Fleet
Prison, Farringdon Street on the east side of what was once Fleet
Market, but what is now Farringdon Street, is the Fleet Prison.
"The body, enclosed with houses and very high walls, is a handsome
lofty brick building, of a considerable length, with galleries in every
story, which reach from one end of the house to the other. On each side
of these galleries are room for the prisoners. All manner of provisions
are brought into this prison daily, and cried as in the public streets.
Here also is a coffee-house, a tap and an ordinary, with a large open
area for exercise."
Everything
sold within the prison had to have the authority of the Warden (wine
could not be sold). "The priority of chummage, to admission to
room within the prison, is by rotation, or seniority, among such prisoners
as have paid their entrance fees. Prisoners who swear they are worth
not more than £5 in the world are allowed the benefit of the begging
grate, and take it in rotation, each man has twenty-fours at the gate."
Prisoners paid about fifteen pence per week for their rooms (although
the better rooms would be much more). This practice was approved by
the Court as "healthful". The tap and ordinary were very popular;
hardly anyone ever went to the chapel.
