A Public Shame for Drunkenness
In 17th-century England, public drunkenness was not just frowned upon—it was punished in unusual ways. One of the most peculiar forms of punishment was the “Drunkard’s Cloak,” a device designed to shame offenders into reforming their behavior.
A Barrel as Clothing
The Drunkard’s Cloak was a large wooden barrel, with holes cut out for the arms and head. The offender would be forced to wear the barrel in public, paraded through town as onlookers jeered. This punishment was meant to ridicule the offender and discourage others from similar behavior.
Used Across Europe
This method was not exclusive to England. Records indicate that similar punishments were used in other parts of Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands. Each town adapted the practice to its customs, but the aim was the same—public humiliation for drunkenness.
The Decline of the Practice
As public attitudes toward punishment shifted in the 18th and 19th centuries, the use of the Drunkard’s Cloak faded.
In 17th-century England, public drunkenness was not just frowned upon—it was punished in unusual ways. One of the most peculiar forms of punishment was the “Drunkard’s Cloak,” a device designed to shame offenders into reforming their behavior. pic.twitter.com/GeqbUqOpCW
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