Sudden Death

💡 Did You Know?

The Scavenger's Daughter on display at the Tower museum was actually built to be used. It really was invented by Sir Skeffington, for use during Henry VIII's reign. But it is nothing like the odd contraption shown in the reconstruction. The throat, wrists and ankles were shackled to a frame, which then folded the accused like a bedsheet - into the fetal position; knees and head bent to touch the chest. Unsurprisingly, the Spanish were the other country to have a similar device.