Dick Turpin, England’s most notorious highwayman, was imprisoned, tried and executed in York.
The Legend
His image and reputation was romanticised by the 19th century novelist William Harrison Ainsworth. In his books, Turpin is portrayed as a dashing heroic “gentleman highwayman” riding his trusty steed Black Bess, and robbing people with the phrase “your money or your life!” Turpin’s legend was further embellished by Daniel Defoe (author of Robinson Crusoe). This included writing about a legendary non-stop ride on Black Bess from London to York in a day to escape the authorities.
The Reality
In actual fact, the London to York ride never occurred and historical evidence suggests that Turpin was nothing more than a common thief with a brutal and viscous nature. Originally from Essex, near London, he became involved in poaching, before joining the notorious “Essex gang”. His life descended in to burglary, horse stealing and eventually murder. Most of Turpin’s highwaymen crimes occurred in and around the London area, including Epping Forest, Blackheath, Hounslow Heath and Barnes Common. However, after he committed a murder in Epping Forest, he fled north to the East Riding of Yorkshire under a pseudonym of John Palmer. Here he was arrested for suspected Horse Stealing (a crime punishable by death at that time). His case was deemed to be of a serious nature, and he was therefore moved to York Castle gaol on 16th October 1738. Turpin was unluckily identified following the interception of a letter to his brother-in-law by a former acquaintance that recognised his handwriting. He identified Palmer as Turpin to claim the reward that had a modern day value of approximately £30,000. Turpin was tried and convicted of horse stealing, and sentenced to death. On Saturday 7 April 1739, Turpin was taken from York Castle gaol to the Knavesmire gallows and was hung. The next day he was buried at St George’s church on Fishergate.
Visit Dick Turpin’s cell in the York Castle Museum, his place of execution at the Knavesmire, and his tombstone in Fishergate.
Dick Turpin's Cell, York Castle Museum
Tyburn, Knavesmire - York's Gallows
Dick Turpin's Gravestone, St. George's churchyard
What did Dick Turpin look like?
As no paintings exist of Dick Turpin, nobody knows what he looked like. The legend suggests a tall dashing character, but in reality he was probably small with a face riveted with small pocks. North Yorkshire Police recently worked with the York Museums Trust to create an “e-fit” image of what Turpin may have looked like, based upon contemporary descriptions of him.
