Robber gangs in the 18th century: unrest and crimes in OWL!

Robber gangs in the 18th century: unrest and crimes in OWL!

On January 16, 2025, the first “East West Falls” true crime event with Johannes Glaw, city archeologist, took place in Gütersloh. The theme of the robbers and robber gangs in East Westphalia-Lippe (OWL) in the 18th century was dealt with in detail. During this time, social unrest and the aftermath of the French Revolution lead to an increase in gangs of robbers that arise in response to widespread poverty in rural regions.

It was particularly noticeable that many crimes in this era were not displayed or were insufficiently pursued. The underlying legal system, the "Constitutio Criminalis Carolina", failed to ensure effective law enforcement. People had the opportunity to buy from their punishments by reporting to the Prussian army. Small stairs in OWL also made the situation more difficult: Ten territorialists with unclear responsibilities offered a breeding ground for criminals, which could largely hike between the areas to escape the law enforcement authorities.

robber gangs in the spotlight

The spread of robber gangs in OWL was closely linked to social unrest and structural problems. Ex-soldiers and other criminals merged to set up their own rules. A concise example from this time is Heinrich Böger's brutal robbery in 1794 in the district of Lippe, which finally led to his execution.

In addition to the stories of Böger, the figure of the Philipp Gehring is also important. This notorious robber leader, born in 1740, was executed in Bielefeld on December 6, 1782 after repeatedly withdrawn from the judiciary. The brothers Irmann, known as "gallows birds", are also part of this brutal story, since they were feared in the region due to their numerous raids and were finally also executed.

The structures of the robber gangs

dry and terrifying, the landscape of the crimes were not only limited to the mere raids. Robber gangs organized and created unknown structures connected to one another, where they could hide from the police. In cities such as Düsseldorf and Cologne there were a variety of hiding places where robbers found refuge, received support and often had to give part of their prey. These slip angles were not only safe, but also served as communication centers, especially for sick or wounded gangs.

The thieving hostel by Hans Bast Nikolai in Bad Bertrich and other points of contact such as the “Suff Anne” inn in Straelen represented important link in the network of robbers.

The legal framework

The legal framework significantly made the situation for those affected significantly. The death penalty for murder and street robbery led to public executions that the population perceived as a spectacle. These aspects of the case law at that time, for which confessions were essential, contributed to the general uncertainty.

The family and the social environment of the robbers played a significant role in enabling their actions. The members of the gangs often came from the lower classes of society and were promoted in the spirit of optimism and the social upheavals of the time. Compared to the effectiveness of state crime fighting in the 19th century, the situation in the 18th century was characterized by inefficiency and blurring in law enforcement.

These insights into the complex history of the robber gangs in OWL show how closely social challenges were interwoven with the crime of the time. Another exciting perspective on the topic offers the book "Society and Crime. Robbery gangs in the 18th and early 19th centuries", by Katrin Lange, which gives deeper insights into the interactions between poverty and crime.

The examination of these historical crimes in the Podcast "East West Falls" not only offers entertaining, but also educational insights into a dark time in the region and shows how important it is to understand these chapters of history in order to be able to better classify the social circumstances of the present.

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