[an error occurred while processing this directive] The Savoy Military Prison, Westminster, London
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The Savoy Military Prison, Westminster, London

The origins of the Savoy Palace site, at the south side of The Strand, were given by James Neild in 1812 as follows:

The once very interesting structure so called, derived its name from Peter, Earl of Savoy and Richmond, whose sister Beatrix is recorded to have been the Mother of Five Queens. It was originally built by this Nobleman, about the year 1245, and he afterwards gave it to the Monks of Mountjoy. From them his niece, Queen Eleanor, wife of Henry III., and one of the daughters of Beatrix, purchased it for her son Henry, Duke of Lancaster; by whom it is said to have been enlarged and beautified, at no less an expence than 52,000 Marks.

In 1357, John, King of France, resided here in captivity for some years ; and again occupied it on his magnanimous return hither in 1363, until his death; at which period it was considered as one of the finest palaces in this Country.

It was burnt to the ground in 1381, by the rebellious insurgents of Kent and Essex, who had taken some dislike to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the then Proprietor. It was afterwards rebuilt by King Henry VII., for a Hospital; together with a handsome Chapel, first dedicated to Jesus Christ, his Mother, and St. John the Baptist; and he also purchased lands in maintenance of it, for the relief of one hundred poor people. Over the door fronting the Street stood once the following Inscription:

1505.
Hospitium hoc, inopi Turbe, Savoia vocatum,
Septimus Ilenricus fundavit ab imo Solo.

In around 1679, part of the site was converted into a barracks and military prison. Originally, the prison which largely used to hold any army deserters awaiting execution by firing squad in Hyde Park. In later times, it was also used to house civilian convicts.

The prison's inmates acquired a reputation for being mutinous. In 1761, over 200 prisoners mutinied and a considerable battle ensued. On 27 February 1776, convicts awaiting transfer to prison ships joined military prisoners in staging a riotous mutiny. Around forty broke through a window alongside the river and tried to escape in boats. After some were shot, the remainder were secured. In 1798, the military prisoners stage a riot lasting several days.

In 1784, John Howard wrote:

This prison for the military, has two rooms called the Guard-rooms; because in them are confined offenders who are of the king's guards. The remainder of the building over the gate is the keeper's bottle. On the opposite side of the court, is a large room down five steps, the Hall. On the left-hand side of the court is another hall, not so large: at each end of it is a room with barrack-bedsteads and beds; both rooms very close and unhealthy. Over them are other barrack-rooms, somewhat more airy. No. 1, 2, and 4, and the room over No. 1, and the lodging-room called the Store-room adjoining to the guard-rooms, are of good size: and the practice of lime whiting adopted here since my first visits, is salutary for the prisoners. There are, besides, the black hole, the condemned hold, the cock pit, and several other parts of this irregular building, which I pass over.

March 15, 1776, there were 119 prisoners; of whom 49 were transports. I saw many sick and dying. The gaol was so infected by them, that the distemper was caught there by many afterwards.

May 25, Prisoners 37. Many of than]]em sick of the gaol-distemper, in the rooms where I saw the sick and dying in March. The whole was out of repair. Keeper, Capt. Jackson: salary, £50. Allowance, four pence a day, in provisions.

1779, Aug. 13, Prisoners 98, viz. 64 Deserters, 21 Impressed men, and 13 of the Guards. The prisoners were in health; the rooms made somewhat more airy, and three rooms over the hall were fitted up for an infirmary.

1782, Dec. 20, Prisoners 92. The prison was not dirty, nor the rooms offensive except in the infirmary. Three of the guards were in close confinement on bread and water for 48 hours.—One was sick in the prison, and 12 in two of the close rooms of the infirmary; in the other room, one of the transports left here lay dead. Keeper, Capt. Osborne.

1783, Aug. 29, Prisoners 56. Fourteen were of the guards, of whom 10 were in the black hole on bread and water for 24 or 48 hours. Some of the prisoners, having received his majesty's pardon on condition of inlisting, and afterwards deserted, had been here from 7 to 16 months.—The rooms were very clean; they are lime-whited twice a year, and they are washed every day, the prisoners being turned out of them early in the morning.— There had been none sick in the hospital for two months.

The Savoy site is shown on the 1792 map below.

The Savoy site, Westminster, c.1792.

The Savoy Military Prison entrance, Westminster, London.

In 1812, James Neild reported:

This Prison, for the Military, now consists chiefly of the old buildings, as distinguishably composed, in the antient style, of free-stone and flints. It has a spacious court-yard, paved with flag-stones, and is well supplied with water. A large day-room opens into it, which is furnished with tables, benches, and a fire-place; and coals are allowed for it throughout the year. One small room is set apart for the refractory; another, called the Guard-room, is supplied with barrack-beds for twelve Prisoners; a third has the same accommodation for sixteen; and above these is a very large barrack apartment for forty'.

The Black Hole, (above stairs,) is well ventilated, though gloomy; and the Prisoners there are allowed either a rug or a blanket in the Winter season. The spacious Infirmary has two large sash windows, looking toward the Thames; and close by it is a room for the nurse. Here are also a stove to purify infected or foul clothes, a copper for warm water, and a tub, which is used as a bath. In this irregular mass of building there are likewise two store-rooms, and several others, which I pass over; but the whole are lofty, well ventilated, and clean. The bedding provided for the whole Prison, except the Black Hole (to which a rug or blanket only is allowed in Winter,) consists of a paillasse, and bolster, filled with long wheaten straw, two blankets, two hempen sheets, and a rug.

On the whole, the condition of this Prison is greatly improved, since it was honoured by the visits of my Predecessor, Mr. Howard; particularly in the years 1776, and 1779, when it began to be safe, and wholesome.

The prison was demolished in 1819 to make room for the access road to the new Waterloo Bridge.

Records

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Bibliography

  • Prison Oracle - resources those involved in present-day UK prisons.
  • GOV.UK - UK Government's information on sentencing, probation and support for families.