The Pillory
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PilloryThe pillory attests to the town's autonomous judicial power, which was wielded by the bench of aldermen chosen from among the councillors and headed by the bailiff ("wójt") assisted by city officials and servants. There was also an executioner. The "post of disgrace" in Poznań is surmounted by a figure of an executioner holding a sword in his raised hand, symbolising his authority to administer capital punishment, and a rod in the other hand. As in other towns, the pillory was used in punishment by public humiliation. Villains were exposed, flagellated, branded or even had their limbs cut off. People sentenced to banishment from the city were pilloried as well.
The pillory in Poznań was built in 1535. The Latin inscription on it says that it was financed from fines levied on maids who dressed too smartly. Dilapidated by the passage of time, it was moved to a museum before the war and replaced with a replica made by Marcin Rożek.