The Dark and True Story of The Peaky Blinders Gang
Historian Dan Snow heads to Birmingham to discover the true story of the infamous Peaky Blinders gang. Joined by author and local historian Carl Chinn, he sorts the facts about this 19th century gang from the popular myths.
This is the true story of the Peaky Blinders, the criminal gang from Birmingham made famous by a TV show of the same name. But who were the real Peaky Blinders? And how did they get their name?
The true story behind the name Peaky Blinders and the emergence of gangs in Birmingham is explored in this video. Contrary to popular belief, they did not use razor blades in their caps, but instead relied on various items such as boots and belts. The police's ongoing battle with the Peaky Blinders in the 19th century led to stronger policing and initiatives to keep young men from joining gangs.
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I love to see how carl talks about the peaky blinders so passionately it’s inspiring
There's always something captivating about someone with passion for a subject. He tells a good yarn too.
Repent to Jesus Christ “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 NIV O
@@praisejesusrepentorlikewis6218 amen, although weird time brother
Your pretty inspiring yourself
I enjoy the history of past gangs, but what i notice is how the police force was built to stop these gangs i think we need to look at the passed and copy, to many officers are a total joke, when i was a teen i would laugh at them, most are fat unfit and are just a joke. Having strong fit male and female officers policing on the streets i believe would gain more respect than these out of shaped no good officers that cannot chase down the average criminal on foot.
This should be titled "The True History of the Peaky Fookin Blinders!"
😂😂😂
Good one!
Read In Arthur voice 😂😂
5555555
I wish we could turn back the clock and give Carl a role in Peaky Blinders. Have him play the local constable or something. He deserves it because my god, this is so exceptionally well researched and fascinating history. Carl did incredible work putting all this information together and you can just tell how passionate and interested he is. Brilliant work.
Carl please come to Baltimore
Probably wouldn’t be happy with some of the decisions for the show
I mean it’s not too late
What are you on about?
If Carl were to be given a role in Peaky Blinders, he would be a boxing club owner who allies with the Peaky Blinders, helps train new lads, and bribes the police for Tommy.
That's dead coincidental that the historian's name is Carl, his great grandmother was named Ada and that she had loads of brothers just like the characters in the show
Hes the author thats why
@@DazaGaming he had nothing to do with the show
@@DazaGaming he is the author of a different book
It literally said he's the author of peaky blinders
Well maybe, just maybe, the show writers did do their research and most probably talked to this guy, which is why the name ada was decided for the sister? 🤔
I love the man's passion in this subject! And how he doesn't glam up his great grand-dad, but states what a horrible person he was.
"In a society where they have nothing, the street is about all they own" True to this day
He stated at the end, walking the streets free from gangs as he walks right by a spray painted signal on the wall for a drop off. Don't everyone jump on me at once. I was only half kidding.
I like the way Carl instantely paints a picture of how reprehensible these people really were and doesn't glorify them
Yeah, he deserves a lot of credit for that.
This man is a treasure! Well-informed, well-spoken and passionate!
And he's a really nasty bloke. Ask his brother
good series want more like that
As a brummie, I love seeing our streets represented by a true local who knows his stuff
I could listen to Carl tell stories all day, what a wonderful gift to be able to bring history to life so vividly!
Now there's a man who knows his stuff, what a specialist. I've much respect for anyone with such passion and deep knowledge.
Carl is a very knowledgeable person in this subject, hopefully his accounts of these streets will be remembered and his great history lessons will live on. Many of these young people at this time were later lost in the First World War and that changed many horizons in Britain usually for ever. Another great video by Dan, and another history lesson well given. Thanks for this Dan and Carl.
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P
Repent to Jesus Christ “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 NIV J
Ww2 you mean
@@natecote1971 no. The gang issue was mostly taken care of pre ww1 the dude literally says that.
i really hate how little the host is impressed with the historian guiding him around.
Some people can’t be happy unless something is making them outraged.
It's great seeing Dan around again, as a kid watching Battlefield Britain on BBC Canada, he was like the older history loving brother I always wished for, I hope his father is still around, they were a great duo
I used to love that show growing up, the little battle scenes on the board thing they had. Do you remember 20th century battlefields too the other show he did with his dad?
