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Murder of Queen Brunhild, 613 -

Brunhild, who lived around 543–613, became the queen consort of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia through her marriage to King Sigebert I. Following the murder of her sister, Brunhild dedicated several decades to seeking revenge for her death. This period of vengeance led to conflicts with prominent figures such as the Church, the nobility, and other members of the Merovingian dynasty. The situation escalated after Brunhild's husband was assassinated. Eventually, she faced defeat in battle and was subjected to a horrific execution method. She was tied to the hooves of wild horses and torn apart, a brutal form of death even by the standards of that era. The image, illustrating the event, is from De Casibus Virorum Illustrium, attributed to Maître François, Paris, c. 1475. 

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Cadaver Synod of 897 -

In one of the most bizarre episodes recorded in the Middle Ages, Pope Stephen VI ordered the exhumation in Rome of Pope Formosus, months after his death. In an event famously termed the Cadaver Synod or Synodus Horrenda, Formosus' corpse was put on trial for alleged crimes committed during his lifetime. Found guilty, Formosus' reign was nullified, and his remains were desecrated. The corpse was later reinterred in a common grave. Image: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Nantes, 1870.

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Murder of Charles the Good, 1127 -

Charles the Good (1084–1127), the Count of Flanders, met a tragic end on March 2, 1127, when a group of knights loyal to the influential Erembald family attacked him while he knelt in prayer at the Church of St. Donatien in Bruges. This brutal murder incited public fury and set off a series of events that plunged 12th-century Flanders into chaos. Although not officially beatified until 1882, Charles is now remembered as a martyr and saint, his legacy enduring through the centuries.

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Murder of Imad al-Din Zengi, 1146 -

Imad al-Din Zengi, recognized as the atabeg of Aleppo, was the Iraqi leader responsible for establishing the Zangid dynasty. He played a crucial role in launching the first substantial counterattacks against the Crusader kingdoms in the Middle East. Driven by ambition and a hunger for power, Zengi sought to forge a kingdom spanning much of the Levant, encompassing regions like Syria and Palestine. However, his aspirations were cut short in September 1146 when a disgruntled Frankish slave named Yarankash, nursing a personal grudge, assassinated Zengi.

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Assassination of Thomas Becket, 1170 -

Thomas Becket served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his tragic murder in 1170. His destiny took a dark turn due to extended conflict with King Henry II regarding the rights and privileges of the Church. The culmination of this tension occurred on December 29, 1170, when Becket was assassinated by four armed knights in Canterbury Cathedral. Today, he is honored as a saint and martyr by both the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

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Death of Richard I, 1199 -

Richard I, commonly known as Richard the Lionheart, reigned as King of England from 1189 until his demise in 1199. His death resulted from a crossbow bolt striking his shoulder during a siege at Châlus-Chabrol, France. The wound later became gangrenous, leading to the monarch's demise from infection. Before his passing, Richard pardoned the boy who targeted him instead of ordering his execution. Regrettably, Richard's final act of mercy proved futile, as the infamous mercenary captain Mercadier had the boy flayed alive and hanged immediately after Richard's death.

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Murder of Arthur of Brittany, 1203 -

Arthur I, Duke of Brittany (1187–1203), met a tragic end at the young age of 16. The designated heir to the English throne, Arthur was likely murdered while imprisoned in Rouen Castle, France, with suspicions pointing towards King John, the reigning monarch and Arthur's relative. This followed Arthur's unsuccessful rebellion against King John. The young duke's body was later found discarded in the Seine River by a fisherman in 1203.

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Murder of Philip of Swabia, 1208 -

Philip of Swabia (1177–1208) holds the unfortunate distinction of being the first German king murdered during his reign. Acknowledged by Pope Innocent III as king and promised the imperial crown, Philip met his demise in a revenge-fueled crime. Otto of Wittelsbach, Count Palatine of Bavaria, took Philip's life in retribution as the king had refused to allow one of his daughters to marry Otto.

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Roger Godberd (1245–1276) -

Roger Godberd, a medieval outlaw, is considered one of the figures believed to have inspired the legend of Robin Hood. Operating in Sherwood Forest, he experienced brief detention in 1272 by Reginald de Grey, the Sheriff of Nottingham. Despite escaping recapture with the aid of local noblemen, Godberd was later apprehended, leading to imprisonment in various jails. His fate varies in historical accounts—some suggest he was released on a pardon from Edward I, while others claim he died incarcerated in Newgate Goal in 1276.

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Murder of Saint Peter of Verona, 1252 -

Peter of Verona, a Dominican friar renowned for his eloquence, became a celebrated preacher in his time. However, his outspoken denunciation of heresy and criticism of Catholics who professed faith but acted contrary to it led to his downfall. Peter met a violent end at the hands of two assassins. Remarkably, he was canonized as a Catholic saint just 11 months after his death, marking the fastest canonization in history.

