Escape of Debtors, etc. Act 1696
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The Escape of Debtors, etc. Act 1696 is an Act of the Parliament of England (statute number 8 & 9 W. III. c. 27), the long title of which is An Act For the more effectual relief of creditors in cases of escapes, and for preventing abuses in prisons and pretended privileged places.
Several locations in London had become notorious as hideaways for debtors escaping imprisonment including the Minories, Fleet Street, Whitefriars, the Savoy, the Clink, and the Mint. The priviliges and immunities of these places were suspended so that the debtors could be pursued.
The Mint was a particularly well known bolt hole and despite this act, remained so until the reign of George I.
[edit] References
- 'Book 1, Ch. 17: From the Revolution to the death of William III', A New History of London: Including Westminster and Southwark (1773), pp. 272-88. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=46734. Date accessed: 17 November 2006.
