DICK TURPIN THE HIGHWAYMAN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

DICK TURPIN THE HIGHWAYMAN

The Truth About The Ride To York

Two hundred years ago—when England was lit by candles, London was no bigger than Shrewsbury is today, travel was by sailing ship and stage coach, and ten miles an hour was considered speedy—a highwayman was hanged at York'for horse-stealing, says a writer in the “Sunday Chronicle.” His name was Dick Turpin. Not a schoolboy in England but has thrilled at the tale of his ride to York. 200 furious miles, on faithful Black Bess in one day. The lumbering .stage coaches took four days to do the same journey'. But the truth is, Turpin never did it. And there was no Black Bess. Fiction has made a hero of Turpin. Facts tell us he was England’s Public Enemy Number One of his day; an eighteenth century gangster, robber and murderer, who began his career as a footpad.

For nine years he robbed rich and poor—and got away with it. The truth, then, about a remarkable rascal.

“The ride to York” is recorded as far back as 1606, when John Lepton, esquire to James I, wagered he would ride between London and York six times on six consecutive days, and did it! Black Bess was invented by Harrison Ainsworth in his novel, “Rookwood,” written in 1534. Turpin’s connexion with the famous ride probably arose from a tale by Daniel Defoe in his “Complete Tour Through Great Britain,” published in 1724. when Turpin was still alive. This tells of a robber called “Nicks” who. round about 1676, robbed a man at Gravesend at four o’clock in the morning and was playing bowls with the Mayor of York in the same afternoon. He was acquitted of the robbery, because he produced the mayor to testify, and the case was dismissed “on the supposition that it was impossible that the man could be in two places so remote on the same day.” The feat is also mentioned in "Romance of tbe Forum” .and also Macaulay’s "History.”

Many writers identify “Nicks” as Swift Nick Neveson. who was born at Pontefract. Yorkshire, about 1639. and who, like Turpin, was hanged at York. But. if the ride to York amt Black Bess are both myths, Turpin was real enough to cause the law a very bad headache, and to cost honest citizens a considerable amount of money, valuables and horseflesh, for which they had no redress. And at least One man lost his life.

Epping Forest was his favourite haunt, and the London heaths. The road to Bath, to Newmarket, the Cambridge road all knew him well. Even Manchester, the Midlands, and Yorkshire, received his unwelcome attentions.

When not on tbe highway be was busy sheep-stealing and doing a good trade in stolen horses.

Turpin had no excuse for his life of crime. His parents were decent folk. His wife, Betty Millington, a maid, was always loyal to him. His father, formerly a butcher, was landlord of the Bell in Hempstead, where Dick was born on September 21, 1705.

In June, 1737, a reward of £2OO was put on his head, a small fortune in those days. He continued his career, taking the most astonishing chances. Then he vanished.

Instead we find a Mr. John Palmer is hunting with tbe gentry of York, and making his money secretly out of stolen horses.

He might never have been discovered but for a stupid incident in the autumn of 1738. He shot his landlord’s cockerel in the street, was rude to a neighbour who remonstrated, and was arrainged and charged. It was a little matter, he went calmly. But. unfortunately, they wanted two sureties for his good behaviour. Easy enough for a good citizen; almost impossible for Turpin the highwayman. In desperation he wrote to his family, but as John Palmer. By a remarkable coincidence the letter was seen at Hempstead Post Office by the schoolmaster who had taught Turpin to write. He went to York to make sure. Yes. Palmer was his old pupil. Dick Turpin. There was an immediate sensation. Gratified to find himself a national figure, Turpin readily admitted his identity. People flocked to York Castle to see him. regaled him with wino and luxuries. His execution was fixed for Saturday, April 7, 1739. Turpin bought a new fustian coat and new shoes for tbe occasion. The day before, he ordered the hangman to hire five poor men to follow him to tbe gallows as mourners. To these he gave £3/10/-. and provided them, and several others willing to officiate its mourners without payment, with hatbands and gloves.

The hanging took place at "The Mount.” just outside the walls of York. Yast crowds watched his last ride. He put up a good performance, bowing repeatedly and presenting the hangman with an ivory whistle. 'raking no chances on his courage, giving out, he died gamely. Without waiting for the cart to be drawn away, he tlung himself from the ladder and died instantly.

The mob’s sporting spirit, aroused by bis long defiance of authority against overwhelming odds, was completely captured by this final gesture. Had there been the slightest sign of fear it would have been the end of Turpin the hero. As it was, ballads were printed about him, stories circulated of bis bravery. In one mouth recently 150 references to him appeared in British newspapers.

And in York they still persist in showing you where Black Bess sank exhausted to the ground.