The following narratives reveal what Tudor London was really like. A city surrounded by a wall, accessible only through gates where body parts of thieves and murderers were hung to deter 'bad people'. Disease was prevalent and only the toughest survived. It isn't a place you would want to live. Read on if you dare BUT BE WARNED these narratives aren't for the faint hearted.
Thief! These were the last moments of my life. I noticed the rest of my family secretly standing in the mass of people. What would happen to them? Would they cease too? I forced my thoughts to think back to the start of my wrong doings… I would have died earlier had I not become a lifter. The wall of London cast a shadow that covered the streets around me in darkness. The thief inside me started to look at the well-off. If I hadn’t have been poor, I wouldn’t experience this thrill. My family needed this, they needed it badly. We lived in a small cruck framed house and food was scarce. Our clothing was limited so we needed money. Money was what I was searching for. My objective came into view and it was thriving. The sound of my heart loudly pounded in my ears. As the door of the tavern opened a lumbering figure came out. I pounced! Slamming them against the wall I did what anybody would do, grabbed the money. The nobleman didn’t respond. I got apprehensive as he gave me a glassy stare. The excitement of a few minutes ago changed into despair. I let go and he slid down the wall, dropping the money I ran! Would I get caught? As I stopped down one of the backstreets, I looked around but no one came. I had gone out hoping to get money but I came back with nothing except a deathbed with my name on it. Despite the fail, I would have to remain trying. Walking further and further into the city I realised I didn’t have a clue where I was. Would I get caught before I got home? Suddenly I heard the sounds of heavy footsteps! Was I about to get caught? The Parish police came round the corner. With a bit of luck they walked straight past me. Were they out to find the murderer of the man or were they looking for someone else? After what seemed like hours of endless searching I found the house. Life was horrible; I still felt the guilt of the killing. This made everything worse. But I had to do it again… The streets of London were packed. Despite the snow the market really took in the crowds and as the river was iced over the penny boats were not running and you could hardly walk over London Bridge. This was where I would wait for the rich and by barging my way to the front of the crowd, I spotted him, the one that I would steal from. I got my knife out ready and concealed it under my sleeve and walked past the man. As I moved I lightened the load of two people! Chopping the leather strap was easy; the harder part was getting away. I ran! Life was easy now. I wasn’t bothered about the wealth, the jewels or whatever other talents came my way. After all I knew that robbery was wrong but it was hard to stop now. Eventually I got a bit lazy and this was my downfall… The market was an easy place to steal from. Every day I could, I went back. I now knew who was rich and who was not; my thieving knowledge was one of the best in town. After a while people got to know me but I didn’t know this. As I headed further into London I felt people were watching me more than usual, that the warning signs on the gates were watching me too. Something felt different today; I didn’t know at the time but today would be my last day. Despite the feelings I headed straight to the market. It was emptier then yesterday and the people there looked quite important. Suddenly, someone yelled, “That’s him!” I raced back out of the market. Were they chasing me, who was I kidding of course they were chasing me! Suddenly I was wrestled to the ground, I knew what was coming. I knew the punishment for robbery for murder… By Rhys I Need Help There was an army of people surrounding me; I wasn’t scared I had nothing left to live for. My life was empty, I had no family and I was in my early twenties but the last thing I pictured in my mind was my sister Mary. Mary and I used to live alone in a small wooden hut, but this all changed when I let her go searching for food on her own. I found her dead body being pecked on by a family of crows, my heart then shattered, I could never forgive myself. Now I was alone, I was lonely, scared and hungry I spent my last penny on my sister’s remembrance. I knew I had to steal. There I was standing under the veil of dusk waiting to ambush my prey, if I got caught I’d find my self in the same condition as my sister. This city had taken all my family but it was not going to let it take me, this was a long shot, should I do this? London was definitely not