Stocks

These wooden restraining devices consist of heavy frames with openings designed to secure a person's legs or ankles, exposing them to public view for minor offenses in the town square.

First mandated across England in 1351 by the Statute of Labourers, these devices were used for centuries to discipline offenders until their formal abolition in the 1870s following their final recorded use in Newbury in 1872.

The devices served as tools for both punishment and public humiliation, targeting offenders guilty of drunkenness, swearing, dishonest trading, or vagrancy, with spectators often gathering to witness the shame imposed upon wrongdoers.

Visitors interested in historical justice practices can view preserved examples of these punishment devices at local heritage sites and consult archival materials at the Dorset History Centre for additional historical context and documentation.

Unlike other punishment tools that inflicted physical pain, these restraints primarily relied on social shame and public exposure, making them particularly effective in small communities where reputation held significant value.

Location: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

GPS coordinates: 50.73379,-1.77487

Latest update: November 28, 2025 14:25