Outlaw
An outlaw or bandit or thug is a person who is "outside the law" usually because they have committed serious crimes. A longtime criminal can be declared an outlaw, which means the outlaw cannot use the legal system to protect himself if needed.
Famous outlaws
- The Emperor Nero was made an outlaw by the Roman Senate in 68 AD
- Robin Hood, the English folk hero, who was probably a combination of several real and legendary outlaws.[1]
- Martin Luther was outlawed in 1521.[2]
- Carmine Crocco, the most famous Italian outlaw of the XIX century, an escaped convict who joined the liberal revolution of Garibaldi but returned to banditry because he didn't get the promised forgiveness. Then he became the leader of 2.000 men, heading the most feared peasant army in southern Italy at the time.
- Ben Hall, the Australian bushranger. The government passed a law in 1865 which outlawed the gang and made it legal for anyone to kill them. There was no need for the outlaws to be arrested, or for there to be a trial.[3]
- Billy the Kid, American gunman and cowboy who took part in the Lincoln County War.
- Ned Kelly, the Australian bushranger. The government passed a law on 30 October 1878 to make the Kelly gang outlaws. They no longer had any legal rights. They could be killed by anyone.[4]
- Jesse James (1847–1882), from the American state of Missouri, who committed a series of bank, stagecoach and train robberies in the years following the American Civil War.[5]
Outlaw Media
A statue of Robin Hood, a heroic outlaw in English folklore
Henry Danvers, Earl of Danby, was outlawed in 1597 by a coroner's court for the murder of Henry Long. He went to France and joined the French army; two years later he was pardoned by Queen Elizabeth and returned to England.
Erik the Red was outlawed by the Icelandic Althing for three years (so in about 982 he went viking and explored Greenland).
In 1878, Ned Kelly and his gang of bushrangers were outlawed by the Government of Victoria, Australia.
References
- ↑ Wright, Allen W. (2004). "Robin Hood". Search for a real Robin Hood. www.boldoutlaw.com. Retrieved 2008-09-22.
- ↑ Bratcher, Dennis. "The Edict of Worms (1521)". The Voice: Biblical and Theological Resources for Growing Christians. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ↑ "Ben Hall and the outlawed bushrangers". Culture and Recreation Portal. Australian Government. 15 April 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ↑ McMenomy, Keith (1984). Ned Kelly: the authentic illustrated story. Melbourne, Australia: Currey O'Neil Ross Pty. Ltd. p. 90. ISBN 0-85902-122-X.
- ↑ Trout, Carlynn. "Jesse James (1847 – 1882)". Famous Missourians : Folk Legends. The State Historical Society of Missouri. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2008-09-22.