Dick Turpin

Joan Sims, playing Sir John's aunt, was only four years older than Christopher Benjamin.

At the start of the episode Turpin is seen reading about himself in The History of the Most Noted Highway-Men by Captain Alexander Smith. This bestseller was published in 1714, when the real Dick Turpin was only nine years old. His adventures could not have been included.

The real Dick Turpin (1705-1739) was nothing more than a thief and a murderer, but in this episode he is given a background that has themes reminiscent of the Robin Hood saga. Apparently he went off to fight for his country and found on his return that his father's farm had been stolen by the evil Sir John Glutton. Turpin now steals from the rich and - at least - lends money to the poor.