Pickpocket Gangs of Victorian London (The Real Artful Dodger)

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  • Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
  • The true life story of cunning pickpockets in Victorian London. The Artful Dodger was a criminal in Dickens' Oliver Twist, yes - but skilful, cunning and never lacking in character. His character is as rich as the watches and silk handkerchiefs he thieves from ladies and gentleman. This famous story was no mere fantasy. Child pickpockets really did craft their dark arts from seasoned criminals and distributed their ill-gotten gains to 'master thieves' like Fagin (the novel's infamous antagonist, alongside Bill Sikes), and roamed the streets of the metropolis in search of gentleman's coat tails for easy pickings. If you found yourself in 19th Century London, with valuable watches or purses, you were highly likely to have your 'pockets felt.' In this video you will hear the genuine story of a pickpocket. You will learn, in much detail, how this boy fell into a life of crime, crafted his skills, chose victims, lived a high life on the proceeds of his crimes - as well as the numerous times he was caught and sentenced to prison.
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    Credits: Narration - markmanningmedia.com
    CC BY - Birmingham Council House early 1900s, Unknown Lady by J. Peers, Manchester by whatsthatpicture; Mothers, with their children, exercising at Tothill Fields Bridewell (prison), London by Bodleian Libraries; Travel Cribbage Board by Geoffry Franklin; Woman standing in the street in St Giles's London, Brompton Hospital, A crowd has gathered to watch a procession and a young boy is stealing from the back pocket of a man in a top hat and coat tails by Wellcome Collection
    CC BY-SA - Sovereign Victoria 1842 by cngcoins
    #CriminalDocumentary #VictorianPickpocket #VictorianPickpockets #Victorian #VictorianEraDocumentary #VictorianDocumentary #VictorianLondon #VictorianLife #19thCentury #HistoryDocumentary #FactFeast

Комментарии • 139

  • @FactFeast
    @FactFeast  2 года назад +34

    Enjoy this content? Please like, and share it out wherever you can 📲 It really is a big help to grow audience. Thank you 👍

    • @deanwebb4809
      @deanwebb4809 2 года назад

      Have you ever covered life during the great fire of London

    • @nickryan3417
      @nickryan3417 Год назад +1

      I *love* this kind of content. The stories of normal people always interested more than the tedious of who begat who and whatever other royalty nonsense went on at the time. Obviously some of this really affected normal lives, but I don't have a fascination with remembering the birth years and ages of these people.

    • @JoeDiRestaJr
      @JoeDiRestaJr Год назад

      😊😊

  • @ArrozConPollllo
    @ArrozConPollllo 2 года назад +56

    These narrations take me away to another time and place! I love it, so much! As an escapist and a daydreamer, I truly enjoy the journey through time and space, brought to life by the paintbrush of your voice! 😊

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +6

      Thank you! It's nice to know the narration helps paint a picture of the past.

    • @SmilerORocker
      @SmilerORocker 2 года назад +4

      I second that.
      I live in a very old house in Ireland, I've done my best to reverse the look of the place, and despite shaved head and many many tattoos, I spend half my time making myself Victorian clothes and sitting outside on the street making Irish lace.
      Well, what else would ya be at 🤣

  • @mijiyoon5575
    @mijiyoon5575 2 года назад +20

    Agree, these characters of *Dickens* were & still are unforgettable ... excellent portrayal of *real life* & I've read the story & watched several movie versions of this tale by *Dickens* & I've heard of *Fleet Street* for the yellow journalism it has produced for many years. TY for putting this together can never have enough of history

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      Dickens’ characters are classics, certainly in Oliver Twist 🙂

  • @ethanwilliam9944
    @ethanwilliam9944 2 года назад +30

    I so enjoy these narrations. I've learned so much from this channel and am grateful to have found it. Please keep them coming. I watch them with my 7yr old son and it gives us both a better appreciation for our lives today.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      I'm glad you found my channel and it's nice to know my videos are entertaining and informative. Thanks for your support!

    • @MrCrowebobby
      @MrCrowebobby Год назад

      Don't be too surprised if he decides to become a pickpocket.

  • @rgs6236
    @rgs6236 2 года назад +26

    I’m stunned at the moment of money he made. £200 in 1850 was around £8,000 if not more 🧐

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +6

      It’s no wonder he bought himself a gold watch and fashionable clothes!

