"Another aspect of life that we often do not think about is how crime was punished." the Lady continued. "The idea of a prison did not really exist. Death was a common sentence, by hanging or beheading. Punishment also varied depending on your status in society. While Britain at this time was not a full feudal society, it still had different classes of people. Different classes were punished in different ways. The worst punishments, of course, was given to the theows, though a churl or a freeman, a man released from temporary enslavement could also be severely punished. For the higher classes, the punishment often meant the payment of wergild, a fine, to the person you've wronged, or to the lord, or later to the church. If you damaged a theow, for instance, you owed their master the amount they would lose for the lost labour. If you couldn't pay, you were either made a nithing, an outlaw, or maybe sold into slavery yourself."
Audrey wondered what the Lady would show them next, since she talked about death and slavery. She was not expecting a full-on gallery with the theows showing multiple ways people were punished! There was a pillory, a whipping post, stocks, and even someone fastened to the wall by their slave collar. The Lady hastened to explain that none of the people here were actually hurt, but it still looked uncomfortable. Especially the "jougs" as the Lady called them. The whipping post also looked worn, had they slashed it with a whip for authenticity? Again, Audrey was impressed by their thoroughness.
"If any of you want to try something specific, we can deal with the stretch-neck," the Lady said. "All of you who wish it will choose one of the stretch-necks over here to be restrained in. One by one, our churls will pull on a rope and the stretch-neck will open. Whoever is the last to be removed loses."
"What happens to the one that loses?" one of them asked.
"Oh, they have to try and impress us with their words well enough to be released. Remember that for the people of the time, a well-spoken tongue was just as important as martial prowess. If you do it well enough, you will be released. If not, we will move on, and you will get another chance in an hour."
An hour! That was a rather long time in a pillory. Though Audrey loved that they called it in the old English name. That sounded a lot more intimidating.
About half of them wanted to try and were given a pillory to be fastened into. Audrey got the one near the middle of the line. It wasn't until they were already fastened that the Lady told the last part.
"Naturally, for the genuine experience, none of you will be released until an hour has passed. That was the minimum amount of time someone sentenced to the stretch-neck had to remain. But don't worry. None of us will throw food or rocks at you. May the Norns favour you this day."
It was a long hour. A man with a whip stood behind them, occasionally making the whip snap in the air, making them all uncomfortable. Some of them clearly regretted taking part in this contest at all. Audrey heard several relieved sighs when the pillories finally started to be released. She heard them open one by one. Hers was still locked when half of the others had joined the crowd again. Soon, only two pillories were left.
Snap. The sound of the last pillory being opened. It wasn't hers. She tried to stand up, to struggle a little, just to check whether it really was locked. Damn it. This was actually rather uncomfortable. How long would she be stuck here?
The Lady walked over, standing in front of her. Her wide smile belied the seriousness of the situation.
"Dear me. Looks like you are this group's unfortunate one."
Audrey should have been alerted to the way the Lady smirked as she said that, but she was too focused on thinking about the right words to say to be released. The Lady turned to the crowd, possibly to give her some time to think of good words.
"For the rest of the day, as you are allowed to participate in the various activities you have seen, remember this part. Both as a reminder that life wasn't as easy and simple as it may seem, from the re-enactments we make, but also because of this fact; if you do something wrong, or if you disgrace yourselves during the rest of your visit, you will be back in the stretch-neck. It will only be for an hour and if we forget about you, you can release yourself this way." the Lady showed the others something Audrey didn't quite see.
"None of you found this in the hour you were already stuck," she said. "It would have made it easier for you." A few of the ones that had been participating laughed at that. Then the Lady turned to Audrey again.
"Well, our unfortunate one. Have you come up with your plea for release?"
Audrey had to do this right. She didn't want to be stuck here for another hour!
"Oh, great and noble Lady, I humbly ask that you relieve me of this most shameful of punishments. I have done great harm, but I ask that you show mercy for your charge and say that the prize is paid. I see the error of my ways now and want to show you my sincerity."
Audrey hoped that was enough. She was prepared to go on for longer if necessary. Anything to get out of this pillory! It was even more uncomfortable than she had expected.
The Lady smiled. She heard the same snap as she had heard when the other pillories had opened. At last! She rose from the pillory and made a deep curtsey.
"Thank you for your mercy my Lady."
"Just remember that, for the next time you err, wif."