Chronicles of Newgate, Vol. 1: From the twelfth to the eighteenth centuryGriffiths, Arthur
History
Chronicles of Newgate, Vol. 1: From the twelfth to the eighteenth century
Griffiths, Arthur
Criminals -- Great Britain; Newgate (Prison : London, England); Prisons -- England; Punishment -- Great Britain
Another somewhat similar case is reported in 1635, where the deputy
keeper of Newgate, Edward James by name, was attached and committed to
the Fleet for allowing Edward Lunsford, a prisoner in his custody, to
go at large. Lunsford was concerned with Lewis and others in a foul
attempt to kill Sir Thomas Pelham, on a Sunday going to church, and
committed under an order of the Star Chamber to Newgate, where he lay
for a year. His imprisonment was from time to time relaxed by James:
first that he might prosecute his suit to a gentlewoman worth £10,000;
and afterwards on account of the prosecutions against him in the Star
Chamber; ultimately on account of his lameness and sickness James gave
him liberty for the recovery of his health, and he was allowed to
lodge out of prison, his father being his surety, and promising that
he should be produced when required. But he abused his kindness, and
instead of showing himself at regular periods to the keeper, made off
altogether. All this is stated in a petition from James, who prays
for enlargement on bail that he may pursue and recapture Lunsford.
"Lunsford is so lame that he can only go in a coach, and though it
is reported that he has been at Gravelines and Cologne, yet he had
been seen in town within ten days." This petition, which is in the
State Papers, is underwritten that the Attorney-General be directed to
prosecute the petitioner in the Star Chamber, and upon it are Secretary
Windebank's notes; to the effect that James had received a bribe
of £14 to allow Lunsford and his companions to go abroad without a
warrant, and one of them to escape. Various sentences were proposed.
Lord Cottington suggested that James should pay a fine of £1,000 to the
king, imprisonment during pleasure, to be bound to good behaviour when
he comes out, and acknowledgments. Secretary Windebank added that he
should be put from his place; the earl marshal suggested standing with
a paper in Westminster Hall, and prosecution of the principal keeper;
Archbishop Laud concluded with whipping, and that the chief keeper
should be sent for to the Council Board.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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