Riding the Stang 1814

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Riding the Stang 1814

A herald carried aloft the stang makes rough music & alerts the neighbourhood to a husband-beater. Natural justice aiming to get wrong- doers to mend their ways

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 591196

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10168876

1814 Aiming Aloft Battering Beater Carried Humiliation Husband Justice Makes Mend Neighbourhood Ridicule Ways Wrong Alerts Pecked Shaming

EDITORS COMMENTS
Riding the Stang: A Traditional Form of Community Justice in 19th Century Britain In this intriguing historical image from Mary Evans Picture Library, we witness an unsettling scene from the past. The photograph, titled "Riding the Stang 1814," depicts a man being carried aloft a wooden pole, or "stang," by a group of villagers. The herald, or the man carrying the stang, makes rough music and alerts the neighborhood to the presence of a husband-beater. The husband-beater, a man accused of domestic violence, is being publicly shamed and humiliated in the hope that he will mend his ways. The practice of riding the stang was a form of natural justice that was common in rural England during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was a way for communities to take matters into their own hands and mete out punishment to wrongdoers, often in the absence of a formal legal system. The use of the stang as a means of public shaming was believed to be an effective deterrent against domestic violence and other forms of antisocial behavior. The image captures the raw power of community justice and the role of public humiliation in shaping behavior. The rough music, made by the villagers, would have been loud and disruptive, drawing attention to the incident and further embarrassing the husband-beater. The act of carrying him aloft the stang, often naked or in his underwear, would have been a deeply humiliating experience. Despite its brutal appearance, the practice of riding the stang was seen as a necessary evil by many in the community. It was believed that the public shaming and humiliation would serve as a reminder to other wrongdoers of the consequences of their actions. The image serves as a fascinating glimpse into the past, offering insights into the customs and values of rural England during the 19th century.

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