The myth of Dick Turpin
Fiction writer, Harrison Ainsworth, glamourised thief and highway man, Dick Turpin, in his 1834 novel, Rookwood. The novel is set in England in 1737 at a manor house called Rookwood Place and the plot revolves around the mysterious death of the owner, Piers Rookwood, and the subsequent rivalry for inheritance of the property between his two sons.
During the course of the story, Dick Turpin, a highway man, is introduced at the manor under the pseudonym Palmer. During his stay, Palmer makes a bet with one of the other house guests that he can capture Dick Turpin. He is eventually forced to escape upon his horse, Black Bess. The horse, although fast enough to stay ahead of all the other horses, eventually collapses and dies from the stress of the escape.
In the novel, Ainsworth describes Turpin as galloping north in the dark: “His blood spins through his veins; winds round his heart; mounts to his brain. Away! Away! He is wind with joy.” Ainsworth’s depiction of Turpin, together with the local narratives, poems and ballads that resulted from it, gave Turpin a notorious posthumous status.
Picture taken at the York Castle Museum by Robbie Cheadle
The truth about Dick Turpin
Dick Turpin was born in Essex in 1705, the son of a butcher. He initially became an apprentice butcher but soon started stealing and then joined a gang in Essex. During his membership of the Gregory Gang in Essex, the gang began to strike terror into areas of the country and Turpin progressed to some horrific criminal acts. With the leader of the gang, Gregory, he robbed a farmhouse and poured boiling water of the elderly owner. He also raped a woman during this attack. He developed a reputation as a brutal and ruthless criminal. His first murder was of a servant named Tom Morris who recognised him as a robber.
When most of the gang was arrested in 1735, Turpin became a highwayman and joined forced with another notorious highwayman, Tom King, whom Turpin is believed to have accidently killed during a botched robbery. Soon afterwards, he shot and killed a man who attempted to capture him and fled to Yorkshire. He settled in the town of Brough, where he assumed the name John Palmer and claimed to be a horse dealer.
John Palmer was charged for shooting a chicken in the street and threatening to also shoot its owner. When evidence of his horse stealing was discovered, he was transferred to York Castle Prison. On 23 February 1737, Palmer was identified as outlaw Dick Turpin at York Castle by his former teacher James Smith, who had recognised Turpin’s handwriting on a letter sent from his cell to his brother asking for help. After his real identity was revealed, Turpin was sentenced to death on charges of horse-stealing.
In prison, Turpin remained a showman and entertained visitors in his cell by recounting stories of his criminal deeds. The day before his execution a new frock coat and shoes were delivered to Turpin in his cell. At his hanging, he paid five professional mourners to follow him to the gallows.
Picture taken in York Castle Museum dungeons by Robbie Cheadle
The link between Dick Turpin and Through the Nethergate
Through the Nethergate is set in a historic pub which is haunted by a number of ghosts, one of which is Tom Hardy. Tom Hardy is also an infamous highwayman who is said to have ridden with Dick Turpin.
An extract from Through the Nethergate describing Tom Hardy follows:
“In the dim light from the streetlamp outside, Margaret saw a man wearing an old-fashioned three-cornered hat, white shirt and frock coat. His mouth was twisted into a leer and his sun-baked skin looked rough and deeply lined. There was a deep imprint in the skin of his neck in the shape of a “V”.
This being was not a ghost. He was very real.
“No noise, pretty one,” said Tom. “If you call for help I shall have to kill whoever comes. You don’t want that, do you?”
Margaret attempted to nod beneath the weight of his hand over her mouth. He withdrew his hand slowly and reached downwards. When his hands came back into her sight, they each held a pistol. His figures were bruised and bleeding and the nails were half torn off.
“I’ll shoot them with these babies if you scream.” He stroked the pair lovingly.
They can’t hurt you, Margaret thought. Grandfather said they can’t hurt you. They are like pictures. She couldn’t help feeling scared. What if this one can hurt me? What if this one is real?
