A short revisit to A Brewing Problem

While doing some research on for another topic, I came across some additional information that Master Ronald might find important. I first addressed Master Ronald's question here: A Brewing Problem

It is true that inferior brew could be subject to some steep fines, but this is not the only punishment that was used against sellers of inferior ale. Ale wives or brewers who sold bad brew could be subject to being placed in a cucking-stool, a seat with a hole cut in the bottom, as to publicly expose one's bare backside. The intention was public humiliation. The stool would be placed in public near the scene of the crime, where passersby could gawk and jeer. In some cases, the cucking-stool would be on wheels or carried around the village for maximum exposure.

The cucking-stool eventually became the dunking stool, in which the guilty party was tied to a chair that was attached to a lever, allowing for the chair, and the occupant, to be repeatedly dunked in a nearby river or lake. Whereas the cucking-stool merely caused embarassment, the dunking stool did occassionally result in drowning. In either case, these are punishments that a brewer or seller of ale would want to avoid.

In sum, if the threat of heavy fines would not dissuade you from selling a bad batch of ale, perhaps exposing your buttocks to the whole village or being dunked in a nearby river would.

As ever, Yours, in Service,

Ld. Dauid Eadwines sune

Footnotes:
1: Source: Old Time Punishments, William Andrews; 1890, pp. 2-3, 18.

Great sugggestions, from a great site

I have been a forum member of armourarchive.org for over 10 years. It is a fantastic resource for medieval fighting and armor, but it is more than that. All facets of medieval recreation are touched upon in the various forums and essays. I recently reached out to the forum members and they came up with some great suggestions, including medieval traffic laws and an in-depth analysis of the various trials by ordeal.

I think I will work on an article about medieval traffic laws, in an effort to find the medieval Larry H. Parker, in the short term, and try to give the trial by ordeal topic a far more lengthy look.

I am always looking for more topics and more contributors. If you are interested, let me know!

As ever, In Service,

Ld.Dauid Eadwines sune

While life marches on...

It has been far too long since I have delved into the world of the Medieval Legal Eagle. My young law clerks (my two oldest sons) have expressed an interest in returning to the fair Kingdom of Caid and witnessing the spectacle of the tourney. As a good and faithful subject of the Crown of Caid and the Barony of Altavia, I am using this as an opportunity to show my worth by resuming research on all subjects both medieval and legal.

Please, forward me your questions, post haste! I will endeavor to answer your queries in as complete and accurate a manner possible, short of exposing myself to liability.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours in Service,

Ld. Dauid Eadwines sune