ANYONE FOR A DUCKING?

We went to Christchurch on the south coast today and decided to take a walk along the banks of the River Stour. Got some great photos of the mallards and swans, but decided to show you instead the Ducking Stool at the Mill Stream, Christchurch.

This particular one is a replica of the one that was in use during the 15-18th centuries, and is in the exact place of the original. However hard I tried, I could not persuade Mr. HCB to sit on the ducking stool - although he did offer to hold the camera so that I could sit in it but I politely declined - I know what he's like!!

It was used almost exclusively for scolds - women found guilty of verbal abuse, brawling, shrewish bad temper, nagging, or other anti-social behaviour. The culprit was raised and lowered into the stream as often as the sentence directed and it was a means of public ridicule and humiliation. Other local punishments involved whipping through the market, exposure in the stocks, pillory and whirly-gig, a type of spinning cage.

One wonders if we would have such bad behaviour on Friday and Saturday evenings in our town centres, if a ducking stool was the deterrent but maybe that would be too harsh!

A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
Proverbs 22:3
The Message

If you want to see more photographs, have a look here.