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.
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Standard Disclaimer: Any posting on this blog, or correspondence whether in person, on paper or via other medium, is for entertainment purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer to provide legal advice or consultation. No attorney-client relationship is created or will be created by the exchange of information pertaining to legal issues of the medieval period. All personna's apply or utilize said information solely at their own peril. Lord Dauid Eadwines sune and the Legal Guild of Caid (forming now, please join!) will be Held Harmless for any civil, criminal or canon liability.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
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