Punishment Zone
On the opposite side of the Royal Mile loomed the cathedral of St. Giles. Next to it stood this structure which sat in the medieval market that was set-up in the shadows of the church. We learned that this was the place where thieves or unscrupulous merchants were pilloried and subjected to torment from the citizens of Edinburgh. They were left here for hours upon hours as punishment, yet could escape from the ordeal if they begged for mercy. The catch was that they had to get out of town forever if they wimped-out. Oh yeah, and at the same time there was this bit about having their ears lopped off too.
Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the ear... ... read more 
