If you’re thrown in The Clink it means you’re locked away in jail. Though it is sometimes thought the clink is a reference to the sound of the chains placed on a convict, in fact, the Clink is the name of one of the oldest prisons in England, dating from the 13th century. The Clink is located in the London borough of Southwark and The Liberty Of Clink was the name of the district; it was south of the river Thames and so exempt from the jurisdiction of the City of London. Basically, it could make up its own rules. It was originally owned by the Bishop of Winchester, and had a fearsome reputation. Punishments included boiling in oil, the rack, breaking on the wheel, being forced to stand in cold water until the feet rotted, being gradually crushed under weights and starvation. Prisoners could only avoid such barbaric treatment by paying bribes. Because of this the Clink was a huge source of income for the Church. The Clink was destroyed by rioters in 1780, and is now a museum.