Wooden Medieval Shrew's Fiddle Punishment Collar for LARP

Wooden Medieval Shrew's Fiddle Punishment Collar for LARP

Historical Context of the Neck Violin

During the Middle Ages and the early modern period, the shrew's fiddle was used to carry out what were known as punishments of honour. It served mostly to punish minor offences such as public bickering, gossip, or petty theft at the local market. The convicted person was locked into the neck fiddle and paraded through the town streets or exhibited at the pillory in the main square. The punishment, therefore, consisted mainly of public humiliation and mockery from the crowd rather than physical torture. The shape, reminiscent of a stringed musical instrument, gave this coercive device its popular name.

How to Use the Shrew's Fiddle

The operation of this device is historically accurate and straightforward. The fiddle is opened via the bottom iron hinge like a book. The neck and both wrists are placed into the corresponding circular cutouts, and the two wooden halves are folded back together. Using the forged iron screw located at the top front, this neck shackle can be closed effortlessly and securely. There is no need for a modern padlock to ruin the historical immersion. Today, it is best used as a highly realistic prop for Reenactment, living history camps, or stage performances.

Care Instructions and Safety Warnings

To ensure this prop serves you well for years, we advise treating the wooden parts occasionally with linseed oil or beeswax to prevent the wood from drying out and cracking. The iron fittings should be lightly oiled to prevent rust. For your safety: Please remember this is a functional replica intended for display and supervised theatrical use. Never lock a person in the device against their will or leave a restrained person unattended. When closing the fiddle, be extremely careful not to pinch skin, catch hair, or trap clothing in the gap. Do not expose the wood to prolonged rain or extreme humidity.

Technical Specifications of the Punishment Device

Recommended Additions to Your Collection

To create a truly immersive medieval punishment scene, we highly recommend pairing this device with coarse peasant clothing for the prisoner, an authentic town guard tunic, and perhaps some forged iron leg shackles from our camp accessories section.