what is the gossips bridle

Full Answer

Why is it called a gossip bridle?

It was also called “The gossip’s bridle”, brank’s bridle or branks. Gossip was believed to be devil’s tool. During the medieval times, many instruments were made for torture, humiliation, and interrogation. These cruel tortures were acceptable.

Is gossiping a woman’s thing?

While gossiping was deemed to be a girl thing, the demonization of it was no doubt a scheme created to shut women up. It’s gender oppression and misogyny at its ugliest. Laws were made against women who gossip, nag or held friendship meetings at home or in public.

What was the purpose of the branks on the gossiper's head?

When the branks was placed on the " gossiper 's" head, they could be led through town to show that they had committed an offence or scolded too often. This was intended to humiliate them into "repenting" their "riotous" actions. A spike inside the gag prevented any talking since any movement of the mouth could cause a severe piercing of the tongue.

What are the characteristics of gossip?

Intent. Gossipers often have the goal of building themselves up by making others look bad and exalting themselves as some kind of repositories of knowledge. 2. The type of information shared.

What did the scolds bridle do?

This instrument is a scold's bridle or 'branks' used to hurt and humiliate women whose speech or behaviour was thought to be too offensive or unruly. With its twisted animal horns and haunting, inhuman features, the heavy iron mask made the wearer a figure of ridicule when she was paraded in public.

Where was the scold's bridle used?

The first recorded use of the bridle for scolds, in England, was in the 17th Century. Use was predominantly in towns in the North of England though there are other examples and styles of bridles preserved further south.

When did the scolds bridle stop being used?

However, whilst both objects were outlawed for use in the early 19th century, there is a grim account of the scold's bridle being used as late as 1856 in Bolton-le-Moors in Lancashire. Incredibly, the crime of being a 'scold' was not dropped from the statute books in Britain until 1967.

Who created the scold's bridle?

Minette WaltersThe Scold's BridleFirst edition (UK)AuthorMinette WaltersCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglishGenreCrime / Mystery novel6 more rows

Was the scold's bridle painful?

It functioned to silence the wearer from speaking entirely, and caused extreme pain and physiological trauma to scare and intimidate the wearer into submission. The scold's bridle was overwhelmingly used on women, often at the request of husbands or other family members.

What is the Spanish Tickler?

The Spanish Tickler was a 4 pronged device very similar to the Cat's Paw. This device was commonly used on thieves and unfaithful wives. Most who were tortured in this manner died not at the time, but afterwards.

What is the Judas Cradle?

Judas cradle (plural Judas cradles) A purported torture device by which the suspended victim's orifice was slowly impaled on and stretched by the pyramidal tip of the 'seat'.

Was iron maidens really used?

The widespread medieval use of iron maidens is an 18th-century myth, bolstered by perceptions of the Middle Ages as an uncivilized era. But the idea of iron-maiden-like devices has been around for thousands of years, even if evidence for their actual use is shaky. And basically fictional.

What is an iron gag?

The iron gag, in which an inmate's hands were tied behind the back and strapped to an iron collar in the mouth, so that any movement caused the tongue to tear and bleed profusely.

When was the Spanish donkey used?

Also known as the wooden horse or the chevalet, variations of the Spanish donkey were used from the Middle Ages all the way up until the American Civil War in the 1860s.

What was the punishment for treason in medieval times?

The usual punishment for treason (that is, acting or speaking against the King or Queen) was beheading if you were a noble, or hanging, drawing and quartering if you were an ordinary person. For murder, arson or robbery, men were hanged but women were burnt at the stake.

What is a bridle used for?

A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit.

What is the Judas Cradle?

Judas cradle (plural Judas cradles) A purported torture device by which the suspended victim's orifice was slowly impaled on and stretched by the pyramidal tip of the 'seat'.

What episode of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic is Bridle gossip?

Next. Swarm of the Century. Bridle Gossip is the ninth episode of the first season of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. In this episode, Twilight Sparkle and her friends encounter Zecora, a mysterious zebra who lives in the Everfree Forest. The title of the episode is a play on the phrase "idle gossip".

What is Spike's nickname for Spitty?

Spike laughs himself silly at the ponies and, in making good-natured fun of their misfortune, makes up nicknames for each pony: "Hairity" (Rarity) "Rainbow Crash" (Rainbow Dash) "Spitty Pie" (Pinkie Pie) "Apple Teeny" (Applejack)

What is the name of the creature that Pinkie Pie is hiding from?

