It’s freezing in Buxton today – one of those biting, bone-chilling colds that makes you want to huddle by the fire with a hot drink. As they say, it’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.

But don’t worry, pull up a chair, get comfortable, and I’ll tell you a tale about a different kind of monkey. A tale so strange, so utterly ridiculous, that you might not believe it. Yet, in the coastal town of Hartlepool, this story has been passed down for generations. It’s the tale of how, during the Napoleonic Wars, the people of Hartlepool captured, tried, and hanged a monkey… believing it to be a French spy.

During the early 19th century, Britain was in a constant state of fear and suspicion. The French, under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, were seen as a looming threat, and coastal towns were especially on edge, expecting spies or even full-scale invasions. It was in this climate of paranoia and patriotic fervor that one of the strangest and most enduring legends in British history was born – the tale of the Hartlepool Monkey.

One stormy night, a French ship was struggling against the waves off the northeast coast of England. The winds howled, the sea raged, and the ship was eventually wrecked upon the jagged rocks near Hartlepool. By morning, the storm had passed, and the townspeople made their way to the shore to inspect the wreckage.

Among the broken timbers, scattered cargo, and debris, they found something unusual – a small, shivering creature, barely clinging to life. It was a monkey, dressed in scraps of what appeared to be a military uniform.

Now, today, it seems obvious that this was simply the ship’s mascot, as monkeys were often kept aboard naval vessels for entertainment and pest control (Hague, 2007). But in the early 19th century, the people of Hartlepool were not well-travelled, and many of them had never even seen a monkey before. More importantly, most of them had never seen a Frenchman either. All they knew was that a foreign ship had wrecked, and here was a strange-looking, foreign creature wearing something that looked a lot like a uniform.

Word spread quickly through the town. The people gathered, murmuring and whispering to each other, pointing at the little animal.

Suspicion grew.

Was this some kind of spy?

Had the French, in their trickery, sent this peculiar creature to gather intelligence on Hartlepool?

These were uncertain times, and the fear of invasion was real. The people decided that, whatever this thing was, it couldn’t be trusted (Cookson, 2011).

Determined to do the right thing for King and country, the townsfolk decided the monkey should be put on trial. A makeshift court was set up, and the monkey was brought before the town leaders. The townspeople questioned it, demanding answers –

where had it come from?

What were its plans?

Was it working for Napoleon?

The monkey, of course, had no idea what was happening. It chattered and screeched, looking between the serious faces of its accusers. But to the people of Hartlepool, this was just more evidence against it. Refusing to speak English was clearly an attempt to hide something.

With no defense, no explanation, and no proof of innocence, the monkey was swiftly found guilty of espionage. The punishment for spying?

Death.

And so, in what must have been one of the most bizarre moments in history, the people of Hartlepool prepared to execute a monkey. A noose was fashioned, a gallows set up, and, to the cheers of the crowd, the “French spy” was hanged (Dixon, 2014).

Now, whether this actually happened is another matter entirely. There are no official records of the event, and historians are sceptical. The story didn’t appear in writing until decades later, leading many to believe it was a joke or exaggeration. Some think it was a tale spread by neighboring towns to mock the people of Hartlepool, portraying them as simple and gullible (Atkinson, 2019).

Others suggest it might have originated from old political cartoons, as the British press often depicted the French as ape-like figures, and somehow, the satire was mistaken for reality.

Whatever the truth, the story stuck. Instead of denying it, the people of Hartlepool embraced the legend, turning it into a source of local pride and humour.

Hartlepool United, the town’s football team, has a monkey mascot named H’Angus, and in 2002, a man dressed as H’Angus the Monkey ran for mayor.. and won! He served three terms (BBC, 2002).

The tale of the Hartlepool Monkey is strange, darkly funny, and a little ridiculous. But it’s also a perfect example of how myths and folklore take on a life of their own. Whether it really happened or not, the people of Hartlepool will always be known as the town that hanged a monkey, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

So there you go – a tale to warm you up on a freezing day in Buxton. Hope you enjoyed it!

Further Reading

Atkinson, D. (2019). Folk Tales of North East England. The History Press.

Cookson, G. (2011). The History of Hartlepool. Blackwell Publishing.

Dixon, P. (2014). Legends and Myths of Britain. Amberley Publishing.

Hague, P. (2007). Seafarers and Their Strange Stories. Conway Maritime Press.

BBC News (2002). “Hartlepool Monkey Elected Mayor.” Online.