Abbot's Priory

English Etymology After Charles Abbott, 1st Baron Tenterden Charles Abbott, Lord Chief Justice from 1818 to 1832. Proper noun Abbot's Priory en obsolete en British slang idiom King's Bench Prison, a former prison in the south of London. en 1822 Benchiana; or, Sketches of Life and Character in St. George’s Fields 18 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=nGV6P3jIwUkC&pg=PA18 after this lady’s retirement to enjoy the otium cum dignitate [leisure with dignity] in Abbot’s Priory, she was visited by a gentleman who had previously and subsequently rendered her the most unequivocal and disinterested assistance, by frequent pecuniary supplies. en 1824 An Accommodating Customer ‘Queered’ The Spirit of the Public Journals, for the Year M.DCCC.XXIII 65 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=OjMoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA65 Upon inquiring after George Charteris, Esq. he finds that he has bolted from Palace-yard, and taken refuge in “Abbot’s Priory;” and, to comfort him, the person who has received the 200l. bill, informs him “that Charteris is a notorious swindler.” en 1825 The Dialogists; or, the Circuit of Banco Regis 93 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=GS0CAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA93 Ned and Tom were soon outside of the King’s Bench, (or Abbot’s Priory, as it was called by the prisoners,) they had not walked far before they fell in with Little Kiam References 1 4 en eponyms en London Nicknames Prison