Synopsis: In 1375, Sir William Cantilupe was found murdered in a field outside of a village in Lincolnshire. As the case progressed, fifteen members of his household were indicted for murder, and his armor-bearer and butler were convicted. Through the lens of this murder and its context, this book will explore violence, social norms and deviance, and crime and punishment 'at home' during the Hundred Years War.
The case of William Cantilupe has been of interest to historians for many years, ever since Rosamund Sillem brought it to light in her work on the Lincolnshire Peace Rolls in the 1930s, but this is the first time it has received a book-length treatment, taking relationships between the lords and their servants into account. The verdict - guilty of petty treason - makes this one of the first cases where such a verdict was given, and this reveals the deep insecurities of England at this time, where the violent rebellion of servants against their masters (and wives against their husbands) was a serious concern, enough to warrant death by hanging (for men) and death by burning (for women). The reader is invited to consider the historical interpretations of the evidence, as the motives for the murder were never recorded. The relationships between Sir William and his householders, and indeed with his own wife and, and whether the jury were right to convict him and his alleged accomplice in the first place.
This is a fascinating look at a controversial murder that took place in the period known as The Hundred Years War.
Sir William de Cantilupe, a nobleman with a lineage dating back to the Conquest, was murdered, his body left in a ditch. His entire household, including his wife, was suspect; however, both at the time and today, there are difficulties in piecing together events and provide a suitable outcome.
The investigation of crime in the 14th century was much different that today. Finding a body, Julian-Jones says, was a series matter for the village, who were considered to be collectively responsible for it and could be fined if it was found that they had concealed this fact from the authorities, who in essence were the local Sheriff and the Coroner. The role of Sheriff and Coroner were separate; the coroner represented the Crown's financial interests in court cases, and neither role technically sat in judgement - for "holding the pleas" was the jurisdiction of judges. However, the coroner - with or without a jury - could hold an inquest - an investigation to hear evidence from live witnesses who attend at court and also may be read witness statements from witnesses who are not present. Records of the crime, the victim and accused, and the verdict were documented - witness testimony was not.
In this instance, there were no surviving records of the trials of the various suspects and it is here that Julian-Jones brings to light similar criminal cases to illustrate each point she raises, whilst giving the reader a sense of proceedings.
Medieval justice and criminal investigations is nothing like what we are used to today - social connections, social and financial position, and a person or family's good name counted for much. It is likely that juries were pulled firstly from the local gentry and then those on the next social rung under them. Thus, many of those being accused would be known - and human nature being what it is, it is hardly surprising that a person's social standing or reputation put them in a better light than some unknown person or itinerant traveller. It could also work in the reverse where one of suspect character would automatically be cast as the villain. Julian-Jones talks about "social cohesion and closing ranks" with the greater community lending its support to those within their own community.
But the question still remains - "cui bono" - who benefits? And that is possibly something that we will never really know for sure.
Using contemporary documents and accounts and past scholarship, Melissa Julian-Jones presents the reader with various hypotheses, whilst examining in detail both the members of the household (including the wife) and the extended family connections "... to consider likely scenarios ..". As such, it is necessary to gather as much background information as possible to contextualise possible narratives. In this day and age, family and familial connections were very important and it is necessary to delve into the background of all associated with this case in order to eliminate possible suspects and motives.
This is an excellent and well researched investigation of a cold case. Those with an interest in the medieval period and obscure criminal cases will enjoy this very much.
read more here:
Going Medieval with Melissa Julian-Jones
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