Crime and Punishment - Highway Robbery, Smuggling and.
Robbery was a common crime in the 18th century. Highway robberies often happened on the streets and roads approaching London. A robber on foot was called a footpad and was often part of a gang.Illustration depicting Dick Turpin, an English highwayman (dated 18th century) Highway robbery was a growing crime in the 18th century. There were more roads and more people travelling than in.Highway robbery existed in the middle ages but became far more common place in the 18th century for several reasons: With increasing trade there was greater need to move goods and money around- as.
A highwayman was a robber who stole from travellers. This type of thief usually travelled and robbed by horse as compared to a footpad who travelled and robbed on foot; mounted highwaymen were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads.Highwaymen often rode on horses. They were common in the British Isles from the time of Elizabeth I through to the 1800s. Some highwaymen robbed alone but others worked in gangs. They often targeted coaches because they did not have much defence, stealing money, jewellery and other valuable items.
In the 18th century the highway robbery became very common. This is because there were few banks in the early modern period leaving to little choice but to carry your money around with you. The roads weren’t frequently used or patrolled by police so were perfect places for robberies.
