Dorothy Forster

The legend of Dorothy Forster (1686–1767) is one of the most remarkable stories associated with the Forster family of Bamburgh, Northumberland, England. According to local folklore, Dorothy risked her own freedom to rescue her brother, General Thomas “Tom” Forster, from London's notorious Newgate Prison in 1716, saving him from a possible execution for treason.

The Legend of Dorothy Forster: The Sister Who Defied the Crown

The Jacobite Rebellion of 1715

Dorothy's older brother, Thomas Forster (1683–1738), was a Northumbrian landowner and politician who joined the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, an attempt to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne.

Thomas became a general in the Jacobite army, but following the rebels' surrender at Preston in November 1715, he was arrested and imprisoned in Newgate Prison in London. Facing trial for high treason, he was in grave danger of execution.

Dorothy's Dangerous Journey

According to the legend, when Dorothy learned of her brother's imprisonment, she refused to abandon him.

In the bitter winter of 1715–1716, she undertook an extraordinary journey of approximately 340 miles from Bamburgh to London.

She was reportedly accompanied by a local blacksmith named Purdy, from Adderstone near Bamburgh. Some versions describe Dorothy riding behind him on horseback through snow and freezing weather.

Her mission was simple but extraordinarily dangerous: she intended to free her brother before he could be executed.

The Daring Escape from Newgate Prison

Two versions of Dorothy's rescue have survived in Northumbrian folklore.

The disguise story: Dorothy began visiting Thomas in prison, accompanied by her maid. The guards became accustomed to seeing two women enter and leave.

On the day of the escape, Dorothy supposedly concealed her maid's clothing beneath her own skirts. Once inside, Thomas dressed in the maid's clothes.

When the guards changed shifts, Dorothy and her disguised brother walked out of the prison together, appearing to be the same two women who had visited previously.

The blacksmith's key: Another version claims that Dorothy secretly obtained an impression of a prison key. Her blacksmith companion made a duplicate, allowing Thomas to escape.

Both stories attribute the successful escape to Dorothy's ingenuity and courage.

The Coffin Filled with Sawdust

Perhaps the most intriguing part of the legend came after Thomas escaped.

Dorothy reportedly arranged passage aboard a ship bound for France, where her brother could live safely in exile.

To mislead the authorities, she then supposedly organized a false funeral at St Aidan's Church.

A coffin filled with sawdust was placed in the Forster family burial vault, giving the impression that Thomas had died.

The deception was intended to convince anyone searching for him that their pursuit was unnecessary.

Thomas lived in exile in France until his death in 1738. His remains were subsequently returned to Bamburgh for burial.