the most welcoming city but it was certainly welcome for a thief. I had made my decision. Weaving around the back of the tavern I waited for an individual to steal from. I waited. There he was my luck slowly wobbling towards the houses with a sack of money hanging from his waist. My hands clenched together from excitement before he had time to think I cut the rope and ran. “Oi you thief,” the tipsy man bellowed. My heart pounded against my chest I ran like I had never done before, I could feel the excitement in side me. But would this be enough to last the rest of my life? I heard the bells chime 6 o’clock. I sat down and waited until it was dark enough to steal again. Another knackered bloke stumbled out of the tavern this was my time to try my new technique and commit another crime. “Aright mate.” I cheered whilst wobbling over pretending to be drunk, “Ay ooh are you,” he called. I didn’t answer, “Let me walk you home,” I offered. I walked slowly so the fellow could keep up with me. When we reached his house I sneakily grabbed the groats from his silk pockets and left. A life of crime is what I grew used to until that fateful day when I was collared by the parish council. By Adam Thief
The mass cheered as my last day had almost come to an end; I didn’t think it was going to come this soon. My death. The rope was put round my neck whilst I stared into the eyes of the swarm. This was it, my friends and relatives gave me a secret wave goodbye as I closed my eyes. My thoughts stumbled back to the very beginning… We lived in a wooden cruck framed house and food was very scarce. Sweating sickness had taken over my relations. I was the only healthy being to make money and more importantly make a difference to all of my ill family and children. They were on the edge of dying. Something needed to occur, and rapid. My only option was robbery. Waiting outside the heaving tavern for a figure to emerge I melted into the shadows for a disguise, waiting to pounce. As the looming figure appeared, it seemed to be an age before he stumbled into the shadowy alleyway alongside me. What was he doing? Why was he coming out of the fun filled tavern? I didn’t know but I didn’t get caught up in thinking about it. This was my chance! I pounced onto my target grasping onto the knife with my clenched fists. Blood poured out of the wound as I stabbed his shoulder with all of my power. Had I killed him? No! This shouldn’t have happened! As I cut the rope the coins jingled. The stream of blood trickled to my feet. This was terrible. Once I was back in the cover of the shadows I thought about the treacherous events that had just happened, next time I would be more careful. As the memories of death got farther and farther, the time had come to plan my next pilfering. We had money to buy more food, so I wasn’t as hungry anymore. These were the worst days of my life, but I know now, that these days were about to get better... And then a whole lot worse. Human heads and body parts pinned to the city gates. I hated it. It was supposed to put people off a life of crime or treason, but it didn’t. London was horrible! Slyly walking by the Thames I saw a wealthy looking woman, she looked like she needed to be somewhere soon because she kept looking at her pocket sun dial. That would be worth a bit, I thought. Stealthily I made my way towards her and with my slight of hand I took it, and I ran. “Lifter!” She shrieked behind me, suddenly there was a mob all giving chase. Running through crowded London was a challenge and I managed to knock several people from their feet before I eventually found sanctuary in a quiet alleyway. Breathing heavily I thought about the events. I was starting to like this thieving business! Over the next few weeks, I got more bloodthirsty. And I wanted to kill and thieve even more. I started robbing almost every day because I loved it so much. I was starting to become well known in London. The parish were trying to track me down. But I was too good at what I did until one snowy evening; I was lurking in an alleyway waiting for my victims to appear. When I saw two men approaching at both ends of the alleyway. What was going on? Was this a coincidence? No it wasn’t. These were parish members trying to track me down. The gallows. Where my life would end. I waved a secret wave goodbye to my family members, and as the pulled the lever, and I felt the gravity drag me down. By Sam Heppener The Diary Leonard Francis Stuart
