Hold Your Tongue
The Scold’s bridle, sometimes referred to as the witch's bridle or simply ‘branks’, was a ‘punishment’ device used mainly on women during the 16th Century. First used in Scotland, the torture instrument was used as a way of both control and humiliation. The term ‘bridle’ refers to the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse which is used to lead the animal and ensure it follows the direction of its rider. A ‘scold’ was a term used to describe women as a public nuisance, often used in relation to women who were accused of being witches,[1] another man-made excuse to attack women for not conforming to patriarchal norms. The torture instrument was used to punish ‘crimes’ such as “scolding, nagging or casting spells.”[2] These ‘excuses’ show how the Scold’s bridle was simply used as a way of controlling and scaring women into doing what men expected of them; being quiet and obedient. The contraption consisted of a metal cage that was placed over the wearers head and mouth, there was bit that rested upon the tongue of the wearer which would cut it if she tried to speak. The Scold’s bridle was never a legalised form of punishment but was often used by institutions with men in power, such as town councils and barony courts in Scotland.[3]This emphasises the idea that security of men’s power comes as a priority to patriarchal society, regardless of the morality of the actions to achieve it. The scold’s bridle was also used to humiliate the wearers, she would be paraded through the streets and tied to the market cross for all to see.[4] Some even went as far as attaching bells in order to draw more attention to the woman who wore it.[5] There are recorded comments about the efficiency of the bridle, with one man stating “a mad woman is like a rough stirring horse, and as he must have a sharp bit, so must she have a sharp restraint.”[6] This sums up the patriarchal ideas of the time, which still seep through into society today.
Throughout history, women have been expected to quietly and loyally obey their superiors (men). The world has seen a large amount of change, both for the good and the bad, but women living in a patriarchal society has been a constant. It is argued by some that it is natural for a woman to be caring and submissive to her partner,[7]with some going as far as saying that the function of society relies on it.[8] A woman who speaks up for what she believes is often seen a Whiney or difficult, where a man would often be praised and called ‘brave’ for doing the same thing.
Although control of women isn’t as obvious in today's society, with less use of cruel punishments such as the scold’s bridle there is still the norm that men are superior to women, and we should simply conform to this ideal of a submissive woman. These ‘female norms’ are a social construct created by men in order to enforce the success of the patriarchal society. There is continuous legislation that is put in place in order to control women across the world, such as the abortion laws in various states across the USA and the cruel treatment of women by the Taliban in Afghanistan such as forbidding them to work outside of the home.[9]
Women are so often complimented for their beauty and encouraged to just put on a smile. Women often use smiling and laughter as a way of coping. We are constantly told to ‘put on a brave face’ and ‘hold our tongues’ rather than express our true feelings. This theme of silencing women is seen in almost every society in history and continues in many places today. Although the patriarchal control today isn’t shown through a specific object, it doesn’t mean it is not still there. There is still an unsaid expectation for women to put their heads down and comply with what men say. We do not want to be viewed as difficult and will continue to ‘hold our tongues.’
[1] Scotland, N.T. for (2021). Hold yer tongue. [online] National Trust for Scotland. Available at: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/hold-yer-tongue.
[2] Natasha Ginwala Untaming Restraint and the Deferred Apology. (n.d.). Available at: https://editor.e-flux-systems.com/files/220044_e-flux-journal-untaming-restraint-and-the-deferred-apology.pdf [Accessed 15 Sep. 2024].
[3] Scotland, N.T. for (2021). Hold yer tongue. [online] National Trust for Scotland. Available at: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/hold-yer-tongue.
[4] Scotland, N.T. for (2021). Hold yer tongue. [online] National Trust for Scotland. Available at: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/hold-yer-tongue.
[5] Natasha Ginwala Untaming Restraint and the Deferred Apology. (n.d.). Available at: https://editor.e-flux-systems.com/files/220044_e-flux-journal-untaming-restraint-and-the-deferred-apology.pdf [Accessed 15 Sep. 2024].
[6] Shagan, E.H. (2011). The Rule of Moderation. Cambridge University Press.
[7] Giddens, A. and Sutton, P.W. (2017). Sociology. 8th ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.
[8] Giddens, A. and Sutton, P.W. (2017). Sociology. 8th ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.
[9] Amnesty International (2023). Everything you need to know about human rights in Afghanistan 2020. [online] Amnesty International. Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/afghanistan/report-afghanistan/.
N.B.
When using the term ‘women’ I am referring to all genders and groups that are affected by patriarchal power. This includes, but is not limited to, AFAB women, transgender women, non-binary people, gender fluid people and queer people.
Unless specified, when using the term ‘society’. I am referring to today's society in the United Kingdom.
Bibliography
· Scotland, N.T. for (2021). Hold yer tongue. [online] National Trust for Scotland. Available at: https://www.nts.org.uk/stories/hold-yer-tongue.
· Natasha Ginwala Untaming Restraint and the Deferred Apology. (n.d.). Available at: https://editor.e-flux-systems.com/files/220044_e-flux-journal-untaming-restraint-and-the-deferred-apology.pdf [Accessed 15 Sep. 2024].
· Shagan, E.H. (2011). The Rule of Moderation. Cambridge University Press.
· Giddens, A. and Sutton, P.W. (2017). Sociology. 8th ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.
· Amnesty International (2023). Everything you need to know about human rights in Afghanistan 2020. [online] Amnesty International. Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/afghanistan/report-afghanistan/.