English: Goudhurst, Kent. The picturesque Wealden village of Goudhurst wasn't always so peaceful. Smuggling was rife in the area in the 19th century and the business had none of the roguish charm with which it has since been endowed. The Hawkhurst Gang was one of the largest and operated throughout Kent, Hampshire and even Dorset. They were also very violent, threatened those who opposed them, and terrorised the neighbourhood. Eventually the villagers of Goudhurst set up their own Militia, trained by a former soldier, to deal with the problem, whereupon the smugglers threatened to attack the village, kill the residents, and burn the place to the ground. But when the smugglers attacked, it was they who were defeated, three of their number being killed including the gang leader's brother.