You thought your life was bad, well I was in the worst position in my life... The thick uncomfortable rope wrapped tightly around my neck, a gigantic figure walked up to the wooden lever ready to send me to hell, surely only a miracle would save me now. If only I hadn’t stolen those coins, if only I’d listened to my mother, then I wouldn’t be in this situation. Not even my trusty Knife would cut me out of this. 1585 October 15th My loved ones faded away before my eyes their faces melting to ashes and I didn’t help, my child and my wife are just memories now that damned disease has crazed me, made me do things I thought I would never do. 1585 November 27th The light discoloured away like paper being burnt. Today rich blood would spill I edged my way through the dusty cobble street the night left me with many choices of who to kill or steal from see my name had become quite well known. My athleticism allows me to choose many ways to get away roofs, streets, porches these were all ways to escape. I slid from the wall watching my target, blade ready, I crouched and then leapt the black rusted knife slit his neck as easy as cutting butter with a butter knife. He held his hand over his neck trying to stop the blood there was nothing he could do now. I couldn’t stop now I wanted more blood, more suffering. His rich fat body fell, his white clothes stained with red. I felt around for the money this was enough to keep me going for a while. I threw the body into the river. Life less and red tainted this was not the life I intended to live, each kill satisfied me...but only for a few days. 1585 November I walked up to a rich women with bright scarlet hair and incredible beauty but this was no time to gawk her. I examined her she had many things I could steal, she seemed to be a bit sot I ran over to her and started to flirt. She seemed to be holding my hand already but I wasn’t here for love! Money and blood was my aim, for I could never replace my beloved ones I showed the sign that I was about to leave and kissed her hand but I had thought this out, my teeth hooked onto her ring and pulled slowly and lightly. It was off. This was surely worth at least a Fine Sovereign. I ran she looked down at her ring with a smile on her face but this smile curved upside down in a matter of no time, she had noticed, she screamed out to the guards he’s nicked my ring the Git he’s over yonder. This was a chance to get away but the Lifter every body knew me as the man who was never caught was about to be caught. My legs ran as fast as they humanly could run but it was no use the warders would catch me eventually. I stopped in my tracks the pain would end if I gave up. My face unexpectedly was rammed into the ground blood streamed out of my nose hot blood steamed on cold ground. I knew what was next... The thick uncomfortable rope wrapped tightly around my neck, a gigantic figure walked up to the wooden lever ready to send me to hell but I deserved this. At least it would take away my endless pain! By Richard Rose HUNG!
When a rope is positioned around your neck, you know that your life is about to end. I remember looking to my side and seeing the look on the hang man’s face, I knew there was no turning back now… It was when my dad died I knew I had to take up thievery. He was the only one that kept us alive, the only one that brought money in for the family. Without George we wouldn’t have any money, let alone food. I needed to find my first victim. As I slipped through the doors of the tavern there were plenty of possible prey, but all the eyes were on me. My plan was to wait outside until the perfect target emerged. There she was! The woman was perfect, the necklace was positioned behind her hair but I could easily slip my hand through her blonde mane. I had the perfect chance to pounce. My adrenalin levels raised and my emotions over flew. As the drunken figure emerged from the tavern I prepared my blade. I knew it was the necklace that I was going for. It needed to be a quick slice on the back of the pearl covered lace. Slice. Blood was not a good sign. But ad least I had got some of the pearls in my leather pouch. I turned to run but I could hear the furry in the lady’s voice,”COME BACK HERE WITH THOSE PEARLS, YOU ZANY!” If I got back in time it would have saved my family’s life. Fortunately I was a speedy runner. Hearing those words echoing in my head did not help, but I was spurred on by my huge success. It was a long way getting back to my side of the ‘glorious city’. I hoped my next thievery would be much, much easier. Next time I would do the same thing, outside the same tavern but I would pretend to be their friend and ‘help them out’. But I would actually just lift whatever I could from their leather pouch. Thievery was now becoming a bit of a hobby; it came natural to me now. As I was now doing it as a day to day job I was beginning to get a bit lazy and sloppy. It all started when I forgot to stay in the shadows. Someone recognised me from the past thievery. Before I could run I was trapped from both ends of the dark ally way. I knew there was no turning back. When a rope is positioned around your neck, you know that your life is about to end. I remember looking to my side and seeing the look on the hang man’s face, I knew there was no turning back … By Jonas Kunst Hung
