On April 7th, 1739, a notorious English criminal named Dick Turpin was executed by hanging in York. His crime? Stealing three horses from a man named Thomas Creasy in Yorkshire. These horses were worth six pounds and twenty shillings. While horse theft was the crime that led to his execution, Turpin had committed many other serious offenses, including highway robberies, burglaries, poaching, assaults, and even murder. Despite his many crimes, he was convicted for horse theft and died at the age of 33.
Normally, someone like Turpin would be forgotten over time. However, almost a hundred years after his death, a Victorian novelist named William Ainsworth wrote a book called “Rockwood.” This novel became very popular and featured a charming and adventurous highwayman named Dick Turpin. Although the story was fictional, it was inspired by real events and characters. People loved this exciting version of Turpin, even though it was far from the truth.
One of the most famous tales about Dick Turpin is his legendary 200-mile ride from London to York on his horse, Black Bess, in a single night. This story was meant to give him an alibi for a crime committed in London. However, this incredible ride was actually made up by Ainsworth in his novel. If such a ride did happen, it might have been done by another highwayman, like John Swift or Nick Nevison. But Ainsworth decided to credit it to Turpin, turning him into the most famous highwayman of all time. Today, we will explore the real story of Dick Turpin and try to separate fact from fiction.
Despite being linked with York, Dick Turpin was actually born in Essex, in the village of Hempstead, at a place called the Bluebell Inn, which still exists today. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but records show he was baptized on September 25, 1705. Not much is known about his early life, but he became a butcher’s apprentice and later moved to London. Being a butcher back then often meant dealing with criminals, as poaching was a common crime. The British Parliament even passed the Black Act of 1723 to punish poachers.
Turpin likely didn’t poach himself but got involved with the Gregory gang, also known as the Essex gang, led by Samuel Gregory. They committed various crimes, including poaching, and needed butchers like Turpin to buy their illegal meat. Turpin’s involvement with the gang probably began in the early 1730s. In February 1734, the London Gazette mentioned a reward for capturing the gang, including Turpin.
Contrary to the romanticized image, the real Dick Turpin was not a charming rogue. He and his gang were violent and had no problem threatening, beating, and torturing their victims. By the time Turpin officially joined the Essex gang, they had moved from poaching to robbery. They preferred targeting people in their homes, especially farmhouses, where they could steal everything of value.
One infamous incident involved a 70-year-old farmer named Joseph Lawrence, whom Turpin and his gang tortured to find his money. Another account describes a raid on a widow’s house in Essex, where they threatened her life for money.
The Essex gang’s crime spree didn’t last long. Many members were captured and sentenced to death. Turpin and another member, Thomas Bowden, switched from raiding homes to highway robbery. Eventually, they parted ways, and Turpin continued robbing travelers, teaming up with another highwayman named Tom King. This partnership ended when King was killed, possibly by Turpin himself.
After King’s death, Turpin hid in Epping Forest but was discovered by a forest keeper named Thomas Morris, whom Turpin killed. A reward was offered for Turpin’s capture, and he fled to York, posing as a horse trader named John Palmer while continuing his crimes.
In October 1738, Turpin was arrested for shooting a rooster in the street. Authorities soon discovered his true identity, and he was sent to York Castle for trial. Despite claiming innocence, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. His execution took place on April 7, 1739.
After his execution, Turpin’s body was left hanging for half a day before being buried. However, body snatchers soon targeted his remains. The story of Dick Turpin, both real and fictional, has been told and retold, making him the most famous highwayman in history.
I hope you found this story interesting. If you did, remember to share it with others who might enjoy learning about history’s most notorious highwayman!
Research the key events in Dick Turpin’s life and create a timeline. Include his birth, major crimes, capture, and execution. Use online resources or library books to gather information. Present your timeline on a poster or digitally, and be ready to share it with the class.
Divide into two groups. One group will argue that the fictionalized version of Dick Turpin is more interesting, while the other will argue that the real historical facts are more important. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments. Present your points in a class debate.
Imagine you are Dick Turpin on the night before his execution. Write a diary entry expressing his thoughts and feelings. Consider what he might regret, what he might be proud of, and how he views his legacy. Share your entry with a partner and discuss the emotions you portrayed.
Create a historically accurate wanted poster for Dick Turpin. Include details such as his crimes, physical description, and the reward for his capture. Use creative design elements to make your poster visually appealing. Display your poster in the classroom for others to see.
Reenact the trial of Dick Turpin. Assign roles such as Turpin, the judge, lawyers, and witnesses. Use the information from the article to prepare your case and arguments. Perform the trial for the class, and let your classmates decide the verdict based on the evidence presented.
On April 7th, 1739, an English criminal was executed by hanging at the gallows in York. His crime was stealing three horses—a mare, a foal, and a gelding—from a man named Thomas Creasy of Welton, Yorkshire. The value of these horses was six pounds and twenty shillings. The criminal had, in fact, committed many other more serious offenses, including highway robberies, burglaries, poaching, numerous assaults, and even murder. However, he was ultimately convicted of horse theft and perished at the age of 33.
