The Rooks were a criminal gang that was active in London, England from 1868 until the early 20th century. Founded by Jacob Frye and his twin Evie Frye, the Rooks fought against the rival Blighters gang and emerged as the most-powerful crime syndicate in the city.
History[]
The Rooks had their origins with the "Clinkers", a gang that operated in the Whitechapel borough of London. Jacob Frye came up with the idea of the Rooks when he decided to wage war on the rival Blighters gang to free London of their tyranny, and he rescued several imprisoned Clinkers from Blighters leader Rexford Kaylock. Frye's sister Evie Frye invited former Blighters to trade their red shirts for the group's green uniforms, and they recruited both defeated Blighters and the former Clinkers as well as ordinary street criminals. The Rooks were assisted by Clara O'Dea's web of pickpocketers as well as Ned Wynert's organization, and they rose to power as they conquered whole boroughs of London and took part in hunts against Blighter leaders.
Gang flag of the Rooks
At the end of 1868, the Rooks were in control of the whole city of London, although they still had to fight against some Blighters that were now without territory. The Rooks gang survived longer than the Frye twins, lasting into the early 20th century in World War I-era London. Still having power, the Rooks were involved with politics, and even Secretary of the Navy Winston Churchill was involved with them.