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Quiz about Jack Sheppard 18th Century Criminal Escaper

Jack Sheppard: 18th Century Criminal Escaper Quiz

The story of Jack Sheppard has inspired many authors. He had a relatively short criminal career, but at the time was more famous for his escapes.

A multiple-choice quiz by zippolover. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
zippolover

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
357,052

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
228

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The criminal Jack Sheppard was born 4 March 1702 in which area of London, known for the many markets? Hint

Bermondsey

Poplar

Spitalfields

Camden

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Question 2 of 10

2. Jack Sheppard was sent to live in a workhouse when his father died. After two false starts, he signed his seven-year indenture in what profession? Hint

Book binding

Beer brewing

Animal husbandry

Carpentry

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Question 3 of 10

3. Where is it claimed that Jack Sheppard first met other criminals that subsequently started his own criminal career? Hint

Hayne's tavern

Guinness brewery

Sharpe's printworks

Old MacDonald's farm

4. Jack Sheppard started with small thefts such as a pair of silver teaspoons. After a short time, he moved with Elizabeth Lyon to Fulham, where they lived as man and wife and his first escape was made. What was unusual about it? Hint

He broke in to help Elizabeth escape

He knocked out a constable and dressed in his uniform

He squeezed through the bars as he was so skinny

He dressed as a woman

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Question 5 of 10

5. Jack Sheppard was arrested for burglary, but managed to escape within three hours. How did he do this? Hint

Breaking through the roof

Leap-frogging over the crowds on the way to court

Slipping under the cell door

Pretending to have the plague and being taken to the hospital

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Question 6 of 10

6. The second time the criminal Jack Sheppard was arrested was for pick-pocketing. When his common-law wife came to visit, she was put in the same cell. How did they escape? Hint

Pretending to be insane and being carted off to Bedlam

Hit the guard bringing their food over the head and stole his keys

Removed a bar at the window and lowered themselves on bedsheets

Took the hinges off the cell door using a loose screw from the bed

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Question 7 of 10

7. Jack Sheppard was arrested again when he fell out with the gang members of a highwayman, who informed upon him. Who was the highwayman? Hint

Joseph "Blueskin" Blake

Anthony "Angle-Iron" Blair

George "Blunderbuss" Brown

David "Creepers" Cameron

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Question 8 of 10

8. Jack Sheppard was imprisoned in Newgate Prison to await trial. He was prosecuted on three charges of theft at the Old Bailey. How many guilty verdicts were there? Hint

Two

None. There was a retrial

Three

One

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Question 9 of 10

9. Jack Sheppard escaped from prison four days before the date due for his execution. How did he escape this time? Hint

He swapped places with a friend who came to visit

He dressed as a woman

He pretended to be a dog and crawled passed the guards

He threw his dinner in the face of the guard and ran out

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Question 10 of 10

10. Jack Sheppard planned one final escape on the way to his hanging at Tyburn in 1724, but it was thwarted. What happened? Hint

His pen-knife was found in a last minute search by a warden

The guard stole the cake with the file baked into it

As he jumped from the cart, his trousers snagged on the side

His accomplices overslept and got to the rendezvous too late

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The criminal Jack Sheppard was born 4 March 1702 in which area of London, known for the many markets?

Answer: Spitalfields

John, known as Jack, was named after a brother who had died some time before. He was baptised the day after his birth. At the time Spitalfields was already a very run down area.

2. Jack Sheppard was sent to live in a workhouse when his father died. After two false starts, he signed his seven-year indenture in what profession?

Answer: Carpentry

At the age of six years, Jack became an apprentice cane-chair maker. After his first master died, he was taken on by a second in the same trade, who mistreated him. His mother's employer took him in, taught him to read and write and then found the carpenter who took him as an apprentice.

3. Where is it claimed that Jack Sheppard first met other criminals that subsequently started his own criminal career?

Answer: Hayne's tavern

Hayne's tavern was a known haunt of the criminal fraternity. Jack started out by making small thefts while on errands for his Master.

Answer: He broke in to help Elizabeth escape

Jack tried to visit Elizabeth Lyon at St Giles's Roundhouse, but as he was refused entry, he broke in to get her out.

5. Jack Sheppard was arrested for burglary, but managed to escape within three hours. How did he do this?

Answer: Breaking through the roof

Jack was put on the top floor of the St Giles's Roundhouse and he broke through the wooden roof. He then lowered himself to the ground using the bedsheets.

6. The second time the criminal Jack Sheppard was arrested was for pick-pocketing. When his common-law wife came to visit, she was put in the same cell. How did they escape?

Answer: Removed a bar at the window and lowered themselves on bedsheets

They managed to remove a bar at the window and lowered themselves on bedsheets, unfortunately landing in the yard of the prison next door. They crossed the prison yard and climbed the 22 feet (6.7m) tall wall to get away.

7. Jack Sheppard was arrested again when he fell out with the gang members of a highwayman, who informed upon him. Who was the highwayman?

Answer: Joseph "Blueskin" Blake

Joseph "Blueskin" Blake had a gang of ruffians working for him. Jack's fence, William Field, informed on him and Jack was arrested again.

8. Jack Sheppard was imprisoned in Newgate Prison to await trial. He was prosecuted on three charges of theft at the Old Bailey. How many guilty verdicts were there?

Answer: One

The third of three charges was upheld as the criminals who had informed on him gave evidence against Jack. He was sentenced to death.

9. Jack Sheppard escaped from prison four days before the date due for his execution. How did he escape this time?

Answer: He dressed as a woman

Elizabeth Lyon and a friend visited Jack in prison and brought spare clothes. They distracted the guards and smuggled Jack out, dressed in female clothing.

Jack was arrested and escaped one more time before his final capture. His criminal career had lasted only two years, but his escapes captured the public's imagination and he became a folk hero.

10. Jack Sheppard planned one final escape on the way to his hanging at Tyburn in 1724, but it was thwarted. What happened?

Answer: His pen-knife was found in a last minute search by a warden

Jack had planned to use his pen-knife to cut the ropes binding him on the way to the gallows. He was a short and slim man, so he was not quite dead after being left hanging for the regulation 15 minutes. Friends had also arranged to spirit him away to a doctor in the hope of reviving him, but his celebrity status as folk hero meant that there was a huge crowd and his friends could not reach Jack.

Source: Author zippolover

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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