"In the medieval justice system, some fashion-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In England, the dedicated watchmen who investigate these crimes are members of an elite squad known as the Special Fashion Unit. These are their stories."
Not sure if it applies to the British Isles, but on the continent all murders couldn't be fully legally classified until the perpetrator was found, because the actual legal name of the crime was dependant on the relationship between the murderer and murderee, so things like fratricide, infanticide, patricide, lesser treason (killing one's "betters"), regicide (killing one's "even betters") were considered to be fundamentally different crimes and carried different punishments. Well, different methodes of execution. And then there's the lovely issue of various sources of law which could lead to making one crime multiply- if a citizen of Kolberg killed a knight from Brandenburg in Stettin, that particular murder would be banditry in Stettin (an outsider killing an outsider), guest-killing in the Hanseatic League (a citizen killing an outsider), insulting ducal hospitality by guest-killing in the dukedom of Pommerania (a subject killing an esteemed outsider) and then lesser treason in the HRE.
He’s very much like my old history teacher the way he explains things because you can tell he’s genuinely passionate about the subject and I’ve been fascinated by history every since.
@@aj.j5833 Remember that some of the oldest pieces of writing known are the clay tables detailing complaints to the merchant Ea-Nasir and his poor quality copper.
@@Dedfaction Or social media post, including youtube comments. Most are just random daily talk, some are exceedingly brilliant and some are exceedingly stupid.
The Homo sapien hasn't changed even a little bit, ever. If the Homo sapien changed, they would no longer be called Homo sapien, and would be re-calssified as a new species. So until that happens, you should just assume ZERO change.
idk, crocs achieved a massive return in the last couple years, I've got a pair now whereas five years ago i would've baulked at the idea - their great, love them
As a proud Scotsman, I am now going to believe that Hugh the Scot met a Friar in his church sanctuary, then a Maid, and finally escaped into the forest...Hugh Hood is born!
I can't quite put my finger on why every word of this is very interesting. I don't know if it's the way it's explained or presented, but I think it requires talent. This is very captivating.
I think it's the idea of historical social understanding through legislation. What a society legislates and does or does not enforce says an awful lot about it. And sometimes about things otherwise forgotten in history. The laws about the clothing allowed, disallowed or mandated for sex workers is so telling. Many must have been quite well to do because they weren't _allowed_ to wear fur for fear of being mistaken as respectable and upper class women. So sex work could have been quite lucrative, so lots going on. It wasn't illegal per se but government didn't want to actively tax it so they took a round about route. Too clean to actually regulate but not so clean they don't want a cut of the profits. No "decent" person of the time is likely to write about such salacious goings on but you can learn quite a lot from the laws.
Glad to see you back! This is STILL one of just a couple accounts I give a thumbs up as soon as I open a video with no worries that I'll change my mind. Thanks for your time making these.
Fun fact, some of the fun medieval laws from England are technically retained in US law. When the US split away, the states used "reception statutes", which basically made all UK law US law, but with references to the King replaced with the US Government. That's why for instance the common law definition of murder in the US is the same as England, but without the "within the King's peace" bit. So unless a specific statute has been passed in the US that changes it, or a specific repeal was made, then for example, a beached whale would automatically belong to the US Government, or one of the state governments, simply by virtue of the law not being repealed but edited to remove mention of the Crown. It would be the same mediaeval law, in situ, despite the law coming from before Brits even settled in America.
Yeah, you might see the phrase "Common Law" used, and in this case it means specifically "legal precedents that have been passed down through consistent judgments for hundreds of years." Seeing as how the US grew out of the legal tradition of the UK, it will be assumed that unless something breaks with tradition, it continues the established line that was inherited from there. Long story short, it wouldn't have made any sense to the legal profession to throw out generations of perfectly good legal framework over just a revolution.
We do live in crazy or interesting times, and love learning about how people lived in the past and the feeling if connection or continuity it brings. Certainly in earlier periods change was slower and happened far less often - as witness the change from medieval to Renaissance being a prolonged and gradual thing. What I see and hear, from Jason and from numerous other sources, is that no time was ever really simple. I can accept that some people, in various times and places, lived simple lives, if by simple we mean predictable, not having lots of choices, and/or changing slowly. But if we look at their world, people in other strata of society, other locations, other situations, I see just as much 'craziness', conflict, upheaval, struggle, desperation, confusion, fear, and so on. The very reason I feel that sense of connection is that they're so relatable. As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. People are still people; they're messy, complicated, and prone to drama and upheaval, both now and then. Looking back we may fail to see, or be aware of, complications and struggles and upheavals under the surface. This is especially true when we're talking about some strata of society - who either didn't leave written records or very few survived. I recently saw a documentary where they looked at the surviving church and plantation records of centuries ago in the Caribbean. Account books and ledgers with seemingly bland and innocuous statements about products and property - until you realise that they referred to human beings who were being sold and 'damaged', and that the fill-in-the-pejorative workers being starved, ill-treated, punished and worked to death include children. Observer bias is a very real thing, and a surface inspection often fails to reveal reality.
Always happy to see one of your videos pop up on my feed. There's something so relaxing and magical about a man in simple medieval garb, hanging out in nature and giving history lessons 😄
Medieval football is still "played" in Atherstone every shrove Tuesday to commemorate a game played in 1199 against Leicestershire (Warwickshire won). It's been played every year for 821 years, except in 2021 because of lockdowns.
@@W4iteFlame There are videos on youtube. Short answer, not much. There are no rule apart from you can't kill the other players and there doesn't seem to be much of a point to the game other than for your side to be in possession of the ball at the end of the game. last years game. th-cam.com/video/O54mLffhGXg/w-d-xo.html
One thing to understand is that "Football" (or "Soccer", as some know it) was much less standardized in the medieval period. And because it functioned basically however local people said it did, it could get very rowdy. In some places, a game of Football was more like a moving brawl, that sometimes involved a ball. When the state said you couldn't play Football in London, that's playing IN LONDON, like through busy streets and buildings. Kicking a ball through fruit stands and beating anyone who looks like an opposing player with sticks.
American football was nearly banned in the U.S. when it first started, for reasons not dissimilar. Lots of people were getting hurt/killed until it was standardized with helmets.
