Under lock and key (1)
I’ve blogged before about lock-ups, the small village prisons that were used until the 19th century. They catch my eye because they’re often unusual shapes (one like a pyramid, another with a conical top) and because they have interesting roofs, built with heavy stone blocks to make them secure. There are quite a lot of lock-ups still standing.
This domed example in the middle of the Wiltshire village of Shrewton is known locally as the Blind House, from its lack of windows. It was probably built in the ealy-18th century, and, as well as being a place to detain local wrongdoers, it may have been used as an overnight stop for prisoners being taken from the Devizes Assize Courts to the gaol at Fisherton.
The lock-up has been rebuilt twice – once after being hit by a tank during World War II and once in the 1980s, when it was moved back from its original site very close to the road, to make further mishaps with passing traffic less likely. In its safer, set-back position, it looks solid enough to stay standing for another two or three centuries.
10 comments:
I wish there was one of these in my village.
Peter: I wonder who you'd lock up in it, if you had one. (You'd better not answer that.) We make do in our town with a set of stocks. With five leg-holes (it's the in-breeding, you know).
What a solid looking little building!
VG: Yes, it's solid all right. No chance of breaking out of it once locked in!
It appears at first glance to be medieval. It's almost difficult for me to believe it was built in 18th century. In addition, it looks like an igloo made of stone. Fascinating. England has some very interesting outbuildings.
Evelyn: Yes! That dome is just like a stone igloo. A lot of village lockups seem to be built in the 18th or 19th-century in a semi-medieval style, not quite like little castles, but certainly a bit like turrets from castles.
Have I imagined it of were these little lock-ups sometimes called 'tanties'?
WH: I'm sure we've had a conversation along these lines before. I've not otherwise come across this term, although someone said it's used in Terry Pratchett's novels. When I googled 'tanties' I just got sites featuring panties. (Honestly, I was just looking up 'tanties', that's my story and I'm sticking to it).
Yet again I have blurred the boundary between fiction and reality... as have you if you think we don't know your true Googling habits. You'll know when to stop when your search engine wearily flashes "Oh not again, Mr Wilkinson..."
WH: So my cover's blown. It's therapy I need, clearly.
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