pillories

A pillory is a wooden instrument of punishment used for public humiliation and corporal punishment. It consists of a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands, which would be secured, immobilizing the condemned person. The pillory was typically erected in a public place, such as a town square or market, to expose the offender to the ridicule and scorn of passersby.

The practice of using pillories dates back to medieval times and was common throughout Europe and its colonies. The specific design and usage varied by region and time period. Offenders placed in a pillory were often subjected to the throwing of rotten food, refuse, or stones by the crowd, though this was not always part of the official punishment. The duration of the punishment could range from a few hours to several days.

While the pillory was primarily a tool of humiliation, it was also often accompanied by other punishments, such as fines, branding, or flogging. The offense that led to being placed in the pillory also varied widely, including minor crimes like petty theft, public drunkenness, fraud, or slander. In some cases, it was used for more serious offenses that did not warrant execution.

The use of the pillory gradually declined with the rise of more modern penal systems and a shift in public attitudes towards punishment. While outlawed in many countries by the 19th century, it persisted in some places for a longer period. Today, the pillory is largely a historical artifact, a reminder of a bygone era of public justice and punishment.