Tom Cox, the son of a Blandford gentleman, was known as the ‘ handsome highwayman. ’ With a colourful life, his story had all the ingredients for a Hollywood adventure film. When his father died he was left some money which he soon squandered. So to fund his high living lifestyle, he took up highway robbery. Near Shepton Mallet, he met Killigrew who was the court jester to King Charles II. Killigrew had been given licence by the King to mock and revile even the most prominent in the land without penalty. Nevertheless, Tom ordered Killigrew to ‘ stand and deliver. ’ ‘ You must be joking’ was the jester’s reply to which Tom retorted: ‘Nay, I am in earnest for though you live by jesting, I cannot. So deliver your money before a brace of balls makes the sun shine through your body!’ Three times in Gloucester, Winchester and Worcester, Tom Cox was tried for highway robbery. Thanks to his charm and silver tongue, he was acquitted. A moneyed lady in Worcester was so besotted that she
In August 1918, the Ministry of Information made a film about rural life in the North Dorset village of Iwerne Minster. Filmed during the last summer of World War I, this remarkable record has survived and still is available to view today. The silent film features many of the Iwerne Minster villagers engaging in country activities such as butter making, poultry farming and beekeeping. There is also the local cattle market, hurdle making and the breaking in of a horse. Apparently, everyone in the village kept pet rabbits at the time. Children are seen entering their school and maypole dancing. Although generally painting an idyllic picture, there are still reminders of the war. There are scenes of German prisoners of war being put to work on the land with local farmers. They haul wood to be used for aircraft manufacture. While close to the village pump there was a notice board, known as the ‘W ar Office, where news from the battlefronts and from local newspapers was posted. Whil