Early French Prisons / Le Grand and Le Petit Châtelets; Vincennes; The Bastile; Loches; The Galleys; Revolutionary Prisons

Name: Early French Prisons / Le Grand and Le Petit Châtelets; Vincennes; The Bastile; Loches; The Galleys; Revolutionary Prisons
Author: Arthur Griffiths

By Arthur Griffiths

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History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)History - European History - Modern (1750+)

About This Book

This survey traces the evolution of French incarceration from feudal origins through the monarchy to revolutionary upheaval, explaining how courts of varying authority created and used prisons for detention, punishment, political coercion and debtor confinement. It describes construction, regimes, common cruelties such as torture, squalor, corporal penalties and capital sentences, and profiles major institutions—the Châtelets, the Conciergerie, Vincennes, the Bastille, the Temple, and island and galley prisons—while recounting episodes like communal revolts, the Man with the Iron Mask, and the decline of royal penal power on the eve of revolution.

About the Author

Arthur Griffiths

Arthur Griffiths was a British author and journalist known for his extensive writings on the subject of prisons and crime. His notable works include "Chronicles of Newgate," which provides a historical account of London's infamous prison, and "Millbank Penitentiary: An Experiment in Reformation," where he explores the reformative aspects of incarceration. Griffiths' writings often reflect his deep interest in the penal system, offering insights into various international prison systems, as seen in his series on French, German, and Italian prisons. His contributions to literature provide a unique perspective on crime and punishment during the Victorian era.