The scold's bridle was a medieval torture device to bring unruly women back into line. It was a helmet shaped iron cage which had a hinged collar complete with a lock. This fitted very tightly over the offending woman's head. It had eye holes and a slit for the mouth, as well as a strip of iron which projected backwards and held down the tongue.
In extreme cases, the bridle was fitted with iron spikes which then cut into the woman's mouth and tongue.
The bridle was attached to a long chain which would be held by the local jailer who would parade the woman through the streets as a warning to other women to stop nagging ! The women was then tied to a post and left to be laughed and jeered at.
Whilst this may seem cruel today, in medieval times the woman was regarded as the property and 'chattel' of the husband and so had no lawful right to nag or scold and so the punishment was seen as justifiable.
In extreme cases, the bridle was fitted with iron spikes which then cut into the woman's mouth and tongue.
The bridle was attached to a long chain which would be held by the local jailer who would parade the woman through the streets as a warning to other women to stop nagging ! The women was then tied to a post and left to be laughed and jeered at.
Whilst this may seem cruel today, in medieval times the woman was regarded as the property and 'chattel' of the husband and so had no lawful right to nag or scold and so the punishment was seen as justifiable.