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Starvation of Ugolino della Gherardesca, 1289 -

The Italian nobleman Ugolino della Gherardesca (c. 1220–1289) experienced a harrowing demise. Accused of treason, he was imprisoned by the Archbishop of Pisa in Torre della Muda along with his sons, Gaddo and Uguccione, and grandsons Nino and Anselmuccio. Tragically, they were left to starve to death. This unfortunate fate is prominently featured in Dante's 'Divine Comedy.'

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Murder of John Comyn III of Badenoch, 1306 -

John Comyn, known as Red Comyn for his copper-colored hair, was a wealthy Scottish baron with ties to both Scottish and English royal families. He played a significant role in the First War of Scottish Independence but made enemies along the way, particularly with Robert the Bruce, King of the Scots. The conflict between the Bruces and the Comyns dates back to 1296 when John Comyn attacked Carlisle, defended by Robert Bruce's father, sparking the struggle for independence. Robert the Bruce avenged his father by murdering Comyn in Greyfriars Church, Dumfries, on February 10, 1306. During the attack, Sir Robert Comyn, rushing to aid his nephew, was killed by a blow to the head by Bruce's brother-in-law, Christopher Seton.

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The Despensers, 1317 -

The Despensers, among England's most notorious corrupt courtiers, leveraged their favor with Edward II to accumulate considerable wealth and power. In 1317, Hugh Despenser the Younger managed to embed himself deeply within the king's inner circle, controlling access to the monarch. This infuriated Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer, leading to their successful plot to overthrow Edward II. Both Hugh the Elder and Hugh the Younger faced execution, and their bodies were gruesomely disemboweled and fed to wild dogs. Pictured is Hugh Despenser the Younger. Image: Founders and Benefactors Book of Tewkesbury Abbey, c. 1525; Bodleian Library, Oxford.

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Isabella of France, murderer? 1325 -

Isabella of France (1295–1358), the Queen of England and wife of King Edward II, orchestrated the overthrow of her husband in 1325, coinciding with the beginning of her affair with nobleman Roger Mortimer. Both shared the goal of removing Edward from power. The deposed monarch met his end imprisoned at Berkeley Castle during the night of September 21, 1327. The circumstances of his death remain highly debated among historians, with various theories suggesting murder on the orders of the new regime or even speculation that Isabella herself killed Edward with a hot poker. Even after eight centuries, the mystery persists. Image: Jean Froissart's Chronicles, c. 1475.

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The Coterel gang (c. 1328–1333) -

Under the leadership of James Coterel and his brothers, Nicholas and John, a ragtag group of thugs operated in Derbyshire in the East Midlands of England. By 1330, this motley gang had established a profitable protection racket. However, their criminal activities expanded to include murder, extortion, and a series of high-profile kidnappings, leading to a manhunt. Eventually apprehended, James, Nicholas, and John evaded execution by striking a deal to fight for the king in the outbreak of the Second War of Scottish Independence in 1332.

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John FitzWalter, 2nd Baron FitzWalter (1315–1361) -

John FitzWalter, an affluent Essex landowner hailing from a noble lineage, utilized his wealth and privilege to finance a series of criminal activities, primarily in and around Colchester. His gang instilled terror in the local community through activities such as cattle-rustling, extortion, and stealing from merchants. In 1351, justice caught up with him, resulting in FitzWalter's imprisonment in the Tower of London. He was later fined and ultimately freed after receiving a royal pardon. Pictured is the seal of John's great-grandfather, Robert FitzWalter, 1st Baron FitzWalter, who passed away in 1235.

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Victims of the Jacquerie, 1358 -

The Jacquerie stands as one of the most infamous peasant uprisings of the Middle Ages. Unfolding in northern France in the early summer of 1358 amid the tumult of the Hundred Years' War, the rebellion earned its name from the derogatory term "Jacques" or "Jacques Bonhomme" used by nobles to mock peasants, referencing their padded surplice known as a jacque. The Jacquerie was marked by extreme brutality on both sides, with atrocities including widespread lynching, the horrifying immolation of live victims, and instances of sexual violence. The uprising claimed the lives of many hundreds, and in the aftermath, a further 20,000 anonymous peasants fell victim to reprisals.

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Adam the Leper (died c. 1360s) -

The 14th-century gang leader known as Adam the Leper captivated southeast England during the 1330s and 1340s with his daring exploits. Specializing in theft, particularly the liberation of sparkling jewels from the nobility, Adam and his gang gained notoriety. Their most audacious heist involved seizing gems belonging to Philippa of Hainault, queen consort of Edward III, by force. Remarkably, Adam and his cohorts were never apprehended, and he seemed to have lived for another two decades or so, likely passing away in the early 1360s.

