subs. (obsolete Parliamentary).—A covered battering-ram: used by the Royal Irish Constabulary in carrying out evictions in Ireland (1888–9).
1889. SIR WM. VERNON HARCOURT, Speech [Daily News, 11 April]. Now at Letterkenny, Mr. Balfour has introduced a new invention … an iron-headed spiked battering-ram to be used in carrying out the evictions. Why, really, gentlemen,… you find instruments called ‘The Scavenger’s Daughter,’ and ‘The Maiden,’… I think this last pattern of ram of Mr. Balfour’s might be called ‘The Unionist’s Daughter’—(loud laughter)—or it might be christened ‘BALFOUR’S MAIDEN.’
