The Stocks. Monktondetails

The Stocks. Monkton

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We see in the background Moreton church with its square tower topped by a flagpole. In the foreground we see the stocks. These are two stout planks of wood laid on edge one above the other. They have semi-circular holes cut to line up to make circles when the planks join; the upper plank can lift up and down.

The stocks were used to imprison miscreants: people would sit down with their legs through the holes in the planks, and the upper plank would be fastened in place so that the people could not withdraw their feet and ankles through the holes, and were forced to remian there. People passing by could throw things that them or steal their boots and cell phones. Well, maybe not cellphones, as public stocks fell out of use many years ago.

They were most commonly used for drunk people, i think. These stocks have six holes, so could accomodate three people each with two feet held in place, or up to six people with one foot each, although that would be rather crowded. If i look carefully i see the holes are in pairs spaced apart, so threee people would be the intent.

The posts either side of the stocks seem tall enough that someone could be tided to one and whipped, making them also a pillory, but the book does not mention this.

Behind the stocks we see the churchyard wall.

stocks, punishments, churches, drawings, pillories, towers

Monkton, Kent, england

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