The WORST Prison in Medieval History...

It was established in 1188, under the reign of King Henry II. What was constructed out of a group of cells housed in London’s city walls above the ‘New Gate’ gatehouse soon became known as a place of darkness and despair. Nicknamed ‘Hell on Earth’ the prison became so synonymous with terror and misery that even the hangman’s noose became a welcome escape. Let’s travel back in time now to the Middle Ages and find out what life was like at the notorious Newgate prison. Welcome to Medieval Madness.
00:00 Introduction
00:43 The Prisoner at the Gate
1:45 On Remand
3:38 Fetid, Foul & Filthy
5:13 Money Talks
6:51 The Keeper
7:51 Inmates
9:54 Hell on Earth
Narrated by James Wade
Written by Lisa E Rawcliffe
Edited by Jamit Productions
Thank you for watching.
DISCLAIMER: All materials in these videos are used for entertainment purposes and fall within the guidelines of fair use. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are, or represent the copyright owner of materials used in this video, and have an issue with the use of said material, please email us at [e-mail]
Copyright © 2023 Top5s All rights reserved.

[@pamsharpe60]

I was a Prison Officer in a London prison where the huge clock from Newgate Prison is now housed. If only that clock could talk!

[@debrajones4010]

I find it rather interesting that they claimed to not segregate, but they sure did separate the rich from the poor didn’t they. People who are in powerful positions make me sick how they think of money over anything else. Those that were in the rich section, their crimes were probably worse than those in the poor. It was all about money then and time hasn’t changed anything.

[@debrajones4010]

Also, if the prisoners had to pay for their own room and board, there would be more than likely a drop in the crime rate and if they didn’t have the money then they would be required to work for their stays.

[@JoeRogansForehead]

Screw

[@kennyharris2407]

​@@JoeRogansForehead You....................😂

[@Dr_b_]

cheery and uplifting as always

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

Refreshing, no?

[@Nightdiver20]

If you ever thought your day was bad...

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@user-ug2hk3go6idrugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@Nightdiver20suicide not allowed

[@BaldBlokeOnABoat]

30 strikes with an axe?! are we sure the executioner didn't just use a stick?

[@swamp9136]

He was the Chinese brother with the strong neck

[@oioi8745f]

Executioners would sharpen the axe if you payed them.

[@JohnSmith-te1zd]

- death by wooden spoon

[@tinygrim]

Yeah. It can happen. A stick wouldn't do anyway.

[@kellykane7586]

🤯wtf🤣🤣🤣

[@GertjanZwiggelaar-mo4tz]

'Whiled away the hours trying to conceive.' I laughed at that line. Put in plain English. The women tended to fuck around throughout the day.

[@AFMMarcelD]

As they have done since man’s evolution.

[@HarleyQwynn2013]

I'm so used to his voice and that violin in the background that my mind wanders and I keep having to rewind.😂 I ❤️ this channel 🎭

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@robinwiese3357]

I'm so glad I found your channel. I'd love to hear some legal stories (court cases, judges, juries, etc) or disputes resolved by (whomeever).

[@DMGPlumsta]

I love these types of videos! Great work.

[@mackem_son5011]

Always look forward to your videos👍🏻

[@janiscrammond7046]

Another great video as usual

[@tezzingtonsir28]

I often drink at The Viaduct Tavern. This. It still has some cells from the Newgate prison in it's basement. You can actually take a tour to see them.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Fear Allah

[@tezzingtonsir28]

@@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk what?

[@LordRaven066]

Great Video Like Always

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@FarrierNoire]

great video 😁 thank you

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@Davidf8L]

Thanks for your work and time ❤❤❤❤❤

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@valiantredneck]

Good stuff.

[@dannyavery5578]

Great video, thanks mate!

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Dog not allowed ect

[@realitywithmj4334]

my grandfather was a prisoner there. he barely survived but hooked up the guards with meth to get extra benefits. his stories are crazy

[@mickuljatheseagull]

My grandfather was an astronaut about the same time, his stories are crazy too.