Under normal circumstances, there would be no reason to discuss this man today or even remember his name. However, something unusual happened almost a hundred years after his death. A Victorian novelist named William Ainsworth published a novel called “Rockwood,” which became a big success. Although fictional, the story drew inspiration from real-life events and characters, including a dashing and adventurous highwayman named Dick Turpin. He became a sensation almost overnight, and people fell in love with this idealized version of him from the novel, not the real person.
The most famous story about the highwayman is the legendary 200-mile ride he made from London to York on his trusted horse, Black Bess, in a single night to provide himself with an alibi for a crime committed in London. However, this marvelous feat of equestrianism originated from the novel, not real life. If it did happen, the ride may have been performed by another highwayman named John Swift or Nick Nevison, but for some reason, Ainsworth decided to credit it to Dick Turpin in “Rockwood.” Regardless of his motivation, the writer transformed Dick Turpin from a common criminal destined for obscurity into the most notorious highwayman of all time. Today, we will explore his story, trying to separate fact from fiction.
Despite being heavily associated with the English county of York, Richard “Dick” Turpin was actually born in Essex, in the village of Hempstead, at a place called the Bluebell Inn, which still stands today. The exact date of his birth is uncertain, but historical records show that he was baptized on September 25, 1705. Unsurprisingly, his early life remains a mystery. We only know that at one point, he entered the butcher trade and became an apprentice before striking out on his own and possibly moving to London. He likely tried to operate within the boundaries of the law for a few years, but back then, being a butcher was a relatively quick way to associate with criminals. One of the most common crimes of the day was poaching, which was such a problem that the British Parliament passed the Black Act of 1723, aimed at punishing those who committed various crimes, including poaching.
Dick Turpin probably did not have any dealings with the poachers directly, but he did associate himself with the Gregory gang, also known as the Essex gang, led by Samuel Gregory. They engaged in poaching and many other crimes, which meant they needed butchers willing to buy their illegal meat, and Turpin was their man. We do not know when Turpin became involved with their activities, but it was most likely during the early 1730s, as there is a mention of the group, including Turpin, in an issue of the London Gazette from February 1734, offering a £50 reward for their capture.
Contrary to popular belief, the real Dick Turpin was not a lovable rogue, nor were the people he associated with. They were extremely violent and had no qualms about threatening, beating, and torturing their victims. By the time Turpin became an official part of the Essex gang, they had moved away from poaching and turned towards thievery. Despite his reputation as a highwayman, there were actually few highway robberies committed at this time; the Essex gang preferred to target people in their own homes, particularly farmhouses, where they could take their time and ensure they got everything of value.
One notorious case involved a 70-year-old farmer named Joseph Lawrence, whom Turpin and other gang members beat and tortured to reveal where he hid his money. There is a surviving contemporary account of the gang in action, detailing a raid on the house of a widow in Essex, where they threatened to murder her if she did not reveal her money’s location.
The Essex gang’s reign of terror did not last long. Authorities captured several members, and many were sentenced to death. Turpin and another member, Thomas Bowden, eventually switched their modus operandi from raiding farmhouses to highway robbery. However, they later disbanded, and Turpin continued to prey on travelers, at one point joining forces with another highwayman named Tom King. This partnership did not last long, as King was shot and killed, possibly by Turpin himself.
After King’s death, Turpin decided to lay low in Epping Forest but was soon discovered by a forest keeper named Thomas Morris, whom Turpin shot dead. A proclamation was issued offering a reward for Turpin’s capture. He then traveled north to York, posing as a respectable horse trader named John Palmer, but continued his criminal activities.
In October 1738, Turpin shot a rooster in the street, leading to his arrest. Authorities soon discovered his true identity, and he was transferred to York Castle to await trial. Despite his claims of innocence, he was found guilty and sentenced to death. The execution was carried out on April 7, 1739.
After his execution, Turpin’s body was left to hang for half the day before being cut down and buried. However, his remains were soon targeted by body snatchers. The story of Dick Turpin, both real and imagined, would be told and retold in various forms, helping him secure his position as the king of the highwaymen.
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Dick – A nickname for Richard, often used in historical contexts – In the novel, Dick was portrayed as a daring and adventurous character.
Turpin – The surname of a famous English highwayman from the 18th century – Turpin’s exploits became legendary, inspiring many stories and ballads.
Highwayman – A robber who stole from travelers on public roads during the 17th and 18th centuries – The highwayman was known for his daring heists and quick getaways on horseback.
Crime – An act that is against the law and punishable by the state – The novel explores the consequences of crime and the impact it has on society.
York – A historic city in northern England, known for its rich history and medieval architecture – The story is set in York, where the protagonist encounters various historical figures.
Execution – The carrying out of a death sentence on a person convicted of a crime – The execution of the notorious criminal was a public event that drew large crowds.
Novel – A long written story about imaginary characters and events – The novel captivated readers with its vivid descriptions and complex characters.
Ainsworth – The surname of William Harrison Ainsworth, a famous English historical novelist – Ainsworth’s works often featured detailed historical settings and thrilling plots.
Legend – A traditional story sometimes regarded as historical but not authenticated – The legend of Robin Hood has been told for centuries, capturing the imagination of many.
Robbery – The crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force – The robbery of the royal carriage was a bold move that shocked the kingdom.
