Illustrated catalogue of the original collection of instruments of torture from the Royal Castle of Nuremberg : amongst which will be found the original Iron Maiden (Eiserne Jungfrau), lent for exhibition by the Right Honourable the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot.

Date:
[between 1800 and 1899?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Illustrated catalogue of the original collection of instruments of torture from the Royal Castle of Nuremberg : amongst which will be found the original Iron Maiden (Eiserne Jungfrau), lent for exhibition by the Right Honourable the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    76 Malefactor’s Collar Pillory, with places for both hands. Made of wood, with very broad collar board so as to show out well in a crowded market-place or church porch. 77 A ditto, smaller, with sexagonal rim. 78 A ditto, round edge, with notched ornamentation. 79 An Executioner’s Sword from the town of Bamberg, the guard embossed in representations of the Passions, wire-woven guard, to prevent it from slipping through the executioner’s hand, and sharp double-edged blade. 80 Headsman’s Sword from Nordlingen, with iron grip, engraved with gallows and wheel on the shield, also three perforations typical of the Holy Trinity and Armourer’s mark. 81 Small Iron Memento Mori, worn with a chain round the neck on the way to execution. 82 A Pair of early Iron Handcuffs fastened with chain. 83 Executioner’s Sword. Belonging to the Nuremberg Executioner, Franz Schmidt. It has a gilt metal top and guard. On the side of the blade are the following verses:— Die Herrn steuern dem Unheil Und ich executire das Urtheil Wenn ich das Schwerdt thu aufheben So geb Gott dem armen Sunder das ewige Leben. Translation.—The world steers towards mischief, and I execute the judgment When I lift up my sword, God give the poor sinner eternity. 84 Executioner’s Extra Heavy Sword, with sharp-pointed blade, straight long guard and wire-covered hilt, strong iron-pointed ferrule top.