Clink Prison - Clink Street, London, UK
N 51° 30.428 W 000° 05.529
30U E 701790 N 5710231
Clink Prison was an infamous prison to the south of the River Thames in Southwark, London. The plaque is on the north side of Clink Street opposite the entrance to the Clink Museum.
Waymark Code: WMEBFN
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/02/2012
Views: 8
The plaque, that is attached to the wall of the bridge
that crosses Clink Street, reads:
"Clink Prison
The Clink Prison is the name given to all the prisons
that have stood on a number of sites in this vicinity. The first prison in 1127
was a cellar in the Palace of the Bishop of Winchester and the last was in
Deadman's Place (Park Street). The prison held Protestant and Catholic religious
martyrs at various times. It was closed in 1780, when it was burned by the
anti-Catholic Gordon rioters.
Historic Southwark".
The Clink Prison Museum is close-by and its website (visit
link) tells us:
"The Clink Prison Museum is built upon the original
site of the Clink Prison. The Prison dates back to 1144 making it one of
England’s oldest, if not the oldest Prison. Visitors will experience a hands on
educational experience allowing them to handle original artefacts, including
torture devices, as well as the opportunity to view and hear the amazing stories
of the inmates and the notorious Southbank.
Owned by the Bishop of Winchester, The Clink Prison was used to control the
Southbank of London known as 'The Liberty of The Clink'. This area housed much
of London’s entertainment establishments including four theatres, bull-baiting,
bear-baiting, inns and many other darker entertainments.
The Clink Prison was only a small part of a vast complex on the Bankside that
the Bishop owned called Winchester House. At one point in history Henry VIII
planned to take control of the palace and use it as his own. Parts of the Great
Hall still stand even today including the world famous Rose Arch Window
preserved by English Heritage.
Visitors to the area included individuals such as William Shakespeare, King
Henry VIII, Sir Francis Drake, Geoffrey Chaucer and many more.
Why not explore the prison that gave its name to all others?
The clink Prison."