“Ah, Margaret,” the roguish figure croaked. “You have been causing turmoil in my Master’s Inn, my old headquarters, the place where I plotted my crimes. A bad idea, Margaret, a very bad idea to cross Tom Hardy and Dick Turpin.”
Margaret continued to stare at him, transfixed, her hands laying limply on the top of the bedcovers.
“My Master is unhappy, Margaret,” said Tom. “Your powers are unsettling his servants, making them go against his wishes.”
“What have I done? I haven’t seen any servants. I don’t have any powers.”
“Ah, but you do. Your psychic abilities are attracting his servants to the Inn. They are gathering and making plans to use you to escape their fate of eternal servitude. I know they have made contact with you. I have seen them speaking to you.”
Tom gave her a vicious smile that froze her blood.”
Through the Nethergate
Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Margaret, a girl born with second sight, has the unique ability to bring ghosts trapped between Heaven and Hell back to life. When her parents die suddenly, she goes to live with her beloved grandfather, but the cellar of her grandfather’s ancient inn is haunted by an evil spirit of its own. In the town of Bungay, a black dog wanders the streets, enslaving the ghosts of those who have died unnatural deaths. When Margaret arrives, these phantoms congregate at the inn, hoping she can free them from the clutches of Hugh Bigod, the 12th century ghost who has drawn them away from Heaven’s White Light in his canine guise. With the help of her grandfather and the spirits she has befriended, Margaret sets out to defeat Hugh Bigod, only to discover he wants to use her for his own ends – to take over Hell itself.
Purchase links
It is available from Lulu.com here: Lulu.com
It is also available from TSL Publications as a soft copy book here: TSL Publications
It will be available on Amazon in a few weeks’ time.
About the author
Robbie, short for Roberta, is an author with five published children’s picture books in the Sir Chocolate books series for children aged 2 to 9 years old (co-authored with her son, Michael Cheadle), one published middle grade book in the Silly Willy series and one published preteen/young adult fictionalised biography about her mother’s life as a young girl growing up in an English town in Suffolk during World War II called While the Bombs Fell (co-authored with her mother, Elsie Hancy Eaton).
All of Robbie’s children’s book are written under Robbie Cheadle and are published by TSL Publications. Robbie has recently branched into adult horror and supernatural writing and, in order to clearly differentiate her children’s books from her adult writing, these will be published under Roberta Eaton Cheadle. Robbie has two short stories in the horror/supernatural genre included in Dark Visions, a collection of 34 short stories by 27 different authors and edited by award winning author, Dan Alatorre. These short stories are published under Robbie Cheadle.
Find and follow Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Roberta Writes Blog Amazon Author Page Twitter Facebook
While the Bombs Fell
What was it like for children growing up in rural Suffolk during World War 2?
Elsie and her family live in a small double-storey cottage in Bungay, Suffolk. Every night she lies awake listening anxiously for the sound of the German bomber planes. Often they come and the air raid siren sounds signalling that the family must leave their beds and venture out to the air raid shelter in the garden.
Despite the war raging across the English channel, daily life continues with its highlights, such as Christmas and the traditional Boxing Day fox hunt, and its wary moments when Elsie learns the stories of Jack Frost and the ghostly and terrifying Black Shuck that haunts the coastline and countryside of East Anglia.
Includes some authentic World War 2 recipes.
Robbie also writes as Robbie Cheadle
Robbie’s Inspiration Blog Goodreads Facebook YouTube
Amazon author page Twitter: @bakeandwrite
Books by Robbie and Michael Cheadle
The Sir Chocolate books are a delightful marriage of story, verse and cookery
… a perfect recipe for sharing with children. Silly Willy goes to Cape Town tells the adventures of two very different brothers…and includes five party cake ideas.
You can purchase the Sir Chocolate books from:
or you can buy them in South Africa directly from the authors by emailing Robbie Cheadle at sirchoc@outlook.com.
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Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
Read a chilling excerpt from Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s Through the Nethergate.
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Thanks for sharing Robbie’s post, Jacquie 🙂
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Happy to share!
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🙂
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Can’t wait to read this one, Robbie, congrats!
