Lady Katherine Ferrers
Encyclopedia
Lady Katherine Fanshaw (4 May 1634 – c. 13 June 1660) was, according to popular legend
, the "Wicked Lady", a highwaywoman
who terrorised Nomansland common in the English
county
of Hertfordshire
in the 17th century before bleeding to death from gunshot wound
s sustained during a robbery
.
. According to the legend, the well-bred Katherine was forced into a marriage at a young age, and her husband, who was often away at war or imprisoned, had sold off most of the family estates. Katherine came into highway robbery with her accomplice (and, some say, lover), Ralph Chaplin, but was shot during a robbery and later died of the wounds. The story holds that she now haunts Nomansland common and/or the ancestral family home at Markyate
. Children growing up in this area the have always sung a rhyme "In the Cell there be a well, by the well there be a tree, under the tree the treasure be".
There is little dispute that the "Wicked Lady" did exist. Apart from robbery, a catalogue of mayhem which occurred during the period is also attributed to this well-bred woman turned to a life of crime; burning houses, slaughtering livestock, even killing a policeman (although policemen as they are understood today, did not arrive in England until two centuries later). Much of the supposed activity might be blamed on bands of brigands and the unrest relating to the war
that raged about, but it is suggested that the mayhem and the robberies ceased with the death of the highwaywoman.
However, although the local legend has assumed a level of authority with the passage of time, there is actually very little evidence to suggest that Katherine Ferrers was in fact the notorious highwaywoman. An article written by John Barberhttp://www.johnbarber.com/wickedlady.html in 2002 argues that it is improbable. However, much of the life and death of Katherine Ferrers remains shrouded in mystery, and no other credible candidate has ever been put forward as the "Wicked Lady".
What is known about Katherine Ferrers is that she was born into a wealthy family, the Ferrers, that by the time she was six years old, both her father and her grandfather had died (in that order), and that she was the sole heir to the fortune. Her mother, Catherine, died just two years later, in 1642, after marrying Simon Fanshaw. When the younger Katherine was not quite fourteen years old, Simon Fanshaw arranged for her to marry his nephew, Thomas Fanshaw (who was sixteen at the time). The Fanshaws were also a very wealthy family, and their estates covered much the same geographical region as the Ferrers. Both families being loyal to the crown and Protestant, a union seemed fitting, despite the inference of a young girl being forced to marry by her stepfather in order to secure greater claim to her inheritance.
, and being from a Royalist family and marrying into another Royalist family, times were desperate, and throughout her short life Katherine would have watched both families' fortunes, and numerous young members of the families, slowly being lost. During that era many young gentlemen
, and more than a few well bred ladies, took to highway robbery as a means of preserving their dwindling estates, so it is certainly not a leap of fantasy to suggest that Katherine Ferrers may have put on a mask and ridden out at night as an armed robber.
Similarly, the circumstances of Katherine's early death (the precise date of her death is not known, only her burial) have fuelled speculation. According to the legend of the Wicked Lady, the highwaywoman was shot and wounded, and died near her home in Markyate
, but her servants recovered her body and she was carried home to be buried. The actual cause of Katherine's death is not recorded (which, some speculate, one would expect if she had been shot during the course of highway robbery), and the most obvious other cause, childbirth, would appear to be ruled out as she is not recorded to have given birth to any children. It is frequently implied that as she had not become pregnant during the 12 years of her marriage to Thomas Fanshaw, either he or she must have been infertile (although he was also frequently away from home fighting).
But it must be remembered that the key events did take place at a time and in a place where a bloody civil war was raging. Accordingly, Parish records, never the most reliable of documents from that era, are even more liable to be incomplete during a time of conflict.
However, those who seek to exonerate Katherine Ferrers of banditry using the historical record have also encountered difficulty.
It is suggested that the Wicked Lady was supposed to be preying upon travellers on the common from a base in Markyate and that this is where the Wicked Lady returned after being shot. But it appears the family property at Markyate had already been sold, and historical records support this contention. However, Markyate is not especially close to Nomansland common, and the alternative mooted, a hideout in Gustard Wood
(just north of Wheathampstead
), seems much more likely from a purely geographical standpoint. Whilst this certainly indicates an inconsistency with the parts of the legend, it is hardly proof of innocence.
Similarly, it is pointed out that the alleged accomplice of the Wicked Lady, Ralph Chaplin, was actually caught on Finchley
Common (over 20 miles from Nomansland common, an unrealistic distance to cover twice in one night on 17th century roads and leave any time for robbery), and was hanged. However, whilst demonstrating that the alleged accomplice of the Wicked Lady seems unlikely (or perhaps, it is unlikely he was still her accomplice when he was finally caught) given the location of his last, unsuccessful, attempt at robbery, that discovery sheds little light on who the Wicked Lady really was (accomplice or no accomplice).