@@jgrovess5378 The graphical style and little re-enactor videos they did were always memorable, and I did manage to see most of that later, on The Military Channel, Battle Castle was also quite good, though nearly impossible to find these days.
Do you know where you can find battlefield Britain episodes?
@@minaturespook4350 kzhead.info/channel/PLr0ujGB62788p-OX0XuG_BZmq7q2UMxlc.html
thanks!
The passion with which Carl narrate the accounts really reflects what a life's work he put in to write his book "Real Peaky Blinders" i reckon it is worth reading.
Repent to Jesus Christ “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 NIV G
@@praisejesusrepentorlikewis6218 wrong place for propaganda...
@@praisejesusrepentorlikewis6218 ye will likewise perish anyways. 🤷🏻♀️
@@praisejesusrepentorlikewis6218 hail satan
Yeah the guy interviewing could use some passion.
very weird watching this as a University of Birmingham student, recognising these places and knowing I've enjoyed many a pint in the Old Crown. Great doc!
He tells the story of the Peaky Blinders with such enthusiasm, like a man whose studied them all his life in the hopes that one day someone would ask him about them . . . But no one ever did. Then, one day he gets a call. BY GEORGE! MY TIME HAS COME! THIS IS IT BOYS! THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!
LOL.... Truth. Although maybe he had some hand in the making on the TV series.
I could listen to Carl for ages, i absolutely love how much he knows and how passionate he is!
He's a really nasty person. Very cruel to his brother
My great great uncle was Henry Lightfoot- one of the first men to be named a Peaky Blinder by the press (so I’ve read). Uncle Hen and my son have a very uncanny resemblance to each other! Uncle Hen is who Arthur Shelby’s character is based on! 20:17 is a photo of him
That’s so cool,
This man is so excited to tell his story of these people..makes you smile just watching him..
Went on this tour many years back. Carl Chin is a legend on Birmingham’s social history. Found a few dozen copies of his Brummagem knocking around. Fascinating stuff
I am an archaeologist for the Mexican Government (43 yrs so far), and part of my job is to give tours to many of the highest diplomats from the world over; Presidents, Prime Ministers, Military, Royalty, Clergy of all sorts, etc. It has always been my pleasure to do it, and I must not be too bad at it, or they certainly would have not asked me to do it for decades. But I must say that the gentleman who gave this tour and explanation to the host and film crew is one of the top notch I have ever seen ... Ever! The film crew was excellent, the host was great and did not interrupt him with too many questions; I have been on a number of documentaries and you don't always get that. Outstanding piece of work. What I wouldn't give to spend hours talking to this eloquent gentleman who can still bring everything down to a level that regular folk (like me) can understand. Bravo!!
I did the peaky blinders history tour when I went to Birmingham with Carl. It was really good.
Wow that story Carl told of the murdered man who got mocked for drinking a nonalcoholic drink is similar to episode 1 of the new series. When Tommy Shelby drinks in the Canadian pub.
"By order of the Peaky fookin Blinders"...BEST line EVER!!!
American here and that show was one of the best I've ever seen, with excellent acting
what an extremely engaging fellow alongside a fantastic presenter for completely allowing him to tell his side, great story
Both these guys are so authentically passionate about the topic, I love it!
This guy is brilliant! He is so passionate and eloquent and really knows his subject. I really enjoyed this episode.
A true historian knows their sources. This dude lives his sources. A bit worship and certainly indicated, but dude knows his sources and lives them. A true historian. Respect. One Love.
Wow, this guy is amazing. One question I really wished Dan would have asked of Carl is what sort of gangs, if any, more closely resembled the fictionalized version of the Peaky Blinders. I know he mentioned there being those who moved into racetrack business, which is something we saw the Blinders be all over in the first couple seasons, but I'd like to know even beyond that. Obviously I don't imagine there were any gangs where their leader rose to the height of being a bloody MP or anything but yeah.
