The former Beechworth Gaol is over 165 years old. It stands fortress like at the northern entrance to the town, the premier colonial building amongst the many nationally significant buildings which remain in what is claimed to be Australia's best preserved 19th Century gold mining town.This book tells the story of the gaol's early years from the early detention of prisoners chained to logs in the open air until the turn of the 19th century. Stories of the gaolers and the gaoled are explored, the colourful Governor Castieau, bushranger Ned Kelly, his mother, Ellen and other less well-known prisoners are all brought to life. The daily routine experienced by prisoners is explored in detail. Discover what the food was like, the work prisoners did, the punishments for breaking the rules and read about the long lonely hours prisoners spent alone in their dark cells.Castieau's Castle delves into aspects of the role of the early colonial justice system, especially the incarceration of prisoners in the gaol not long after Victoria had separated from New South Wales. This was a period of opposition to authority and, later, one in which bushrangers were active in the region. A must read for anyone interested in Australian colonial history.