Bandits are thieves who often steal from travellers. In fiction, they are portrayed as polite and non-violent, but in reality, they were often violent and ruthless. The legendary highwayman is usually depicted as a gentleman who steals from the rich and helps the poor. However, the life of a highwayman was not as heroic as it seems, as many used brute force and some even raped their victims. Women were also involved in highway robbery, and many were hanged for their crimes. The last highway robberies ended in the 1830s with the emergence of patrolling police forces.
A bandit is a thief who usually steals from travellers. The term is typically used in both fictional and non-fictitious historical accounts. In fictional stories, he is usually a gentleman who has good manners and uses non-violent threats to steal from travellers. Throughout history, however, these thieves have not always been gentlemen, polite, or interested in avoiding violence. However, many people who read historical fiction enjoy reading about rampaging thieves who are fictionalized as dark and dangerous, yet polite and brave at the same time.
The legendary highwayman is usually described as a gentleman. This does not mean, however, that the thief was born into a higher class. Instead, historical fiction may portray him as coming from an upper or lower class family, but portray him as having the manners, habits and dress of a gentleman. This thief usually covers his face with a handkerchief and threatens his victims, usually with weapons, to hand over their valuables.
Interestingly, Legendary Bandits are often portrayed as heroes. They are typically portrayed as stealing from the rich while being generous to the poor. Imaginary thieves typically steal money and jewelry, as well as horses and cattle, and real ones have stolen these things as well. Additionally, fictional characters are usually depicted as skilled horsemen who conduct their heists while either mounted on their horses or with their horses waiting nearby.
Unfortunately, the life of a highwayman was probably not as heroic or romantic as it might appear in historical fiction. Some came from wealthy families and some were well educated, but that description doesn’t describe most street robbers. They often used brute force to rob their victims and some raped their victims. In fact, a man named Tom Wilmot cut off a woman’s finger in order to steal a ring that was difficult to remove.
Perhaps surprisingly, some of these thieves weren’t men; there were also women who stole from travellers. One, named Joan Bracey, was hanged for her crimes in the 1600s. Indeed, many highwaymen have met their ends this way. In many cases, the robber’s body would be left hanging for the public to see as a warning to those who might be considering the same occupation.
In the 1800s, patrolling police forces began to make life much more difficult for these thieves, and mounted robbers began to dwindle. According to some historical accounts, the last highway robberies ended in the 1830s.
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