Bridewell
This name, from a well dedicated to St. Bridget, or St. Bride, between Fleet-street and the Thames, was given to a palace built there, and which, soon after, became a House of Correction, in the reign of Queen Mary. Hence, places of confinement in other parts, in which employment and penitentiary amendment were leading objects, were called Bridewells.
The greater part of the City of London Bridewell was taken down in 1863; committals are now made to the City prison at Holloway, but refractory City apprentices are still committed to Bridewell by the Chamberlain, this jurisdiction being preserved by the Court of Chancery. The number of committals rarely exceeds 25 annually, nevertheless the power of committal which the present Chamberlain has most praiseworthily asserted and successfully maintains, acts as a terror to evil-doers, and keeps in restraint 3000 of these lads of the City.
By a document lately discovered in the State-Paper Office, it appears that in the Bridewell of London were imprisoned the members of the Congregational Church first formed after the accession of Elizabeth; they were committed to the custody of the gaoler, May 20, 1567.