Yeah that was a bit much with the MP thing ngl
Dan is such a lovely guy. He rocked up to my dads site on his father in laws estate in Chester out of the blue to check out what was going on at the continuous Neolithic to post Roman occuption site. Not just a presenter, just a real history fanatic. Few and far between.
Mans stuck up his own arse . After his calling everyone who voted for brexit fools he isnt fit for purpose IMO .
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That's awesome, it's great to know that they are real history nerds just like us lol. But tbh I think you can really see it in the way they present the videos too, the way they listen intently and ask questions. I really enjoy this channel bc of that
Dan if you do a bit of research …
I respect the way he's keeping it 100 about his family, no sugar-coating
He's a mean individual
Wow, it is great to hear from their descendant.
I love how absolutely passionate this man is
I went to the National Trust Back To Backs Museum on Hurst Street to see how the poor lived in Birmingham's old days. They charge £10 to get in, I didn't have a spare tenner on me, so I couldn't even afford to study poverty.
Nothings free. Get over it.
@@moappleseider1699 Thank you for the generously free advice :)
@@alecmiddleton1842 You're welcome lol
Education should be free, it's part of the reason for slums and gang violence.
@@moappleseider1699 very grown up.
i just recently started watching peaky blinders and this research has really put me into the show more to actually see what times were like in those days
I'm 74, didn't fancy peakys at first but saw a couple of clips on yt, so I got the whole boxed series, love it
Brilliant analysis. The best of historical research and interpretation. Carl Chinn provided the historical context which was missing. Excellent!
Carls passion and knowledge is great to see when talking about the peaky blinders
Enjoyed this a lot. Very interesting to learn about the history of the real thing and seeing the actual places. As a big fan of history, this was a really awesome documentary. Thank you for sharing.
Dan Snow makes a lovely interviewer. The word 'enabler' (not a word im fond of but descriptive) came to mind. He allows the interviewee to run the show.
Hello my dear,how are you😘I would like to use this great opportunity to personally thank you for the love and support,I guess you might be scared or surprised when you first saw my messages on here but trust me your safety matters a lot to me
As a descendant of a large Black Country family that was known for similar things, it wasn’t just Brum that had gangs back then. The whole of the West Mids like all industrial areas worldwide had similar gangs terrorising people.
ok
As a descendant of a infamous bank robber and bootlegger, this is somewhat true as organized crime sticks to small but industrialized towns to have space between them and the law and later on more bigger cities like Chicago or Kansas.
Or at least back then they did, some gangs purposely start off in county cites for easy influence and territory and spread that way up.
@Nicky L the former it’s a South Staffordshire surname from the medieval period Norman French meaning son of Roger. Why do you ask?
Glaswegian gangs came down in 1960 many of them descendents of the Billy boys following Rangers v wolves in a euro tie .17 years later they came down to Birmingham to see Rangers v Aston villa these games were well documentated as the villa game was abandoned due to crowd trouble.I never saw season 6 did they kill Moseley and Mcavern i only watched season 5 as it was so weird hearing a song my whole family sang the Billy boys .
Fascinating. Certainly brought us Cillian Murphy-easy on the eyes🤗Always enjoy people who bring history alive with such passion❤️
As an American, can I just say, "Thank goodness for auto-generated closed captions!"
I've been wondering about the truth behind the show and you deliver it! Thank you
Carl Chinn is such an amazing man. I love listening to him telling us all about more modern history.
I could listen to this wonderful, passionate historian all day, beautifully done, what a lovely, lovely man though!! So informative❤
I normally never even comment on video's. But i really enjoyed learning about these times, and i could listen to these men for hours!
Carl gave me a trophy along with the Birmingham mail (local heroes) as a kid. Great guy
i enjoyed this more than i thought i would, this is well done!
Excellent Post, Thank You for Sharing.
What an awesome video. I love history. It's a great show when the experts and/or historians are allowed to just talk, uninterrupted, and give so much information in a short period of time. No long, drawn out, useless air time. 👍👍
I was born and raised in Birmingham. I wish we'd been taught about this in school!
