Birch and Cat o' Nine Tails, 19th century

Description

Made from freshly cut, supple twigs from the tree of the same name, the Birch was a common punishment, administered by policemen, for minor crimes in the 19th century.

This cat o' nine tails, made out of a goat's foot, was used to whip the inmates of Gloucester prison during the Victorian period. The leather tails, which would have been considerably longer with knots tied at the ends to maximise the discomfort felt by the unfortunate offender, were cut when the cat left the prison to prevent it being used again.