What are some of history's most unusual punishments?


 A popular form of punishment in China was a device called the Pillory. This cruel device was used right up to the start of the 20th century. Two pieces of wood were fastened around the neck and sealed with padlocks.

The Pillory was designed to humiliate the person wearing it with the offender’s crimes plastered all over the board for everyone to see.

The size and the weight of the Pillory depended on the severity of your crime. The weight of the device could reach 200 pounds which would cause immense pain and crippling deformities if you were left in one long enough.


On top of the humiliation, the board was wide enough so you couldn’t reach your mouth and relied on strangers for food and water.Another variation of the Pillory was the cage.


The Pillory was placed in a cage in such a way the prisoner’s feet wouldn’t touch the ground. Supports would be placed under the feet to help alleviate pressure on the neck. These supports would then be gradually taken away until the prisoner slowly strangles to death.


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