Unfortunate Ends: On Murder and Misadventure in Medieval England

Thomas, son of Henry Robekyn, died 1286 after cutting off his left foot and then his left hand in a frenzy Henry Debordesle, died 1343. Long sick with diseases, smote himself in the belly with a knife worth one penny A romp through the death records of medieval England. From the bizarre to the mundane, each death tells a tale from a dangerous time to be alive, and even to die. Coroners’ rolls list every inquest held for a death by misadventure – or accident – as well as grisly murders, some witnessed by others, some only coming to light when the hidden body was found. A handful of these deaths rise to the top, their tales too bizarre, ridiculous or heartbreaking to not be spun again for the modern ear. Through death, Murdered by Clerks gives us a rare, first-hand look into everyday life for common people of the English Middle Ages.