Hold Her Tongue: This Torture Device Was Used to Silence Women In Middle Ages

Throughout history, numerous methods have been employed to suppress dissent and maintain social order. Among the most egregious examples of gender-specific punishment is the scold's bridle. This device, used predominantly against women deemed too outspoken, epitomizes the extreme measures societies have taken to silence female voices.

Origins and Spread of the Scold's Bridle

The scold's bridle, also known as the branks, originated in Britain in the 1500s and soon spread to other Northern European countries, including Germany and regions influenced by German culture, such as Brussels. Initially, the device was employed as a legal penalty for those accused of disturbing the peace through quarrels, drunkenness, or slander. While it was predominantly used on women, there is evidence to suggest that men were occasionally subjected to the bridle particularly for blasphemy or as a means of restraining prisoners.

Design and Purpose

The scold's bridle was a grotesque iron mask designed to both humiliate and inflict pain. Typically, it featured exaggerated facial features, such as donkey ears or twisted horns, to further shame the wearer. A common element was a bell attached to the top of the mask, drawing attention to the wearer and their punishment. The most torturous aspect of the device was the gag, often equipped with a spike, which was inserted into the mouth to restrain the tongue and prevent speech. This design was reminiscent of a horse's bridle, which controlled the animal by pressing down its tongue.

Gendered Application and Societal Context

The application of the scold's bridle starkly reflected societal attitudes towards gender. Men punished for similar offences were more likely to be sent to the stocks or pillories, while women were publicly paraded in these humiliating masks. The device was most frequently used on women accused of being 'scolds'—a term for those considered sharp-tongued or gossiping. This label was often applied to older women, widows, or poor women not under the control of a man. Women accused of witchcraft were also subjected to the bridle to prevent them from chanting spells. In many cases, the device was used at the behest of husbands to silence nagging wives.

Legal and Social Implications

Being labelled a scold was not merely a social stigma but a legal offense. Women branded as such were recorded as criminals and perceived as threats to public peace. The crime of being a scold was astonishingly only removed from the British penal code in 1967. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the offenses of being a scold, a whore, or a witch were considered equally severe. The public humiliation of these women served not only as a punishment but also as a form of sexual titillation for a society that valued female modesty while simultaneously being fascinated by its transgression.

Cultural Attitudes Towards Female Speech

During this period, female speech was often disparaged as 'yapping' or 'barking,' and women who asserted themselves were deemed androgynous or freakish. The prudishness of the authorities and prevailing popular beliefs focused on controlling women's expression rather than subduing sexual transgressions. The primary goal of the scold's bridle was to suppress women's speech and maintain societal norms that dictated female silence and submission.

The scold's bridle is a haunting testament to the long and arduous fight women have faced for something as fundamental as free speech. While the physical device may be a relic of the past, the derogatory labels—such as gossip, whore, and witch—persist in various forms today, continuing to undermine and silence women. Acknowledging the resilience and endurance of our foremothers is crucial, as their struggles have paved the way for the rights we now hold. It is through their courage and tenacity that we can strive for a more just and equitable society, where all voices are heard and valued.