An Iron Bridle For A Scolds Tongue C

An Iron Bridle for a Scold's Tongue', circa 1934. Illustration showing various types of metal bridle or branks, used as punishment for percieved 'gossiping, nagging or scandal-mongering'. In one, the projection that held down the tongue was spiked. The use of such torture devices was first recorded in Scotland in 1567, and may have continued until as late as 1856. From The Romance of the Nation, Volume Two, edited by Charles Ray. [The Amalgamated Press, Ltd., London, circa 1934]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)