The knout was a Russian instrument of punishment. It consisted of a handle about 60 cm long, to which was fastened a flat leatherthong about twice the length of the handle, terminating with a large copper or brass ring; to this ring was affixed a strip of hide about five centimetres broad at the ring, and terminating at the end of 60 cm in a point. This was soaked in milk and dried in the sun to make it harder, and should it fall, in striking, the culprit on the edge, it would cut like a penknife. The culprit was bound erect to two stakes to receive the specified number of lashes on the back, and the tail of the knout was changed at every sixth stroke. Punishment by the knout often resulted in the death of the victim. It was abolished by Tsar Nicholas I. Research Knout
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Abbreviations
General Information
Research Knout