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Thank you so much for your support, Jacquie.
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Hi Sue, thank you for sharing this post and for all your wonderful support.
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Always glad to have you over, Robbie 🙂
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Oh wow love anything to do with Highway Men and Dick Turpin. Where I live there are so many places he made folk ‘stand and deliver’ and where he stayed. Will reblog, Tweet etc.
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Thank you for that, Jane 🙂
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My pleasure, a fab piece.
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🙂
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I discovered the Tom Hardy / Dick Turpin link quite by accident, Jane. I was interested to learn that the books depiction of Dick Turpin was so far from the truth.
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I know, but then that is often the case. I guess they had spin doctors back then too or those who liked to ‘big-up’ the threat for whatever reason. Glad you enjoyed it. xx
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Done
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Thank you for sharing, Jane. It is appreciated.
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My pleasure as ever. xx
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That is so clever, Robbie. I love that backstory.
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Thank you, Jacqui. I really enjoy incorporating historical people and events into my books.
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oooh, shivers. I was always interested in highwaymen, watched The Wicked Lady when I was too young. lol xxx
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I am always amazed at how totally evil people can become. Dick Turpin didn’t need to turn to crime as his parents weren’t poverty stricken. It was a choice.
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Wow, I didn’t realise Robbie and so many books released. Through the Nethergate sounds intriguing. Thanks for having her over, Sue! 🙂
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Always happy to have Robbie as my guest, Kevin.
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Thank you, Kevin. Writing becomes a bit of an obsession, doesn’t it?
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It can be, yes. Lol.
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Fascinating history and a chilling excerpt. I’m looking forward to this read, Robbie. Great guest post, Sue. 😀
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Robbie always shares interesting snippets.
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Thank you, Diana. I did enjoy discovering the history of many of the characters in this book.
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Wonderful history lesson and a hair raising excerpt from Through the Nethergate, Robbie! The book cover does a great job foreshadowing the story.
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Thank you, Bette. I was delighted with Tim’s creation for the cover. It was as if he plucked it right out of my mind.
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Pingback: Guest author – Robbie Cheadle – Dick Turpin – Roberta Writes
Robbie’s novels sounds like a must read, and her interest in history sure makes it even more compelling. Thanks for sharing, Sue and good luck to Robbie!
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🙂
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Thank you, Olga, your lovely comment has made me happy.
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Reblogged this on Just Olga and commented:
Anybody interested in Dick Turpin will enjoy this post, and there’s an excerpt from Robbie Cheadle’s new novel you shouldn’t miss.
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Thank you for sharing, Olga.xx
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Thank you for sharing, Olga, it is much appreciated.
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A super post from Robbie 🙂
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Isn’t it? 🙂
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Thank you, Esther. I think Dick Turpin is rather a fabulous character. The animation they have in the York Castle Museum Dungeons is brilliant. I watched it twice.
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I’ve been to York but never there. I must go!
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I used to love the Castle Museum as a child.
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The York Castle Museum is amazing, Esther. A real highlight of our trip. They have a replica Victorian street with all the shops. Greg loved it too. It was his favourite place.
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Wow! That does sound amazing!
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What an awesome post, Robbie. I was enraptured from the start to finish. I’ve heard of Dick Turpin before but never knew who he was. This was so enlightening and your excerpt was great. I’m looking forward to reading Through the Nethergate!
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Thank you, Mae, I am glad you enjoyed this piece about Dick Turpin. Such an interesting story and, of course, I am thrilled you like the extract.
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Can’t wait to get this when its on Amazon. Love the background history.
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Thank you, Denise, for your on-going support. Dick Turpin is a fascinating character. So many interesting stories out there waiting to be discovered.
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I agree:)
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This is a fabulous insight and teaser for your new book Robbie. Sounds riveting! 🙂 xx
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Thank you, Debby. It is always interesting for me to try and understand what drives evil behaviour in people.
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Me too Robbie! 🙂
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Oh boy, this sounds like a winner! I have to admit that I was not familiar with Dick Turpin until just now. Thanks for the history lesson, Robbie.