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Death at the Bal des Ardents, 1393 -

One of the most infamous medieval feasts occurred at the royal residence, Hôtel Saint-Pol, hosted by the Queen of France in 1393. During the event, a troupe of dancers adorned in costumes soaked in pitch, with frayed flax strands attached to resemble monsters, entertained the royal entourage, including Charles VI. Tragically, the linen used to dress the entertainers caught fire when a torch ignited it, causing the highly flammable resin to erupt into a blazing inferno. Four members of the troupe were engulfed in flames, and the incident became known as the Bal des Ardents, or the "Ball of the Burning Men."

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Geoffrey Chaucer, murdered? 1400 -

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340s–1400), renowned as one of the greatest poets of the Middle Ages and often referred to as the "father of English literature," has long been the subject of rumors surrounding the manner of his death. Speculation about his demise includes theories that he was murdered, with some suggesting it was due to writings that hinted at heresy about King Richard II. Chaucer found his final resting place in Westminster Abbey in London, where he was interred in the area now known as Poets' Corner.

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Assassination of John the Fearless, 1419 -

John I, the second Duke of Burgundy, gained the moniker "Fearless" during a crusade he attempted to lead against the Turks in Nikopol in 1396. Characterized as a rash, ruthless, and unscrupulous politician, John was responsible for the killing of King Charles VI's brother, the Duke of Orléans. This brutal act, in turn, led to John's own demise, as he was assassinated by Charles' men on September 10, 1419. The repercussions of his death extended the Hundred Years' War for decades.

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Assassination of James I of Scotland, 1437 -

After spending 20 years as a prisoner in the Tower of London, James was released in 1423 and became King James I of Scotland. Throughout his 13-year reign, he succeeded in establishing the first strong monarchy Scotland had seen in almost a century. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent his assassination on February 21, 1437, in a failed coup orchestrated by his uncle, Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl.

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Assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, 1476 -

As the fifth Duke of Milan, Galeazzo Maria Sforza (1444–1476) held considerable power, yet his rule was marked by cruelty, lust, and tyranny. His ability to survive was a testament to the fear he instilled in both the public and his enemies. However, on December 26, 1476, in an attempt to destabilize the relationship between Milan and Florence, three high-ranking officials at the Milanese court—Carlo Visconti, Gerolamo Olgiati, and Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani—stabbed Sforza to death inside Milan's Basilica di Santo Stefano Maggiore. It's worth noting that almost 100 years later, the renowned Italian painter Caravaggio would be baptized in the same church.

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Johnnie Armstrong (died 1530) -

Scottish raider turned folk hero, Johnnie Armstrong led a gang of marauders that harassed and ransacked settlements in both northern England and southern Scotland for a decade between 1520 and 1530. The thieves operated from two forts located on either side of the lawless border. Armstrong's luck ran out when James V became King of Scotland. The monarch reneged on a promise to offer the bandit protection and promptly had him hanged, along with 24 of his followers. Armstrong's over-romanticized life is the theme of one of the 305 traditional ballads from England and Scotland anthologized by Francis James Child during the second half of the 19th century and published in various editions from 1904 onwards. Pictured is Johnnie Armstrong's former hideout, c. 1870—Gilnockie Tower in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, the ruins of which still stand today.

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Execution of György Szerémi Dózsa, 1514 -

The gruesome demise of Hungarian nobleman György Dózsa (1470–1514) reached new depths of medieval depravity. Captured with other rebels following his leadership in a peasants' revolt, Dózsa endured torture with red-hot pliers, after which his fellow conspirators were compelled to consume the torn flesh. Those who refused faced immediate execution. To further degrade him, Dózsa's corpse was quartered. His death, along with the brutal suppression of the peasants, significantly contributed to the success of the 1526 Ottoman invasion and the subjugation of the Kingdom of Hungary.

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Death of Margaret Clitherow, 1586 -

The Jesuits, etc. Act of 1584 outlawed Catholic religious ceremonies and criminalized sheltering a priest, punishable by death. Despite this, Margaret Clitherow boldly harbored and supported priests, likely in The Black Swan, a public house in York, England. In March 1586, the premises were searched, revealing the priests' hiding place. Clitherow faced a gruesome execution method: she was pressed to death by the door of her own home, weighed down with additional rocks and stones to ensure her spine snapped. Canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI, she is now recognized as a martyr of the Roman Catholic Church. The Black Swan, where the events unfolded, still stands, marked by a plaque reminding passersby of the events over 400 years ago.

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Tyburn gallows -

The Tyburn gallows, colloquially known as the "Tyburn Tree," served as the primary execution site for London criminals and convicted traitors, including numerous religious martyrs, from the 16th century until 1759. Situated where Marble Arch now stands in central London, the exact location is commemorated with an engraving.

Sources: (Southam College) (Britannica) (National Geographic) (History Today)

See also: Who are the most infamous mobsters and gangsters?  

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