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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Highwayman
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INFOTEXT
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1992-09-02
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672b
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In English history, a thief on horseback who
robbed travellers on the highway (those who
did so on foot were known as footpads). They
continued to flourish well into the 19th
century. Among the best-known highwaymen were
Jonathan Wild, Claude Duval, John Nevison
(1639-1684), the original hero of the `ride
to York', Dick Turpin and his partner Tom
King, and Jerry Abershaw (c. 1773-1795).
With the development of regular coach
services in the 17th and 18th centuries, the
highwaymen's activities became notorious, and
the Bow Street runners (see police) were
organized to suppress them. Favourite haunts
were Hounslow and Bagshot heaths and Epping
Forest, around London.