Tarring and feathering
Overview
Tarring and feathering is a physical punishment
, used to enforce unofficial justice or revenge. It was used in feudal Europe and its colonies in the early modern period
, as well as the early American frontier, mostly as a type of mob vengeance (compare Lynch law).
In a typical tar-and-feathers attack, the mob's victim was stripped to his waist. Hot tar
was either poured or painted onto the person while he was immobilized.
Punishment
Punishment is the authoritative imposition of something negative or unpleasant on a person or animal in response to behavior deemed wrong by an individual or group....
, used to enforce unofficial justice or revenge. It was used in feudal Europe and its colonies in the early modern period
Early modern period
In history, the early modern period of modern history follows the late Middle Ages. Although the chronological limits of the period are open to debate, the timeframe spans the period after the late portion of the Middle Ages through the beginning of the Age of Revolutions...
, as well as the early American frontier, mostly as a type of mob vengeance (compare Lynch law).
In a typical tar-and-feathers attack, the mob's victim was stripped to his waist. Hot tar
Tar
Tar is modified pitch produced primarily from the wood and roots of pine by destructive distillation under pyrolysis. Production and trade in tar was a major contributor in the economies of Northern Europe and Colonial America. Its main use was in preserving wooden vessels against rot. The largest...
was either poured or painted onto the person while he was immobilized.
Unanswered Questions
