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Doe And Hope
Tel07729 213013Please quote Antiques Atlas.
Non UK callers :
+44 7729 213013
19th C Forged Wrought Iron Body Chain
Having long oval links with short curb links attached for the attachment of padlocks, the chain has a wonderful patina. This is a very rare restraint and one that represents a scarce chance to own a piece of jail history, now, by in large, only housed in museums.
Prisons were very dirty and extremely overcrowded, and thus disease was rife and being sent to prison was often essentially a death sentence. Many prisoners died of typhus, which was then called goal fever.
In the 19th century sanitary conditions in prisons became much better but the regime was very harsh. Convicts were made to do tedious and pointless tasks like turning a handle over and over again.
Using John Howard’s work as a basis, Jeremy Bentham, a health reformer, stepped into the prison forum principally at Abingdon Jail (1804-1812). Bentham had concluded that there were in fact three types of prisons The House of Safe Custody, the Penitentiary House, and the Black Prison. The Black Prison was the last type of prison Bentham established. This prison offered longer stays than the Penitentiary House.
Semple (1993) describes the Black Prison as follows
“In the Black Prison, to strike terror into the hearts of its inmates, two skeletons were to lie slumped together one either side of an iron door, thus reminding them that they were indeed an abode of death from which there was no escape.”
This item was owned by Vernon Cross Esq. whose family ran a tea shop in Ely, Cambridgeshire and would exchange tea for interesting bygones.
SellerDoe And Hope
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment only
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
Prisons were very dirty and extremely overcrowded, and thus disease was rife and being sent to prison was often essentially a death sentence. Many prisoners died of typhus, which was then called goal fever.
In the 19th century sanitary conditions in prisons became much better but the regime was very harsh. Convicts were made to do tedious and pointless tasks like turning a handle over and over again.
Using John Howard’s work as a basis, Jeremy Bentham, a health reformer, stepped into the prison forum principally at Abingdon Jail (1804-1812). Bentham had concluded that there were in fact three types of prisons The House of Safe Custody, the Penitentiary House, and the Black Prison. The Black Prison was the last type of prison Bentham established. This prison offered longer stays than the Penitentiary House.
Semple (1993) describes the Black Prison as follows
“In the Black Prison, to strike terror into the hearts of its inmates, two skeletons were to lie slumped together one either side of an iron door, thus reminding them that they were indeed an abode of death from which there was no escape.”
This item was owned by Vernon Cross Esq. whose family ran a tea shop in Ely, Cambridgeshire and would exchange tea for interesting bygones.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 28/OCT/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy.
DimensionsFull Length 77 inches (including curb links)
Individual Link Length 1
Date c.1810
Early 18th Century Antiques Material Wrought Iron
Origin British
Condition Very Good.
Item code as155a147
Status Sold
£375.00
$487.35
€450.23
$
€
Conversion rates as of 28/OCT/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy.
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
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