In the 18th century more than 200 offences were regarded as serious enough to be punishable by death. Serious offenders who were not hanged were transported to the colonies, an alternative form of punishment introduced by an Act of Parliament in 1718.
Overcrowding
The overcrowding of local prisons with debtors was dealt with every few years by Parliament which would pass an insolvency Act to discharge them on certain conditions. There were 32 such Acts between 1700 and 1800.
Types of prison
Plates were exchanged only three times, after the soup, at the second course, and for dessert. Coffee was very rarely served, but quite often there was a cordial made from cherries or garden pink, still something of a novelty then."Places of confinement ranged from small village lock-ups in rural areas to the cellars of castle-keeps in towns. The largest prisons were in London, the most important being New gate with around 300 prisoners. Hing of a novelty then.
The loss of the American colonies resulted in a crisis in finding places of confinement for prisoners. Old, decommissioned ships moored at London docks - known as prison hulks - were used to house prisoners who would normally have been transported to the colonies.
Sample menu, circa 1740, for ten persons, provided by Brillat-Savarin
1st course: the bouilli (meat and its broth); an entree of veal cooked in its own juice; an hors d'oeuvre.
2nd course: a turkey; a plate of vegetables; a salad; a creamy pudding (sometimes).
Dessert: some cheese; some fruit; a jar of preserves.
Did you Know?
Charles Dickens father was imprisoned with his family for debt at the Marshalsea Prison in 1824. Dickens experiences later appeared in the novel Little Dorrit (1855-1857).
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