    • @nickryan3417
      @nickryan3417 Год назад +1

      Considering that before Covid I could have taken about half a dozen top of the range iPhones on a single busy underground journey, the money made isn't out of the question at all. Hint for (usually ladies): If you have a phone and keep it in your bag, don't just drop it on top of your open bag just in case you need it. I'm amazed more phones and purses aren't stolen on such journeys and I'm pretty sure that I dissuaded a few thefts just from making it obvious that I was watching.

    • @roberthayes9842
      @roberthayes9842 Год назад +1

      It's actually £26,000 by today's standards, watched a documentary about a modern day pick pocket in Oxford Street £2000 per day

    • @Gecko....
      @Gecko.... Год назад +2

      @@nickryan3417 Phones are often not worth taking anymore with the anti theft locks on that can be tracked and also cannot be unlocked without access to the manufacturers software. I took a samsung that I found around to multiple dodgy stores and they all said only the manufacturer can unlock it and at samsung store they would only do it with a receipt.

    • @mauriceosullivan6832
      @mauriceosullivan6832 Год назад

      ​@@Gecko.... people, will get, the Samsung technologies sooner or later.

  • @suzz1776
    @suzz1776 2 года назад +15

    I collect antique pocket watches and am learning to repair them as a hobby. And I always wonder the history of them and who owned them and what they have "seen". Such history. Only if they could talk, the stories they could tell.
    Thxs for the wonderful story telling

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +4

      That sounds like a fascinating hobby. It seems that Victorian pocket watches passed through the hands of all sorts of people, from owners to pickpockets and pawn shops and back again. Thank you for your comment.

    • @electraruby4078
      @electraruby4078 Год назад +2

      What a wonderful hobby!

  • @mysteyil609
    @mysteyil609 2 года назад +13

    The narrator is truly a master story teller.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +2

      Fantastic! I'm glad you enjoyed.

  • @wiseguy8696
    @wiseguy8696 2 года назад +14

    I absolutely loved this video! Honestly, so fascinating.
    And it was narrated so well! It's the closest thing as to talking to a 19th century pickpocket we will ever get too. If you've think you've had a relatively hard life!

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +3

      I’m glad you think so 😊 We aim to bring history to life. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.

  • @JB-ts1es
    @JB-ts1es 2 года назад +7

    Lovely. Nice surprise to get a notification just after finishing work. Great way to wind down . Thank you 👍

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Great timing! Glad it worked out for you. Hope you enjoyed.

  • @crystallong9625
    @crystallong9625 2 года назад +13

    I absolutely love your videos! They’re so intriguing and mesmerizing. What a wonderful insight to the past! 🎩 🌹💕

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      Thank you! I haven't seen you in comments for a long time. Glad you continue to enjoy them :)

    • @crystallong9625
      @crystallong9625 2 года назад +1

      @@FactFeast You’re most welcome! Yes, I know and I apologize. I watch your videos every week when I’ve got the time. We’ve been very short handed at work, so I watch the videos and head off to my job. Your work is truly amazing and I look forward to each of your new videos!

  • @bilindalaw-morley161
    @bilindalaw-morley161 Год назад +5

    Whether or not this was a genuine interview by Baxter, I'm impressed that as the man behind Punch, which was an upper or at least middle class publication, he had such an interest in the poor and or criminal classes.
    I've enjoyed your other offerings from him too. Obviously, these interviews were published in Punch, which means those more fortunate(and perhaps honest) were very interested in the lives of the lower (or under) class.
    Once again, your narration was excellent, you really captured the character. Kudos.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      Thanks for taking the time to comment. It's good to know you enjoy these stories.

  • @paulineclark2743
    @paulineclark2743 2 года назад +11

    Thank you for all your videos. I love watching them. I have a great interest in Victorian history. The video on cotton mills was extremely well researched. Thanks.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      It’s nice to know you enjoyed this. It’s a fascinating period of history for me too. Thank you so much for your comment.

  • @pauladavid9100
    @pauladavid9100 2 года назад +9

    Thankyou for making this .Was the best you have made so far ,Really your work is just amazing ,thoroughly researched ,Woven together so seamlessly with world class production values ,This really is a quality product

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +2

      Thank you so much! It’s a pleasure to make videos that viewers enjoy, so I’m glad you found watching this worthwhile. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

  • @gabschasse600
    @gabschasse600 2 года назад +5

    Your historic blogs are all wonderful - especially with your character narratives .⭐

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoy watching and I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

  • @andrewdaley3081
    @andrewdaley3081 2 года назад +7

    Soon be at a hundred thousand I new this channel would take off. 🇬🇧👍

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      Thank you for your words of support! I hope you found the video entertaining.

