Corby Pole Fair, Northamptonshire 1902

Chairing and poleing, visitors. The leaders of the fair having been duly imprisoned, people are seized indiscriminately and carried off in triumph to the stocks some mounted in chairs and others much more uncomfortably, astride a pole or stang, for not buying a ticket! A ancient custom which has died out in its entirety, last recorded in 1862, was a punishment designed to awaken shame in a delinquent by exposing them in public ridicule, with rough music being played by villagers

Ceremonies Chairing Charter Corby Custom Fairs Fete Monday Northamptonshire Nov17 Punishments Stang Toll Tolls Traditions Whit

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