Village or town stocks were used for the punishment of minor offences such as drunkenness. These punishments were meted out by the local manor court and later the parish constable.
Some of the stocks also incorporated a whipping post - a timber upright to which shackles were attached to hold the wrists of the person to be whipped.
All the County Heritage Site stocks date to after 1700, but they probably replaced earlier medieval structures.
Stocks in Northamptonshire can be found at:
| Aynho |
These two-man stocks were in use up until the 1850s.
In 1837 Richard Howes, a labourer, was put in the stocks for being "drunk and riotous" on Coronation Day. |
Opposite 32 Roundtown, on junction of B4100 (Banbury Road) and B4031.
Please park away from the monument, in the village centre.
The adjoining road can be very busy - please exercise extreme caution when visiting. |
| Apethorpe |
The three-man stocks at Apethorpe include a whipping post and the only surviving example of a stocks bench in the county.
They date to the later half of the 18th century. |
Opposite St. Leonard’s church, Bridge Street.
As the stocks are on a corner, please park further up Bridge Street.
Please exercise caution regarding nearby traffic. |
| Eydon |
These two-man stocks with whipping post date to the late 1700s but they were heavily restored in the 19th century. |
The Green, please park in High Street.
Please exercise caution regarding nearby traffic. |
| King's Sutton |
The two-man stocks at King's Sutton probably date to the early 19th century. |
On The Square between The White Horse inn and the parish church.
Please exercise caution regarding nearby traffic |
| Little Houghton |
The two-man stocks and whipping post at Little Houghton can be dated to 1835, when they probably replaced an earlier set. |
Bedford Road near Post Office.
Take care when parking and regarding nearby traffic. |
| Sulgrave |
The stocks with their unusual double whipping posts are a 1933 reconstruction using some of the original timber and ironwork. |
On The Green, at junction of Park Lane and Magpie Road.
Please exercise caution regarding nearby traffic. |
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