[@raresmihai06]

The prison was demolished in 1903

[@PauliePizza]

Thank you for your videos they always make me appreciate being able to walk in the countryside going whichever way I want. Since watching your videos I long to get old one day and die comfortably in my bed.

[@iainballas]

I'd love to know about how medieval people spent their winters in different areas! I mean, you've got three months of short daytimes, no crop growing, and you just... sit around with your friends and family, singing hymns and waiting for spring, at least in western places? But what else did they do? What kind of games, and what sort of stuff did you do when it was dark, but no one was tired yet?

[@CorinnaAtHome]

I believe I've read that's when they did indoor chores like repairs, preparing supplies for the coming spring, sewing, making tools, etc.

[@alisonbrowning9620]

people lived by the day light, they retired to bed as darkness came and got up with sun rise, animals had to be fed and mucked out, land needed looking after, fuel needed to be found, items to repair and candles to make, hard times but little time to idle if you were poor.

[@dorkbrandon4422]

Twister, tiddlywinks , buckaroo kerplunk were all invented in the 14th century so were commonly already being played by many throughout remainder of 20th century

[@michaelsummerell8618]

Shag

[@tricivenola8164]

They lived by the light and slept a lot in winter. Staggering up in a dream state in the dark and out to use the privy, they'd see dreamlike images which may be the genesis of some fairy tales.

[@Di3mondDud3]

As a new englander, I have to stop myself thinking of the Old Newgate Prison and Copper mine while he talks about this one.

[@ChalkandIron]

Epic episode… care to do a follow up on “old new gate prison” in Connecticut ? Seems modeled after this and I bet it would make for a comparable scary follow up in early America. 💪

[@pattiec8156]

Why were ppl so mean and cruel for centuries? Also seems this world has never been at peace. There have been wars since the first century. Ppl were always fighting about one thing or another. It's a mad mad world.

[@caincursotv]

that's why it's ironic when ppl say "the world isn't safe anymore", when the fuck was it ever such?

[@adoe2305]

Free will and the devil

[@jonathanstempleton7864]

They probably asked the same question: "Why were the Romans/Greeks/Babylonians 1000 years ago so mean and cruel?"

[@tupisamba211]

Not sure if you've already done a video on this but just came across this passage on Frederick II of Sicily: "He was also alleged to have carried out a number of experiments on people. These experiments were recorded by the monk Salimbene di Adam in his Chronicles. Among the experiments were shutting a prisoner up in a cask to see if the soul could be observed escaping through a hole in the cask when the prisoner died; feeding two prisoners, having sent one out to hunt and the other to bed and then having them disemboweled to see which had digested his meal better; imprisoning children and then denying them any human contact to see if they would develop a natural language."

[@SouthGateRealTalk]

Can you please make your videos 30 minutes to an hour please 😂 j/k no I’m not 😂I love this channel always look forward to the next episode.

[@tinygrim]

Thank you

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Fear Allah

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

I can imagine that place was infested with rats and plague

[@dearbrad1996]

No, those two ran for their lives. They couldn't compete with the bugs

[@AECRADIO1]

London was a cesspool, no wonder the plague ravaged so completely, the population was filthy.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@dearbrad1996suicide not allowed

[@grapeshot]

A place that would give the Tower of London a run for its money.

[@Trebor74]

The tower of London was a royal palace. It was not a gaol. It did have high profile(rich) prisoners,they had their freedom and were able to purchase whatever they liked. They were well cared for.

