The Clink Prison Museum in Southwark, on the south bank of the Thames, operated as a prison from the 12th century until 1780; making it probably the oldest men's prison, and probably the oldest women's prison in England. It was under the power of the Bishop of Winchester; the brother of, and second most powerful person to King Stephen (r.1135-1154). Therefore Bankside was subject to the laws of The Liberty (juridsiction) of the Bishop, who could imprison debtors and also heretics.
Later known as the Liberty of the Clink, it is uncertain from where the etymology derived. It's been suggested that it's actually onomatopoeic, deriving from the clink of the doors being bolted, or the rattling of the chains securing prisoners, although "klink" is the Flemish word for latch, which could have referred to the gaol door. Either way, the name has become synonymous with being a slang expression for a prison cell.
This is the Rose Window of the Great Hall of Winchester Palace, which today sits next to The Clink Prison Museum. At the time the prison lay in its grounds.
It was completed in 1144, and contained two prisons within its grounds- one for men and one for women.
Entering the museum, and the sign above the door reminds you that you are entering the prison that gave its name to all others...
The Bishop's Room (referring to the Bishop of Winchester) tells of different kinds of trials by ordeal; such as trial by fire, or trial by boiling water...
If your horrific wounds started to heal then you were regarded as innocent, but if they festered you were accused of being guilty. Nice!
Historical objects pertaining to the prison...
Torture equipment being forged.
This attraction is not for the faint hearted- I saw one little girl refuse to go in, so her whole family had to abandon the idea of visiting the prison.
The Clink did hold some historically significant criminals, as well as the usual vagabonds, drunkards and other seemingly petty criminals.
A list of prison charges.
Forged shackles...
An artist's impression of the initial site of The Clink Prison.
Shackles in the corner...
The prison system was notoriously corrupt, and wealthy prisoners could buy better treatment such as lighter chains, candles, ale and better food, and bedding. Gaolers were also underpaid, so they made sure that they profited from prisoners. Madams were allowed to keep a brothel going, as long as they paid the gaolers!
This corner was used as a toilet, adding to further problems caused by a lack of sanitation.
Prisoners behind bars...
They have shrieking/ wailing sound effects throughout the museum, so it's very atmospheric and you can almost smell the prisoners' desperation.
Historically accurate clothes- such as rough tunics and breeches- hanging up, showing what the prisoners would have worn.
For a fee some prisoners were allowed outside to beg or work...
Following the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381, and Jack Cade’s rebellion of 1450, the prison was damaged; the latter resulting in a new two-storey men's prison being built on the site of what is now The Clink Prison Museum.
The prison was close to the River Thames, and would flood at high tide. Prisoners would find themselves waist-deep in floating sewage and swimming rats, which brought with it the threat of disease.
Prisoners and a SuperDean!
Ellen Butler was imprisoned for being an unlicensed prostitute. Prostitutes who worked in licensed brothels were known as Winchester Geese, with the Bishop of Winchester profiting from them. The term "goosebumps" was thought to be slang for venereal disease, which was rampant at the time.
Cross Bones was a cemetery located near the notorious prison. It was unconsecrated ground, and served as a burial place for the poor, prostitutes and other outcasts.
This photo shows the actual remains of The Clink Prison wall...
A model of the rowdy Globe Theatre, Shakespeare's Playhouse in Southwark. I've been to see plays inside the modern version, opened in 1997.
The Mayflower, containing the Pilgrim Fathers, originally left Rotherhithe before sailing to Plymouth and then to America, in 1620. Strict Puritans, they were "Separatists" (those wanting to worship outside of the Church of England) and some had been sent to The Clink, with only William Mullins surviving from this group to make the journey.
A Book of Common Prayer, and a snuff box depicting the Gunpowder Plot.
A restraining torture chair...
A scold's bridle, which is a headpiece you put on a disobedient wife, to shut her up! I've seen one of these before, in Norwich Castle Museum (the SuperDean threatened me with it!)
Some kind of device for hitting a recalcitrant prisoner...
A model of someone on the rack, designed to stretch the victim until he confessed to his crimes.
This is a chastity belt, and we are told that knights locked their wives in these before going on Crusades. It's not known if this is true, though- it may have been invented over 100 years after the last Crusade!
Various restraining devices, and you could try them for size. I declined!
Tortured soul...
The gibbet, and dead or dying bodies were put on display as a deterrent. This form of execution was most often used for robbers, highwaymen, traitors and pirates. Pirates were often gibbeted by the tidal section of a river, and were left dangling until the tide had passed over them three times.
Padlocks and keys like those that would have been used during the prison's lifetime...
You could have your photo taken in the stocks- again, I declined!
Swords, and the museum is very interactive. You can handle these, and they are pretty damn heavy!
The beheading block. Yuk!
Henry Broncker, "The Ratman." He was a long-term prisoner. Prisoners were not provided with food, so he cultivated a rat farm within his cell, then he'd eat the rats once they were sufficiently fattened! The rats were fed on fat, leather, parchment and even faeces. Gross!
It's dated 1680 to 1780 and besides this, the remaining stonework of Winchester Palace and the passage named Clink Street, very little remains.
Infomation about heretics, traitors and dodgy gaolers...
The prisoners could communicate with the outside world using invisible ink, and some were able to pick locks...
A prisoner and a token ghost (well, I did visit just before Halloween!)
Cabinet containing torture implements. Basic punishments allowed to be conducted by archbishops as far back as 1076 included solitary confinement, bread and water in silence and scourging with rods.
A closer view of this Cabinet of Delights, including manacles...
Bellamine jugs (the remains of which are to the right; which resembled and were named after Cardinal Bellamine; a fierce opponent of Protestantism) were used as "Witch bottles" to protect individuals from the perils of witchcraft.
Objects from the time of the prison, including dice, a wood comb and a fuming pot.
A restraining torture chair...
I think the expression of this inmate says it all...
It was common practice to display the heads of executed individuals on spikes, including during medieval times.
A cabinet of items with criminal associations, including a padlock, an axe head and a gun...
Leaving via their small shop, and the museum was interesting, and is certainly worth an hour of your time.
The Clink Prison Museum, I will return.
Until then,
TTFN
Miss Elaineous
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