Stocks, yokes and pillories – at least in the erotic power exchange environment – are basically all variations on the same theme: inflexible steel or wooden instruments designed to hold the hands and/or feet and/or head of the sub in a fixed position. They all have their roots in the medieval stocks, pillories, yokes and the infamous Scavenger’s Daughter and that of course where there rather dramatic appeal originates from.
All these instruments are not easy to buy – most of them you cannot buy at all – hence, if you want one, you will very likely need to build one yourself or have it custom made by a kink-friendly craftsman or BDSM-designer workshop.
Safety
From a safety point of view all are relatively safe to use, if you bear a few simple dynamics in mind:
• The inflexibility of the instrument is where it’s appeal is, but it is also where the main difficulties for the sub are. She has little no or chance to adjust her position and sudden, unexpected moves may cause bruises and mat even break bones or dislocate joints. Make sure that if you buy or make wooden or steel instruments, the holes for her arms, legs and/or head are leather covered on the inside to prevent injury. Also, in these cases the holes should be tailor made to match the dimensions of her wrists, ankles and neck so they will not be too tight but also not too large so she can escape.
• Any position with an arched spine (forward or backward) will eventually become very painful, especially if this position remains unchanged for longer periods of time.
• Never use pillories and stocks, suspended from chains or ropes. Any move will cause the instrument to move in unpredictable directions, which may cause either throat or neck injuries or wrist and ankle injuries.
• Never suspend anyone from stocks, yokes or pillories.
What are the main differences?
A pillory is a classic instrument that has its roots in the Middle Ages. In principle it is a pole, on top of which is a board with either one (for the neck only) ore three (neck plus wrists) holes. More common however was and is a construction where the board is in between two poles on either side. The objective is to make the victim stand in a bend over position. Originally, the victim in the Middle Ages could be mocked on either side and it was not uncommon (since the position was ideal), the victim was buggered from behind. The objective was to shame the criminal, locked into it, publicly.
A pillory – even in the BDSM context – is a rather voluptuous instrument and not many have the opportunity to store one. Besides, it’s usefulness – from a BDSM point of view – is limited. Pillories are – if at all – usually found in clubs only and seldom used in a private environment. The chances that you can buy one ready made is very minimal – the almost always need to be custom made.
Stocks are basically a holding facility, generally instruments in which both hands and feet are locked. In the Middle ages stocks were both used as a form of pillory or as a temporary holding facility (the French for example used to have finger stocks for this purpose). In their traditional form stocks are made out of wood and in their simplest form they are relatively easy to make if you have a few woodworking abilities. They also have the advantage that they are much easier to store, easier to make, hence are cheaper.
They are also more versatile, since they can double as a very effective spreader bar as well, for example. Due to the fact that both hands and feet will be locked in stocks, they are however very demanding on the sub’s back, especially if she is kept in them for a longer period of time.
A yoke is a portable pillory – i.e. the neck hand wrists are locked into it, but the thing itself is not attached to anything and that is exactly the point. In the Middle Ages yokes were especially used for women. Locked in one, they were chased through the streets to be mocked and publicly humiliated. Two women, who had been in a fight, might even be locked in a yoke together. There are many specific medieval yokes, designed for a variety of punishments. The fact that the sub has to carry the yoke around and can still move but is very limited in other options – and has to carry the weight of the thing – is what does the trick. Yokes, unless you make one yourself, are not easy to find.
How did they – and do I – cope with the differences in diameter of the holes?
It is a frequently asked question. Not all wrists are the same size, so how do you make sure the sub stays locked into a device? Well, you do what they did in the Middle Ages: you use cuffs.
Usually the neck-hole will not allow for the head to be retracted, but in many cases subs will be able to pull their wrists out of their designated holes. What they did in the Middle Ages was was to cuff the prisoner as well. The cuffs (“in front” of the hole) would work as an effective stop and sometimes the cuffs would even be locked to the board. Alternatively, you can of course use rope to secure the wrists (and/or ankles) in place.
If I buy or make one, what do I need to pay attention to?
The most important thing to pay attention to is injury prevention. Make sure the holes have well rounded edges and preferably the holes should be lined with leather.
The other thing – especially for pillories – is stability. The last thing you want to see happen is the entrie contraption to either fall apart of fall over with your sub locked into it. That is a secure road to major injury. Pillories especially should be either well-anchored into the floor or onto a solid and large floor board.
Stocks (if they are static, i.e. work as a pillory) should be equally stable and durable and safe.
Other (mobile) stocks and yokes should not be exceptionally heavy and for yokes especially you should be aware of neck injuries, as a result of the weight.
All articles are provided for informational or entertainment purposes only. We are NOT responsible for any injures or other results that participating or partaking in such activities might cause. Everything you read on this page is based on the personal opinion of the author and does not always reflect those of the owners and / or staff of Wasteland. If you try anything found in this article, you do so at your OWN risk!
Always remember! SAFETY FIRST! and please use common sense.
The above article is a reprint from our information/educational site Kink Culture.
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Copyright © Hans Meyer