The Iron Mask That Punished Women for Talking

The Scold’s Bridle was an iron mask used primarily in Scotland and England from the 16th to 18th centuries. It was locked onto the head of women deemed to be nagging, gossiping or speaking out of turn. An iron spike or plate inside the mask rested on the tongue. Any attempt to speak drove the spike into the tongue. Women were publicly paraded through their town or chained to a market cross while wearing it. The punishment required no trial. A husband or magistrate could order it. Several original Scold’s Bridles survive in British museums today.

INTERESTING FACT The Scold’s Bridle was almost exclusively used on women. No equivalent punishment existed for men who spoke too much. The last recorded use in England was 1824. One surviving example is held at the Walton-le-Dale church in Lancashire. You can visit it today.

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