Scottish Maiden

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The Scottish Maiden

The Scottish Maiden (translated Scottish Maiden ) was a precursor to the guillotine and was used for executions in Scotland between 1564 and 1708 .

Building the Scottish Maiden

The killing machine was made of oak and consisted of three arms, with a cantilever arm supporting the two vertical beams. The device was approximately three meters high. The blade was made of iron with a steel jacket and was about 33 cm long and 26 cm high. Weights of about 34 kg were attached to the upper end of the blade, which pressed the blade downwards in the guide rails cut into the wood and lined with copper. In its lower end position, the knife struck a block of wood filled with lead. The blade was level.

history

This type of execution was introduced in Scotland under King James I of Halifax by the regent James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton . He finally became the victim of this killing machine, even if, contrary to all legends, not the first.

This machine goes back to the guillotine from Halifax around 1280 , in contrast to the Scottish Maiden, the victims lay there. In addition, a board for the head rest was attached similar to the lower part of a bezel .

From 1564 to 1708, when the Maiden was abolished, around 150 people had been executed with it. The victims included Archibald Campbell , the 9th Earl of Argyll, who was sentenced to death and executed for a rebellion against King James II .

Today the Maiden is in the Scottish National Museum in Edinburgh .

Web links

Commons : Scottish Maiden  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files