Welcome to Medieval Murders, the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in fourteenth century London.
In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case written on a small piece of parchment by the clerk of the coroner of London over six hundred years ago.
We’ll explore cold cases, examine how people in this time and place tried to keep the peace and show that what looks so foreign at first sight; is more similar to how we act today than one might think...
Host Nora Eisner and criminologist Manuel Eisner examine a 1324 murder case involving a chaplain and a concubine in London, revealing details of the crime and the killer's attempt to use sanctuary laws.
5 Jun 2025
A Medieval Midsummer’s Nightmare
Nora Eisner and Manuel Eisner investigate a deadly clash in 1306 Oxford between town tailors and a cleric, Gilbert de Foxlee, revealing tensions between town and gown.
4 Jun 2025
From Prayer to Murder
Nora Eisner and criminologist Manuel Eisner explore a historical murder in Oxford stemming from a dispute between a praying clerk and another person.
10 Apr 2025
Town & Gown Riots
Medieval Murders is the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in Medieval England.
In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case that happened over six hundred years ago.
Today we turn to Oxford, one of the three cities on the Medieval Murder Map.
Alongside its academic excellence and religious contemplation, Oxford was also a hotspot of violence, with murder rates higher than those of almost any city in the modern world.
In the next few episodes, we’ll hear about organised violence, riots, gang fights between the Irish, the Welsh, the Scots, and the English, revenge killings, and brutal attacks on state officials.
If you have any questions about the episode, drop us an email at murdersmedieval@gmail.com (mailto:murdersmedieval@gmail.com)
You can see the site of many other historical murders like this by going to the Medieval Murder Map website (https://medievalmurdermap.co.uk/)
Medieval Murders is a podcast from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge.
This episode is hosted by Nora Eisner and Professor Manuel Eisner.
The producer is Steve Hankey and the historical segments are voiced and sound designed by Charlie Inman.
The Music is Cantiga 166 by Vox Vulgaris.
6 Mar 2025
Medieval Road Rage: Chivalry and Fury
In this episode, we learn how road rage also existed in Medieval England.
If you have any questions about the episode, drop us an email at murdersmedieval@gmail.com (mailto:murdersmedieval@gmail.com)
You can see the site of many other historical murders like this by going to the Medieval Murder Map website (https://medievalmurdermap.co.uk/)
Medieval Murders is a podcast from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge.
It's the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in Medieval England.
In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case that happened over six hundred years ago.
This episode is hosted by Nora Eisner and Professor Manuel Eisner.
The producer is Steve Hankey and the historical segments are voiced and sound designed by Charlie Inman.
The Music is Cantiga 166 by Vox Vulgaris.
9 Nov 2023
Medieval Insults
Medieval Murders is the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in Medieval England.
In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case that happened over six hundred years ago.
In this one, we explore how the slinging of insults can lead to murder.
And, as a warning, this episode by its very nature has strong language.
If you have any questions about the episode, drop us an email at murdersmedieval@gmail.com (mailto:murdersmedieval@gmail.com)
You can see the site of many other historical murders like this by going to the Medieval Murder Map website (https://medievalmurdermap.co.uk/)
Medieval Murders is a podcast from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge.
This episode is hosted by Nora Eisner and Professor Manuel Eisner.
The producer is Steve Hankey and the historical segments are voiced and sound designed by Charlie Inman.
The Music is Cantiga 166 by Vox Vulgaris.
28 Sept 2023
The Assassination of a Priest
Medieval Murders is the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in Medieval England.
In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case that happened over six hundred years ago.
In this one, we solve an exceptional murder case that went cold 680 years ago.
It was a cold-blooded mafia-style assassination of John Ford, a man of god – it involved a gang of hitmen who cunningly used another priest to approach the victim in plain daylight – it sheds light on sin and sex, moral zeal, and double standards — it is likely shrouded in corruption and class justice — and, remarkably, the protagonist and mastermind is Ela FitzPayne — an extraordinary lady of the highest ranks in English nobility….
Unless, that is, she was framed in a dark political game between those supporting the new king Edward III and those loyal to his dead father, Edward II.
If you have any questions about the episode, drop us an email at murdersmedieval@gmail.com
You can see the site of many other historical murders like this by downloading the Medieval Murder Map app.
Medieval Murders is a podcast from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge.
This episode is hosted by Nora Eisner and Professor Manuel Eisner.
The producer is Steve Hankey and the historical segments are voiced and sound designed by Charlie Inman.
The Music is Cantiga 166 by Vox Vulgaris.
27 Sept 2023
The Bystander and the Balgstaff
Welcome to Medieval Murders, the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in Medieval England. In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case that happened over six hundred years ago.
In this episode, we explore the case of Copin King. Together with a companion he accosted a street vendor for his costard apples on a cold February night in 1301. Thomas Brewer, who happens to there, intervenes in defence of the street vendor — an argument escalates and Thomas Brewer eventually kills Copin with his long fighting staff known as Balgstaff.
But why do humans – today as well as in the Middle Ages – intervene to help complete strangers? What moral obligation do they feel? And how do they decide whether to intervene or walk on?
If you have any questions about the episode, drop us an email at murdersmedieval@gmail.com (mailto:medievalmurders@gmail.com)
You can see the site of many other historical murders like this by downloading the Medieval Murder Map app.
Medieval Murders is a podcast from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge.
This episode is hosted by Nora Eisner and Professor Manuel Eisner.
The producer is Steve Hankey and the historical segments are voiced and sound designed by Charlie Inman.
The Music is Cantiga 166 by Vox Vulgaris.
9 Sept 2022
Introducing Medieval Murders
Welcome to Medieval Murders, the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in fourteenth century London.
In each episode, we tell the story of a single murder case written on a small piece of parchment by the clerk of the coroner of London over six hundred years ago.
We’ll explore cold cases, examine how people in this time and place tried to keep the peace and show that what looks so foreign at first sight; is more similar to how we act today than one might think...
Medieval Murders is hosted by me Nora Eisner and Manuel Eisner, Wolfson Professor of Criminology at the University of Cambridge and creator of the London Medieval Murder Map.
It’s produced by Steve Hankey and the historical segments are voiced and sound designed by Charlie Inman.
The Music is Cantiga 166 by Vox Vulgaris.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
45 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
39 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
24
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
85
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