I am from the village of Culworth, in Northamptonshire. It's about an 18th or 19th century group called the Culworth gang, who were highwaymen (robbing coaches etc). They were finially betrayed by a fellow gang member, and hanged. This son is based on a letter sent from one of the highwaymen to his wife on his last night alive. Very moving, and a classic Fairport song.