Marriage vows were regarded very seriously in Tredegar in old times and anyone discovered transgressing them was subjected to the 'Plank', an occasion when huge crowds would turn out to enjoy the discomfort of the offenders.

" Another custom generally practised and which created most exciting scenes, was that of carrying on a plank or ladder unfaithful husbands and wives,when a large crowd assembled and proceeded through the streets with the perfidious person tied on the plank or ladder in a sitting posture, who was assailed with stones, mud, rotten eggs etc.

Generally, the treatment had its desired effect, for the victim
of his or her own folly and depravity would lead a chaste life in future."