Stocks

Stocks: A Dark Chapter in History

Imagine a time when public humiliation was used as a form of punishment—where the feet were restrained and people were left to suffer in plain sight. This practice, known as stocks, has its roots deeply embedded in history.

The Stocks: A Device of Humiliation

The stocks were large wooden boards with hinges that restrained the feet, often used for public punishment and humiliation. They were a common feature in towns and villages across Europe and America during medieval to early modern times. These devices served as a stark reminder of societal norms and the consequences of breaking them.

Stocks in Ancient Times

Can you imagine how it felt to be placed in stocks, with your feet restrained and exposed for all to see? In Ancient Greece, these devices were described, and they continued to be used well into the 18th century. They were especially popular among early American Puritans, who saw them as a way to enforce moral behavior.

Public Punishment: A Common Occurrence

From around 1500 until at least 1748, public punishment in the stocks was a common occurrence. People were often insulted, kicked, or subjected to other inhumane acts while being restrained in these wooden devices.

The Stocks in Modern Times

While the use of stocks has largely been abolished, there have been some recent proposals to revive their use for charitable events or other purposes. As noted by Bretherton, ‘Perhaps for charity we could do something like that, get people in the stocks and have others donate money for the time they last while having their feet tickled and syrup poured between their toes for laughs.’ However, it is not believed that the stocks would be used for actual punishment purposes.

Stocks Today: Preserved as Historical Artifacts

Currently, further study of the topic is ongoing. In Colombia in 2012, married thirty-four-year-old Alfreda Blanco Basilio and her eighteen-year-old lover Luis Martinez were placed in stocks by the Sampues tribe due to Basilio’s adultery.

Preservation of Stocks

Stocks are occasionally preserved in churches or museums as wooden devices subject to rotting and decay. Some have been heavily restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, ensuring that these historical artifacts remain for future generations to learn from.

Examples of Village Stocks

In England, examples of village stocks include Broughton-in-Furness, Caverswall, Evesham, Eyam, Little Longstone, Canewdon, Aldbury, Great Amwell, North Turton, Haveringland, Oakham Market Cross and stocks, Alfold, Bilton, Ufton, Poulton-Le-Fylde, Huntley. In Northern Ireland, an example of village stocks is located in Dromore, County Down.

As we look back at the history of stocks, it serves as a reminder of how far society has come in terms of human rights and dignity. While these devices were once used to enforce societal norms through public humiliation, today they stand as historical artifacts, teaching us about our past and the importance of treating each other with respect.