Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age: Mental-Historical Investigations of Basic Human Problems and Social Responses 3110294516, 9783110294514

Citation preview

Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age

Fundamentals of Medieval and Early Modern Culture Edited by

Albrecht Classen and Marilyn Sandidge

11

De Gruyter

Crime and Punishment in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age Mental-Historical Investigations of Basic Human Problems and Social Responses Edited by

Albrecht Classen and Connie Scarborough

De Gruyter

ISBN 978-3-11-029451-4 e-ISBN 978-3-11-029458-3 ISSN 1864-3396 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A CIP catalog record for this book has been applied for at the Library of Congress. Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.dnb.de. ” 2012 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston Printing and binding: Hubert & Co. GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen ⬁ Printed on acid-free paper Printed in Germany www.degruyter.com

TableȱofȱContents

Introduction

AlbrechtȱClassenȱandȱConnieȱScarborough Crime,ȱTransgression,ȱandȱDeviancy:ȱBehaviorsȱthatȱDefinesȱUsȱAll . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapterȱ1

BernardȱRibémont Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition:ȱquelquesȱ exemplesȱ(XIIe–XIIIeȱsiècles) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Chapterȱ2

SusannaȱNiiranen “Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief” Theȱpoet’sȱreputation:ȱtroubadours— ancestorsȱofȱpoètesȱmaudits? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Chapterȱ3

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit:ȱLanguage,ȱTransgressionȱ andȱJusticeȱInȱThreeȱMedievalȱGermanȱEpicȱPoems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Chapterȱ4

StaceyȱHahn Crime,ȱPunishmentȱandȱtheȱHybridȱinȱMedievalȱFrenchȱRomance:ȱ RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Chapterȱ5

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor JudiciumȱDei,ȱvulgarisȱpopularisqueȱsensus:ȱSurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱ JusticeȱandȱResistanceȱtoȱitsȱDisplacementȱbyȱtheȱ“New”ȱ OrdinesȱiudiciorumȱȱasȱEvidencedȱbyȱFrancophonicȱLiteratureȱ ofȱtheȱHighȱMiddleȱAges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

vi

TableȱofȱContents

Chapterȱ6

AlbrechtȱClassen CrimeȱandȱViolenceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges: TheȱCasesȱofȱHeinrichȱderȱGlichezare’sȱReinhardȱFuchsȱ andȱWernherȱderȱGartenære’sȱHelmbrecht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Chapterȱ7ȱ

JohnȱGough TheȱFunctionȱofȱProjectedȱPain:ȱTheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱ andȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Chapterȱ8

JeanȱE.ȱJostȱ RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Chapterȱ9

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka ContraȱSignumȱNostrum:ȱTheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱ underȱPhilipȱVIȱValois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189 Chapterȱ10

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Chapterȱ11

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Chapterȱ12

PatriciaȱTurning CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody:ȱ WardensȱandȱJailersȱinȱFourteenthȬCenturyȱSouthernȱFrance . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 Chapterȱ13

BirgitȱWiedl TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep:ȱPerpetrators,ȱVictims,ȱ andȱBystandersȱinȱanȱAllegedȱHostȱDesecrationȱ inȱFourteenthȬCenturyȱAustria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299

TableȱofȱContents

vii

Chapterȱ14

DanielȱF.ȱPiggȱ DoesȱtheȱPunishmentȱFitȱtheȱCrime?:ȱChaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱ andȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347 Chapterȱ15

LiaȱB.ȱRoss DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges:ȱTheȱCrimesȱandȱPunishmentȱ ofȱGillesȱdeȱRais . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359 Chapterȱ16

JohnȱBeusterien TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 Chapterȱ17

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeanceȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱofȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415 Chapterȱ18

NicolasȱLombart CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFranceȱ auȱTempsȱdesȱGuerresȱdeȱReligion: l’UtopieȱJudiciaireȱdesȱCommentairesȱdeȱMonlucȱ(livresȱVȱàȱVII) . . . . . . . . . 437 Chapterȱ19

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 459 Chapterȱ20

ThomasȱWillard PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen:ȱSomeȱCozenersȱinȱ Shakespeare’sȱEngland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 491 Chapterȱ21

DenisȱBjaï RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509

viii

TableȱofȱContents

Chapterȱ22

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert TheȱUltimateȱCrime:ȱCannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱ MindsȱandȱImaginations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521 Chapterȱ23

EvelyneȱLuef PunishmentȱPostȱMortemȱ–ȱTheȱCrimeȱofȱSuicideȱ inȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 555

ListȱofȱIllustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 577 Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 591 AcknowledgmentȱandȱGratitude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601

Introduction Crime,ȱTransgression,ȱandȱDeviancy:ȱBehaviorsȱthatȱ DefinesȱUsȱAll AlbrechtȱClassenȱandȱConnieȱScarboroughȱ

WhenȱoneȱnaivelyȱthinksȱofȱtheȱconceptsȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱinȱtheȱMiddle Agesȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱperiodȱtheȱfirstȱaspectsȱthatȱprobablyȱcomeȱtoȱmindȱare arbitraryȱsystemsȱofȱjudges,ȱandȱharshȱandȱoftenȱbarbarousȱcorporalȱpunishments. Executionsȱ orȱ dismembermentȱ were,ȱ asȱ weȱ hearȱ inȱ popularȱ media,ȱ theȱ norm duringȱtheȱpremodernȱworld,ȱandȱsoȱcruelȱjudgments,ȱruthlessȱtreatmentȱofȱeven theȱslightestȱtransgression,ȱand,ȱworst,ȱtheȱabsoluteȱpowerȱexertedȱfirstȱbyȱtheȱking, andȱ then,ȱ oftenȱ evenȱ supersedingȱ him,ȱ theȱ Church.ȱ Romantic,ȱ oftenȱ highly dramatizedȱandȱemotionalȱperceptionsȱofȱtheȱpastȱcontinueȱtoȱinfluenceȱtheȱpublic mindsȱuntilȱtoday,ȱandȱhenceȱtheȱbroadȱapproachȱtoȱaȱworldȱinȱwhichȱcrimeȱand punishmentsȱwere,ȱasȱitȱseems,ȱsimplyȱrampant,ȱcrudeȱandȱcruel,ȱalmostȱbeastly. Suffice,ȱofȱcourse,ȱtoȱrememberȱthisȱpopularȱopinion,ȱandȱthenȱtoȱdismissȱitȱquickly sinceȱitȱdoesȱnotȱliveȱupȱtoȱwhatȱweȱreallyȱknowȱaboutȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱin theȱMiddleȱAges.ȱAfterȱall,ȱcrimeȱitselfȱconstitutesȱaȱhighlyȱcomplexȱphenomenon representingȱtheȱnormsȱandȱtheirȱtransgressionȱbyȱanȱindividual,ȱaȱgroup,ȱorȱa wholeȱsociety.ȱSimilarly,ȱpunishmentȱcanȱbeȱmetedȱoutȱinȱaȱvastȱarrayȱofȱpossible degreesȱandȱprocedures,ȱsoȱbothȱaspectsȱaddressedȱinȱtheȱpresentȱvolumeȱalertȱus toȱtheȱconstantȱneedȱtoȱrevisitȱtheȱbasicȱassumptionsȱaboutȱtheȱpremodernȱorȱany otherȱ world,ȱ especiallyȱ becauseȱ theȱ conceptȱ ofȱ whatȱ aȱ crimeȱ actuallyȱ means appearsȱtoȱbeȱinȱconstantȱflux.ȱ Everyȱsocietyȱlivesȱbyȱitsȱownȱnormsȱandȱstandards,ȱandȱculturesȱhaveȱdiffered fromȱeachȱotherȱprofoundlyȱfromȱperiodȱtoȱperiod,ȱfromȱcountryȱtoȱcountry,ȱand fromȱreligionȱtoȱreligion.ȱMoreover,ȱweȱwouldȱbeȱwellȱadvisedȱtoȱabstainȱfrom quickȱ evaluationsȱ simplyȱ becauseȱ ofȱ differencesȱ inȱ approachesȱ andȱ attitudes throughoutȱtimeȱasȱfarȱasȱfundamentalȱconceptsȱofȱrightȱandȱwrongȱchange,ȱifȱwe disregard,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ thoseȱ casesȱ addressedȱ byȱ theȱ Tenȱ Commandmentsȱ as

2

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

formulatedȱinȱtheȱOldȱTestamentȱ(inȱtheȱSeptuagintȱ[orȱLXX]ȱatȱExodusȱ34:28[3] andȱDeuteronomyȱ10:4).ȱTheȱdangerȱcouldȱbeȱthatȱinȱaȱhastyȱcondemnationȱofȱthe pastȱworldȱorȱcultureȱasȱbeingȱbelowȱourȱmodernȱstandardsȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱthe legalȱsystemȱweȱmightȱfallȱintoȱ theȱtrapȱofȱidealizingȱourȱownȱworldȱasȱvastly superiorȱtoȱanythingȱthatȱmightȱhaveȱexistedȱbefore.ȱOfȱcourse,ȱhereȱweȱfaceȱthe ScyllaȱofȱglorifyingȱtheȱpremodernȱworldȱandȱtheȱCharybdisȱofȱcondemningȱitȱas theȱallegedlyȱ‘darkȱage,’ȱneitherȱoneȱofȱwhichȱisȱtrulyȱcorrect.ȱȱ Yet,ȱwhenȱcarefullyȱexaminedȱinȱaȱcomparativeȱmethod,ȱweȱwouldȱsuddenly comeȱ acrossȱ theȱ ratherȱ alarmingȱ observationȱ thatȱ theȱ twentiethȱ century,ȱ for instance,ȱ hasȱ witnessedȱ manyȱ moreȱ systemsȱ ofȱ brutal,ȱ merciless,ȱ andȱ devilish formsȱofȱpersecutionsȱandȱpunishmentsȱforȱideologicalȱcrimesȱthanȱeverȱbefore. Neitherȱ theȱ Nazisȱ norȱ theȱ Communists,ȱ notȱ toȱ mentionȱ countlessȱ other dicatorshipsȱ inȱ Asia,ȱ Africa,ȱ andȱ LatinȬAmerica,ȱ canȱ beȱ creditedȱ withȱ having significantlyȱimprovedȱhumanȱrightsȱandȱtheȱlegalȱsystemȱatȱlarge,ȱorȱwithȱhaving beenȱsuccessfulȱinȱsuppressingȱcrimeȱinȱgeneralȱtermsȱandȱthusȱinȱprovidingȱmore securityȱ toȱ theȱ people.ȱ Byȱ contrast,ȱ theirȱ wayȱ ofȱ dealingȱ withȱ infractions, transgressions,ȱandȱcrimesȱwereȱoftenȱmoreȱbrutalȱandȱtorturousȱthanȱeverȱbefore inȱhumanȱhistory,ȱespeciallyȱbecauseȱthoseȱsystemsȱregularlyȱdeterminedȱspecific formsȱofȱbehaviorȱ(rituals,ȱceremonies,ȱpatterns,ȱpractices),ȱideas,ȱandȱvalues,ȱnot toȱmentionȱsexual,ȱracial,ȱorȱreligiousȱidentities,ȱasȱcrimesȱagainstȱtheȱleader,ȱthe party,ȱorȱsocietyȱatȱlarge,ȱwhichȱweȱtodayȱwouldȱrejectȱasȱabsurd,ȱfanatical,ȱand purelyȱideologyȱdriven.ȱOfȱcourse,ȱthisȱsoberingȱrealizationȱdoesȱnotȱforceȱusȱto portrayȱmedievalȱlawȱandȱtheȱcriminalȱjudgmentȱsystem,ȱinȱradicalȱoppositions, asȱbetterȱorȱpreferable,ȱbutȱitȱshouldȱwarnȱusȱtoȱavoidȱdemonizingȱtheȱpastȱsimply becauseȱ todayȱ weȱ wantȱ itȱ toȱ beȱ identifiedȱ asȱ soȱ muchȱ betterȱ thanȱ theȱ present. Mythsȱcontinueȱtoȱenjoyȱaȱhighȱpopularity,ȱandȱtheyȱliveȱonȱfromȱgenerationȱto generation,ȱwithoutȱtherebyȱgainingȱmoreȱhistoricalȱveracityȱorȱvalidity.1ȱ Legalȱ history,ȱ toȱ putȱ itȱ bluntly,ȱ isȱ aȱ trickyȱ business,ȱ especiallyȱ inȱ culturalȬ historicalȱterms.ȱGenerallyȱspeaking,ȱthereȱstillȱisȱveryȱgoodȱreasonȱtoȱbelieveȱthat today,ȱafterȱhundredsȱofȱyearsȱofȱintensiveȱworkȱtowardȱtheȱimprovementȱofȱthe legalȱsystemȱinȱorderȱtoȱcomplyȱwithȱtheȱprinciplesȱofȱhumanism,ȱenlightenment, tolerance,ȱandȱjusticeȱwithinȱaȱdemocraticȱframework,ȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱare treatedȱ andȱ dealtȱ withȱ inȱ aȱ veryȱ differentȱ mannerȱ thanȱ inȱ theȱ past, nonewithstandingȱconstantȱcomplaintsȱorȱcriticismȱofȱsevereȱinfractions,ȱdisregard, andȱbreakingȱofȱevenȱsomeȱofȱtheȱbasicȱnormsȱbyȱwhichȱweȱorientȱourselvesȱinȱthe Westernȱworld.ȱ

1

SeeȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱMisconceptionsȱaboutȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱed.ȱStephenȱJ.ȱHarrisȱandȱBryonȱL. Grigsby.ȱRoutledgeȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱReligionȱandȱCulture,ȱ7ȱ(NewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2008); Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ Theȱ Medievalȱ Chastityȱ Belt:ȱ Aȱ MythȬMakingȱ Process.ȱ Theȱ Newȱ Middleȱ Ages (Houndmills,ȱBasingstoke,ȱHampshire,ȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱPalgraveȱmacmillan,ȱ2007),ȱ7–16;ȱ147–54.

Introduction

3

Eachȱsocialȱsystemȱbelieves,ȱofȱcourse,ȱinȱtheȱfullȱvalidityȱofȱitsȱownȱlegalȱcodes andȱlegalȱpractices,ȱotherwiseȱitȱwouldȱconvertȱtoȱanother,ȱbetterȱoneȱinȱorderȱto survive.ȱTheȱgreatȱsuccessȱstoryȱofȱEikeȱvonȱRepgow’sȱfamousȱSachsenspiegelȱ(The Saxonsȱ Mirror)ȱ fromȱ ca.ȱ 1225–1230,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ muchȱ adapted,ȱ modified,ȱ and translatedȱthroughoutȱtheȱlateȱMiddleȱAges,ȱconfirmsȱthisȱobservation,ȱbutȱmany otherȱlawȱbooksȱbothȱfromȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱtimeȱwould providedȱsimilarȱevidence.ȱWhileȱEikeȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱanyȱwrittenȱsources,ȱasȱfarȱas weȱcanȱtell,ȱhisȱcollectionȱofȱlegalȱstipulations,ȱregulations,ȱexplanations,ȱandȱrules becameȱtheȱfoundationȱforȱmanyȱotherȱlawȱbooksȱallȱoverȱnorthernȱGermany,ȱas documentedȱ byȱ moreȱ thanȱ 450ȱ survivingȱ manuscripts—trulyȱ aȱ recordȱ forȱ the MiddleȱAges.2 Whileȱ thereȱ wereȱ certainlyȱ casesȱ ofȱ unjustȱ sentencesȱ andȱ cruel punishments—andȱ whenȱ didȱ thoseȱ notȱ occurȱ inȱ theȱ historyȱ ofȱ mankind?—the contributionsȱtoȱtheȱ presentȱvolumeȱshowȱthat,ȱinȱmanyȱcases,ȱcourtsȱorȱother judicialȱofficialsȱwereȱgenuinelyȱconcernedȱwithȱtheȱletterȱandȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlaw. Punishmentsȱ couldȱ beȱ corporal,ȱ suspensionȱ ofȱ rightsȱ orȱ privileges,ȱ exile,ȱ or monetaryȱ fines.ȱ Theȱ epithetsȱ ‘unjust’ȱ andȱ ‘cruel’ȱ are,ȱ however,ȱ notȱ easyȱ to determineȱinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱtheirȱtime,ȱandȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱmeanȱmuchȱinȱcomparison withȱourȱlawsȱtoday,ȱatȱleastȱinȱtheȱwesternȱworld,ȱsinceȱmedievalȱsociety,ȱfor instance,ȱ toȱ generalizeȱ hereȱ deliberatelyȱ inȱ aȱ perhapsȱ inappropriatelyȱ gross manner,ȱembracedȱitsȱownȱlawsȱandȱregardedȱthemȱasȱappropriateȱandȱeffective, sinceȱtheyȱallowedȱthemȱtoȱfunctionȱmoreȱorȱlessȱinȱpracticalȱterms.ȱAtȱtheȱsame time,ȱweȱneedȱtoȱconsiderȱwhatȱtheȱbasicȱpurposeȱofȱlawsȱhadȱbeenȱorȱwouldȱbe atȱanyȱtimeȱandȱinȱanyȱculture.ȱ Lawsȱ areȱ madeȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ copeȱ inȱ practicalȱ termsȱ withȱ crimesȱ (actualȱ or perceived),ȱhenceȱtheyȱrevealȱmuchȱaboutȱcertainȱconditionsȱofȱaȱgivenȱsocietyȱand itsȱmentalȬhistoricalȱframework.ȱForȱinstance,ȱinȱtheȱUSȱmanyȱlawsȱregulateȱor ratherȱforbidȱtheȱuseȱofȱdrugsȱbecauseȱtheyȱhaveȱenteredȱthisȱcountryȱandȱthreaten theȱwellȬbeingȱofȱaȱgrowingȱnumberȱofȱpeople,ȱandȱultimatelyȱofȱsocietyȱatȱlarge. Theȱexistenceȱofȱthoseȱlawsȱindicatesȱthatȱtheȱgovernmentȱbecameȱawareȱofȱthat problemȱandȱrealizedȱthatȱitȱhadȱtoȱreactȱtoȱstemȱtheȱfloodȱofȱdrugsȱonceȱcritical massȱhadȱbeenȱreached.ȱInȱthisȱregard,ȱdrugȱlawsȱinformȱusȱfundamentallyȱabout theȱchangingȱconditionsȱwithinȱaȱsocietyȱsinceȱpeopleȱareȱeitherȱbeginningȱtoȱtake dangerousȱ drugsȱ orȱ theyȱ are,ȱ afterȱ havingȱ beenȱ regularȱ drugȱ users,ȱ suddenly treatedȱ asȱ criminalsȱ becauseȱ newȱ lawsȱ wereȱ institutedȱ toȱ suppressȱ drugs altogether.

