The Iron Maiden, a nightmarish device often associated with medieval torture, may not be what it seems. Contrary to popular belief, this gruesome contraption did not exist during the Middle Ages.
The first recorded accounts of the Iron Maiden are tied to the writings of German philosopher Johann Philip Siebenkees. He described a fictional execution in Nuremberg in 1515, detailing a gruesome scene of spikes penetrating the victim’s body.
However, this account was purely a work of fiction. In truth, the Iron Maiden was not an invention of the medieval period but rather a creation of an 18th-century historian.
This historian aimed to showcase the supposed superiority of his own time over the Middle Ages, using the Iron Maiden as a centerpiece in this historical hoax. As the legend of the Iron Maiden spread, it took on various elaborate twists and turns.
Some versions even claimed that the Catholic Church used Iron Maidens during the Inquisition, featuring a depiction of the Virgin Mary on top as a symbol of religious victory over heresy. But it is far from certain that this ever happened.
While the Iron Maiden might be perceived as a symbol of medieval cruelty, it is, in fact, a product of more recent history. This tale serves as a reminder of how misconceptions and myths can shape our understanding of the past, highlighting the power of storytelling in influencing historical narratives.
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- Eight Facts from History about which you are Wrong
Top image: The Iron Maiden: medieval torture, or modern fiction? Source: Morphart / Adobe Stock.
