Clink

The Clink Prison Museum is built upon the original site ofThe Clink Prison, which dating back to 1144 was one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons.

Spanning for over 600 years, it witnessed a remarkable amount of social and political change in England, and thus housed a multitude of sinners throughout its existence, including debtors, heretics, drunkards, harlots, and later religious adversaries.

Positioned in the heart of modern day Southwark, the prison was situated in an area that has long been associated with more raucous, vivacious and unruly behaviour; it was the louder, ruder and wickeder neighbour to The City, and a place where Londoners sought entertainment.

Visitors will learn all about this scandalous truth of Old Bankside through a hands-on educational experience, with the opportunity to view archaeological artefacts, handle torture devices, and to view and hear all about the tales of torment and many misfortunes of the inmates of the infamous Clink Prison.

History

In 1129, Henry of Blois, brother to King Stephen (and grandson to William the Conqueror) was invested Bishop of Winchester, and became second in power only to the King himself. His Thames fronted residence, Winchester Palace (of which The Rose Window of the Great Hall is still visible today), was completed in 1144 and contained two prisons within the palace grounds: one for men, and one for women. Thus Bankside became subject to the laws of ‘The Liberty (or jurisdiction) of the Bishop of Winchester’ (later the ‘Liberty of The Clink’) and was governed accordingly.

The name ‘Clink’ seems to have been attached to the prison in the 14th century. One of the most commonly argued derivatives is that of the sound of the blacksmith’s hammer closing the irons around the wrists or ankles of the prisoners, although the Flemish word ‘klink’ meaning ‘latch’ (perhaps referring to the latch on the gaol door) could also have influenced its attachment. Whatever the etymology, the prison subsequently bequeathed this name to all others, resulting in the development of the expression, "to be thrown in The Clink."

During its remarkably long span, besides the usual drunken vagrants, vagabonds and other seemingly petty criminals, The Clink also housed more historically significant criminals. Famous examples include Sir Thomas Wyatt The Younger (son of the Renaissance poet of the same name), who rebelled against Queen ‘Bloody’ Mary I; John Rogers, the man responsible for translating the Bible into English from Latin during the reign of the aforementioned Roman Catholic Queen; Royalist supporters during the English Civil War, and Puritans who went on to become the first Pilgrim Fathers, settlers of the New World in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts in the United States.

Education

The Clink Prison Museum welcomes a large number of educational groups and visitors each year, offering them a unique opportunity to learn about social, religious and historical issues relating to The Clink Prison and London’s Bankside. Many of these issues and events relating to The Clink Prison don’t only represent regional importance but national and international significance.

Keystage 2 & 3

As part of our educational programme we do encourage groups to take advantage of our highly trained tour guide service. Your visit will include an introduction to the site along with a visit incorporating hands-on devices, audio and visual presentations. With the use of our tour guides the visit would also include comprehensive verbal presentation and further explanations to your students along with the opportunity for more interactive learning opportunities.

Relevance to History

Students will gain a good foundation knowledge of everyday life 1144 – 1780 including food, social issues, power within the country and religion. Students will also learn about some of the actual inmates within the prison along with their crime and reason for detention.

Religion

Religion played a very important role for inmates within The Clink Prison. Students will get the opportunity to learn how religious practices were still carried out in the most demanding and difficult times along with the persecution that took place.

Social

Crime and the punishment of criminals has been a social debate for hundreds of years. On the site of England’s first prison students will be able to join the debate through learning how inmates were treated and the conditions they lived in.

When visiting The Clink Prison Museum, students will have the opportunity to handle original historical artefacts relating to crime and punishment, used both in The Clink Prison and nationally.

The Clink Prison Museum is a research museum furthering the understanding and heritage of The Clink Prison Museum site as well as the overall subject area of prisons, crime and punishment.

Key Stage 4

A visit to the Clink Prison is a wonderful opportunity for your students to cover a wide range of issues and offers a good knowledge base for students studying the time period between 1144 – 1780AD. The museum gives a wonderful understanding of crime and punishment through the Medieval, Tudor and Elizabethan time periods, along with a comprehensive study of a number of the social, religious and geographic issues.

Relevance to Religious studies

The Clink Prison was built on the Bishop of Winchester's land for his own use to control the Liberty. Over the life of the prison large numbers of inmates were imprisoned here for a variety of reasons. Some of the longest serving inmates were religious figures including some involved in the Babington plot and even alleged to be involved with The Gunpowder Plot.

History

Through a visit to The Clink Prison Museum students will learn of life back in the Medieval, Tudor and Elizabethan time periods, along with a comprehensive study of a number of the social, religious and geographic issues.

Geography

The Clink Prison Museum offers students the opportunity to analyse and visualise some of the old maps of the local area and how it has changed and developed over time. The Clink Prison is in the heart of an area that represents possibly the most dramatically changing area in London. The area was once known as the Red light District of London, which now offers expensive luxury apartments, modern office buildings and world-leading tourist attractions.