    • @andrewdaley3081
      @andrewdaley3081 2 года назад +1

      @@FactFeast not watched it yet to tired will watch tomorrow thanks. 🇬🇧👍

  • @sarahgibbons9737
    @sarahgibbons9737 2 года назад +4

    Ooooh so pleased to see another video posted. Thanks you so much! I really enjoy these.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      It’s fantastic that you enjoy my videos so much! I hope you enjoyed the life story of this Victorian pickpocket.

  • @saragog
    @saragog 2 года назад +4

    Thankyou once more for your wonderful content! Very much enjoying this week's offering!

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      Great! I’m glad it was enjoyable. Thank you for your comment.

  • @mintybadger6905
    @mintybadger6905 2 года назад +6

    So this guy is fascinating -I know he’s conning the audience but it’s a very entertaining story.

  • @kris301
    @kris301 2 года назад +5

    This one's a banger. Great work!

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Thanks for saying! Glad you enjoyed.

  • @lanacampbell-moore6686
    @lanacampbell-moore6686 2 года назад +10

    Yay I ❤️ Fact Feast!

  • @MegaJacko4
    @MegaJacko4 Год назад +2

    If you close your eyes, his voice sends you to another place. It feels like your father reading you stories at night to send you to sleep. ❤️

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      I’m glad you enjoy the story telling 😀

  • @Khatoon170
    @Khatoon170 2 года назад +7

    Last and most important part of my research in years 1780 and 1840s child pockets flourished in London skilled pickpockets England had no professional police force till 1829 famous London pickpocket during Georgian and regency eras was George Waldron . You mentioned now artful digger is character in Charles dickens 1838 novel Oliver Twist Dodger is pickpocket he called for his cunning in occupation leader of gang of child criminals on street of London stay safe blessed good luck to you your dearest ones

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Very interesting! Thank you.

  • @QuinnnMallory
    @QuinnnMallory 2 года назад +6

    12:41 I didn't realise Apple Stores existed that far back.

    • @ahuddleston6512
      @ahuddleston6512 2 года назад +1

      I was thinking the same thing 😂

    • @QuinnnMallory
      @QuinnnMallory 2 года назад +1

      @@ahuddleston6512 Those street urchins have to have the latest iPhone! 😂

    • @Wheelchairspeeder
      @Wheelchairspeeder 3 месяца назад

      haha apple stores back then would have been a small booth or stall with different barrels and varieties for sale usually a side thing from a local orchard..haha..but good joke..😂

    • @Wheelchairspeeder
      @Wheelchairspeeder 3 месяца назад

      haha apple stores back then would have been a small booth or stall with different barrels and varieties for sale usually a side thing from a local orchard..haha..but good joke..😂

  • @deanwebb4809
    @deanwebb4809 2 года назад +5

    These are fantastic

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      Much appreciated! Glad to provide you content you enjoy.

  • @Perfidious_Hollow
    @Perfidious_Hollow 2 года назад +4

    Thank you for the vid!

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      You’re welcome! 🙂

  • @pbyr695
    @pbyr695 Год назад +2

    A really interesting account! Thanks for sharing this and helping to keep this little pocket of history alive. I’m actually in the process of creating a character for a role playing game set in a dystopian Victorian London - and the character is a thief, so this has given me lots of great ideas!

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      Excellent. Glad it was helpful!

  • @toniremer1594
    @toniremer1594 2 года назад +7

    These "helpful" men and women would be called, in today's terms, groomers.

  • @fionareid4557
    @fionareid4557 2 года назад +3

    Very well done. This is one of your best. Interesting and a great lesson in history.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Thank you kindly! Much appreciated.

  • @deeppurple883
    @deeppurple883 Год назад +2

    Hard to believe that at ten years old run away to the city and his mother and father don't come looking for him. What a time to live, scary. 😟

  • @thedativecase9733
    @thedativecase9733 2 года назад +2

    As a Manchester girl born and bred I've always been super vigilant about my bag and purse when I'm out and about. Only once did I have my purse lifted from my (closed) shoulder bag and had my (then ) only 35 quid in the world nicked - I was very young and poor at the time. I was heartbroken at the loss obviously, yet part of me couldn't help a sneaking admiration for the skill involved in lifting my purse without my even being aware of it.

