Criminal Cases, Part 1

We've talked about death and destruction in war, and all sorts of dangerous and aggressive behavior that is not seen in modern day-to-day life. Law courts in the modern era are packed with daily transgressions of civil law and violations of community bonds. So were courts in London in the Middle Ages.

The pillory was a common punishment, and not too harsh. It was a wooden frame that held the head and hands in place, sometimes raised up so that everyone could clearly see the malefactor. Cheating and fraud were often punished with the pillory, which made clear to the community whom they could not trust.

Let's look at some crimes in 1382 that merited the pillory.

A Dutchman named Henry Pot was "attached" to the pillory for sorcery and false accusation. He had promised that by sorcery he could determine who had stolen from Simon Gardiner a mazer cup (a drinking bowl made of hardwood). Henry performed a ritual and declared that Cristina Freman had stolen it. Cristina and her husband, Nicholas, accused Henry of maliciously lying. Brought before the court, Henry could not defend himself, and admitted to the deceit. Henry had also admitted that he many times used sorcery, "against the doctrine of Sacred Writ." He was sentenced to one hour in the pillory, and the Sheriffs were ordered to proclaim to the public why he was there.

Magic was not to be tolerated. Another accusation of theft, this time that Alice Byntham had stolen a "Paris kerchief" belonging to Alice Trig. In order to exonerate herself, Alice Byntham planned a subterfuge. She enlisted the help of a cobbler, William Norhamptone, and explained the plan to him. Alice B. told him things about Alice T. that a stranger would not know (the two Alices were neighbors).

William then approached Alice T., telling her things that a stranger would not know. William asked her to acknowledge his powers of divination, which she did, and then told her that Alice B. was not the thief. he also told Alice T. that she would drown within. month, whereupon she "fell into such extreme melancholy, that she had nearly died of grief."

William was brought before the court and questioned about his magical powers, about which he had to admit that he had none, and got privileged information from Alice Byntham. For "the falsity and deceit aforesaid" he was sentenced to one hour in the pillory.

Retailers were also punished for bad practices, which we will look at next time.