2

TheȱSaxonȱMirror:ȱAȱSachsenspiegelȱofȱtheȱFourteenthȱCentury,ȱtrans.ȱMariaȱDobozy.ȱTheȱMiddle AgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1999),ȱ28–33.ȱDobozyȱeitherȱmeans theȱ historyȱ ofȱ receptionȱ withȱ theȱ dateȱ inȱ herȱ subtitle,ȱ orȱ sheȱ simplyȱ meantȱ ‘ofȱ theȱ thirteenth century.’

4

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

Sinceȱjudicialȱpracticesȱandȱsentencesȱvariedȱoverȱtimeȱandȱplace,ȱitȱisȱindeed difficultȱtoȱdrawȱanyȱmonolithicȱconclusionsȱaboutȱtheȱperceptionsȱorȱactualities ofȱcrimesȱandȱpunishmentȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod,ȱalthough theȱhistoricalȱinvestigationȱofȱtheȱjusticeȱsystemȱinȱtheȱpastȱbyȱnowȱlooksȱbackȱto moreȱ thanȱ twoȱ hundredȱ yearsȱ atȱ least.3ȱ Estherȱ Cohen,ȱ inȱ fact,ȱ warnsȱ against approachingȱtheȱideaȱofȱaȱlegalȱsystemȱasȱaȱunifiedȱwholeȱinȱtheȱmedievalȱperiod. Sheȱstatesȱthatȱ“theȱmultiplicityȱandȱoccasionalȱcontradictionsȱofȱdifferentȱlegal levelsȱwasȱtheȱmostȱrealȱandȱpersistentȱcharacteristicȱofȱlateȱmedievalȱsociety.”4 Justȱasȱweȱcannotȱimposeȱaȱsingleȱjudicialȱsystemȱonȱlawȱduringȱthisȱperiod, neitherȱshouldȱweȱimposeȱmodernȱstandardsȱaboutȱwhatȱconstitutesȱ“cruelȱand unusualȱpunishment”ȱasȱDanielȱBarazȱpointsȱoutȱinȱhisȱbook,ȱMedievalȱCruelty: Changingȱ Perceptions,ȱ Lateȱ Antiquityȱ toȱ theȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Period.5ȱ Crueltyȱ asȱ a constructȱ canȱ beȱ appliedȱ bothȱ toȱ casesȱ ofȱ crimeȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ subsequent punishmentsȱ inflictedȱ onȱ thoseȱ foundȱ guiltyȱ ofȱ crimes.ȱ Amongȱ crimesȱ most frequentlyȱcitedȱasȱ“violent”ȱareȱmurder,ȱrape,ȱassault,ȱandȱrobberyȱevenȱthough whatȱconstitutesȱtheseȱcrimesȱmayȱvaryȱacrossȱculturesȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱenforcement ofȱ lawsȱ againstȱ them.6ȱ Forȱ theȱ periodsȱ weȱ areȱ discussingȱ documentationȱ also becomesȱproblematicȱandȱitȱisȱdifficultȱtoȱreachȱanyȱdefinitiveȱconclusionsȱabout whichȱ specificȱ actsȱ wereȱ viewedȱ asȱ criminal.ȱ Didȱ theseȱ changeȱ withȱ regardȱ to circumstance,ȱ socialȱstandingȱofȱperpetrators,ȱorȱotherȱmitigatingȱfactors?ȱWas punishmentȱalwaysȱimposedȱwhenȱaȱcrimeȱorȱotherȱviolentȱactȱwasȱprovenȱtoȱhave beenȱ committed?ȱ Wereȱ certainȱ personsȱ exemptȱ fromȱ punishmentȱ andȱ would 3

4

5

6

See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱFranzȱHeinemann,ȱDerȱRichterȱundȱdieȱRechtspflegeȱinȱderȱdeutschenȱVergangenheit. MonographienȱzurȱdeutschenȱKulturgeschichte,ȱ4ȱ([Leipzig:ȱDiederichs],ȱ1900;ȱEdwardȱJenks,ȱLaw andȱPoliticsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱwithȱaȱSynopticȱTableȱofȱSourcesȱ(1898;ȱLondonȱ:ȱMurray,ȱ1913);ȱȱFritz Kern,ȱGottesgnadentumȱundȱWiderstandsrechtȱimȱFrüherenȱMittelalter:ȱZurȱEntwicklungsgeschichteȱder Monarchie.ȱMittelalterlicheȱStudien,ȱI,ȱ2ȱ(Leipzig:ȱK.ȱF.ȱKoehler,ȱ1914);ȱWilliamȱSeagle,ȱTheȱHistory ofȱLawȱ(NewȱYork:ȱTudorȱPublishingȱCo.,ȱ1946);ȱR.ȱC.ȱvanȱCaenegem,ȱLegalȱHistory:ȱAȱEuropean Perspectiveȱ(LondonȱandȱRioȱGrande,ȱOH:ȱHambledonȱPress,ȱ1991).ȱResearchȱhasȱgrownȱinȱleaps andȱboundsȱeverȱsince,ȱbothȱinȱEuropeȱandȱinȱNorthȱAmerica;ȱsee,ȱforȱinstance,ȱAnthonyȱMusson, MedievalȱLawȱinȱContext:ȱTheȱGrowthȱofȱLegalȱConsciousnessȱfromȱMagnaȱCartaȱtoȱtheȱPeasants’ȱRevolt. Manchesterȱ Medievalȱ Studiesȱ (Manchester,ȱ UK:ȱ Manchesterȱ Universityȱ Press;ȱ Newȱ York: Palgrave,ȱ2001);ȱAlanȱHarding,ȱMedievalȱLawȱandȱtheȱFoundationsȱofȱtheȱStateȱ(OxfordȱandȱNew York:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2002);ȱseeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱBoundariesȱofȱtheȱLaw:ȱGeography, Genderȱ andȱ Jurisdictionȱ inȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Europe,ȱ ed.ȱ Anthonyȱ Mussonȱ (Aldershot, England,ȱandȱBurlington,ȱVT:ȱAshgate,ȱ2005);ȱandȱtoȱLawȱandȱSovereigntyȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱthe Renaissance,ȱed.ȱRobertȱS.ȱSturgess.ȱArizonaȱStudiesȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱRenaissance,ȱ28 ([Turnhout]:ȱBrepols,ȱ2011). EstherȱCohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice:ȱLawȱandȱCultureȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱFrance,ȱBrill’sȱStudiesȱin IntellectualȱHistory,ȱ36ȱ(Leiden,ȱNewȱYork,ȱandȱCologne:ȱE.ȱJ.ȱBrill,ȱ1993),ȱ16. DanielȱBaraz,ȱMedievalȱCruelty:ȱChangingȱPerceptions,ȱLateȱAntiquityȱtoȱtheȱEarlyȱModernȱPeriod, ConjunctionsȱofȱReligionȱ&ȱPowerȱinȱtheȱMedievalȱPastȱ(IthacaȱandȱLondon:ȱCornellȱUniversity Press,ȱ2003),ȱ4. Baraz,“MedievalȱCruelty,”ȱ6ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

Introduction

5

punishmentȱvaryȱaccordingȱtoȱone’sȱsocialȱstandingȱorȱrank?ȱWereȱthereȱminority groupsȱsignaledȱoutȱforȱharshestȱpunishmentȱifȱaȱmemberȱofȱaȱmarginalizedȱgroup wasȱconvictedȱofȱaȱcrime?ȱ Theȱsourcesȱthatȱoneȱmayȱconsultȱtoȱfindȱanswersȱtoȱtheseȱcomplexȱquestions, whileȱscantȱinȱcomparisonȱtoȱmodernȱstatisticalȱdata,ȱcanȱbeȱdiscoverdȱinȱcountless recordsȱofȱcourtȱproceedings,ȱhistories,ȱlegalȱcodes,ȱandȱliteraryȱtexts.ȱAlbrecht Classenȱ hasȱ addressedȱ theȱ viabilityȱ ofȱ usingȱ literaryȱ textsȱ forȱ aȱ studyȱ ofȱ such epistemologicalȱ concernsȱ asȱ humanȱ transgressionȱ andȱ retribution.ȱ Sinceȱ the majorityȱ ofȱ theȱ articlesȱ inȱ thisȱ collectionȱ useȱ literaryȱ textsȱ asȱ aȱ basisȱ forȱ their analyses,ȱ Classen’sȱ explanationsȱ thatȱ literatureȱ isȱ “oneȱ ofȱ theȱ centralȱ mediaȱ of humanȱconsciousnessȱandȱhasȱofferedȱbothȱdescriptiveȱandȱprescriptiveȱmodels ofȱhumanȱinteraction”ȱandȱthatȱliteratureȱreflectsȱsociety’sȱeffortsȱ“toȱcomeȱtoȱterms withȱitsȱendemicȱandȱexternalȱproblemsȱandȱcrises”ȱseemsȱworthȱrepeatingȱhere.7ȱ Also,ȱliteraryȱtextsȱplayedȱaȱroleȱinȱshapingȱasȱwellȱasȱreflectingȱsocialȱrealities asȱRobertȱMillsȱremindsȱus.8ȱMillsȱspeaksȱofȱmodernȱcriticalȱviewsȱofȱtheȱMiddle Agesȱinȱtermsȱofȱalterityȱandȱstudiesȱinȱthisȱvolumeȱwillȱhopefullyȱmoveȱbeyond seeingȱ theȱ conceptsȱ ofȱ punishmentȱ orȱ crueltyȱ merelyȱ inȱ termsȱ ofȱ constitutive differenceȱwithȱcontemporaryȱnotionsȱofȱlawȬbreakersȱandȱpunitiveȱpractices.ȱThis criticȱalsoȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱbyȱfocusingȱonȱtheȱabjectȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱtheȱmodern conceptȱofȱpunishmentȱandȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱperceptionsȱweȱactually reinforceȱtheȱviewȱofȱ ourȱdesireȱtoȱidentifyȱwithȱanȱideaȱofȱourselvesȱwhichȱis inherentlyȱwestern,ȱcivilized,ȱandȱprogressive.9ȱ Whenȱaddressingȱtheȱissueȱofȱtorture,ȱMillsȱcontendsȱthatȱ“Theȱcriticalȱtendency toȱcondemn,ȱexcuseȱorȱevenȱcelebrateȱimagesȱofȱtortureȱwithȱreferencesȱtoȱnotions ofȱ medievalȱ alterityȱ mayȱ ultimatelyȱ deriveȱ lessȱ fromȱ anȱ understandingȱ ofȱ the Middleȱ Agesȱ ‘onȱ itsȱ ownȱ terms’ȱ thanȱ fromȱ falseȱ notionsȱ ofȱ ourȱ ownȱ moral superiorityȱ andȱ ethicalȱ progression.”10ȱ Theȱ articlesȱ inȱ theȱ presentȱ volumeȱ are mindfulȱofȱthisȱpotentialȱpitfallȱandȱseekȱtoȱavoidȱsensationalizingȱeitherȱtheȱcrimes orȱtheȱpunishmentsȱasȱmoreȱinherentlyȱviolentȱorȱcruelȱthanȱatȱotherȱmomentsȱin history. Forȱ example,ȱ recentȱ studiesȱ indicateȱ thatȱ capitalȱ punishmentȱ wasȱ notȱ the pervasiveȱ sentenceȱ metedȱ outȱ inȱ medievalȱ systemsȱ asȱ manyȱ scholarsȱ have previouslyȱasserted.ȱItȱwasȱfarȱmoreȱcommonȱofȱpeopleȱconvictedȱofȱcrimesȱto escapeȱ theȱ deathȱ penaltyȱ eitherȱ becauseȱ theyȱ wereȱ ableȱ toȱ escapeȱ fromȱ their

7

8

9 10

AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“Introduction,”ȱSexualȱViolenceȱandȱRapeȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges:ȱAȱCriticalȱDiscourse inȱPremodernȱGermanȱandȱEuropeanȱLiterature,ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱCultureȱ7ȱ(Berlinȱand Boston:ȱWalterȱdeȱGruyter,ȱ2011),ȱ2. RobertȱMills,ȱSuspendedȱAnimation:ȱPain,ȱPleasureȱandȱPunishmentȱinȱMedievalȱCultureȱ(London: ReaktionȱBooks,ȱ2005),ȱ10. Mills,ȱSuspendedȱAnimation,ȱ13ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). Mills,ȱSuspendedȱAnimation,ȱ14ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).

