Lord Dunsany Review: The Highwaymen

The exact year that “The Highwaymen” is set is unclear but it was most likely between 1751 and 1832 when gibbetting was the law. Variations of gibbetting have been around since recorded history as crucifixion serves the same purpose.

In 1751, England passed the Murder Act which established that “in no case whatsoever shall the body of any murderer be suffered to be buried.” Murderers would either be given to medical schools or left exposed to decompose in public. Sometimes bodies were left to rot in what looked like a cage for a corpse; other times they were just left hanging.

The bodies of 144 men were displayed in public until they rotted away from 1751 to 1832. All morality aside, having smelled a corpse than was dead for just two weeks, this must have been a threat to public health and well-being. The mental health of the rotting men’s friends and family must have been even worse.

Dunsany describes the spirit of a highwayman, whose body was left to rot as the law demanded. His spirit was battered and without peace until his old friends broke the law.

Churches used to teach the Biblical verses of Roman 13:1-8 which command Christians to obey the laws of their government. Romans 13:1-2:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

This is taken even further in Romans 13:5 “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.”

Back when I was a kid and civil rights activists nonviolently broke racist laws, churches hammered home Romans 13 to us, “You may not like it but the Bible says obey.”

Today, I hear churches saying just the opposite. “If you don’t like the results of an election, riot.”

Things were much different in the past. It was literally considered a sin to bury a long-dead corpse.

The corpse in Dunsany’s story belonged to a gang of murderous criminals who broke the law with impunity. The opened up a hallowed grave and buried their friend in it, granting him peace. They went back to their lawless lives, but Dunsany tells us, they “knew not in their sinful lives they had sinned one sin at which the Angels smiled.”

So far “The Highwaymen” is my favorite story of the collection. It’s short but powerful and could educate readers about some aspects of history that many would rather us forget.