Village Cage, Lingfield, Surrey
The former village cage or lockup. Before a national system of policing was set up many villages had their own form of lockup or jail. Criminals (often drunks, petty thieves and those starting fights) were held for a short time. They were then either released or sent to a larger town for trial. They were often built as part of a complex including the village pound, stocks and pillory. They date back to around the 1560s. Generally the lockup was used by the parish constable who had the unpaid job of keeping law and order in his own parish. This one was built in 1773 and last used in 1882. It also includes part of a stone cross. This possibly dates from medieval times (c1473).
