"The Gaol of St Alban's, Hertfordshire." 1787.

Social History (Museum of St Albans)

2006.5025

Page with typeset text describing "The Gaol of St Alban's, Hertfordshire." (bottom) and engraved illustration with separate platemark. Engraving (top) entitled "Gate of St Albans Abbey, Hertfordshire." showing a view of St Albans Abbey Gateway with two figures in the foreground. "J.Newton direxit" (referring to a master who directs of a group of engravers). Published June 23rd 1787 by S.Hooper. St Albans Abbey Gateway was formerly used as St Albans prison. It ceased to be the town gaol in 1867 when a purpose built prison was built on Grimston Road, near the station. In the Gatehouse Prison, offenders were given bread but there was no heating. Passing strangers often heard a pleading voice from within begging them to put alms into an old shoe, which the prisoners let down by string from a window, to enable them to have a fire. Apparently prisoners could escape from the prison by climbing out of a window and jumping on to a tree.

1787

PX8442_06_5025.tif

CD 952

Amy Cooke

4) Verulamium Archive Room

St Albans Abbey Gateway, St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK.

PWD Box 64 (black).

09/02/2007