Very enjoyable. I think the analysis of the laws and their times makes this video, like you others, that much more valuable than simple lists. Thank you.
The Black Death had a huge impact on society and many of these laws were written to stop the upward mobility of the lower classes who had survived. If you were a plowman before the plague, and you happened to survive, your value went up tremendously. After all, people needed the land cultivated and there were a lot fewer people to do it. So they passed laws to try to keep the peasant's wages low, consumption down, and keep them in their place. Didn't work -- never does. But that didn't stop the high and mighty from trying.
@@limiv5272 But they were eating more (and better) food. Plus, lots of people went to the cities and did not grow their own food. The upper classes depended on these people farming the land. That's how the lords made their living. So when the peasants were demanding more for their labor, it REALLY freaked the upper classes out.
Well yes, what's the point of all that power if you can't do whatever the fuck you want, like wearing ludicrously long shoes and making it illegal for the poor to wear them.
@@farribastarfyre To be fair, many of the laws at the time literally stated that they didn't apply to the rich and powerful while today the laws are supposed to apply to everyone but are ignored by the rich and powerful. The double standards might not have changed but there is an added layer of hypocrisy.
Nothings changed at all so we may as all hail the king o/! At least then we only have one king to take care of when they get out of line. Imagine trying to King Edward ll the whole congress.
When I lived in Brazil during the 70's the police frowned on people just walking around late at night (anything past midnight). They would normally question as to what you were doing out so late on foot. They were looking for burglars and muggers. Thanks for the fine videos.
In history class years ago, we learned that those pointed toes shoes had become a huge fashion trend amongst young men and a competition to see who could wear the longest pointed toes. It almost seemed like, a "college or frat boys" challenge.
@@Glimmlampe1982 In horse riding, it would be dangerous to get stuck to the stirrups. But in skis, pointed shoes were actually used until quite recently. Skiing was a typical way for ordinary people to get around in Winter in Finland.
@@raapyna8544 Not in medieval saddles. Those are quite big and lock you in really tightly. But you don't want to loose your footing in the stirrups for better weapon handling and horse control. Plus those long points don't lock you in the stirrups, if you'd fall off it would slip out just fine. To be stuck you would have to stick your foot through, which is why you get high heels (plus it's fancy because it makes you bigger)
Here in Texas, some municipalities passed ordinances against the concealing of wirecutters upon one's person in the 19th century, since prior to the widespread adoption of electricity the only real reason you'd carry wirecutters was barbed wire and the only real reason you'd CONCEAL wirecutters was if you were a cattle rustler. Some of these were probably never taken off the books. Meaning it's entirely possible that walking around with a Leatherman multitool in your pocket is an offense.
@@KT-in3wb British laws are intentionally written vaguely so judges have more leeway in prosecution. It’s not like America where they have to be written precisely or it’ll be seen as unconstitutional.
8:00 fun fact! This is why a lot of coins have notched edges nowadays (not that it’s really needed for the purpose of coin clipping anymore). So you can easily tell if someone was shaving edges off of the coins.
"Decus et Tutamen" (Translation "An ornament and a safeguard") was also used on later (C17th) coins for the same purpose. It was later revived on the old round British £1 coin.
Maybe widows were treated not that harsh because people realized they are grumpy because of grief and acknowledged their loss and what it can do to a person.
The thing is, many younger widows might have legitimate grievances against certain powerful people related to the deaths of their husbands. At the same time many older widows might not be deterred by the threat of punishment anyway. So the most convenient way to deal with grumpy widows and their grievances is to just ignore them on a societal level. Selective tolerance is a double-edged sword. If a widow won't be punished for anything she says, it also means that her words also hold less weight than everyone else's. By allowing the widows to speak freely, you strip them of their voice.
Subscribed. Been a student of history, particularly this era, myself for years, and I'm currently writing a series of fantasy novels. I've found this channel extremely helpful in rounding out my existing knowledge, and learning new details to help keep my fictional environments more grounded and realistic. Jason seems to answer a lot of questions I've often had about medieval times, but was never able to find a satisfactory answer for in academic texts or at university. I'm also particularly fond of his rather retro formula of shooting; that is to say, filming each section of the video as he walks through a different section of the (relevant) environment. Interestingly enough, there's historical evidence that tells us that the ancient Roman philosophers often did this with their students; took them on guided walks, so-to-speak, as they lectured, stopping at certain places to reflect or debate an issue. This sort of technique was much more common in the earlier days of TH-cam (circa Pure Pwnage, for example), and I feel it lends itself perfectly to the material this channel focuses on. All that being said, I have absolutely no bloody idea how Jason is able to control his sound quality so effectively with his lavalier clipped so low on his tunic, outside, in the middle of the woods with forest ambient noise. Maybe he's actually a magus, not a knight 🤣
Love this video. For myself and others: 0:54 - Forest Laws (hunting in royal forests) 4:34 - Scandalum Magnatum (telling tales about important people) 5:20 - Being a Scold (being a grumpy and troublesome person) 6:43 - Noctivagation (wandering aimlessly at night) 7:32 - Coin Clipping (shaving bits off coins) 9:05 - Sumptuary Laws (controlling what people wore) 10:59 - Illegal Jackets (wearing scandalously short jackets) 12:17 - Ridiculous Shoes (wearing shoes with extremely long points) 13:32 - Ban on Football in London 14:53 - Ban on Tennis for Commoners 15:25 - Royal Fish Law (ownership of beached whales) 17:47 - Meal Course Restrictions (limiting number of courses in a meal)
The first anti man trap laws in west came about in England as the lords game keepers went overboard in laying traps for poachers & carnage ensued of folks just wandering around who walked into minefields of booby traps of various kinds
it's not us but the few vampire mafia families in banker castles above . . the witches scold burned & dunked were an deflection of sorts . . the queen of England was a witch that needed burning long story but chance passed . . the crown symbol a clue
The crown symbol Venus in comet mode before in the purple circle . . Virgin Mary/Madonna Lucifer Quetzalcoatl Medusa etc . . witch on broomstick mermaid . . statue of Liberty
I always enjoy your content. And I love your enthusiasm, and it’s infectious and brings new life to all of us that care about the subject as well. I also very much appreciate your asking questions and such that I didn’t even know I wanted to learn, but absolutely love learning this sort of understanding.
