The Fleet: Its Rivers, Prison, and MarriagesAshton, John
History
The Fleet: Its Rivers, Prison, and Marriages
Ashton, John
Fleet Prison (London, England); Fleet, River (England)
Nor were the others kept long in durance, for on the 3rd of Aug., 1553,
the Council wrote to the Warden willing him "To set at libertye John
Lucas, and John Cocke, Esquiers, giueing them Commaundement withall
to repaire to their Mancion Howses and their to make theire aboode
vntill they shall here further of the Queene's Pleasure." And even the
incarceration of Lord Russell was mollified, for a letter was written
on 9th Aug. to Mr. Garret, one of the Sheriffs of London, "whereby
the Countesse of Bedforde is licensed to have free access twise or
thrise in the week, unto the Lord Russell, her son, remayning in the
said sheriff's custodie, so the sheriff be present at their Talke and
Conference."
I give the above so as not to spoil the continuity of the story,
but there is mention of the Fleet prison long before; for instance,
in 1355, Edward III. wrote "to his well-beloved and trusty, Simon
Fraunceys Mayor of the City of London, Hugh de Appleby, and Robert de
Charwaltone, greeting. Whereas we have been given to understand that
the Foss[97] by which the mansion of our Prison of Flete is surrounded,
and which, for safety of the said prison was lately made, is now
obstructed and choked up by filth from latrines built thereon, and
divers others refuse thrown therein, that there is cause to fear for
the abiding there of the persons therein detained, by reason of the
same; and because that, by reason of the infection of the air, and the
abominable stench which there prevails, many of those there imprisoned
are often affected with various diseases and grievous maladies, not
without serious peril unto themselves. We, wishing a befitting remedy
to be applied thereto, and that the said Foss may be restored to its
former state, in which it was when it was first made, and so improved;
and, for making provision thereon, desiring upon the matters aforesaid
more fully to be informed, have assigned you, and any two of you, to
survey the Foss aforesaid, &c."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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