6

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

accusers,ȱ leaveȱ theȱ areaȱ underȱ jurisdiction,ȱ wereȱ pardoned,ȱ orȱ diedȱ ofȱ other causes.11ȱ Asȱ ourȱ studiesȱ indicate,ȱ theȱ impositionȱ ofȱ fines,ȱ banishment,ȱ public humiliation,ȱorȱimprisonmentȱinȱalmostȱallȱareasȱofȱtheȱWestȱwereȱmoreȱprevalent thanȱpublicȱexecutions.ȱTheȱimpositionȱofȱaȱpilgrimage,ȱorȱofȱfinesȱinȱreligious terms—fasting,ȱprayers,ȱspendingȱtimeȱinȱaȱmonasticȱcell,ȱexile,ȱorȱtheȱseekingȱof dispensationȱbyȱaȱhighȬrankingȱchurchȱauthority,ȱespeciallyȱtheȱpope—provedȱto beȱquiteȱsuccessfulȱstrategiesȱandȱprovidedȱpeopleȱwithȱsuccessfulȱalternatives. Punishmentȱcanȱbeȱleviedȱonȱanȱindividualȱlevel,ȱtakingȱtheȱformȱofȱpersonal revengeȱ orȱ redressȱ forȱ grievancesȱ committed,ȱ orȱ onȱ anȱ institutionalȱ level, administeredȱbyȱaȱjudge,ȱcourt,ȱorȱotherȱlegalȱauthority.ȱPunishmentsȱmayȱalsoȱbe exactedȱbyȱaȱcommunityȱorȱgroupȱwhoȱdeterminesȱthatȱoneȱofȱitsȱmembersȱhas transgressedȱ commonlyȱ agreedȬuponȱ normsȱ forȱ acceptableȱ behavior.ȱ Whenȱ a judicialȱbodyȱwasȱchargedȱwithȱdeterminingȱguiltȱorȱinnocenceȱandȱmetingȱout punishmentȱagainstȱthoseȱfoundȱguilty,ȱtheȱjudiciaryȱwas,ȱinȱmostȱcases,ȱmore concernedȱwithȱgeneralȱsecurityȱthanȱinȱabstractȱnotionsȱofȱjustice.12 HenryȱMaine,ȱwritingȱinȱtheȱnineteenthȱcentury,ȱstressedȱthatȱpenalȱlawȱwasȱnot originallyȱ aboutȱ crimesȱ butȱ aboutȱ wrongdoingȱ andȱ concernȱ thatȱ theȱ wronged personȱbeȱproperlyȱcompensated.13ȱThisȱcompensationȱoftenȱtookȱtheȱformȱofȱa monetaryȱ settlement.ȱ Finesȱ wereȱ basedȱ onȱ bothȱ theȱ severityȱ andȱ natureȱ ofȱ the damageȱ doneȱ andȱ alsoȱ onȱ theȱ socialȱ standingȱ orȱ sexȱ ofȱ theȱ offendedȱ party.14 Damageȱconsistedȱofȱbodilyȱinjuryȱ(includingȱmurder)ȱasȱwellȱasȱtheftȱofȱone’s propertyȱorȱanyȱotherȱpossession(s).ȱ Rapeȱ wasȱ muchȱ moreȱ seriouslyȱ punishedȱ than,ȱ perhaps,ȱ inȱ someȱ modern societies,ȱespeciallyȱbecauseȱtheȱwoman’sȱvictimizationȱwasȱregardedȱmostlyȱmore asȱaȱmatterȱofȱhurtingȱaȱfather’sȱorȱaȱhusband’sȱrightsȱthanȱasȱanȱattackȱagainstȱthe womanȱallȱbyȱitself.15ȱAccordingȱtoȱIves,ȱcompensationȱwasȱextractedȱnotȱfromȱany

11 12

13

14

15

Mills,ȱSuspendedȱAnimation,ȱ14ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). RenéȱGirard,ȱViolenceȱandȱtheȱSacred,ȱtrans.ȱPatrickȱGregoryȱ(BaltimoreȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱJohns HopkinsȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1989),ȱ22,ȱ HenryȱSumnerȱMaine,ȱAncientȱLaw:ȱItsȱConnectionȱwithȱtheȱEarlyȱHistoryȱofȱSociety,ȱandȱItsȱRelation toȱModernȱIdeasȱ(NewȱYork:ȱH.ȱHoltȱandȱCompany,ȱ1878),ȱ379. GeorgeȱIves,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱPenalȱMethods:ȱCriminals,ȱWitches,ȱLunatics,ȱPattersonȱSmithȱReprintȱSeries inȱCriminology,ȱLawȱEnforcement,ȱandȱSocialȱProblems,ȱ124ȱ(1914;ȱMontclair,ȱNJ:ȱPattersonȱSmith, 1970),ȱ8. AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱSexualȱViolenceȱ(seeȱnote);ȱJeremyȱGoldberg,ȱCommunalȱDiscord,ȱChildȱAbduction, andȱRapeȱinȱtheȱLaterȱMiddleȱAges.ȱTheȱNewȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(NewȱYork:ȱPalgraveȱMacmillan,ȱ2008); seeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱRepresentingȱRapeȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱLiterature,ȱed. Elizabethȱ Robertsonȱ andȱ Christineȱ M.ȱ Roseȱ ȱ ȱ Theȱ Newȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ (Newȱ York:ȱ Palgrave Macmillan,ȱ2001);ȱKathrynȱGravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens:ȱWritingȱRapeȱinȱMedievalȱFrenchȱLiterature andȱLawȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1991);ȱsieheȱauchȱHildeȱSchmölzer,ȱDie Frau:ȱdasȱgekaufteȱGeschlecht;ȱEhe,ȱLiebeȱundȱProstitutionȱimȱPatriarchatȱ(BadȱSauerbrunnȱ:ȱEd.ȱTau, 1993).

Introduction

7

humaneȱobjectionȱtoȱphysicalȱpunishmentȱbutȱratherȱoutȱofȱaȱfearȱofȱvendettaȱon theȱ partȱ ofȱ theȱ victimȱ orȱ his/herȱ family.16ȱ Partȱ ofȱ theȱ compensationȱ mightȱ also accrueȱtoȱtheȱcrownȱorȱotherȱauthorityȱasȱaȱtypeȱofȱcompensationȱforȱdisturbingȱthe peace.17ȱCriminalsȱwereȱkeptȱinȱprisonȱuntilȱtheirȱcasesȱwereȱadjudicatedȱbutȱlong prisonȱ sentencesȱ asȱ punishmentȱ wereȱ notȱ asȱ commonȱ aȱ practiceȱ asȱ isȱ often assumed.18ȱ Personsȱaccusedȱofȱcrimesȱcouldȱbeȱfoundȱinnocentȱthroughȱvariousȱtypesȱof ordeals,ȱwithȱtheȱmostȱcommonȱbeingȱthatȱofȱtheȱheatedȱironȱbar,ȱorȱring.ȱAfter carryingȱtheȱheatedȱironȱforȱaȱspecifiedȱdistance,ȱtheȱaccusedȱhandsȱwereȱbandaged andȱif,ȱafterȱthreeȱdays,ȱtheyȱwereȱfoundȱcleanȱandȱnotȱinfectedȱheȱwasȱdeclared innocent.ȱOrdealsȱwereȱcondemnedȱinȱ1251ȱbyȱtheȱFourthȱLateranȱCouncilȱand sinceȱtheȱordealȱrequiredȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱaȱpriestȱwhenȱitȱwasȱadministered,ȱtrial byȱordealȱlargelyȱceasedȱafterȱthisȱdate.19ȱTrialȱbyȱbattleȱwasȱanotherȱformȱofȱordeal althoughȱthisȱpracticeȱappearsȱrarelyȱafterȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury.ȱCriminalsȱcould alsoȱseekȱsanctuary,ȱandȱthusȱfreedomȱfromȱpersecution,ȱbyȱseekingȱasylumȱwithin aȱchurchȱorȱmonastery.ȱThereȱisȱevidenceȱthatȱcoloniesȱofȱfugitivesȱgrewȱupȱat someȱofȱtheȱgreatȱseatsȱofȱworship.ȱ Irrespectiveȱ ofȱ theȱ banȱ byȱ theȱ Churchȱ onȱ theȱ ordeal,ȱ duelsȱ andȱ similar proceduresȱtoȱdetermineȱsomeone’sȱguiltȱorȱhonorȱcontinuedȱtoȱenjoyȱconsiderable popularityȱfarȱintoȱtheȱnineteenthȱandȱevenȱtwentiethȱcentury.ȱManyȱscholarsȱhave questionedȱwhetherȱweȱcouldȱevenȱcharacterizeȱsuchȱaȱduelȱasȱaȱformȱofȱordeal, butȱbothȱmethodsȱcertainlyȱreflectedȱonȱtheȱneedȱtoȱappealȱtoȱhigherȱpowersȱto determineȱhumanȱguiltȱorȱinnocence.20 Publicȱshamingȱofȱcriminalsȱwasȱalsoȱpartȱofȱtheȱarsenalȱofȱmedievalȱandȱearly modernȱpunishments.ȱTheȱmostȱsevereȱformȱofȱshamingȱwasȱaȱpublicȱfloggingȱbut thereȱwasȱalsoȱexposureȱinȱtheȱstocksȱorȱinȱaȱneckȱpillory.21ȱCriminalsȱmightȱalso beȱ requiredȱ toȱ wearȱ someȱ sortȱ ofȱ badgeȱ onȱ theirȱ clothingȱ asȱ aȱ signȱ ofȱ their

16 17 18

19

20

21

Ives,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱPenalȱMethods,ȱ4ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Ives,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱPenalȱMethods,ȱ8ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). JeanȱDunbabin,ȱCaptivityȱandȱImprisonmentȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ1000–1300ȱ(NewȱYork:ȱPalgrave Macmillan,ȱ2002);ȱseeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱOrteȱderȱVerwahrung:ȱdieȱinnereȱOrganisationȱvon Gefängnissen,ȱ Hospitälernȱ undȱ Klösternȱ seitȱ demȱ Spätmittelalter,ȱ ed.ȱ Gerhardȱ Ammerer. GeschlosseneȱHäuserȱ–ȱhistorischeȱStudienȱzuȱInstitutionenȱundȱOrtenȱderȱSeparierung,ȱVerwahȬ rungȱundȱBestrafung,ȱ1ȱ(Leipzig:ȱLeipzigerȱUniversitätsȬVerlag,ȱ2010);ȱEnfermementsȱȱleȱcloîtreȱet laȱprison:ȱVIeȱȬȱXVIIIeȱsiècle;ȱactesȱduȱcolloqueȱinternationalȱorganiséȱparȱleȱCentreȱdȇÉtudeȱetȱdeȱRecherche enȱHistoireȱCulturelle,ȱed.ȱIsabelleȱHeullantȬDonat,ȱJulieȱClaustre,ȱandȱLussetȱElisabeth.ȱHomme etȱsociétéȱ(Paris:ȱPublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ2011). JohnȱBriggs,ȱChristopherȱHarrison,ȱAngusȱMcInnes,ȱandȱDavidȱVincent,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishmentȱin England:ȱAnȱIntroductoryȱHistoryȱ(NewȱYork:ȱStȱMartin’sȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ10. Sarahȱ Neumann,ȱ Derȱ gerichtlicheȱ Zweikampf:ȱ Gottesurteilȱ –ȱ Wettstreitȱ –ȱ Ehrensache.ȱ MittelalterȬ Forschungen,ȱ31ȱ(Sigmaringen:ȱJanȱThorbeckeȱVerlag,ȱ2011). Ives,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱPenalȱMethods,ȱ54Ȭ55ȱ(seeȱnote11).

8

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

malfeasance.ȱOneȱexampleȱwasȱtheȱpiecesȱofȱredȱclothȱinȱtheȱshapeȱofȱtonguesȱthat aȱfalseȱwitnessȱwasȱrequiredȱtoȱwearȱonȱhisȱbreastȱandȱonȱhisȱshouldersȱforȱtheȱrest ofȱhisȱlife.22ȱDishonoringȱatȱtheȱpilloryȱsometimesȱinvolvedȱtheȱcriminalȱwearing animalȱ masksȱ orȱ woodenȱ yokesȱ thatȱ heightenedȱ theȱ senseȱ ofȱ shameȱ these punishmentsȱwereȱmeantȱtoȱconvey.ȱTorturesȱorȱ brandingȱthatȱleftȱpermanent marksȱonȱtheȱbodyȱwereȱalsoȱsignsȱofȱinfamyȱandȱdisgrace.23 TrialȱbyȱjuryȱwasȱinstitutedȱinȱEnglandȱinȱ1166ȱforȱdecisionsȱaboutȱlandȱcasesȱand wasȱsoonȱafterwardȱextendedȱforȱuseȱinȱcriminalȱcases.ȱAnȱessentialȱdifference betweenȱmedievalȱjuryȱtrailsȱandȱtheȱmodernȱconceptȱisȱthatȱmedievalȱjurorsȱbased theirȱverdictsȱonȱtheirȱknowledgeȱaboutȱtheȱcrimeȱandȱnotȱonȱtheȱbasisȱofȱevidence presentedȱinȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱtrial.24ȱAlsoȱitȱisȱimportantȱtoȱkeepȱinȱmindȱthat criminalȱlawȱwasȱratherȱlimitedȱandȱunsophisticatedȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱcivilȱlaw.ȱAnd mostȱcivilȱcasesȱwereȱheardȱbeforeȱaȱmagistrateȱwhoȱrenderedȱjudgmentȱrather thanȱaȱjury.25ȱAdditionally,ȱtheȱChurchȱhadȱitsȱownȱcourtsȱandȱtheirȱjurisdiction extendedȱtoȱclericsȱandȱchurchȱbuildings.ȱTheseȱChurchȱtribunalsȱalsoȱdealtȱwith sexualȱoffensesȱandȱtestamentaryȱdisputes.26ȱ AȱwonderfulȱandȱstillȱnotȱsufficientlyȱscouredȱsourceȱforȱChurchȱlawȱinȱtheȱlate MiddleȱAgesȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱtheȱApostolicȱPenitentiaryȱatȱtheȱVatican,ȱwhichȱhas beenȱmoreȱcriticallyȱexaminedȱinȱrecentȱyearsȱespeciallyȱbyȱSwedishȱscholarsȱfor theȱChurchȱprovinceȱofȱUppsalaȱfromȱ1410ȱtoȱ1452.ȱApartȱfromȱtheȱusualȱcasesȱof theft,ȱmurder,ȱandȱevenȱrape,ȱtheȱPenitentiaryȱheardȱmanyȱcasesȱpertainingȱto marriage,ȱ birthȱ rights,ȱ bloodȱ relationships,ȱ thenȱ relatingȱ toȱ violentȱ behavior, apostacy,ȱ religiousȱ conflictsȱ (includingȱ breakingȱ monasticȱ rulesȱ andȱ vows). Violence,ȱ manslaughter,ȱ andȱ participationȱ inȱ militaryȱ actionsȱ wereȱ theȱ most commonȱissues,ȱcloselyȱfollowedȱbyȱsexualȱcrimesȱ(includingȱrape,ȱasȱmentioned above,ȱ breakingȱ theȱ vowȱ ofȱ celibacy,ȱ illegalȱ positionsȱ inȱ theȱ sexualȱ act, homosexuality,ȱetc.),ȱthenȱdisobedience,ȱfailingȱtoȱfast,ȱcommittingȱsimony,ȱhaving aȱconcubine,ȱcommittingȱadultery,ȱetc.ȱ Theȱrangeȱofȱpossibleȱwrongdoingsȱinȱmedievalȱsocietyȱwasȱveryȱbroad,ȱquite similarȱtoȱourȱworld,ȱbutȱtheȱimpositionsȱbyȱtheȱChurchȱonȱallȱpeople,ȱbothȱcleric andȱlay,ȱincreasedȱtheȱdangerȱofȱtransgressingȱandȱbecomingȱguiltyȱofȱaȱsinȱandȱa crimeȱ multifold.27ȱ Asȱ theȱ documentsȱ inȱ theȱ Apostolicȱ Penitentiaryȱ alsoȱ often

22 23

24 25 26 27

Ives,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱPenalȱMethods,ȱ56ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Mitchellȱ B.ȱ Merback,ȱ Theȱ Thief,ȱ theȱ Crossȱ andȱ theȱ Wheel:ȱ Painȱ andȱ theȱ Spectacleȱ ofȱ Punishmentȱ in MedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱEuropeȱ(Chicago:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱ213. Briggs,ȱet.al,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishment,ȱ10ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14). Briggs,ȱet.al,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishment,ȱ11ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14). Briggs,ȱet.al.,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishment,ȱ12ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14).

ȱ AuctoritateȱPapae:ȱTheȱChurchȱProvinceȱofȱUppsalaȱandȱtheȱApostolicȱPenitentiaryȱ1410–1526,ȱed.ȱSara Risberg,ȱintrod.ȱKirsiȱSalonen.ȱDiplomatiariumȱSuecanumȱAppendix.ȱActaȱPontificumȱSuecica, IIȱ(Stockholm:ȱNationalȱArchivesȱofȱSweden,ȱ2008).

