e of torture may be seen in the Ludlow Museum, and we
give an illustration of it. It belongs to a class of engines far more
formidable than branks. A description of this head-piece appears in the
_Archaeological Journal_ for September, 1856, from the pen of Mr. W. J.
Bernard Smith. "The powerful screwing apparatus," says Mr. Smith, "seems
calculated to force the iron mask with torturing effect upon the brow of
the victim; there are no eye-holes, but concavities in their places, as
though to allow for the starting of the eye-balls under violent
pressure. There is a strong bar with a square hole, evidently intended
to fasten the criminal against a wall, or perhaps to the pillory; and I
have heard it said that these instruments were used to keep the head
steady during the infliction of branding." A curious instrument of
punishment, belonging to the same class as that at Ludlow, is described
at some length, with an illustration, in "Worcester in Olden Times," by
John Noake (London, 1849). The picture and description have been
frequently reproduced.

[Illustration: SHREWSBURY BRANK.]

Several Shropshire branks remain at the present time. The one at
Shrewsbury does not appear to be of any great antiquity. Its form is
simple and its character harmless. This bridle was at one time in
constant use in Shrewsbury, and there are those yet living whose
memories are sufficiently good to carry them back to the days when the
effects of the application of the brank in question were to be seen,
rather than, as now, imagined. The year cannot be ascertained when this
brank was first worn, but it is known to have been last used in
1846.[45]

At Oswestry are two branks, one belonging to the Corporation, and the
other is in the store-room of the Workhouse. The Rector of Whitchurch
has in his possession a brank, which was formerly used by the town and
union authorities. At Market Drayton are two branks: one is the property
of the Lord of the Manor, and the other formerly belonged to the Dodcot
Union. The Market Drayton brank, and also the one at Whitchurch, have on
each a revolving wheel at the end of the gag or tongue-plate. In bygone
times, the brank was frequently used for correcting unmanageable
paupers.

At Edinburgh, in the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland,
is a brank said to be from a town in East Fifeshire, having a
rowel-shaped gag. In the year 1560, it was decided by the Town Council
of Edinburgh, that all person