POCKET HISTORY

Born in Hempstead in 1705, notorious Essex Highwayman, Dick Turpin, began his life of crime with cattle stealing and smuggling then joined the vicious Gregory's Gang.

They specialised in raiding farmhouses and churches around Essex and East London and were not averse to torturing their victims while they were at it.

Narrowly evading arrest in 1735 Turpin began to operate alone in Epping Forest, holding up stagecoaches; he was hunted but always avoided capture, his exploits colourfully reported in the newspapers of the day.

A brief partnership with another famous highwayman, Bob King in 1736 ended when Turpin accidentally shot him whilst trying to help him avoid capture.

He killed again in 1737 when a bounty hunter tracked him to his cave in Epping Forest.

Driven to go north with a price of £200 on his head, he changed his name to John Palmer and became a respectable citizen, albeit with a sideline in theft. But his past caught up with him when he got into a violent quarrel in 1739 and was arrested.

His identity was discovered when he wrote a letter to his brother-in-law from prison in York; it went astray and was seen by his old schoolmaster who recognised the handwriting and informed the police.

Turpin was sentenced to death; during his time in prison his infamy did not abate and he was visited by crowds of fans. He was hung on April 7, 1739, reportedly going to the gallows with typical bravado.

And as for that epic ride to York on his steed, Black Bess..a fictional Dick Turpin made it in the 1834 novel, Rockwood. Thus, posthumously, his fame was assured, for something he didn't do.

Copyright Chris Penhall 2003

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