Prison Cell
Accessed via a door in the south wall of the Chapter House is one of the two prison cells used at the cathedral during the monastic period.
History
Light Offences
According to the Rites of Durham the prison cell was used specifically for monks who had committed ‘all such light offences as was done amongst themselves’.
There is no specific list of crimes that would get them placed in prison but there are examples of monks drinking too much, speaking out of turn and questioning authority. As part of their punishment they could also be brought into the Chapter House to be whipped in front of their fellow monks. This was considered the ‘better’ prison cell as you would still be allowed to eat regular meals, attend services and it had its own toilet.
Second Prison Cell
Hidden beneath the toilet block of the cathedral is a second prison cell. This one was used only for those monks who had committed the most serious crimes. Prisoners could be left in there for up to a year with only one meal a day to sustain them. Because the location of the cell was so close to the river it frequently flooded and filled with rats.