Datchworth, The Green And Whipping Post c.1965
Photo ref:
D122003
More about this scene
Behind the Best Kept Village sign (centre) stands Datchworth's whipping post. It is said that it was last used in 1665 when 'two vagabonds were publicly flogged here'. Up to two hundred years ago, the whipping of vagrants was a common practice; it seems that Datchworth was rather more understanding than most other villages and ceased the practice around the time of the Plague of London. A beautiful and ornate new village sign, commemorating the turn of the millennium, has replaced the Best Kept Village sign; as well, of course, as a mention of the whipping post, this shows the village at work and at play. The plaque says that it was given 'To the village, for the village, from the village'.
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