The Branks or Scold's Bridle
The Punishment
A Scold's Bridle, sometimes called a Branks, was an iron muzzle or cage for the head with an iron “curb-plate” (often spiked) projecting into the mouth and pressing down on top of the tongue. While wearing the bridle the woman would be led through town as an example to others and to further her humiliation. The Crimes The courts in Scotland inflicted it upon poor women that were considered to be naggers, gossips or scolds. |