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He was a really terrible man, Pete. What I find so intriguing is that he didn’t come from poverty and chose his path of crime. Some people must, therefore, be born with a penchant for evil.
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Pingback: Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – September 4th, 2019 – Jennie Fitzkee, Sue Vincent, Robbie Cheadle, James J. Cudney | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Great shares today! Love seeing Robbie highlighted. 🙂
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She always sends me great guest posts… look out for more, James 🙂
(And maybe bob over with one yourself? 😉 )
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I should definitely come up with something. Goal for September! 🙂
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Cool 🙂
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Thank you, Jay. Hugs.
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I enjoyed reading the story of Dick Turpin. It’s great to be here.
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Lovely to meet you Valentina. I am glad you enjoyed this post.
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Spine-tingling excerpt, Robbie. I look forward to reading this. I had not heard of Dick Turpin before today.
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History and the supernatural are two of my favourite subjects..Sounds like a must read and a winner, Robbie…Well Done 🙂 x
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Thank you for your encouragement, Carol. I really enjoyed writing this book. History and fiction go well in my head.
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Robbie, your new novel, Through the Nethergate sounds like one thriller supernatural and my kind of book to read. I love the title and history and the supernatural are two of my favorite subjects too.
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Hi Karen, I have noticed that you and I share a love of the same type of fiction. Thank you for your kind comment.
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Roberta, yes we do, but your writing is so great. And, my pleasure to compliment your writing. You are a great writer! 🙂
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You are very kind, Karen. I feel encouraged as I had to do quite a bit re-write of the end of a short story yesterday.
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Roberta, you are a very talented writer and I know I will love reading The Nethergate, but please keep in mind, that is takes me a least a month to read one book due to vision problems. (we do love the same kind of novels, don’t we!!) Karen Anna 🙂
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I didn’t realise you had vision problems, Karen. There is no hurry from my side. I appreciate reviews but I never expect them. I am always grateful for the support I get in so many ways in the blogging community. I am lucky, I read really quickly so I get through a lot of books.
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Roberta, yes you are fortunate. I have Anterior Basement Membrane Dsytrophy of both eyes and so I do have to be careful about reading, writing, and the internet. Only a few hours a day total. Karen
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Reblogged this on Once Upon a Time…. and commented:
Through the Nethergate is a historical supernatural fiction that is a mysterious thriller, my favorite kind of novel by Roberta Eaton Cheadlel. It is sure to be a bestseller.
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Thank you for sharing, Karen. It is appreciated.
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Thanks for sharing Robbie’s post, Karen.
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Sue, I did reblog, but then somehow I lost it and so must reblog again and my pleasure. (I have been sick this week with fever and sore throat.) Miserable, but better today!
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Oh dear…I do hope you feel better soon, Karen.
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Thank you Sue. And, I redid the blog and now it looks great! Perserverance pays off and me with a fever and strep throat, but I did it, by golly! 🙂
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I am so pleased for you, Karen! But just concentrate on getting well 🙂
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Thank you Sue. I am getting better everyday. Almost well…a little weak, but doing great. Karen 🙂
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That’s good to hear, Karen 🙂
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I hope you are much better now, Karen.
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Roberta, I am almost totally well…just a little weak. Who knew that Strep Throat with fever and chills could knock a person down for days. Thank you for your kind regards – appreciate it so much, Karen Anna
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Oh yes, Karen. Any infection is awful and the treatments take it out of you too.
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Oh yes, but fortunately I am over it now and back to work on my new book and being back on WP too. Thank you, Roberta 🙂
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Pingback: The Nethergate by Robbie Cheadle -reblogged via Sue Vincent’ Blog. – Once Upon a Time….
I definitely wouldn’t want to meet up with the actual Dick Turpin!
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Liz, I agree.. He sounds gruesome and cruel.
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No, Liz, he was a horrible, cruel and ruthless man. Tom Hardy also has these characteristics in my book [and in real life, of course].
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I was interested to learn more about Dick Turpin. Great post and sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing this little bit of history.
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