5 Pretty Mysterious Medieval London Murders…

When a Medieval death occurred in England an official appointed by the crown and known as the Coroner was responsible for finding out what had happened. By the 13th century there were four coroners in every county. Each one of them had a deputy who would sometimes hold an inquest.
Their duties extended to a range of criminal matters, not just a violent or sudden death, but if that was thought to be the case, then the Coroner and the Sheriff would swear in a jury of local men to investigate how the victim had died. These investigations were chronicled in the ‘Coroners’ Rolls’. For the Medievals carrying weapons was part of daily life, male honour had to be safeguarded at all costs and arguments could very quickly get out of hand. Many of these records from the Coroners’ Rolls in London during the late 13th and 14th centuries have survived. Let’s go back in time and have a look at some of the cases from “the capital of the Kingdom of England”, which the cleric William fitz Stephen described as “one of the most renowned, [cities], possessing above others, abundant wealth, extensive commerce, great grandeur, and significance”. Welcome to Medieval Madness.
0:00 Introduction
1:25 The Death of Michael Cardoyl
3:51 The Two Christinas
6:18 The Drowning of Joanna
7:24 Edmund de Brekkles
9:09 A Conspiracy
🎶🎶 Music by CO.AG: kzbin.info/door/cavSftXHgxLBWwLDm_bNvA
Narrated by James Wade
Written by Lisa E Rawcliffe
Edited by James Wade & Adam Longster
Thank you for watching.
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Copyright © 2022 Top5s All rights reserved. In this video, we've compiled information from a variety of sources, including documentaries, books, and websites, all with the aim of providing an engaging viewing experience. While we strive to ensure accuracy, we acknowledge that there may be variations in the authenticity of the content. We encourage viewers to delve deeper and conduct their own research to corroborate the information presented.

[@user-vq4yz5nn2q]

"The coroner gathered good men from an adjacent parish" lol, in the middle ages anyone could be a detective for a day.

[@oscarosullivan4513]

It is called a grand jury and could be found in England and Wales until the 1930’s and still happens in the USA.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Oh yeah. As witnesses, so they could be sworn in and be credible in testimony. An Inquest ...

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

I love how nonchalant the characters being killed are. 'oh well'

[@missbraindamage]

I like how you could just run to the church for sanctuary whenever you committed a crime. And then you were exiled. Easy lol

[@michaelplanchunas3693]

Exile from your country often amounted to a death sentence. You had no money nor means of support in a foreign country and didn't speak the language, unless you were connected to the nobility and had friends who would take you in. But, for ordinary people they didn't last long because they were viewed with suspicion by the authorities. After a while they usually would up dead in an alley. Remember even for skilled people the Guild system worked against you, hiring only known townspeople as apprentices with the master being responsible for their conduct.

[@kainflynn1430]

THATS how you cancel someone!

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

@@kainflynn1430 lol

[@hoze1235]

When blasphemous tweets from few years ago resurface 🤣🤣

[@tobyo105]

This is still such an underrated channel. Love your stuff my guy!

[@elleryeggen9678]

22,000 views in 20 hours, Underrated? I think not!

[@knowyourrights9793]

​@@elleryeggen9678 50,000 Views in 4 Months? YES It's a Very *Underrated Channel!!*

[@NinjaGrrrl7734]

Medieval Madness days are the best days of all. I love this channel. Your humor makes it such a romp.

[@laurachapple6795]

Your friend Hammond can afford a place in London? Is he seeing anyone?

[@stephanieblahbiddyblah]

Lol if it doesn't work out send him my way 😉

[@aSandwich.13]

It's amazing to see how rapidly your channel grew.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

Come come now. We must never forget the fictional monk 'Cadfeal' played by the singular Derek Jacoby.

[@zacharymcleish4498]

I love these videos. I look forward to it every Friday. Please don’t stop doing this.

[@josecipriano3048]

The Church, protecting criminals since the medieval era.

[@jaqenhghar6996]

Fantastically underrated comment sir!!

[@dianawatton7570]

Especially their own priests!

[@joseybryant7577]

Two murders with Irish knives. Were the Irish known for their knives at the time?

[@princecharon]

I was wondering about that as well, but perhaps it was just a particular style or length of knife that was named for the Irish whether it had anything to do with them or not.