Watched again. Only viewing an MHTV video once is never enough. Always hear something new. The amount of research required was obvious. And the engaging presentation is as expected. Jason is always right on point!
great video, very interesting and well-communicated! maybe i'm easily amused, maybe i'm even odd, but there's something just so delightful about the transitions--giggling, telling the story, walking away into a new location, giggling, telling a new story, new location, renewed giggling, telling a new story, etc etc.
Arkansas has a law that if you are driving a horseless carriage, you are required to blow a horn if you come up behind a horse, whether being ridden or pulling a cart or carriage!
Lovely video!! Swans are also still owned by the king. I remember there being an article in the Sun back in the '90s about Albanian refugees in the UK killing and roasting 'the queen's birds' for food. I live in Sweden and here there is something called 'sunset legislation' whereby all laws have to be periodically renewed by the Swedish parliament or they will cease to exist. This is to avoid obsolete pieces of legislation from remaining on the books and enforceable for not having been expunged. The oldest law that is still in existence is one from the 1700s proscribing the deferential treatment owed to the nobility and I think it's just periodically renewed for sentimental reasons.
I believe the usual practice in the English speaking world is to just write new laws that deal with the same thing in a way more applicable to the modern day, and the newer one overrrides the old one... and every now and then some part of it becomes enough of a mess that either a law will be passed specifically voiding some great long list of obsolete laws, or an individual old law that is particularly silly but somehow actually came up in a way that mattered will be specifically repealed. Not so sure about the USA, but that seems to be the pattern for governments built around the westminster system, at least.
@@laurencefraser Laurence, thank you for your comment and I do know this to be the case! I could be getting you wrong but I don't think from the way I understand your comment that you understood what I was trying to explain. I know that laws get repealed and replaced with similar though updated legislation at a later date. For instance such-and-such a piece of legislation on highway robbery from the 18th Century may be replaced by a new act of Parliament in the 19th. What I'm trying to explain is that in Sweden if a law isn't renewed by a set period of time it vanishes permanently from the code and is no longer in effect. This is by default. In other words, if future generations decided that for instance homicide (I'm naturally using an extreme example but let's say the Swedish law extant in the 19th Century which allowed you to beat your wife, kids and staff) should be permissible, they could just do nothing and then the law would disappear.
@@laurencefraser ... or a hypothetical law which says that you can't wear red trousers on a Wednesday. This type of legislation (and I'm not sure that it's optimal, I was just telling you all about it because I find it interesting, though I do think it has advantages) for instance prevents outdated laws that prevail in many American states, like one in Washington State which says it's illegal to have sex with a virgin (making no exception for if she's your wife).
Man I love your videos. I learn a lot, although my personal area of interest is the South of Germany from the 5th to 8th century. Firstly, a bunch of things are quite a lot more interconnected across time and space than many people realize, and secondly, it's not like I'm not interested in other times and areas as well. Plus, your style of presenting these information and ideas is really, really cool, I could listen to you for days talking about medieval stuff. Doubleplus, it sometimes gives me ideas for my writing. Big fan, keep it up!
When I first clicked the video there were 48 likes. Mine included it is now 1.3k and climbing. This keeps up and with some sharing we can see 1m subs and even more likes! Amazing channel and wonderful video! Thanks for all you do.
@@eekee6034 in all fairness, the “fish” classification wasn’t a biological classification, but a practical one, attempting to evade the strict “fish only” days in the religious calendar.
Very infrequent reminders to subscribe work well. I've been watching this channel on and off again for quite a while, and part of the reason why I like it is because you don't beg for subscribers. The very rare reminder to subscribe comes across more as a "oh right, I haven't done that yet", compared to the more common "wow stop being annoying, not going to sub out of principle now" that you usually get on youtube.
2:04 A great example although became famous a little after the medieval period is the "Pendle forest" where Malkin Tower, where The Pendle Witches covern was. It was also known as Mocking Tower in old lancashire speak meaning "shit" tower, it was bascially a hovel, a small cottage for the poor family, sarcastically given the name tower. As outsiders they were targeted for witchcraft. Interestingly Old Demdyke one of the accused witches was a Cunning women who praticed spells etc. to heel people and were seen as good spells. There is a great documentary about it on the channel called Cronicle.
I love how some of the laws made you laugh! There were some truly silly ones! I found the "no more than two courses for supper" to be interesting. I wouldn't think that peasants could afford to have many courses for their meals.
Honestly they should reinstate the law about not being allowed to wear clothing that might expose your genitals. Legally enforced pants pulling up for everyone.
Sexual Offences Act 2003 A person commits an offence if- (a)he intentionally exposes his genitals, and (b)he intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.
@@raraavis7782 That rarely gets enforced unless the person is literally naked. I would appreciate if I saw less butts (both male and female) on my way to work (inside the house is butts all day though). Same with breasts, sometimes more than half is spilling through the clearly undersized bra, but apparently this isn't a problem (on public, in my house you won't hear me complain about it).
@@devildante9 I'm really curious... would you share where you live? And work 😆 It does sound rather extreme. I see someone who is 'pushing it', maybe once or twice a month or so. And that's in summer. Like a dude riding his bicycle in just shorts through the city or a girl in really too short or too tight clothes. Bare midriffs seem to be on trend again, but I wouldn't call that 'indecent'. It is funny to think about, what I considered 'daring' outfits back when I was young in the 90s/00s though. I liked wearing fairly short shorts myself. But those were still 'full coverage' with an inch or so of leg. But back then, that was very daring!
NOT much different from modern England where you could ALSO be jailed for nothing at all but speaking lol. MANY MANY of those things you mentioned are STILL applied in modern "free" times just under different justifications lol
So....if she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood, and therefore..... This is why I'm so worried about my time machine actually working. In medieval times, it seems if someone accuses you of something, you're knackered.
Very enjoyable video! Thank you! One speculation I have about noctavigation: since many people slept in two phases with a wakeful period between, some places may have had a problem with people wandering about at night and even annoying their neighbors.
I love Jason starting to giggle (presumably) as he sees the cue card before speaking and remembers what historical silliness he's going to have to explain. Almost every time and super amusing. (Edit: Apparently no cue cards but no denial of giggling.)
