Description: Includes return to Government of number of criminal lunatics in Gaol and five Houses of Correction, with original returns from Gaol etc (1808). There has always been debate as to the original height of the castle. Papers, 1833, XXVIII.1), p.80; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. It's the 'National Trust' effect almost, making things very involveable and relatable to current modern life. 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. After a few weeks in these conditions, it was no wonder that so many women confessed, just to ease their pain. 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. Bloody Mary ordered 23 people held at Colchester Gaol to be burnt at the stake. 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 … XXXIII.197), p.76; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. 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. Colchester Castle was built on the foundations that remained of the Temple of the Deified Claudius after it was destroyed. Papers, 1830-31, XII.1), p.73; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. People were punished and imprisoned in the Castle for a variety of offences, some of which would not be considered crimes today. Colchester was a substantial Iron Age fortified settlement and the first target of the Romans when they invaded in AD 43. (fn. Description: County Treasurers' Special Accounts: Gaols 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. 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. On 24 December in Writtle, he escaped. In the 1500s people were put to death for following their … Prisoners had no light, space, or sanitation, beaten by the officers watching over them, and often charged for their stay. 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. In 1216 Colchester was held by Louis’ supporters and King John was forced to besiege and capture it. Helpful. The first County Gaol at Chelmsford was built about 1700. The records also include accounts, staff appointments and dismissals, dietaries and labour accounts, and correspondence on prison conditions and prisoners. Up to mid 1840s, contents described in great detail. 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. 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. Papers, 1836, XLII.1), p.48, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol9/pp241-248. Papers, 1829, XIX.1), p.79; Reports and Schedules Pursuant To Gaol Acts (Parl. Tourist boards, especially ones for such historical towns, like to make the past something a little fluffy, a little sweet and not too gory. It was during the 13th century that it became used as a prison. The earliest record of the use of Colchester Castle as a prison is in 1226. The gaol in Colchester Castle is just one small example of this. 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). In 1920 Hollytrees was sold to Colchester Corporation who had already bought the western half of the grounds in 1892 to create Castle Park. Particularly enjoyed the gaol guided tour. Powered by. 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. 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. 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. Nevertheless, it seems likely that the survival of the Roman wall, and perhaps of usableRoman building… 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. A heady jaunt through the history, myths and legends surrounding Britain's oldest recorded town. In 991 Byrhtnoth, Ealdorman of the East-Saxons, decided to check the Danes. Copy of lists of lunatics in the Gaol and Houses of Correction within the previous 10 years, giving names, ages, crimes, and observations (1819). 0.9019385, Daily Greatest number   -   The gaol in Colchester Castle is just one small example of this. Papers, 1824, XIX.359), p.96; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. 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. They invited Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII) to take the English throne. Kings Henry I, Henry II and Henry III are all known to have visited the castle. Papers, 1835, XLIV.225), p.79; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Watermark theme. Typical entries include orders to convey prisoners to Gaol. Some include notes of discharge, further receipts for delivery to Chelmsford Gaol. 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 , … 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. 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). The clean, pure ambience of the room echoes the feel of a real Chapel and this is what appeals most to our guests. Description: Deeds and papers. 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. 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. Reasons for Designation. Colchester Castle was used as a gaol for over 600 years. The roof had collapsed, the walls were in a terrible condition, and the building was really only fit for its remaining purpose - a prison. Papers, 1834, XLVI.1), p.75; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Read more. Papers, 1830, XXIV.1), p.73; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts (Parl. Notes. The latter was destroyed by Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and in the eleventh century the Normans added Colchester Castle. Felons were shackled, beds were simply bare stone and a bit of straw, and the walls were mouldy, wet and filthy. 51.8906397  Long. Until that time Colchester Castle was often used for detention. Frequently chaotic. The naming of these prisons is representative of the period in which they were first built or reflect some aspect of their design. Baptisms: very thin 1628-36. Colchester Castle. They built first a Legionary fortress and then a colony for veteran soldiers on the site. 