"Mask of shame" or in other words - "bridle of a grumpy woman." This was the name of the iron muzzle that was worn on the head of women in Europe. Thus, grumpy women were punished, although later the list of reasons to punish with this mask was replenished, for example, women were punished for excessive curiosity or for spreading rumors and gossip, fraud, rudeness, scandalism, blasphemy, foul language.
The executioner wore such a mask on a European woman condemned by the Holy Inquisition. The metal structure was rigidly attached to the head; it was impossible to remove it independently. In such a mask, the unfortunate woman could not speak. Moreover, this instrument of torture (there is no other name for it) was supplied with a special iron gag. He seriously injured the woman's tongue and lips if she still wanted to say something. And there was also a bell on top of the mask. His role was to attract the attention of passers-by. Often passers-by threw stones at the unfortunate woman, insulted her, taking advantage of complete impunity for such actions. Such zeal of respectable citizens was approved by the Holy Inquisition, and no one was responsible for the death of the dishonored one.
According to the documents of the Holy Inquisition, the "mask of shame" was invented in Britain around 1500 and has been used in almost all countries of Western Europe since the 16th century. This mask was last worn by a woman in 1901!
The punishment was short-lived: from one to three days. Often instructive inscriptions were made on this weapon, for example, "Whoever does not want to become a laughingstock must be submissive" or "A woman should be silent in church." By the way, men could wear masks for drunkenness or debauchery, but much less often. The humiliating masks could be different. They often resembled animal features. A curious woman was put on a metal structure with a long beak, a brawler - with a donkey's tongue. And on the heads of men convicted of drunkenness, the executioners of the Inquisition hoisted masks in the form of pig snouts.
Such masks have never been used in Russia. And after that they still dare to call us savages?
