Ned Kelly.

It is a bit difficult to compare thirteenth century England with nineteenth century Australia, for a start, nineteenth century records are pretty much complete. But there are some parallels that can be drawn.

A significant part of the popularity of Robin Hood (if he even existed!) is because he was seen as a champion of an oppressed part of the population (Saxons, especially their upper class who lost out badly in 1066).

Similarly, a lot of the popularity of Kelly can is because he could be seen as a champion of the oppressed Catholic Irish. In many respects these were in the same position as Muslims in contemporary Australia. (It was only a few years after an Irish assassin had tried to murder Prince Alfred in Sydney.)

But the popularity of any national "heroes" has little to do with what they were really like. Consider for example that Australia's most popular national song is about a suicidal stock thief.

It all comes down to "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story" - but try to remember it's only a story.

John

John

it was a miscarriage of justice.
kelly was a victim of police harassment.

Another inane comment from the usual quarter. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eevo

it was a miscarriage of justice.
kelly was a victim of police harassment.

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Absolutely, he was a victim of harassment.
Of course if he had done nothing wrong and not threatend the authorities he would have been left to do his thing.
I wonder if his threats would be considered under today's laws as teririsim?

Would be interesting to get John Schumann's opinion of his lyrics 30 years on....

Eighteen-hundred & 78 was the year I remember so well
they put my father in an early grave and slung my mother in gaol
now I don't know what's right or wrong
but they hung Christ on nails
6 kids at home & 2 still on the breast
they wouldn't even give her bail

( CHORUS:

Poor Ned, you're better off dead
at least you'll get some peace of mind
you're out on the track
they're right on your back
boy they're gonna hang you high )

You know I wrote a letter 'bout Stringy-Bark Creek
so they would understand
that I might be a bushranger
but I'm not a murdering man
I didn't want to shoot Kennedy
or that copper Lonnigan
he alone could have saved his life
by throwing down his gun

CHORUS

You know they took Ned Kelly
& they hung him in the Melbourne gaol
he fought so very bravely
dressed in iron mail
& no man single handed
can hope to break the bars
there's a thousand like Ned Kelly
who'll hoist the flag of stars

we sing...CHORUS


Not disagreeing with Digger but the "underdog" fable of the Kelly gang has existed for a long time and was also confused and distorted by other Australian history such as the sovereign hill uprising, Waltzing Matilda, and potato famine migrants coming to Australia. Ironic that the murdered troopers came from this background.
We are not the only culture to celebrate outlaws, America has a fascination with Billy the Kid and British Highwaymen are often presented as dashing figures in popular media.

Regards,

Tote

So did pickles have an adventure ?

Seems there was some shenanigans from the justice department all through Ned's life. The police involved did themselves no favours with the recorded actions I read - court records, royal commission, police sacking etc. seem solid. All is not as it first seemed to me...

From Wikipedia-

Trial

At the Benalla Police Court, on 17 May 1878, William Williamson, alias "Brickey", William Skillion and Ellen Kelly, while on remand, were charged with aiding and abetting attempted murder.[46] The three appeared on 9 October 1878 before Judge Redmond Barry and charged with attempted murder. Despite Fitzpatrick's doctor reporting a strong smell of alcohol on the constable and his inability to confirm the wrist wound was caused by a bullet,[35] Fitzpatrick's evidence was accepted by the police, the judge, and the jury made up of several ex-police, a shanty keeper who did business with the police,[47] and according to J.J. Kenneally, "others who were prejudiced against the Kellys." The three were convicted on Fitzpatrick's unsupported evidence. Skillion and Williamson both received sentences of six years and Ellen three years of hard labor. Barry stated that if Ned were present he would "give him 15 years", even though the latter was not charged.[9][48] Frank Harty, a successful and well-known farmer in the area, offered to pay Ellen Kelly's bail upon which bail was immediately refused.[41]

Ellen Kelly's sentence was considered unfair even by people who had no cause to be Kelly sympathizers. Alfred Wyatt, a police magistrate headquartered in Benalla told the Commission later "I thought the sentence upon that old woman, Mrs Kelly, a very severe one."[49] Enoch Downes, a truant officer, recounted to the Commission in 1881 that while speaking to Joe Byrne's mother, he said that he did not believe in the sentence and "if policy had been used or consideration for the mother shown that two or three months would have been ample."[50] The legacy of Fitzpatrick himself is coloured by the fact that he was later dismissed from the force for drunkenness and perjury.


** In no way am I suggesting this stuff still happens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly

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Originally Posted by SPROVER

No disrespect to you digger. But i guess you weren't expecting that pickles😆

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No problems... and sorry Pickles, The Kelly thing ,its a beef with me.. !!

I hope you enjoyed the area, it is beautiful and the story should be told, but really the truth should be told..

Agreed the Kellys may have had a rough trot at the hands of the law, but a point blank execution of 3 police??

I hope my Great grandchildren dont get a cold when they are in Tassie in 100 years doing the Martyn BRYANT trail.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by digger

but a point blank execution of 3 police??

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tactically, its a smart thing to do, remove the guys who are chasing you...

Im not saying who is right nor wrong but murder is not lawfull or just in any means .
And digger i understand where you are coming from.
But as always there is 2 sides to every story that still may not make murder justified ;)
Once one goes in and reads both sides it does give you a totaly different perspective on the matter.
Im happy to sit on the fence .