Murder in Medieval Oxford

[Erpingham]

Forget the the subtleties of Morse.

http://www.medievalists.net/2018/11/five-murders-in-medieval-oxford/

No poleaxes, but two sparths - a long handled descendent of a Danish axe not the dainty hatchet the translations suggest.  On what basis was it OK to wander the streets at night armed with a six-foot poleweapon?

[Jim Webster]

Forget the the subtleties of Morse.

http://www.medievalists.net/2018/11/five-murders-in-medieval-oxford/

No poleaxes, but two sparths - a long handled descendent of a Danish axe not the dainty hatchet the translations suggest.  On what basis was it OK to wander the streets at night armed with a six-foot poleweapon?

given the murder rate I'd say it was probably essential. It's not safe out there without one 

[Patrick Waterson]

Perhaps the most intriguing feature is the number of clerks involved in the murders.  I am sure a statistician would be able to demonstrate a link between literacy and homicidal tendencies ...