Newgate
/ˈnjuːɡeɪt/
/ˈnuːɡeɪt/
(also Newgate prison
/ˌnjuːɡeɪt ˈprɪzn/
/ˌnuːɡeɪt ˈprɪzn/
, Newgate gaol /ˌnjuːɡeɪt ˈdʒeɪl/
/ˌnuːɡeɪt ˈdʒeɪl/
)- a prison in London which was first built in the 12th century on land where the Old Bailey now stands. It was rebuilt several times before it was finally destroyed in 1902. In the 18th century it became famous for the very bad conditions in which the prisoners were kept. It is mentioned in many 18th- and 19th- century novels.