For every prisoner’s discharge the keeper is to receive 2s. and no more. For all actions and writs against him he is to pay the keeper only 1s. and not 1s. for every action, and 2s. 6d. for every writ, as was formerly taken.
The keeper shall not presume to take any other fees upon any pretence, demand, or allowance whatsover, for execution-money, action-money, or writ-money.
By the following account the reader may see how these orders are now obeyed.
The charges of prisoners at their entrance into Ludgate; and dismission from thence.
A freeman of London being arrested by an action entered in either of the Compters, may refuse to go thither, and insist on being carried immediately to Ludgate; but the officers will extort from him 4 or 5s. as their fee for carrying him thither, though their due is but 2d.
On his being brought to Ludgate, the turnkey enters his name and addition in a book kept for that purpose; for which entry the prisoner pays 1s. 2d. after which the chamberlain furnishes him with a lodging at the rate of 1d. 2d, or 3d. per night; but demands 1s. 6d. for sheets; and before he goes to rest, his fellow prisoners demand 4s. for garnish, which, if he does not pay, his cloaths are privately taken from him at night, and not returned till he has raised the money the next day. The steward also demands 1s. 6d. of him for coals, candles, and the use of the house.
He is however allowed the liberty of going abroad; which he may do either with a keeper, or upon giving good security to return at night. If he goes out with a keeper, he must pay 2s. 6d. to the head turnkey, and 1s. 6d. to the keeper who attends him; and every day he goes abroad afterwards, 1s. to the keeper, and as much to the turnkey. A bond is also given for the payment of his lodging to the master keeper, for which the turnkey takes at least 5s. as his fee.
If the prisoner pays the debt, and discharges all other actions against him in either Compter, he, upon his dismission, pays 2s. to the master keeper; 1s. 2d. to the turnkey; 1s. for every action entered against him; and if he is charged in execution, 2s. 6d. for every action against him. These fees and his lodging sometimes amount to as much as the debt. Maitland, the last edit. printed in 1757.
Ludgate hill, a spacious and handsome street, which extends from Ludgate down to Fleet bridge.
Ludgate street, begins at the west end of St. Paul’s, and ends at Ludgate. It is a very spacious and handsome street, chiefly inhabited by silk mercers and woollen drapers.