It has also been suggested on behalf of Katherine Ferrers that the nomer, "Wicked" came to be applied to her by misnomer, either by confusing her with the (unrelated) "Wicked" Lord Ferrers who was hanged in 1688 for being Catholic. Another possible misnomer is attributed to Earl Ferrers
who was hanged at Tyburn
in 1760 for the murder
of a manservant. He too came to be known afterwards as 'Wicked Lord Ferrers'. It has also been suggested that the moniker "Wicked" could have been applied to Katherine solely because she allowed the family estates to fall into ruin, although as it was her husband who either sold off (or had sequestered) most of the family assets, and as a wife in 17th century England she would be powerless to stop him, that is probably an uncharitable view.
Both sides have tried to argue that the manner of Katherine's burial suggests that either she was, or was not, the infamous highwaywoman.
The problem with the arguments marshalled against Katherine being the Wicked Lady is that they assume that an absence of evidence proving Katherine to be the highwaywoman proves her innocence. Whilst that might be true in a court of law, in interpreting vague and limited historical evidence, the absence of positive proof is not the same as proof of a negative. The strongest argument in favour of the theory that Katherine Ferrers was the Wicked Lady is that for nearly 400 years she was believed to be so, and that even if the original evidence upon which those beliefs rested is now lost, it is probable that the origins of that belief had much more substantial foundations.
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
, the "Wicked Lady", a highwaywoman
Highwayman
A highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...
who terrorised Nomansland common in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county
Counties of England
Counties of England are areas used for the purposes of administrative, geographical and political demarcation. For administrative purposes, England outside Greater London and the Isles of Scilly is divided into 83 counties. The counties may consist of a single district or be divided into several...
of Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
in the 17th century before bleeding to death from gunshot wound
Wound
A wound is a type of injury in which skin is torn, cut or punctured , or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion . In pathology, it specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.-Open:...
s sustained during a robbery
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
.
Legend
The legend is fairly well summarised on a number of internet sites, such as this one, often told with an emphasis on hauntings by Katherine's ghostGhost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
. According to the legend, the well-bred Katherine was forced into a marriage at a young age, and her husband, who was often away at war or imprisoned, had sold off most of the family estates. Katherine came into highway robbery with her accomplice (and, some say, lover), Ralph Chaplin, but was shot during a robbery and later died of the wounds. The story holds that she now haunts Nomansland common and/or the ancestral family home at Markyate
Markyate
Markyate is a village and civil parish in north-west Hertfordshire close to the border with Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.-Geography:Having a number of former names, including Markyate Street and Mergyate, it has been a part of all three counties since it was first founded as the county...
. Children growing up in this area the have always sung a rhyme "In the Cell there be a well, by the well there be a tree, under the tree the treasure be".
Historical evidence
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
that raged about, but it is suggested that the mayhem and the robberies ceased with the death of the highwaywoman.
However, although the local legend has assumed a level of authority with the passage of time, there is actually very little evidence to suggest that Katherine Ferrers was in fact the notorious highwaywoman. An article written by John Barberhttp://www.johnbarber.com/wickedlady.html in 2002 argues that it is improbable. However, much of the life and death of Katherine Ferrers remains shrouded in mystery, and no other credible candidate has ever been put forward as the "Wicked Lady".
What is known about Katherine Ferrers is that she was born into a wealthy family, the Ferrers, that by the time she was six years old, both her father and her grandfather had died (in that order), and that she was the sole heir to the fortune. Her mother, Catherine, died just two years later, in 1642, after marrying Simon Fanshaw. When the younger Katherine was not quite fourteen years old, Simon Fanshaw arranged for her to marry his nephew, Thomas Fanshaw (who was sixteen at the time). The Fanshaws were also a very wealthy family, and their estates covered much the same geographical region as the Ferrers. Both families being loyal to the crown and Protestant, a union seemed fitting, despite the inference of a young girl being forced to marry by her stepfather in order to secure greater claim to her inheritance.
Was she the "Wicked Lady"?
Support for Katherine being the "Wicked Lady" is largely circumstantial. Katherine did live during the English Civil WarEnglish Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, and being from a Royalist family and marrying into another Royalist family, times were desperate, and throughout her short life Katherine would have watched both families' fortunes, and numerous young members of the families, slowly being lost. During that era many young gentlemen
Gentleman
The term gentleman , in its original and strict signification, denoted a well-educated man of good family and distinction, analogous to the Latin generosus...
