Shrew's fiddle
A Shrew's fiddle is a variation of a yoke or rigid irons whereby the wrists are locked in front of the bound person by a hinged board or steel bar. The name Shrew's fiddle derives from the fact that if the device is made from wood it can be shaped to look like a violin.
It was originally used in the 18th century as a way of punishing women who were caught bickering or fighting, hence the name "Shrew's Fiddle".
The shrew's fiddle was used in places such as Germany and Austria, where it was known as a Halsgeige, meaning "neck viola" or "neck violin". It was originally made out of two pieces of wood fitted with a hinge and a lock at the front.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 neck and the other two were smaller holes which fastened the wrists in front of the face. A bell was sometimes attached to this portable pillory, to alert townspeople that the victim was approaching so that she might be mocked and otherwise humiliated. Another version was a "double fiddle" by which two people could be attached together face-to-face, forcing them to talk to each other. They were not released until the argument had been resolved.
See also
External links
- www.halloweenfear.com: how to make a shrew's fiddle
- www.steel-bondage.com: A German manufacturer of Shew's fiddles and other rigid irons
- Martin's Ridgid cuffs Designers of very high quality metal bondage cuffs and fiddles
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