Six Surprising Truths About Britain’s Press Gangs and Forgotten Draft

Introduction: The Legend of the King’s Shilling The image is a staple of historical fiction: in a dimly lit tavern, a press gang corners an unsuspecting sailor. A coin—the “King’s Shilling”—is slyly dropped into his tankard of ale. The moment he takes a drink, he has “accepted payment” and is bound for a brutal life in the Royal Navy. It’s a romantic, roguish tale of maritime coercion. It is also almost entirely a myth. The reality of how...

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