, and more than a few well bred ladies, took to highway robbery as a means of preserving their dwindling estates, so it is certainly not a leap of fantasy to suggest that Katherine Ferrers may have put on a mask and ridden out at night as an armed robber.
Markyate
Markyate is a village and civil parish in north-west Hertfordshire close to the border with Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.-Geography:Having a number of former names, including Markyate Street and Mergyate, it has been a part of all three counties since it was first founded as the county...
, but her servants recovered her body and she was carried home to be buried. The actual cause of Katherine's death is not recorded (which, some speculate, one would expect if she had been shot during the course of highway robbery), and the most obvious other cause, childbirth, would appear to be ruled out as she is not recorded to have given birth to any children. It is frequently implied that as she had not become pregnant during the 12 years of her marriage to Thomas Fanshaw, either he or she must have been infertile (although he was also frequently away from home fighting).
But it must be remembered that the key events did take place at a time and in a place where a bloody civil war was raging. Accordingly, Parish records, never the most reliable of documents from that era, are even more liable to be incomplete during a time of conflict.
However, those who seek to exonerate Katherine Ferrers of banditry using the historical record have also encountered difficulty.
It is suggested that the Wicked Lady was supposed to be preying upon travellers on the common from a base in Markyate and that this is where the Wicked Lady returned after being shot. But it appears the family property at Markyate had already been sold, and historical records support this contention. However, Markyate is not especially close to Nomansland common, and the alternative mooted, a hideout in Gustard Wood
Gustardwood common
Gustardwood common is an area of common land just north of the village of Wheathampstead in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.The bulk of the common is now used by the Mid-Herts Golf Club , which was formed in 1892. The first 9 hole course on Gustardwood common was officially opened for play in...
(just north of Wheathampstead
Wheathampstead
Wheathampstead is a village and civil parish in the City and District of St Albans, in Hertfordshire, England. It is north of St Albans and in the Hitchin and Harpenden parliamentary constituency....
), seems much more likely from a purely geographical standpoint. Whilst this certainly indicates an inconsistency with the parts of the legend, it is hardly proof of innocence.
Similarly, it is pointed out that the alleged accomplice of the Wicked Lady, Ralph Chaplin, was actually caught on Finchley
Finchley
Finchley is a district in Barnet in north London, England. Finchley is on high ground, about north of Charing Cross. It formed an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, becoming a municipal borough in 1933, and has formed part of Greater London since 1965...
Common (over 20 miles from Nomansland common, an unrealistic distance to cover twice in one night on 17th century roads and leave any time for robbery), and was hanged. However, whilst demonstrating that the alleged accomplice of the Wicked Lady seems unlikely (or perhaps, it is unlikely he was still her accomplice when he was finally caught) given the location of his last, unsuccessful, attempt at robbery, that discovery sheds little light on who the Wicked Lady really was (accomplice or no accomplice).
It has also been suggested on behalf of Katherine Ferrers that the nomer, "Wicked" came to be applied to her by misnomer, either by confusing her with the (unrelated) "Wicked" Lord Ferrers who was hanged in 1688 for being Catholic. Another possible misnomer is attributed to Earl Ferrers
Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers
Laurence Shirley, 4th Earl Ferrers was the last member of the House of Lords hanged in England.The 4th Earl Ferrers, descendant of an ancient and noble family, was the eldest son of Hon. Laurence Ferrers, himself a younger son of the Robert Shirley, 1st Earl Ferrers-a descendant of Robert...
who was hanged at Tyburn
Tyburn
Tyburn is a former village just outside the then boundaries of London that was best known as a place of public execution.Tyburn may also refer to:* Tyburn , river and historical water source in London...
in 1760 for the murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of a manservant. He too came to be known afterwards as 'Wicked Lord Ferrers'. It has also been suggested that the moniker "Wicked" could have been applied to Katherine solely because she allowed the family estates to fall into ruin, although as it was her husband who either sold off (or had sequestered) most of the family assets, and as a wife in 17th century England she would be powerless to stop him, that is probably an uncharitable view.
Both sides have tried to argue that the manner of Katherine's burial suggests that either she was, or was not, the infamous highwaywoman.
The problem with the arguments marshalled against Katherine being the Wicked Lady is that they assume that an absence of evidence proving Katherine to be the highwaywoman proves her innocence. Whilst that might be true in a court of law, in interpreting vague and limited historical evidence, the absence of positive proof is not the same as proof of a negative. The strongest argument in favour of the theory that Katherine Ferrers was the Wicked Lady is that for nearly 400 years she was believed to be so, and that even if the original evidence upon which those beliefs rested is now lost, it is probable that the origins of that belief had much more substantial foundations.