"Mask of shame": a vintage educational tools for gossips, brawlers and drunkards

It is believed that the middle Ages it was brutal at times and for different faults immediately whipped, beheaded or hanged. But it is not — was in those days, and educational measures, less traumatic, but also quite severe. Gossip, brawlers and drunkards were dressed in special "mask of shame", which not only humiliated the man, but gave him serious discomfort.

"Mask of shame" appeared for the first time in Northern England and Scotland in the 17th century. This method of punishment seemed to Europeans effective and very soon they started to use in Germany, and then in other countries. For us, these strange things — funny hybrid instruments of torture and carnival masks, but in the Middle ages knew well that means a particular type of "mask".

The device, which we now know as the "mask of shame", was formerly known as the "bridle the blasphemer," "the bridle of the profanity," "the drunkard harness", "harness gossip girl," and under many other names accusatory. Made masks for men, women and even children. Usually the design of the mask displayed a defect for which it is "awarded" to the owner.

It was a strange, ugly faces, causing laughter. Gossips relied mask with long ears and spreading lips, kicker was meant for options with a long wrought languages, and drinkers is different from the mask with the big ugly noses or pig snouts.

In addition to the humiliation, the carrier of the mask and felt physical pain — are made from metal products was a tough, interfere with eating, drinking, talking, sleep, and even just keeping the head straight.

Was particularly sophisticated options — known design, which had a special bridle-and-paste, put in his mouth. Wearing this mask man could only mumble and moan.

To remove the "mask of shame" interfere with the lock and attempt to get rid of the instrument of justice were punished by corporal punishment and fine. The wear time of the product was determined by the court, he could make a few hours and a couple of weeks. If punished for wearing the mask was torture, for idle onlookers — a great entertainment.

The March of the man in the mask down the street was always accompanied by Boos, insults and unbridled joy. To attract punished as much attention and thereby to strengthen the educational effect of the mask supplied with bells, the sound of which was to inform the citizens about the movement of gossip girl or profligate.

Reasons why being made to wear a "mask of shame" was too much. Drunkenness, laziness, slander, gossip, swearing, insults, rebellious speech, and even just "idle talk" and "disrespect to her husband" could lead to the fact that the court sentenced to wear an ugly fixture.

The instrument of punishment was used until the mid-19th century. In workhouses UK "mask of shame" to reward those who chats in the workplace or plotting against colleagues and superiors.