Introduction

9

indicate,ȱmanyȱsupplicantsȱwereȱsimplyȱafraidȱofȱpotentiallyȱhavingȱcommittedȱa crimeȱorȱaȱtransgressionȱofȱchurchȱlawȱandȱtiredȱhardȱtoȱfreeȱthemselvesȱfromȱany allegationsȱorȱaccusations,ȱsuchȱasȱofȱillegitimateȱbirth,ȱofȱhavingȱbeenȱpassively involvedȱinȱmurderȱcases,ȱorȱofȱotherȱperceivedȱwrongȬdoings. MitchellȱB.ȱMerback,ȱoneȱofȱmanyȱscholarsȱinȱtheȱfieldȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment inȱtheȱpremodernȱera,ȱsuccinctlyȱtracesȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱwhatȱtodayȱweȱrefer toȱ asȱ theȱ legalȱ system.28ȱ Inȱ medievalȱ Europeȱ lawȱ wasȱ notȱ theȱ professionally controlledȱandȱseparateȱsphereȱofȱactivityȱasȱweȱperceiveȱitȱnow.ȱCustomaryȱlaws, i.e.,ȱpracticesȱdevelopedȱoverȱtimeȱandȱconsistentlyȱapplied,ȱprevailedȱuntilȱwell intoȱ theȱ eleventhȱ centuryȱ whenȱ Romanȱ lawȱ beganȱ toȱ playȱ aȱ larger,ȱ ultimately dominant,ȱroleȱinȱsecularȱjusticeȱasȱkingsȱstroveȱtoȱmaintainȱtheirȱsovereignȱand legalȱcontrolsȱagainstȱtheȱrisingȱauthorityȱofȱtheȱChurch.ȱMerbackȱalsoȱpointsȱout thatȱcriminalȱjusticeȱproceedingsȱbeforeȱtheȱlateȱMiddleȱAgesȱwereȱaccusatorialȱin nature.ȱTheȱinjuredȱpartiesȱaccusedȱsomeoneȱofȱaȱcrimeȱbeforeȱaȱjudgeȱandȱthe proceedingsȱoftenȱtookȱplaceȱinȱpublic.ȱ However,ȱduringȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱtheȱsystemȱchangedȱtoȱanȱinquisitorialȱone inȱwhichȱcourtsȱconductedȱtheirȱownȱinvestigationsȱintoȱtheȱcircumstancesȱofȱthe crime,ȱmadeȱaccusationsȱandȱarrests,ȱandȱjudicialȱproceedingsȱwereȱconductedȱin private.ȱ Butȱ sentencingȱ andȱ punishmentȱ wereȱ stillȱ conductedȱ inȱ veryȱ public settings,ȱ servingȱ aȱ distinctȱ performativeȱ function.ȱ Theȱ ideaȱ ofȱ punishmentȱ as spectacleȱisȱcentralȱtoȱMerback’sȱimportantȱ1998ȱstudy,ȱTheȱThief,ȱtheȱCrossȱandȱthe Wheel.ȱHeȱstatesȱthatȱ“Theȱveryȱideaȱofȱpunishmentsȱenactedȱasȱaȱformȱofȱspectacle isȱ predicatedȱ onȱ theȱ beliefȱ inȱ theirȱ educativeȱ potential,ȱ thoughȱ ‘lessonsȱ ofȱ the scaffold’,ȱasȱtheyȱwereȱlaterȱknownȱtoȱtheȱmoralistsȱwhoȱexploitedȱthem,ȱcouldȱrun theȱgamutȱfromȱcautionaryȱtales,ȱthroughȱbrutalizingȱthreatsȱofȱviolentȱretribution, toȱexemplaȱofȱdamnation.”29ȱ Socialȱ statusȱ ofȱ aȱ convictedȱ criminalȱ wasȱ anȱ importantȱ factorȱ inȱ theȱ typeȱ of punishmentȱinflicted.ȱEvenȱinȱcasesȱofȱtheȱdeathȱpenaltyȱsomeȱformsȱofȱexecution wereȱconsideredȱdisgraceful,ȱsuchȱasȱhanging,ȱbreakingȱonȱaȱwheel,ȱandȱburning atȱ theȱ stake,ȱ whichȱ wasȱ mostlyȱ reservedȱ forȱ hereticsȱ orȱ apostates,ȱ andȱ later, especiallyȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱage,ȱforȱallegedȱwitches.ȱDecapitation,ȱbyȱcontrast wasȱconsideredȱanȱhonorableȱformȱofȱexecutionȱandȱusuallyȱreservedȱforȱmembers ofȱtheȱaristocracyȱfarȱintoȱtheȱseventeenthȱandȱeighteenthȱcenturies.ȱButȱexecutions ofȱ anyȱ kindȱ wereȱ intendedȱ toȱ beȱ edifyingȱ inȱ theȱ senseȱ thatȱ spectatorsȱ sawȱ the accusedȱconfess,ȱshowȱcontrition,ȱreceiveȱabsolution,ȱandȱendureȱtheȱpainȱofȱdeath withȱtheȱpromiseȱofȱredemptionȱinȱtheȱafterlife.30ȱPriorȱtoȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury manyȱ criminalsȱ wereȱ deniedȱ confessionȱ beforeȱ executionȱ butȱ inȱ 1312,ȱ Pope

28 29 30

Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ129Ȭ33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ135ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ143ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19).

10

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

ClementȱVȱforbadeȱthisȱpracticeȱandȱcriminalsȱwereȱafterwards,ȱmoreȱoftenȱthan not,ȱgivenȱtheȱopportunityȱtoȱconfess,ȱusuallyȱinȱaȱpublicȱforum.31ȱAccordingȱto Merback,ȱ“TheȱsalvificȱpromiseȱofȱChrist’sȱselfȬabasingȱdeathȱonȱtheȱCrossȱwas nowhereȱ moreȱ fullyȱ realizedȱ thanȱ inȱ theȱ redemptionȱ ofȱ theȱ criminalȱ who confessed,ȱatonedȱandȱsufferedȱhisȱpainsȱsteadfastly.”32ȱ Cohenȱ speaksȱ aboutȱ punitiveȱ publicȱ ritualsȱ asȱ “theȱ mostȱ commonȱ formȱ of governmentȱ propaganda.”33ȱ Sheȱ alsoȱ assertsȱ thatȱ “Likeȱ allȱ publicȱ ceremonies, publicȱexecutionsȱwereȱbasedȱnotȱonlyȱuponȱaȱsetȱofȱsharedȱperceptions,ȱbutȱalso uponȱaȱsetȱofȱknownȱsymbols,ȱalteredȱonlyȱwithȱgreatȱdifficulty.”34ȱButȱthisȱshould comeȱ asȱ aȱ surpriseȱ forȱ usȱ sinceȱ manyȱ aspectsȱ ofȱ premodernȱ cultureȱ were commonlyȱ carriedȱ outȱ inȱ public,ȱ whileȱ theȱ privateȱ spaceȱ andȱ privateȱ culture emergedȱ onlyȱ inȱ theȱ lateȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ earlyȱ modernȱ age,ȱ whichȱ thenȱ had considerableȱimplicationsȱforȱtheȱcriminalȱsystemȱespeciallyȱsinceȱtheȱsixteenth century,ȱ whenȱ theȱ authoritiesȱ beganȱ toȱ developȱ aȱ moreȱ elaborateȱ systemȱ of prisons.35ȱ Theȱoverarchingȱproblemȱofȱconflictȱinȱjurisdictions—layȱandȱreligious,ȱroyal andȱseigneurial,ȱlocalȱandȱcentral—ledȱtoȱconfusionȱaboutȱwhereȱandȱbyȱwhomȱan accusedȱ shouldȱ beȱ tried.36ȱ Withȱ regardȱ toȱ layȱ andȱ ecclesiasticalȱ law,ȱ Cohen maintainsȱthatȱtheȱtwoȱsystemsȱ“recognizedȱtheȱinherentȱvalidityȱandȱlegalityȱof theȱotherȱdespiteȱconstantȱboundaryȱconflicts.”37ȱLegalȱquestionsȱaboutȱmarriage orȱreligiousȱorthodoxyȱwereȱclearlyȱcasesȱforȱChurchȱcourtsȱbutȱtheyȱwereȱalso knownȱtoȱexcommunicateȱdebtors,ȱevenȱthoughȱdebtȱwasȱaȱcivilȱoffense.38ȱInȱthe casesȱofȱtheȱsecularȱjudiciary,ȱtheȱkingȱwasȱtheȱultimateȱauthorityȱbutȱthereȱwere aȱvarietyȱofȱlocalȱcourtsȱand,ȱinȱmostȱcases,ȱtheirȱjudgmentsȱwereȱonlyȱoverturned onȱappeal.39 Byȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiodȱthereȱisȱaȱshiftȱinȱlegalȱconcerns.ȱLateȱmedievalȱkings wereȱmostlyȱinterestedȱinȱcontrollingȱtheȱwealth,ȱpower,ȱandȱinfluenceȱofȱtheȱnoble classesȱbut,ȱbyȱtheȱmidȬseventeenthȱcentury,ȱdisorderȱamongȱcommonȱpeopleȱwas seenȱasȱaȱprimaryȱobstacleȱtoȱaȱpeacefulȱandȱorderedȱsociety.ȱRisesȱinȱpopulation growthȱ andȱ increasingȱ levelsȱ ofȱ povertyȱ contributedȱ toȱ moreȱ crimesȱ being committed,ȱ especiallyȱ inȱ urbanȱ centers.ȱ Vagrantsȱ inȱ citiesȱ wereȱ seenȱ asȱ aȱ real problemȱandȱmanyȱofȱthemȱbecameȱ“professional”ȱcriminalsȱwhoȱoftenȱspecialized

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ148Ȭ49ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19). Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ149ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19). Cohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ24ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Cohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ24ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). SeeȱtheȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolumeȱbyȱPatriciaȱTurning.ȱ Cohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ17ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1) Cohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ17ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Cohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ17ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Cohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ18ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

Introduction

11

inȱcertainȱkindsȱofȱcrimeȱsuchȱasȱhorseȱtheft,ȱconȬgames,ȱandȱpickȱpocketing.ȱIn fact,ȱtheȱconstantlyȱgrowingȱmobilityȱthroughoutȱlateȬmedievalȱEurope,ȱwithȱthe roadsȱmoreȱandȱmoreȱfilledȱwithȱmigrants,ȱstudents,ȱgoliards,ȱpilgrims,ȱmerchants, andȱmanyȱothers,ȱalmostȱautomaticallyȱledȱtoȱtheȱriseȱofȱcrimeȱasȱwell.40 Inȱtheirȱbook,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishmentȱinȱEngland,ȱBriggs,ȱHarrison,ȱMcInnesȱand VincentȱpointȱoutȱthatȱinȱpreȬmodernȱtimesȱtheȱrationalesȱforȱpunishmentȱwas fourȬfold.ȱFirstȱwasȱthatȱofȱdeterrence.ȱTheyȱalsoȱreferȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱexecutions wereȱ carriedȱ outȱ inȱ aȱ publicȱ beforeȱ largeȱ crowdsȱ andȱ withȱ aȱ goodȱ dealȱ of ceremony.ȱTheȱsecondȱrationaleȱtheseȱcriticsȱidentifyȱisȱthatȱofȱretribution.ȱThey assertȱthatȱpunishmentsȱwereȱmetedȱoutȱproportionallyȱtoȱtheȱseriousnessȱofȱthe crimeȱ committed.ȱ Rapeȱ orȱ murderȱ wereȱ punishedȱ byȱ hangingȱ butȱ aȱ crimeȱ as seriousȱasȱhighȱtreasonȱwarrantedȱthatȱtheȱoffenderȱbyȱhangedȱandȱthen,ȱwhileȱstill alive,ȱcutȱdown,ȱorȱquartered,ȱdisemboweled,ȱandȱcutȱintoȱfourȱpieces.ȱAȱthird rationaleȱwasȱthatȱofȱritualȱcleansing.ȱGoodȱexamplesȱareȱshamingȱpunishments byȱwhichȱtheȱguiltyȱundergoȱaȱkindȱofȱpenanceȱforȱtheȱoffenseȱcommittedȱandȱthen areȱallowedȱtoȱbeȱreintegratedȱintoȱsociety.ȱ ByȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱpreȬmodernȱperiodȱaȱfourthȱrationaleȱbeginsȱtoȱemerge—the ideaȱofȱreformingȱtheȱwrongdoerȱwithinȱtheȱpenalȱsystem.ȱThisȱconceptȱdeveloped alongȱ withȱ theȱ widespreadȱ useȱ ofȱ imprisonmentȱ asȱ punishmentȱ withȱ inmates subjectȱtoȱstrictȱregimesȱofȱworkȱandȱreligiousȱinstructionȱtoȱrehabilitateȱthemȱin bothȱbodyȱandȱspirit.41 Theȱarticlesȱinȱthisȱvolumeȱdealȱprimarilyȱwithȱliteraryȱandȱhistoricalȱtextsȱwhich shedȱlightȱonȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱperceptionsȱofȱwhatȱconstitutedȱcriminal behaviorsȱandȱhowȱsocietyȱrespondedȱpunitivelyȱtoȱthoseȱfoundȱguiltyȱofȱviolating normativeȱpatternsȱofȱbehavior.ȱWhileȱrecognizingȱthatȱliteraryȱtextsȱofȱtheȱperiod reflect,ȱtoȱaȱcertainȱextent,ȱtheȱexpectationsȱandȱestablishedȱconventionsȱofȱstyle andȱexpression,ȱtheyȱpresentȱuniqueȱportholesȱintoȱauthors’ȱtreatmentȱofȱactsȱof malfeasanceȱandȱtheȱmetingȱoutȱofȱjusticeȱorȱcriticalȱattitudesȱtowardsȱtheȱinjustice ofȱ wrongdoersȱ goingȱ unpunished.ȱ Theȱ volumeȱ isȱ roughlyȱ arrangedȱ in chronologicalȱorderȱand,ȱwhileȱitȱisȱimpossibleȱtoȱprovideȱaȱtrulyȱcomprehensive viewȱofȱthisȱmultiȬfacetedȱtopic,ȱtheȱfollowingȱstudiesȱareȱdesignedȱtoȱgiveȱinsights atȱspecificȱlocalesȱandȱtimeȱframeȱofȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱperiodsȱbasedȱon aȱvarietyȱofȱtextsȱthatȱdealȱwithȱcriminalȱbehaviorȱandȱredressȱagainstȱthoseȱfound guiltyȱofȱoffenses.ȱ

40

41

Briggs,ȱet.al,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishment,ȱ20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14);ȱseeȱalsoȱErnstȱSchubert,ȱFahrendesȱVolkȱim Mittelalterȱ(Bielefeld:ȱVerlagȱfürȱRegionalgeschichte,ȱ1995),ȱ264–69. Briggs,ȱet.al,ȱCrimeȱandȱPunishment,ȱ83Ȭ85ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14).

12

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

Asȱ aȱ proviso,ȱ however,ȱ theȱ purposeȱ ofȱ thisȱ collectionȱ isȱ notȱ toȱ adress,ȱ inȱ a classicalȱsense,ȱtheȱbroadȱhistoryȱofȱlaw,ȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱcrime,ȱandȱtheȱhistoryȱof punishment.ȱWeȱdoȱnotȱpursueȱissuesȱsuchȱasȱthoseȱpertainingȱtoȱtheȱintroduction ofȱRomanȱlawȱinȱ theȱhighȱMiddleȱAges,ȱ asȱinfluentialȱandȱprofoundȱtheȱeffect certainlyȱwere.ȱTheȱinterestȱalsoȱdoesȱnotȱrestȱonȱcomparing,ȱsay,ȱSpanishȱwith German,ȱ Englishȱ withȱ French,ȱ Swedishȱ withȱ Polishȱ law,ȱ etc.ȱ Theȱ historyȱ of lawyers,ȱofȱtheȱcriminalȱjusticeȱsystem,ȱand,ȱwithȱaȱsmallȱexception,ȱtheȱhistoryȱof punishmentȱetc.ȱmightȱallȱbeȱextremelyȱinteresting,ȱbutȱtheȱcontributorsȱtoȱthis volumeȱmostlyȱcomeȱfromȱaȱnonȬlegalȱbasedȱdisciplineȱandȱyetȱapproachȱtheȱtopic ofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱfromȱtheirȱspecificȱsubjectȱmatter.42ȱ Theȱcriticalȱmethodȱgenerallyȱreliesȱonȱtheȱprinciplesȱofȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱmentality whichȱtriesȱtoȱgraspȱhowȱpeopleȱinȱtheȱpastȱperceivedȱtheirȱrealityȱbyȱmeansȱofȱa comprehensiveȱanalysisȱofȱartȱworks,ȱliteraryȱexpressions,ȱreligiousȱcomments,ȱand alsoȱlegalȱstatements,ȱallȱofȱwhichȱcontributeȱinȱtheirȱownȱwayȱtoȱtheȱlargerȱpicture ofȱhowȱaȱspecificȱsocietyȱregulatedȱitselfȱandȱsetȱupȱlawsȱandȱrulesȱtoȱdetermineȱthe extentȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱindividualȱcouldȱoperateȱfreelyȱandȱinȱaccordanceȱwithȱthe commonȱagreement.ȱLawsȱbyȱthemselvesȱmightȱnotȱbeȱenoughȱtoȱstudyȱtheȱlegal consciousnessȱofȱaȱsocietyȱbecauseȱtheyȱareȱnormative,ȱnotȱnecessarilyȱdescriptive. Afterȱ all,ȱ evenȱ withinȱ theȱ legalȱ fieldȱ weȱ easilyȱ recognizeȱ theȱ degreeȱ toȱ which discourseȱdominatesȱtheȱrelationshipȱamongȱallȱmembersȱofȱaȱsociety,ȱaȱprocess whichȱhasȱcontinuedȱuntilȱtoday,ȱwithoutȱshowingȱanyȱsignȱofȱslowingȱdown.43 Toȱprovideȱtheȱreaderȱwithȱanȱoverviewȱofȱwhatȱtheȱindividualȱcontributionsȱare allȱabout,ȱfollowingȱweȱofferȱbriefȱsummariesȱofȱeachȱarticleȱwhichȱwillȱalsoȱallow usȱtoȱreflectȱonȱtheȱcriticalȱissuesȱbroughtȱtoȱtheȱtableȱbyȱeachȱauthorȱandȱhenceȱto developȱ connectionsȱ thatȱ canȱ establishȱ aȱ largerȱ picture.ȱ Bernardȱ Ribémontȱ in “Punierȱleȱcoupableȱouȱluiȱpardoner:ȱLaȱquestionȱduȱchâtimentȱdansȱlaȱchansonȱde geste”ȱstudiesȱOldȱFrenchȱchansonȱdeȱgesteȱnot,ȱasȱhasȱoftenȱbeenȱassumed,ȱpurely formulaicȱtreatmentsȱofȱgoodȱvs.ȱevil,ȱbutȱratherȱasȱnuancedȱworksȱthatȱexamine crimeȱandȱitsȱpunishmentȱinȱmuchȱmoreȱcomplexȱways.ȱForȱexample,ȱcrimesȱare evaluatedȱandȱpunishmentȱisȱconditionedȱbyȱmanyȱfactors—bothȱreligiousȱand feudalȱethicalȱcodes,ȱfluctuatingȱandȱillȬdefinedȱlawsȱfluctuatingȱbetweenȱcustom, andȱindividualȱpractice.ȱTheȱchansonsȱdeȱgesteȱmanifestȱwhatȱRibémontȱrefersȱtoȱas aȱ“judicialȱethic”ȱthatȱrestsȱasȱmuchȱonȱliteraryȱprecedentsȱasȱhistoricalȱevents.ȱ

