Smuggling in Devon: The Truth Behind the Fiction
Robert Hesketh
- Region:
- South West
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £45 (£50 after 1/1/19) plus 30p per mile travel each way to venue
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 12th July 2017
- Tagged:
- Crime | History | Local History
Between 1700 and 1850 smuggling became a huge industry in Devon, with the majority of Devonians active in it, profiting from it, or at least colluding in it. All social classes were involved. Clergymen and aristocrats were among the backers. None thought cheating the government of exorbitant taxes was wrong and smugglers brought to trial were usually acquitted by sympathetic Devon juries and magistrates. Smugglers were particularly active in Devon because there were so many sailors and fishermen who could assist. There was also easy access to France and the Channel Islands. In reality, “Free Trade” was far from romantic. Smugglers could be violent and ruthless. This talk attempts a balanced view of an illegal trade which long flourished in Devon despite the government’s best efforts to stamp it out – and was eventually defeated by the simple expedient of cutting duties on imported goods.
This is one of 17 local history talks I offer. For details, please visit www.roberthesketh.co.uk
Views: 1526 | Enquiries: 4About Robert Hesketh
Formerly a teacher, I am a freelance writer and photographer with a strong interest in local history (my first degree subject). To date, I have published 70 Devon, Dorset, Cornish and Somerset titles (see www.roberthesketh.co.uk) and written numerous illustrated articles for The Countryman, Dartmoor Magazine, Country Walking and other publications. I also contribute West Country landscape and people photographs to photographic libraries, see www.picfair.com . Since 2002, I have been giving talks to local history clubs, Women’s Institutes, societies, U3A and Probus Clubs on Devon themes
Please contact me if you would like further details or to offer me a booking. All the talks are illustrated with high resolution digital images and last between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on what the audience wants. Questions from the audience are always welcome. I can supply the projector, laptop, projection stand and projection screen. Alternatively, I can offer all my talks on Zoom. To see my profile please visit my website www.roberthesketh.co.uk
Adrienne Hesketh (my better half) is a talented musician who also gives talks and live performance. She plays piano and recorder and her contact details are the same as mine. She also sings and dances and has her own website www.adriennehesekth.com
Charges: £60 plus 40p per mile travel each way from Bovey Tracey. (No mileage charge for Zoom talks).
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Robert Hesketh
- Devon's Festivals
- Devon Place Names
- Surnames in Devon and Beyond
- Devon Inns
- Devon Ghosts
- Haunted Pubs in Devon
- A Curious Look at Devon Churches
- Devon Photoquiz
- Devon's Geology: an Introduction
- Armageddon 1914: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported the Outbreak of War
- 1918: The Last Hundred Days: How Some Devon Newspapers Reported the Final Stage of the War
- Devon Castles
- Devon's Railway Heritage
- Exploring Exeter's Heritage
- Devon Land and Sea Piano Presentation
- Devon Composers
- Christmas Themed Presentation
- Christmas Traditions Around the World
- Halloween Themed Musical Presentation
- St. George’s Day/Shakespeare Themed Presentation
- Valentine Themed Musical Presentation
- Spring Concert (piano, recorder and singing)
- Exeter's Tudor and REgency Buildings
- Exploring Plymouth's Heritage
- Weirdest Buildings of the West Country
- Christmas Photoquiz
- Dartmoor Myths and Legends
- The Story of Devon's Bridges
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