A Bystander Intervenes: The Death of a Thief

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?

You can see the site of many other historical murders like this by going to the Medieval Murder Map website Medieval Murders is the podcast that delves into the world of violent crimes in Medieval England.

Join criminologist Manuel Eisner and host Nora Eisner as they bring history’s forgotten crimes to life—one murder at a time.

Medieval Murders is a podcast from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge.

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.