42

43

Forȱaȱgoodȱsurveyȱofȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱlaw,ȱseeȱScottȱL.ȱTaylor,ȱ“LawȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱHandbook ofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen.ȱVol.ȱ1ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2010),ȱ771–88. WolfgangȱSchild,ȱ“Recht:ȱMittelalter,”ȱandȱ“Recht:ȱNeuzeit,”ȱEuropäischeȱMentalitätsgeschichte: HauptthemenȱinȱEinzeldarstellungen,ȱed.ȱPeterȱDinzelbacher.ȱ2ndȱrev.ȱandȱexpandedȱed.ȱKröners Taschenausgabe,ȱ469ȱ(1993;ȱStuttgart:ȱAlfredȱKröner,ȱ2008),ȱ591–639.

Introduction

13

Hisȱarticleȱchallengesȱtheȱnotionȱthatȱthereȱexistsȱaȱkindȱofȱmonolithicȱperception ofȱ“law”ȱinȱepicȱpoetryȱbyȱcitingȱexamplesȱfromȱworksȱthatȱdealȱwithȱthemesȱsuch asȱhomicide,ȱtreason,ȱandȱexecutionȱincludingȱJourdainȱdeȱBlaye,ȱGirartȱdeȱRoussillon, andȱChansonȱdeȱRoland.ȱAsȱweȱcanȱrecognize,ȱtheȱheroicȱworldȱofȱtheȱchansonsȱde gesteȱwasȱnotȱonlyȱoneȱinȱwhichȱwarriorsȱoperateȱatȱCharlemagne’sȱcourt,ȱbutȱa worldȱwhereȱpersonalȱinstincts,ȱdesires,ȱfears,ȱandȱweaknessesȱalsoȱcauseȱsevere disruptionsȱandȱcreateȱhighlyȱtroublingȱconflicts. SusannaȱNiiranen,ȱinȱ“Troubadours—poètesȱmaudits?,”ȱstudiesȱtroubadoursȱwho wereȱaccusedȱofȱlooseȱmoralsȱorȱotherȱantiȬsocialȱbehaviors.ȱEvenȱthoughȱsome troubadoursȱwereȱjudgedȱharshlyȱbyȱtheȱChurchȱorȱbyȱtheirȱpeers,ȱtheyȱseemedȱto haveȱbeenȱwelcomedȱintoȱaristocraticȱcirclesȱwhereȱtheirȱpoemsȱwereȱcelebrated.ȱ Orȱtheseȱpoetsȱsimplyȱbelongedȱtoȱtheȱhighestȱsocialȱclassesȱandȱyetȱdisplayed criminalȱbehaviorȱorȱperformedȱinȱaȱmorallyȱdubiousȱmanner.ȱNiiranen’sȱstudy examinesȱtheȱquestionȱofȱwhetherȱtheseȱpoetsȱcouldȱbeȱbothȱfinȱ‘amanȱandȱrascals orȱscoundrelsȱatȱtheȱsameȱtime.ȱSheȱproposesȱthat,ȱinȱmanyȱways,ȱtheȱillȬbehaved troubadoursȱcouldȱbeȱseenȱasȱpredecessorsȱtoȱtheȱpoètesȱmauditsȱofȱtheȱnineteenth andȱ twentiethȱ century.ȱ Sinceȱ manyȱ ofȱ theȱ behaviorsȱ identifiedȱ withȱ theȱ poètes maudits—abuseȱ ofȱ intoxicants,ȱ insanity,ȱ crime,ȱ violence,ȱ andȱ socialȱ offencesȱ in general—wereȱalsoȱpartȱofȱtheȱlifestyleȱofȱcertainȱtroubadours,ȱtheȱcomparisonȱis anȱ aptȱ one.ȱ Sheȱ specificallyȱ studiesȱ Williamȱ IX,ȱ Dukeȱ ofȱ Aquitaineȱ whoȱ was excommunicatedȱ becauseȱ ofȱ badȱ behaviors,ȱ Gaucelmȱ Faiditȱ whoȱ wasȱ aȱ wellȬ knownȱgluttonȱandȱdrunkȱaddictedȱtoȱgamblingȱandȱmarriedȱtoȱaȱwomanȱwithȱa dubiousȱpast,ȱandȱGuilhemȱdeȱFigueiraȱwhoȱfrequentedȱtavernsȱandȱconsorted withȱprostitutes.ȱSheȱalsoȱincludesȱtheȱlegendaryȱfigure,ȱGuilhemȱdeȱCabestanh, whoȱwasȱkilledȱbyȱtheȱjealousȱhusbandȱofȱaȱmarriedȱwomanȱwithȱwhomȱheȱwas havingȱanȱaffair.ȱTheȱhusbandȱthen,ȱsupposedly,ȱcutȱoutȱGuilhem’sȱheartȱandȱgave itȱtoȱhisȱfaithlessȱwifeȱtoȱeat.ȱNiiranenȱcontrastsȱtheseȱantiȬsocialȱtroubadoursȱwith theȱwomenȱtroubadours,ȱtheȱtrobairitz,ȱaboutȱwhomȱthereȱisȱnoȱhintȱofȱscandalȱin theȱmedievalȱsources.44ȱTheseȱ‘evil’ȱorȱtransgressingȱpoetsȱfromȱtheȱOldȱOccitan areaȱinȱtheȱProvenceȱ(Languedocȱetc.)ȱdidȱnot,ȱhowever,ȱembarkȱonȱnewȱstrategies toȱ testȱ theȱ limitsȱ whichȱ theirȱ societyȱ hadȱ imposedȱ onȱ them.ȱ Instead,ȱ asȱ a comparisonȱwithȱtheȱpoetsȱofȱtheȱLatinȱpoetsȱinȱtheȱCarminaȱBuranaȱwouldȱshow,

44

Hereȱweȱgrasp,ȱofȱcourse,ȱtheȱpanȬEuropeanȱmotifȱofȱtheȱeatenȱheart.ȱSee,ȱforȱinstance,ȱMadeleine Jeay,ȱ“ConsumingȱPassions:ȱVariationsȱonȱtheȱEatenȱHeartȱTheme,”ȱViolenceȱAgainstȱWomenȱin MedievalȱTexts,ȱed.ȱAnnaȱRobertsȱ(Gainesville,ȱTallahassee,ȱetȱal.:ȱUniversityȱPressȱofȱFlorida, 1998),ȱ75–96.ȱSeeȱalsoȱMariellaȱDiȱMaio,ȱIlȱcuoreȱmangiato:ȱstoriaȱdiȱunȱtemaȱletterarioȱdalȱMedioevoȱall’ Ottocentoȱ (Milan:ȱ Gueriniȱ eȱ Assoc,ȱ 1996).ȱ Helmutȱ BrallȬTuchel,ȱ “Dasȱ Motivȱ desȱ gegessenen HerzensȱinȱderȱmittelalterlichenȱNovellistik,”ȱLaȱnovellaȱeuropea:ȱorigine,ȱsviluppo,ȱteoria;ȱattiȱdel convegnoȱinternazionale,ȱUrbino,ȱ30ȱȬȱ31ȱmaggioȱ2007,ȱaȱcuraȱdiȱMichaelȱDallapiazza.ȱAracne,ȱ10, Scienzeȱdellȇantichità,ȱfilologicoȬletterarieȱeȱstoricoȬartistiche,ȱȱ443ȱ(Rome:ȱAracne,2009),ȱ71–89.

14

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

hereȱweȱencounterȱtypicallyȱmisogynist,ȱbawdy,ȱandȱmachoȱpoetsȱwhoȱhaveȱmade theirȱvoicesȱheardȱthroughoutȱtheȱcenturies.ȱ ChristopherȱClason’sȱarticle,ȱ“TheȱLaw,ȱLetterȱandȱSpirit:ȱLanguage,ȱTransgression andȱJusticeȱinȱThreeȱMedievalȱGermanȱEpicȱPoems,”ȱexaminesȱGermanȱmedieval epicsȱinȱwhichȱtheȱheroȱmustȱeitherȱovercomeȱanȱimbalanceȱinȱtheȱconfiguration ofȱ personalȱ virtuesȱ orȱ atoneȱ forȱ someȱ offenseȱ againstȱ heavenlyȱ orȱ secularȱ law. Clasonȱclaimsȱthatȱinȱmanyȱcasesȱtheȱ“spiritȱofȱtheȱlaw”ȱgoverningȱsuchȱoffenses isȱelusiveȱsinceȱtheȱactualȱlegalȱprescriptionsȱareȱmixedȱandȱvague,ȱconsistingȱof secularȱandȱecclesiasticalȱcustoms,ȱstatutes,ȱcommandments,ȱorȱotherȱregulations. Heȱaffirmsȱthatȱwhileȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱoffensesȱandȱtheȱjudicialȱoutcomesȱinȱmany ofȱtheseȱpoemsȱmayȱappearȱillogicalȱorȱarbitrary,ȱtoȱusȱtodayȱtheyȱmay,ȱinȱfact, holdȱkeysȱforȱaȱbetterȱunderstandingȱofȱmedievalȱsocialȱandȱspiritualȱattitudes.ȱ Specifically,ȱ Clasonȱ examinesȱ Hartmannȱ vonȱ Aue’sȱ Derȱ armeȱ Heinrichȱ (ca. 1190/1200),ȱ Wolframȱ vonȱ Eschenbach’sȱ Parzivalȱ (ca.ȱ 1205),ȱ andȱ Gottfriedȱ von Straßburg’sȱTristanȱundȱIsoldeȱ(ca.ȱ1210).ȱInȱallȱtheseȱthreeȱworks,ȱepistemologyȱand languageȱ playȱ significantȱ rolesȱ inȱ determiningȱ culpabilityȱ andȱ penalty.ȱ Inȱ the poemsȱofȱHartmannȱandȱWolfram,ȱtheȱprotagonistsȱoffendȱtheȱ“spiritȱofȱtheȱlaw” andȱeitherȱmisinterpretȱorȱneglectȱtheȱ“letterȱofȱtheȱlaw.”ȱInȱHartmann’sȱworkȱthe transgressionȱofȱneglectingȱGodȱisȱaȱspiritualȱoffense,ȱwhereasȱWolfram’sȱParzival offendsȱbothȱsecularȱlawȱ(stealingȱaȱringȱandȱaȱkissȱfromȱtheȱcourtlyȱladyȱJeschute) andȱ spiritualȱ lawȱ (failureȱ toȱ showȱ compassion).ȱ Inȱ Gottfried,ȱ theȱ relationship betweenȱGod’sȱjusticeȱandȱhumanȱinvestigationȱandȱproofȱisȱseenȱinȱIsolde’sȱtrial byȱhotȱiron.ȱHerȱevasiveȱoathȱfulfillsȱtheȱ“letterȱofȱtheȱlaw”ȱandȱsucceedsȱinȱfooling membersȱofȱtheȱcourtȱwhileȱstillȱsatisfyingȱGod’sȱwill. Inȱ“Crime,ȱPunishmentȱandȱtheȱHybridȱinȱMedievalȱFrenchȱRomance,”ȱ Stacey Hahnȱstudiesȱmythsȱaboutȱtheȱsupernaturalȱorigins,ȱwhetherȱdivineȱofȱdiabolical, ofȱheroesȱandȱhistoricalȱfigures.ȱTheseȱhybridȱcharacters,ȱasȱportrayedȱinȱromance, carryȱimmenseȱburdensȱthatȱpotentiallyȱwreckȱhavocȱandȱoftenȱleadȱdownȱaȱpath ofȱcrimeȱandȱsubsequentȱpunishment.ȱInȱparticular,ȱHahnȱexaminesȱtwoȱmedieval Frenchȱ romances,ȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱ(earlyȱthirteenthȱcentury)ȱandȱJeanȱd’Arras’s RomanȱdeȱMélusineȱ(1393)ȱandȱtheirȱhybridȱmaleȱprotagonists.ȱTheseȱprotagonists actȱinȱremarkablyȱparallelȱways—RobertȱleȱDiableȱsetsȱfireȱtoȱtheȱabbeyȱofȱArques, killingȱallȱtheȱnunsȱinside,ȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱToothȱcommitsȱaȱsimilarȱcrimeȱby settingȱfireȱtoȱtheȱmonasteryȱofȱMaillezais,ȱkillingȱallȱtheȱmonksȱwithinȱincluding hisȱ ownȱ brotherȱ Fromont.ȱ Bothȱ ofȱ theseȱ charactersȱ eventuallyȱ repentȱ ofȱ their actionsȱ andȱ redeemȱ themselvesȱ byȱ battlingȱ againstȱ infidelsȱ andȱ makingȱ a pilgrimageȱtoȱRomeȱtoȱreceiveȱabsolutionȱfromȱtheȱPope.ȱGeoffreyȱalsoȱseeksȱto makeȱamendsȱbyȱestablishingȱanȱabbey,ȱandȱRobertȱhasȱanȱabbeyȱconsecratedȱto himȱafterȱhisȱdeath.ȱNeitherȱmarriesȱnorȱbearsȱoffspringȱandȱ humanityȱisȱthus

