Media: BOOK - paperback, 240 pages
Author: P. Blake
Year: 2019
ISBN: 9781526738653
Other: b&w photos, appendixes, useful addresses, bibliog, index
Publisher: Pen & Sword

Debtors' prisons are infamous but very little has been written about the records of those confined within them in London or elsewhere in the country. Even less has been written about the trials of those who were often incarcerated following misfortune or mismanagement rather than criminal intent. That is why Paul Blake’s handbook will be so useful for researchers who want to find out about forebears who may have been caught up in the insolvency system.

In a series of information-filled chapters he covers the historical background to the handling of debt and debtors, and bankruptcy and bankrupts. In addition he describes the courts and procedures faced by both creditors and debtors, and the prisons where so many debtors were confined.

Throughout the book details are given of the records that researchers can turn to in order to explore the subject for themselves. Many are held at The National Archives, but others are to be found at local record offices around the country.

Paul Blake's book will be appreciated by local, social and family historians, as well as those with an interest in debtor crime and punishment, and bankrupts in general.

Contents:
Preface
1. Insolvent Debtors - Background
 - Exposing Defaulters
2. The Machinery of Justice
 - The Courts
 - Equity Courts
 - Palace Court
 - Assize Courts
 - Palatinate of Lancaster Court of Common Pleas
 - Supreme Court of Judicature
3. Relief and Release
 - Charity
 - Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors
4. Insolvent Debtors - Courts and Court Records
 - Common Law Courts
 - Equity courts
 - Palace Court
 - Palatinate of Lancaster Court of Common Pleas
5. Insolvent Debtors - Imprisonment
6. Insolvent Debtors - Common Law and Central Prisons and Prison Records
 - The Gordon Riots
 - Fleet Prison
 - Marshalsea Prison
 - King's (Queen's) Bench Prison and Queen's Prison
 - Whitecross Street Prison
 - Horsemonger Lane Prison
 - Newgate Prison
 - Records
7. Insolvent Debtors - London Courts and Court Records
 - City of London Courts
 - Court of Requests
 - County Courts
 - Sanctuary
8. Insolvent Debtors - London Prisons and Records
 - London Compters
 - Whitechapel Prison
 - Ludgate Prison
 - Prisoners' Requests
 - Release of Insolvent Debtors in the City of London
 - Release of Insolvent Debtors in Middlesex
 - Release of Insolvent Debtors in Southwark
9. County Debtors
 - Find-an-archive
 - Trial
 - Prisons
 - Record Examples
10. Bankruptcy
 - Courts of Bankruptcy
 - Records
11. Newspapers, Periodicals, Journals and Directories
 - Newspapers, Periodicals and Journals
 - Directories
Appendix A. Acts of Parliament
Appendix B. Regnal Years
Useful Addresses and Websites
Bibliography
List of Illustrations
Index