• DOI:10.2307/2850646
• Corpus ID: 162217628

Newgate Prison in the Middle Ages

@article{Bassett1943NewgatePI,
  title={Newgate Prison in the Middle Ages},
  author={Margery Bassett},
  journal={Speculum},
  year={1943},
  volume={18},
  pages={233 - 246}
}

• M. Bassett
• Published 1 April 1943
• History, Law
• Speculum

NEWGATE was the main prison of the city of London and the county of Middlesex. The other city prisons were the two sheriffs' compters, similar in many ways to the modern police station,2 and Ludgate which was opened in 1378 for freemen of the city held as debtors or on charges other than felony or treason. All those suspected of serious crimes went to Newgate, to be dealt with either by the mayor's court or by the justices of jail delivery. There also were to be found those committed to prison for punishment by the mayor, aldermen or sheriffs, for while the primary object of mediaeval prisons was to keep prisoners safe until trial or the payment of fine or debt, the opportunity of using them as places of punishment was not overlooked entirely. Breaches of the peace, disregard for the many ordinances governing life and trade within the city, petty crimes, and disrespect for the governing body were among the misdeeds sometimes punished by imprisonment. The terms ranged from a few days to a year and a day.3 Edward i even went so far as to order the punishment of assault and battery which did not prove fatal, by imprisonment, so that 'la duresce de cel punicement done crente as autres de trespasser.'4 Occasionally habitual criminals were sent to Newgate to prevent their doing further mischief.5 But besides being the chief prison of the city of London, Newgate was constantly used by the king and his justices for the safe keeping of dangerous and hardened criminals, approvers, heretics, over-mighty, rebellious and traitorous subjects, who were brought to London for trial.6 The greater part of the prisoners in Newgate were therefore criminals, often of the very worst sort, who were awaiting trial and probable death. The remaining inmates were either serving sentences, or were state prison-