The pillory was a device made of a wooden or metal framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used for punishment by public humiliation and often further physical abuse. The pillory is related to the stocks. The word is documented in English since 1274, and stems from Old French pellori, itself from medieval Latin pilloria, of uncertain origin, perhaps a diminutive of Latin pila. The Pillory would`ve been used for public humiliation, particularly for dishonest traderssuch as selling under-weight or rotten goods. The Pillory was also used to punish crimes such as cheating at cards and persistent swearing. Some crimes, particularly against chidren, could end with the criminal being stoned to death. Punishment by Pillory was finally abolished in England in 1837, however, since 1815 it had only been used for cases of perjury.
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