The guillotine is best known for its use during the French Revolution (1789 - 1799). In the collections of the National Museum of Scotland "The Maiden" is less sophisticated than a French Guillotine and instead of a blade it uses a heavy piece of stone attached to a rope and level at the back. It was used from 1564 to 1710 . The Maiden wouldnt have been used fro commoners and would have been reserved for high ranking elites of the day like dukes, marquesses and the like. (really trying not to ge

Guillotine | Definition, Invention & History