Introduction

15

sparedȱfutureȱpotentialȱdangerȱsinceȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱpassȱtheirȱhybridȱnatureȱwithȱits accompanyingȱpropensityȱforȱcriminalȱviolence.ȱRobert’sȱandȱGeoffrey’sȱactsȱof evilȱ andȱ contritionȱ areȱ characteristicȱ ofȱ aȱ literaryȱ subȬgenre—theȱ penitential romance.ȱHahn’sȱdetailedȱstudyȱonȱtheȱcrimesȱandȱpunishmentȱinȱtheseȱtwoȱworks leadsȱ toȱ aȱ betterȱ understandingȱ ofȱ influenceȱ ofȱ thisȱ distinctȱ subȬcategoryȱ of medievalȱromance. Scottȱ Taylor’sȱ article,ȱ “Judiciumȱ Dei,ȱ vulgarisȱ popularisqueȱ sensus:ȱ Survivalȱ of Customaryȱ Justiceȱ andȱ Resistanceȱ toȱ itsȱ Displacementȱ byȱ theȱ ‘New’ȱ Ordines iudiciorumȱasȱEvidencedȱbyȱFrancophonicȱLiteratureȱofȱtheȱHighȱMiddleȱAges,” studiesȱ theȱ phenomenon,ȱ beginningȱ inȱ theȱ lateȱ eleventhȱ andȱ earlyȱ twelfth centuries,ȱwhenȱRomanoȬcanonicalȱjudicialȱproceduresȱbasedȱonȱoralȱandȱwritten evidenceȱ beganȱ toȱ displaceȱ customaryȱ proceduresȱ forȱ determiningȱ guiltȱ and punishment.ȱ Theȱ latterȱ includedȱ trialȱ byȱ ordeal,ȱ compurgation,ȱ andȱ trialȱ by combat.ȱTaylorȱreviewsȱtheȱvariousȱtheoriesȱthatȱhaveȱbeenȱdevelopedȱtoȱexplain whyȱthisȱtransformationȱtookȱplaceȱandȱfocusesȱonȱtheȱargumentsȱraisedȱagainst theȱiudiciumȱDeiȱbyȱbothȱtheologiansȱandȱjurists.ȱHeȱexaminesȱpopularȱviewsȱofȱthe practitionersȱofȱtheȱnewȱlegalȱsciences,ȱandȱtheȱproceduresȱthemselves,ȱoftenȱrife withȱfraudȱandȱabuse.ȱ Toȱ illustrateȱ instancesȱ ofȱ ruseȱ andȱ connivery,ȱ Taylorȱ usesȱ examplesȱ from medievalȱromances,ȱespeciallyȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱTristanȱandȱLeȱChevalierȱdeȱlaȱcharrete, thatȱ someȱ scholarsȱ maintainȱ manifestȱ society’sȱ recognitionȱ ofȱ theȱ weaknesses inherentȱinȱtheȱcustomaryȱjudicialȱsystems.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱscholarsȱsuchȱas RonaldȱGeneȱKossȱargueȱthatȱtheseȱromancesȱshouldȱbeȱreadȱnotȱasȱanȱindictment ofȱcustomaryȱjusticeȱbutȱasȱaȱvindicationȱofȱit,ȱi.e.,ȱasȱmanifestationsȱofȱ“swindling justice.”ȱ Taylorȱ proposesȱ aȱ synthesisȱ whichȱ explainsȱ theȱ triumphȱ ofȱ RomanoȬ canonicalȱprocedureȱbasedȱlargelyȱonȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱnewȱprocedures,ȱmoreȱoften thanȱnot,ȱyieldedȱaȱresultȱthatȱwasȱconsistentȱwithȱlocalȱpublicȱsentiment.ȱȱ AlbrechtȱClassenȱdebunksȱsomeȱfantasiesȱaboutȱtheȱmedievalȱworldȱofȱknights, ladies,ȱandȱclericsȱallȱadheringȱtoȱtheȱidealsȱofȱethics,ȱmorality,ȱjustice,ȱandȱfearȱof God.ȱHeȱtreatsȱtwoȱtexts,ȱHeinrichȱderȱGlichezare’sȱlateȱtwelfthȬcenturyȱReinhard Fuchs,ȱandȱWernherȱtheȱGardener’sȱHelmbrecht,ȱwrittenȱaboutȱ1260–1270.ȱInȱthese works,ȱ violenceȱ andȱ crimeȱ dominateȱ andȱ theȱ greatestȱ liarȱ receivesȱ theȱ greater reward,ȱ especiallyȱ inȱ Reinhardȱ Fuchs.ȱ Evenȱ thoughȱ someȱ justiceȱ isȱ presentȱ in Helmbrechtȱtheȱparentsȱofȱtheȱcriminalȱneverȱexperienceȱanyȱconsequencesȱforȱtheir failuresȱorȱshortcomings.ȱClassenȱclaimsȱthatȱcrimeȱandȱjusticeȱwereȱofȱspecial interestȱ toȱ theȱ didacticȱ poetsȱ as,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ Heinrichȱ derȱ Teichnerȱ inȱ the fourteenthȱcentury.ȱ Thisȱstudyȱanalyzesȱtheȱdominantȱcriticalȱdiscourseȱonȱcriminalityȱandȱexplores theȱmentalityȱthatȱleadsȱtheseȱcharactersȱtoȱindulgeȱinȱcriminalȱbehaviors.ȱLiterary

16

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

worksȱ seemȱ toȱ featureȱ crimesȱ andȱ criminalsȱ withȱ greatȱ frequencyȱ andȱ the preponderanceȱofȱnefariousȱbehaviorsȱcontrastȱwithȱtheȱviewȱofȱlawȱthatȱweȱfind inȱmajorȱlawȱcodesȱsuchȱasȱEikeȱvonȱRepgow’sȱSachsenspiegel. JohnȱGoughȱstudiesȱtheȱFrenchȱfifteenthȬcenturypoet,ȱFrançoisȱVillon.ȱTheȱtrue identityȱofȱtheȱpersonȱwhoȱsignedȱtheȱnameȱtoȱVillonȱtoȱhisȱworksȱisȱstillȱaȱpuzzle forȱscholars.ȱButȱGoughȱclaimsȱthatȱtheȱmanȬauthorȱpresentȱinȱhisȱtextsȱallows readersȱ toȱ constructȱ aȱ portraitȱ ofȱ anȱ individualȱ eitherȱ asȱ fictionalȱ inventionȱ or actualȱselfȬportraitȱofȱtheȱauthor.ȱEspeciallyȱnoteworthyȱinȱVillon’sȱworksȱareȱthe instancesȱ ofȱ painȱ andȱ punishmentȱ wovenȱ throughoutȱ theȱ metaphorical compositionȱ ofȱ hisȱ poemsȱ asȱ partȱ ofȱ hisȱ displaysȱ ofȱ humanȱ emotionȱ and experience.ȱ PainȱthroughȱpunishmentȱisȱVillon’sȱplatformȱforȱinvestigatingȱtheȱnatureȱof man.ȱHeȱviewsȱimprisonmentȱasȱaȱsortȱofȱterrestrialȱpurgatoryȱwhereȱaȱformerȱlife andȱmanȱareȱshedȱtoȱrevealȱaȱnewȱpersonȱwhoȱseesȱasȱhisȱdutyȱtoȱwarn,ȱdescribe, andȱbemoanȱtheȱsocietyȱofȱhisȱtimes.ȱParadoxicallyȱwhatȱcomesȱthroughȱinȱVillon’s texts,ȱhisȱLaisȱandȱTestament,ȱisȱanȱexaminationȱofȱpainȱandȱpunishmentȱwhich concludesȱthatȱpain,ȱinȱtheȱsenseȱofȱsharedȱsuffering,ȱservesȱtoȱhelpȱmankindȱto embraceȱlife,ȱandȱinȱthisȱprocessȱevenȱenhancesȱourȱmortalȱexistence. JeanȱJostȱstudiesȱaȱMiddleȬEnglishȱverseȱromanceȱfromȱca.ȱ1350,ȱtheȱanonymous Gamelyn,ȱ anȱ exampleȱ ofȱ theȱ “rebelȱ romance.”ȱ Inȱ thisȱ work,ȱ aȱ knight,ȱ onȱ his deathbed,ȱattemptsȱtoȱdistributeȱequitablyȱhisȱlandsȱtoȱhisȱthreeȱsons.ȱButȱaȱcouncil ofȱeldersȱgoesȱagainstȱtheȱfather’sȱwishesȱandȱdecidesȱtoȱdenyȱtheȱyoungestȱson, Gamelyn,ȱ anyȱ rightsȱ ofȱ inheritance,ȱ aȱ decisionȱ thatȱ hasȱ direȱ consequences. 45 Gamelynȱ isȱ deceivedȱ byȱ hisȱ olderȱ brother,ȱ John,ȱ andȱ finallyȱ extractsȱ violent vengeanceȱonȱJohnȱandȱhisȱhousehold.ȱWhenȱGamelynȱisȱmadeȱtoȱanswerȱforȱhis crimes,ȱironically,ȱheȱmustȱappearȱbeforeȱtheȱlocalȱmagistrate,ȱhisȱownȱequally vengefulȱandȱviolentȱbrother,ȱJohn.ȱGamelynȱisȱshutȱawayȱinȱtheȱking’sȱprisonȱuntil aȱrepresentativeȱofȱtheȱking’sȱjusticeȱarrivesȱtoȱtryȱhim.ȱButȱsinceȱJohnȱhadȱbribed theȱjury,ȱGamelynȱdeclaresȱtheȱproceedingsȱnullȱandȱvoidȱandȱphysicallyȱoustsȱthe royalȱjudgeȱfromȱhisȱseat,ȱtakingȱitȱforȱhimselfȱandȱdeclaringȱhimselfȱasȱtheȱarbiter ofȱ justice.ȱ Atȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ tale,ȱ Gamelyn’sȱ roughȱ andȱ readyȱ formȱ ofȱ justice prevailsȱandȱheȱisȱexoneratedȱofȱhisȱcrimeȱandȱisȱappointedȱ“chiefȱjusticeȱofȱthe land.”ȱJostȱshowsȱhowȱthisȱtaleȱfromȱfourteenthȬcenturyȱEnglandȱexploresȱissues ofȱlawȱandȱviolenceȱandȱconcludesȱwithȱtheȱrestorationȱofȱsomeȱkindȱofȱjustice,ȱas problematicȱasȱtheȱentireȱnarrativeȱframeworkȱcontinuesȱtoȱbe.

45

AȱsimilarȱissueȱemergesȱinȱWolframȱvonȱEschenbach’sȱParzival(ca.ȱ1205),ȱwithȱParzival’sȱfather Gahmuretȱbeingȱforcedȱtoȱfindȱhisȱgoodȱfortuneȱonȱhisȱown,ȱwhileȱhisȱolderȱbrotherȱassumesȱthe inheritanceȱandȱsoȱcontinuesȱtheȱdynasty.

Introduction

17

Inȱ theȱ article,ȱ “Contraȱ Signumȱ Nostrum:ȱ Theȱ Symbolismȱ ofȱ LèseȬmajestéȱ under PhilipȱVIȱValois,”ȱJolantaȱKomornickaȱdealsȱwithȱtheȱchangesȱtoȱtheȱdefinitionȱof treasonȱinȱmedievalȱFrance.ȱAfterȱtheȱthirteenthȱcenturyȱwhenȱcrimeȱceasedȱtoȱbe automaticallyȱequatedȱwithȱsin,ȱcrimeȱbeganȱtoȱbeȱdefinedȱasȱanȱoffenseȱagainstȱthe publicȱinterest,ȱnotȱsimplyȱagainstȱGodȱorȱagainstȱone’sȱlord.ȱTheȱemergenceȱofȱa newȱkindȱofȱroyalȱcourt—theȱParlementȱofȱParis—andȱtheȱinquisitionalȱsystemȱof theȱnovaȱdoctrinaȱbroughtȱadjudicationȱofȱcrime,ȱatȱleastȱinȱtheory,ȱintoȱtheȱpublic sphere.ȱ LèseȬmajestéȱ wasȱ interpretedȱ inȱ variousȱ traditionsȱ asȱ eitherȱ anȱ offense againstȱtheȱcommonȱgood,ȱagainstȱroyalȱmajesty,ȱorȱtheȱworstȱkindȱofȱinfidelity. Theȱroyalȱcourtȱhadȱtoȱnegotiateȱtheseȱcompetingȱdefinitionsȱandȱtheȱevolving understandingȱofȱcrimeȱitself.ȱPartȱofȱwhatȱdeterminedȱwhetherȱaȱcrimeȱattained theȱseverityȱofȱlèseȬmajestéȱwasȱtheȱdegreeȱofȱpublicȱnotorietyȱitȱoccasionedȱandȱthe judgmentȱofȱtheȱParlement.ȱAlso,ȱbeginningȱinȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱlèseȬmajesté beganȱtoȱdesignateȱaȱbroaderȱclassȱofȱtransgressionsȱthanȱonlyȱthoseȱwhichȱharmed theȱkingȱinȱeitherȱhisȱperson,ȱpurse,ȱorȱabilityȱtoȱrule.ȱ Theȱexpandedȱconceptȱincludedȱanyȱactȱthatȱwrongedȱtheȱimperialȱregalia.ȱAlso, feudalȱlèseȬmajestéȱledȱtoȱtheȱideaȱofȱpublicȱcrimeȱbyȱsuggestingȱthatȱtheȱterritory orȱtheȱpeopleȱcouldȱsufferȱtheȱsameȱtypeȱofȱinjuryȱasȱtheȱking.ȱThisȱnewȱbrandȱof treasonȱ cameȱ toȱ beȱ appliedȱ toȱ crimesȱ againstȱ theȱ commonȱ good,ȱ including infractionsȱ againstȱ theȱ king’sȱ officers,ȱ makingȱ orȱ passingȱ falseȱ coinage,ȱ armed robbery,ȱandȱanyȱcrimeȱperpetratedȱonȱtheȱking’sȱhighway.ȱKomornickaȱaddresses threeȱ particularȱ questionsȱ withȱ regardȱ toȱ theȱ notionȱ ofȱ treasonȱ inȱ fourteenthȬ centuryȱ France:ȱ (1)ȱ howȱ crimesȱ likeȱ armedȱ robberyȱ orȱ kidnappingȱ couldȱ be equatedȱ withȱ treasonȱ andȱ whetherȱ theȱ punishmentsȱ imposedȱ forȱ suchȱ crimes demonstratedȱ trueȱ equalityȱ betweenȱ theseȱ crimes;ȱ (2)ȱ theȱ relationshipȱ ofȱ lèseȬ majestéȱtoȱotherȱhighȱcrimes;ȱandȱ(3)ȱwhatȱconsequencesȱtheȱexpandedȱnotionȱof treasonȱ hasȱ hadȱ forȱ theȱ Frenchȱ governmentȱ andȱ forȱ socialȱ relationsȱ inȱ French society.ȱ Connieȱ Scarboroughȱ studiesȱ howȱ womenȱ wereȱ treatedȱ asȱ bothȱ victimsȱ and perpetratorsȱ ofȱ crimesȱ inȱ theȱ Spanishȱ thirteenthȬcenturyȱ lawȱ code,ȱ Lasȱ Siete Partidas.ȱDuringȱhisȱreignȱ(1254–1282)ȱAlfonsoȱXȱcompiledȱanȱencyclopedicȱlaw code,ȱLasȱSieteȱPartidas.ȱEachȱofȱtheȱsevenȱpartidas,ȱorȱdivisions,ȱtreatsȱaȱdifferent subject:ȱ ecclesiasticalȱ regulations,ȱ governmentalȱ administration,ȱ theȱ courts, domesticȱrelationships,ȱbusinessȱactivities,ȱwillsȱandȱinheritance,ȱandȱcrimeȱand punishment.ȱ“WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱLasȱSieteȱPartidas”ȱfocusesȱon howȱwomenȱareȱtreatedȱinȱthisȱlegalȱcode,ȱespeciallyȱinȱSeventhȱPartidaȱwhich dealsȱwithȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment.ȱScarboroughȱalsoȱreferencesȱotherȱlawsȱinȱthe collectionȱwhenȱtheseȱareȱspecificallyȱdirectedȱatȱwomen.ȱItȱisȱnotȱsurprisingȱthat womenȱareȱmentionedȱmostȱoftenȱinȱlawsȱconcerningȱsexualȱrelationshipsȱand marriage.ȱHowever,ȱwomenȱareȱalsoȱspecificallyȱnamedȱbothȱasȱdefendantsȱand

