Origins. Some historians have argued that Johann Philipp Siebenkees (1759–1796) made up the history of the device. According to Siebenkees' colportage, it was first used on August 14, 1515, to execute a coin forger.

The addition of Dickinson was a turning point in their career, establishing them as one of heavy metal's most important bands. The Number of the Beast is among the most popular heavy metal albums of all time, having sold almost 20 million copies worldwide.

In the end I couldn't give 100 per cent to Maiden anymore and it wasn't fair to the band, the fans or to myself.” Di'Anno was reportedly fired over his party-heavy lifestyle. The singer has admitted in the past that he was snorting cocaine “non-stop. 24 hours a day.” He was replaced by Bruce Dickinson.

The Inquisition, it's said, employed it against their victims, using a Nuremberg-constructed Maiden designed specifically not to instantly kill, but to prolong pain as much as possible. Its blades were long and vicious but carefully placed so as not to cause fatal damage to the body… at first.