They were once used to hold felons' legs in place as punishment for drunkenness, disorder and other offences.
And now they are back on the green of a Norfolk village - but this time just for show.
Haveringland's restored wooden stocks have been returned to the village green after renovation work costing about £4,000.
The stocks, which date back to 1804, were removed about six weeks ago.
North Walsham-based carpenter Jack Wheeler replaced large sections of the posts, which were rotting away, installing new concrete footings and metal fixings.
He also formed new pyramid-shaped finials and braced the remains of the cross piece.
The stocks are listed as a structure of historical interest and the only remaining set in Norfolk.
Mr Wheeler said: 'It has been wonderful undertaking the repairs to these historical stocks. As with conserving and repairing any historical timber structure the real challenge has been how to conserve as much of the fabric as possible while retaining the strength and character of the whole.
'As the stocks stand outside, entirely exposed to the elements, we have given a lot of thought to how the repairs will weather over time.'
Nigel Boldero, chairman of Haveringland Parish Meeting, an independent group of parishioners, which co-funded the project with Broadland Council, said the stocks would receive an annual protective coating to keep the worst of the weather off.
The stocks will eventually feature on a heritage trail which will link up local churches and other places of interest.
The Building the Future: Repairing the Past project will see improvements made to Haveringland Parish Church, and is the subject of an application for £250,000 from the Lottery Heritage Fund.
More than £30,000 towards the total cost has already ben raised, thanks to local people, and grants from several national and local charities.
The plan is to turn the building into a fully-fledged 'Festival Church' -one which holds a minimum of six annual services and provides a community and cultural hub for the area.
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