Submitted by Edward Grierson on Thu, 12/06/2025 - 15:36
The Institute of Criminology’s Medieval Murder Maps have uncovered new evidence surrounding the murder of John Forde in London in 1337. It now appears that the noblewoman Ela Fitzpayne plotted the murder.
Prior to Forde’s murder, the Archbishop of Canterbury claimed he was Fitzpayne’s suitor. Fitzpayne was accused of adultery based on these claims. Professor Manuel Eisner, Director of the Institute of Criminology and co-creator of the Medieval Murder Maps, believes Forde gave this information to the archbishop, and Fitzpayne arranged his murder in response.
Learn more about the context of Forde's murder and its wider implications.
Listen to Professor Eisner discussing the case of Forde and Fitzpayne on the Medieval Murders podcast.
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