Even more impressive that you have those facts all stored in there. But no denial on the giggles. Lol Love your work. Your ability to humanize the people and even entire demographics of the past is truly a gift.
I literally live on these vids on my way to work on car blue tooth and over a coffee, as well as for our school’s living history and HEMA club that I run. Thanks mate for the work you do and the time you spend on creating this content! 🙏
Jason I'm A First Time Viewer Of Your Great Content Today! And I Love Your Channel About Medieval History A Lot!!! Hello From The State Of Michigan USA!!! Shalom And Amen!✝️✝️🛐🛐😇🌟🤗🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🇬🇧🇮🇱♾️🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🗽🦅❤❤❤‼️
We once had a fish & game rule in Idaho that made it illegal to fish from the back of a animal. Apparently anglers where herding trout into enclosed parts of streams. By riding horses though the shallows. Amusingly this was simplified to no herding of fish by any means(which is still on the books). Guess smoked trout is simply far to delicious!
When you talk about fines, could you also say roughly what a commoner's wage was at the time? It would help put in perspective how crippling these fines would or wouldn't be. Thanks and I always love your videos!
Link to the Kickstarter sign-up page is here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/modernknight/lord-of-blackthorne
"In the medieval justice system, some fashion-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In England, the dedicated watchmen who investigate these crimes are members of an elite squad known as the Special Fashion Unit. These are their stories."
🤣
it’s so wrong that i read that hearing the narrator’s neutral American voice 🤣
Cue theme song
unironically need this
Hahahaha. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
"Let me tell you all about it."
YES PLEASE!
Love to see you post again! Watching this during coffee break
Thanks Raf. I've been busy with some other work for a while.
@@ModernKnightwow.... you 2 interacting is like seeing Superman and Captain America giving each other props.....
@@pskarnaq73 Funny, for me it's Carl Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger meeting up in "Predator" for the first time
@@danielseelye6005 That's fair, but we're showing our age by both remembering that!
That’s one long coffee break if you got half an hour
Not sure if it applies to the British Isles, but on the continent all murders couldn't be fully legally classified until the perpetrator was found, because the actual legal name of the crime was dependant on the relationship between the murderer and murderee, so things like fratricide, infanticide, patricide, lesser treason (killing one's "betters"), regicide (killing one's "even betters") were considered to be fundamentally different crimes and carried different punishments. Well, different methodes of execution. And then there's the lovely issue of various sources of law which could lead to making one crime multiply- if a citizen of Kolberg killed a knight from Brandenburg in Stettin, that particular murder would be banditry in Stettin (an outsider killing an outsider), guest-killing in the Hanseatic League (a citizen killing an outsider), insulting ducal hospitality by guest-killing in the dukedom of Pommerania (a subject killing an esteemed outsider) and then lesser treason in the HRE.
@jeremiaas15 I think I need a video about this!! Please! 🙏 😅
Yeah that's definitely something that stuck around. They find 13 different ways to charge you with the same crime
Great info
I could listen to Jason talk all day. I’ve learned so much by watching these videos.
Same here. 👌
He's definitely one of my faves...reminds me of all my favorite kinds of teachers.
I could listen to an 8 hour podcast
He’s very much like my old history teacher the way he explains things because you can tell he’s genuinely passionate about the subject and I’ve been fascinated by history every since.
These laws tells us humans haven't really changed much in a very long time.
@@aj.j5833 this.
@@aj.j5833 Remember that some of the oldest pieces of writing known are the clay tables detailing complaints to the merchant Ea-Nasir and his poor quality copper.
@@greenrocket23 it's as good as Roman or Norse graffiti that's not far off what you'd find in a toilet cubicle today!
@@Dedfaction Or social media post, including youtube comments. Most are just random daily talk, some are exceedingly brilliant and some are exceedingly stupid.
The Homo sapien hasn't changed even a little bit, ever. If the Homo sapien changed, they would no longer be called Homo sapien, and would be re-calssified as a new species. So until that happens, you should just assume ZERO change.
It's _always_ a crime to wear the wrong shoes
idk, crocs achieved a massive return in the last couple years, I've got a pair now whereas five years ago i would've baulked at the idea - their great, love them
@@Delicious_J I'm going to pretend I didn't see your post, and just move discreetly along.
In NZ a Maori gang is attacking folks who wear red shoes . . more things change
sock and sandals are always a crime!
@@Delicious_Jthank kids and celebrities for that
“Listen -- strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government."
🤣🤣🤣
You can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just ’cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
I mean, if I went around saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they’d put me away!
But was she wearing the right hood??
"Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony."
Jason getting more and more amused with each fact, to the point of sometimes pausing was gold 🤣
Felt like that one friend who has a hilarious story/joke to tell but first he needs to stop giggling about it.
As a proud Scotsman, I am now going to believe that Hugh the Scot met a Friar in his church sanctuary, then a Maid, and finally escaped into the forest...Hugh Hood is born!
Hal Foster's legendary newspaper comic Prince Valiant had a character obviously intended as a Robin Hood analogue, named Hugh-the-Fox.
@@zpxlng I was so bummed when my Sunday paper dropped Prince Valiant way back when. It was all downhill from there.
Robin the Bruce?
I can't quite put my finger on why every word of this is very interesting. I don't know if it's the way it's explained or presented, but I think it requires talent. This is very captivating.
Agreed. 👍
I think it's the idea of historical social understanding through legislation. What a society legislates and does or does not enforce says an awful lot about it. And sometimes about things otherwise forgotten in history.
The laws about the clothing allowed, disallowed or mandated for sex workers is so telling. Many must have been quite well to do because they weren't _allowed_ to wear fur for fear of being mistaken as respectable and upper class women. So sex work could have been quite lucrative, so lots going on. It wasn't illegal per se but government didn't want to actively tax it so they took a round about route. Too clean to actually regulate but not so clean they don't want a cut of the profits. No "decent" person of the time is likely to write about such salacious goings on but you can learn quite a lot from the laws.
He's hiding his light under a bushel so to speak . . talking in code
I think a main reason is his unbridled enthusiasm and interest in the subject. It rubs off on the viewer.
