John Clare wrote the story of his escape from Epping Mental Asylum multiple times. Each version is a little different. Clare was suffering both from malnutrition and the effects of his ‘madness’ – it’s fair to say he wasn’t the most reliable narrator.
This is the second part (part one here) – pieced together from Clare’s own writings thanks to Eric Robinson – is illustrated with moments from the Clare’s Escape game.
I followed looking in vain for the country mans straw bed – and not being able to meet it I lay down by a shed side under some Elm trees between the wall and the trees being a thick row planted some 5 or 6 feet from the building. I lay there and tried to sleep but the wind came in between them so cold that I lay till I quaked like the ague and quitted the lodging for a better at the Ram which I could hardly hope to find – It now began to grow dark apace and the odd houses on the road began to light up and show the inside tenants lots very comfortable and my outside lot very uncomfortable and wretched – still I hobbled forward as well as I could, and at last came the “Ram.” The shutters were not closed, and the lighted window looked very cheering; but I had no money, and did not like to go in.
There was a sort of shed, or gig-house, at the end; but I did not like to lie there, as the people were up; so I still travelled on. The road was very lonely and dark, being overshaded with trees. At length I came to a place where the road branched off into two turnpikes, one to the right about, and the other straight forwarda and on going by my eye glanced on a mile stone standing under the hedge so I heedlessly turned back to read it to see where the other road led to and on so doing I found it led to London. I then suddenly forgot which was north or south and though narrowly examined both ways, I could see no tree, or bush, or stone heap that I could recollect having passed so I went on mile after mile, almost convinced I was going the same way I came and these thoughts were so strong upon me that doubts and hopelessness made me turn so feeble that I was scarcely able to walk yet I could not sit down or give up, but shuffled along till I saw a lamp shining as bright as the moon, which, on nearing, I found was suspended over a tollgate

Before I got through, the man came out with a candle, and eyed me narrowly but having no fear I stopt to ask him whether I was going northwards and he said “When you get through the gate you are.” So I thanked him, and went through to the other side and gathered my old strength as my doubts vanished.I soon cheered up, and hummed the air of “Highland Mary” as I went on. I at length came to an odd house, all alone, near a wood I could not see what the sign was though the sign seemed to stand oddly enough in a sort of trough, or spout. There was a large porch over the door and being weary I crept in and was glad enough to find I could lie with my legs straight the inmates were all gone to roost for I could hear them turn over as I lay on the stones in the porch – I slept here till daylight and felt much refreshed as I got up – I blest my two wives and both their familys when I lay down and when I got up and when I thought of some former difficultys on a like occasion I could not help blessing the Queen.
Having passed a lodge on the left hand side within a mile and half or less of a town I think it might be St Ives but I forget the name I sat down to rest on a flint heap, for half an hour or more and while sitting here, I saw a tall gypsey come out of the lodge gate, and make down the road to where I was sitting.

When she got up to me on seeing she was a young woman with a honest-looking countenance and rather handsome I spoke to her and asked her a few questions which she answered readily and with evident good humour. So I got up and went onto the next town with her – she cautioned me on the way to put something in my hat to keep the crown up and said in a lower tone “You’ll be noticed.” But not knowing at what she hinted – I took no notice and made no reply. At length she pointed to a small church tower, which she called Shefford Church and advised me to go on a footway which would take me direct to it and would shorten my journey fifteen miles by doing so.
I would gladly have taken the young woman’s advice feeling that it was honest and a nigh guess towards the truth but fearing I might lose my way and not be able to find the North Road again I thanked her and told her I should keep to the road. She then bade me “good day,” and went into a house or shop on the left hand side of the road.
I have but a slight recollection of my journey between here and Stilton, for I was knocked up, and noticed little or nothing – one night I laid in a dyke-bottom, sheltered from the wind, and went asleep for half an hour. When I suddenly awoke and found one side wet through from the sock in the dyke bottom so I got out and went on. I remember going down a very dark road, hung over on both sides with thick trees it seemed to extend a mile or two. I then entered a town and some of the chamber windows had candle lights shining in them – I felt so weary here that I forced to sit on the ground to rest myself and while I sat here a coach that seemed heavily laden came rattling up and stopt in the hollow below me and I cannot reccolect it ever passing by me. Then I got up and pushed onward seeing little to notice for the road very oftern looked as stupid as myself and I was very often half asleep as I went
John Clare’s written journey continues in the third part.
Or explore this journey through the game, Clare’s Escape (on Steam or the Apple Store) where you can explore Clare’s mind state and challenge his official account.
© A Human Sense Design game, 2024