By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jackson. 83 



We know by record that there was a gaol delivery at Old Sarum 

 so late as 1435. How much later a prison was kept up there does 

 not appear ; probably not long, for thirty-three years afterwards, 

 we find prisoners of importance at New Sarum. Early in the year 

 1469, Sir Thomas Hungerford, and Courtenay, heir of the Earl of 

 Devon, having taken part against King Edv/ard IV. were com- 

 mitted to the Sheriff's prison at Salisbury, and being condemned to 

 die, were drawn from their prison through the city, and out of the 

 city to the gallows at Bemerton, and there hanged. 



The authors of the folio history of Salisbury do not throw any 

 light upon this matter, but the old papers above alluded to give the 

 fullest particulars of the building of the first County Gaol at 

 Fisherton near Salisbury, proving that it was certainly in existence 

 before the Bridewell at Devizes of 1623. The information which 

 they contain may perhaps be interesting in another respect, as 

 showing that County establishments, however much needed, were 

 not got up with quite so much facility in Queen Elizabeth's reign 

 as they are now. 



Early in the year 1568 the Justices of the Peace, meeting at 

 Quarter Sessions, determined to build a new County Gaol. The 

 site first proposed was at East Harnham, in full view of the grounds 

 of the Bishop's palace. This intention was abandoned, owing no 

 doubt to the following remonstrance from Bishop Jewel. 



Bishop Jewel to the Wiltshire Magistrates against building a Gaol at 

 Harnham. \_Original at Longleat.'] 



" Right worshipfulles, after my very harty commendations, Where as you 

 have of late determined to erect a common gaole at Easte Harnham, and by 

 your dealinge withe my neighboure Mayster Yonge, seeme to be thorowly resolved 

 of the same, as I would have wisshed for certaiiie good causes I might have 

 benne privy to yo'' dooinges therein, as beinge joined togeather withe yo" in one 

 Commission, so nowe I have thought it good to signilie thus mutche unto yo''. 

 That the saide gaole in that place erected muste of force be very daungerous 

 unto the sherife for the time beinge by meane of breaches and escapes that are 

 very likely to happen, as bemg builte not only in a little poore naked village 

 utterly voide of force or reschewe, but also directely under the whole face of the 

 plaine : That it muste needes be very incommodious unto the poor prisoners, 

 beeinge utterly sequestred from al manner rehfe of the whole Cittie, from whence 

 thei have evermore hitherto had theii-e presente and gi-eatteste aide, and with- 

 oute wbiche thei are like to famishe : And specially that for many greate and 

 evideute causes it is like to woorke the ruine of the Cittie. Every of whiche 



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