Origins and Spread
The German scold’s bridle, a sinister device used to punish and silence the outspoken, emerged in the mid-16th century. This cruel contraption quickly spread across Northern Europe, including Britain, where it became known as the ‘branks’.
A Tool of Oppression
These masks, featuring a large nose-piece, jagged mouth, hinged neck ring, and a suspended bell, were designed to humiliate and control their wearers. While primarily used on women accused of ‘gossiping’ or ‘nagging’, evidence suggests men were not exempt from this brutal treatment.
The ‘Scold’ and Society
Defining the Troublemaker
In legal terms, a ‘scold’ was anyone deemed to have disturbed the peace through their speech – be it through quarreling, drunkenness, or slander. The bridle’s purpose went beyond mere humiliation; it was a tool to physically prevent speech, reflecting a culture intent on silencing those who dared to challenge societal norms.
Gender Disparities in Punishment
Men and women faced different forms of public shaming. While men were often sent to the stocks or pillories, women endured the added indignity of being paraded in ornate masks, sometimes adorned with animal features to further their degradation. The attached bell ensured that the wearer’s shame would be heard as well as seen.
The Bridle’s Design
Most scold’s bridles included gags, some featuring spikes, to restrain the tongue and enforce silence. This particular example, acquired for Sir Henry Wellcome’s museum collection in 1935, serves as a chilling reminder of this practice.
A Fading but Persistent Practice
While records of the scold’s bridle’s usage are scarce, possibly due to its status as an illegal form of torture in England, reports of its use persisted until the mid-19th century. This dark chapter in history serves as a stark reminder of the lengths society once went to suppress dissenting voices, particularly those of women.