15:18 finally somebody is speaking out against the tennis hooligans!
It's like this guy teleported from the dark ages to tell us how it was. I love it.
I wasn’t aware that wearing the wrong shoes ever stopped being a crime.
Glad to see you back! This is STILL one of just a couple accounts I give a thumbs up as soon as I open a video with no worries that I'll change my mind. Thanks for your time making these.
Fun fact, some of the fun medieval laws from England are technically retained in US law. When the US split away, the states used "reception statutes", which basically made all UK law US law, but with references to the King replaced with the US Government. That's why for instance the common law definition of murder in the US is the same as England, but without the "within the King's peace" bit.
So unless a specific statute has been passed in the US that changes it, or a specific repeal was made, then for example, a beached whale would automatically belong to the US Government, or one of the state governments, simply by virtue of the law not being repealed but edited to remove mention of the Crown. It would be the same mediaeval law, in situ, despite the law coming from before Brits even settled in America.
Yeah, you might see the phrase "Common Law" used, and in this case it means specifically "legal precedents that have been passed down through consistent judgments for hundreds of years." Seeing as how the US grew out of the legal tradition of the UK, it will be assumed that unless something breaks with tradition, it continues the established line that was inherited from there.
Long story short, it wouldn't have made any sense to the legal profession to throw out generations of perfectly good legal framework over just a revolution.
Thank you so much for these videos. We live in a crazy times atm, and I love "connecting" to the simple old world. Greetings from NYC
Well, it sounds like they may not have been quite so simple. 🙂
Glad you like them!
We do live in crazy or interesting times, and love learning about how people lived in the past and the feeling if connection or continuity it brings. Certainly in earlier periods change was slower and happened far less often - as witness the change from medieval to Renaissance being a prolonged and gradual thing.
What I see and hear, from Jason and from numerous other sources, is that no time was ever really simple. I can accept that some people, in various times and places, lived simple lives, if by simple we mean predictable, not having lots of choices, and/or changing slowly. But if we look at their world, people in other strata of society, other locations, other situations, I see just as much 'craziness', conflict, upheaval, struggle, desperation, confusion, fear, and so on. The very reason I feel that sense of connection is that they're so relatable.
As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they remain the same. People are still people; they're messy, complicated, and prone to drama and upheaval, both now and then. Looking back we may fail to see, or be aware of, complications and struggles and upheavals under the surface. This is especially true when we're talking about some strata of society - who either didn't leave written records or very few survived.
I recently saw a documentary where they looked at the surviving church and plantation records of centuries ago in the Caribbean. Account books and ledgers with seemingly bland and innocuous statements about products and property - until you realise that they referred to human beings who were being sold and 'damaged', and that the fill-in-the-pejorative workers being starved, ill-treated, punished and worked to death include children. Observer bias is a very real thing, and a surface inspection often fails to reveal reality.
Always happy to see one of your videos pop up on my feed. There's something so relaxing and magical about a man in simple medieval garb, hanging out in nature and giving history lessons 😄
Medieval football is still "played" in Atherstone every shrove Tuesday to commemorate a game played in 1199 against Leicestershire (Warwickshire won). It's been played every year for 821 years, except in 2021 because of lockdowns.
How similar is it to the "american football"? (or...rugby?)
@@W4iteFlameI'd be interested to know more about the game, too, but I also remind myself that in Britain football = soccer.
@@W4iteFlame There are videos on youtube. Short answer, not much. There are no rule apart from you can't kill the other players and there doesn't seem to be much of a point to the game other than for your side to be in possession of the ball at the end of the game. last years game. th-cam.com/video/O54mLffhGXg/w-d-xo.html
@@FlavourlessLifeIn Florence it's called calcio storico. Every year a sight to behold.
That is so cool!
I love these bursts of fascinating information! Superb content! Thanks Jason! 👍🏻😎
My pleasure!
One thing to understand is that "Football" (or "Soccer", as some know it) was much less standardized in the medieval period. And because it functioned basically however local people said it did, it could get very rowdy. In some places, a game of Football was more like a moving brawl, that sometimes involved a ball. When the state said you couldn't play Football in London, that's playing IN LONDON, like through busy streets and buildings. Kicking a ball through fruit stands and beating anyone who looks like an opposing player with sticks.
American football was nearly banned in the U.S. when it first started, for reasons not dissimilar. Lots of people were getting hurt/killed until it was standardized with helmets.
Having just finished reading "Unseen Academicals" by Terry Pratchett, that sounded familiar, yes.
Sometimes involved a ball😂
So, like Spurs at home?
Brilliant book brilliant writer ..he puts so much culture in his books in such a fun way. God rest him. @@walkir2662
Very enjoyable.
I think the analysis of the laws and their times makes this video, like you others, that much more valuable than simple lists.
Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Those are some cool boots you're wearing.
Very modest pointyness.
The Black Death had a huge impact on society and many of these laws were written to stop the upward mobility of the lower classes who had survived. If you were a plowman before the plague, and you happened to survive, your value went up tremendously. After all, people needed the land cultivated and there were a lot fewer people to do it. So they passed laws to try to keep the peasant's wages low, consumption down, and keep them in their place. Didn't work -- never does. But that didn't stop the high and mighty from trying.
But wouldn't there have been equivalently fewer people who needed food grown?
@@limiv5272 But they were eating more (and better) food. Plus, lots of people went to the cities and did not grow their own food. The upper classes depended on these people farming the land. That's how the lords made their living. So when the peasants were demanding more for their labor, it REALLY freaked the upper classes out.
If you were rich and powerful, laws didn't apply. Yeah sounds right! 😁
Some things never change.
@@farribastarfyre Well unlike some other franchises, reality really likes its continuity. 😁
Well yes, what's the point of all that power if you can't do whatever the fuck you want, like wearing ludicrously long shoes and making it illegal for the poor to wear them.
@@farribastarfyre To be fair, many of the laws at the time literally stated that they didn't apply to the rich and powerful while today the laws are supposed to apply to everyone but are ignored by the rich and powerful. The double standards might not have changed but there is an added layer of hypocrisy.
Nothings changed at all so we may as all hail the king o/! At least then we only have one king to take care of when they get out of line. Imagine trying to King Edward ll the whole congress.
