GRIM RELICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 105, 24 December 1931, Page 6

GRIM RELICS

BYGONE PUMISHMENTS OF OLD BOYS IN LONDON Grim relics of bygone punisliments used in London were the feature of the Old London Bridge Exhibition, which was held recently for the purpose of raising money to repair the tower and spire of the Church of St. Magnus and Martyr. The drunkards' stock, a 17th century method of punishing drunkards, who were forc.ed to walk the streets with a barrel fixed over their body; an ancient man-trap and a ducking stool in working order were items of particular interest. Other unpleasant devices of this nature include the raek, a block and axe, similar to those used on Tower Hill, a finger pillory for "disobedient and quarrelsome servants," and stocks for all petty offences, "but chiefly for those who got drunk at Divine Service or sold bad food." Several working models of Old London were lent to the exhibition by Mr. J. Thorp, the architects' model maker. The best were a 25ft. model of London Bridge in 1630 and the Lord Mayor's Show of 1616. The London Topographieal Society had a special display of rare old London maps and plans, and 23 original pictures of Old London Bridge had been lent by the London County Council. Special interest was taken in the Falstaff Cup, a relic seldom seen by the public, and the dagger with which Sir William Walworth stabbed Wat Tyler.