The Great Legend of the Monkey

The best known tradition and legend associated with the fishermen of Hartlepool is the story of the hanging of the monkey.Tradition attributes this legend to the Napoleonic wars at the beginning of the nineteenth century. It was a December day and the coast at Hartlepool was subject to a heavy battering of gales and snow, through which a French vessel called the Chasse Maree could be vaguely seen just off the Hartlepool headland.

The fisherfolk of Hartlepool fearing an invasion kept a close watch on the French vessel as it struggled against the storm but when the vessel was severely battered and sunk they turned their attention to the wreckage washed ashore. Among the wreckage lay one wet and sorrowful looking survivor, the ship's pet monkey dressed to amuse in a military style uniform.

The fishermen apparently questioned the monkey and held a beach-based trial. Unfamiliar with what a Frenchman looked like they came to the conclusion that this monkey was a French spy and should be sentenced to death. The unfortunate creature was to die by hanging, with the mast of a fishing boat
(a coble) providing a convenient gallows.

Because of Hartlepools stupid ancestors the poor Hartlepool population today are refered to as Monkey Hangers and this is not just a story that is known throughout the North East it is known throughout the world.  If I had one wish it would be to have one hour in a boxing ring with the person who decided the monkey was a french spy.  A song was even written about us Hartlepudlians - read it below

Who Hung The Monkey O  !

In former times, when war and strife

The French invasion threaten'd life

An' all was armed to the knife

The Fisherman hung the monkey O !

The Fishermen with courage high,

Siezed on the monkey for a French spy;

"Hang him !" says one; "he's to die"

They did and they hung the monkey Oh!

They tried every means to make him speak

And tortured the monkey till loud he did speak;

Says yen "thats french" says another "its Greek"

For the fishermen had got druncky oh!

To read more about the hanging and what else Hartlepool has done read the Monkey