[UncleMonty]

What murder methods were popular in medieval times in particular the renaissance? I have been given an assignment for university about the subject matter and have absolutely no idea where to start.

UncleMonty.

[Melisende]

Poison was very popular, expecially in Italy were there were professional poisoners.
Knives / daggers / sword - the old 'self defence"
Ambush - another popular method favoured not doubt by the outlawed.
Smothering - as claimed was the fate of the Princes in the Tower

Murder methods I seriously doubt have changed much over the course of history - the only thing that has changed would be the methods of catching criminals. Unless you were caught in the act or majorly suspected, you could probably get away with ... murder!

[Adso de Fimnu]

Don't forget being drowned in a vat of Malmesbury wine!

[Melisende]

Adso - should that be "Curate of St Merry Mead" ???

Sorry ...

[Erik]

UncleMonty, on 05 April 2009 - 09:15 PM, said:

What murder methods were popular in medieval times in particular the renaissance? I have been given an assignment for university about the subject matter and have absolutely no idea where to start.

UncleMonty.

Here is a quote from Beowulf

and while the keeper of his soul
Sleeps on, while conscience rests and the world
Turns faster a murderer creeps closer, comes carrying
A tight strung bow with terrible arrows.
And those sharp points strike home, are shot
In his breast, under his helmet. He’s helpless.

The Jomsviking Saga tells of the killing of an unsuspecting King Harald Bluetooth by Palnatoki,chief of the Jomsvikings, by an arrow shot out of night time concealment. This may be a fictional saga, but a great one. At later times, a crossbow is the ideal murder weapon as long as the arrow's owneris not identified. I don't have specific cases.

This post has been edited by Erik: 30 June 2009 - 05:03 PM

[hodekin]

Erik, on 30 June 2009 - 05:02 PM, said:

Here is a quote from Beowulf

and while the keeper of his soul
Sleeps on, while conscience rests and the world
Turns faster a murderer creeps closer, comes carrying
A tight strung bow with terrible arrows.
And those sharp points strike home, are shot
In his breast, under his helmet. He’s helpless.

The Jomsviking Saga tells of the killing of an unsuspecting King Harald Bluetooth by Palnatoki,chief of the Jomsvikings, by an arrow shot out of night time concealment. This may be a fictional saga, but a great one. At later times, a crossbow is the ideal murder weapon as long as the arrow's owneris not identified. I don't have specific cases.

[hodekin]

Hmmm, let me see....well, Edward the second was murdered in a particularly novel way, but taste and decorum forbids me to describe it. All I will say is that it would certainly bring tears to the eyes!

hodekin

[Aelfwine]

In 1365 Seguin de Badefol, a notorious leader of mercenaries, visited King Charles of Navarre to settle outstanding debts. Charles was not pleased to see the mercenary, resentful of the high price which he had promised Seguin for services which had brought him very little. When Seguin became to pressing, Charles received him in his private rooms in the castle of Falces and fed him a poisoned pear. It took six days of agony before de Badefol died.

In fact Charles of Navarre used murder before to eliminate a rival. In 1354 he had picked a quarrel with Charles of Spain, Constable of France, and had the man assasinated at an inn not far from Evreux in Normandy.

Not for nothing was the king of Navarre known as Charles the Bad.

[markuswinter]

hodekin, on 03 July 2009 - 11:53 PM, said:

Hmmm, let me see....well, Edward the second was murdered in a particularly novel way, but taste and decorum forbids me to describe it. All I will say is that it would certainly bring tears to the eyes!

hodekin

He was killed with an onion????

[KatherineChristensen]

In the 5th through the 7th centuries, the Merovingians had a number of favored methods of murder.
Besides the typical methods of the day of hacking one to death with a sword or Germanic battle axe, garroting is mentioned often in the historical texts, as well as stabbing one's foe with the scramasax(iron-knife)with the running duct filled with poison -- less margin for error.

[Sir Perkin Warbeck]

hodekin, on 03 July 2009 - 11:53 PM, said:

Hmmm, let me see....well, Edward the second was murdered in a particularly novel way, but taste and decorum forbids me to describe it. All I will say is that it would certainly bring tears to the eyes!

hodekin

Yes, poor Edward, that had to hurt.
Although it has to be said, the way they dispatched him lacked nothing in originality.

[Hotspur]

"Hmmm, let me see....well, Edward the second was murdered in a particularly novel way, but taste and decorum forbids me to describe it. All I will say is that it would certainly bring tears to the eyes!"

Right. I'll just say what everyone wants to. HOT POKER UP THE BUM! I do not feel as bound by the 21st century concepts of restraint and decency ;-).

I heard a good story from one of the guards at the Tower of London. I forget who the poor chap was but his death had been logged in the Tower records as suicide. The gentleman in question had managed to stab himself in the back and throw himself from one of the many towers. A subtle cover up me thinks.

[Melisende]

A novel method of suicide .....

And Anne Bolyen chopped her own head off .....

[johnsoo]

I would think that stabbing would be used alot to murder someone back then.

[joemann29]

Stabbing, throwing rocks, clubbing, and axes. Name it they used it back then.

[johnvander29]

Ya and lets not foget about good old fashion poison to. They did alot of that also I think.

[Animal]

Melisende, on 06 April 2009 - 05:50 PM, said:

Poison was very popular, expecially in Italy were there were professional poisoners.
Knives / daggers / sword - the old 'self defence"
Ambush - another popular method favoured not doubt by the outlawed.
Smothering - as claimed was the fate of the Princes in the Tower

Murder methods I seriously doubt have changed much over the course of history - the only thing that has changed would be the methods of catching criminals. Unless you were caught in the act or majorly suspected, you could probably get away with ... murder!

Two additions to murder methods have of course been the use of guns and explosives.

This post has been edited by Animal: 16 February 2010 - 09:33 PM

[joeshoe29]

Also what about crossbows and bows and arrows?

[Melisende]

Bowstring - ie: strangulation or garotting

[ficaralawfirm]

Thats a good point and lets not forget good old fashioned hanging right?