A screaming young woman is forced by soldiers into a "iron coffin of Lissa". Etching by M. Pool after O. Elliger.

The "iron coffin of Lissa" is a contraption to prolong capital punishment by "killing the prisoner by inches". The prisoner was laid in the coffin with the iron lid creeping slowly down on him. After days and nights in suspense, the prisoner was at last slowly crushed by the iron lid on him.

The contraption could also be an "iron cage of Louis XI", which was contrived in a way that victims could linger out for years; but whether they sat, stood or lay down, the position was equally uncomfortable

[Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified]

1 print : etching, with engraving ; image 14 x 18 cm

O. Elliger inv. M. Pool sculp.

Wellcome Collection 43377i