Stocks are wooden devices used as a form of physical punishment involving public humiliation. They immobilise their victims' head and hands, and are placed in a public space so the offender is exposed to the mockery of those who pass by.
Camelot's stocks are located in the marketplace, where passersby can pelt an offender with rotten fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes.
History
Merlin spent the day in the stocks after he mistakenly picked a fight with Prince Arthur over his mistreatment of a servant. He was pelted with rotten fruits and vegetables by a group of children and also met Guinevere, who complimented him for standing up to Arthur (The Dragon's Call).
Uther sent Merlin to the stocks two days in a row when he feigned incompetence to cover for Arthur, who had skipped out on his responsibilities to spend time with Princess Sophia (The Gates of Avalon).
Arthur put Dagr in the stocks outside Mary's Tavern because he tried to extort money from Mary and started a brawl when Arthur intervened. As a result of his humiliation, Dagr swore revenge on Arthur (Gwaine).
Appearances
- Series 1
- The Dragon's Call
- The Poisoned Chalice (Mentioned only)
- The Gates of Avalon
- Series 3
- Gwaine
- The Coming of Arthur: Part One (Mentioned only)
- Series 4
- The Sword in the Stone: Part One (Mentioned only)
Trivia
- Merlin being put in the stocks was a running gag in series 1.
- The stock gag was mentioned by Arthur in The Sword in the Stone when Merlin told him to think of something pleasant and Arthur replied "You in the stocks?"
Inaccuracies
- Though referred to as stocks throughout the series, in real life this object is known as a pillory. Stocks are feet restraining devices while pillories immobilise the head and hands.
Gallery
