Legal Definitions - finger pillory

Definition: A finger pillory is a type of punishment device used in ecclesiastical law. It is a small wooden framework with holes where a person's fingers are placed to confine them. This punishment was used for people who misbehaved during church services.

Example: If someone was caught talking or disrupting the church service, they might be punished by being put in a finger pillory. Their fingers would be confined in the holes of the pillory, preventing them from moving or using their hands.

This example illustrates how the finger pillory was used as a form of punishment for people who misbehaved during church services. It was meant to shame and humiliate the offender in front of the congregation, and to deter others from committing similar offenses.