Outlaws
Peak Cavern, Castleton. The largest of the caves
Castleton’s inaccessible isolation became a magnet for those hiding from the law. Barbara A. Buxton wrote: “It is almost certain that the Folville, Cotterill, and Bradbourne gangs sheltered in Castleton’s caves during the Trailbaston in the spring of 1332.” It was the same for the bandit de Sauvage after he lost his inheritance in Sherwood.
During the reign of King Edward III, outlaws had little to fear from the law. Professor Holt wrote: “In an age when outlawed royal officials continued to occupy their positions with relative immunity, criminals had little concern if they were outlawed.” In June 1369, King Edward III granted a special pardon to all outlaws. Five York merchants, Henry and John Goldbeter, Thomas Gra, William Acastre, and Walter de Kelstern, continued to trade even though they were charged with smuggling wool in their absence. The pirate Roger Seward assaulted and killed a man in 1343 when he pirated the cargo of an alien ship. Despite this, he became mayor of Hull in 1358 after the King pardoned him. Edward III issued over 1800 pardons, provided they fought in France and Scotland. The Earl of Warwick headed the list, but Robert Le White is a fair representation. He murdered, raped, robbed, and trespassed.
Footnote
Merchants and tradespeople had to belong to one of the great London Livery companies. Otherwise, they traded illegally, making them outlaws in the eyes of the law. Children could gain membership through their parents. They classified those who did not have the same parental advantage as outlaws from birth, the same as Robin Hood. Edward III established the guilds in York to overcome this problem and legitimise their work by introducing discipline and raising standards. When Robin and others became guild members in 1365, they were no longer outlaws.
An aside:
People lived in houses built inside Peak Cavern as late as 1915. One of the author’s ancestors, a rope and twine maker, lived in Dakin Row. When his adopted granddaughter moved to Bradfield, she often complained about the dirty water from the local stream. The water in Peak Cavern was clear as crystal. When a couple married, they continued the tradition of giving the bride a washing line made in the cavern.
An excellent video of the area can be seen HERE.
Copyright © 2020, Graham Kirkby All rights reserved, NEXT PAGE
Castleton’s inaccessible isolation became a magnet for those hiding from the law. Barbara A. Buxton wrote: “It is almost certain that the Folville, Cotterill, and Bradbourne gangs sheltered in Castleton’s caves during the Trailbaston in the spring of 1332.” It was the same for the bandit de Sauvage after he lost his inheritance in Sherwood.
During the reign of King Edward III, outlaws had little to fear from the law. Professor Holt wrote: “In an age when outlawed royal officials continued to occupy their positions with relative immunity, criminals had little concern if they were outlawed.” In June 1369, King Edward III granted a special pardon to all outlaws. Five York merchants, Henry and John Goldbeter, Thomas Gra, William Acastre, and Walter de Kelstern, continued to trade even though they were charged with smuggling wool in their absence. The pirate Roger Seward assaulted and killed a man in 1343 when he pirated the cargo of an alien ship. Despite this, he became mayor of Hull in 1358 after the King pardoned him. Edward III issued over 1800 pardons, provided they fought in France and Scotland. The Earl of Warwick headed the list, but Robert Le White is a fair representation. He murdered, raped, robbed, and trespassed.
Footnote
Merchants and tradespeople had to belong to one of the great London Livery companies. Otherwise, they traded illegally, making them outlaws in the eyes of the law. Children could gain membership through their parents. They classified those who did not have the same parental advantage as outlaws from birth, the same as Robin Hood. Edward III established the guilds in York to overcome this problem and legitimise their work by introducing discipline and raising standards. When Robin and others became guild members in 1365, they were no longer outlaws.
An aside:
People lived in houses built inside Peak Cavern as late as 1915. One of the author’s ancestors, a rope and twine maker, lived in Dakin Row. When his adopted granddaughter moved to Bradfield, she often complained about the dirty water from the local stream. The water in Peak Cavern was clear as crystal. When a couple married, they continued the tradition of giving the bride a washing line made in the cavern.
An excellent video of the area can be seen HERE.
Copyright © 2020, Graham Kirkby All rights reserved, NEXT PAGE