[@CozyySophia]

Love your channel ❤ I wish everyone reading this comment a wonderful new year

[@emperorofpluto]

Like an album of snapshots from the lives of people whose existence is otherwise unrecorded. Every one of us alive today is at the top of an inverted pyramid comprising hundreds, and eventually thousands, of ancestors through the Middle Ages. Wonder what my own medieval ancestors were doing.

[@ransakreject5221]

They were probably hungry, cold and very very smelly

[@fellowsinner9683]

Mysterious surely "Did you see anything yesterday?" " Yeah, some guy got stabbed."

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

As if it's not something important to share without question lol

[@Pr0digyZRX]

You should do a long form video of these

[@mgthestrange9098]

Was there ever a day in the Middle Ages when it wasn’t a saint’s feast day? 😇

[@indepthliterature]

Despite the subject matter this is just a beautiful video. Thanks to all you all do at medieval madness

[@gooddeal3186]

Love this channel.

[@thomasdoubting]

Interesting peek in to the past! 👍 One somewhat often mentioned crime in swedish sources was brudrov (bride stealing) as in ether eloping or kidnapping. If they made there gettaway, Denmark has often been the favoured destination for swedishmen on the run, but if they got found out: a roadsid dismemberment for him and convent for her. Nothing says "happely ever after" like a bit of honor killing... ☹️

[@deadhorse1391]

Sounds like the Irish knife was the 1300s equivalent to todays Zombie knife 😃

[@mgthestrange9098]

What was an Irish knife I wonder?

[@Judykag]

I love this channel So much

[@baarbacoa]

When I visualize Medieval England, I see in my mind it as it might be presented in a Monty Python flick.

[@garrettkarr5697]

Love this content

[@NSJonesy94]

“And then they pulled out an Irish knife”

[@HerveVillechaize22]

What the hell is an "Irish knife"?

[@denni7173]

During the late medieval period, there was a dagger called a skein or skean depending on dialect. It's a Gaelic word so became known as an Irish knife.

[@SakuraAsranArt]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who was puzzling over that!

[@KellyBurnett138]

Well this was quite fascinating…

[@the_cursor]

Hammond looks like he has a story or two. "Hey, Hammond."

[@foxcarmichael8918]

this is lit bruh

[@CozyySophia]

Litty litty documentary 🔥

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

"Hey Hammond" 😂

[@mattiaswidegren2242]

They had air cushions?

[@thetrollslayer3716]

London and crime. A love story that dates back to mediaeval times.

[@mistaman4638]

My new favorite historian 😉

[@ObserverZero]

I ❤ this channel

[@teresamanthy551]

Cheers!

[@christaylor4477]

Really paid to be sheriff with all the property confiscated

[@SpamMouse]

Great video as ever team, you have asked for suggestions in the past (or even on the past) might I offer the idea of some investigation and insight on the varied origin and history of the works of art that you have trawled to illustrate these various videos over the years. Unless of course your videos are just based upon describing the scenes themselves. Thank you all.

[@eliasholmquist7369]

@medievalmadness, are you familiar with the Medieval Murder Map of London? It's this online database of all the recorded deaths in London during the Middle Ages, and you can view them on an interactive mapped layout of London. Super interesting, very relevant to your video!

[@taylorgletscher]

Do one about the day santa slapped a bishop in the presence of the roman emperor.

[@aerystargaryenii2565]

Legend

[@joe_origlieri]

More cutaways to Hammond, please

[@OpheliaElezen]

Overpriced rent and my friend Hammond 😂😂

[@harrylyme3969]

Since the names of all of the victims & perpetrators; the particulars of the crimes; & the final disposition of the felons are known, I'm guessing you are somewhat unclear as to the meaning of "mysterious"

[@Faemoonkin]

Hi Hammond! Looking spiffy!

[@Dickiemiller179]

Could you please tell us more about William de Salrey? Of Carshalton (formally) Kershalton/Kersaulton. I'm Carshalton born and bred and would love to know more about this character.

[@alexarna]

I killed me bird bruv - spat my food out laughing!

[@TheEldritchArchives]

Hey Hammond

[@jamescarroll9022]

For those curious, an Irish knife is called a Scian. Google will have plenty of images

[@brianoneil9662]

Another Medieval On Your Ass Madness video! Huzzah for Friday!

