Dive deep into the infamous life and enduring legend of Australia's notorious bushranger on "Everything Everywhere Daily." Join host Gary Arndt as the daring escapades of Ned Kelly unfold, painting the picture of a man who lived on the wrong side of the law. Arndt takes you through Kelly's formative years marred by family arrests and escalating conflicts that laid the groundwork for his descent into a life of crime.
Explore the growth of the Kelly Gang and their infamy as Arndt details their violent stand against the police, bank heists, and the iconic bulletproof armor that became symbolic of their last stand. Despite Kelly's ultimate capture and execution, his story has transcended time, immortalizing him in Australian history as a cultural icon. Listen as "Everything Everywhere Daily" unravels the tales and tribulations of the man who became a legend, and whose legacy continues to resonate through statues, films, and even the world's first feature film.
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
Ned Kelly's descent into outlawry is rooted in a family history of brushes with the law, beginning with his Irish convict father, John "Red" Kelly, deported to Australia for pig theft. The Kellys lived in poverty and were regularly targeted by local authorities, fostering Ned's animosity towards the police. From a young age, Ned faced legal troubles and served prison sentences, the most extensive being three years. An altercation with law enforcement in 1878 prompted his flight into the bush and began his life as a leader of the Kelly Gang.
The Kelly Gang, consisting of Ned, his brother Dan, Joe Byrne, and Steve Hart, gained notoriety through violent and criminal acts in the 19th century. They infamously ambushed and murdered three police officers at Stringybark Creek, propelling them to the status of outlaws. While evading capture, they undertook successful bank robberies, notably in Euroa, where they stole 2,260 pounds and held approximately three dozen people hostage.
In a bid to protect themselves from police gunfire, the gang fashioned homemade bulletproof armor, effective yet cumbersome and only semi-protective. This 97-pound armor was integral during their last standoff with law enforcement, but its limitations in mobility and coverage left vital areas exposed and vulnerability leading to their defeat.
A failed plan to derail a police train prefaced Kelly’s last stand, where he engaged in a shootout with police at dawn, wearing his bulletproof armor. Despite resistance, he was shot in the unprotected legs and arrested. His capture followed a gunshot and bruise-laden defeat, concluding his notorious criminal exploits.
Celebrated by many, Kelly was tried and sentenced to death, which was carried out on November 11th, 1880. His popularity prompted a significant plea for clemency, exhibited by a petition with 32,000 signatures. However, these appeals were ignored, and Kelly was hanged, marking the end of his contentious saga.
Ned Kelly's legacy firmly endures in Australian culture, with his story and the image of his armor emerging as celebrated national icons. His tale has inspired an array of cultural representations, such as statues, films, books, and songs. His armor is displayed in museums, and his story was the subject of the world's first feature film in 1906. At his family's request, his remains were interred next to his mother in 2013, binding his myth to Australia’s historical and cultural tapestry.
1-Page Summary
The life of infamous Australian bushranger Ned Kelly is marked by a family history entangled with the law, a cycle of poverty, and early run-ins with police that shaped his path towards becoming an outlaw.
Ned Kelly's father, John "Red" Kelly, was an Irish convict deported to Australia for committing petty theft. His crime of stealing two pigs in Ireland led to his forced movement across the world, influencing the Kelly family's future in a land far from their origins.
Following Red Kelly's imprisonment and his eventual death, the Kelly family struggled to survive. They lived in devastating poverty and faced constant harassment from local authorities. This persistent targeting by the police would play a significant role in Ned Kelly's developing disdain for law enforcement.
Even in his youth, Ned Kelly couldn’t avoid law enforcement's reach. By the tender age of eight, he was already involved in legal proceedings, testifying for his uncle Jim Kelly. As a teenager, at just 14, Ned experienced his first arrest related to horse theft. His interactions with the legal system escalated, resulting in serving two prison sentences before reaching adulthood. One of these stints lasted a formidable three years, foretelling the tumultuous r ...
Ned Kelly's early life and family history of arrests and conflicts with police
Ned Kelly, along with his brother Dan, Joe Byrne, and Steve Hart, formed a group known as the Kelly Gang, which embarked on a notorious crime spree in the 19th century.
The gang's criminal activities escalated when they ambushed and killed three police officers at Stringybark Creek. This violent act triggered their declaration as outlaws and marked the beginning of an extensive manhunt.
While on the run from the law, the Kelly Gang raided the small town of Euroa, robbing the ...
Kelly and his gang killing police officers and committing bank robberies while declared outlaws
...
In an effort to withstand encounters with the police, the gang, including Ned Kelly, created homemade bulletproof armor. The armor, which was meant to cover the head and torso, was indeed effective against bullets. However, it proved to be unwieldy due to its weight and design, which left the limbs exposed.
During their final confrontation with law enforcement, the gan ...
Kelly creating bulletproof armor for the gang and wanted dead or alive
After being wounded in his hands and legs, Ned Kelly managed to hide in the bush until morning. Emerging around 7 a.m., Kelly, still clad in his homemade bullet-riddled armor, began shooting at police officers.
As bullets from the lawmen’s guns failed to penetrate his armor, Kelly continued the firefight for about 30 minutes until a police officer shot him in the legs with a shotgun, which were not protected by his armor. This effectively ended the standoff. Ned Kelly's inju ...
Kelly's last stand, shootout with police, wounds, and capture at Glenrowan
...
Kelly’s trial and execution were significant events, garnering considerable public attention and sparking debate about the justice system.
Ned Kelly, whose actions and defiance captivated many, stood trial in October and was sentenced to death by hanging. His popularity and the support he garnered among the public were evident when a massive petition, carrying 32,000 s ...
Kelly's Trial, Death Sentence, and Eventual Hanging
In Australian history and culture, the legendary figure of Ned Kelly and his iconic armor continue to capture the public's imagination long after his execution.
After his execution, Ned Kelly's story took on a mythical quality, with his suit of armor becoming a symbol of rebellion and heroism for some who saw Kelly as a champion fighting against an oppressive system. Ned Kelly and his gang have inspired a wide range of cultural artifacts spanning various genres and forms of storytelling.
A testament to his enduring legacy is the fact that the first full-length feature film, produced in 1906, was about the Kelly Gang. This milestone speaks volumes about Kelly's significance in the national narrative. Further embedding him in the cultural consciousness, at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, performers donned Ned Kelly armor, underscoring his iconic status.
For those looking to connect with this piece of Australian history, the town of Glenrowan houses a giant statue of Ned Kelly clad in his armor, creating a tangible link to his legend. Moreover, historical enthusiasts can view Kelly's original armor at the State Library of Victor ...
Kelly's legend living on in Australian history and culture
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser