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How Cambridge University Locked Up Women in its Private Prison
‘Biggs deftly blends historical research with creative retelling, bringing prison records to full and chilling life.’ - The New Statesman
Cambridge University is renowned worldwide for its academic prowess, but below the surface lurks a murky past. During the nineteenth century, the university became infamous for its dogged determination to cling to ancient laws allowing it to arrest and imprison unchaperoned women found walking the streets of Cambridge after dark.
Mistakes were made. Violence and legal action followed until finally an Act of Parliament put an end to the university’s jurisdiction over the women of Cambridge.
An elegant and enlightening study.
Jane Robinson, Times Literary Supplement,
Selected as one of The Oldie's best summer 2024 books on prisons
Christopher Silvester, The Oldie,
'This is an extraordinary history of a little-known aspect of the history of Cambridge written with all the energy of someone from ‘town’ not ‘gown’. It tells of the Elizabethan charter that locked up women in Cambridge if they were suspected of distracting the male students - and tells a bigger story of the innate misogyny in England for three centuries when women were blamed for male indulgence and punished for imaginary crimes. The detailed work on the accused women brings them to life on the page making this book as interesting as history and as moving as a novel.'
Philippa Gregory,
Featured in The Guardian/Observer
Article in BBC News: ‘Cambridge University: 'When to be poor, pretty and petulant was a crime'’
‘A stunning story and an important work. Caroline has single-handed excavated this history of ordinary women detained in extraordinary circumstances by one of the country’s most respected universities. The Spinning House shows how easily freedom can be curtailed on the whim of powerful forces.’
Katy Massey, author of Are We Home Yet?,
‘Biggs deftly blends historical research with creative retelling, bringing prison records to full and chilling life.’
The New Statesman,
‘Although this is a harrowing tale of double standards and misogyny, it is also an inspiring story. Biggs has written a powerful book that redeems the women and affords them the justice they deserved.’
The Lady,
7th March, 2024 in Society & Culture, Women in History
Cambridge University is internationally renowned for its ancient colleges. It is lauded for its educational excellence. But in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, infamy blighted its hallowed name. As an alarming number of courtroom dramas exposed the university’s steadfa…
