The Abergavenny Christmas Massacre (1175) — The True Story Behind a Medieval Betrayal
News of the Times | Episode 585 | 1175

Step into the frozen winter of 1175, when a Christmas peace gathering at Abergavenny Castle turned into one of the most shocking betrayals in medieval Britain.
This is the real story behind a massacre so infamous that historians believe it helped inspire Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding.

In this episode, we uncover:
• William de Braose, the marcher lord with a score to settle
• Seisyll ap Dyfnwal, the Welsh chieftain lured into a deadly trap
• A Christmas feast where weapons were surrendered… and treachery waited behind the door
• The brutal aftermath that set Wales ablaze with vengeance
• The chilling curse said to have followed the de Braose family for generations

From Marcher politics to clan loyalty, from massacre to medieval “justice,” this is Dark December at its bleakest.

And in our Further Particulars:
A disastrous 1738 case from Faversham, where a man “testing for witchcraft” proved that superstition is dangerous…
but stupidity is lethal.

If you enjoy historical true crime, medieval history, forensic folklore, and long-form storytelling, this episode is made for you.

🕯 Settle in — and maybe don’t accept any Christmas invitations from Norman lords.
This is News of the Times.

🧐Hosted by Robin Coles 

📅 New episodes: Monday, Wednesday & Friday 
🎞️ Long-form historical crime compilations: Final Sunday of every month 

📚 Related cases from the archive: 
 1693: The Poplar Witch - Mary Compton |  166
https://youtu.be/SJ9HUQFw7cU

❤️ Support Independent History  
If you enjoy our ad-free, archive-based storytelling, help us keep the lantern lit:  

👉 **Patreon** – Full archive, early access, bonus compilations (and it keeps us independent):  
https://www.patreon.com/NewsOfTheTimesHistoricalCrime  

☕ Prefer a one-off thank-you? We LOVE a posh coffee indulgence! We tip our top hats:  
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd

🕯 About the Channel  
We’re an independent team of historical researchers and narrators specialising in 18th to early 20th century British true crime. Each episode is based entirely on archival material — from coroners’ inquests to forgotten newspaper columns.  

If you like your true crime thoughtful, atmospheric, and rooted in real records — welcome to the va

 Hear about our ad-free archive on Patreon – 650+ episodes and counting! 🎩 https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

 Fancy a chuckle between corpses? Discover our first lovingly illustrated volume of wildly unreliable memoirs. 

Grab it here: https://ko-fi.com/s/b406f6f11e

 Support us on Patreon for ad-free early access and exclusive bonus episodes. 

https://www.patreon.com/c/NewsoftheTimesHistoricalCrime

Support the show

Thanks for listening! You can also connect with us on
Our YouTube Channel: | https://www.youtube.com/@newsofthetimes
Our Facebook Page: | https://www.facebook.com/News-of-the-Times-101108282697405
Have a question or comment? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
If you would like to donate, we love coffee! Warmly appreciated :-) | https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsofthetd