They were probably hazel rods, which are very tough and thence painful.
Several rods were bound together to form these instruments.
Hazel, like willow, is both tough and flexible. If you've read Jane
Eyre you may remember the cruel teacher at Lowood using a bundle of
hazel rods tied together on Jane's friend Helen Burns. The one in
Lady Jane is about the right length, too. They used rods (in Dartmoor
prison until as recently as 1975) about a yard (meter) long, and
geberally three or four, as depicted in the film.
A single branch was called a switch. Less severe, but no picnic.
Incidentally, the expression "to have someone over a barrel" refers
to the practice of making miscreants bend over a barrel for this
treatment. I always thought it meant someone poised precariously
over a barrel full of water who can't move either way without
falling in!
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MarsHill2001
18 years ago
Thank You, I have never heard of such of a thing before. So I guess it was a real instrument after all, I had thought that someone in the props dept was just being creative. Thanks again. Interesting part about being over a barrel, that has a whole new meaning for me as well. It does make sence, I had just never thought of that use for a barrel before.
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IsoldeJaneHolland
18 years ago
You're welcome, my second degree was in renaissance history, so I have
fun ambling around IMDb correcting the goofs in films ("Let me tell you
what Columbus REALLY thought about Ferdinand and Isabella.")
If you like english history I highly recommend 1969 Anne Boleyn drama
Anne of the Thousand Days. It stars Richard Burton and Genvieve Bojold
who was Oscar nominated, although only her gowns won! (Well, they ARE
gorgeous....LOL) Bujold is stunning and the scene at the end where she
tells Henry VIII off has to be seen to be believed.
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