The Monkey Legend

Hartlepool entered the nineteenth century with a population of just 993, a town, harbour and pier falling apart and barely a living to be made from fishing. The silted outer harbour, the Slake, was enclosed and corn grown for five years until it was reopened to the sea. For most of the twenty years from 1793 Britain was at war with France. Regiments of Volunteers were hastily formed throughout the land – no more so than in Hartlepool where enthusiastic townsfolk were on guard against a Napoleonic invasion.

Legend has it that on a December day there were severe gales lashing the coast through which a French vessel – Chasse Maree – was seen off the Headland. Fearing an invasion Hartlepool fisherfolk kept watch as the ship foundered. Among the wreckage washed ashore was a sorrowful survivor – the ship’s pet monkey dressed in military uniform.

The fishermen questioned the animal during a swift trial and, being unfamiliar with what a French soldier looked like nor the language he spoke, they concluded that the monkey was a spy and was sentenced to death. They quickly carried out the sentence, hanging the ill-fated creature from a boat’s mast.

For a bit of fun, why not download and print our wonderful poster. You can find it in our Fun and Games area.