highwaymen

brigand

Armed robber, often rural

• banditArmed roadside thief
• desperadoBold, reckless outlaw
• fugitiveOne fleeing authorities

renegade · felon · criminal · lawbreaker · ruffian · villain · rogue · scoundrel · knave · blackguard

robbery

Theft through intimidation

• holdupTheft by threat
• ambushSurprise strike from concealment
• stagecoachHorse-drawn route vehicle

carriage · plunder · loot · heist · brigandage · pistol · mask · demand · purse · valuables

gentleman

Courteous, honorable man

• dashingSpiritedly stylish and bold
• notoriousFamous for negativity
• legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure

folk-hero · ballad · adventure · chivalrous · daring · swashbuckler · cavalier · handsome · gallant · mysterious

horseback

Atop a steed

• mountClimb up or steed
• saddleMounted rider's seat
• gallopSwiftest quadruped gait

hoofbeats · bridle · stirrups · mare · stallion · gelding · roadside · moonlit · cloak · escape

• raidersraiders, marauders, pillagers, plunderers, looters
• roguesrogue, rogues, scoundrel, scoundrels, rascal
• British CrimeJack the Ripper, Scotland Yard, Old Bailey, Met Police, Burke and Hare
• crime historyorganized crime, trial records, criminal records, Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde
• Georgian BritainGeorge III, Walpole, Culloden, Georgian era, Regency period
• Georgian crimecapital offenses, death penalty, hanging, transportation, public execution