Author Archives

Stephen Basdeo

Stephen Basdeo is a historian and writer based in Leeds, UK.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Stephen Basdeo

This post has been adapted from a chapter in my MA Thesis which was completed under the supervision of Dr. Heather Shore. The tale of Sweeney Todd, the ‘demon barber,’ (originally entitled […]

Jonathan Wild – London’s First Mob Boss

Whilst most people generally conceive of organised crime as being a distinctly modern, 20th-century, phenomenon, it has a longer history than first assumed. This post uses the theoretical framework of modern-day criminology to analyse the organised crime network established by Jonathan Wild in London in the early 18th century.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood

The folktale of “The Two Children in the Wood” has always been popular with audiences, in spite of its grim content, depicting as it does the death of two children. However, the legend became incorporated into the Robin Hood tradition in the nineteenth century, This post discusses why two very different legends came to be associated.

‘The Outlaws’ Code’. Robin Hood: Research Update, Number 7, December 24th, 2014

Medieval outlaws are arguably one of the first examples of organised crime in England. All organised crime gangs have certain codes of conduct which, to be counted as part of their respective gangs, they must adhere to. In this post I discuss the Outlaws Code laid down by Robin Hood in the Medieval ballads, and how and why such gangs of criminals enjoy the support of the people.

Introduction

Hello everyone, An online presence is ever-important in the world of academia, hence the reason for my persistent tweeting/blog posts and Facebook updates. I should say that I consider myself primarily an […]