The Forty Elephants: London's Fierce Female Gang

In the bustling, gas-lit streets of Victorian and Edwardian London, a unique and formidable criminal enterprise operated, defying the strict gender norms of the era. This was the domain of the Forty Elephants, an all-female syndicate renowned for their audacious shoplifting, pickpocketing, and blackmail. Far from being a fringe element, this highly organised gang carved out a significant presence in the city's underworld, leaving a lasting impression on London's history and inspiring the new Disney+ series, 'A Thousand Blows'.

The Rise of the Forty Elephants

Emerging around the 1870s, the Forty Elephants were based in the Elephant and Castle area of South London, a district that lent them their distinctive name. At their peak, the gang comprised around 40 members, a closely-knit unit that operated with a surprising level of sophistication. Their activities were not merely opportunistic; they were strategic and well-rehearsed, often exploiting the prevailing societal expectations of women's behaviour to their advantage. Historians suggest their origins might even stretch back to the 1700s, though concrete evidence solidifies their presence from the 1870s onwards.

Modus Operandi: Cunning and Deception

The Forty Elephants were masters of disguise and misdirection. Their primary targets were high-end shops, where they employed elaborate schemes to pilfer valuable goods. A common tactic involved two women entering a shop, requesting to see multiple items from the proprietor. While the shopkeeper was distracted, perhaps by being asked to fetch a particular item or by the chatter of the accomplices, one woman would discreetly slip merchandise into her shawl or cloak.

Their ingenuity extended to their attire. The women were known to wear specially tailored clothing, featuring large, secret pockets sewn into the full width of their skirts. These hidden compartments, accessed through openings at the front of their dresses, were ideal for concealing stolen items. This meticulous attention to detail allowed them to leave high-end establishments unnoticed, their loot concealed within the voluminous fabric of Victorian fashion.

The 'Hoister's Code': Discipline and Cohesion

What set the Forty Elephants apart was their adherence to a strict code of conduct, known as the 'hoister's code' – 'hoist' being their term for shoplifting. This internal discipline fostered a strong sense of community and ensured the smooth running of their operations. Key tenets of this code included:

• No drinking before a raid: Maintaining full faculties was paramount for successful operations.
• Early hours to bed: Ensuring rest and readiness for their activities.
• Equal share of proceeds: All members involved in a job received an equal portion of the profits, regardless of their specific role. This fostered a sense of fairness and commitment.
• No stealing from each other: This applied to both money and, notably, boyfriends, highlighting the importance of internal harmony and preventing conflicts that could jeopardise the gang.

Crime historian Brian McDonald noted that this latter rule, though not always perfectly observed, was crucial for maintaining group cohesion. The syndicate operated almost like a co-operative, with communal funds available to members who were arrested, further solidifying their bonds.

The Queens of the Syndicate: Mary Carr and Alice Diamond

The leadership of the Forty Elephants was held by formidable women who shaped the gang's trajectory.

Mary Carr

Mary Carr is considered one of the gang's earliest and most influential leaders. Born in 1862, her early life was marked by hardship, with her mother's death and an absent father. By the age of 14, she was already convicted of shoplifting. Despite a brief period engaging in flower selling and modelling for artists like Dorothy Tennant and Frederic Leighton, she fully embraced a life of crime, eventually becoming the 'Queen' of the Forty Elephants around the 1890s.

Carr transformed the loosely organised group of thieves into a more disciplined and effective criminal enterprise. She enforced strict rules and established her home as the gang's initial base of operations. Her leadership, however, also brought increased scrutiny. In 1895, the gang was implicated in the abduction of a child and an attack on a rival gang member. Carr was subsequently jailed in 1896 for kidnapping, serving three years. Despite her conviction, she was noted for her stylish appearance, even at her trial, reportedly wearing expensive attire and diamond rings valued at more than £300 – a significant sum for the time.

Alice Diamond ('Diamond Annie')

Taking the reins around the time Mary Carr was incarcerated, Alice Diamond rose to prominence as another powerful leader. Born in 1886, she had a criminal background from a young age, with her parents also involved in illicit activities. By 17, she had multiple theft convictions and even attempted to procure explosives during World War I. By 1915, at just 19, she had become the new 'Queen' of the Forty Elephants, earning the moniker 'Diamond Annie' due to her penchant for wearing diamond rings, which sometimes doubled as knuckle dusters.

Under Diamond's leadership, the gang refined their department store heists and even began carrying out ambitious jewel thefts at high-society events, using their social camouflage to pickpocket valuable items and gather intelligence for future burglaries. Her meticulous planning and control were legendary; she received daily bulletins on potential targets and directed all operations. However, her reign ended in 1925 when she was arrested and tried for her role in orchestrating numerous robberies, a case that captured significant public attention.

The Legacy of the Forty Elephants

The influence of the Forty Elephants extended beyond their operational years. Their story highlights the agency and resourcefulness of women in a male-dominated society, demonstrating that they could not only participate in but also lead sophisticated criminal organisations. While Alice Diamond's arrest marked a significant blow, the gang continued under new leadership, including Lillian Rose Kendall and later Shirley Pitts. However, by the 1960s, increased security and surveillance led to their gradual decline.

The intertwining of their story with the gritty world of Victorian bare-knuckle boxing, as depicted in 'A Thousand Blows', further enriches their narrative. The series, created by Steven Knight, explores the imagined intersection of Mary Carr's criminal empire with the ambition of Hezekiah Moscow, a Jamaican boxer, and the established boxing king, Henry 'Sugar' Goodson. This fusion of historical fact and dramatic licence brings to life the vibrant, often brutal, underbelly of 19th-century London.

Frequently Asked Questions

Were the Forty Elephants a real gang?

Yes, the Forty Elephants were a very real, all-female crime gang that operated in London for a considerable period, from the 1870s until the mid-20th century.

Why were they called the Forty Elephants?

Their name is believed to derive from their base of operations in the Elephant and Castle district of South London. The 'Forty' likely refers to the approximate number of women in the gang at its peak.

What were their main criminal activities?

Their primary activities included shoplifting from high-end stores, pickpocketing, and blackmail. They were also skilled at fencing stolen goods.

Who were the most famous leaders of the Forty Elephants?

The most prominent leaders were Mary Carr, often referred to as one of the first 'Queens', and Alice Diamond, also known as 'Diamond Annie', who led the gang with exceptional organisation and ruthlessness.

How did they use fashion to their advantage?

They wore specially tailored clothing with large, hidden pockets in their skirts and even in their hats to conceal stolen items. They also used their social standing and expected demeanour to avoid suspicion.

What inspired the Disney+ series 'A Thousand Blows'?

'A Thousand Blows' is inspired by the true story of the Forty Elephants, particularly focusing on the imagined meeting between their leader Mary Carr and the historical figure Hezekiah Moscow, set against the backdrop of Victorian London's boxing scene.

The story of the Forty Elephants is a testament to female resilience, ingenuity, and a defiance of societal constraints. Their legacy continues to fascinate, reminding us of the diverse and often overlooked figures who shaped the criminal landscape of London.