[Fiji Hill]

I've never understood exactly what was involved in 'tarring and feathering'

The prisoner would be stripped naked and then doused with tar. Then he would be covered with feathers. Afterwards, he might be hoisted onto a wooden rail and carried about, giving rise to expressions such as "Hirohito, along with Hitler will be riding on a rail."

Pine tar, used in construction and in ship maintenance, and feathers, used in bedding, were readily available, which facilitated this sort of punishment. Sometimes molasses, widely used as a sweetener and to make rum, was used instead of tar.

[Jamestown1630]

I still like the pillory.

I guess it depends on whether your impulse is to want to torture and possibly kill the guy, or put him up to public humiliation and ruination.