Stocks

Stocks: A Historical Footnote in Corporal Punishment

Imagine a time when feet were the primary target of public humiliation—yes, you read that right! Stocks, those wooden contraptions designed to restrain ankles and wrists, served as a form of corporal punishment and public shaming.

The Ancient Origins

Have you ever wondered where such an archaic method of discipline came from? Well, it dates back to the ancient world, with records indicating its use in Ancient Greece under Solon’s law code.

Ancient Greece and Beyond

The stocks were a common sight during medieval times, employed by both civil and military authorities. They were used as a form of public punishment for unruly artisans, as per the 1351 Act in England, which required every town to erect a set of stocks. The last recorded use was in Newbury, Berkshire, on June 11, 1872.

Colonial America and Beyond

Across the Atlantic, colonial America saw its fair share of these devices too. In Canada, court records from 1811 mandated the construction of stocks for punishment. Even in Latin America, indigenous miners faced public humiliation through stocks.

The Lasting Impact

While the use of stocks has largely faded into history, they still hold a place in our cultural memory. In modern times, there have been attempts to revive them for various reasons—like charity events or as a form of public shaming.

Modern Examples

In 2016, the town of Thame in the United Kingdom attempted to build stocks, and in 1989, an Arkansas town passed a curfew law punishable by up to two days in the stocks. However, due to lack of funds and equipment, this punishment was never implemented.

Preserved Stocks

Interestingly, some stocks have been preserved in churches or museums as historical artifacts. They are often wooden devices that can rot over time, making them valuable relics for future generations.

Global Examples

In Colombia, married Alfreda Blanco Basilio spent 72 hours barefoot in the stocks for her adultery in 2012. More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, police placed residents who broke quarantine in stocks for a few hours.

Stocks Today

In England and Northern Ireland, village stocks can still be found in various locations, serving as reminders of our past. In Colombia and Northern Ireland, examples of stocks are used for different purposes today.

As we look back at the history of stocks, it’s hard not to wonder how far society has come. While these devices were once a common form of public punishment, today they serve as historical artifacts and reminders of our past. The evolution from such harsh methods to more humane forms of discipline is a testament to human progress.