The weekly Butte record., 1866-05-05
Dun the Robber.


At the accession of King Henry l.. not
many years sf.er the Conquest, England was
beset, from north to south. by innumerable
bands Of highwsymen. bandits. rogues, and
plundefess Of ell sorts. This, no doubt. arose
from the general devastation and disosganiza-
tion caused by the Norman Invasion. The
people had almost everywhere been driven
from their homes and possessions, TO satisfy
the rspacious demands Of the followers, high
and low, of the 6rst William. The new king
himself set the example, and his successor,
William Rufus, who laid waste whole terrific
ries, that be might hunt therein at his ease,
gave fresh vent to this wholesale system of
spolietion.
The consequence was, that those Saxon sub
jects who lost all, sought aid from those dis
banded Normans who could get nothing. and
lived in thousands BY q general retaliation Of
robbery and murder upon their aggressors.
When Henry Beauclerc ascended the Eng
lish throne be found bis kingdom mere arena
for plunderers and cut throats to carry on a
gainful and dreadful trade; but be was not
the man to bear this.
His vigorous policy at once grappled with
the evil, and put it completely down. He
stopped all spoliatiou, whether by Norman or
by Saxon. His administration Of justice was
Iapfu Anu ItltHtitSs. Ou Ouc OCCdsluil us
justicary, Ralph Basset, held a court at Hun
cote, in Lecestershire, and no less than forty
four robbers perished on the scaffold before the
judge left the place.
The murder and rapine which prevailed in
every province, at the accession of Henry l.,
became 80 rare before his death. that the Sax
on chron,cler Of the time relates that whoso-
ever bore his burden of gold and silver 40 man
burst saw to him au0bt but good
Among the robbers who were the terror of
the oaton when the king began his reign,
Thomas Dun, the hero Of the following anec
dotes was the most known and dreaded.
He was Saxon, and was born in Bedford;
shire. From his earliest youth he had associa-
ted with marouders aud thieves. and. in course
of time, placing himself at the head of numer
Gus gang, be ravaged his native county, and
the adjacent country, to fearful extent.
The king came TO the rescue, and, finding
that the neighborhood from ST. Albans to
Towcester, through which passed a much-fre
quen,ed road to the north, was infested by
Thomas Dan and his followers. ordered the
woods 10 be cut down ard grubbed up; and,
having built royal mansion for bis own resi-
dence called it Kingsburgh, and encouraged
some Of his subjects TO settle uear him. by
granting them lands at a small rent, market,
alN NoFtbuS uOettlts fuu pTiNiftEcS.
Long after Dun and bis gang were destroyed
and forgotten, the success of the kings plan
continued Dunstable for centuries was the
sojurn of royalty; monasteres and churches
which there arose gave a sacred character to
the place and the great approach to London
presented sn aspect of double security. trom
the power and the piety of those who dwelt in
nnd about il.
But to return to Thomas Dun. Many are
the stories that are handed down of his villiany
and daring. The following anecdotes are sam
pies of them:
Among Duns gang were many artists, who
enabled him to pick locks, wrench bolts, and
use deaf files 10 great effect. One day, having
heard that some lawyers were to dine at a GER
tain iun in Bedford, about an hour before the
appointed time, he came running 10 the inn,
and desired the landlord to hurry the dinner.
and 10 have enough ready for ten or twelve.
The company soon arrived and the lawyers
thought Dun a servant of the house, while
those of the house supposed him an attendant
OF the lawyers.
He hustled about, and the bill being called
for, he collected it ) and having some change
to return to the company they waited till his
return but, growing weary, they rang the
bell, and inquired for their money, when they
OlSCONttcu ultl u Oc Ill ItliItStut.
With the assistance of his associates be
made clear eff with considerable booty of
cloaks. hats, silver spoons and everything of
value upon which he could lay bis hands.
After this adventure. Dun and his associates
went and put up at another inn. They rose in
the night time. insul,ed the landlord and land
lady, then murdered them both, and pilaged
the house Of everything valuable.
Dun had an animosity to lawyers. and he de.
termined TO play . rich one trick. He wait,
ed upon him, and very abruptly demanded
payment OF bond which he produced, and the
gentleman found his name so admirably forged
that be could not swear it was not his hand
writing. He assured Dun. however. that be
never borrowed the money, and would not pay
the bond. Dun then left the lawyer, telling
him he would give him some employment.
Law suit was entered into. and several Of
Dun's comrades came forward, and swore Is TO
the debt being Just, and be was about getting
to get decision in his favor, when the lawyer
produceda forged receipt for the debt, which
scme Of his clerks likewise swore to; upon
which Dun was cast.
He was 10 passion at being outwitted, and
swore he never heard Of such rogues as TO
swear that they paid him sum which was
uever borrowed
This is one Of the few instances in which he
did net display that bsrbarity of disposition
which is eviuced in all his other adventures.
He became. however, Of such terror to every
one. that the Sheriff Of Bedford sent consid-
erab!e force to attack him in his retreat.
Finding upon a reconnoitre. however. that his
force was equal, it not superior, to the sheriff S
levy. he commenced the attack, and completely
routed them. taking eleven prisoners whom he
hung upon trees round the wood. TO scare 9th
ers by the example Of their fate.
The clothes of those whom they hung served
them TO accomplish their next adventure
which was design to rob the castle Of q no
bleman in the neighborhood.
They proceeded, 10 the attire Of the sheriff !
men. and demanded entrance, 10 the name o
the king, to make search for Dun. After look
ing in every corner, they asked for the keys o
the trunks to examine them. which when thel
received. they loaded themselves with booty
and departed. The oobleman complained tt
parliament against the sheriff, when. upon 10
vestigatiou, the trick was discovered.
Nothing prevented Dunn from accomplish
log any object which be had 10 view, as b
possessed the greatest share of temerily ant