This well-known instrument[493] was made of all shapes and sizes, and varied from a forked post or a slit pillar[494] to what must have looked like a penal dovecote made to hold several prisoners.[495] The convicted were sometimes drawn thither on hurdles, and might be accompanied by minstrels on the way.[496] The hair of the head and beard was shaved off, and sometimes the victims were secured by being nailed through the ears to the framework, and might also be branded.[497] With faces protruding through the strong beams, and with hands through two holes, secured and helpless, they were made to stand defenceless before the crowd as targets for any missiles that might be thrown. To those who were hated this was a serious ordeal, for they would be so pelted and knocked about by the mob as to be badly wounded, if not actually done to death. At length those who had stood their time were released, and those who had had their ears nailed would be cut free, and then they might slink away from the scene of shame, or be carried back to prison to endure additional punishment. The pillory was abolished for all offences except perjury and subornation in 1816,[498] and altogether in the year 1837.[499] Before leaving the middle ages we must examine what I have classed as the poetic punishments. These were the spontaneous reprisals with which the community strove to repay the criminals in kind, and by which, if strict taliation were seldom attainable, our ancestors succeeded in contriving many chastisements that were, at any rate, associable equivalents. Of these a few examples may be given. For instance, a baker who sold loaves which were short of weight was shown with the bread tied round his neck.[500] A fishmonger who had been selling bad fish was paraded with a collar of stinking smelts slung over his shoulders.[501] A grocer who had been selling much-adulterated spices was placed in the pillory and had the powders burned beneath his nose (A.D. 1395).[502] A heretic who had advocated strict Judaism was sentenced to prison and to be fed entirely upon pork.[503] The Inquisition attached two pieces of red cloth in the shape of tongues to the breast, and two more upon the shoulders of a false witness, which were to be worn for life.[504] Indeed, badges and crosses were often imposed, and were in these times a dreadful mark of Cain.[505] In 1505 two men were sentenced by the archbishop to wear a faggot (or a badge representing one) upon the left shoulder, to show that they stood in danger of the flames.[506] It would seem they did, for they were burned alive in 1511.