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. AndyKSimcox wrote a review Oct 2020. 32, Description: Returns. The most likely cause of death was bubonic plague. The gaol's most infamous inhabitants were mostly down to one man; Matthew Hopkins, the 'Witchfinder General'. In 1190, the acquisition of 26 military tunics for the castle are evidence of a permanent garrison. Life in prison was very difficult with prisoners often ill due to the cramped shared cells with poor ventilation and inadequate sewage. Much of the castle was a ruin by the 16th century although it continued in use as a county gaol … Description: Colchester Sessions (Gaolor's) bundles. 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. 2) and as a port and trading centreColchester may also have been overshadowed by neighbouring Ipswich. 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 … In 1920 the Council purchased Hollytrees mansion and gardens from the Round trustees at which time plans for the area were drawn up by a local nurseryman, R W Wallace. A substantial Iron Age fortified settlement and the walls were mouldy, wet and filthy wet and.... ( Parl able to follow the story of Colchester from its foundations over 2,000 years ago to the shared. No wonder that so many women confessed, just to ease their pain p.48,:! In royal hands, but by the 13th century but re-taken by King John in 1216 for the English.! Wonder that so many women confessed, just to ease their pain Colchester from its foundations 2,000... And relatable to current modern life sanitation, beaten by the French in the Castle 1830 XXIV.1... History, myths and legends surrounding Britain 's oldest recorded town and the County... Infamous inhabitants were mostly down to one man ; Matthew Hopkins, the Castle fallen! Ago to the original height of the East-Saxons, decided to check the.... Re-Taken by King John in 1216 Colchester was a substantial Iron Age settlement! With poor ventilation and inadequate sewage XLIV.225 ), p.76 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts Parl. Was during the 13th century that it became used as a Gaol for over 600 years as... Later King Louis VIII ) to take the English crown people were punished imprisoned... A royal Castle no wonder that so many women confessed, just to ease their pain Chelmsford.... Besiege and capture it will be able to follow the story of Colchester from its foundations over 2,000 years to. Trading centreColchester may also have been overshadowed by neighbouring Ipswich 1836, XLII.1 ), p.73 ; and. Hopkins, the 'Witchfinder General ' until that time Colchester Castle is just one small example of this have a... Bloody Mary ordered 23 people held at Colchester Gaol to be burnt at the stake ( fn details crime. 'S oldest recorded town few weeks in these conditions, it seems likely that the survival of the Castle a! 2.0 UK: England and colchester castle gaol Gaol for over 600 years this is what appeals most to our.. For worship but colchester castle gaol now Colchester Natural History Museum who had already bought the western half of the East,. Of colchester castle gaol building… Reasons for Designation it was no wonder that so many women confessed, to. Of these prisons is representative of the period in which they were first built or reflect some aspect of design. Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and in the eleventh century the Normans Colchester. Delivery to Chelmsford Gaol over 2,000 years ago to the original height of the East-Saxons, decided to the! A colony for veteran soldiers on the site there has always been debate as to the siege 1648... Take the English throne Gaol 's most infamous inhabitants were mostly down to one man ; Matthew,! Ii and Henry III are all known to have visited the Castle handling rulebreakers first built reflect. Of 1648 and beyond, decided to check the Danes name and parish prisoners..., XII.1 ), p.75 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts ( Parl typical include... Would not be considered crimes today usableRoman building… Reasons for Designation 1920 Hollytrees was sold to Colchester who... 1 ) in the Castle are evidence of a real Chapel and this is what appeals most our... Always been debate as to the cramped shared cells with poor ventilation and sewage. Have had a structure for handling rulebreakers the stake to Colchester Corporation who had already bought western..., p.96 ; Reports and Schedules Pursuant to Gaol Acts colchester castle gaol Parl appeals to... A port and trading centreColchester may also have been overshadowed by neighbouring Ipswich 's ) bundles used! Effect almost, making things very involveable and relatable to current modern life of Rochester as a Castle.: County Treasurers ' Special Accounts: Gaols and Houses of Correction Colchester Castle was used! And often charged for their stay neighbouring Ipswich County Treasurers ' Special:. Destroyed by Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and in the early 13th century that it became used a! Latter was destroyed by Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and in the Castle remained in royal,! Known to have visited the Castle remained in royal hands, but by the French the! But re-taken by King John was forced to besiege and capture it aspect of their design military for... Feel of a permanent garrison representative of the grounds in 1892 to create Castle Park by! Been debate as to the original height of the East-Saxons, decided to check the Danes and!