Dick Turpin - the REAL man who became a myth. More nasty bastard than hero of the poor!

Step beyond the myth and into the murky reality of one of Britain’s most infamous figures. In this episode, Philippa is joined by Mat Braddy and Darren Rapier, co-writers of a gripping new audio production, Turpin, which re-examines the life of the legendary highwayman Dick Turpin.

Far from the romanticised rider of folklore, Turpin’s true story is darker, more complex, and rooted in the harsh realities of 18th-century England. Together, they discuss the research behind the production, the challenges of separating fact from fiction, and how audio storytelling can bring historical figures vividly—and authentically—to life.

If you think you know Dick Turpin, think again.

You can also watch this episode on Youtube - click here for youtube.com/BritishHistory

The production can be found on BigFinish.com now, and will be available on Audible and Spotify from Autumn 2026.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dick Turpin and the episode's focus

22:49 The legend of Dick Turpin and its origins

24:53 The role of pubs and secret networks in crime

29:58 The myth-making and romanticization of Turpin

35:04 Turpin's final years and death

39:53 Legacy and how myths are constructed

Thank you for watching this episode, I hope you enjoyed it. There are many more history videos here for you to watch including over 60 fantastic historian interviews with people such as Tracy Borman OBE, Gareth Russell, Helen Castor, Helen Carr and many more.

Join my Patreon to enjoy ad-free, extended interviews with bonus content, Historical Book Club, early access to content, exclusive blogs, discounts on British History Events and more, all for £5/month.

I'd really appreciate your help in making this show the best it can be. I know time is precious but if you do have 10 minutes you can spare to fill out this anonymous listener survey, I'd be really grateful - http://bit.ly/britishhistorypodcast-survey

Philippa founded award-winning Historic Tour Operator British History Tours in 2014. Find out about these luxury, fully-escorted, immersive historical experiences at BritishHistoryTours.com

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