Footpad

For the racehorse, see Footpad (horse).

In archaic terminology, a footpad is a robber or thief specialising in pedestrian victims. The term was used widely from the 16th century until the 19th century,[1] but gradually fell out of common use. A footpad was considered a low criminal, as opposed to the mounted highwayman who in certain cases might gain fame as well as notoriety.[2] Footpads operated during the Elizabethan era and until the beginning of the 19th century.[3]

  1. ^ The Argus, Melbourne, Australia; BRUTAL ASSAULT, 09 Jun 1904
  2. ^ Close (2002-05-03). "Stand and deliver: The history of the highwayman". London: Books.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  3. ^ Rid, Samuel. "Martin Markall, Beadle of Bridewell," in The Elizabethan Underworld, A. V. Judges, ed. pp. 415–416. George Routledge, 1930. Online quotation. See also Spraggs, Gillian:Outlaws and Highwaymen: the Cult of the Robber in England from the Middle Ages to the Nineteenth Century, pp. 107, 169, 190–191. Pimlico, 2001.