This replica Ducking Stool represents a practice dating back to the mid-14th century in Christchurch.

Scolds not witches

Contrary to popular belief, this ducking stool wasn’t used to uncover witches; instead, it was used for ‘scolds’ - women who had been convicted of engaging in verbal abuse, brawls, or other disruptive behaviours.

While the Mill Stream appears quite shallow, it would have been much deeper so that the stool was submerged.

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