Week three into the A-Z Challenge and we are onto the letter K! The penny dreadful I'm featuring today is Black Bess or the Knight of the Road by Edward Viles, 1866-68."Black Bess or the Knight of the Road"
According to the British Library, "Black Bess is a heavily fictionalized account of the life and death of the infamous English highway bandit Dick Turpin (1705-1739)." The series romanticized an outlawed, unattractive legend and turned him into a hero with gentleman-like qualities. And the name "Black Bess" in the title, was actually the name of the real Dick Turpin's horse. Fitting since he was primarily a horse thief. How cool is that? The British library has a wonderful collection of both the text and colorful illustrations here. These successful penny dreadfuls were like many at the time, focused on real-life crime, romance, and mystery.
Where can I get a copy of Black Bess or the Knight of the Road?
The only ebook I was able to find...FREE was quite shockingly at Barnes & Nobles! Wow! I didn't expect that one from B&N.
Happy Monday, everyone! How's the challenge going for you? Have you met new friends?
Mina Burrows
