This item is one of the more disturbing objects in Henry Wellcome’s collection. A ‘Scold’s bridle’ is a fearsome looking mask which fits tightly on to the head. A scold was defined as a “rude, ...

The Scold’s Bridle was a heavy iron mask, somewhat like a cage, that fit tightly over a woman’s head. The mask included a flat piece of iron. This flat piece of iron was sometimes spiked, and it was ...