Scold's bridle

A scold's bridle, sometimes called a witch's bridle, a gossip's bridle, a brank's bridle, or simply branks, was an instrument of punishment used as a form of public humiliation.

It consisted of an iron muzzle in an iron framework that enclosed the head (although some bridles were masks that depicted suffering). A bridle-bit (or curb-plate), about 5 cm × 2.5 cm (2 in × 1 in) in size, was slid into the mouth and pressed down on top of the tongue, often with a spike, used as a compress. This prevented speaking and resulted in many unpleasant side effects for the wearer, including excessive salivation and fatigue of the mouth.

The scold's bridle was used on women, the counterpart of the stocks and pillory used to punish men.