European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 3, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Another Long tongued big eared mask for Village gossips. Sharp ears glasses and Long Tongue for Blabbermouth women they heard everything saw everything and quickly told everything they saw or heard. Act like a pig and you wore this mask in the Village Square. Masks made medieval offenders put their worst face Forward also for gossips Bells at ends of Long ears rang when the wearer moved. Executioner s mask used to Ward off any curse the victim May have tried. Over talkative Rothenburg women might face this Long tongued Model. Nosy mask for men who stuck their noses into others business. Story and photos by Jim Arwine staff writer Village gossips people who acted like pigs people who stuck their noses into others business and people who played musical instruments poorly ran a Short course of action in medieval Rothenburg Germany. They were quickly identified Cap tured and Given the routine punishment for such offences. They were forced to Wear a shame mask. They had to stand for hours on a Block of Stone located on a Busy Village Street where All could see them. Citizens were allowed even encouraged to taunt the shame mask wearers. Children would jeer and dogs would nose around their feet. Shame masks and other medieval punishment torture devices May be viewed at the Rothenburg crime museum. Museum officials say it is the Only museum of Middle Ages administrative Justice in Europe the masks were made of sheets or bands of Iron. Some were carved from Wood. But All were heavy hot and uncomfortable to Wear. This was also the time of widespread use of torture de vices in Europe. Body stretching Racks dunking chairs Finger smashing and Bone breaking devices were the rage in order to obtain True confessions from Public offenders. The shame masks were used to punish those who deviated from Standard norms of Public behaviour. There were separate masks for men and women. The Many varying faces on the masks mirrored the wearer s offence. A gossip s mask would usually be fashioned with a Long Tongue hanging from the Mouth. Big ears and a pair of glasses often were added. Horns on a shame mask represented the Devil. If a Man wore a mask with horns it meant he was cheating on his wife. A mask with a big nose was reserved for the busybody. The pig mask was for those accused of eating and drink ing too much. Several of the shame masks were outfitted with sounding devices to draw attention to the wearer. Bells which rang with the turning of the head or whistles which blew with every breath were common. Length of the mask wearing punishment varied according to the offence from a few hours to a few Days. Admission to the museum is 2.50 Marks about $1.25 for adults. Reduced rates Are available for children and students. Chimney sweeps swept clean or wore this shame mask carved of Wood. Page 12 the stars and stripes sundays Ember 3, 1978 the stars and stripes Page 13