A Medieval Accident in Elstow

Bedfordshire Historical Records Society volume no.XLI, published in 1961, is a translation of medieval Bedfordshire Coroner's Rolls by R. F. Hunnisett. A case of accidental death in Elstow is recorded as follows.

"About midnight on 17th May [1276] Osbert le Wuayl son of William Crustemasse of Elstow, who was drunk and disgustingly over-fed, came from Bedford from door to door towards his house, which was on the north of Elstow bridge. When he arrived at his house he had the falling sickness, fell upon a stone on the right side of his head, breaking the whole of his head, and died by misadventure. The next day Agnes Ade of Elstow opened his door and found him dead".