The Habit of Murder

Historical Note

Richard de Badew founded University Hall in 1326, but he was not a wealthy man, and his College soon fell into financial difficulties. Within two years, its scholars approached the wealthy Elizabeth de Burgh, begging for help. She responded by giving them a church and the income it would generate. It seems she was willing to do more, but only if Badew relinquished all claim on the place. The Fellows were keen for this to happen, so charters were drawn up in 1338, but Badew delayed signing the necessary quit-claim until 28 March 1346, almost certainly for no reason other than pure bloody-mindedness. Once the quit-claim was executed, University Hall became known as Clare Hall (although it is now Clare College, and a new Clare Hall was founded in 1966). Two of its first Fellows were John Donwich and John Pulham.

Most of what is known of Badew comes from mentions of him in various legal documents, which show that he was involved in several quarrels with younger colleagues – eight lawsuits simultaneously at one point, which must have eaten away at his personal finances and perhaps explain why he was unable to finance University Hall properly. He and Saer de Roos were sued by a woman named Joan de Marishal in 1316, while Henry Harweden, a crony of Badew’s and Chancellor of the University himself, was deposed amid accusations of assault and corruption.

Elizabeth de Burgh liked to be called the Lady of Clare. She was widowed three times before she was thirty, then took a vow of chastity, which effectively prevented her from being married off to anyone else – and she was a good catch, given that she was a very wealthy lady. She owned several large estates, but her seat of power was the castle in Clare, the remains of which still stand in the lovely country park today.

Some of her household accounts survive, and provide a fascinating glimpse into the practical side of running a large medieval household. She lived lavishly, and her ‘court’ was often graced with royal and noble visitors. Her steward was Robert Marishal (or Robert the Marshal), who married Margery and had two children, Thomas and Elizabeth. Marishal is mentioned in the Lady’s will, but Margery is not, suggesting that she had predeceased her mistress. It has been suggested that Marishal was related in some way to Badew. The accounts suggest that Marishal liked to go hawking, a pastime usually reserved for the nobility, indicating that he was rather more than just a retainer.

Many of the characters in The Habit of Murder are based on names in the Lady’s will – Adam the baker, Richard the watchman, Sir William Albon, Katrina de Haliwell, Suzanne de Nekton, Isabel Morley, William Talmach, Peter de Ereswell, Philip de Jevan, Charer the coachman, Justin the forester and John the hermit (called Jan here to avoid too many Johns). Also mentioned is ‘Master’ Philip Lichet, who was probably a clerk or a secretary, and Anne de Lexham the anchorite. Anchorites were men and women who elected to withdraw from secular society, often taking up residence in small, permanently enclosed cells attached to churches. The practice was popular in the Middle Ages, and some of their anchorholds survive today, although there is no trace of Anne’s.

John de Heselbech and Robert de Wisbech were castle chaplains in the 1360s. They were friars from Clare’s Austin Priory, and were ‘lent’ to the Lady in exchange for a generous donation to the convent’s coffers. The Prior at this time may have been a man named John, and there was a cofferer named John de Weste, although he was never an illustrator of books.

Grisel, Blanchard and Morel were horses in the Lady’s stables, but household accounts show that she did own exotic birds as well – perhaps parakeets or parrots – and there are entries made for the purchase of almonds for them.

Stephen Bonde was another member of the Lady’s retinue. He was accused of murder, but she seems to have secured his acquittal, even though it appears that he was guilty. Simon Freburn and his sons were also criminals, notorious as robbers and thieves.

Another scandalous crime was committed in the 1380s by Sir Thomas Nuport, who with Thomas Marishal, John Mull and several others broke the sanctuary of the church and assaulted one John de Quintone. It seems that Quintone stole some of Nuport’s property, then fled to the church for sanctuary. Nuport and his friends dragged him out and cut off his ears. Afterwards, under threat of excommunication, the culprits were obliged to walk barefoot through the town and beg forgiveness.

Records tell of other people who lived in Clare at this time. They include Nicholas de Lydgate, who was vicar of Sts Peter and Paul from 1350 until 1361. There was a bailiff named William Paycock, and other local worthies were Hugh de Godeston, Robert Skynere and John Grym, barber of Rutten Row.

The innovative fan vaulting in the cloisters at Gloucester Abbey (now Gloucester Cathedral) is attributed to Thomas de Cambrug (or Thomas of Cambridge), who installed it between 1351 and 1364. When he had finished, he went to Hereford Cathedral, where he built the chapter house. He never worked in Clare, although the parish church was rebuilt in the fourteenth century. A mason named Roger is mentioned in the Lady’s will.

And finally, Ralph de Langelee was Master of Michaelhouse until 1361, after which Michael de Causton appears in the records.