prison Whip=, with thorn handle.
587 =An Extra Heavy Brank, or Punishment Hat, for Lazy People.=
It is of iron, and with iron bars across the face.
588 =Instrument used to draw knots of cords as tightly as
possible.=
589 =Long Iron Chain with ankle fastener at the end.=
590 =Penitent’s Cap, made of Linen=, with opening for eyes,
ears, mouth, and nose.
591 =Executioner’s Staff=, carried before the execution. Wooden
handle, with red and white rings.
592 =A Set of Stocks, with place for two Culprits.= In these
delinquents of almost all kinds were placed, for varying
periods, exposed to public gaze and scorn.
593 =Penitent’s Linen Shirt.=
594 =Executioner’s Cloak=, very long, of red woollen material,
presumably red so as not to show blood spots or stains.
595 =Wonderful Wooden Chain= of many links, with hanging spoons.
This work of patience was done by Baron von der Trenk whilst in
prison, and cut out of a plank of wood, with no other tools than
the knife he was allowed to cut his bread with. What makes this
chain the more remarkable is that it has no joints of any kind,
is neither nailed, screwed, or glued, but is entirely
self-containing, and cut out of the solid. Baron von der Trenk
was imprisoned for high treason at Magdeburg.
596 =A Heavy Stone=, used for stretching.
597 =Another=, similar weight.
598 =A Pair of Stone Bullet Weights.=
599 =An Iron Ball Weight.=
600 =A Heavy Pair of Weights.=
601 =A Heavy Stone Weight.=
602 Ditto.
603 Ditto.
604 =Spanish Mantle, or Drunkard’s Cloak, and Helmet.= This
so-called cloak is really in the form of a long barrel, wider at
the bottom than at the top. It was hinged at the back so as to
open. The drunkard or ne’er-do-well was placed in it, and it was
closed to and locked, the top having an iron-bound orifice just
large enough to let his head through. On his head was placed the
barred helmet, through which he could see and be seen by all.
The period of confinement was varied according to the offence or
its frequency. One or two hours was the usual sentence. To tall
men this was more severe than to short ones. Whereas a tall one,
standing up, would lift the entire wooden barrel on his
shoulders, and would after a time, borne down by its weight,
have to sink on to his knees, a short man would be able to stand
inside and so suffer far less pain.
“Several historians, dealing with the social life of England
in bygone times, have described the wearing of the barrel
after the manner of a cloak as a general mode of punishing
drunkards in force during the Commonwealth. Mr. Ralph Gardner,
of Cheriton, in the county of Norfolk, printed in 1655 a work,
in which he says, ‘He the deponent further affirms that he
hath seen men drove up and down the streets with a great tub
or barrel, opened in the sides, with a whole in one end to put
their heads through, and so cover their shoulders and bodies
down to the small of their legs, and then close the
same—called the new-fashioned cloak, and so make them march to
the view of all beholders; and this is their punishment for
drunkards and the like.’
“It is noticed in _Travels in Holland_, by Sir William
Brereton, under the date of May 29th, 1634, as seen at Delft.
John Evelyn visited Delft on August 17th, 1641, and writes,
‘that in the Senate House hangs a weighty vessel of wood, not
unlike a butter churn, which the adventurous woman that hath
two husbands at one time is to wear on her shoulders, her head
peeping out of the top only, and so led about the town as a
penance for her incontinence.’ Samuel Pepys has an entry in
his diary respecting seeing a similar barrel at The Hague in
the year 1660. We have traces of this mode of punishment in
Germany. John Howard, in his work entitled _The State Prisons
in England and Wales_, 1684, thus writes, ‘In Denmark some
criminals of the lower sort, as watchmen, coachmen, &c., are
punished by being led through the city in what is called “The
Spanish Mantle.”...’ I measured one at Berlin. This mode of
punishment is particularly dreaded, and is one cause that
night robberies are never heard of in Copenhagen.”—_Old-Time
Punishments_, W. ANDREWS.
From the above it appears that not only was it used for drunkards,
but also for burglars, bigamous women, etc., etc.
