Shrew's fiddle
A Shrew's fiddle, sometimes called a yoke or neck violin, is a wooden restraint device that was used in Austria and Germany in the Middle Ages up to the 18th century to punish people (mostly women) caught bickering or fighting. It serves a similar purpose as the more severe Scold's bridle. It consists of two wood pieces hinged together with holes for the wearer's head and hands. It was held together with a lock and sometimes included a waist chain.
This device is similar to the pillory, except the hands are bound in front of the neck instead of parallel to the shoulders. For added humiliation, a bell was sometimes attached to draw attention and public mockery as it allows the wearer to walk about freely. Sometimes, the subject was given a cup used for begging for money.
