High heels for women are believed to have originated with Catherine de Medici, a 16th century Italian noblewoman who was short in stature and wanted to make a bigger impression when she arrived in France to marry the future King Henry.
The restraining device is apparently called a ‘scavenger’s daughter’ and was invented in the court of King Henry VIII. Rarely used historically, there is one genuine one known to exist that is still in the Tower of London. (xpost from /r/Bondage)
