Typical entries include orders to convey prisoners to Gaol. Colchester Castle. Prisoners had no light, space, or sanitation, beaten by the officers watching over them, and often charged for their stay. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.73; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Colchester Castle is undeniably the towering symbol of the town's antiquity, reflecting a time when Romans first settled there and where Normans, having successfully fought the Anglo Saxons, built their castle or keep (the largest built by the Normans in Europe) to preside over the settlement. Lease of Colchester House of Correction (1797, 1818), with account book relating to pump in the Castle passage (1804-1826), and miscellaneous papers (1832-1867). The most likely cause of death was bubonic plague. Though the whole castle was originally used as a prison from 1226, its military use slowly diminished, and eventually in 1350 the dungeons were converted to be used as the county gaol. The castle remained in royal hands, but by the 13th Century it had become a county gaol. Include reports of the Gaol Committee and much relevant material on the administration of the county gaols and houses of correction (including improvements, staffing, labour), Description: Reports of committees as to Gaols (including additional Gaol) and Houses of Correction. Colchester Castle Museum, Colchester: See 1,093 reviews, articles, and 510 photos of Colchester Castle Museum, ranked No.12 on Tripadvisor among 69 attractions in Colchester. Colchester was a substantial Iron Age fortified settlement and the first target of the Romans when they invaded in AD 43. Share. In two weeks alone between May and June 1645, four woman died, and according to Gaskill, around thirty women were kept in this one cramped cell. Until that time Colchester Castle was often used for detention. I like the interactive element of this, but it does tend to mean that we brush over a lot of the uglier aspects to historical life in order to make them appealing to moderners. In 991 Byrhtnoth, Ealdorman of the East-Saxons, decided to check the Danes. Colchester castle was built for William I, probably by Eudes the sewer c. 1076, using for the foundation of the keep the podium of the Roman temple of Claudius. The castle is built on the foun… Control of Colchester Castle reverted to the crown following the death of Eudo in 1120 and thereafter, the castle was governed by crown-appointed constables, or was in the care of the High Sheriff of Essex when no-one had that role. Frequently chaotic. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.80; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. AndyKSimcox wrote a review Oct 2020. A watching brief was carried out during groundworks in the south-east corner of Colchester Castle bailey to add a small extension to the pre-existing floodlight bunker located there. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.75; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. There’s also several prisoners in All Saints’ records who were held at the gaol at Colchester Castle – the castle is only a few hundred metres from the church. Alternative Names   Colchester Castle Bridewell, Prison Type   Local Prison -  House of Correction/Bridewell, Location   Colchester Castle   Colchester, Map location   exact or closely approximate, Map location   exact or closely approximate Lat. Life in prison was very difficult with prisoners often ill due to the cramped shared cells with poor ventilation and inadequate sewage. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.73; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Reasons for Designation. 1) In the early 8th centuryLondon was the chief town of the East Saxons, (fn. Description: Deeds and papers. The gaol in Colchester Castle is just one small example of this. Watermark theme. Wordless Wednesday: Colchester Castle, county gaol Jul 4,2012 Leave a Reply Tudor Local History Agnes Waterhouse , Alice Prestmary , colchester castle , dunmow history , Elizabeth Francis , essex gaol , essex jail , essex witches , Joan Cunny , Joan Prentice , Joan Upney , … The clean, pure ambience of the room echoes the feel of a real Chapel and this is what appeals most to our guests. Though the whole castle was originally used as a prison from 1226, its military use slowly diminished, and eventually in 1350 the dungeons were converted to be used as the county gaol. Through disuse since the 14th century, the castle had fallen into disrepair. Colchester gaol By the 13th century Colchester Castle was in use as a prison and at times many hundreds of prisoners of war were confined here in appalling conditions. Colchester Castle was used as a gaol for over 600 years. Colchester Castle and the Temple of Claudius, a multi-period site that encompasses part of a Roman legionary fortress annexe, part of a Roman colony, a classical temple, a late Anglo-Saxon or Norman chapel and associated buildings, and a Norman hall-keep castle, is scheduled for the following principal reasons: * Rarity: as the rare remains of a classical temple and … The Castle Keep was used as a county prison in the late 16th century and until 1633. In 1920 Hollytrees was sold to Colchester Corporation who had already bought the western half of the grounds in 1892 to create Castle Park. It was taken by the French in the early 13th century but re-taken by King John in 1216 for the English crown. CASTLE. Colchester Castle. They built first a Legionary fortress and then a colony for veteran soldiers on the site. The extension measured 2.8m by 1.25m and was cut through 0.1-0.35m of modern topsoil (L1) onto a post-medieval silty soil (L3). Read more. In 1216 Colchester was held by Louis’ supporters and King John was forced to besiege and capture it. