Empire 319. Heist of St Nicolas: The Medieval Mafia Who Stole Santa (Part 2)
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Dec 25, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, historian Sam Dalrymple, author of 'Shattered Lands,' unpacks the thrilling Heist of St Nicholas by Italian sailors in 1087. He explores the captivating blend of St Nicholas mythology with Germanic Odin tales, revealing how these legends evolved into today's Santa Claus. Dalrymple also highlights the impact of polar mania and Coca-Cola's 1931 ads that solidified Santa's red-and-white image, reshaping holiday traditions worldwide. Get ready to learn how history shaped our modern festive icons!
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The 1087 Bari Relic Heist
- In 1087, 62 fishermen from Bari sailed to Myra and violently seized what they claimed were St. Nicholas's relics.
- They smashed sarcophagi with iron mallets, wrapped bones in silk, and sailed back amid claims of divine approval.
Relics As Civic Currency
- Relic theft mixed piety and profit: towns gained pilgrims, protection, and prestige by possessing saints' bones.
- William Dalrymple points out relics acted like economic and spiritual assets that towns competed for.
Monks Held During The Theft
- Necephorus's chronicle gives a cinematic account: sailors confront four monks and tie them up to seize the relics.
- One monk tried to alert townsfolk but the sailors secured the basilica and proceeded with the theft.