Amongst the attractions in The Hague was the “Gevangenpoort” (Gatehouse) prison museum. And, unlike some such places, it wasn’t actually too off-puttingly gruesome.
There was an “interrogation room”, directly beneath the “judge’s chamber” (for girls who needed other forms of persuasion to confess?!). We were led into the old cells – with their double bars and metre-thick walls: a fascinating and scary place (especially when the guide switched off the lights!). The posh “Knights’ Chamber” in which well-to-do prisoners were kept was fascinating to see and there was even a “Women’s Chamber”:
In the past, aristocratic women prisoners were probably kept here. It is certain that rich prisoners, who were often imprisoned on political grounds, were kept in this room. They were allowed to take books and writing tools with them so that they could, while imprisoned, continue to work normally.
And, of course, there were the whipping benches – four in total, of which I managed to capture usable snaps of two:
(See, I’m really not a very good photographer. I blame my BlackBerry. Bad workman…and all that!)
The short guidebook contained an anecdote that merits a wider audience, too. A diplomat and historian named Abraham de Wicquefort was facing charges of treason:
After an imprisonment of four years the old prisoner succeeded in escaping from the Gatehouse with the help of his daughter and her servant. On February 11th, 1679, the warder had the evening off. Jannetje, the servant, had been able to get possession of the key and left the Gatehouse with Abraham. De Wicquefort fled to Germany. The warder was fired because of his negligence.
The servant was not able to avoid her punishment. She received only 50 of the 1000 rix-dollars De Wicquefort had promised her. In the end, she was captured by officers when she visited her husband in Amsterdam. She had already spent all the money. After being publicly whipped she was sentenced to 6 years in a house of correction.
All I need now is some authentic-looking C17th costumes, a suitable public place, a whip and a willing volunteer to play Jannetje…
Please enlighten us as to the application(s) of the utensils on the bench in the first picture. I must admit that I have no idea. They could be carpenter tools for all I know.
Thank you, and continue the good work!
George
Yeah, that does look…um…interesting. lol What about the last picture. I know people can be tied to that. Face down, I assume. Is that hole down near the hip region where the, er, male apparatus is supposed to go? To make him more comfortable while he’s being whipped?