Highway Robbery Flashcards
How was highway robbery viewed?
one of the most infamous and feared crimes of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. - Not a new crime (word ‘highwayman’ was introduced to the English language in 1617), but it became much more frequent during this period because there were increased opportunities for travel and many people were wealthier.
How did people think the highway robbers were like?
-Popular image of the highway robber was a glamorous one: daring, masked, well-dressed, ‘gentlemen of the road’ e.g Claude Duval a famous highwayman who was famed for his gentlemanly conduct to women.
-BUT many highway robbers were cruel and violent e.g one highwayman’s mask slipped and he was recognized by a woman. He cut out her tongue to stop her reporting him.
- Highway robbers were greatly feared by travellers and they were seen as a major danger
to traders and businessmen, especially in London, because they disrupted trade.
Dick Turpin (yes thats his name) info
-Real Dick Turpin was very different to the one portrayed in legend. He was a ruthless, violent criminal who was born in Essex in 1705 and was trained as a butcher.
Thought to have murdered at least one man and possibly his partner Tom King, when they were cornered in 1737: King died from a shot from Turpin’s gun.
His possible motive here was to silence King in case he informed the authorities of Turpin’s crimes. Turpin then fled to Yorkshire and took up horse stealing. He was hanged in 1739. He never owned a horse called Black Bess, nor did he ride from London to York in a day!
Why was there an increase in highwaymen?
-coaches
- By the 18th century more people were travelling in their own coaches and Stagecoaches were introduced to carry passengers around the country (at about 4 miles a hour).
Why was there an increase in highwaymen?
GUNS
-Handguns were easier to obtain and use and horses became cheaper to buy
Why was there an increase in highwaymen?
Towns
-There were many open, lonely areas outside towns where travellers could be held up eg Hounslow Heath near London was where Claude Duval operated.
Why was there an increase in highwaymen?
Taverns
-Highwaymen could hide and sell their loot in taverns e.g ‘Dog and the Duck’ in Southwark.
Why was there an increase in highwaymen?
Police Force
-There was no police force and constables didn’t track highwaymen across counties
Why was there an increase in highwaymen?
Wars
-After wars against France ended some demobilized soldiers became highway robbers because they could not find any other way of making a living.
Why did highwaymen go into decline?
Death penalty
-In 1772 the death penalty was introduced for anyone found armed and in disguise on a high road. The last reported case of highway robbery was in 1831.
Why did highwaymen go into decline?
Rewards
-Rewards were given e.g £40 if a highwayman holding up a stagecoach was caught.
Why did highwaymen go into decline?
Population
Open land around London was built on as the population expanded into the world’s largest city from 1 million people in 1800 to 6.7 million in 1900. This cut down the chances to ambush a coach.
Why did highwaymen go into decline?
Improvement of coaches
Coaches became more frequent as roads improved, reducing a highwayman’s chances of stopping a coach for long. They also became quicker – about 12 miles an hour!
Why did highwaymen go into decline?
JPs
JPs refused to license taverns that were known to harbour highwaymen
Why did highwaymen go into decline?
Banks
Travellers no longer carried large amounts of money as the number of banks grew e.g Coutts and Drummonds and the banking system became more sophisticated