Really enjoyed this video on the history of gangs a hundred plus years ago. 💪🏻🙏🏻✨
Amazingly well done and well told! Props to the street artists that hit those walls with their talent too
Nice! Great watch. Question that everyone wants to know though. When is Dan going to bring history hit down here to New Zealand to study and share some of the vast British history and campaigns endured by the empires subjects??. There’s a lot to explore!!
I was born in the Black Country and was familiar with the word 'blinder' which has a few meanings. It can be referred to a person, as in a dirty blinder, or miscreant, and conversely as playing a blinder, meaning doing something extra special.
blindin ..... as in something thats very good
Or a very good looking girl
Also from the Black Country. Thanks for sharing, I hadn't thought of that. You played a right blinder
I had never heard Blinder in reference to gangs until I met my father in law. He was born in Ireland in 1912 but was brought to Digbeth by his immigrant parents as a babe in arms. They ended up in Kidderminster working in the carpet factories. He told me about the Peaky Blinders, but Only in regards to football gangs. They put blades (not necessarily Razor blades ) in their caps to use as weapons. Why he has the idea they used them in their caps is odd. I was told by my father in law that it was to smuggle them into the grounds! Or to slash at people .Not from worn! In actual fact the 'Peaky Blinders' were a very small insignificant gang of hoodlums and football thugs. There were many others more significant It was Not a 'catch all' name Remember my father in law was born in 1912. He would have still been a child in the 20s. So Carl's assertion that they did not exist in that time was wrong. In fact I think he is talking about events Before the 'Peaky Blinders' He does have a tendency to change history to suit his agenda.
Carl Chinn! 👍 What a passionate, engaging storyteller! A pleasure to listen to. A very entertaining report, Dan Snow did a great job. I wish the channel continued success. Note from a non-native speaker: You should definitely watch the Peaky Blinders series in the unsynchronized original language. Anything else would be a real loss, even if you don't understand every word, because of the dialect.
Given that the time period is totally fictional I'll let the the accents slide... although they should've matched locations... I guess you could blame post war job relocation unless everyone was claiming to be a multi-generation local 🤷♂️ I'm gonna wait and watch it all in one go... But as an ignorant American with only a limited knowledge of regional British/Irish/Scottish (mostly British and still limited) accents I'm sure it won't ruin it for me too bad... Although bad regional British English accents do annoy me worse than poorly done American English region accents 🤣 I'd rather hear a terrible Boston/New York/Southern Georgia accent in a film or show then a poorly done Brummie/Cockney/Welsh portrayal... And I haven't even been to the UK yet! 😂 If it's natural and consistent I can usually stand it, but when it's really out of place it might as well be an American doing a Cockney style accent to represent all of British English 🤦♂️
@@berryreading4809My family lived in the street by that viaduct in the 1900-1920s. I've not been able to watch PB due to the accents being off 😂 Carl's on the other hand, gives me nostalgia chills for my hometown 😅
Great Video and its good to see Carl, this guy knows his stuff
could listen to his stories all day great vid
This is so interesting. Thanks Dan. I have only just started watching Peaky Blinders. It’s fantastic. Our family has links to Liverpool through our mother and grandmother. I love the history. Love England. Best regards to you from South Africa.
The brummie legend Carl chinn always great to listen to him a very passionate historian of Birmingham I’ve met him on numerous occasions and he’s always got time to talk to you such a nice guy
Carl is a great story teller!
The street art and graffiti looks amazing. I wish people still had that elegant handwriting font style like those old documents
Carl Chinn does AMAZING work in this video. Wonderful!
Well done for resurrecting this channel! fantastic history coverage!
Really enjoyed watching. Another great Vid, well done 👍
Loved this. I wanted it to last for hours. Amazing episode
Ive played so many gigs at the Rainbow but never had a clue it was so closely linked to the Peaky Blinders story. Played a fair few at the Wagon and Horses which appears behind them too. So strange how much history is under our noses and we dont even know.
Hell's bells! Wish Carl Chinn had been my history teacher at school! Isn't he great?