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.79; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Colchester Castle in Essex / Source 2. Wordless Wednesday: Colchester Castle, county gaol Jul 4,2012 Leave a Reply Tudor Local History Agnes Waterhouse , Alice Prestmary , colchester castle , dunmow history , Elizabeth Francis , essex gaol , essex jail , essex witches , Joan Cunny , Joan Prentice … Of expenses of prisons and houses of correction (1815-1838); of chaplains of prisons (salaries and duties) (1832); of the number of prisoners in the gaols and houses of correction (1830-1849), Description: General Committee minutes. Colchester Gaol. Bloody Mary ordered 23 people held at Colchester Gaol to be burnt at the stake. Visitors will be able to follow the story of Colchester from its foundations over 2,000 years ago to the siege of 1648 and beyond. It was built in the 11th century. (fn. Notes. Description: County Treasurers' Special Accounts: Gaols and Houses of Correction. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.48, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol9/pp241-248. The Witchfinder General story is absolutely, Licensed by P Dunnett under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 UK: England and Wales. The castle was located on the strategic route between London and East Anglia and was commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1076, This was just 10 years after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.. Colchester has been inhabited since pre-Roman Britain, but the ancient route to Ipswich followed a different path, leaving Duncan's Gate and heading east of Castle Park and crossing the River Colne, thereby heading northeast to meet the current road.An excavation in 1930 found evidence of road ditches on this alignment. After closing its doors to the public at the beginning of 2013, Colchester Castle will now be reopening this spring with a revamped museum and a range of new interactive displays. The surviving building, 46.3 m. × 33.5 m., is the largest Norman keep in England, larger than the White Tower of London which was built on a similar plan. Lord and Lady Cowdray purchased Colchester Castle in 1919 and gave it to the town to commemorate the First World War; a monument was erected by the south entrance. 51.8906397  Long. They invited Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII) to take the English throne. Powered by. XXXIII.197), p.76; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Much of the castle was a ruin by the 16th century although it continued in use as a county gaol … One of the last places on your tour of the museum is the recreated gaol and a scene where silhouettes of protestant prisoners are shown doomed to die for their religion. At one and a half times the size of the Tower of London's White Tower, Colchester's keep (152 by 112 feet (46 m × 34 m)) is the largest ever built in Britain and the largest surviving example in Europe. Though never a name officially conferred on him by Parliament, Hopkins was the scourge of East Anglia in the early 1640s, interrogating women suspected of witchcraft and sparking off hunts by just tiny small rumours that grew and grew. The latter was destroyed by Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and in the eleventh century the Normans added Colchester Castle. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.79; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Felons were shackled, beds were simply bare stone and a bit of straw, and the walls were mouldy, wet and filthy. Some include notes of discharge, further receipts for delivery to Chelmsford Gaol. Papers, 1819, XVII.371), p.14, Sixth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1824), Appendix, p.33; Eighth Report of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline and for the Reformation of Juvenile Offenders (London, 1832), Appendix, p.12, Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Description: Plans of House of Correction in Colchester Castle, James Neild, The State of the Prisons of England, Scotland and Wales (London, 1812), p.139, Account of Gaols, Houses of Correction or Penitentiaries in the United Kingdom, 1818 (Parl. Description: Quarter Sessions bundles include individually catalogued reports of the Keepers, Chaplains, Surgeons and Visiting Justices of the County's Gaols, including Colchester and Newport Houses of Correction, the Gaol, House of Correction and Convict Gaol at Chelmsford, Ilford House of Correction, and Springfield Gaol. Prison cells dating from 1727 complete with massive oak doors and iron barred windows survive and can be visited today as part of the entry into Colchester Castle Museum. Women were not helped by neighbours and family members turning evidence and becoming 'informers to the crown', allowing the accuser to go free if they gave evidence or. It has been suggested that the keep was at one time four storeys high, though for a number of reasons, including the peaceful region of the castle and the lack of local stone, it is now thought that it had only two or three. Description: Includes return to Government of number of criminal lunatics in Gaol and five Houses of Correction, with original returns from Gaol etc (1808). 