the Kenwater stream was too shallow for the purpose. The cost of
making the stool appears in many corporation accounts. That at
Hungerford must have been in pretty frequent use, as there are several
entries for repairs in the constable's accounts.[55] Thus we find the
item under the year 1669:--

"Pd for the Cucking stoole 01,10,00"

and in 1676:--

"Pd for nailes and workmanship about
the stocks and cucking stoole 00,07,00"

[55] The corporation of Hungerford is peculiar, the head official
being termed the constable, who corresponded with the mayor in
less original boroughs.

At Kingston-upon-Thames in 1572 the accounts show the expenditure:--

"The making of the cucking-stool . 8s. 0d.
Iron work for the same . . . 3s. 0d.
Timber for the same . . . 7s. 6d.
Three brasses for the same and three wheels 4s. 10d.
------------
£1 3s. 4d."

We need not record similar items shown in the accounts of other
boroughs. You will still find examples of this fearsome implement at
Leicester in the museum, Wootton Bassett, the wheels of one in the
church of St. Mary, Warwick; two at Plymouth, one of which was used in