Description of the Oubliette The Oubliette was a small prison cell where prisoners occasionally left to die. This Secret chamber was often reached by a trap door. It was shaped like a beehive - the oubliette was below ground level and the trap door was at the top of the high, beehive cylindrical shaped ceiling. There were no windows in the oubliette and the only access was from the trap door in the ceiling. Prisoners were lowered into the oubliette from a rope and food and water was sent down by the same method. The most famous oubliette prison can be found in the Bastille in Paris.
Origin, Meaning of the word 'Oubliette' The Origin and Meaning of the word 'Oubliette' derives from the French word 'oublier' meaning to forget. In reality few prisoners were thrown into an oubliette and were forgotten. Most prisoners were imprisoned when they had been held to ransom. They were released when the ransom was paid - if they survived the terrible conditions. The word 'Oblivion' is also a derivative. Facts and information about the many different parts of Medieval Castles including the Oubliette.
Oubliette
Parts of a Castle
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