One punishment detail that fell to prisoners in The Bridewell was to scrub out the Military Barracks across the town.
Marshalled in formation, complete with buckets, mops, brushes and soap, they were marched in line up Tan Open and through the town.
They were miscreants after all and it was not uncommon for some of their number, on passing opened front doors on the way, to sling a few of these utensils into a hallway.
Poor people of the town were often delighted to receive a new mop and bucket, or the odd bar of soap, courtesy of His Imperial Majesty.
It cleaned the same, whatever its origin!
It was no less welcome for having come courtesy of those detained during His Imperial Majesty’s pleasure!
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