I was woken by a loud yelling, within minutes I was hauled out onto the platform where my hands were tied. Many people had come to watch me die. Looking around there must have been at least five hundred people, all there to witness my death. A masked hangman placed the rope around my neck and plodded over to the lever, the crowd cheered, I closed my eyes and waited... We were poor. My mother and father had died of antiquity. I knew that I shouldn’t but what would I do if I didn’t? My mum and dad were the ones who supplied us with money. Under the veil of dusk, I crept around the dark, gloomy streets. I hid in the shadows searching for a target; I darted through an alleyway and peeked out to scan the other side of the streets. Then suddenly a man sprinted towards me followed by an elderly woman yelling, “Lifter!” I hid in a doorway. He crouched down examining his spoils. His grin nearly spread all the way across his face. I approached him. Eventually I was within striking distance. I leapt at him and quickly blocked his mouth and shushed him. Then I slashed his arm. Blood spurted everywhere covering the walls. I gave him one crushing blow to the stomach. Slowly he fell backwards smashing his head on the wall behind him, and collapsed to the floor. His eyes were closed. I looted the remains but as I stepped away he gripped my ankle, his hand red with blood. He pulled me down to the ground and whispered in my ear, “Why?” I sat down on my bed and realised what I had done. Was I a murderer? I knew that I had done really bad things, but somehow they all seemed so right. There was a tingle inside of me, making me feel like I should do it again and again and again. I didn’t really have any other choice. It was either that or die. Inside I knew it was bad but I had to do it if I wanted to live. At dusk I emerged from my lair. I hurried over to the other side of the town in case of recognition, then all of a sudden a lumbering figure span out of the tavern, the perfect target. I walked up to him and ‘helped’ him into an alleyway. When we had got far enough in I threw him on the ground and made a small slit in his throat. Once the flow had stopped and I was sure he was dead I lightened his load and crept back home. This was getting easy now; I might have even been considered a professional. It was my talent. The more I thieved the more bloodthirsty I became. Although my career as a thief would end one cold wintry evening. On a cold wintry evening I scanned the streets, searching for a target just for the sheer wealth and enjoyment of it all. There was always some other people standing along the street with a hat covering their face. So they were an indicator not to steal from people in that area. As they were probably members from the Parish. All of a sudden I saw this women wearing silk, she also had a pearl necklace. I reached out for the necklace grabbed it pulled it and all the pearls scattered across the floor. The women turned round and yelled, “Lifter!” I reached in my pocket looking for the knife but it was then I realised that it had gone. Suddenly two men ran into the alleyway from each side. They ran up to me and one gave me a blow round the face and the other gave a blow to the stomach. I crumpled down to the floor with pain. Then everything went black. I was woken by a loud yelling. Within minutes I was hauled out onto the platform where my hands were tied. Many people had come to watch me die. Looking around there must have been at least five hundred people, all there to witness my death. A masked hangman placed the rope around my neck and plodded over to the lever, the crowd cheered, I closed my eyes and waited... waited for him to put my life to an end. By Theo Tillett Thief
I had begged my mother not to come; I didn’t want her to see me on the last day of my life. But looking through the swarm of people I spotted my mother, crinkling up her face to hide away the tears, and that was the last thing I saw. Before a rough sack was put over my head and I was left alone with my thoughts. The rope started to tighten was this the end? I couldn’t bear to look, a sweating sickness had gripped London but moreover it had gripped my family. This was heart breaking this was all Henry VIII’s fault. All my family’s fate had fallen into my hands; I would have to provide food and money to pay the taxes for my family. And I knew how I would have to become a lifter (a thief) or even a murderer. Making my way to the market, I could smell fresh bread and fish; this