Want a pardon for your crimes? Just pay up!

1400sGuildhallThomas Knowles, Henry V, Sir Richard Whittington

Imagine this: You commit a crime in 15th-century London. Instead of jail, you just... pay a 'benevolence' to the Guildhall's building fund. Seriously! They were so desperate for cash to build this massive hall, they offered pardons for money. Talk about a 'get out of jail free' card, literally.

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Source

Memorials of Old London. Volume 1 (of 2)