2-888-656 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Turpin's Oak at Finchley, [now in North London], 1850. 'The notorious Dick Turpin was, in his time, accustomed to take up his station behind this tree when he was intent upon a freebooting errand in this part of the country; in other words, this tree was his ambush. Its closeness to the high-road rendered it a very desirable spot for Dick, as well as for highwaymen generally, who, about a century and a quarter ago, were continually robbing the mails, as well as commercial travellers (bag-men), proceeding to and fro between London and the north of England. From time to time have been abstracted from the bark of this oak pistol-balls, which had been discharged at the trunk to deter highwaymen, should any have been at hand, from attacking the parties travelling...This tree still goes, in the neighbourhood, under the name of "Turpin's Oak".Turpin was hanged at York, in 1739'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.