THIS FAMOUS book was first published in 1865, at the apogee of the Victorian era. Its full title--A History of the Rod in All Countries, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time--proclaimed its scope: and to this day it remains the largest single volume ever devoted to a comprehensive history of Flagellation. In its own day it inhabited that eerie borderland between "medical" and "risque", inclining rather more towards the latter. This was hardly surprising since its real author was a notable Victorian writer of flagellant fiction. To give A History of the Rod a measure of respectability, he adopted the pen-name of a clergyman (who in Victorian eyes could do no wrong).

The book is an astounding tour-de-force of flagellant history, from Biblical times, through the High Mediaeval period, to the "present day" of the author's own era, when birch-rod, strap and cane were still very much in use around the world, and especially in Britain.

This luxurious AKS Books edition is faithful to the original in every detail, including the numerous illustrations.

An excerpt from the book:

Betty Brown, the girl to be whipped, was ordered to stand out, which she did, looking very shamefaced. She was a big, tall girl in appearance, far more robust than either the Lady Maria or her cousin. She was going to be still-room maid at Lord Royston's, a fine house in the next county, for she was a clever girl, though careless and troublesome at times. Betty stood before the party, till Miss Thomas, the school mistress, rose, and curtseying, read out the punishment. "Betty Brown will fetch the rod," my lady said; and the girl went, colouring crimson, and ready to cry. When she came back, she knelt, and presented it, as was the fashion, and then Mademoiselle said sharply--"Kiss it." That was one of the new notions she had brought from France, and we didn't like it--we never had to do it before she came. Betty kissed it, looking dreadfully terrified while she was prepared for flogging. Joan stripped her, and she was made to fold up her clothes, one by one, as though she were going to bed, while we all sat in our places looking on, not allowed to move or speak. When she stood ready for the rod, the bell was rung for the dairywoman--a great, stout person, who had the enviable task of horsing us when we were birched. Joan tucked up her sleeves and receiving the rod from the Lady Marjory with a profound curtsey, prepared for business. But Betty was not going to be flogged without opposition: she was a big, strong girl, and it took a good many pairs of hands to get her fairly established on Dorothy's back, who did not like her office at all. Once there, and the girl's hands pinioned by her brawny arms, there was little chance of the culprit escaping, however she might kick, for Dorothy was as strong as a man, and it was currently reported that she smacked her liege lord in the privacy of her own home. "Hold that girl's feet," was Lady Marjory's next order, "or Joan will never be able to get at her." So Miss Thomas made the feet fast, and then Joan began. The dreaded rod fell swiftly and surely on the white flesh, raising red weals in all directions. If Joan was clumsy, she was energetic, and Betty Brown roared and wrestled under the operation most lustily but, for all that, the performance did not please the three ladies. "What a clumsy creature!" said Mademoiselle; "she hasn't an atom of grace." "Marjory should do it herself," said Lady Maria. "One can't expect everything from servants."