Iron Hand For Freaky Friday...!

Yep...I said Iron Hand, a real one at that!

This story just shows how some folks, even given a second chance at a good life, revert back to their old life styles. Guess some people never change their bad habits.

Gotz Of The Iron Hand

Photo credit: coilhouse.net

Gottfried “Gotz” von Berlichingen was an infamous German mercenary with a prosthetic arm that matched his fearsome reputation. During the 1504 siege of Landshut, Gotz lost his right arm to a cannon blast. He survived and commissioned armor with an artificial iron limb.

Internal gears controlled the articulated fingers of the iron prosthesis. The new limb was strong enough to handle a sword and delicate enough to clutch a quill. For 40 years, “Gotz of the Iron Hand” continued to terrorize the German countryside.

Born nearly 500 years ago in Wurttemberg, Gotz was a knight of the Holy Roman Emperor but spent much of his time robbing merchants and noblemen. He is now remembered as a Robin Hood–like figure. Gotz’s groundbreaking prosthesis is celebrated by Germans as a symbol of their national ingenuity.

Pretty advanced prosthetic for the times, I'd say. Doesn't look that bad, either.

Coffee in the kitchen this morning. It's cold outside!