The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Escaping Handle [ARK00093]
Attached People: Collector (major) - Bargrave, John (1610-1680)Location(s): Current location at - Canterbury Cathedral Library and Archives (Library and/or Archive) -> Canterbury Cathedral (Institution)
Annotation:[Canterbury Catalog: A small, turned instrument made out of wood which has a spiral shape cut into the handle to facilitate the movement through of the rope as the user enjoys a controlled descent to the ground. Bargrave obtained this object from a "High Dutch captain" in Augsburg and in his own words suggests "it being useful in time of war for a prisoner to make his escape, by sliding down by a wall of any hight on a cord that shall not gall the hands..."] (approx early - mid 17th cent)