**The Tale of the Forty Elephants in *A Thousand Blows***

Steven Knight, the mastermind behind *Peaky Blinders*, presents another intense historical narrative with *A Thousand Blows*, currently streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Set against the raw backdrop of 1880s East London, the series centers on real-life Jamaican immigrant Hezekiah Moscow (portrayed by Malachi Kirby) as he faces off against Henry “Sugar” Goodson (Stephen Graham) in the boxing arena. Beyond the matches, an intriguing story emerges—one about the Forty Elephants, an all-female gang of thieves led by the captivating Mary Carr (Erin Doherty).

### The Forty Elephants: An Unstoppable Female Collective

The Forty Elephants, often referred to as the Forty Thieves, were London’s first organized, all-female shoplifting cohort. Active from the 1870s until the 1950s, they formed a highly organized group targeting the affluent members of society. These women, who lacked political rights at the time, forged their own route to financial independence—through the theft of luxury items from department stores, extorting wealthy men, and executing intricate heists.

Historian Lucy Worsley labels them as “the most accomplished shoplifting gang Britain has ever known.” Unlike their male equivalents in the Elephant and Castle gang, the Forty Elephants took pride in their financial autonomy, unwilling to share their spoils with men. Their operations were thoroughly strategized, adhering to a stringent code of conduct that maintained discipline and allegiance within their ranks.

### Mary Carr: The Monarch of the Elephants

Mary Carr, characterized in a 1900 police report as “one of the most perilous women in the metropolis,” was the gang’s formidable head during the Victorian period. Born in 1862 in Holborn, she had a difficult upbringing, spending time in a penitentiary for “fallen women.” By the 1890s, she had earned a reputation as a skilled thief, enlisting young women into her collective and instructing them in the art of deception and thievery.

In *A Thousand Blows*, Erin Doherty brings Carr to life as a daring and tactical leader. At the London Film Festival, Doherty expressed her admiration for the character, stating, “I was genuinely inspired by what they accomplished, and I just wanted to be a part of Mary.” The series also features Alice Diamond (played by Darci Shaw), who would later assume leadership of the gang in the 1920s.

### The Daring Theatrical Heists of the Forty Elephants

Known for their innovative and audacious thefts, the Forty Elephants made headlines. In the opening scene of *A Thousand Blows*, Mary Carr simulates going into labor on the street, diverting the attention of bystanders while her crew pickpockets the crowd. This mirrors the actual tactics the gang employed, such as feigning fainting spells or utilizing specially crafted garments with concealed pockets to transport stolen items.

One of their most notorious strategies involved setting men up for assault and subsequently extorting them for cash or valuables. They also carried out large-scale raids on department stores with military-like efficiency. Historian Brian McDonald illustrates how they would arrive in taxis and luxury vehicles, sweep through establishments like Selfridges and Harrods, and depart with thousands of pounds worth of merchandise in under an hour.

### A Tale Deserving to be Told

The representation of Mary Carr and the Forty Elephants in *A Thousand Blows* illuminates a lesser-known slice of history. These women, who faced limited opportunities in Victorian society, forged their own paths through ingenuity and bravery. As director Nick Murphy remarked, their environment was ruthless—”One misstep, London will end you.”

For those fascinated by their narrative, *A Thousand Blows* provides an exhilarating dramatization of their adventures. The series is now available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.