A form of physical punishment and public humiliation used during in the Medieval and Early Modern periods. The stocks partially immobilised the person being punished and they were left exposed in a public place for passers by to see them.
Put in the stocks
Fact of the Day
Butchers who sold off meat in medieval London ran the risk of being placed in the pillory and having their meat burnt beneath them, so that the rancid smoke would rise into their face.
Quote of the Day
"You will live to have your bellyful of parliaments.
"
~ James I to his son, Charles
On This Day
1586 American colonists arrived in Plymouth with large quantities of tobacco. Smoking caught on quickly, though it was also used in tea.
1694 The Bank of England was founded by an act of parliament as a way to finance government debt by private subscription.
1943 The concentrated Allied bombing of Hamburg led to a three hour firestorm that killed approx 30,000 civilians.