A Thousand Blows: Is Edward Goodson AKA Treacle Based on a Real Boxer?

‘A Thousand Blows’ is a historical show in which the boxing scene of 1880s London takes center stage. Hezekiah Moscow is a new face in town, arriving in the East End from Jamaica with his friend, Alec Munroe, and a big dream. As fate brings the duo to the Blue Coat Boy Pub, where local boxing bouts between bare-knuckle fighters are held, their paths cross with Edward “Treacle” Goodson and his brother Sugar. Furthermore, Hezekiah also catches the eye of criminal leader Mary Carr, whose latest operation with the Forty Elephants can make use of his skill set.

Consequently, as the boxing scene undergoes new changes, a rivalry is ignited between the Jamaican boxer and Sugar. Over the course of the story, the audience accompanies the Goodson brothers as they try to move from their localized brawls in the ring to a more professional boxing career. Therefore, given the historical context behind these fighters, Treacle’s origins become a point of intrigue.

Edward “Treacle” Goodson is Inspired by a Real-Life Boxer

‘A Thousand Blows’ equips various historical elements in its storytelling to populate its narrative with characters and plot points. As such, the story takes notable inspiration from real life, reserving off-screen counterparts for most primary characters. Edward Goodson, known in the boxing world as Treacle, is no exception. Thus, he also has significant roots in reality. The real-life Henry Goodson—inspiration for Sugar’s on-screen character—had thirteen siblings. Of these multiple siblings, two of his brothers seem to share some resemblance to Treacle’s character: Edward Goodson and Thomas Henry Goodson, also known by his nickname Treacle.

Edward Goodson, who seems to have been the inspiration behind the on-screen boxer’s first name, was the eldest Goodson sibling who took over his father’s Carman business after his passing. Under his leadership, his siblings, including Sugar, found employment in the family business. Nonetheless, little else is known about the man’s life. Alternatively, his brother, Thomas Henry “Treacle” Goodson, also continued the family business while making a name for himself elsewhere. Thomas Henry was born in Brick Lane in 1852, which made him four years older than his other brother, Sugar. By the age of 19, he began working as a Carman, like his father and siblings before him.

However, Thomas Henry also dabbled in various other professions, including waterside laborer, fruit porter, and part-time boxer. Even though he only has one official bout to his name and was mostly known for sparring matches, his amateur boxing career continues to define his legacy. While the origins of his nickname “Treacle” remain unknown, there is some speculation that the boxer earned it through his Carman profession. Thomas Henry went on to marry Mary Ann Elizabeth Neale and had six children with her. Eventually, he died in his 50s in 1907. Some reports suggest Sugar was aided in running the Blue Coat Boy Pub with a brother named Tom, which could have possibly been a reference to Henry Thomas.

Therefore, with Edward’s name and Thomas Henry’s life story, Treacle seems to be an amalgamation of these two Goodson brothers. Since the show only utilizes history as an inspiration rather than a binding script to follow, plenty of creative liberties are employed to incorporate these characters into the overarching narrative. As a result, Treacle’s character frequently diverges from his real-life counterparts, becoming a known boxing name in the East End. Additionally, his feared reputation in the East End as a menacing force alongside his sole brother Sugar also remains a fictionalized quirk of the show. Ultimately, much of the on-screen characterization behind Treacle’s character is confined to the show. Even so, he finds a firm foundation in his real-life counterparts, which enhances his sense of realism and ties to history.