SCOLDS; AND HOW THEY CURED THEM IN THE "GOOD OLD TIMES." By Llewellyn Jewitt, F. S. A. Etc., Etc. II. OF the other examples of Staffordshire branks the two most curious are those of Hamstall Ridware and Lichfield, but others also existed at Walsall and Beaudesert. That at the Manor House at Hamstall Ridware is a very complicated frame work, consisting of three encircling hoops, bound together by three iron bands cross ing each other at the top, and thus dividing the circumference into six parts. At the top is a plate and ring; and in front a mask pierced for the eyes, nose, etc., must have
"Dec. 3, 1741. Elizabeth, wife of George Holborn, was punished with the branks for two hours at the Market Cross, Morpeth, by order of Mr. Thomas Gait, and Mr. George Nicholls, then Bailiffs, for scandalous and opprobious language to several persons in town, as well as to said Bailiffs."
given it a hideously burlesque appearance when worn. It opens at the back with a door, in the same manner as a lantern. The Lichfield one is a single hoop, with a tongue-plate or knife, a front band pierced for the nose, and four other bands meeting and fastening at top, where they join together. The chain and fastening are on the left side. This is shown in accompanying engraving. At Morpeth a very good example exists, and its use is thus recorded : —
the brank in its proper form, and opened so as to receive the head of the delin quent. At Ludlow a very remarkable and indeed unique instrument of torture, allied to the brank, is preserved. An account of this ex ample, by Mr. Way, with an engraving, ap peared in the " Archaeological Journal," from which we make the following quota tion in the words of Mr. Bernard Smith as communicated to Mr. Way: —
For the drawing from which the accom panying engraving is made, I am indebted to B. Woodman, Esq., the town clerk at Mor peth. This example of brank has not be fore been engraved. The illustrations show
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