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
This document is endorsed with a reference to the Lord Chief Justice
of the Common Pleas to certify concerning these delinquents and their
crimes.
George Gardener, a prisoner in Newgate, also petitions the king in
March, 1630, stating that he was committed by the council on the
information of James Ingram, deputy warden of the Fleet, to prevent
petitioner prosecuting the said Ingram for his notorious extortions.
He has remained in Newgate since April previous, and by Ingram's
procurement was shut up amongst felons in the common gaol, whereby
he might have been murdered, and prays that he may be allowed to go
abroad on security. Here is another petition; that of Bridget Gray
to the council. She states (July 19, 1618) that her grandson, John
Throckmorton, is a prisoner in Newgate for felony, and prays that he
may be discharged, this being his first offence, and Sir Thomas Smythe
being ready to convey him beyond seas. Upon this is endorsed an order
that if the mayor or recorder will certify that Throckmorton was not
convicted of murder, burglary, highway robbery, rape, or witchcraft, a
warrant may be made for his banishment. The certificate is forthcoming,
and is to the effect that Throckmorton's crime was aiding in stealing
a hat, value 6_s._, for which the principal, Robert Whisson, an old
thief, was hanged.
The gaol calendar reflects the vicissitudes of these changing,
troublous times. There were many London citizens who, sharing the
patriotic spirit of Hampden and Pym, found themselves imprisoned for
refusing to submit to the illegal taxations of Charles I. In 1639,
"three citizens stand committed to Newgate, not because they refuse to
pay ship-money, but because they refuse to enter into bond to attend
the Board to answer their not paying the same. Divers others refused,
and were sent to Newgate; but upon better consideration they paid
their money, and were released again." The temper of the Government
as regards ship-money is further shown by the arrest and trial of the
keeper of Newgate for permitting a prisoner committed for non-payment
of this unlawful tax to go at large. It appears that the offender,
Richard Chambers, had been several times remanded to the same custody,
and had been allowed to escape.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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