| | by admin | | posted on 7th May 2025 in Quakers in 100 Objects | | views 123 | |
Lancaster Castle's Key symbolises the story of George Fox and early Quakers imprisoned for their faith, and how that legacy inspires modern Quaker prison witness.
Lancaster Castle's key is symbolically held by the castle's constable, who does so on behalf of the monarch. This key represents the authority and historical significance of the castle, which has served as a fortress, prison, and courthouse for centuries.
Fox was imprisoned in Lancaster several times in the 1650s and 1660s. He was accused of blasphemy and disturbing the peace, not for any violent act but for preaching without license, refusing to take oaths, and challenging the authority of the Church and magistrates. The dungeon was cold, damp, and airless, yet he and many other Friends held fast. Their imprisonment was not only unjust — it was a testimony to the Inner Lightt that no wall could darken.
The persecution of the Society of Friends was not random cruelty; it was codified in law. Several pieces of legislation were used to suppress Quaker witness. The Quaker Act of 1662 criminalised refusing to take oaths of allegiance—a practice Friends rejected on the basis of Christ's command to “swear not at all.†This made even simple legal defense impossible. Being faithful often meant being silent in court, and being silent led to prison. Other legislation used to imprison Quakers included:
By 1689, over 15,000 Quakers had been imprisoned in England and Wales, with hundreds dying from disease and neglect in jails. The dungeons of Lancaster, York, and London became crucibles where the faith of Friends was forged in suffering.
In 1689, after decades of struggle, the Toleration Act was passed under the new reign of William and Mary. It granted a measure of religious freedom to dissenters, including Friends — provided they pledged loyalty to the Crown and met in registered places. The harshest persecutions lessened, and prisons gradually emptied of Friends.
However, not all was made right. Quakers still faced penalties for refusing tithes and oaths, and in some places they were harassed for holding public office or opening schools. Imprisonments continued into the 18th century, albeit far fewer. The shadow of state power lingered—less violent, but still unjust.
The memory of persecution is not merely historical. Early Friends came to know the inside of prison not as criminals, but as truth-bearers. This experience has shaped Quaker testimony for centuries. Even today, Friends speak plainly in defence of those behind bars.
In the 19th century, Quakers such as Elizabeth Fry became renowned for prison reform. She championed for humane treatment, education, and the abolition of solitary confinement. In present day, Friends campaign against mass incarceration, advocate for restorative justice, and support prisoners spiritually and practically.
Lancaster Castle's Key' does not merely open a door — it opens a window into witness. It reminds Quakers that faith is not always safe, and that the measure of society lies in how it treats those it locks away.