Black Bess
Turpin's famous horse was gained on the road to London when he forced a man called Major to exchange a black horse for Turpins own mount. Major had a musket pointed at him. Turpin named his new pride 'Black Bess'.
His new horse was ultimately to lead to the end of his Highwayman career as Major then issued handbills around the pubs of London, describing his steed and naming Turpin.
The horse was traced to the Red Lion pub in Whitechapel, where Turpin had stabled it. When Tom King (Turpins partner) came to collect the horse for his companion, he was recognised and arrested, in the following fight Turpin accidently shot King and fled. King then informed the Constables as to the location of their hideaways.
Turpin's flight from London to York is the most famous part of the legend. It says he rode 200 miles in less than 15 hours, reaching York before news of his misdemeanours. Modern day tests on horses that specialise in endurance events show this would not have been possible.
Turpin tried to hide from his past but ultimately fell back into crime which led to his final journey - to the gallows of York.
Border Morris Dancing
Morris dancing has several distinct styles, Black Bess practice what is called 'Border', which originated in the Borders of Shropshire and Wales.
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