The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

PILLORY

A pillory was originally a post that was erected at crossroads by the lord of the manor and bearing his arms upon it as a mark of his territory. Later, pillories sometimes had a collar fixed to them by which criminals could be secured, later still the pillory became a 'T' shaped frame that was erected in a public place, with holes for the head and arms, in which malefactors were displayed to the public. The pillory was a form of torture, the victim usually being denied food or drink for the duration of their sentence, and often subject to having rotten fruits and vegetables thrown at them by passers-by. The pillory was abolished for all offences with the exception of perjury in 1816, and was abolished for perjury in 1837. Prior to 1837 a perjurer could have his ears nailed to the pillory.
Research Pillory