Humphrey Kynaston, Nesscliffe Cave, Nesscliffe, Shropshire, England, UK
Posted by: 
Ddraig Ddu
N 52° 46.205 W 002° 54.855
30U E 505785 N 5846698
A local highwayman that some believe gave robin hood some of his myth by his action. This is the place that holds his history on the run and while he worked as a highwayman. Here was the location where he planned his attacks and hid from capture.
Waymark Code: WMD5CQ
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/21/2011
Views: 1
"Humphrey Kynaston (c.1468–1534), aka Wild Humphrey Kynaston, was an English highwayman who operated in the Shropshire area.
The son of the High Sheriff of Shropshire, he was convicted for murder in 1491. After being outlawed, he moved into a cave in the area and lived a lifestyle compared to Robin Hood.
On 20 December 1491, Kynaston was found guilty for the murder of John Hughes at Stretton, and declared an outlaw by Henry VII. Some time after that, he moved from Myddle castle to a cave in Nesscliffe Rock. Some sources claim that the reason he moved was due to the criminal charges, and others claim that he was outlawed due to debts. From 1491 to 1518, Kynaston supposedly lived a life that would match the fictional character Robin Hood. It seems he had a reputation for robbing from the rich, and giving to the poor. In return, the locals protected him, and gave him and his horse ('Beelzebub') food.
One time, in an attempt to capture Kynaston, the local sheriff removed several planks from Montford Bridge, to keep him from crossing the River Severn, but his horse managed to leap and safely clear the distance. It is also said that he was a regular patron at the Old Three Pigeons tavern in Shropshire, and his original seat is still there. He may have been pardoned by Henry VII in 1493, but some accounts state that in 1513, Humphrey provided 100 men to aid Henry VIII in France, and in return received a royal pardon 3 to 5 years later.
Humphrey left a will dated 1 May 1534, and that will was proved 26 January 1535. While the year of his death is well known, how he died and where are disputed. Some sources claim he lived comfortably in an estate near Welshpool until he died, and others claim he died of illness in his cave."
Date of crime: 01/01/1491
Public access allowed: no
Fee required: no
Web site: Not listed
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