Inside, they find Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy, who nervously explain that they are hiding from a strange hooded creature named Zecora.

What is a bridle in horse riding?

Scold's Bridle - History of the Branks. Scold is a woman who nags or grumbles constantly. The bridle is a part of horse equipment used to direct a horse. It includes headstall that holds a part that goes in the mouth of a horse and the reins attached to the bit.

What was the purpose of the Scold's Bridle?

Scold’s bridle was iron muzzle with iron framework enclosing the head, usually of a woman, used for torture and humiliation.

What is the bridle of the witch called?

It was also called “The gossip’s bridle”, brank’s bridle or branks. Gossip was believed to be devil’s tool.

What is the role of the bridle in a horse?

The bridle is the headpiece designed for a horse, in order to direct it when riding.

Why did Germany use the Scold's Bridle?

Apart from the British Isles, use of the scold’s bridle became common in Germany, with the addition of a bell in order to attract more attention during the walk of shame.

What is the purpose of the bridle bit?

The main intention of the device was to physically prevent the person from talking by the use of a small piece, called the bridle-bit, which was put in the woman’s mouth and pressed upon the tongue.

What is the role of the bridle in horse riding?

The bridle is the headpiece designed for a horse, in order to direct it when riding .

Why did Germany use the Scold's Bridle?

Apart from the British Isles, use of the scold’s bridle became common in Germany, with the addition of a bell in order to attract more attention during the walk of shame.

What is the purpose of the bridle bit?

The main intention of the device was to physically prevent the person from talking by the use of a small piece , called the bridle-bit, which was put in the woman’s mouth and pressed upon the tongue. In some cases, a spike was attached ...

What is a branked scold?

It was widely believed that only through pain and suffering could a person achieve innocence after a crime was committed. The bridle (or branks) was a form of mirror punishment, which relies on the eye for an eye principle. Since the crime was related to talking, ...

Where does the bridle come from?

The “Bridle” part, of course, comes from the headpiece worn by horses, used when their riders want more control over their movements. Wikimedia Commons A Scold’s Bridle from the mid-1600s. The idea behind the corporal punishment of a scold was not an innovative one by any means.

Why is there a bell on the top of the bridle?

Occasionally a bell would be affixed to the top of the bridle, to draw more attention during the walk. The “Scold” part of “Scold’s Bridle” comes from the term that was usually applied to a woman in a derogative sense, who is seen to be nagging or constantly displeased. The “Bridle” part, of course, comes from the headpiece worn by horses, ...

What is the bridle of a woman's mouth?

The Scold’s Bridle was comprised of several strips of iron that surrounded an iron muzzle, that would be wrapped around a woman’s face like a mask. A small piece of iron, known as the “bridle bit,” would be placed inside a woman’s mouth and pressed upon the tongue to prevent her from speaking.

What punishment did women face in the Middle Ages?

However, while women today face almost no repercussions for their idle chatter, women of the Middle Ages faced an extreme sort of corporal punishment: the Scold’s Bridle. The Scold’s Bridle is one of those things that proves no matter how hard being a woman can sometimes seem, compared to the Middle Ages, women today are doing just fine.

What did women who gossipped in the Middle Ages face?

Women who gossipped in the Middle Ages faced public humiliation at the hands of their husbands when they were forced to wear the Scold's Bridle for hours on end.

Did the bridle fall by the wayside?

Whether women began to gossip less, or whether men decided that other forms of punishment were more effective, the bridle began to fall by the wayside. And, indeed, by the time the colonists were settling the New World, the bridle had been almost eliminated from use. Though, of course, public humiliation was still commonplace, ...

What is the scold's bridle?

The scold’s bridle which is also called the “gossip’s bridle”, or “branks” was the most popular punishment given to the women for breaking the rules of remaining calm regardless of any situation. People also called the metal instrument a “witch’s bridle.”.

What is gossip in the modern world?

In the modern world, the noun, gossip /ˈɡɒsɪp/, is usually referred to a person who likes talking about other people’s private lives. However, the term “gossip” dates back to the 12th Century, where the late Old English derived the word “godsibb” ‘god’mother, ...

Why is gossiping important?

At some point, gossiping was seen as something that close friends, siblings, or people had to do. It was a way of bonding and showing affection towards each other. It was also found to be therapeutic to women who were asked to stay home all day. In other words, it was a way of communication.

What is the negative implication of gossip?

