Chain making

In Tony Robinsons History of Britain, he does a brief segment on the history of chain making. Women made chain from light chain for lamps up to a larger sizes for many other purposes. Men produced even larger sizes up to huge chains like those used on ships anchors. Women blacksmiths worked 12 hours a day and men worked 6 hours. Wages were paid by chain weight produced, so women had to produce twice as much chain as men due to the sizes they made. So there is the likelihood that chains for British leg irons were made by women.
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program ... of-britain
 
Black Smith Chain Making: Black Country, West Midlands, England

 
Black Country Living Museum - Chain Making

and just intriguing to watch, 

Gold Curb Chain making - feel free to fast forward through it!