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By Captain James Bollinger.

 

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The Hawkhurst Gang Season 1 Episode 2

By Captain James Bollinger.
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The Hawkhurst Gang Season 1 Episode 2 As the gang entered the 1740s, expansion west to the more accessible and flat beaches of West Sussex was an obvious business move. Gray and by now the notorious bunch of men who followed, were expanding by amalgamating with other gangs  through alliances and hostile take overs. This could be described in contemporary terms as a 'turf war'. Arguably, the struggle for Gray was not necessarily the Revenue and Dragoons as they were thinly spread, it would have been the other gangs.  Smuggling was a battle of survival, hearts, minds and only the fittest or maybe in this case the cruelest would survive. The lawlessness continued..... Mermaid Street, Rye. On right pub sign for the Mermaid Inn. A regular haunt for the gangs as well as other villains was Rye, East Sussex. The Transport gang led by Jeremiah Curtis (aka Alexander Pollard) worked with John Grayling in the Hastings area. Hastings would have been rich pickings in the 1740s with its beac...
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Sir Martin Frobisher by Taliesin Trow.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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  In "Sir Martin Frobisher" by Taliesin Trow, readers are treated to a captivating exploration of the life and exploits of a lesser-known Elizabethan privateer, often overshadowed by the renowned Francis Drake. Trow skillfully brings to light the remarkable story of Sir Martin Frobisher, a man with a short temper and an indomitable spirit that left an indelible mark on the annals of maritime history. One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to resurrect Frobisher from the shadows of history, portraying him not merely as a contemporary of Drake, but as a distinct and fascinating character in his own right. Trow delves into the intricate details of Frobisher's life, providing readers with a comprehensive account of his endeavours and contributions to Elizabethan England. At the heart of the narrative is Frobisher's audacious exploration of the elusive Northwest Passage. The author skillfully navigates through the challenges and triumphs of these perilous jour...
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The story of the Wreck of the VOC Ship The Amsterdam, Bulverhythe, Hastings, East Sussex.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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 The story of the Wreck of the VOC ship The Amsterdam, Bulverhythe, Hastings, East Sussex. The VOC Ship The Amsterdam (Replica). The story of the VOC ship the Amsterdam is one of movie proportions, However, I do hope Hollywood never get the rights to make it ! But it is still surprising a film has never been made ! The story takes on a three month maiden voyage of the VOC mirror ship (East Indiaman)  the Amsterdam. There are some technical pronunciations and titles I need to explain to the reader of this blog. Lets start with the abbreviation VOC. The abbreviation VOC stands for  Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC)  or in English, United East India Company. A mirror ship in short term is a ship owned and sailed by the VOC that took currency such as gold, silver, raw materials and soldiers to Batavia and other parts of the Dutch empire. Then returned with the purchased goods to the Netherlands. The VOC ship The Amsterdam (Replica). The Amsterdam was completed in 17...
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The Twisted Spell By Diane Narraway.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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  The Twisted Spell By Diane Narraway. Diane Narraway's "Twisted Spell" weaves a captivating narrative set against the mystical backdrop of Chiswell, a quaint village on the island of Portland, off the coast of Dorset, England. Delving into the rich local history of this mysterious place, Narraway creates a spellbinding tale that seamlessly blends elements of witchcraft, religious faith, and the consequences of one's actions. The story unfolds in a community where the echoes of witchcraft still linger, creating an atmospheric and otherworldly setting. Chiswell's reputation for its mystical past comes to life through Narraway's vivid prose, transporting readers to a world where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. The author's meticulous research is evident in the intricacies of the narrative, as she masterfully embroiders local history into the fabric of her storytelling. At the heart of the tale is the Conjurers Lodge, an intriguing instit...
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The Hawkhurst Gang Season 1 Episode 1.

By Captain James Bollinger.
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        The Hawkhurst Gang Season 1 Episode 1.       The 18th century made for a hard life and arguably, the Civil war made no material difference to working families as they remained poor and isolated, usually tied to an area for labouring purposes. There was no welfare state to take care of these families. If you were poor you were poor ! The smuggling gangs (or free traders) offered relief for all. For example, a tub-man could earn more money than his day job walking overnight contraband to a tavern. The said tavern could then sell that contraband with no tax paid and enhance its profit to customers in need of a beverage. The big profits of course went to the financiers and city merchants in London who also were slave traders and the wealthy, what could be described today as the the elite and richest one per cent. Some of those families and companies exist today and it is worth mentioning they are still very good at avoiding tax...
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