Maiden (The), a kind of guillotine, introduced into Scotland by the Regent Morton, who was afterwards beheaded by it. The “maiden” resembled in form a painter’s easel about ten feet high. The victim placed his head on a cross-bar some four feet from the bottom, kept in its place by another bar. In the inner edges of the frame were grooves, in which slid a sharp axe weighted with lead and supported by a long cord. When all was ready, the cord was cut, and down fell the axe with a thud.—Pennant, Tour in Scotland, iii. 365 (1771).
The unfortunate earl [Argyll] was appointed to be beheaded by the “maiden.”—Sir W. Scott. Tales of a Grandfather, ii. 53.
The Italian instrument of execution was called the mannaïa. The apparatus was erected on a scaffold; the axe was placed between two perpendiculars. ... In Scotland the instrument of execution was an inferior variety of the mannaïa.—Memoirs of the Sansons, i. 257.
It seems pretty clear that the “maiden” ... is merely a corruption of the Italian mannaïa.—A.G. Reid.
Maiden King (The), Malcolm IV., of Scotland (1141, 1153-1165).
Malcolm, ... son of the brave and generous Prince Henry, ... was so kind and gentle in his disposition that he was usually called Malcolm “the Maiden.”—Sir W. Scott, Tales of a Grandfather, iv.
Maiden Queen (The), Elizabeth of England (1583, 1558-1603).
Maiden of the Mist (The), Anne of Geierstein, daughter of Count Albert of Geierstein. She is the baroness of Arnheim.—Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).
Maidens’ Castle (The), on the Severn. It was taken from a duke by seven knights, and held by them till Sir Galahad expelled them. It was called “The Maidens’ Castle,” because these knights made a vow that every maiden who passed it should be made a captive. This is an allegory.
Mailsetter (Mrs.), keeper of the Fairport post-office.