The ‘Isle of Man’ birch was, essentially, a group of canes bound together and, as such, bears almost no resemblance to the birch traditionally used in British schools – which was essentially a spray of twigs.
I have no difficulty understanding how the IOM birch caused pain but I’ve always wondered about the ordinary birch.
Given that it had almost zero impact, did it simply scratch, cut and tear the skin – much the same as a group of needles might have done?
Very very very uncivilised – almost MEDIAEVAL – if such is the case!
I recall reading an interview with one of the policemen who had the job of making up the birches when required who admitted that he took care to adjust the expected effect to match the severity of the crime ! I also remember talking to someone who has some experience in the infliction of corporal punisment in various ways who said, in a tone of awe, ” The Isle of Man birch – now that REALLY hurt” – the way he said it made me think !
The more normal birch rod was, by all accounts, extremely effective, but I have little knowledge to pass on to you, except that I have heard that, unlike the cane, the first few strokes do not seem to hurt very much, but the intensity of the effect then increases dramatically with each stroke.
Does anyone remember way back in 1978 a lengthy piece on Newsnight about the IOM Birch? A policeman was shown hefting a bundle of four foot rods and then lashing it into a heavy leather chair. The chair jumped across the floor as a result. The next edit showed lady supporters of the birch talking about it and saying that it was nothing, just a gentle tap!
I know this is OT really in this group but reading the IOM regulations on the Corpun site, there would not appear to be any difference in the construction of the birch for differing ages of offender. However boys under fourteen were caned (not bare). The regulations stating that the maximum dimensions of the cane were not to exceed four feet and half an inch in thickness. Very curious as that this is exactly the dimensions of the rod used for the most brutal canings possible in Singapore!
This information comes from the data provided by the British Government to the European Court, so should be accurate. Not surprising then that so little is known about IOM judicial caning of schoolboys.
Yes, Elaine, I remember it. It was a revolting piece of theatre.
Those of a delicate nature may prefer not to read the following extract taken from the 1938 report of the Home Office Departmental Committee on Corporal Punishment (chairman the Hon. E. Cadogan) which describes a range of postures and restraints employed in British judicial birchings:
The method most commonly adopted is to bend the boy over a low bench or table. His hands, and sometimes his feet also, are held by police officers. This is done in order to ensure that he shall not move, for if he moved a stroke of the birch might fall on some more sensitive part of the body. This method, though probably the most common, is not universal. In some Police Forces one constable takes the boy on his back, drawing the boys hands down over his shoulders; and another constable holds the boys feet drawing his legs round the sides of the first constable; the first constable then leans forward, and the birch is applied by a third. We have also heard that in one Police Force the custom is for one constable to bend the boy over and hold his head between his knees, while a second officer administers the birch.
Does anyone remember way back in 1978 a lengthy piece on Newsnight about the IOM Birch? A policeman was shown hefting a bundle of four foot rods and then lashing it into a heavy leather chair. The chair jumped across the floor as a result. The next edit showed lady supporters of the birch talking about it and saying that it was nothing, just a gentle tap!
I know this is OT really in this group but reading the IOM regulations on the Corpun site, there would not appear to be any difference in the construction of the birch for differing ages of offender. However boys under fourteen were caned (not bare). The regulations stating that the maximum dimensions of the cane were not to exceed four feet and half an inch in thickness. Very curious as that this is exactly the dimensions of the rod used for the most brutal canings possible in Singapore!
This information comes from the data provided by the British Government to the European Court, so should be accurate. Not surprising then that so little is known about IOM judicial caning of schoolboys.
Viewers of this post might be interested to see the information I have recently located on the dimensions of the various types of birch used for the application of judicial punishment in the UK :
Under 10 years, overall length 34 ins.,handle of 8 ins., circumference 5.5 ins., and weight 6 ozs.
Age 10 to 16 years, 40 ins.,overall length, handle 15 ins., circumference 6 ins., and weight 9 ozs.
Age over 16 year, overall length 48 ins., handle 22 inches, circumference 7 ins., and weight 12 ozs.
For the Isle of Man birch, comprised of 4 hazel rods, the dimensions were 40 ins. overall length, handle of 15 ins ( x 3.5 ins. ), circumference of spray 6 ins., and weight 9 ozs.
If any of you visit the lovelly little Norfolk town of Walshingham with it`s famous shrines and light railway it is worth paying a nominal ammount to visit the Museum.This is housed in the old court house and amongst the exhibits in a glass case is a judicial birch now somewhat dehydrated and I suspect would fall to dust were it disturbed it is still possible though to estimate it`s dimensions and method of construction.
Also the York Castle museum has a reconstructed Victorian Police Station,complete with a birch rod on display.