Pillory

TitusOates-pilloried 300dpi

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Schandpfahl

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Microcosm of London Plate 062 - Pillory, Charing Cross edited

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John Waller in pillory

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The Vere Street Gang at the pillory in 1810

Prisoners whipped

Pillory is a device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse. The pillory is related to other forms of public punishment and humiliation, such as the stocks and the dunking stool.

History

The use of the pillory dates back to medieval times, with its origins in the laws of the Anglo-Saxons. It was widely used in England and its colonies from the medieval period through the 18th century. Punishment by the pillory became a common way to deal with criminals, debtors, and those accused of defamation, blasphemy, or perjury. The practice was not only a form of public humiliation but also allowed the community to physically abuse the punished individual by throwing rotten food, mud, dead animals, and other objects at them.

Design and Function

A typical pillory consisted of a tall post mounted into the ground, with a horizontal wooden or metal bar with holes at one end. This bar could be split in half to place around the neck and wrists of the punished person before being locked back together. The design ensured the individual was exposed and vulnerable, unable to defend themselves from any abuse that might come from the onlookers.

Legal and Social Aspects

The use of the pillory was regulated by law. The length of time a person spent in the pillory and the nature of their crime would often be determined by a court or local magistrate. The punishment was meant to serve as a deterrent to others and as a means of enforcing social norms and values. However, the pillory also reflected the power dynamics within society, often being used against those who challenged the status quo or were deemed to have committed moral transgressions.

Decline and Abolition

The use of the pillory began to decline in the 19th century as attitudes towards punishment and justice changed. Critics argued that the pillory was cruel and unusual punishment and that it was ineffective as a deterrent. The practice was officially abolished in England in 1837, though it had fallen out of use in many places before then. The abolition of the pillory marked a significant shift towards more modern forms of punishment and the development of the penal system.

Cultural References

The pillory has been depicted in various works of literature and art, symbolizing the themes of justice, punishment, and social control. It remains a powerful image of the cruelty of past judicial practices and the evolution of societal norms regarding punishment and public humiliation.