There is a small story about the quaint sea side town of Hartlepool, England that I haven’t yet told you.  It seems there is a bit of folk lore surrounding this place.  According to legend there was a certain French ship sailing of the coast of Hartlepool back near the time of the Napoleonic Wars.  This French ship sank taking her entire crew down to a watery grave.  There was apparently one loan survivor, not a crew member but a monkey.  Captains and officers usually kept cats, monkeys or parrots on board ship as pets and entertainment.  This monkey, allegedly wore a French uniform to provide amusement for the crew.

So as the sole survivor floated to shore he was captured.  It was quickly decided that he must be a French spy.  He was given a quick trial on the beach and hanged.   To this day the town of Hartlepool is still known as the town that hung a monkey.

Now local football teams have the monkey for their mascot and there is, or used to be, a local made ale named after the unfortunate primate.

Well, now you know the rest of the story.

Read on (if you want to)

http://www.thisishartlepool.co.uk/history/thehartlepoolmonkey.asp