Here we delve into the dark and fascinating histories behind the notorious figures that inspire our unique rum creations. Each bottle of Villains Rum is more than just a drink—it’s a story, a legend brought to life through bold flavours and intriguing tales. In this blog, we’ll explore the cunning and charisma of the infamous villains who have left their mark on history and inspired our wickedly good rums. Join us as we uncover the secrets and exploits of these legendary rogues, and discover how their stories have shaped the very essence of Villains Rum.

Erik Bloodaxe (885 – 954)

Erik Bloodaxe, born as Eric Haraldsson, was the son of Norwegian King Harald Fairhair. According to the colourful Icelandic sagas, Erik embarked on his Viking career at the tender age of 12. During one of his expeditions, he met and married Gunnhild, the daughter of the King of Denmark, who was reputed to be a witch.

The sagas recount Erik’s ruthless rise to power in Norway, where he became king following his father’s death, eliminating four of his older brothers to secure the throne. However, his reign in Norway was short-lived as he was ousted by his younger brother and subsequently fled to Britain. There, Erik was made King of Northumbria and took residence in York.

Nicknamed Bloodaxe by the sagas, Erik is depicted as a barbaric and murderous tyrant, notorious even by Viking standards. Contemporary records, particularly the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, provide a less dramatic but equally significant account. In 947, the Northumbrians chose Erik Bloodaxe as their king, prompting the English King Eadred to invade and devastate Northumbria, including the burning of St. Wilfrid’s minster at Ripon.

As the English army retreated, Erik’s forces ambushed them at Castleford, resulting in heavy casualties. In retaliation, Eadred threatened to annihilate Northumbria, leading the Northumbrians to abandon Erik and make peace with the English king. After a brief period under Olaf Sihtricsson, Erik regained control but was ultimately expelled for the second and final time in 954. This marked the end of his rule and the permanent integration of York and Northumbria into a unified Anglo-Saxon kingdom under King Eadred of Wessex and England.

Mary Bateman (1768 – 1809)

Mary Bateman, infamously known as the Yorkshire Witch, was a petty sorcerer and poisoner whose life was marked by deceit and malevolence. From an early age, Mary was notorious for her thievery and dishonesty. As a domestic worker, she frequently engaged in theft and supplemented her income by posing as a soothsayer, exploiting the gullible who believed in her supposed supernatural abilities.

At 24, Mary married John Bateman after a brief courtship. She convinced her husband to move frequently to escape the consequences of her increasingly prevalent schemes and to avoid detection by her growing number of victims. After a fire at a large factory, Mary exploited the tragedy by soliciting donations for the affected families, only to keep the money for herself.

Mary’s most notorious crime involved a gullible couple, William and Rebecca Perigo. Rebecca sought Mary’s help for her heart flutter, believing in her reputation as a healer. Mary swindled the Perigos out of a significant sum by convincing them she was an intermediary for an oracle named Mrs. Blythe, who could foresee their future. Under this guise, Mary began poisoning the couple with mercury chloride, instructing them to eat pudding supposedly blessed by Mrs. Blythe. Rebecca consumed the poisoned pudding entirely, while her husband could only manage half. Both became violently ill; Mr. Perigo eventually recovered, but Rebecca succumbed to the poisoning and died.

Mary’s downfall came through her tangled web of deceit. Mr Perigo alerted a local constable, leading to Mary’s arrest, primarily based on her notorious reputation. Her trial drew significant local attention, with many fearing her alleged supernatural powers. Ultimately, Mary was convicted of murder and sentenced to hang, marking the end of her malicious exploits.

Guy Fawkes (1570 – 1606)

Guy Fawkes is infamously known for his role in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an attempt to ignite a Catholic revolution by blowing up the Houses of Parliament. Born in York in 1570, Fawkes was baptized on April 13 at St Michael le Belfry church. His father, Edward, a prominent Protestant lawyer, died when Guy was only eight, and his mother later remarried a Catholic. This marriage led the family to move to Scotton near Knaresborough.