  • @PrincessGodBotherer
    @PrincessGodBotherer 2 года назад +4

    Two of my ancestors got transported for life for stealing one handkerchief each in unrelated crimes. Why handkerchiefs? Why was it such a serious crime? And why were they so pricey?

    • @mshaw6836
      @mshaw6836 2 года назад

      They were usually made of good material and lace which was quite expemsive.

    • @LJ-mq9kc
      @LJ-mq9kc Год назад +1

      I read somewhere that for transportation convictions, they only recorded the last crime: They could have had previous convictions but the handkerchiefs were the ‘last straw’ so that was recorded as the reason for transportation.
      Like the interviewee being told he would be transported if he stole again.

  • @donwright3427
    @donwright3427 2 года назад +4

    awesome 👍

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Thank you for checking out the video! 😊

  • @angelakent598
    @angelakent598 2 года назад +2

    There's a pub not far from me called The Artful Dodger.
    Vancouver, Canada. So enjoying!

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      There is one in central London too! Thank you for your comment.

  • @tinyGrim1
    @tinyGrim1 2 года назад +5

    Yay 👍 Thank you

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      You’re welcome 😊

  • @Khatoon170
    @Khatoon170 2 года назад +10

    How are you doing sir thank you for your cultural documentary channel we appreciate your efforts as foreigners subscribers as overseas students want to increase our cultural level improve our English language ido for my self test for advanced level in English thank god ihave pass mark because of reading information in google as always iam gathering main information about topics you mentioned briefly here it’s actually pickpockets started in 17 th century famous pickpocket is bob Arno. He described as word most famous pickepocket praise for his unrivaled skills. Handkerchiefs were easy to steal and easy to re - seal and London is at number 10 in list of destinations where tourists are most likely to be pickpocketed such as oxford street have reputation for thieves. And pickpocketing in 1700and 1800s orphans street children were very poor many young people pickpockets called natty lads they not learn art of pickpocketing by their own young as five years old taught by older thieves.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Well done for your test result and thank you for your interesting comment about pickpockets.

  • @clareharrison3361
    @clareharrison3361 2 года назад +2

    This was really good, thanks.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Thank you! It’s great to know you enjoyed the pickpocket’s life story.

  • @saydvoncripps
    @saydvoncripps 2 года назад +5

    Shropshire seems an unlikely place to get a london accent. As a londoner myself, I've no doubt its believed you get a london accent the moment you nick an "'ankercheeef"
    Rolls eyes and exit...

    • @katieperks2907
      @katieperks2907 2 года назад +2

      He went there when he was 10 so not so impossible?

    • @bilindalaw-morley161
      @bilindalaw-morley161 Год назад +1

      @@katieperks2907 came here to say exactly that!

  • @GlazzedDonut
    @GlazzedDonut Год назад +1

    what an excellent tail! ;) today is going well Fact Feast im becoming routinely lost in your content in a good way. I love the fact that this excursion was narrated in a darker voice. Have a great evening

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      Good to hear! Thank you very much 🙂

  • @lilybelle5930
    @lilybelle5930 2 года назад +5

    Just a quick comment to let you know I got notification for this video.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад +1

      Thank you so much! I’m glad it worked.

  • @fusilier9276
    @fusilier9276 Год назад +1

    Fascinating, pick pocket’s are still very prevalent in today’s society..been dipped myself whilst out in town

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      Some things never change.

  • @HarveyReid-mu1wi
    @HarveyReid-mu1wi Год назад +1

    Love your videos 😊

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      Thank you!! I’m happy you enjoy watching.

  • @bilindalaw-morley161
    @bilindalaw-morley161 Год назад +2

    Women had pockets!! No, that's not my only takeaway, but it's interesting.

  • @Wheelchairspeeder
    @Wheelchairspeeder 3 месяца назад +1

    Man are these good sad its true stories but the narrator is really good and this sounds like a really good audio book or old radio show on a old table top 😊

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  3 месяца назад

      Thank you very much! It’s great you enjoy listening to this history.

  • @Gecko....
    @Gecko.... Год назад +1

    He should have invested in some property and went legit, maybe a small tavern which could have become a hang out for thieves, trading info, fencing stuff, gambling, lending money at interest for legal fees etc.

