History Extra podcast
Medieval murders most foul
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.
47:30
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Quick takeaways
- Medieval towns experienced murder rates 20 to 50 times higher than today, significantly impacting social dynamics and community relations.
- The medieval justice system relied on coroner's investigations and lay juries, with suspects often fleeing or seeking church sanctuary to evade prosecution.
Deep dives
Understanding Medieval Murder Rates
Murder rates in late medieval English towns were significantly higher than today, estimated to be about 20 to 50 times more frequent. Research indicates that approximately 2% of the population died from interpersonal violence, a figure supported by both bioarchaeological studies and coroner's records. The records reveal that murders were predominantly committed by men, with younger individuals more often involved as both perpetrators and victims. This alarming frequency of homicide in medieval cities is comparable to high-violence urban areas in modern times.
