This item is one of the more disturbing objects in Henry Wellcome’s
collection. A ‘Scold’s bridle’ is a fearsome looking mask which fits
tightly on to the head. A scold was defined as a “rude, clamorous
woman”. The bridle was used as a punishment for women considered to be
spending too much time gossiping or quarrelling. Time spent in the
bridle was normally allocated as a punishment by a local magistrate. The
custom developed in Britain in the 1500s, and spread to some other
European countries, including Germany. When wearing the mask it was
impossible to speak. This example has a bell on top to draw even more
attention to the wearer, increasing their humiliation. It was used until
the early 1800s as a punishment in workhouses.
This item is one of the more disturbing objects in Henry Wellcome’s collection. A ‘Scold’s bridle’ is a fearsome looking mask which fits tightly on to the head. A scold was defined as a “rude, clamorous woman”. The bridle was used as a punishment for women considered to be spending too much time gossiping or quarrelling. Time spent in the bridle was normally allocated as a punishment by a local magistrate. The custom developed in Britain in the 1500s, and spread to some other European countries, including Germany. When wearing the mask it was impossible to speak. This example has a bell on top to draw even more attention to the wearer, increasing their humiliation. It was used until the early 1800s as a punishment in workhouses.