[@SakuraAsranArt]

Medieval Coroners Conquests be like... "This woman is accused of killing her neighbour through the use of witchcraft and foul sorceries!" "What is the evidence against her?" "She's old, has bad teeth and a wart on her nose!" "Overwhelming evidence indeed! Guilty! Take her away."

[@WildBillCox13]

Liked and shared.

[@VilhelmHammershoi1666]

My medieval detective although fictional was cadfael he's the Colombo of the middle ages

[@Keri8198]

I love Cadfael. I’ve also been reading the Crowner John mysteries and enjoying them

[@wanderinghistorian]

I love this channel but man, why are you still not providing any sources? You could just be making all of this up.

[@theswede5402]

All they had to do was hire Geralt of Rivia to investigate these murders.

[@heavymetalredneck7973]

The coroner gathered up a few of the other local "genius detectives" lol oh boy

[@nikolaibelinski6547]

LETS FUCKING GO, ITS ANOTHER MEDIEVAL MADNESS FRIDAY

[@joannabaparileszczynska]

Wait, I’m dead? That explains a lot 😅

[@forestprophet]

Listen to the song Lo Boier! It's an Occitan folk song chronicling the death of a woman named Joanna.

[@charlafox5701]

Hi Hammond

[@HumbleMentorGaming]

"HAMMOND!"

[@danvanleeuwen7712]

I have a question how diverse were cities in the middle ages

[@MagdaleneDivine]

I totally have nothing shitty or know it all to add. I'm happily watching this quietly.

[@amarevanhook7453]

Mfs had 1HP back then

[@-JA-]

👍👏

[@nazlsenay7312]

...😮

[@CoryWHoffman]

An Irish knife sounds like a drink I would regret taking

[@kathleen6538]

The biggest takeaway from this video was there were A-LOT of men named John in medieval times.

[@michaelcoughlin3013]

Would anyone know what 1 Schilling would be worth today? I tried to assume that its value doubles every 20 years, but I get millions of Schillings. That's from the year circa 1300.

[@lpalmer90]

Have a look at national archives currency converter.. 1 Schilling was approx 1 weeks wages For a skilled tradesman. So prob equivalent to several hundred pounds today

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

@@lpalmer90 inderdasting

[@grapeshot]

London CSI Medieval Edition.

[@scallopohare9431]

Coroners apparently fely the need to assemble an entourage before viewing the body and scene. Hmm.

[@kaarlimakela3413]

John de Elmenham? WTH kind of name is that? 😆

[@timtowns23]

How dare you use footage of any dog but pepsi at the end!!

[@swampy1584]

It sounds like vespers was the most dangerous part of the day back then

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

No shit!

[@michaelgpd1103]

What is an Irish knife

[@ibbzone5308]

Irish knife 😂

[@MagdaleneDivine]

Is Hammond single?

[@dawnkobylarz7126]

At least somebody paid for their sins!

[@sophroniel]

"The two Christians" sir, do you know "Christina" is pronounced "kriss-TEE-na", right?

[@danielmalone4446]

first

[@censusgary]

Some of these killings were done with “an Irish knife.” Anyone know what an “Irish knife” meant?

[@heavymetalredneck7973]

The beginning of cancel culture 😮

[@IndustrialBonecraft]

William - the medieval incel.

[@erichayes8445]

Medieval true crime be like, jews did it case closed

[@treyparkerofficial]

Some things never change

[@krisfinley6706]

Pretty much any foreigners, ethnic or religious minorities. Convenient scapegoats always

[@nikolaibelinski6547]

When in doubt, blame the Jews

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

It seems to work a lot of the time

[@thomasdoubting]

-Na, we did *Isaac of York* last Good Friday, remember? -Oh yeah... How about a *witch?* we got plenty of them.

[@penismightier4303]

Solving medieval murders were much easier than now. If I were a medieval coroner, my basic investigation technique would be: 1. Gather posse of deputies for protection and to serve as jurors. 2. Visit local churches to find the obvious suspects. 3. Ask them what they know about the deceased. 4. Document their forthcoming full confession including names of their accomplices and the motive for their crime. 5. Send bailiffs to their home to confiscate and document their pitiful possessions while they are holed up in sanctuary. 6. Advise posse of my findings, hand the case over to them for their judgment (or exoneration, lynching, banishment, whatever). 7. Take confiscated property and report back to sheriff. 8. Go back home and relax until the next murder happens. The only real mystery here is why did that woman drown herself?