When I lived in Brazil during the 70's the police frowned on people just walking around late at night (anything past midnight). They would normally question as to what you were doing out so late on foot. They were looking for burglars and muggers. Thanks for the fine videos.
In history class years ago, we learned that those pointed toes shoes had become a huge fashion trend amongst young men and a competition to see who could wear the longest pointed toes. It almost seemed like, a "college or frat boys" challenge.
Originally I think they originated from riding shoes, were the long points helped to stay in the stirrups
@@Glimmlampe1982 In horse riding, it would be dangerous to get stuck to the stirrups. But in skis, pointed shoes were actually used until quite recently. Skiing was a typical way for ordinary people to get around in Winter in Finland.
@@raapyna8544 Not in medieval saddles. Those are quite big and lock you in really tightly. But you don't want to loose your footing in the stirrups for better weapon handling and horse control.
Plus those long points don't lock you in the stirrups, if you'd fall off it would slip out just fine. To be stuck you would have to stick your foot through, which is why you get high heels (plus it's fancy because it makes you bigger)
I must say that these monologues on Medieval life are so engaging and a pleasure to watch. Thank you.
watching this in the evening after the first day at medieval week. wonderful end to my day. love your videos.
My brain just 'autocorrected' that list to murder, theft and shrubbery, thanks to Bob Mortimer on Would I Lie To You. 😂
😁😁😁
A "shrubbery"?!
@@niels.brouwer i beg your pardon...
@@oz_jones …but we are in your garden
It's been so long since I've seen that episode, my memories of it are like fingerprints on an abandoned handrail.
Under the ‘Salmon Act of 1986’ it is illegal to handle salmon under suspicious circumstances in the UK, so no smuggling it in your coat pocket.
Here in Texas, some municipalities passed ordinances against the concealing of wirecutters upon one's person in the 19th century, since prior to the widespread adoption of electricity the only real reason you'd carry wirecutters was barbed wire and the only real reason you'd CONCEAL wirecutters was if you were a cattle rustler.
Some of these were probably never taken off the books. Meaning it's entirely possible that walking around with a Leatherman multitool in your pocket is an offense.
I read this and immediately thought - bring back the cod pieces!! 🤣😂😆
It’s meant to catch poachers.
@@ferretyluv yeah, but 'suspicious circumstances' gives so much space for imagination...
@@KT-in3wb British laws are intentionally written vaguely so judges have more leeway in prosecution. It’s not like America where they have to be written precisely or it’ll be seen as unconstitutional.
8:00 fun fact! This is why a lot of coins have notched edges nowadays (not that it’s really needed for the purpose of coin clipping anymore). So you can easily tell if someone was shaving edges off of the coins.
"Decus et Tutamen" (Translation "An ornament and a safeguard") was also used on later (C17th) coins for the same purpose.
It was later revived on the old round British £1 coin.
Introduced by the only Master of the Mint that most people have heard of, one Isaac Newton.
Clever!
@petertaylor4980 no way!!! Jesus ive learned more from the comments section here than i have from reading a book!
I just love your videos. But hearing you giggle at the short tunics and jackets made me also giggle. What a wild time medieval times must've been.
I never gave much thought to medieval times but your enthusiasm is contagious (& I love the costumes). I might be hooked. Tks
Maybe widows were treated not that harsh because people realized they are grumpy because of grief and acknowledged their loss and what it can do to a person.
Surprised he didn't mention the scold’s bridle, though.
@@myriamickx7969 *googles* - oh dear 😳
The thing is, many younger widows might have legitimate grievances against certain powerful people related to the deaths of their husbands. At the same time many older widows might not be deterred by the threat of punishment anyway. So the most convenient way to deal with grumpy widows and their grievances is to just ignore them on a societal level. Selective tolerance is a double-edged sword. If a widow won't be punished for anything she says, it also means that her words also hold less weight than everyone else's. By allowing the widows to speak freely, you strip them of their voice.
@@romaliop
Good thinking.
Love it.
I can listen to you talk about medieval Europe, or pretty much anything, all day.
Subscribed. Been a student of history, particularly this era, myself for years, and I'm currently writing a series of fantasy novels. I've found this channel extremely helpful in rounding out my existing knowledge, and learning new details to help keep my fictional environments more grounded and realistic.
Jason seems to answer a lot of questions I've often had about medieval times, but was never able to find a satisfactory answer for in academic texts or at university. I'm also particularly fond of his rather retro formula of shooting; that is to say, filming each section of the video as he walks through a different section of the (relevant) environment. Interestingly enough, there's historical evidence that tells us that the ancient Roman philosophers often did this with their students; took them on guided walks, so-to-speak, as they lectured, stopping at certain places to reflect or debate an issue. This sort of technique was much more common in the earlier days of TH-cam (circa Pure Pwnage, for example), and I feel it lends itself perfectly to the material this channel focuses on.
All that being said, I have absolutely no bloody idea how Jason is able to control his sound quality so effectively with his lavalier clipped so low on his tunic, outside, in the middle of the woods with forest ambient noise. Maybe he's actually a magus, not a knight 🤣
Thank you for another engaging & informative film about this truly fascinating time period.
I ❤ this channel! So glad I discovered it.
The information and presentation make history so much more accessible.
I enjoy the moving transitions. It's a nice way to change scene, change topic, provide a touch of variety and motion to the video.
Thank you very much.
You are welcome!
I love your videos on how people lived in the medieval times, truly fascinating
Thanks for letting us know about these laws! I was about to go steal a whale this afternoon but I guess not.
Why were men of the cloth running brothals?
