Pillory Collection (#5)

Man in pillory, Mediaeval Berlin, artwork C018 / 7094
Man in pillory. 1883 engraving of a man in a pillory on the Gerichtslaube building in Berlin, Germany, during the Middle Ages

Punishment by pillory, historical image C017 / 7883
Punishment by pillory, Delaware, USA, historical image. The pillory is occupied by an African-American man. This punishment, similar to the stocks

William Prynne - 4
WILLIAM PRYNNE - puritan lawyer and pamphleteer whose writings led to the pillory and imprisonment in the Tower. Of Audland, in the upper picture, we know nothing Date: 1600 - 1669

PPRT2A-00004
British colonial government burning Zengers newspaper on Wall Street, New York City, 1734. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Norman Rioters
Normans involved in Paris riots are punished in the pillory, which will not be destroyed until the Revolution

Perkin Warbeck Pilloried
Perkin Warbeck, claimant to the English crown, is placed in the pillory on the orders of Henry VII

Pillory, Cidade Velha, Santiago, Cape Verde Islands, Africa

John Lilburne at Pillory
JOHN LILBURNE Political agitator and English leader of the Levellers; here, he appeals to a crowd as he stands at a pillory

Defoe in Pillory
DANIEL DEFOE In 1703, he is pilloried at Temple Bar, London, for publishing The Shortest Way with the Dissenters but the crowd acclaim him

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The pillory, a symbol of social punishment and public humiliation, has played a significant role throughout history. From the infamous Charing X Pillory in London to the engraving depicting Daniel Defoe's time in the pilory, this form of punishment was used to shame individuals who went against societal norms. In America, during the Stamp Act era, burning the stamps became an act of defiance against British rule. The pillory served as a reminder that those who resisted would face severe consequences. Similarly, Titus Oates found himself in the pillory for his false accusations during a religious controversy. Dating back to medieval times, the pillory and stocks were instruments used to publicly display wrongdoers. Pelourinho Square in Porto showcases historical remnants like Se Cathedral and Medieval Tower where these punishments took place. Even today, relics such as Elvas' old pillory stand as reminders of our past. Beyond Europe's borders lie examples like Cape Verde's Cidade Velha or Brazil's Maranhao Alcantara - places where colonial powers exerted their dominance through public shaming. In New England, Puritan prisoners endured hours confined within its confines for their transgressions against religious orthodoxy. One notable figure subjected to this cruel practice was Daniel Defoe - an Anglican writer whose criticism towards church intolerance landed him in the pilory. This 1870 engraving captures his moment of disgrace but also serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to free expression. While society has evolved since then and moved away from such barbaric practices, remnants like these remind us of our collective journey towards justice and compassion. The pillories scattered across continents serve not only as historical artifacts but also as powerful symbols urging us never to repeat past mistakes.