Wicked Wessex!
Scold's bridle
Object from: The Salisbury Museum
In the 1600s, this sinister contraption was used to punish people who were suspected of witchcraft.
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In the 1600s, this sinister contraption was used to punish people who were suspected of witchcraft.
A scold’s bridle, or witch’s bridle, was used to punish people who were suspected of witchcraft. It was placed over the victim’s head, so they couldn’t speak, or more importantly, curse anyone!
This is one of the horrible punishments used during the 17th century witch trials that took place not just in Wessex, but across the whole of Europe. Some witches faced the stocks or ducking stool, others were hanged.
Local folklore tells the story of the Handsel sisters, three Danish girls who arrived in Wilton, near Salisbury, in 1737. Their arrival coincided with an outbreak of smallpox which killed 132 people in the town. The sisters were branded as witches, bludgeoned to death and buried in separate graves.
Read more in the museum’s volunteer blog about witchcraft.
The Salisbury Museum chose the scold’s bridle to tell the story of the persecution of witches – truly an example of Wicked Wessex.
The bridle was given to the museum by W Blackmore and it originally came from Leeds.
The maquette is a miniature version of the haunting martyrs’ memorial that still stands where Dorchester town gallows were located.
Males great bustards perform spectacular courtship displays, gathering at a ‘lek’ or small display ground to try to impress the females.
The great bustard has a dignified slow walk but tends to run when disturbed, rather than fly.
The hen-bird on display at The Salisbury Museum was one of the last great bustards to be eaten in the town!