pillorying
The pillory was a medieval and early modern device for the public punishment of offenders. It consisted of a wooden frame with holes for the head and hands, designed to hold the convicted person in place for a set period. This allowed onlookers to mock, jeer, and sometimes throw objects like rotten food or mud at the individual. The pillory was often erected in a prominent public space, such as a town square or marketplace, to maximize exposure and humiliation.
Punishment by pillory was typically reserved for minor offenses, often those considered to be a breach of
The use of the pillory declined throughout the 18th and 19th centuries as legal systems evolved and