

Medieval murders most foul
9 snips Mar 3, 2025
Professor Manuel Eisner, a criminologist at Cambridge, joins historian David Musgrove to explore the dark side of medieval towns. They delve into shocking murder cases from London, Oxford, and York, revealing alarming rates of street violence. Eisner shares insights on the surprising backgrounds of both victims and perpetrators, often respected members of society. The discussion also highlights the intricate workings of the medieval justice system, including the bizarre deodand practice, where objects linked to deaths were put on trial.
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Medieval Murder Rates
- Homicide rates in medieval England were 20-50 times higher than today, comparable to the most violent modern cities.
- Bioarchaeology and coroner records both estimate roughly 2% of the population died violently, mostly young men.
Goldsmith Stabbing
- In 1300, Michael Cardoyle was stabbed by Robert de Elmenham after a dispute in Cheapside, London.
- Robert took sanctuary in a church and later received a royal pardon.
Knife Types
- Medieval records differentiate between everyday knives (twigles) and fighting knives (like Irish knives or daggers).
- The specific knife type used in a crime was often recorded, similar to modern firearm descriptions.