Hi. What used to happen when a criminal was in the stocks? Is it true that people used to throw things?

Question

If people did throw things, what did they throw? Did they ever throw anything smelly? I'd be so grateful for any help you can give me. One of my pupils asked me in class today and i didn't know what to tell her. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, they did! See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stocks

In New England, it was common to throw the contents of chamber pots, garbage, etc. and the occasional small stone. Pitching stones at someone in the stocks was not allowed, but was sometimes overlooked. Not a nice way to spend your day!

Best of Luck to You!

Answer 2

that was the whole point - public humiliation was all the rage then. it would be a 'fun day out' to see a hanging or go to throw your rotten veg at someone in the stocks. and of course people were happy in those days to eat stuff in a much worse state than we'd give a dog nowadays, so yes there would have been some pretty smelly stuff. also theyd throw rocks or, i guess, anything that was to hand.

Answer 3

It all depended upon the time and location.

Sometimes kids would throw stuff at the criminal; sometimes the stuff they threw was all that the criminal had to eat; sometimes guards would stand around the criminal to prevent his rescue from family or co-horts thereby protecting him from harassment.

But what some people don't understand how serious it was to be pilloried or stuck in the stocks was that you sat there outside for days with no protection from the cold, rain, or heat.

Answer 4

Yes, but it was rare. Stocks were used for minor infractions, as a way to humilitate you in public. Most people would have been fairly sympathic, but if someone was really hated, they could receive rotten fruit, mud, etc...any thing but tomatoes, which were not raised until much later.

Answer 5

I was loaned some local newspapers from1880s and was quite astonished to find my great grandmothers sister was put into the stocks for swearing ,she was pelted with rotten veg.she was a real character, a fisherwoman , she used to go into the town to sell the fish which her husband had caught,then she would get drunk before going home.

Answer 6

The stocks were used to shame people who had committed minor crimes, the usual things thrown were rotting smelly vegetables

Answer 7

Yes they used them for all sorts of ridiculous reasons too. People would throw rotten food, sewerage, rocks etc. This site will give you a more detailed background should you need more info.

Answer 8

when people were put in the stocks it was for very minor infractions of the law and yes people did throw things at use the favourite item were rotten eggs,rotten tomatoes and cabbages because they bloody hurt

Answer 9

Rotten fruit and veg. As said before it was for minor offences and the idea of the stocks was to punish and humilate, but not to seriously injure.

Answer 10

yea they wer put in the stocks ie their arms and legs. they could be thleft there to die sometimes. people would be given rocks or potatoes or anything else they could find to throw at these people. a lot of thm would be stoned to death