Group 1 | Station 2
Baker’s Dunking Cage and Pillory
Image Gallery 1 | Baker’s Dunking Cage
Baker’s Dunking Cage and Pillory
In the Middle Ages, “baker’s dunking” or “baker’s baptism” was a form of punishment for bakers who produced bread that was too light in weight or of inferior quality. The condemned person was forced into a cage and immersed in water several times. The cage was known as the baker’s dunking cage. The baker was humiliated by the citizens of the town who witnessed the dunking.
Replicas of the baker’s dunking cage and pillory (two medieval punishment devices) can be found next to the former Olsator, in the outer bailey.
In the Middle Ages, bread was an important food item, along with cereal porridge. A circle was carved into the walls of some town halls or churches that determined the standard size of a bread loaf. People could measure the size of their bread loaf here. If a baker sold a bread loaf that was too small (therefore overpriced), he was reported and sentenced to “baker dunking” by the town’s judge. The baker was locked in a baker’s dunking cage, which was lowered into the moat using a rope and pulley. The baker was submerged (dunked) in water so that he was properly wet. The people of the town gathered together and shouted, “Dunk him!” Since the baker was needed for baking daily bread, he was released after receiving his punishment.
In the Middle Ages, the pillory served as a punishment device for thieves and villains.
Labelled Image | Pillory
Map: 2
Stations: 2 | 3A | 3B | 4A | 25
Station 2 | Baker’s Dunking Cage
Station 3A | Olsator (Former Gate)
Station 3B | Olsator Bridge
Station 4A | Town Wall (East and North)
Station 25 | Bahnhofstraße