Notorious Blasted Rascal

"The most notorious blasted rascal in the world." -Lord Chesterfield

The venal and depraved reputation of Colonel Francis Charteris (1672-1732), and the story of his celebrated trial for the rape of his servant girl, one of the most infamous cases of the 18th century, became legendary and long survived his death. This book, for the first time, tells the remarkable story of Charteris-portrayed by Hogarth as the rake in The Harlot's Progress-and how his servant girl successfully prosecuted the notorious aristocratic rake for rape. His reputation was such that he was obliged to use a false name in order to get female servants to agree to work for him. Ann Bond was engaged through an intermediary, but when her employer began to make regular advances towards her she realized his true identity. She demanded to be allowed to leave, but Charteris raped her and she was whipped and thrown out without her belongings. Most victims would have considered Charteris too powerful to bring to justice, but Ann filed a complaint, and he found himself facing a charge of rape, then a capital crime.