Fascinating stuff I remember watching a video with Carl talking about this a year or so back and know this and this is absolutely great thank you for this friends
Fantastic and engaging content, thank you!
love the way Carl keeps saying"Dan" as though Dan isnt concentrating on what hes saying 😂
He isn't. He looks totally bored and out of his comfort zone. He is much happier swanning about Westminster Abbey or Stately Mansions than dealing with the harsh reality of how they got there!
There's no gangs in Birmingham anymore?.....erm 🤔😏
Here after watching season 6 trailer of Peaky Blinder. Great sharing!
Carl Chinn is brilliant! This episode is so engaging.
I was Born and raised in Birmingham, I was raised in Small Heath . I couldn't live anywhere else . Not even other cities in UK , im 100% Pure Brummy . I love this city , and God willing I will live my life here regardless of how successful I become.
I thought this would be a little boring, but that is the most charismatic and amusing historian I've ever seen.
Love this guys passion
absolutely fascinating Dan
this is rapidly becoming my fav channel
Dan is so uncomfortable with how close old mate gets to him haha
Fantastic stuff. I might live a few thousand kilometres away now but I'll always be a proud to be from Birmingham, a city with such down to earth, but relatable and captivating history. Carl Chinn is a Brummie legend in his own lifetime.
why went away then
@@Leo_de_janeiro why do you ask?
bro if i was u i would permenatly go to that place and smoking like a mad man
Imagine being proud of being from Birmingham 😅
@@timetraveller3123 must be jealous
Wish the volume was louder, but great video❤❤❤❤
Great channel mate! Cheerio!
What a fantastic story teller 👍
Being a fan of the tv show it was interesting to here the history and how much it fits with the show. While the show has changed a lot the story is more authentic than I thought
The real Billy Kimbo wiped out the peaky blinders in the 1890s
The passion of the historian regarding the topic.....wow
"As usual, history makes you glad you are alive today". Truer words have never been spoken with very few exceptions.
His great great grandmother was named Ada, just like Tommy’s sister Ada Shelby
I would of loved if this man was my history teacher he speaks with passion lol
Fantastic interview!
Just listened to Carl’s audio book. Really good read/listen. It’s on Audible
To know Carl was related to a peaky blinder is so neat! So I wonder if Ada (from the show) was his great gmother.... this is an amazing doc.
If you got the answer please let me know, im curious too
No cause the characters are fictional
Sorry but the actual peaky blinders werent shit. Where are they now?
@@finnmacmanus5723actually the characters in the show are based on real life people. For example, Arthur Shelby’s character is based on Henry Lightfoot, who was the first person to be named a Peaky Blinder by the press. Henry Lightfoot was my great great uncle- he looks the spit of my father and my son!x
Someone should buy the pub and make it a theme pub of the Peaky Blinders show.
They already have that in Manchester
@Hdjd Udjsjwb it looks like the grimmest place on earth
@@marknewbold2583 the areas shown here are run down but there is lots of regeneration starting now. Huge potential there and a new tv studio and media centre is being built.
I did a few weekends in Steehouse Lane in the late 90's when I were a young slogger/peaky blinder myself. Used to give you a lovely fresh sausage and egg sandwich on the Monday morning before going through the tunnel to the magistrates court next door. Happy memories indeed.
This chap Carl is absolutely delightful.
I havent watched PB and I dont know if I will watch series 6. But these bits of real history are fantastic. That Carl really knows his stuff, his enthusiasm is infectious.
Watch it now! By order of the Peaky fookin Blinders
Hello my dear,how are you😘I would like to use this great opportunity to personally thank you for the love and support,I guess you might be scared or surprised when you first saw my messages on here but trust me your safety matters a lot to me
@@cillianmurphy5939 i am not your dear . so I do not trust you. try some more flam, see if you can convince me! No doubt you want money but I dont have any, only an overdraft, so you are wasting both your time and mine
@@youmaycallmeV. there's a lot of it about. I regularly get personal emails from celebrities!!!! usually I don't reply. But sometimes I just get narked.
Interesting guy. Enjoyed listening to him. 👍
I love passionate people regardless of the category It is something beautiful seeing their minds speak
Carl! The man who takes a seat next to you in the pub, and tells you all these stories I would listen until the beer is empty.