Fawkes attended St Peter’s School in York, where he met John and Christopher Wright, future co-conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot. York, during the 1570s and 80s, was a centre of Catholic resistance, a context that influenced Fawkes’s eventual conversion to Catholicism. He witnessed the harsh suppression of his faith, notably the execution of Margaret Clitherow in 1586 for sheltering priests.

As an adult, Fawkes inherited property in York but sold his estate upon turning 21 to enlist in the Catholic Spanish army. Over the next decade, he rose to command a unit of soldiers and became an expert in explosives. In Madrid, he reunited with Kit Wright and joined a group of conspirators intent on assassinating King James and installing a Catholic monarch.

Their plan was to detonate 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath Parliament. Fawkes was tasked with lighting the fuse and then fleeing to Flanders to rally support for the ensuing Catholic uprising. However, he was discovered and arrested on November 5, 1605. After enduring torture, Fawkes revealed the details of the plot. His co-conspirators, including John and Kit Wright, were killed in a confrontation at Holbeche House in Staffordshire later that month.

Dick Turpin (1705 – 1739)

Dick Turpin is a name steeped in legend, but the truth behind the myth is far less romantic. Contrary to popular belief, Turpin was not from York, nor was he the dashing outlaw often depicted in folklore. He certainly did not own a horse named Black Bess. However, he was tried, executed, and buried in York, and his grave can still be visited in a rather unremarkable graveyard.

Born in Essex, Turpin was initially a member of the notorious Gregory Gang. When the gang disbanded, he turned to highway robbery. After shooting and killing a man who tried to capture him, Turpin fled to Yorkshire. In Lincolnshire, he stole horses and returned with them to Brough to sell. His activities were exposed while he was held in Beverley House of Correction for shooting his landlord’s cockerel, where he went by the alias John Palmer.

Transferred to York Castle, Turpin wrote to his brother for help. His brother, unwilling to pay the postage, refused the letter, which was subsequently returned to the local post office. There, Turpin’s former schoolmaster recognized his handwriting, leading to Turpin’s true identity being revealed. He was sentenced to death.

At his execution at Tyburn, Turpin hired five professional mourners to accompany him to the scaffold, putting on a final show for the gathered crowd. After his hanging, his body was stolen by a labourer and sold to a surgeon for illegal medical dissection. However, the people of York, outraged by this desecration, stormed the surgeon’s house and reclaimed Turpin’s body, ensuring he was reburied. Both the doctor and the labourer were subsequently arrested and fined.

Turpin’s legend grew posthumously, his story becoming entwined with a mythical ride from London to York to establish an alibi—a tale originally associated with another highwayman, William Nevison. This fictional narrative was cemented in popular culture through Harrison Ainsworth’s 1834 bestseller “Rockwood,” which immortalized Turpin as the quintessential romantic highwayman.

The Legend of Cat Tiki God and York’s Feline Heritage

In York, the mysterious and enchanting history of cats intertwines with the city’s rich cultural tapestry, inspiring our character, the Cat Tiki God. For centuries, cats have played a significant role in York’s history, symbolizing luck and protection. Renowned for always landing on their feet and reputed to have nine lives, cats embody a resilience and good fortune that resonates with us all.

York Lucky Cats proudly celebrates this feline legacy. For around two centuries, statues of cats have adorned the buildings of York. While many of these statues have either been removed or decayed over time, some are believed to date back to medieval times. Originally, these statues were placed to ward off rats and mice, carriers of plague and disease, safeguarding the health of the city’s inhabitants.

Beyond their practical purpose, cat statues were also believed to protect against wandering evil spirits and bring good luck and health to the residents. In a city where timber-framed buildings offered a tempting target for vermin, these feline guardians ensured a good night’s sleep for citizens by keeping their homes free of pests.

Inspired by the dark side

At Villains Rum, we draw inspiration from the rich and tumultuous history of York’s notorious figures and dark past. Just as the legends of these villains are filled with intrigue, cunning, and boldness, our rums are crafted to capture that same essence of daring and adventure. Each sip of our rum is a tribute to the audacious spirits that have left their mark on York’s history, blending wickedly good flavours with a hint of rebellion. Join us in raising a glass to the captivating tales of the past and savour the taste of true villainy.