The iron maiden is often believed to have been a medieval torture device used in Europe during the Middle Ages. Known by other names such as the Virgin (a reference to the Virgin Mary) and Jungfer (German for spinster), this infamous contraption is described as a human-sized box with spikes on the inside. A victim would be forced inside and impaled by the spikes when the device was closed.
Was the Iron Maiden Used in the Middle Ages?
Despite its association with the Middle Ages, there is no evidence to suggest that the iron maiden was actually used during this period. Torture devices similar to the iron maiden are mentioned in earlier texts, such as in Saint Augustine of Hippo’s “City of God.” Augustine recounts the story of Marcus Atilius Regulus, a Roman general tortured to death by the Carthaginians by being locked in a box with nails. However, the nails only pierced him if he fell asleep, leading to his death from sleep deprivation.
The earliest mention of the iron maiden itself comes from the 18th century, when historian Johann Philipp Siebenkees wrote about it in a guidebook to Nuremberg. Siebenkees claimed that a criminal was executed using an iron maiden in 1515, noting that the spikes were deliberately made short to prolong the victim’s suffering for two days before death.
How is the Schandmantel Different from the Iron Maiden?
The credibility of Siebenkees’ account is often questioned, with many believing he may have invented the story. Alternatively, he might have confused the iron maiden with the Schandmantel, or “coat of shame,” a medieval German punishment device used for public humiliation of prostitutes and poachers. Unlike the iron maiden, the Schandmantel did not have spikes.
Siebenkees’ description, however, inspired others, leading to the creation of iron maidens based on his writings. These devices became closely associated with Nuremberg, often called the Nuremberg Virgin or the Iron Maiden of Nuremberg.
The Evolution of the Iron Maiden
By the early 19th century, iron maidens were being created and displayed in Nuremberg and other European cities. In 1893, an iron maiden was exhibited at the World’s Fair in Chicago. These devices were often assembled from various medieval artifacts and displayed for a fee.
During this time, more horror stories began to circulate, such as the iron maiden’s use during the Inquisition and its association with the Catholic Church’s triumph over heresy. Another tale claimed its use as early as the 12th century.
Today, iron maidens can be found in museums worldwide, though these specimens are likely to have been made in the 19th century. In 2003, an iron maiden was reportedly discovered at the Iraqi National Olympic committee compound in Baghdad. It was said to belong to Uday Hussein, son of Saddam Hussein, and used to punish underperforming athletes.
