Ball and chain

An iron ball and chain was a physical restraint device historically applied to prisoners, primarily in the British Empire and its former colonies, from the 17th century until as late as the mid 20th century. A recent archaeological find ^[1] consists of a sphere of high-grade iron approximately 15cm across and weighing around 8 kg. The chain is of some 90cm length and terminates in a leg iron or shackle.

References

^ ["Found: The ball and chain that may have condemned a 17th century prisoner to a watery grave in the Thames". Daily Mail, London. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 2013 01 03. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

[1] ["Found: The ball and chain that may have condemned a 17th century prisoner to a watery grave in the Thames". Daily Mail, London. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 2013 01 03. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

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