Arson and Insanity at York Minster

The History Guy explores the trial of Jonathan Martin for arson at York Minster. It was a sensation at the time, an early test of the meaning of insanity, and deserves to be remembered.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #York

[Matty]

I'm from York and the city has some amazing history. The minster is such a magnificent building and can be seen from miles around. The entire building is a work of art. I havnt been inside for a few years but last time I was there they allowed people to go up onto the roof.

[blank]

Wandered as a child among the lead mines, which is bad for the brain, traumatic experience losing his sister, brutally kidnapped and impressed to serve on a ship in hard labor, suffered a serious blow to the head, and a hard drinker losing his pants. Add the decay that follows old age. So his actions had less to do with religion itself making him a fanatic, than his injuries making him a religious fanatic with delusions of Godhood.

[Kingwoodish]

As a crisis clinical social worker I have on many occasions worked with people in the throes of religious delusions. Many are suffering from mania while some have schizophrenia; seldom have I seen depressed people with religious delusions but feelings of hopelessness do occur. As a practicing Christian I pray inwardly for God's Grace to help these suffering souls. Mental illness is a sad affliction that nowadays has many treatments that truly help, thank God.

[Connor-vjvf]

Thank you for pronouncing Yorkshire correctly, always appreciated when details like that are paid attention to

[geoffreytudor]

Another interesting and informative account, showing how historic incidents live on in the changes to our legal system, the basis of which many of us are ignorant. Grazi!

[tommyodonovan]

This story reminds my of the man who burned down the Athens Acropolis (500 BC?), when asked why he did it, he said:

*"Because the Acropolis is the most famous building in the history of mankind, in destroying that building, he/I would be famous"*

I have purposefully never learned the name of that man.

[thaddaeusrobinson]

I Just finished an episode of modern marvels which was all about cathedrals, very timely video today.

[-jeff-]

Now I'll never look at John Martin's paintings like his "Destruction of Pompeii" without wondering if something ran in his family.

[andypandy]

As a former resident of Darlington I can tell you that the newspaper you referred to is called the "Northern Echo" and not the "Darlington Northern Echo" or the "Darlington Echo". 🙂

[herpderptheshep]

The artist renderings of the fire are eerily similar to the photos taken of the Notre Dame fire a couple years ago.

[novicefinger]

Wow! A sailor getting drunk and losing his pants. First time in history that’s happened. 😀

[claudermiller]

His writings were filled with visions and prophecies but he still wasn't perceived as dangerous."
One could the same of just about any teavangelical preacher.

[wendychavez]

I have successfully used the plea NGRI, though of course everyone in the court system hates it. We have a Mental Health Court in Albuquerque, for those of us who have a criminal history that might not exist if our mental concerns were properly met. It's a lot of work, and not everyone is successful, though it's certainly progress, and for me it was absolutely worth it.

[Lyra_of_Spinning_Winds]

I’d love to see one on Lillie Langtry 💕 I love these videos

[jd-vzcn]

If you can get to York and climb the many narrow stairs, the view is well worth it.

[TheHylianBatman]

Arson is such a topic to study. It always seems bad.

[otpyrcralphpierre]

And now we have Madness ruling over our country.

[Osoyoos]

I have always thought that “not guilty by reason of insanity” was an odd way to describe a criminal act. If a crime was committed by an individual and they actually did the crime, you can’t say that they were not guilty because in fact they were. A more accurate term in my opinion, would be “guilty but insane”. I know that this involves a mix of semantics and law but it would add closure to a crime and still allow for justice to be served.

[ddax]

When I was in 5th grade, I learned about how these cathedrals were built with flying buttress and stained glass, I wonder about the education young people get these days.

[Wardell]

His psychological issues were "Mad Hatter's Disease" as he was an apprentice in the tanning business.