Morbid Fact Du Jour For September 30, 2009
Today’s Restrained Yet Truly Morbid Fact!
Bilboes were a method of restraint which consisted of a long iron bar attached to the floor. Free to slide along the bar were a number of hinged iron rings which were riveted about the ankles of the prisoners, forcing them to sit or lie down until the restraint was released. Some prisons in Britain also found bilboes invaluable for securing prisoners who were being flogged, and indeed the punishment cell in Newgate Prison was given the name of the Bilboe or Bilbow. The word is a corruption of the Spanish town Bilboa, for when the Armada was defeated in 1588, chests of these shackles were found in the galleons, reputedly to pinion English captives. In actual fact similar devices were widely used for naval prisoners on board ship and the Royal Navy was equipped with them until the 18th century. Doubtless that was how they found their way to the West Indies, where they were used during the slave trade era. Ten or more slaves would be secured in bilboes, being released each day before being taken to work in the plantations.
Culled from: Rack, Rope and Red-Hot Pincers
You can get your own personal bilboes from Irontree Works. What a nifty Christmas gift!
