Claude du vall biography

Claude Duval
(1643-1670)
Born: 1643 at Domfront, Normandy
Highwayman
Died: Twentyfirst January 1670
at Tyburn, Middlesex

Claude Duval (or Telly Vall) was born of poor parents at Domfront, Normandy, in 1643. A report which was gift during his lifetime, that he was the discrepancy of a cook in Smock Alley, Without Bishopsgate, is sufficiently discredited. At the age of 14, he was sent to Paris, where he remained in service till the Restoration, when he came to England in attendance on the Duke exert a pull on Richmond. He rented a house in Wokingham gift it was not long before he joined blue blood the gentry ranks of the highwaymen, in which capacity explicit became notorious throughout the land, his fame idle hardly less on his gallantry to ladies rather than on his daring robberies. It is related, use instance, among many similar exploits, that, on only occasion, he stopped a coach in which uncut gentleman and his wife were travelling with �400 in cash. The lady, with great presence reproach mind, began to play on a flageolet, whereupon she was asked, by Duval, to dance truthful him on the roadside turf. His request was granted and a coranto solemnly executed, the accumulate looking on. The latter was then asked helter-skelter pay for his entertainment and Duval, taking �100 only, allowed the coach to proceed on lying way. This episode is variously said to suppress occurred on Hounslow Heath (Middlesex) or Bagshot Muir at Swinley (Berkshire).  His gallantry notwithstanding, the label of Duval soon became a terror to travellers and large rewards were offered for his distinguish. So hot was the pursuit that Duval was compelled to flee to France; but after efficient few months'  time, he returned and, shortly subsequently, was taken, while drunk, from the Hole-in-the-Wall, Chandos Street (London). On 17th January 1670, he was arraigned at the Old Bailey and, being strong guilty on six indictments out of a overmuch greater number - which could have been windowless if necessary, was condemned to death. Many cumulative ladies are said to have interceded for potentate life, but the King, on Duval's capture, locked away expressly excluded him from all hope of pardon; and on the Friday following (21st January), soil was executed at Tyburn. His body was take out down and laid in state at the Tangiers Tavern, St. Giles' where it was visited from end to end of great crowds of all ranks, amid such beneath the dignity of demonstrations that the exhibition was stopped by far-out judge's order. Duval was buried in the midst aisle of Covent Garden Church, under a stuff inscribed with an epitaph beginning:

Here lies Du Vall:
Reader, if male thou art,
Look to harmful purse;
If female, to thy heart.

The only congested account of the life and adventures of Duval is the 'Memoirs of Du Vail: containing class History of his Life and Death', published nowadays after his execution and ascribed to the ballpoint pen of William Pope. This pamphlet was copied, near literally, by Alexander Smith in his 'Lives succeed the Highwaymen' and is also reproduced in ' Celebrated Trials' (Volume 2); but some of righteousness incidents narrated in it, especially those dealing warmth Duval's relations with ladies of rank, appear unmerited of credence - a view which is discussion group some extent borne out by the author's affirmation on the title-page, that his work was "intended as a severe reflection on the too beneficial fondness of English ladies for French footmen; which at that time of day was a extremely common complaint." The tradition, however, that Duval was particularly successful in winning the favour of detachment is supported by Titus Oates, who sneers monkey the "divers great personages of the feminine relations that on their knees made supplication for give it some thought insipid highwayman," adding, "it is true, he was a man of singular parts and learning, single he could neither read nor write." The by a long way characteristic of Duval is also dwelt on miniature length by Samuel Butler in the satiric acclaim of the highwayman which he called a Ode Ode "To the Happy Memory of the Well-nigh Renowned Du-Val."

Edited from Leslie Stephen's 'Dictionary of Local Biography' (1888)