London Metropolitan Archives

Collections Catalogue

1000 Years of London's History in Documents, Photos, Maps and Films

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London Metropolitan Archives - Item Details

NEWGATE PRISON

Date of Creation:

1423 - 1983

Reference Code:

CLA/035

Scope and Content:
  • Records of Newgate Prison, 1423 - 1983, including lists of prisoners; committee minutes and reports; receipt books for prisoners' goods; lists of keepers; orders for payment; petitions; rules, orders and regulations; papers relating to the treatment of prisoners; visiting justices minute books; papers relating to maintenance and rebuilding and publications regarding the history of the prison.
Extent: 1 linear metre
Classification: CITY OF LONDON
Site Location: London Metropolitan Archives
Level of Description:
    Collection

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Administrative History:
  • Newgate Prison was founded by King Henry II in 1188 and was originally part of the gatehouse at Newgate. It was enlarged in 1236, rebuilt in 1423 with money donated by Lord Mayor Dick Whittington and burned down and was rebuilt in 1666. In 1399 Henry IV granted custody of the gates of London, with their attached prisons, to the citizens of London. Newgate ceased to be used as a prison in 1877. The building was demolished and the land used for an extension to the Old Bailey, opened in 1902.

    Newgate was the most notorious of London's prisons. It was reserved for the worst of criminals, most of whom were under the death sentence. It was renowned for overcrowding, lack of air and water, and epidemics of gaol fever in which many prisoners and officials died.
Copyright: City of London
Source of Acquisition:
  • Corporation of London Records Office
Access Restrictions: These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information are subject to access restrictions under the UK Data Protection Act, 2018
Physical Condition: Fit
Arrangement: In sections according to catalogue.
Related Material: For Corporation of London records relating to prisons see: CLA/003: Holloway Prison, CLA/028: Wood Street Compter, CLA/029: Giltspur Street Compter, CLA/030: Poultry Compter, CLA/031: Southwark Compter, CLA/032: Prisons and Compters, CLA/033: Ludgate Prison, CLA/034: Whitecross Street Prison, CLA/035: Newgate Prison, COL/CA/PCA: Court of Aldermen Prisons Committee, COL/CC/FNG: Court of Common Council Gaol Expenses and Finance Committee, COL/CC/MIN: Court of Common Council Committees includes material relating to gaols and compters, COL/CC/NGC: Court of Common Council Newgate Gaol Committee, COL/CC/PCC: Court of Common Council Prisons Committee, COL/CC/SPO: Court of Common Council Special Prisons Committee, COL/PL: Plans, including plans of prisons and compters.