made me feel even hungrier. Glancing at the feast before my eyes I saw my target. It was a tall man with a beard and ruffled boots. Clutching my knife it was time to go. I started to follow him; he seemed to have lots of money because he was buying lots of expensive things. Before long we were alone in one of the darker streets in town. I cut the rope quickly but not quick enough. I felt his hand grab my wrist. Blind panic started to grip me what was I going to do? I struck him; he fell to the ground blood dripping everywhere. My heart pounding what would my family think of me? I grabbed the purse and fled the scene. Trying to get my breath back I leant against a brick wall. An image of what I had just done raced through my mind, guilt shamed me, was he dead or alive? I hadn’t intended to become a murderer. The horror of what just happened only laid a few streets away. We ate more than we ever had that week, and the medicines seemed to be helping, my mother was now able to cook and clean and care for the family again. However I kept getting flashbacks to the scene in the alleyway, but I knew I had to do it again. I became obsessed, obsessed because of the money and jewels, I got more and more blood thirsty. But my wrong doings came to an end on a cold country night. The waders had followed me on what was going to be my last heist, they had cornered me and I had no escape. I knew what was coming, the punishment for a thief or a murderer... By Lili-Mei Thief
Standing on the wet stool I could feel the dry rope scrape down against my neck. Looking into the eyes of the mob I knew this was the end. Suddenly the hang man gave me a worrying stare through his black hood and started to edge towards me. Taking my last breaths of the dirty, misty air all I could do was close my eyes and wait. Hearing the hard breathing of the hangman in my ear I thought this was it… No money or food was not first rate. Living on a dirty loaf of bread wasn’t fun. Thieving was my only option. Stealing wasn’t something I chose to do; it was something I had to do. Money, food, bracelets, necklaces anything I would take it. I needed help and robbery was my saviour! Despite the risks thieves thrived in the city and it was the day that changed my life when I committed my first crime. Creeping in the shadows I waited for my first victim. Despite the cold, warmth filled inside me and as the moment got closer. I prepared myself for the first heist. It didn’t take long. Suddenly a drunken wealthy man staggered out of the tavern, this was the perfect target. A bubbly fizz crept inside of my hands, spying a leather pouch hanging from his belt made me more intrigued, this was the best feeling I’d ever felt. Hastily I whipped out my blunt rusty knife, he looked round and stared curiously but the man instantly realised what was about to happen, then my feelings dropped. Unexpectedly he punched me with his hard, big fingered hand, but this wasn’t the end. With all my excitement and anger I slit the knife easily into his chest. The huge corpulent figure crumbled to the ground. Kneeling in the ever growing pool of claret I cut off the pouch and fled from the scene holding my broken, bruised nose. I didn’t dare looking back but the haunting grown of the victim wouldn’t leave my head. I paused against a black brick wall, the images of what I just did quickly raced through my mind. Soiled on my hands was the blood of my first target, what else was going to come? Subsequently I ate better than ever, and in addition I wanted to carry on my mugging life. All of the upsides of killing lured me in. Not long after I went in for my second victim, hoping no one would notice me. Taverns were the golden place to go, and that’s where I went. Lurking in the darkness I waited for the one. I had different tactics this time, and this was going to be easier. Then a young sot walked unsteadily out of the tavern. This wasn’t going to be hard. I placed my hand round him and slipped my hand into his dusty pocket. To my surprise I pulled out a smooth, golden pocket sundial. Jackpot! I knew these were worth money so without hesitation I bounded off. Just in that week I had more than enough money. But my obsession wasn’t the killing, it was the wealth. I always needed more money, and it wasn’t hard because my riches came easy. This unhealthy interest was my downfall. Wealth. Because thieving was so easy I didn’t need to be careful, or so I thought. Two men appeared from both sides of the alleyway. Confused I didn’t know what to do, nonetheless the two men started to close in on me. Suddenly as the men got closer and closer I soon realised. Parish police! I knew the punishment for thieving and murder. Were all of the heists worth my life? By Felix Trevelyan Hung