Love this video. For myself and others:
0:54 - Forest Laws (hunting in royal forests)
4:34 - Scandalum Magnatum (telling tales about important people)
5:20 - Being a Scold (being a grumpy and troublesome person)
6:43 - Noctivagation (wandering aimlessly at night)
7:32 - Coin Clipping (shaving bits off coins)
9:05 - Sumptuary Laws (controlling what people wore)
10:59 - Illegal Jackets (wearing scandalously short jackets)
12:17 - Ridiculous Shoes (wearing shoes with extremely long points)
13:32 - Ban on Football in London
14:53 - Ban on Tennis for Commoners
15:25 - Royal Fish Law (ownership of beached whales)
17:47 - Meal Course Restrictions (limiting number of courses in a meal)
The first anti man trap laws in west came about in England as the lords game keepers went overboard in laying traps for poachers & carnage ensued of folks just wandering around who walked into minefields of booby traps of various kinds
Imagine what would happen to social media if they brought back the scold law.
it's not us but the few vampire mafia families in banker castles above . . the witches scold burned & dunked were an deflection of sorts . . the queen of England was a witch that needed burning long story but chance passed . . the crown symbol a clue
The crown symbol Venus in comet mode before in the purple circle . . Virgin Mary/Madonna Lucifer Quetzalcoatl Medusa etc . . witch on broomstick mermaid . . statue of Liberty
You are one of my comfort channels!
Certainly one of the more amusing videos and a few head shakers. Nicely done! Looking forward to the next one.
Very interesting and also entertaining to learn about these laws. Thank you!
Great episode! Thank you!
Acatually Jason, originally I lived in Barnsdale Forest.
I always enjoy your content. And I love your enthusiasm, and it’s infectious and brings new life to all of us that care about the subject as well.
I also very much appreciate your asking questions and such that I didn’t even know I wanted to learn, but absolutely love learning this sort of understanding.
Watched again. Only viewing an MHTV video once is never enough. Always hear something new. The amount of research required was obvious. And the engaging presentation is as expected. Jason is always right on point!
Super excited for this subject. I've actually been thinking about it lately.
great video, very interesting and well-communicated! maybe i'm easily amused, maybe i'm even odd, but there's something just so delightful about the transitions--giggling, telling the story, walking away into a new location, giggling, telling a new story, new location, renewed giggling, telling a new story, etc etc.
Noctavigation sounds like a fantastic title for a hip hop album.
I love this channel so much. I learned a lot, as always.
I'm an American. Our states have some pretty bizarre laws as well.
@@YoungGandalf2325 As far as we european Folk are told, the weird laws are added to a lot these days. Wouldn't you agree?
Like voting for 1 out of 2 people, sounds like North Korea +1.
@@PROVOCATEURSKas opposed to voting a party hoping they win
Arkansas has a law that if you are driving a horseless carriage, you are required to blow a horn if you come up behind a horse, whether being ridden or pulling a cart or carriage!
I really enjoy your videos so much. Glad you find the time to make them.
By far the best line in this excellent video is thus... "In medieval times, you were not allowed to steal a whale."
I do enjoy the way you discuss history, you make it interesting and I would like to hear more
Theres always so much to learn from these
Love your posts and the lovely way you present information! One of the best out there!
Lovely video!! Swans are also still owned by the king. I remember there being an article in the Sun back in the '90s about Albanian refugees in the UK killing and roasting 'the queen's birds' for food. I live in Sweden and here there is something called 'sunset legislation' whereby all laws have to be periodically renewed by the Swedish parliament or they will cease to exist. This is to avoid obsolete pieces of legislation from remaining on the books and enforceable for not having been expunged. The oldest law that is still in existence is one from the 1700s proscribing the deferential treatment owed to the nobility and I think it's just periodically renewed for sentimental reasons.
I've never heard of that. What an awesome - and practical - idea. 😁
I believe the usual practice in the English speaking world is to just write new laws that deal with the same thing in a way more applicable to the modern day, and the newer one overrrides the old one... and every now and then some part of it becomes enough of a mess that either a law will be passed specifically voiding some great long list of obsolete laws, or an individual old law that is particularly silly but somehow actually came up in a way that mattered will be specifically repealed.
Not so sure about the USA, but that seems to be the pattern for governments built around the westminster system, at least.
@@laurencefraser Laurence, thank you for your comment and I do know this to be the case! I could be getting you wrong but I don't think from the way I understand your comment that you understood what I was trying to explain. I know that laws get repealed and replaced with similar though updated legislation at a later date. For instance such-and-such a piece of legislation on highway robbery from the 18th Century may be replaced by a new act of Parliament in the 19th. What I'm trying to explain is that in Sweden if a law isn't renewed by a set period of time it vanishes permanently from the code and is no longer in effect. This is by default. In other words, if future generations decided that for instance homicide (I'm naturally using an extreme example but let's say the Swedish law extant in the 19th Century which allowed you to beat your wife, kids and staff) should be permissible, they could just do nothing and then the law would disappear.
@@laurencefraser ... or a hypothetical law which says that you can't wear red trousers on a Wednesday. This type of legislation (and I'm not sure that it's optimal, I was just telling you all about it because I find it interesting, though I do think it has advantages) for instance prevents outdated laws that prevail in many American states, like one in Washington State which says it's illegal to have sex with a virgin (making no exception for if she's your wife).
@@laurencefraser (Sweden uses the Westminster System.)
Man I love your videos. I learn a lot, although my personal area of interest is the South of Germany from the 5th to 8th century. Firstly, a bunch of things are quite a lot more interconnected across time and space than many people realize, and secondly, it's not like I'm not interested in other times and areas as well.
Plus, your style of presenting these information and ideas is really, really cool, I could listen to you for days talking about medieval stuff. Doubleplus, it sometimes gives me ideas for my writing.
Big fan, keep it up!
Glad to see you back.
I loved this Jason!! Thank you for taking so much time to make it for us!!❤
lol ''a team of grumpy scolds''. thats gonna make me crack a smile for days thanks for that
The host for this program is awesome. Really interesting listening to all these episodes. Thanks for sharing such great knowledge.
When I first clicked the video there were 48 likes. Mine included it is now 1.3k and climbing. This keeps up and with some sharing we can see 1m subs and even more likes! Amazing channel and wonderful video! Thanks for all you do.
Now 11k :)
September 4, 2024- 12k
It makes my day getting to relax and watch this mans videos.
That watermelon video really was just an all-time classic, I never tire of being reminded of it every time I see your introduction!
I love these videos! History used to bore me, but history told like this is the most interesting thing I can think of.
İ am so happy to see this guy again after a while.
He has blessed us with another video!
Wonderful interesting topic and beautifully edited. Thank you!
Thank you for yet another great video! I love these!
Glad you like them!
This is an awesome format. Thank you for covering the history.