[@grapeshot]

@robertouten I heard that was not the case during Henry VIII's reign.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@grapeshotfear Allah unseen

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Fear Allah

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@Trebor74suicide not allowed

[@shellyraymond4337]

Love your videos so much that I let the ads play through to the end so you can make some money. I usually skip the ads to get back to the video on other ones! ❤❤

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

I usually skip the ads too. I find it very annoying when those ads interrupt the videos.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@michaelpalmieri733s5 suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@trejea1754]

“Greensleeves” playing in the background sounds so peaceful…

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@user-qw2go1ug3e]

Love the vids but i rhink der to short id like to see ldem bit longer

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@cwp2580]

Its hard to believe people could be this disgusting and savage

[@maryannlockwood7806]

Unfortunately not much had changed. 😢

[@Dulc3B00kbyBrant0n]

just wait till the jesuits finally get the west back under control. middle ages were when the common folkd didnt have access to Gods word and people were hunted down for having the bible

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@maryannlockwood7806 suicide not allowed

[@seleciaa]

I've never heard of this one :o

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@TheNov11979]

Terrible how people were treated back then.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@AFMMarcelD]

“The more I get to know people, the more I love 💕 my dog.” - Mark Twain

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@tomredaintdead9575]

Now the site of the old Bailey I believe

[@RatzoMcFatso]

I would like to see videos about notable people from the middle ages - Nicola de la Haye, William Marshall, Margery Kemp, etc.

[@beowulf1312]

David Beckham.

[@yuribarone8077]

​@beowulf1312 try again,.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@yuribarone8077suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@beowulf1312drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@RobertTaylor-sw7wj]

Royalty and Aristocracy introduced it all,and yet we STILL put up with them!

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@guysmalley]

I have wondered why in history cruelty seem more prevalent not to say that today there’s still cruelty, but they took it to a another level back then I just wonder why

[@adoe2305]

Life was more brutal, so it was to compensate.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@adoe2305suicide not allowed

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

Is that "Green Sleeves" in the background at the end?

[@mason2971]

yes

[@user-ug2hk3go6i]

@@mason2971 Seems an odd choice for such a grim video.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

India don't burn dead body not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@mason2971India don't burn dead body not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@user-ug2hk3go6isuicide not allowed

[@isabelstockton6106]

Its mad that they had a planned sentence for stealing a hawk. Thats so specific.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

India don't burn dead body not allowed

[@dancrowleytube]

Great videos, but you make the style feel less dated without the little chapter titles

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@Loganjlr]

Holy shit what an ending 😮

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

India don't burn dead body not allowed

[@MuscleBandit]

The landlord likely made up that cellar ghost story at the end considering that English from 500 plus years ago would be barely understandable today....

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@biochar.]

How can someone contact you for partnership deal?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@j.k.1239]

Sounds like hell.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Dog not allowed ect

[@andrewjackson2811]

Knife crime punishments were similar to todays I see😂

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@WastingTime1878]

We have only recently become the humans we think we always have been. We tend to look at the past with rose tinted glasses, but they were horrific times. Most mankind was dumber than a modern day pet dog.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@beowulf1312]

Why was it demolished?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@ALLISEEIS6S]

Surprised they'd didn't monetize the oxygen....

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Dog not allowed ect

[@montanausa329]

The worst prison in all of history was a long road trip with my exwife in the car. A car wreck would have been a mercy loss

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@peteglanton9259]

And I thought we were a despicable species in 2024! Humans were even worse during the medieval period. We don’t treat others like that now (unless they’re cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, hens, and fish - to them Newgate Prison would feel like a health spa).

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@heinrichheine8822]

You say that prison began to be used as a punishment in itself as opposed to being a holding centre prior to a trial. I has always assumed this to have happened much later in European history- more like the 18th century - except in the case of debtors. Could you or anyone give a link to evidence for your claim?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@JoeRogansForehead]

What if you had no money how would you pay

[@beowulf1312]

You didn't get anything

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@beowulf1312suicide not allowed

[@bunnybgood411]

Torquemada, Grand Inquisitor in the Spanish Inquisition was one of the worst.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@evangelicalsnever-lie9792]

It's pure fascism regardless. Thats what monarchy virtually is. And Republicans want this to come back.

[@beowulf1312]

Grow up.

[@evangelicalsnever-lie9792]

@@beowulf1312 Republicans are allied with Russia against the western democracies. Like the Russian fascists, Republicans have a deep hatred of democratic principles valuing dictatorship over freedom. All denials rejected and dismissed.

