Shrew's fiddle: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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The shrew's fiddle was used in places such as [[Germany]] and [[Austria]], where it was known as a ''Halsgeige'', meaning "neck viola"<ref name="Vienna" /> or "neck violin".<ref name="Kuenning">{{cite web|url=http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~geoff/adventures/karlsruhe/rothenburg/|title=Rothenburg|accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref> It was originally made out of two pieces of wood which were fitted with a [[hinge]] and a lock at the front. The shrew's fiddle consisted of three holes. One was a large hole for the head and neck to fit through and the other two were smaller holes which fastened the arms in front of the victim.<ref name="Vienna" /> |
The shrew's fiddle was used in places such as [[Germany]] and [[Austria]], where it was known as a ''Halsgeige'', meaning "neck viola"<ref name="Vienna" /> or "neck violin".<ref name="Kuenning">{{cite web|url=http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~geoff/adventures/karlsruhe/rothenburg/|title=Rothenburg|accessdate=2008-05-04}}</ref>{{verify credibility}} It was originally made out of two pieces of wood which were fitted with a [[hinge]] and a lock at the front. The shrew's fiddle consisted of three holes. One was a large hole for the head and neck to fit through and the other two were smaller holes which fastened the arms in front of the victim.<ref name="Vienna" /> |
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It was first used to punish women who were caught fighting or arguing with other people.<ref name="Vienna" /> Another version was the "double fiddle", which allowed two people to be attached together, face-to-face. This forced the two people to talk to each other. They were not released until the argument had been resolved.<ref name="Kuenning" /> |
It was first used to punish women who were caught fighting or arguing with other people.<ref name="Vienna" /> Another version was the "double fiddle", which allowed two people to be attached together, face-to-face. This forced the two people to talk to each other. They were not released until the argument had been resolved.<ref name="Kuenning" /> |
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Revision as of 08:47, 4 May 2008
A shrew's fiddle or neck violin is a variation of the yoke, pillory or rigid irons whereby the wrists are locked in front of the bound person by a hinged board or steel bar.[1][unreliable source?] It was originally used in the 18th century as a way of punishing women who were caught arguing or fighting.[1][2]
History
The shrew's fiddle was used in places such as Germany and Austria, where it was known as a Halsgeige, meaning "neck viola"[2] or "neck violin".[3][unreliable source?] It was originally made out of two pieces of wood which were fitted with a hinge and a lock at the front. The shrew's fiddle consisted of three holes. One was a large hole for the head and neck to fit through and the other two were smaller holes which fastened the arms in front of the victim.[2]
It was first used to punish women who were caught fighting or arguing with other people.[2] Another version was the "double fiddle", which allowed two people to be attached together, face-to-face. This forced the two people to talk to each other. They were not released until the argument had been resolved.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Criminal Museum shows Iron Maiden, neck violins and Chastity belts". Retrieved 2008-05-04.
- ^ a b c d "Museum of Medieval legal history - Halsgeige (neck-viola) and Shame-mask - Medieval torture". Retrieved 2008-05-04.
- ^ a b "Rothenburg". Retrieved 2008-05-04.