WELCOME TO PRISON

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Standard British accent
Language level: A2 INTERMEDIATE

WELCOME TO PRISON

This month we experienced life in one of London’s most notorious prisons: The Clink, located in the South Bank district, was a medieval prison infamous for its horrific torture machines.

UNDERGROUND

Where is the Clink? The nearest underground station is London Bridge: this is on the Jubilee and Northern lines. Visitors emerge from the underground station to see the London Dungeon attraction across the road. Ignore the long queues outside the London Dungeon, and walk west to Montague Close. Go past Southwark Cathedral and the recreation on the 16^th century ship, the Golden Hind, and take the narrow back passage named Clink Street. On the left, there is the entrance to the Clink prison. Go through the door and take the dark stairs down to cells bellow. A terrible cry comes from above visitors’ heads as they descend the stairs: it’s a man imprisoned in a metal cage!

INSTRUMENTS OF TORTURE

Was the Clink really a terrible place? Today visitors can walk through the candle lit cells and examine the torture devices which once terrorised prisoners. There’s the whipping post, where prisoners were chained and whipped. Then there’s the torture chair and the thief catcher –a mysterious long metal stick with three hooks. There’s a chastity belt and a horrific “boot,” or foot crusher. Prisoners were forced to put on this boot, which was then filled with water or oil and pieces of wood. The prison keeper the heated the boot and…

HORRIBLE HISTORY

The Clink was used from the 12^th until 18^th century. It was part of Winchester Palace, the home of the powerful Bishop of Winchester. The district, now called Southwark, was famous for its brothels and prostitutes in medieval times. In fact the prison was one of the first to hold women prisoners. Visitors to the Clink can learn the many terrible stories of these times.

SHAKESPEARE

After this traumatic experience, it’s time to relax. Vinopolis is just a minute’s walk away. It offers wine tours with wines from all over the world. Afterwards you can visit other medieval attraction: the recreation of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It offers guided tours and the chance to see Shakespeare’s plays in an open-air medieval theatre.

LIFE IN THE CLINK

Life in “The Clink” was brutal. Punishments in the prison included torture, solitary confinement and a diet of bread and water. Prison officers beat the prisoners with canes, and used chains to stop them sleeping. Murder was common. Yet prisoners with money, or friends outside, often paid the prison officers to improve their conditions. The officers provided rooms, beds, candles and food for a good price. They also accepted payments to allow prisoners outside to work.

The prison was destroyed in 1450 when angry protesters burnt the building down and killed the prison officials. The rebellion was defeated and a new prison constructed. In 1530 Henry VIII legalised the boiling of women in oil –the punishment for killing a husband. In the 16^th and 17^th centuries the prison was used for both Protestant and Catholic dissenters – many starved to death. A group of Puritans who survived the prison travelled to America on the Mayflower in 1620. The prison was finally destroyed in 1780 by religious protesters.

ADDRESSES

The Clink

1 Clink Street, London SE1 9DG Admission prices: Adult £5, Children £3,50 http://www.clink.co.uk .

Vinopolis

1 Bank End, London, SE1 9BU Tel: +44 (0) 20 7940 8320 

http://www.vinopolis.co.uk .

Shakespeare’s Globe

21 New Globe Walk London, SE1 9DT Tel: +44  (0) 7903 5970

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org .