Maiden (guillotine)

The Maiden, National Museum of Scotland

Maiden (guillotine)

The Maiden was an early form of the guillotine, a beheading device used for capital punishment. Unlike the guillotine, which is often associated with the French Revolution, the Maiden was used in Scotland. It predates the French guillotine by over a century, with its use recorded from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The device was named "Maiden" due to its role in delivering a swift and, theoretically, less painful death, akin to being taken by a "pure" and untouched force.

History

The Maiden was introduced in Scotland in the late 16th century, with the earliest recorded use in 1564. It was commissioned by the Regent of Scotland, James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, who would later become one of its victims in 1581. The device was inspired by the Halifax Gibbet, a similar beheading instrument used in England. The Maiden was primarily used in Edinburgh, where it executed notable figures, including James Douglas himself.

Design

The Maiden resembled the later French guillotine in its basic design, featuring a tall frame from which a weighted blade was dropped to sever the victim's head from their body. However, there were differences in the construction and operation details between the Maiden and the guillotine. The Maiden's blade was typically ax-shaped, contrasting with the diagonal blade of the guillotine. This design difference may have affected the efficiency and speed of the execution.

Usage

The Maiden was used for executions in Scotland from its introduction until the 18th century. It was primarily reserved for those convicted of serious crimes, such as murder or treason. The device was a symbol of swift justice, intended to deter criminal activity through the fear of a quick and public execution. Over its operational period, it is estimated that the Maiden was used to execute more than 150 individuals.

Legacy

The use of the Maiden was eventually discontinued, with the last recorded execution taking place in 1710. The device itself is now housed in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, where it serves as a grim reminder of Scotland's judicial history. The Maiden's existence and use in Scotland are often overshadowed by the prominence of the guillotine during the French Revolution. However, it remains an important part of Scottish history, illustrating the evolution of capital punishment methods before the widespread adoption of the guillotine across Europe.

See Also

• Capital punishment
• Guillotine
• History of Scotland
• James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton