Dick Turpin's Birthplace, Hempstead, Essex

Image: © Derek Voller Taken: 22 Apr 2010

In 1705, at an inn now known as The Bluebell Inn (pictured), the wife of the Licensee, John Turpin, gave birth to a son and named him Richard. He grew up to follow his father's trade and set himself up as a butcher at the village of Thaxted. He was soon in trouble with the law, by stealing cattle and deer for butchering. He fled to London and so began his life of highway robbery and murder. When his other gang members were arrested he made his way to Yorkshire, using the alias John Palmer. But soon the authorities became suspicious of how he financed his lifestyle. He was imprisoned at York Castle for horse stealing, and whilst there wrote a letter to his brother in law asking for money. The man who handled the letter at Hempstead was the man who taught him to write. He recognised the handwriting, and informed the court. Dick was then tried and hanged on 7th April 1739. The ring of trees on the left of the picture, with an encircling chain around them, was known as Turpin's Ring. It was used to stage cock fights.

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