I've divided these pictures according to their country of origin. Personally I think our German friends do these things best. What do you think? Yuck! Who threw that?

First some pictures from renaissance faires in America. The land of the free.

Remaining in America, the authorities take decisive action to deal with an outbreak of piracy at Plunderathon.

Some pictures from the Colorado renaissance faire.

The renaissance faire at Ogden (Utah) has an excellent policy. Some faires charge people to try out their pillory, whereas at Ogden this is a free service. However this is not quite as charitable as it seems. There is a charge for unlocking the pillory. This "no fee, no key" policy ensures that everyone pays up...eventually.

From Camelot Days, a medieval theme park in Hollywood, Florida.

Still in America, lawbreakers are re-educated by the Helping Hands Mercenary Guild....at a reasonable price. (Helping Hands is now known as Starboard Stocks.)

Some pictures from King Richard's Faire in Massachusetts, USA. They have more than one pillory there. You can never have too many pillories.

Next we visit Scandinavia, so wrap up warm.

While we're in northern Europe, Finland has moved up the league table with a couple of medieval markets. Here are some pictures from Markkinat Luvun:

Another Finnish medieval market, Turun Keskiaikamarkkinat:

From the land of clogs, tulips and other clichés, some pictures from the Netherlands.

The Russians have finally put in an appearance. Babes in the Wood is a fervent admirer of the glorious Russian state....because it doesn't want any unfortunate accidents to befall it.

Click here for the next page of faires pictures.