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Simple English definitions for legal terms
pillory
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A quick definition of pillory:
Term: PILLORY
Definition: A pillory is a wooden frame with holes for a person's head and hands. In the past, people who did something wrong were put in the pillory and had to stand there for everyone to see. It was like a punishment for their bad behavior. There was also a finger pillory, which was a small version used to hold a person's fingers if they misbehaved during church services.
A more thorough explanation:
A pillory is a wooden frame that has holes for an offender's head and hands. The offender is then placed in the pillory as a form of punishment. They usually have to stand while in the pillory, unlike the stocks where they can sit. In Ecclesiastical law, a finger pillory is a miniature stock used to confine the fingers of a person who misbehaved during church services.
- A thief was put in the pillory for stealing from the market.
- In the past, people who committed crimes such as fraud, perjury, and slander were punished by being put in the pillory.
- During church services, if someone misbehaved, they would be punished by being put in the finger pillory.
The examples illustrate how the pillory was used as a form of punishment for various crimes. It was a way to publicly shame and humiliate the offender. The finger pillory was used specifically for misbehavior during church services, showing how even minor offenses were punished in a religious context.