18

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

accusersȱ inȱ aȱ numberȱ ofȱ otherȱ legalȱ matters.ȱ Alfonsoȱ Xȱ andȱ hisȱ legalȱ experts recognizedȱwomenȱasȱaȱspecialȱcategoryȱunderȱtheȱlaw.ȱJustȱasȱmenȱandȱwomen areȱ notȱ treatedȱ equallyȱ inȱ theȱ Lasȱ Sieteȱ Partidas,ȱ neitherȱ areȱ allȱ womenȱ treated equally.ȱFemaleȱslavesȱareȱconsideredȱdifferentlyȱcomparedȱtoȱfreeȱvirgins,ȱfor instance.ȱAndȱvirginsȱareȱtreatedȱdifferentlyȱfromȱmarriedȱwomenȱorȱwidows. FemaleȱreligiousȱformedȱanotherȱcategoryȱasȱdidȱwomenȱofȱtheȱJewishȱorȱMuslim faith.ȱ Toȱ accomplishȱ itsȱ goalȱ ofȱ inclusivityȱ andȱ comprehensiveness,ȱ Lasȱ Siete Partidasȱdealsȱwithȱwomenȱfromȱallȱsocialȱclassesȱandȱfaithsȱand,ȱinȱmanyȱcases, differentiatesȱconsequencesȱforȱcrimesȱcommittedȱbyȱorȱagainstȱwomen.ȱAnȱentire Title,ȱNumberȱ27,ȱisȱsetȱasideȱforȱlawsȱdealingȱwithȱadultery.ȱTheȱstrikingȱfeature ofȱ thisȱ setȱ ofȱ lawsȱ isȱ thatȱ aȱ wifeȱ cannotȱ accuseȱ herȱ husbandȱ ofȱ adultery,ȱ butȱ a husbandȱ mayȱ accuseȱ hisȱ wife.ȱ Husbandsȱ alsoȱ haveȱ theȱ optionȱ toȱ pardonȱ a waywardȱ wifeȱ withinȱ theȱ firstȱ twoȱ yearsȱ ofȱ herȱ confinement.ȱ Inȱ all,ȱ Titleȱ 27 containsȱsixteenȱindividualȱlawsȱaboutȱaccusationsȱofȱadultery,ȱpossibleȱdefenses, andȱpunishmentȱofȱtheȱguiltyȱparty,ȱalmostȱalwaysȱtheȱwife. Ceciliaȱ Maríaȱ Ruizȱ treatsȱ anotherȱ workȱ fromȱ medievalȱ Spain,ȱ theȱ fourteenthȬ centuryȱ collectionȱ ofȱ moralizingȱ shortȱ stories,ȱ Elȱ Condeȱ Lucanorȱ byȱ donȱ Juan Manuel.ȱInȱ“Liars,ȱCriminals,ȱandȱVictimsȱinȱCountȱLucanor,”ȱRuizȱstudiesȱhow JuanȱManuelȱtreatsȱsinȱandȱcrimesȱasȱdistinctȱbut,ȱatȱtimes,ȱoverlappingȱcategories ofȱ reprehensibleȱ behaviors.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ theȱ greedȱ thatȱ motivatesȱ Truhanaȱ in exampleȱVIIȱtoȱfantasizeȱaboutȱbeingȱrichȱandȱenviedȱbyȱherȱneighbors,ȱwhereby sheȱlaughsȱandȱtheȱpotȱofȱhoneyȱsheȱisȱcarryingȱonȱherȱheadȱfallsȱtoȱtheȱground,ȱis differentȱinȱdegreeȱtoȱtheȱgreedȱinȱexampleȱXLV.ȱInȱthisȱexample,ȱaȱmanȱsellsȱhis soulȱtoȱtheȱdevilȱsoȱthatȱheȱmayȱstealȱwithoutȱbeingȱapprehendedȱandȱpunishedȱby theȱauthorities.ȱ Truhanaȱ doesȱ notȱ commitȱ aȱ crime.ȱ Herȱ greedinessȱ leadsȱ toȱ aȱ miscalculation (distraction)ȱthatȱbringsȱonȱpersonalȱloss.ȱInȱexampleȱXLV,ȱonȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱthe man’sȱgreedȱmotivatesȱhimȱtoȱsteal,ȱwhichȱisȱaȱcrimeȱagainstȱsociety.ȱTheȱcrime hurtsȱtheȱcriminal,ȱsociety,ȱandȱGod.ȱInȱthisȱcase,ȱsinȱandȱcrimeȱoverlapȱinȱanother way.ȱ Theȱ manȱ commitsȱ theȱ mostȱ heinousȱ crimeȱ thatȱ oneȱ canȱ commitȱ against God—heȱsellsȱhisȱsoulȱtoȱtheȱdevil.ȱInȱotherȱexamplesȱwithȱȱstoriesȱaboutȱadultery andȱmurder,ȱRuizȱemphasizesȱthatȱbothȱsinsȱandȱcrimesȱareȱpunishedȱinȱtheȱstories inȱthisȱcollection.ȱNoȱsinȱorȱcrimeȱgoesȱunpunishedȱandȱeveryȱwrongdoingȱreceives itsȱjustȱconsequences.ȱCriminalsȱareȱapprehendedȱandȱpunishedȱandȱsinnersȱare punishedȱbyȱGod.ȱTheȱgreatestȱpunishment,ȱtheȱdamnationȱofȱone’sȱsoul,ȱcanȱonly beȱavoidedȱinȱtheseȱtalesȱwhenȱtheȱsinnerȱrepentsȱandȱdoesȱgoodȱdeedsȱinȱthe serviceȱofȱGod.ȱInȱCountȱLucanor,ȱgoodȱinȱtheȱendȱtriumphsȱoverȱevilȱandȱGod triumphsȱoverȱtheȱdevil.ȱ

Introduction

19

Inȱ“EntrustedȱwithȱtheȱKey:ȱJailersȱandȱPrisonȱGuardsȱinȱtheȱLaterȱMiddleȱAges,” PatriciaȱTurningȱdebunksȱtheȱnotionȱthatȱmedievalȱ judicialȱinstitutionsȱalways punishedȱdeviantsȱandȱcriminalsȱinȱaȱspectacularȱandȱlargelyȱphysicalȱfashion. Recentȱ scholarshipȱ hasȱ revealedȱ thatȱ byȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ fourteenthȱ century, municipal,ȱroyal,ȱandȱecclesiasticalȱcourtsȱreliedȱprimarilyȱonȱimprisonmentȱasȱa meansȱ ofȱ establishingȱ lawȱ andȱ order.ȱ Asȱ aȱ result,ȱ theȱ prisonȱ wardenȱ andȱ his officialsȱemergedȱasȱnewȱandȱprominentȱfiguresȱinȱtheȱlegalȱsystem.ȱForȱexample, inȱtheȱcityȱofȱToulouse,ȱtheȱmunicipalȱjailerȱandȱhisȱfamilyȱlivedȱinȱtheȱtownȱhall andȱheȱwasȱentrustedȱwithȱtheȱkeysȱtoȱtheȱcityȱasȱwellȱasȱtoȱtheȱjail.ȱAlso,ȱtheȱoffice appearsȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱhereditary,ȱpassedȱdownȱfromȱfatherȱtoȱson.ȱ Inȱorderȱtoȱbetterȱunderstandȱtheȱconceptsȱandȱrealitiesȱofȱtheȱroleȱinȱtheȱjailer inȱtheȱlaterȱMiddleȱAges,ȱTurningȱexploresȱnotȱonlyȱtheȱparticularȱresponsibilities thatȱ prisonȱ officersȱ assumedȱ inȱ secularȱ andȱ ecclesiasticalȱ jails,ȱ butȱ alsoȱ their portrayalȱ inȱ literature,ȱ prescriptiveȱ legalȱ documents,ȱ andȱ hagiography.ȱ She concludesȱ thatȱ noȱ singleȱ visionȱ ofȱ theȱ jailerȱ emerges.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ someȱ were benevolentȱandȱkind,ȱprotectingȱtheȱinmates,ȱwhileȱothersȱabusedȱtheirȱposition ofȱpowerȱoverȱothers.ȱTheȱjailerȱservedȱasȱanȱimportantȱpointȱofȱcontactȱbetween criminalsȱ(maleȱandȱfemale),ȱlegalȱrepresentativesȱ(lawyers,ȱjudges,ȱandȱelected officials),ȱ andȱ theȱ outsideȱ worldȱ (familyȱ andȱ friendsȱ ofȱ theȱ accused).ȱ Turning arguesȱthatȱtheȱjailerȱwasȱaȱcrucialȱsymbolȱofȱtheȱgrowingȱsophisticationȱofȱthe Europeanȱlegalȱsystemȱinȱitsȱtransitionȱintoȱtheȱmodernȱworld. BirgitȱWiedlȱturnsȱherȱattentionȱtoȱaccusationsȱofȱdesecrationȱofȱconsecratedȱhosts byȱJewsȱinȱfourteenthȬcenturyȱAustria.ȱInȱherȱarticle,ȱ“TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep: Perpetrators,ȱ Victims,ȱ andȱ Bystandersȱ inȱ anȱ Allegedȱ Hostȱ Desecrationȱ in FourteenthȬCenturyȱAustria,”ȱWiedlȱexaminesȱtheȱChristianȱpreoccupationȱwith Jewsȱallegedlyȱdesecratingȱtheȱhostȱand,ȱbyȱextension,ȱparticipatingȱinȱtheȱcrime forȱwhichȱtheyȱhadȱbeenȱaccusedȱforȱcenturies—theȱkillingȱofȱChrist.ȱTheȱnarrative ofȱhostȬdesecratingȱJewsȱcanȱbeȱtracedȱtoȱaȱtaleȱemergingȱfromȱParisȱinȱ1290ȱin whichȱtheȱJewsȱareȱpunishedȱandȱtheȱhostȱisȱrescued.ȱAfterwards,ȱsimilarȱtales spreadȱquicklyȱthroughoutȱEurope,ȱleadingȱtoȱeverȱnewȱwavesȱofȱpersecutions, expulsionsȱandȱmurderingȱofȱJewsȱinȱAshkenazicȱandȱSephardicȱareas.ȱByȱ1305ȱthe storyȱhadȱreachedȱtheȱsmallȱLowerȱAustrianȱtownȱofȱKorneuburg.ȱOnȱSeptember 17ȱofȱthatȱyear,ȱaccordingȱtoȱmonasticȱreports,ȱaȱpiercedȱandȱbloodiedȱhostȱwas foundȱonȱtheȱthresholdȱofȱaȱJew’sȱhouse.ȱByȱtheȱendȱofȱthatȱsameȱday,ȱtheȱhostȱhad beenȱreturnedȱtoȱtheȱparishȱchurchȱandȱtheȱentireȱJewishȱpopulationȱofȱtheȱtown hadȱbeenȱputȱtoȱdeath.ȱTheȱrescuedȱhostȱwasȱreportedȱnowȱtoȱhaveȱmiraculous powersȱandȱtheȱBishopȱsentȱaȱcommissionȱofȱclericsȱtoȱinvestigateȱtheseȱclaimsȱa fewȱmonthsȱlater.ȱTheȱBishopȱalsoȱsoughtȱtoȱdetermineȱwhetherȱtheȱwaferȱhad actuallyȱbeenȱconsecratedȱandȱwhetherȱorȱnotȱtheȱJewsȱhadȱbeenȱinnocentȱorȱguilty ofȱtheȱcrime.ȱ

20

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

Inȱ theȱ protocol,ȱ ofȱ theȱ twentyȬoneȱ citizensȱ questionedȱ byȱ theȱ ecclesiastical commissionȱinȱKorneuburg,ȱopinionȱwasȱdividedȱaboutȱtheȱJews’ȱculpability.ȱSome thirtyȱyearsȱlaterȱtheȱrealȱperpetratorȱwasȱidentified,ȱinterestinglyȱenoughȱinȱthe courseȱ ofȱ aȱ papalȱ investigationȱ intoȱ anotherȱ allegedȱ hostȱ desecration. Unfortunately,ȱbyȱthenȱitȱwasȱtooȱlateȱforȱtheȱvictims,ȱandȱweȱfaceȱhere,ȱmaybe,ȱa veryȱsimilarȱsituationȱasȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱJoanȱofȱArcȱ(1412–1431),ȱalsoȱfalselyȱaccused andȱ thenȱ burnedȱ atȱ theȱ stakeȱ asȱ aȱ pawnȱ inȱ theȱ handsȱ ofȱ criminalȱ figuresȱ both withinȱ theȱ Churchȱ andȱ theȱ Englishȱ government.ȱ Justice,ȱ asȱ weȱ mightȱ haveȱ to admit,ȱisȱaȱloftyȱgoal,ȱandȱmoreȱoftenȱthanȱnotȱanȱelusiveȱideal,ȱevenȱthoughȱthere isȱjustifiedȱconfidenceȱthatȱweȱhaveȱbetterȱcourtsȱandȱaȱmoreȱreliable,ȱevenȱfair, courtȱsystemȱinȱtheȱwesternȱworldȱthanȱinȱtheȱpremodernȱworld. ConsideringȱChaucer’sȱTheȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱinȱhisȱCanterburyȱTales,ȱhopeȱinȱjustice duringȱtheȱlateȱMiddleȱAgesȱcouldȱeasilyȱbeȱcrushed,ȱasȱDanielȱF.ȱPiggȱexamines inȱhisȱcontribution,ȱalthoughȱatȱtheȱendȱtheȱevilȱjudge,ȱtheȱcauseȱofȱallȱtheȱtragedy thatȱleadsȱtoȱVirginia’sȱdeathȱatȱherȱownȱfather’sȱhandȱinȱorderȱtoȱprotectȱherȱfrom dishonorȱ andȱ shame,ȱ isȱ thrownȱ intoȱ prisonȱ byȱ theȱ people.ȱ Thereȱ heȱ commits suicide,ȱwhichȱcompletesȱtheȱnarrative,ȱasȱunsatisfactoryȱasȱthatȱmayȱbeȱforȱthe contemporaryȱandȱtheȱmodernȱaudience.ȱEvenȱthoughȱChaucerȱmostlyȱadapted theȱ basicȱ narrativeȱ materialȱ fromȱ Livyȱ (59ȱ B.C.–17ȱ C.E.),ȱ heȱ alsoȱ madeȱ some significantȱ adaptions,ȱ suchȱ asȱ movingȱ theȱ killingȱ sceneȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ public sphereȱtoȱVirginius’sȱhouse,ȱthatȱis,ȱintoȱtheȱprivateȱroom,ȱwithȱnoȱwitnesses.ȱ Asȱ Piggȱ recognizes,ȱ theȱ conflictȱ betweenȱ theȱ lasciviousȱ judgeȱ Appiusȱ and Virginiusȱalsoȱhingesȱonȱtheȱchargeȱagainstȱtheȱlatterȱofȱbeingȱaȱthiefȱ(havingȱstolen theȱbabyȱgirlȱVirginia)ȱandȱhenceȱofȱlackingȱinȱtrueȱmanliness,ȱalthoughȱtheȱvery oppositeȱisȱtheȱcaseȱconcerningȱtheȱfatherȬdaughterȱrelationship.ȱMostȱtroublesome provesȱ toȱ beȱ Virginius’sȱ quickȱ succumbingȱ toȱ theȱ judge’sȱ decisionȱ andȱ his subsequentȱkillingȱofȱhisȱdaughter,ȱinsteadȱofȱfightingȱforȱhisȱownȱinnocenceȱand ofȱ protectingȱ hisȱ daughterȱ fromȱ lustȬdrivenȱ monster,ȱ Appius,ȱ inȱ aȱ reasonable fashion.46ȱAsȱmuchȱasȱChaucerȱaddressedȱinherentȱproblemsȱinȱtheȱlegalȱsystemȱof hisȱownȱtime,ȱcertainlyȱimpliedȱbyȱtheȱstorytellingȱitself,ȱtheȱrealȱconcernȱtargeted, asȱPiggȱunderscores,ȱisȱȱtheȱquestionȱofȱVirginius’sȱmanlinessȱandȱcontrolȱoverȱhis ownȱlife,ȱsinceȱheȱretiresȱtoȱhisȱownȱhouseȱandȱkillsȱhisȱdaughterȱthereȱwithout resortingȱ toȱ anyȱ legalȱ meansȱ thatȱ surelyȱ wouldȱ haveȱ beenȱ availableȱ toȱ him. Moreover,ȱheȱhasȱfailedȱasȱaȱfatherȱtoȱprotectȱhisȱdaughterȱproperly,ȱwhichȱmade

46

TheȱsameȱmotifȱreappearsȱseveralȱhundredȱyearsȱlaterȱinȱtheȱfamousȱtragedyȱEmiliaȱGalottiȱ(1772) byȱGottholdȱEphraimȱLessingȱ(1729–1781),ȱthoughȱthereȱtheȱcriticismȱtargetsȱtheȱabsolutistȱprince ofȱGuastalla,ȱwhoȱhadȱinitiatedȱtheȱplotȱtoȱhaveȱEmilia’sȱfiancéȱkilledȱonȱhisȱwayȱtoȱtheȱwedding andȱtheȱwomanȱ‘kidnapped’ȱtoȱhisȱownȱcastleȱ.ȱEventuallyȱherȱfatherȱstabsȱEmiliaȱtoȱdeathȱto protectȱherȱhonor,ȱbutȱrefrainsȱfromȱseekingȱrevengeȱfromȱtheȱprinceȱoutȱofȱreligiousȱconcerns.

