Many Tudor Essex men and women spent their final days in terrible conditions in this prison including many poor souls from Great Dunmow.

• Protestant martyr, Thomas Bowyer, was thrown in here in 1556 before being taken to prison in London. Read his story here: The weaver of Great Dunmow.

• Alice Prestmary, witch of Great Dunmow, died here of gaol fever on 7 May 1567. Read her story here: Witchcraft in Tudor Great Dunmow.

Sketch by Thomas Dugdale, c1848

Postcard c1901-1910

Postcard c1901-1910

Postcard c1901-1910

Ground plan c1807

                              Plan of the castle c1780

Learn more about Essex’s Elizabethan and Stuart Witchcraft Trials from my online course.  Click the “Learn More” button below!