I hate to spoil a good story, but it appears that "chastity belts" never really existed; they are pretty much an urban myth that originated in Victorian England. A couple historians wrote books on the subject awhile back:
Quote:
Copyright 1996 Nationwide News Pty Limited
The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Australia)
June 24, 1996, Monday
LENGTH: 174 words
HEADLINE: Chastity belts an old joke on modern times
BODY:
THE chastity belt that "unchivalrous symbol of the Crusades" never existed.
They are nothing more than Victorian myths created during the sexually repressed Victorian era.
So say two historians, whose views are shared by some of Britain's biggest museums.
"Apart from a handful of prisoners who wore them for protection against licentious warders, it is unlikely belts were anything more than a handy gag for burlesque writers," historian James Brundage was quoted in the Sunday Times newspaper as saying.
This contradiction of accepted historical wisdom is supported by several British museums which are quietly withdrawing chastity belts from display.
The British Museum has has led the way, branding as a fake a chastity belt that has been on display since 1846.
Britain's Royal Armouries also have decided to remove two belts from display.
Felicity Riddy, of the Centre for Medieval Studies at York University, said: "There is no medieval evidence, from Chaucer or anyone else.
It all points to an early urban myth."
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EDIT: If anybody can point me to the modern source (probably the last 30 years) who originated the myth that fathers forced their daughters to wear chastity belts to ensure a high bride-price, I'd be very interested in seeing it.