# data[].attributes.body
The Canterbury Ducking Stool is a remnant from the Medieval times. This is a chair that is suspended on a frame and hangs over the River Stour, next to the Old Weavers House. It was used in the middle ages as a form of retribution for three types of situations:

Firstly it was used as a punishment for nagging wives. In those enlightened times, a man could pay for his nagging wife to be dipped into the river on the ducking stool and of course, suffer a degree of public humiliation at the same time. It's unclear where the payment went, but clearly not to charitable causes.

Secondly, it was used as a punishment and public embarrassment for cheating businessmen, who would be ducked into the water in front of a baying crowd and who would inevitably be forced to leave the city afterward, their reputation in tatters.

Lastly, it was most famously used as a litmus test for witches and the way it worked was this: any woman accused of being a witch would be placed in the chair, and the chair would be swung out over the river and then submerged deep in the river for 2-3 minutes. After that time, the poor woman would be brought back to the surface. Now here is the test: if she survived this lengthy ducking then clearly she was a witch as she must have used her powers to survive the fatal dowsing. If so, she would be burned at the stake as a witch. If, however, the lady was dead after being submerged for 3 minutes, then clearly she was not a witch. Her family would receive an apology letter from the Church and could be given a Christian burial and have her soul recommended to God.

Though easily the best outcome, it was death either way for anyone accused of witchcraft!

# data[].attributes.body
Alexander.R.   (2009) Children, their World, their Education: towards a new curriculum’ London: Routledge Chapter 14.

# data[].attributes.body
The Old Weavers House takes its name from the influx of Flemish and Huguenot weavers who settled in the area after fleeing from religious persecution during the 16th and 17th centuries. Elizabeth I granted the Flemish weavers the right to establish their businesses in Canterbury, and they are known to have used this and other similar buildings nearby. Despite the date 1500 which can be seen prominently displayed above the door, this house probably dates back to at least the 14th century. The current building largely dates to a reconstruction in the second half of the 16th century, not the first, as you might assume by the sign! At the rear of the Old Weavers House is a medieval ducking stool, jutting out over the river. This ducking stool was historically used as a method of punishing 'scolds' - women accused by their husbands of talking back too much! The stool may also have been used as a more severe punishment for suspected witches. The suspected witch was dunked under the water and held there for several minutes. If she (it was usually a female) did not drown, she was proved a witch. If she drowned, at least her name was cleared!

# data[].attributes.body
The land on which Canterbury is now built is where the River Stour forms a series of islands, and was the easiest place for the Romans to find a crossing on their travel from the Continent to London. The river has always played an important part in Canterbury's growth, initially providing drinking water and a food source and later the power for the city's growing milling and weaving industries. Flooding has often been a problem for the residents of Canterbury, from the times of the Romans to more recently when the floodgates at one end of the river were installed.

# data[].attributes.body
The theme is based
around River running
through Canterbury