What did the Hawkhurst gang do?
In October 1747, members of the gang led a successful raid against a government Custom House in Poole in Dorset, which was holding about thirty hundredweight (3,360 lbs) of tea, thirty-nine casks of brandy and rum, and a small bag of coffee captured from the smugglers’ ship Three-Brothers in September.
What was smuggled in the 18th century?
The main items smuggled in the 18th century were tea, wine, spirits and lace. In 1784 the Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, suggested that of the 13 million pounds (weight) of tea consumed in Britain, only 5.5 million had been brought in legally.
Why is hawkhurst called Hawkhurst?
The name Hawkhurst is derived from Old English heafoc hyrst, meaning a wooded hill frequented by hawks – ‘Hawk Wood’. Hurst (Hyrst) in a place name refers to a wood or wooded area – there are several in West Kent and East Sussex.
What county is hawkhurst in?
Hawkhurst is a village and civil parish in the borough of Tunbridge Wells, and is home to some 4,500 people.
How long did the Bloody Code last?
The Bloody Code lasted from 1688 to 1815. How many laws were in the Bloody Code? Between 1688 and 1815 the number of crimes that could be punished by death increased dramatically.
Who is the most famous smuggler?
One Cornish man, John Carter from Breage was perhaps the most famous smuggler. His nickname was the ‘King of Prussia’, and a line of cannons protected his base near Lands End! To this day the secret harbour he used is known as Prussia Cove.
Is hawkhurst a town or village?
Hawkhurst is village and civil parish in the borough of Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England. The village is located close to the border with East Sussex, around 12 miles (19 km) south-east of Royal Tunbridge Wells and within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Whats it like to live in Cranbrook Kent?
“Lots of really lovely people, local, friendly, great schools, nice places to eat, nice places to eat, lovely pubs, cafes,nice little independent shops. “Just a calm, friendly place to live, I think. “I think it’s a slightly quieter pace of life, in a good way. You can get outside more.
What crimes were in the Bloody Code?
You could be hanged for stealing goods worth 5 shillings (25p), stealing from a shipwreck, pilfering from a Naval Dockyard, damaging Westminster Bridge, impersonating a Chelsea Pensioner or cutting down a young tree. This series of laws was called (later) “The Bloody Code.”
Who created the Bloody Code?
The Waltham Black Act in 1723 established the system known as the Bloody Code which imposed the death penalty for over two hundred, often petty, offences. Its aim was deterrence. Those in court faced with this system were expected to defend themselves with only the assistance of the judge.
When did smuggling end?
When Prime Minister William Pitt lowered duties in the 1780s, smuggling became less profitable. Further removal of duties in the 19th century put an end to the kind of smuggling which went on so openly in the 18th century.
When did smuggling End in Cornwall?
The famous Custom House in Falmouth will close in 2012. In the past, Cornwall was a centre for smuggling of illegal contraband such as brandy and gin. Smuggling reached its peak in the county during the 18th Century.