Gossips Were Tortured Back in the Day
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189793)
Boise, Idaho
May 25, 2023 3:02pm CST
In England and Scotland around 1567 an apparatus called 'branks' were used mostly on females. It was an instrument of torture and a great form of public humiliation. Also called a Gossip's Bridle it was an iron mussle that enclosed the head and had a bit that was about 2 inches by 1 inch that was slid into the mouth and had a spike that was pressed down on the tongue. It caused real pain and psychological trauma. A bell might also be added to add to the humiliation when they were lead around town by a leash. So women of the lower classes who were nags, gossips, scolders or even drunk had this to look forward to in their futures.
10 people like this
9 responses
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
25 May 23
Thanks be given that were were born in another age.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
25 May 23
I hear ya. A lot of those types around.
2 people like this
Oh gosh, can you imagine having to wear such a contraption? 
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
29 May 23
Ugh! And the townfolk would get a good laugh.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
31 May 23
@much2say ............Ignorance was rampant back then.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57760)
• Los Angeles, California
31 May 23
@celticeagle How mentally, physically, and emotionally torturous!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
30 May 23
@LadyDuck .........It tells so much about their character.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
30 May 23
@celticeagle I dislike people who spread rumors through gossip.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
29 May 23
People were treated atrociously back then. Ignorance is the reason I think.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 May 23
@celticeagle I'm sure it was the reason.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
29 May 23
And had no rights in their marriage too.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
30 May 23
@RubyHawk ,,,,,,,,,,We've come a long way since then and don't have it all even yet.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 May 23
I can think of a few lying politicians that would look lovely in one.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122067)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
25 May 23
Talk about having to keep quiet gossiping or else suffer the consequences.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
29 May 23
Nobody cares nowadays. Too many people.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
26 May 23
Very interesting. I have a great interest in that time period.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
29 May 23
I am always curious and read about those periods on YT.
1 person likes this