Associating gossip with women as a negative implication, they are portrayed as incapable of engaging in things that hold the utmost importance. It is understood that jobless women don’t have anything better to do for a past time. (Source: Eat My News)

How long does it take to gossip?

On average, a person spends 52 minutes in gossiping, irrespective of gender and sex. But the difference is that when men do it, it is seen as something important. Men’s gossip is even called networking, lobbying, or meeting for ‘discussing’ important topics.

Where does the scold come from?

The “Scold” part of “Scold’s Bridle” comes from the term that was usually applied to a woman in a derogative sense, who is seen to be nagging or constantly displeased. The “Bridle” part, of course, comes from the headpiece worn by horses, used when their riders want more control over their movements. (Source: All That’s Interesting)

What does "idle talk" mean?

From the 17th Century to the early 19th Century, the meaning referred to someone who engaged in “idle talk” and sharing of secrets. The word went from having a divine origin to having an insulting history in a matter of years. Still, this isn’t all that happened.

What is gossiping about people?

A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it. Gossip is distinguished from sharing information in two ways: 1. Intent.

What is gossip in a conversation?

Gossipers speak of the faults and failings of others, or reveal potentially embarrassing or shameful details regarding the lives of others without their knowledge or approval. Even if they mean no harm, it is still gossip.

What does the Bible say about idle hands?

Idle hands are the devil’s workshop, and God cautions against allowing idleness to enter our lives. “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man [or woman] who talks too much” ( Proverbs 20:19 ). Women are certainly not the only ones who have been found guilty of gossip.

What does the Bible say about gossip?

The Bible tells us that “a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends” ( Proverbs 16:28 ). Many a friendship has been ruined over a misunderstanding that started with gossip. Those who engage in this behavior do nothing but stir up trouble and cause anger, bitterness, and pain among friends.

Can women be guilty of gossip?

Women are certainly not the only ones who have been found guilty of gossip. Anyone can engage in gossip simply by repeating something heard in confidence. The book of Proverbs has a long list of verses that cover the dangers of gossip and the potential hurt that results from it.

What is a gossip person?

Although everyone seems to detest a person who is known as a “gossip” and few people would use that label to describe themselves, it is an exceedingly unusual individual who can walk away from a juicy story about one of his or her acquaintances.

Why did the scald's bridle have a bell on top?

Variations of the Scold’s Bridle sometimes included a bell on top of it to attract attention, and/or a ring attached to a chain so that a husband could drag his wife around the village and subject her to the ridicule of others . The Scold’s Bridle was employed with the approval of the church and local authorities, and in some villages the Bridle was actually kept in a cabinet in the church when not in use.

What was ducking stool?

The ducking stool was reserved almost exclusively for women, although occasionally quarrelsome married couples were tied back-to-back and subjected to it together. Ducking stools consisted of a chair fixed to the end of two long beams, usually between 12 and 15 feet in length. The woman was strapped into the chair, hoisted out over a pond or river, and then plunged underwater by several men who operated the apparatus from land. The number of times she was dunked and the length of each submersion depended upon the degree to which her gossip had been deemed harmful to the community, and it undoubtedly also depended upon the political connections of the people she had offended. For especially serious offenses, a woman could be kept in the chair for hours and subjected to repeated dunkings. Beleaguered husbands could present their scolding wives for ducking with the blessing of the church. Given the condition of the bodies of water located in or near towns during this period of history, what the woman was being immersed in was usually not much better than raw sewage, providing a strong incentive for her to keep her mouth tightly closed.

What punishments were used for gossipers in Europe?

The two most common punishments for gossipers in Europe and colonial America from the early 1500s to the early 1800s were almost exclusively reserved for women: The “Scold’s Bridle” and the “Ducking Stool.”

What is the meaning of the phrase "a perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip?

A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends

Is there a law against gossiping?

Thus, there have always been legal and religious sanctions that could be brought to bear upon gossipers who crossed a line and gossiped about the wrong people at the wrong time. Most nations still have laws against slander on the books , and until relatively recently dueling to the death was considered an honorable way of dealing with those who had transgressed against one’s reputation and good name.

Is gossip a social disruption?

The recognition of gossip’s potential for social disruption is everywhere reflect ed in a wide variety of laws, punishments, and moral codes designed to control it. One need look no further than the Bible for examples of societal efforts to stifle destructive gossip:

Overview

Origin and purpose

Historical examples

In fiction

See also

External links