  • @darktransmissions
    @darktransmissions 4 месяца назад

    Wish there wasn't such an abrupt end to your vids. I love the content but am always jarred by the ending. Can I suggest an outro? You have a great voice so that would definitely work! Thx again! 😊

  • @jackransom.
    @jackransom. Год назад +1

    "You've got to pick a pocket or two" ; )

  • @igorstein5616
    @igorstein5616 Год назад +1

    This was great

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      Thank you! It’s really nice you enjoyed it.

  • @the_birthday_skeleton
    @the_birthday_skeleton 2 года назад +2

    Did you take any voice acing classes, perchance? You do these characters so much justice with your scripts :)

    • @grahamwood333
      @grahamwood333 Год назад

      Naa he's just a middle class person showing his determination to portray the lower oinks all talk like cockneys.

  • @lynnemurphy114
    @lynnemurphy114 Месяц назад +1

    💚this channel

  • @lunastar7599
    @lunastar7599 2 года назад +2

    Hi! Could you please read a Christmas Carol and other Charles Dickins?

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      I hope to do a documentary related to Charles Dickens in future.

  • @beckyflower7297
    @beckyflower7297 2 года назад +1

    LOVE Mayhew!!

  • @gammon1183
    @gammon1183 Год назад +2

    Gets transported, does his time and goes prospecting. Strikes lucky and in 2022 his descendants still live in cream with property and business along the gold coast.
    Not really, he died in a gutter near Whitechapel 1878 🙂

  • @ahuddleston6512
    @ahuddleston6512 2 года назад +3

    Sounds like they'd be on a first name basis with all of the cops 😜

  • @johngreenhalgh2294
    @johngreenhalgh2294 2 года назад +1

    hi love your videos, just a question what version of oliver twist did you show at the beginning what year was it 👍

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  2 года назад

      Thank you! I think early 1900s.

    • @johngreenhalgh2294
      @johngreenhalgh2294 2 года назад

      @@FactFeast i found it 1922 the full movie is on RUclips

  • @charlesachurch7265
    @charlesachurch7265 Год назад +2

    Was the handkerchief the Victorian smartphone?

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад

      That’s what all the thieves were looking for - handkerchiefs and pocket watches.

  • @johnstopyracus5674
    @johnstopyracus5674 Год назад +2

    hell yea man! Love your channel, id hit the love button if there was one and I would definetley send money if I could.

    • @FactFeast
      @FactFeast  Год назад +1

      That's kind of you to say, but watching and sharing is help enough and very much appreciated!

  • @AB10103
    @AB10103 2 года назад +1

    12:41 they had apple stores even back then

  • @robnewman6101
    @robnewman6101 Год назад

    Robert Peel (1788-1850) the Founder of the first new Metropolitan Police Force at Scotland Yard in 1829.

  • @lorenzbroll101
    @lorenzbroll101 Год назад

    I suspect a lot of those youths were what are termed as 'rentboys' these days too?

  • @13infbatt
    @13infbatt 11 месяцев назад

    Lemmy is a time traveler.

  • @themadplotter
    @themadplotter 2 года назад

    This tiny Irish accent reminds me of my relatives, probably see you from Scotland!

  • @peterchaloner2877
    @peterchaloner2877 Год назад

    Spleeny Lutherans and Calvinists, sources of neverending quarrels. The pickpocket's analysis is accurate.

  • @Amy4000
    @Amy4000 Год назад

    Ok. Might get those for dinner

  • @grahamwood333
    @grahamwood333 Год назад +1

    If he's from Shropshire and of Yorkish heritage,can read and write why is he talking in a London accent and sounds like someone out of East Ender's.

  • @markhodgson2348
    @markhodgson2348 Год назад

    I wonder if anybody went hunting for them, that would be great sport

  • @nobody8328
    @nobody8328 2 года назад +5

    First! 💖

  • @weerobot
    @weerobot Год назад

    Not much Changed..lol

  • @elizabthharris6741
    @elizabthharris6741 10 месяцев назад

    Your voicibg is better than the reading of victoruab documentation. Thats boring

  • @mukhumor
    @mukhumor Год назад

    That thumbnail reminded me of Lemmy, Chops and top hat. Mind you, he was only born 70 years after the Victorian heyday. From 2023 that would take us back to 1953 and Teddy Boys.