Category Archives: Hooliganism
Le Coup du Père François Flipbook Animation (circa 1897-98)
“Uncle Frank’s trick” was anecdotally attributed to a “philosophical Apache”, who reasoned that it was better tactics to temporarily disable a mugging victim without endangering their life. During the early years of the 20th century, the trick attained a degree … Continue reading
“La Defense dans la Rue” Reviewed (The Kilkenny Moderator, May 1, 1912)
“LA DEFENSE DANS LA RUE.” This is the title of a book published by Jean Joseph Renaud — Pierre Lafitte and Co.. Paris. Treatises and booklets on self defence—generally based on some single system specially favoured by the author– are … Continue reading
M. Vigny’s School of Self Defence (Daily News, 27 May, 1904)
Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 30th May 2012 “All good citizens will rejoice to learn that a new and efficacious method of abolishing those pests of the streets known as Hooligans Has been discovered and put into … Continue reading
“Waylaid by a Ruffian!”
Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Sunday, 19th August 2012 A cautionary tale of urban maleficence. Don’t let this happen to you! Ladies and gentlemen alike are invited to arm themselves against the tide of ruffianism by attending the … Continue reading
“Dodger” Takes on the Ne’er-Do-Wells of Dickensian London
Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 1st October 2012 Slightly pre-Bartitsu, but the alert and imaginative viewer may perceive echoes of Sherlock Holmes-style fight choreography in this excellent video trailer for Terry Pratchett’s new novel, Dodger.
“Hurricane Fighting”: the Hooligans of London, Circa 1900
Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Wednesday, 9th January 2013 An excerpt from The hooligan nights : being the life and opinions of a young and unrepentant criminal by Clarence Rook (1901): The average Hooligan is not an ignorant, hulking ruffian, … Continue reading
M. Vigny’s School of Self Defence (1904)
Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Friday, 11th January 2013 From the Daily News, May 27, 1904: All good citizens will rejoice to learn that a new and efficacious method of abolishing those pests of the streets known as Hooligans … Continue reading
“Footpads of Paris: How French Thugs Ply Their Thieving Trade” (1894)
Originally published on the Bartitsu.org site on Monday, 8th February 2016 The following catalogue of ingeniously non-lethal “mugging tricks” perfected by the Parisian “Apache” street gangsters is excerpted and translated from Le Bas du Pavé Parisien by Guy Tomel (1894). At the … Continue reading