At Marlborough, in 1625, a man had 4d. for his help at the cucking of Joan Neal.
Gravesend.
| s. | d. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1636, | The porters for ducking of Goodwife Campion | 2 | 0 |
| Two porters for laying up the ducking-stool | 0 | 8 |
THE BRANK.
The Brank, for taming shrews, was preferred to the cucking-stool in some counties, and was used there for the same purpose. The brank was in favour in the northern counties, and in Worcestershire, though there were, notwithstanding, some of the other instruments of punishment used, called in that county gum-stools.
The brank was put over the head, and was fastened with a padlock. There are entries at Worcester about mending the "scould's bridle and cords for the same."
The cucking-stool not only endangered the health of the party, but also gave the tongue liberty 'twixt every dip. The brank was put over the head, and was fastened with a padlock.