Historical Examples
In 1567 Bessie Tailiefeir slandered Baillie Thomas Hunter in Edinburgh, saying that he was using false measures. She was sentenced to the brankit and set on the cross for one hour.
Two of the bridles were purchased for use by the Walsall town authorities during the 17th century, but it is not clear what later happened to either of them or even if they were ever used.
In Walton on Thames, in England, a scold's bridle is displayed in the vestry of the church, dated 1633, with the inscription "Chester presents Walton with a bridle, To curb women's tongues that talk too idle." The story is that one Chester lost a fortune due to a woman's gossip, and presented the town with the instrument of torture out of anger and spite.
As late as 1856 it was in use at Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire.
Read more about this topic: Scold's Bridle
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“What are your historical Facts; still more your biographical? Wilt thou know a Man ... by stringing-together beadrolls of what thou namest Facts?”
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