Liberty of the Clink
| Liberty of the Clink Manor of Southwark |
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| History | |
| • Created | 12th century |
| • Abolished | 1889 |
| • Succeeded by | County of London |
| Status | Liberty, Manor |
| Government |
Court leet (until c. 1850) Clink Paving Commissioners (1786–1855) |
The Liberty of the Clink was an area in Southwark, on the south bank of the River Thames, opposite the City of London. Although situated in Surrey the liberty was exempt from the jurisdiction of the county's high sheriff and was under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Winchester who was usually either the Chancellor or Treasurer of the King.
The liberty was originally the north-eastern part of the 'hide of Southwark' granted by Henry I to the Priory of Bermondsey (Bermondsey Abbey) in 1104-09. The house sold it in around 1149 to Henry of Blois, the Bishop of Winchester and younger brother of King Stephen,who wanted a house for his London governmental duties.
The bishopric's administration referred to it as the Manor of Southwark i.e. the Manor of the Bishop in Southwark. It was also known as the 'Liberty of Winchester'. The liberty (a manorial jurisdiction) was confirmed when King Stephen sanctioned the transaction.
The Clink is most famous for its prison. The first recorded use of the term Liberty of the Clink was in 1530; the nickname was used informally to avoid confusion with the other manors in Southwark. 'Clink' seems to be derived from the name of the Bishop's prison, which he held as a civil authority deriving from his role as Chancellor or Treasurer. It was also the manorial gaol maintained by the bishop as part of the administration of the liberty. The bishop's London residence, Winchester House, was built in the liberty and was originally surrounded by parkland.
The liberty lay outside the jurisdiction of the City of London, and that of the county authorities of Surrey, and some activities forbidden in those areas were permitted within it.
In 1161 Bishop Henry was granted the power to license prostitutes and brothels in the liberty by King Henry II. The prostitutes were known as Winchester Geese, and many are buried in Cross Bones, an unconsecrated graveyard. Similarly, to "be bitten by a Winchester goose" meant "to contract a venereal disease", and "goose bumps" was slang for symptoms of venereal diseases.
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