| 释义 |
† caschielawis, n. pl. Sc. Obs.
Also caschelawes.
[Cosmo Innes, Sketches of Early Sc. Hist. compares glaslavis = Gael. glas-lamh handcuff; this has suggested the possibility of formation from Gael. caisg (kaʃk) restrain + lamh |lav| hand, or that the derivation includes cas foot (genitive coise, |ˈkoʃe|) and lamh. But these are merely conjectures. The torture, however, appears to have been allied to that called ‘the three smalls,’ in Gaelic folk-lore.]
An instrument of torture, said to have been invented by the ‘Master of Orkney’ in 1596. Its action appears to have been forcibly to draw together the body and limbs of the victim, and hold him in this cramped position.
(An unlucky ‘shot’ at a derivation, hazarded by Dr. Jamieson [‘It might be deduced from Teut. kausse, kousse (Fr. chausse) a stocking, and lauw tepidus q. the warm hose’], although absolutely pre-scientific and worthless, is the sole foundation for the imaginary description of this ‘frightful machine’, adopted by Mr. Lecky, Hist. Rat. (1865) I. 142. The assumption that it was in legal use is equally baseless; all the references are to legal proceedings against those who were charged with applying this cruel torture.)
1596in Pitcairn Crim. Trails I. ii. 375 The said Alesoun was, be vehement tortour of the caschielawis quhairin sche was kepit be the space of fourtie-aucht houris, compellit to mak the said pretendit Confessioune. Ibid. I. 376 He being kepit in the caschielawis ellewin dayis and ellewin nychtis; tuyise in the day, be the space of fourtene dayis, callit in the buites. [1607Indictment of Master of Orkney in Sc. Acts (1816) IV. 396/2 Novo et inusitato crudelitatis tormento a se invento vulgo lie caschelawes.] 1599(11 Oct.) Regr. of Privy Council of Scotl. VI. 49 Without ony offens or fault committit be him [he] patt him to tortour in ane instrument nameit the caschielawis, and held him thairin the space of twa houris, drawing his body, nek, armes, and feit togidder within the boundis of ane span. |