to ascertain what degree of resolution was necessary in order to place one’s self in formal opposition to the most sacred laws of society

December 21, 2007 4:44 PM

Stand and Deliver!Dick Turpin was the quintessential highwayman, perhaps not as flamboyant as "Swift Nick" Nevison or as low profile as Jerry Abershaw, but legends abound about his exploits. He was buried (several times) in York after throwing himself off the gallows. 'Course, he's got his own heavy metal band, and his own swashbuckling t.v. adventure series (from 1979 to 1982) in which breathless maids said with heaving breasts "Dick 's been taken" (but of course, you can't hold Dick for long).
posted by Smedleyman (12 comments total)

Oblig Wiki
posted by Smedleyman at 4:46 PM on December 21, 2007

Obligatory Dennis Moore link.
posted by ooga_booga at 4:49 PM on December 21, 2007

great story i can't make comment it's perfect
posted by emilio at 5:06 PM on December 21, 2007

That's pretty sweet how he threw himself off the ladder and deprived his captors the satisfaction of hanging him.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:10 PM on December 21, 2007

Carry on Dick
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 6:02 PM on December 21, 2007

Woot!
posted by Baby_Balrog at 6:06 PM on December 21, 2007

.
posted by xorry at 6:51 PM on December 21, 2007

Turpin was also the inspiration for "The Unwelcome Guest," written by Woody Guthrie and recorded by Billy Bragg and Wilco. I couldn't find a clip, which is unfortunate because it's a great song.
posted by Rangeboy at 9:52 PM on December 21, 2007

Isn't that the guy that spent his cash on looking flash and grabbing my attention? And then the devil took my stereo and my record collection? No, I'm sorry, that was a different dandy highwayman.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 11:37 PM on December 21, 2007

Whatever happened to Michael Deeks?
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 2:05 AM on December 22, 2007

"The Highwayman".
posted by adamvasco at 7:39 AM on December 22, 2007

Isn't that the guy that spent his cash on looking flash and grabbing my attention?

So what's the point in robbery when nothing is worth taking?
posted by gimonca at 8:21 AM on December 22, 2007