Catherine wheel

[AngelusRIP]

Why is the spinney round firework called a catherine wheel. I think it was named after Catherine the great but dont know 4 sure. Can anyone help.

[archbishop]

St. Catherine was martyred on a wheel.

[Ewood27]

I have to take issue with you, archbishop.  St Catherine of Siena died apparently of being crushed by a spirtual weight.  See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03447a.htm

 

St Catherine of Alexandria was sentenced to die on the wheel, but at her miraculous touch it disintegrated.  So she was beheaded instead.  See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03445a.htm

 

The wheel may have got its name from that on which the second St Catherine was meant to have died.  I don't know of any connection with Catherine the Great of Russia.

[Mortartube]

According to Alan St Hill Brock in his book "A history of fireworks", it is named after St Catherine who was martyred on a toothed wheel.