In 1154, Prior Wigod of Oseney Priory writes The Play of Adam, about the world’s first murder (according to some). Trouble is, when the play is acted, maybe some folks get a little too method. So the prior adds a warning about the play: “Beware the sins of envy and vainglory, else foul murder ends your story.”
Like modern times, people back then weren’t real keen on avoiding envy and vainglory, so as the play makes its way through the ages, death and foul murder follow it. In 1199, the play heads to Carmarthen (now in Wales), and poses a problem for the ahead-of-her-time Gwenllian and her husband the constable (she’s the brains of the operation, for sure). In Ely, two hundred years later, the people think a demon has been unleashed because of the play.
The play continues on through the centuries, touching Shakespeare, and making its way through the Victorian age, and all the way up to WWII, bringing death and destruction with it.
Not much else to add, other than there are a bunch more of the Medieval Murderers stories, which are entertaining, if you like this sort of thing. Which I do.