605 =A similar Spanish Mantle or Drunkard’s Cloak= without
helmet, from Munich.
606 =A somewhat similar one=, from Lauingen, in Suabia.
607 =Weighty Stone= in the shape of a coat-of-arms shield, and
dated 1661. This somewhat great weight was hung by a chain round
the neck of the accused. Crimes such as theft, assaults, etc.
608 =A similar Stone=, used for field or garden thieves. It is
engraved with a head, and has on the top a crown of flowers and
some fruit.
609 =A similar Stone= for gamblers, with deeply-cut engravings
of playing cards.
610 =Very large-sized Double Brank or Shame Mask=, shaped like
the fiend’s head, with horns, protruding eyes, and teeth.
Belonging to this are also a snake and dragon’s head. This
hideous mask was worn by a woman who had daily assaulted her
husband. As in all these old punishments, the culprit stood in a
most public place. In this instance the snake or dragon was held
in the hand. It signified that the holder was a house dragon,
and as such, deserving the scorn and obloquy of all beholders.
611 =Wooden Tablet= with the word mörder (murderer) written on
it. This was worn by a criminal convicted of murder. On it was
also inscribed a written notice of the executioner’s as to
particulars of the crime, date of execution, etc.
612 =Large Wooden Stocks=, in which a condemned culprit was
forced to stand tied up in a market or public place so many
hours daily, fastened by the feet, and with a tablet bearing his
name, description of crime, and punishment. In most cases he was
also sentenced to receive so many whippings per day or week,
which were applied by the public executioner.
613 =Iron Stocks=, shape of a chair. Was frequently used as a
ducking-stool to duck scolds or witches.
614 =Tablet worn by the Occupant of Stocks.= This one was
evidently worn by fruit or field thieves.
615 =Baker’s Ducking-Cage.= Very curious oak cage, about six
feet high. Inside is a seat. In this cage the baker who gave
short weight was locked up, and the cage was then hung to chains
and drawn up and down in the water until the occupant was nearly
drowned. See engraving, No. 709.
NOTE.—This ducking-cage was not known in England. There are many
ducking-stools still extant, but from all inquiries we find that
they were only used to duck scolds or women charged with
witchcraft.
616 =Large Oil Painting=, by Michael Angelo di Caravaggio,
showing _Man’s First Crime_, Cain killing his brother Abel.
617 =Seat or Settle belonging to a Torture Chamber=, with
one-half for the physician and the other for the executioner. It
will be noticed that the part intended for the doctor has a back
to lean against, whilst the executioner’s part has not.
618 =Small Table= on which there is a sharp-toothed thumb and
finger screw, an instrument which the victim must have seen with
a shuddering sense of fear, so ingenious is it in its cruelty.
619 =A Pair of Heavy Weights.=
620 =Torture Chair=, covered all over with wooden spikes, so
that the occupant could not sit without being severely punished,
the more so as his feet were often weighted with heavy stones to
add to his pain.
621 =The Spiked Portion of a Torture Seat.=
622 =Torture Chair=, the back, the seat-stretcher, foot-rest,
completely covered with sharp wooden spikes, so that the
occupant was tortured sitting, leaning, standing; in fact, after
a short time the pain became unbearable.
623 =Heavy Wooden Torture Seat=, with front lockable iron bar so
that the victim could be securely fastened in. In this chair
tortures of all kinds were inflicted.
624 =Torture Rack=, about 10 feet long, with “spiked hare,”
round roller, and all the necessary cords for binding and
stretching the victim.
625 =Torture Cradle=, about 6 feet long, completely covered with
wooden spikes and with wooden spiked movable cushion (?) head
rest.
626 =Stretching Gallows=, known in German as Schlimme Liesel
(Fearful Eliza). At the foot are strong iron rings, into which
the man’s feet were placed; his hands were then fastened to a
triangle, which was raised by means of ropes and pulleys until
he was stretched beyond endurance. When in this position he was
perhaps flayed, or else cruelly whipped at stated periods by the
public executioner.