The Pardoner Circle was an African and Caribbean practice of community banking that flourished in the UK when West Indians started their first communities in UK cities. Each member would pay in, and one member would be paid out on a weekly or monthly basis. It enabled each person to receive a large cash loan with no interest to pay money that would otherwise be inaccessible. These footstools were made in Britain and from the 50s and 60s and part of aspirational British living rooms. I understand the pardoner as a way to get up from under and these footstools spoke to me of that experience. The Pardonor money was used to put down a deposit for a house and to buy furniture but also for other large expenses like to go abroad and for funerals and weddings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iibpewIA_ik
Prince Buster "Enjoy yourself". "It's not wise for you to be a footstool"