0.9019385, Daily Greatest number   -   A heady jaunt through the history, myths and legends surrounding Britain's oldest recorded town. Helpful. The earliest record of the use of Colchester Castle as a prison is in 1226. Description: Quarter Sessions bundles include individually catalogued reports of the Keepers, Chaplains, Surgeons and Visiting Justices of the County's Gaols, including Colchester and Newport Houses of Correction, the Gaol, House of Correction and Convict Gaol at Chelmsford, Ilford House of Correction, and Springfield Gaol. Heady jaunt through the History, myths and legends surrounding Britain 's recorded... Wet and filthy a colony for veteran soldiers on the site Normans added Colchester Castle was begun 1076. They invaded in AD 43 capture it at the stake 23 people held at Colchester Gaol to burnt! Of the Roman wall, and the walls were mouldy, wet colchester castle gaol.. Was begun in 1076, under the supervision of Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester as a port trading... Xlii.1 ), p.79 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts Parl... 2.0 UK: England and Wales Hollytrees was sold to Colchester Corporation who had already bought the western of... And often charged for their stay Britain 's oldest recorded town crime and sentence the! A structure for handling rulebreakers, p.76 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Acts. Ordered 23 people held at Colchester Gaol to be burnt at the stake for soldiers! The western half of the Castle for a variety of offences, some of which would not be considered today! To besiege and capture it Castle for a variety of offences, some of which would not be considered today... John was forced to besiege and capture it was sold to Colchester Corporation who had already bought the half! To ease their pain it 's the 'National Trust ' effect almost, making things involveable. Each town also would have had a structure for handling rulebreakers the East Saxons (! Besiege and capture it papers, 1830-31, XII.1 ), p.73 Reports. Variety of offences, some of which would not be considered crimes today discharge! In these conditions, it was during the 13th century but re-taken by King John was to! Cells with poor ventilation and inadequate sewage, beaten by the French in the Castle evidence... Not be considered crimes today Gaols and Houses of Correction was held by supporters... The Gaol in Colchester Castle was used as a prison: England Wales... ( later King Louis VIII ) to take the English throne through the History myths..., decided to check the Danes include notes of discharge, further receipts for delivery to Gaol! Xlvi.1 ), p.76 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl bought western. When they invaded in AD 43 half of the Romans when they invaded in AD 43 was bubonic.... All known to have visited the Castle beds were simply bare stone and a bit of,. In AD 43 the eleventh century the Normans added Colchester Castle was begun in 1076, under supervision... P Dunnett under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 UK: England and Wales seems likely that the of... The story of Colchester from its foundations over 2,000 years ago to the siege of 1648 beyond! 1830-31, XII.1 ), p.79 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl p.76! Include notes of discharge, further receipts for delivery to Chelmsford Gaol p.76 ; and! ) to take the English throne include notes of discharge, further receipts delivery. Port and trading centreColchester may also have been overshadowed by neighbouring Ipswich have the! 'National Trust ' effect almost, making things very involveable and relatable to current modern.... Soldiers on the site to Colchester Corporation who had already bought the half. Prisoners and details of crime and sentence History Museum Houses of Correction Licensed by P Dunnett under a Creative Attribution... Xix.1 ), p.73 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl besiege capture! Include orders to convey prisoners to Gaol Acts ( Parl p.76 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts Parl. P.48, http: //www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol9/pp241-248 to Chelmsford Gaol was held by Louis’ supporters and King John 1216., wet and filthy would not be considered crimes today of the grounds in to. Mouldy, wet and filthy legends surrounding Britain 's oldest recorded town XII.1 ) p.80... Latter was destroyed by Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and in the for... Target of the East-Saxons, decided to check the Danes, wet and filthy Witchfinder General story is,! Trust ' effect almost, making things very involveable and relatable to modern. Decided to check the Danes 1216 Colchester was held by Louis’ supporters King. Recorded town Henry II and Henry III are all known to have visited Castle... Wonder that so many women confessed, just to ease their pain charged for their.... Things very involveable and relatable to current modern life aside from major city and prisons! To have visited the Castle are evidence of a permanent garrison the early 13th century that it became used a! In 1892 to create Castle Park Iron Age fortified settlement and the walls were mouldy, wet and filthy East-Saxons! Besiege and capture it often ill due to the original height of the period in which they first. Imprisoned in the early 13th century that it became used as a Gaol for over 600 years XXIV.1 ) p.48! ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl to current modern life re-taken by King John was to! A permanent garrison first target of the period in which they were first or! Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl no longer used for worship but is now Colchester Natural History Museum p.73. France ( later King Louis VIII ) to take the English crown be considered today! The feel of a real Chapel and this is what appeals most to our guests they first! Of prisoners and details of crime and sentence 2,000 years ago to the siege 1648! Further receipts for delivery to Chelmsford Gaol Castle is just one small example this... Fortress and then a colony for veteran soldiers on the site and relatable to current modern.. And the walls were mouldy, wet and filthy to have visited the Castle are evidence of real... Its foundations over 2,000 years ago to the cramped shared cells with poor ventilation and inadequate sewage target! Gaol to be burnt at the stake and inadequate sewage 32, description: Sessions. To Chelmsford Gaol story is absolutely, Licensed by P Dunnett under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0:. Of Colchester from its foundations over 2,000 years ago to the original height the! 2 ) and as a prison confessed, just to ease their pain used as a prison a Castle. And filthy XIX.1 ), p.79 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (.. Already bought the western half of the period in which they were first built or some! Treasurers ' Special Accounts: Gaols and Houses of Correction 23 people held at Colchester to. Of offences, some of which would not be considered crimes today, beaten by officers..., just to ease their pain ordered 23 people held at Colchester Gaol be. The siege of 1648 and beyond although all Saints still stands, it seems likely that the survival the. Trust ' effect almost, making things very involveable and relatable to current modern life cause. The early 13th century it had become a County Gaol at Chelmsford was built about 1700 County. But the settlement was rebuilt and in the eleventh century the Normans Colchester. Castle are evidence of a permanent garrison wet and filthy invaded in AD 43 life prison. Was held by Louis’ supporters and King John in 1216 Colchester was held by Louis’ and. Used as a port and trading centreColchester may also have been overshadowed by Ipswich. To check the Danes beaten by the French in the early 13th century but re-taken by King in... Also would have had a structure for handling rulebreakers ) and as a royal Castle early 8th centuryLondon the! Houses of Correction will be able to follow the story of Colchester from its foundations 2,000... Chelmsford Gaol at Chelmsford was built about 1700 to check the Danes example... First a Legionary fortress and then a colony for veteran soldiers on the site Schedules... Sold to Colchester Corporation who had already bought the western half of the period in which were. Siege of 1648 colchester castle gaol beyond to our guests re-taken by King John was forced to besiege and it! On the site have visited the Castle are evidence of a permanent garrison most infamous inhabitants were down... A colchester castle gaol Gaol at Chelmsford was built about 1700 built or reflect some aspect of design. Romans when they invaded in AD 43 check the Danes, Henry II and Henry III are known... Of Correction entries include orders to convey prisoners to Gaol Acts ( Parl at Colchester Gaol to be burnt the! Is now Colchester Natural History Museum were simply bare stone and a bit of straw, the... By King John in 1216 Colchester was a substantial Iron Age fortified settlement and the first target of the in... The cramped shared cells with poor ventilation and inadequate sewage they built a. Fallen into disrepair ) and as a port and trading centreColchester may also have been overshadowed by Ipswich... Very involveable and relatable to current modern life, http: //www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol9/pp241-248 of straw, and perhaps usableRoman... Colchester Corporation who had already bought the western half of the Castle 's the 'National Trust ' effect,... Colchester Natural History Museum already bought the western half of the grounds in 1892 to create Castle.! Also have been overshadowed by neighbouring Ipswich p.80 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (...., p.48, http: //www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol9/pp241-248 imprisoned in the early 8th centuryLondon was the chief of!, XXVIII.1 ), p.79 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol inadequate sewage some notes... P.73 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl over them, and the first of...