ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions WEIRD Things You Did Not Know about Gangs of Medieval England
When we think of gangsters, we often picture the American mobsters of the 1920s and 1930s, famous for their exploits during the Prohibition era. However, the history of organized crime stretches back much further, even before the infamous Borgia family in Italy. In fact, medieval England had its own share of notorious gangs that operated outside the law.
In the 14th century, the woods of Nottinghamshire were home to many outlaw families who defied the king’s orders. One such story involves a priest named Master Robert Bernard. In the 1320s, Bernard was caught embezzling church funds in Bakewell, Derbyshire, and was dismissed from his position. On Christmas Day in 1327, when he returned to say Mass, he was publicly humiliated by his parishioners and replaced by a new priest, Walter Kan.
Bernard, however, had connections with one of the most feared gangs of the time, the Cotterell family. The day after his dismissal, Walter Kan was found beaten, with broken bones and missing church funds. This marked the beginning of the Cotterell gang’s reign of terror in the Peak District.
The 14th century was a period of great social unrest in England. The country faced plagues, famines, and a declining population. Events like the Peasant Revolt and the rise of the Lollards, a proto-Protestant movement, reflected the failing administration and clergy. In such desperate times, gangs like the Fallville family emerged as some of the most ruthless criminals.
Without effective policing, these gangs thrived. They were often family-run operations, with members working together in crimes such as robbery, pillaging, and even murder. Contrary to what one might expect, many gang members were not from the oppressed classes but were small landowners with ties to the church.
In 1340, a mob invaded a church in Peak Rutland and executed a priest linked to the Fallville gang. Despite their wealth, the Fallvilles were willing to work for anyone’s money, engaging in sabotage and murder. They were involved in the abduction of Sir Richard Willoughby, a significant heist of the 14th century.
Interestingly, Eustis Fallville, one of the gang members, served in King Edward III’s army and received a full pardon for his crimes. Most of the Fallville brothers managed to evade justice, except for Richard, who was executed but later pardoned posthumously by the church.
The Cotterells and other gangs often escaped punishment, with some members even taking roles in law enforcement. This highlights the complicated relationship between crime and authority during medieval times. These gangs were not just seen as outlaws; they were sometimes viewed as heroes for standing up against corrupt authorities.
The tales of these medieval gangs inspired the legend of Robin Hood, a hero who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Over time, their real-life exploits were transformed into legendary stories passed down through generations.
What do you think about these medieval gangs? Did they deserve harsher punishments, or were they justified in their actions against corrupt officials? If you’re interested in learning about other historical gangsters, let us know! Thanks for exploring this fascinating chapter of history with us.
Research one of the gangs mentioned in the article, such as the Cotterell or Fallville family. Create a detailed profile that includes their origins, key members, notable crimes, and their impact on society. Present your findings in a creative format, such as a digital poster or a mock social media profile.
Engage in a debate where you take on the role of a medieval gang member or a law enforcement official. Discuss the motivations and justifications for the actions of these gangs. Consider whether their actions were a form of rebellion against corruption or simply criminal behavior.
Write an essay comparing the medieval gangs of England with another historical or modern organized crime group. Analyze their methods, societal impact, and the public perception of their actions. Discuss how historical context influenced their behavior and legacy.
Create an interactive timeline that traces the rise and fall of medieval gangs in England. Include key events, such as the Peasant Revolt and notable heists. Use digital tools to make the timeline engaging, incorporating images, videos, and links to additional resources.
Write a short story or script inspired by the legends of medieval gangs, like the tales of Robin Hood. Use historical facts from the article to ground your story in reality, but feel free to add fictional elements to enhance the narrative. Share your story with the class in a reading or performance.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Gangsters, mobsters, hooligans—call them what you like, but organized crime has been part of our reality for a long time. The stereotypical image of the American gangster is closely associated with organized crime during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and 1930s. However, some credit the lawless Wild West for allowing infamous outlaws to band together. The history of organized crime is much older than America itself, even predating the Borgia family, who are considered precursors to the mafia families and La Cosa Nostra.
Back in medieval times, the woods of Nottinghamshire were plagued with many outlaw families who operated outside the law and made a mockery of the king’s orders. Welcome to Nutty History, and this is the untold story of gangsters who ruled medieval England.
