The Cock Road Gang

the story of the Caines family

Before considering the make-up and understanding the particular features of the Cock Road Gang, it is necessary to look at the times in which they lived and the environment in which they were brought up, and to try not to pre-judge them with twenty-first century morals and opinions. The period covered by this book is roughly the one hundred and ten year period from 1727 to 1837, and is based around the parishes of Bitton and Oldland, but events occurred outside of those parishes, some many miles away, and a number of participants lived in the adjoining parishes of Hanham, Kingswood, Warmley and Syston.

  Life for many people, and in particular the working class, was harsh to say the least, and revolved around a great deal of hard work, a minimal amount of money which might or might not be sufficient to scrape together enough sustenance to be able to eke out an existence, poor unsanitary living conditions, with no medical or State Welfare, and little or no comfort to break up the boredom and drudgery of their existence. Obviously there was a certain degree of recreation for those who would and could seek them, but mostly they were for men, and revolved around drinking, gambling and pleasures of the flesh, all of which had a detrimental affect on their families, as what little money was earned could soon disappear in an alehouse, or some such other establishment. As for the womenfolk, life consisted of continued hard work, keeping house, bearing children, and trying to put food on the table to feed her hungry brood, whilst at the same time, juggling with the need to look after her husband, plus of course the endless drudgery of washing and cleaning, although she did try to make the most of the occasional trips to market, meeting up with old friends, and catching up with the local gossip. 

The establishment of authority in eighteenth century England was complex, uneven in its impact and effectiveness, and fundamentally controlled by the establishment, to benefit themselves, and to protect their own property, without any balance of fairness, compassion or social conscience. The period covered by this book is roughly the one hundred and ten year period from 1727 to 1837, and is based around the parishes of Bitton and Oldland, but events occurred outside of those parishes, some many miles away, and a number of participants lived in the adjoining parishes of Hanham, Kingswood, Warmley and Syston. This true story is also based around one particular family ~ The CAINES, with the support of their numerous cousins, who tended to dominate the criminal aspects of the area. Rogues and opportunists they undoubtedly were with fingers in all sorts of pies, always on the look out for any occasion that would benefit them and their family; organised they were not, with little thought of planning or the consequences of their action. Without in anyway wishing to excuse their actions, it is hoped that as the story unfolds the reader will begin to realise that the individual members of the family were not dangerous villains, prepared to achieve their aims at any cost, but were predominantly a roguish family who received a bad press. ~ A true story that is a must for anyone who lives and/or knows the Kingswood/Oldland area, and for anyone with an interest in Social History.

2003

Price £8.00
ISBN: 0-9545117-2-7

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