1-239-602 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

Elizabeth Canning, malefactor, c1753. In 1753, a young woman called Elizabeth Canning claimed to have been kidnapped and held against her will at a house in Enfield. She also said that her kidnappers tried to force her to become a prostitute. She supposedly escaped from the house, and on her evidence people were arrested, tried and convicted. Later, doubts began to be expressed about her story. The prisoners were released and Elizabeth Canning was charged with perjury, convicted and sentenced to transportation to New England for seven years.