From the picturesque cliffs of rural Cornwall, to the quaint harbour town of Poole – the shores of 18th and early 19th century Britain were dangerous places to be. Due to import taxes, smuggling was rife across the country.
Largely the work of a series of highly organised criminal gangs, they would stop at nothing, even murder, in the distribution of their illicit cargo. These smugglers used ingenious methods and their cruelty even earned some a place in popular folklore, notorious still to this day.
As a result this period has become known as the ‘golden age of smuggling’. A time in which all manner of items, from alcoholic spirits and tobacco to ordinary tea, were brought illicitly into the country. A vast and rich topic, we’ve selected some of the most blood curdling facts and chilling tales surrounding these vicious criminals. So come with us as we dip our toes into the murky waters of the smugglers.
WHY SMUGGLING?
In 1651 and 1660, the Navigation Acts were introduced. These strict laws limited trade to exclusively British ships and meant only they could bring items in and out of the country. This was problematic enough, but the issue was compounded by the tendency of Georgian governments to use high taxes as a means to raise funds. These taxes could be placed on all sorts of goods, perhaps best demonstrated by the notorious tea tax, an astronomical 119%.
この記事は All About History UK の Issue 134 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は All About History UK の Issue 134 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
SIEGE OF TOULON
TOULON, FRENCH REPUBLIC SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 1793
REDISCOVERING THE FORGOTTEN LIVES OF QUEER MEN
We speak to the editor of a groundbreaking new collection that uncovers what life was like for gay men when homosexuality was illegal in Britain
FEMALE PHYSICIANS OF THE MIDDLE AGES
Determined to make a difference despite the male dominance of the medical world, these pioneering women overcame numerous obstacles in their efforts to aid the infirm
"EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE DAVID, NOBODY WANTS TO BE GOLIATH"
Author Terry Deary discusses his career, writing history, the success of Horrible Histories and his new book
THE FALL OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE
How military errors and a failure to modernise helped to bring down the tsars
“lo Saturnalia!"
What was the 'Roman Christmas\"?
VICTORIAN UNDERWORLD
Discover the gangs that lurked down the dark alleys of 19th century Britain
A HISTORY OF FEASTING
Brian Hayden explains the social, political and cultural importance of these grand occasions
JAPAN HAD INVADED INDIA?
In 1944, the war in South Asia reached a critical moment as Japanese offensives threatened Allied control of north-eastern India and beyond
BATTLE OF EYLAU
PREUSSISCH EYLAU, EAST PRUSSIA (NOW BAGRATIONOVSK, KALININGRAD OBLAST, RUSSIA) 7-8 FEBRUARY 1807