Personal Video Suggestion/Request: Video about how to access and read manorial rolls?
Absolutely delightful. You've inspired my son to start a history project around the topics covered. So thank you!
Wonderful! Please pass on my best wishes to him.
15:51 considered that in the medieval period beavers were defined as “fish”, calling a whale a fish is positively rational.
@@anna9072 As you can eat fish on Fridays, I think it's positively rational to call pigs fish too.
Considering the vast genetic range of creatures called fish today, calling a whale a fish is still rational. :)
@@eekee6034 in all fairness, the “fish” classification wasn’t a biological classification, but a practical one, attempting to evade the strict “fish only” days in the religious calendar.
You could eat rabbit as well on fish days. So...
@@anna9072there were already quite a few things which were not considered meat by the clergy. Minced meat for example was not considered meat.
Very infrequent reminders to subscribe work well. I've been watching this channel on and off again for quite a while, and part of the reason why I like it is because you don't beg for subscribers. The very rare reminder to subscribe comes across more as a "oh right, I haven't done that yet", compared to the more common "wow stop being annoying, not going to sub out of principle now" that you usually get on youtube.
2:04 A great example although became famous a little after the medieval period is the "Pendle forest" where Malkin Tower, where The Pendle Witches covern was. It was also known as Mocking Tower in old lancashire speak meaning "shit" tower, it was bascially a hovel, a small cottage for the poor family, sarcastically given the name tower. As outsiders they were targeted for witchcraft. Interestingly Old Demdyke one of the accused witches was a Cunning women who praticed spells etc. to heel people and were seen as good spells.
There is a great documentary about it on the channel called Cronicle.
Love your videos! Thanks for your enthusiasm and all the good educational content.
I love how some of the laws made you laugh! There were some truly silly ones! I found the "no more than two courses for supper" to be interesting. I wouldn't think that peasants could afford to have many courses for their meals.
Thank you for posting this! God Bless!
Honestly they should reinstate the law about not being allowed to wear clothing that might expose your genitals. Legally enforced pants pulling up for everyone.
Someone would cry "Raaaaciiiiiissssstttttt!!!!!"
Sexual Offences Act 2003
A person commits an offence if-
(a)he intentionally exposes his genitals, and
(b)he intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.
Are you sure, 'indecent exposure'/exhibitionism is not against the law where you live?
Because it is in most places.
@@raraavis7782 That rarely gets enforced unless the person is literally naked. I would appreciate if I saw less butts (both male and female) on my way to work (inside the house is butts all day though). Same with breasts, sometimes more than half is spilling through the clearly undersized bra, but apparently this isn't a problem (on public, in my house you won't hear me complain about it).
@@devildante9
I'm really curious... would you share where you live? And work 😆
It does sound rather extreme.
I see someone who is 'pushing it', maybe once or twice a month or so. And that's in summer. Like a dude riding his bicycle in just shorts through the city or a girl in really too short or too tight clothes. Bare midriffs seem to be on trend again, but I wouldn't call that 'indecent'.
It is funny to think about, what I considered 'daring' outfits back when I was young in the 90s/00s though. I liked wearing fairly short shorts myself. But those were still 'full coverage' with an inch or so of leg. But back then, that was very daring!
You really deserve more subscribers. This is one of the top notch medieval channels on YT. :)
Glad you think so!
For those asking about my medieval clothing here's an affiliate links with Burgschneider.
burgschneider.com/modernhistory
I've bought a few of their items and they are very good quality.
NOT much different from modern England where you could ALSO be jailed for nothing at all but speaking lol. MANY MANY of those things you mentioned are STILL applied in modern "free" times just under different justifications lol
In the USA there are lots of cities and towns that have laws against
loitering and prowling especially at night
The king wants the whale for the ambergris. It makes since.
Burgschneider? Do you speak German, Jason?
As always, I enjoy your content. Thank you very much.
So....if she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood, and therefore..... This is why I'm so worried about my time machine actually working. In medieval times, it seems if someone accuses you of something, you're knackered.
It's a fair cop!
Not too different today on that last note, though we definitely have stronger rule of law for now
Not if any random Joe does, but definitely so if many people don’t like you, band together, and accuse you.
Sounds a lot like twitter tbh 😅
Yeah, but it was much easier to disappear and start over somewhere else then. No big brother…❤️🐝🤗
Very enjoyable video! Thank you! One speculation I have about noctavigation: since many people slept in two phases with a wakeful period between, some places may have had a problem with people wandering about at night and even annoying their neighbors.
"Oh, fine, you can have a little debauchery and tennis on Christmas, as a treat."
I love Jason starting to giggle (presumably) as he sees the cue card before speaking and remembers what historical silliness he's going to have to explain. Almost every time and super amusing.
(Edit: Apparently no cue cards but no denial of giggling.)
no cue cards, just me remembering my research and what I can say politely!
Even more impressive that you have those facts all stored in there. But no denial on the giggles. Lol Love your work. Your ability to humanize the people and even entire demographics of the past is truly a gift.
I literally live on these vids on my way to work on car blue tooth and over a coffee, as well as for our school’s living history and HEMA club that I run.
Thanks mate for the work you do and the time you spend on creating this content! 🙏
Our pleasure. Thanks for watching/listening.
Jason I'm A First Time Viewer Of Your Great Content Today! And I Love Your Channel About Medieval History A Lot!!! Hello From The State Of Michigan USA!!! Shalom And Amen!✝️✝️🛐🛐😇🌟🤗🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🇬🇧🇮🇱♾️🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🗽🦅❤❤❤‼️
We once had a fish & game rule in Idaho that made it illegal to fish from the back of a animal. Apparently anglers where herding trout into enclosed parts of streams. By riding horses though the shallows. Amusingly this was simplified to no herding of fish by any means(which is still on the books). Guess smoked trout is simply far to delicious!
I did know about ridiculously long shoes and the law😜. Always enjoy your informative and fun videos
I have found a brand new plethora of names to call my friends.
What a fun video. Thank you for the smiles. 😊
When you talk about fines, could you also say roughly what a commoner's wage was at the time? It would help put in perspective how crippling these fines would or wouldn't be. Thanks and I always love your videos!
That was so interesting and hilarious!! I love your channel!!