In the 1320s, Master Robert Bernard was working as a priest in the parish of Bakewell in Derbyshire. However, he was caught embezzling church funds and was rightfully fired and expelled. When he arrived to say Mass on Christmas Day in 1327, instead of receiving holiday greetings, his parishioners stripped him of his vestments and sent him away. This was a humiliating experience for someone in his position. He was beaten, insulted, and thrown out in front of his replacement, the new priest Walter Kan.
Firing Robert Bernard was one thing, but making a spectacle of it was a big mistake. Bernard was linked with one of the most infamous hooligans of the land, and he only had to ask for help. The next day, Walter Kan was found beaten, with broken bones and missing money from the church funds. This incident was perhaps the first recorded crime of the Cotterell gang, a notorious family-run outfit that terrorized the Peak District in the early 14th century.
This period is filled with records of large-scale criminal gangs engaging in robbery, pillaging, abduction, and murder. The 14th century was a time of social unrest in England, marked by plague, famine, and depopulation. The Peasant Revolt and the rise of the proto-Protestant Lollards were signs of a failing administration and clergy. Desperate times produced desperate men, and the Fallville family was among the most ruthless gangs of the 14th century.
With a lack of proper policing, gangs thrived and controlled the region. Much like modern organized crime, these medieval gangs were tightly knit families, with husbands, wives, brothers, and sisters working together. Contrary to popular belief, 14th-century gangs weren’t always from the oppressed class; many were small land-owning families tied to the church.
In 1340, a mob invaded the church of Peak Rutland and executed a priest found guilty of being a member of the Fallville gang. The Fallville family was eager to work for anyone’s money, despite their own wealth. They engaged in sabotage and even committed murder, such as the case of Sir Roger Beller, a baron of the Exchequer.
The Fallville brothers often evaded justice, and their criminal activities continued despite their noble status. They were known for robbing travelers and were involved in significant crimes, including the abduction of Sir Richard Willoughby, who later became the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench. This abduction was one of the biggest heists of the 14th century.
Interestingly, instead of facing punishment, Eustis Fallville served under Edward III’s army and gained a full pardon. Most of the Fallville brothers escaped justice, except for Richard, who was executed for his crimes but later pardoned posthumously by the church.
The Cotterells and other gangs managed to evade justice as well. Some members even found themselves in law enforcement roles, highlighting the complex relationship between crime and authority during this time. These gangs were not just outlaws; they were often seen as heroes by the public for targeting corrupt authorities.
The stories of these medieval gangs inspired the legend of Robin Hood, who was portrayed as a hero stealing from the rich to give to the poor. The real-life exploits of these outlaws were passed down through generations, transforming their deeds into a cohesive legend.
What do you think of these medieval gangs? Did they deserve more punishment than they received? Which other periods of gangsters would you like us to cover on our channel? As always, thanks for watching Nutty History!
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains a respectful tone while preserving the essence of the original content.
Gangs – Organized groups often involved in criminal activities and social influence within a community. – During the Prohibition era in the United States, gangs like Al Capone’s were notorious for their involvement in illegal alcohol distribution.
Medieval – Relating to the Middle Ages, a period in European history from the 5th to the late 15th century. – The medieval period was characterized by the feudal system and the dominance of the Catholic Church in Europe.
England – A country that is part of the United Kingdom, with a rich history that includes the development of parliamentary democracy and the Industrial Revolution. – England played a crucial role in the spread of the English language and culture across the world during the colonial era.
Outlaws – Individuals who are declared outside the protection of the law, often due to criminal activities. – Robin Hood is a legendary figure often depicted as an outlaw who stole from the rich to give to the poor.
Crime – An action or omission that constitutes an offense and is punishable by law. – The rise of organized crime during the 1920s in America was partly due to the prohibition of alcohol.
Social – Relating to society or its organization, often involving interactions among people. – The social structure of ancient Rome was divided into distinct classes, including patricians and plebeians.
Unrest – A state of dissatisfaction, disturbance, and agitation in a group of people, typically involving public demonstrations or disorder. – The French Revolution was preceded by a period of social unrest due to economic hardship and inequality.
Church – A building used for public Christian worship or the organized institution of Christianity. – The Catholic Church held significant power and influence over medieval European society and politics.
Authority – The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. – The authority of the king was often challenged by the nobility and the church during the medieval period.
Legacy – Something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor from the past. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can be seen in modern legal systems, languages, and architectural styles.
