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
Other restrictions were placed upon them. It was the sheriffs' duty
also, upon the vigil of St. Michael, on vacating their office, to
resign into the hands of the mayor for the time being the keys of
Newgate, the cocket or seal of Newgate, and all other things pertaining
unto the said sheriffwick. All the civic authorities, mayor, sheriffs,
aldermen, and their servants, including the gaoler of Newgate, were
forbidden to brew for sale, keep an oven, or let carts for hire;
"nor shall they be regrators of provisions, or hucksters of ale, or
in partnership with such." Penalties were attached to the breach of
these regulations. It was laid down that any who took the oath and
afterwards contravened it, or any who would not agree to abide by the
ordinance, should be forthwith "ousted from his office for ever." It
was also incumbent upon the sheriffs to put "a man sufficient, and of
good repute, to keep the gaol of Newgate in due manner, without taking
anything of him for such keeping thereof, by covenant made in private
or openly." Moreover, the gaoler so appointed swore before the lord
mayor and aldermen that "neither he nor any of them shall take fine or
extortionate charge from any prisoner by putting on or taking off his
irons, or shall receive moneys extorted from such prisoners." He was
permitted to levy fourpence from each upon release, "as from ancient
time has been the usage, but he shall take fees from no person at his
entrance there;" indeed, he was warned that if he practised extortion
he would be "ousted from his office," and punished at the discretion of
the mayor, aldermen, and common council of the city.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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