The rope was slipped over my head and the knot tightened. The itching of the rope and the smell of the smoke from all the family home were the last things that I would experience. My mind went back to all the bad things I had done. I had to watch my brother itch and scratch his face for days but I had decided that I was going to do something about it. We were a poor family and my brother was not well my mom did not have a job but my dad well I hadn’t seen him for years. It was up to me I had to steal for money The loud chanting and clanking from in side the tavern was distracting but I saw my first target. A slim tall figure came stumbling from the doorway and without him knowing I followed him through the dark alleyway. Now was my chance to take his money. I pulled the small knife from my pocket and walked up behind him. The knife slit into his hip. I snatched his small bag and ran down the cobbled street wondering if I had killed my first victim. Then I heard him bellow, “LIFTER”. That was when my life was going to change. My heart beating out of my chest I stopped, and leant on the wall to catch my breath, that was too easy. This was not going to be the last of my thieving. I set off to the other side of the town I became came closer and closer to the tavern there was a sot man out side. I strolled up to the sot man as I helped him stumble down the street, I reached my hand into his pocket and out came a bag of money and ran, I had got what I wanted but had I got away with it? The next month I continued to thieve taking necklaces, money and rings which I sold on the black market. The money I made helped my brother to get medicine from a lady who, lived along our street. However my thieving came to an abrupt end one day. I set out for a new day of thieving but this one was different I set off to my normal place to get my next victim and hid in the shadows. Looking at each end of the street two men in black came stomping towards me. They were parish officers and I knew what they would do… By Issy Morgan High Times The crowd gathered children, adults, friends and strangers, this was just wrong, they were all waiting for my life to end. All those months ago, all that had happened, and now this… Watching my parents deteriorate, saddened me seeing them get worse each day I wondered when my time would come. Eventually I had had enough; I had to thieve to get medicine this, was their only chance against the sweating sickness. I wasn’t yet a full shilling but I was at least in some form of health to go out on the streets and thieve. I searched for my victim under the veil of dusk. Excitement warmed me as I approached the tavern but something told me that this wasn’t going to go to plan. I lurked outside the tavern and before I had time to think a large black figure emerged stumbling towards me. This was it. I had to strike. The blunt blade went into his stomach as he dropped to the ground. What had I done? My heart pounded. I knelt down to the ground into the puddle of red thick blood and I searched to lighten his load. Every sound made me look over my shoulder; I was desperate to make my first heist. Rummaging through the pockets, his eyes opened and I was unexpectedly pulled to the ground by my victim into the claret. I fought with my arms to loosen his grip but before I could get away I slipped into the blood and my knee came down crashing into his red bloody face, his carotid pulse stalled. His eyes rolled up and he was still. Exhausted I leant against the wall of the alley way, breathless, I thought hard about what I had done. Images played through my mind. I was filled with guilt. Just a few streets away was… Into the darkness I eventually made it back to ‘my side’ of the city. Half of me wanted to go back to the dreaded scene to see if he was dead of alive. But I knew there was nothing I could do, death constantly plagued me. I had become obsessed, the more I did this the more blood thirsty I became and this made me want to over and over. I wasn’t focused on the family or riches or wealth, my mind was stuck on the killing and it could not be removed. Once again I set off to the same tavern where I committed my first crime. I couldn’t decide weather this was a risk or not but it was the best place for the best victims, (drunkards always stumbled out the tavern). My victim stood out from the rest, I blended into the shadows and gently placed my arm around them and cunningly rummaged for anything I could come across. Reaching into his breast pouch I managed to reach a golden sun dial, the thrill. This was now my hobby, my addiction. It got easier and easier but soon I got too comfortable. And before long the parish officers had caught up with my doings. I knew my punishment and I knew the risks. By Daisy Oakley |