Fin vs History Tough on Blackface, Tough on the Causes of Blackface | Dick Turpin & Highwaymen (Part 1)
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Nov 24, 2025 Dive into the glamorous yet grim world of highwaymen, starting with the notorious Dick Turpin. Discover why England romanticizes polite robbers and the theatrical exploits of Claude Duval. Uncover the dark origins of the Black Act and its links to blackface, revealing historical nuances behind these practices. The podcast also highlights the brutal realities of highway robbery, the violent Essex gang, and chilling tales like the infamous Lawrence attack. It's a wild ride through crime, legend, and the bizarre aesthetics of the highwayman era.
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Gentlemanly Crime As A Cultural Fixation
- The English romanticize armed robbery when it follows a gentlemanly code, creating a
Write A Will Before Risky Journeys
- Travelers in the 17th–18th centuries often wrote wills before journeys because roads were perilous.
- If you travel in dangerous conditions, prepare legally and practically beforehand.
Recorder, Dance And Robbery
- Claude Duval reportedly held up a coach where a lady calmly played a recorder to appear unafraid.
- Duval joined her in playing and later complimented her before stealing the nobleman's money.