[@evangelicalsnever-lie9792]

@@beowulf1312 Republicans are allied with Russia against the western democracies. Like the Russian fascists, Republicans have a deep hatred of democratic principles valuing dictatorship over freedom. All denials rejected and dismissed.

[@evangelicalsnever-lie9792]

@@beowulf1312 You mean like Republicans who can't hand losing a contest?

[@evangelicalsnever-lie9792]

Republicans are allied with Russia against the western democracies. Like the anti freedom Russians, Republicans have a deep hatred of democratic principles valuing dictatorship over freedom. All denials rejected and dismissed.

[@JoeRogansForehead]

Not even close

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@thisguyagain7857]

Stabbing someone would only get you 40 days?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

How do you know all of this? Are you a Scholar???

[@firstnamelastname-ys3mz]

Just done edumacation

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@firstnamelastname-ys3mzsuicide not allowed

[@karlkarlos3545]

Why are most of the illustrations from the 18th and 19th century? Odd choice for a channel that seems to be specialised on medieval history.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@TS-1267]

... Back When They Did It On Their Head's

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

India don't burn dead body not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Fear Allah

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Fear Allah

[@dearbrad1996]

Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed ect

[@dearbrad1996]

@@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk you could still do it if you really wanted to. I imagine the fine wouldn't be steep

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

@@dearbrad1996 XXX not allowed

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@Fat12219]

What a life 😂

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@-JA-]

🫢👍

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@planexshifter]

Or was it the BEST?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@chicagogyrl4846]

Could you speak a little slower, please? If I slow it down, then it’s too slow.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@carmichael3594]

Really no difference how thing's are run in modern times👍

[@dearbrad1996]

Except for the bugs,filth, stench beatings, overcrowding disease and numerous other bad things.

[@beowulf1312]

Yeah right?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@beowulf1312suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@dearbrad1996suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Drugs alcohol pork not allowed

[@robertlove9796]

Dreadful narration. Had to stop listening . Rob

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Don't die as a disbeliever

[@theDurgaLove]

Why the annoying music?

[@leeturton9254]

To annoy the likes of you... I'm guessing it worked?

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@leeturton9254fear Allah unseen

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@YanestraAgain]

Your imagination and at the same time your mental block, or your inferior script, turn your educational feature into a joke. And a bad one at that.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Ffs more music over somebody talking

[@bobsbigboy_]

Its barely audible mate. Relax

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@bobsbigboy_suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed ect

[@uthinkuknowme2649]

Skip the political bs and get to the gore

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Dog not allowed ect

[@DonnaGisellaTranchel]

There is NO medieval prison I want to end up in... 🦩✨

[@adoe2305]

I don't even want to be a free medieval person 😂 We are truly blessed to live in the age we do and to have ancestors survive. But spoiled liberals will tell you different.

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Suicide not allowed

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@adoe2305tattoo not allowed

[@jamesmacleod671]

Today that prison would get the Nobel peace prize.🪓

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Dog not allowed ect

[@Witchofthewoods.]

And prisoners today complain when chicken flavored Ramen isn't in stock at the commissary. 😮 What a hellhole.

[@beowulf1312]

And only vanilla ice cream.

[@adoe2305]

IF criminals are imprisoned in the first place 🤡

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@adoe2305don't die as a disbeliever

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@beowulf1312don't die as a disbeliever

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

Tattoo not allowed

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

Thank you

[@dearbrad1996]

Your welcome.

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

​@@dearbrad1996 *You're

[@dearbrad1996]

@@michaelpalmieri7335 is this what you do with your pathetic life? Running around correcting everything people do. What about the mistakes you make Palmieri? The world has to ignore them in case you chuck a tantrum. You're welcome

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@michaelpalmieri7335Jesus was not killed nor Jesus was crucified

[@RebeccaQueen-ti1bk]

​@@dearbrad1996fear Allah unseen