Introduction

21

itȱpossibleȱforȱtheȱjudgeȱtoȱcastȱaȱgazeȱuponȱherȱandȱtoȱbeȱstruckȱbyȱherȱbeautyȱin suchȱintensityȱthatȱnowȱheȱisȱwillingȱtoȱcommitȱtheȱcrimeȱofȱrape.ȱ AsȱflawedȱasȱChaucer’sȱTheȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱmightȱseemȱinȱtheȱeyesȱofȱmany critics,ȱPigg’sȱanalysisȱdemonstratesȱthatȱdespiteȱitsȱexceptionalȱbrevityȱitȱcarries heavyȱmessagesȱregardingȱtheȱfailureȱofȱtheȱpublicȱlegalȱsystem,ȱtheȱcollapseȱofȱthe criminalȱ courts,ȱ theȱ downfallȱ ofȱ parentalȱ supervision,ȱ andȱ theȱ exposureȱ of feminizedȱmasculinityȱ(Virginius).ȱAccordingȱtoȱPigg,ȱtheȱreader/listenerȱcould onlyȱrelyȱonȱGod’sȱgraceȱandȱpursueȱtheȱindividualȱquestȱviaȱaȱpilgrimage. LiaȱRossȱstudiesȱtheȱcriminalȱcareerȱofȱtheȱyoungȱBretonȱnoblemanȱandȱfamous comradeȱofȱJoanȱofȱArc,ȱGillesȱtheȱRais,ȱinȱherȱarticleȱ“DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddle Ages:ȱ Theȱ Crimesȱ andȱ Punishmentȱ ofȱ Gillesȱ theȱ Rais.”ȱ Raisȱ secretlyȱ practiced sorceryȱ andȱ serialȱ murderȱ andȱ hisȱ crimesȱ areȱ wellȱ documentedȱ thanksȱ to preservationȱ ofȱ recordsȱ fromȱ hisȱ doubleȱ trial.ȱ Theȱ exhaustiveȱ testimonyȱ of witnessesȱandȱaccomplices,ȱwithȱitsȱlitanyȱofȱkidnappings,ȱrapes,ȱmurders,ȱand mutilationsȱofȱchildrenȱisȱstrikingȱforȱtheȱsimilarityȱbetweenȱthisȱmedievalȱserial killerȱandȱhisȱmodernȱcounterparts.ȱWhileȱRais’sȱshockingȱdoubleȱlifeȱandȱviolent deathȱhaveȱinspiredȱnumerousȱmodernȱworksȱ(especiallyȱfiction),ȱcontemporary imaginationȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱlessȱaffected.ȱHowever,ȱasȱRoss’sȱstudiesȱmakes abundantlyȱclear,ȱthereȱisȱnoȱreasonȱtoȱassumeȱthatȱcertainȱcriminalȱbehaviorsȱwere typicalȱofȱtheȱpremodernȱworld.ȱInȱfact,ȱGilles’sȱcontemporariesȱwereȱasȱshocked andȱdisgustedȱwhenȱtheȱtruthȱwasȱrevealedȱasȱmodernȱpeopleȱareȱwhenȱtheyȱlearn ofȱ aȱ similarȱ crimeȱ sceneȱ orȱ account.ȱ Theȱ slaughterȱ ofȱ theȱ innocent,ȱ asȱ already reportedȱ inȱ theȱ Newȱ Testament,ȱ hasȱ alwaysȱ beenȱ regardedȱ asȱ aȱ crimeȱ against mankind.ȱTheȱtrueȱshockȱresultingȱfromȱRoss’sȱpaperȱmightȱbeȱthatȱmassȱmurder canȱhappenȱatȱanyȱtime,ȱatȱanyȱperiod,ȱandȱinȱanyȱsociety,ȱsinceȱmanȱisȱalwaysȱin dangerȱofȱturningȱintoȱaȱberserk,ȱunleashingȱindiscriminateȱviolenceȱagainstȱhis fellowȬbeings.ȱGillesȱwasȱcertainlyȱmotivatedȱbyȱsexualȱinstincts,ȱbutȱultimatelyȱhe wasȱaȱmassȱmurderer,ȱandȱhence,ȱtragically,ȱoneȱofȱmanyȱallȱoverȱtheȱworldȱand throughoutȱtime.47 Theȱreactionȱofȱtheȱauthorities,ȱinȱparticular,ȱrevealsȱtheȱmalaiseȱofȱaȱsocietyȱthat wasȱonlyȱbeginningȱtoȱreturnȱtoȱaȱruleȱofȱlawȱafterȱdecadesȱofȱviolence.ȱDespite obviousȱ cluesȱ toȱ Rais’sȱ criminalȱ activity,ȱ investigationȱ ofȱ theȱ caseȱ wasȱ lateȱ in coming,ȱ hisȱ interrogationȱ conductedȱ inȱ anȱ unusuallyȱ mildȱ manner,ȱ andȱ the inevitableȱdeathȱsentenceȱcarriedȱoutȱalmostȱreluctantlyȱandȱmercifully.ȱEvenȱmore surprising,ȱcommentsȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱtheȱofficialȱchroniclerȱAlainȱChartierȱwere

47

Thereȱ areȱ soȱ manyȱ examplesȱ ofȱ massȱ murderȱ inȱ humanȱ history,ȱ bothȱ theȱ countlessȱ pogroms againstȱ theȱ Jewsȱ andȱ theȱ Holocaustȱ including,ȱ thatȱ Dinahȱ L.ȱ Sheltonȱ wasȱ justifiedȱ toȱ editȱ a EncyclopediaȱofȱGenocideȱandȱCrimesȱAgainstȱHumanity.ȱGaleȱVirtualȱReferenceȱLibraryȱ(Detroit: ThomsonȱGale,ȱ2005).

22

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

unexpectedlyȱlenient,ȱgivenȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱcrimes.ȱRossȱusesȱtheȱcaseȱofȱRaisȱto illustrateȱbothȱtheȱextensivenessȱandȱlimitsȱofȱlateȬmedievalȱtoleranceȱforȱdeviant behavior,ȱevenȱwhenȱtheȱperpetratorȱwasȱnobleȱandȱenjoyedȱanȱotherwiseȱgood reputation.ȱThisȱcaseȱalsoȱcallsȱintoȱquestionȱtwoȱcompetingȱsetsȱofȱbeliefsȱabout thatȱ era.ȱ Onȱ theȱ oneȱ handȱ thereȱ isȱ whatȱ Rossȱ callsȱ “medievalȱ emotionality,” triggeredȱbyȱtheȱculprit’sȱtheatricalȱrepentance,ȱandȱonȱtheȱotherȱtheȱbeliefȱthat noblemenȱcynicallyȱdisregardȱtheȱvalueȱofȱtheȱlivesȱofȱtheirȱhumbleȱvictims. JohnȱBeusterienȱstudiesȱtheȱuseȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱandȱpublicȱspectacleȱasȱformsȱof punishmentȱinȱtheȱearlyȱsixteenthȬcenturyȱSpanishȱmasterpiece,ȱLaȱCelestina.ȱInȱhis article,ȱ“TheȱSpectacleȱofȱtheȱHumanȱHead:ȱPunishmentȱinȱLaȱCelestina,”ȱBeusterien arguesȱthatȱFernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱthroughȱimagesȱofȱtheȱheadȱandȱtheȱaccoutrement ofȱ theȱ conicalȱ hat,ȱ createsȱ aȱ literaryȱ worldȱ intoȱ whichȱ justiceȱ basedȱ onȱ public shamingȱisȱnoȱlongerȱoperable.ȱTheȱgoȬbetween,ȱCelestina,ȱisȱnotȱpunishedȱbyȱthe justiceȱsystem,ȱbutȱratherȱisȱstabbedȱbyȱgreedyȱservantsȱwhenȱsheȱdoesȱnotȱshare herȱearningsȱwithȱthem.ȱSheȱhadȱearlierȱreflectedȱonȱtheȱpublicȱshamingȱofȱherȱold friend,ȱClaudina,ȱandȱhadȱfearedȱthatȱshe,ȱtoo,ȱmightȱbeȱpunishedȱinȱthisȱway,ȱbut sheȱmeetsȱaȱmoreȱviolentȱend.ȱTheȱservantsȱwhoȱmurderȱCelestinaȱfleeȱtheȱjustice systemȱbyȱjumpingȱoutȱtheȱwindow,ȱcrackingȱtheirȱskullsȱwhenȱtheyȱlandȱonȱthe pavementȱ below.ȱ Theyȱ areȱ almostȱ immediatelyȱ executedȱ forȱ theȱ murderȱ of Celestinaȱbutȱweȱonlyȱlearnȱofȱtheirȱpunishmentsȱsecondȱhandȱsinceȱnoneȱofȱthe mainȱcharactersȱwitnessȱtheȱexecutions.ȱTheȱservants’ȱmaster,ȱCalisto,ȱonlyȱworries aboutȱdamageȱtoȱhisȱownȱreputationȱandȱdoesȱnotȱlongȱreflectȱeitherȱonȱtheȱcrime committedȱbyȱhisȱmenȱorȱtheirȱpunishment.ȱ RojasȱusesȱtheȱexecutionȱtoȱcriticizeȱaȱfailedȱjusticeȱsystemȱsinceȱCalistoȱopenly statesȱthatȱtheȱjudge’sȱcondemnationȱofȱtheȱservantsȱisȱaȱterribleȱshockȱsinceȱthe judgeȱwasȱaȱpoliticalȱcronyȱofȱhisȱfamilyȱandȱheȱwasȱsureȱthatȱheȱandȱhisȱhousehold thusȱenjoyedȱimmunityȱfromȱpunishment.ȱCalistoȱhimselfȱwillȱshatterȱhisȱheadȱand literallyȱspillȱhisȱbrainsȱontoȱtheȱpavementȱwhenȱheȱlaterȱdies,ȱfallingȱfromȱtheȱhigh gardenȱ wallȱ ofȱ hisȱ lover’sȱ house.ȱ Beusterienȱ examinesȱ howȱ theseȱ imagesȱ of shatteredȱheadsȱandȱtheȱconicalȱhatsȱareȱusedȱtoȱcommentȱonȱaȱjusticeȱsystemȱthat isȱdysfunctional.ȱHeȱalsoȱstudiesȱtheȱcomplexȱsymbolismȱofȱtheȱconicalȱheadgear asȱbothȱpowerȬenablerȱ(forȱexampleȱasȱaȱmiter)ȱandȱasȱaȱformȱofȱsocialȱrepression thatȱdebasesȱitsȱwearerȱ(suchȱasȱheadgearȱwornȱbyȱthoseȱtriedȱbyȱtheȱInquisition). Kathleenȱ Llewellynȱ treatsȱ anotherȱ importantȱ sixteenthȬcenturyȱ work,ȱ the Heptaméron,ȱinȱherȱarticle,ȱ“EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeanceȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱof MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre.”ȱOftenȱconsideredȱprimarilyȱaȱcollectionȱofȱloveȱstories, LlewellynȱconsidersȱmanyȱofȱtheȱnovellasȱthatȱmakeȱupȱtheȱHeptaméronȱtoȱbeȱ“war” storiesȱinȱtheȱsenseȱthatȱmanyȱdealȱwithȱtimeȬhonoredȱthemeȱofȱtheȱbattleȱofȱthe sexes.ȱTheȱ“crimes”ȱinȱtheȱworkȱareȱaȱseriesȱofȱillȱdeedsȱdoneȱbyȱwomenȱtoȱmen

Introduction

23

andȱ byȱ menȱ toȱ women.ȱ Margueriteȱ usesȱ tenȱ storytellers—fiveȱ menȱ andȱ five women—andȱoneȱwouldȱassumeȱthatȱtheȱpunishmentsȱmetedȱoutȱbyȱtheȱwomen wouldȱbeȱagainstȱtheȱmenȱandȱviceȱversa.ȱButȱthisȱisȱnotȱtheȱcase.ȱPunishmentsȱin theȱHeptaméronȱareȱgenerallyȱmetedȱoutȱbyȱmen,ȱonlyȱrarelyȱbyȱwomen,ȱreflecting theȱpatriarchalȱsocietyȱinȱwhichȱtheȱtextȱwasȱcomposed.ȱButȱtheȱreaderȱofȱtheȱwork discoversȱthatȱtheȱreasonsȱforȱwhichȱwomenȱwereȱpunished,ȱandȱevenȱtheȱwaysȱin whichȱtheyȱwereȱpunished,ȱparadoxicallyȱempoweredȱtheȱwomenȱinȱtheȱnovellas. Forȱwhile,ȱhistorically,ȱwomen’sȱpunishmentȱoftenȱdifferedȱfromȱmen’s,ȱinȱthe Heptaméron,ȱ Margueriteȱ deȱ Navarreȱ establishesȱ aȱ parallelȱ betweenȱ menȱ and women,ȱevenȱinȱtheirȱpunishmentȱforȱwrongȬdoing. NicolasȱLombart’sȱarticleȱconcernsȱcrimeȱinȱtheȱtimeȱofȱcivilȱwar,ȱpreciselyȱthe religiousȱ warsȱ takingȱ placeȱ inȱ Franceȱ fromȱ 1561Ȭ1570.ȱ “Crimesȱ etȱ châtiments d’exceptionȱ enȱ Franceȱ auȱ tempsȱ desȱ Guerresȱ deȱ Religion:ȱ Laȱ notionȱ deȱ justice expéditiveȱdansȱlesȱCommentairesȱdeȱMonluc”ȱexaminesȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonluc’sȱ(ca. 1502Ȭ1577)ȱextensiveȱworkȱbasedȱonȱhisȱexperiencesȱasȱaȱsoldier.ȱTheȱCommentaires giveȱdetailedȱaccountsȱofȱwarȱtechniques,ȱtactics,ȱandȱpoliticsȱbutȱtheyȱareȱalso repleteȱwithȱpersonalȱreflections.ȱForȱexample,ȱinȱbookȱsix,ȱthereȱisȱlongȱdigression onȱ theȱ needȱ toȱ reformȱ theȱ justiceȱ ofȱ theȱ realmȱ thatȱ Monlucȱ describesȱ asȱ slow, inefficient,ȱandȱdrowningȱinȱlawyers’ȱrhetoric.ȱMonluc,ȱinȱhisȱroleȱasȱcommander ofȱtheȱking,ȱfoundȱhimselfȱinȱtheȱpositionȱofȱmetingȱoutȱjusticeȱinȱanȱexpedient mannerȱ andȱ renderingȱ sentencesȱ onȱ crimesȱ committedȱ byȱ theȱ Huguenots. Accompaniedȱ byȱ twoȱ executioners,ȱ heȱ handedȱ downȱ swiftȱ judgmentsȱ and summaryȱexecutions,ȱclearlyȱcognizantȱofȱhisȱresponsibilityȱasȱtheȱ“armȱofȱjustice” forȱtheȱking.ȱInȱhisȱmemoirs,ȱMonlucȱreflectsȱonȱtheseȱcrimesȱandȱpunishmentsȱ“of exception”ȱinȱcontextȱofȱtheȱupheavalȱofȱaȱreligiousȱcivilȱwar.ȱHisȱcommentsȱare strikinglyȱsimilarȱtoȱmodernȱevaluationsȱofȱwhatȱweȱnowȱcallȱ“warȱcrimes.” MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacockȱdescribesȱtheȱseventeenthȬcenturyȱconditionsȱinȱtheȱfirst allȬwomen’sȱ prisonȱ inȱ theȱ Netherlands,ȱ theȱ Spinhuis.ȱ Inȱ herȱ article,ȱ “The AmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ‘Art’ȱofȱCorrection,”ȱsheȱnotesȱthatȱprisonsȱofȱthe periodȱusuallyȱhousedȱbothȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱinmatesȱandȱfemaleȱprisonersȱwere routinelyȱ abusedȱ byȱ theirȱ maleȱ jailersȱ andȱ maleȱ prisoners.48ȱ Inȱ contrast,ȱ the SpinhuisȱinȱAmsterdamȱwasȱcreatedȱasȱanȱallȬfemaleȱprisonȱwithȱbothȱmenȱand womenȱinȱauthorityȱoverȱtheȱinmatesȱwhoȱwereȱtaughtȱvaluableȱskillsȱinȱtextile productionȱ whileȱ theyȱ wereȱ confined.ȱ Throughȱ aȱ studyȱ ofȱ theȱ prison,ȱ and especiallyȱofȱtheȱportraitsȱofȱtheȱregentsȱandȱregentessesȱwhoȱgovernedȱtheȱprison,

48

TheȱtopicȱofȱfemaleȱprisonersȱisȱnowȱcoveredȱbyȱGwenȱSeabourne,ȱImprisoningȱMedievalȱWomen: TheȱNonȬJudicialȱConfinementȱandȱAbductionȱofȱWomenȱinȱEngland,ȱc.1170Ȭ1509ȱ(Farnham,ȱSurrey,ȱand Burlington,ȱVT:ȱAshgate,ȱ2011).

24

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

Peacockȱseesȱthisȱinstitutionȱasȱaȱuniqueȱmanifestationȱofȱwomen’sȱpowerȱand agency.ȱTheȱSpinhuisȱwasȱcreatedȱbasedȱonȱtheȱideaȱthatȱwomenȱcouldȱbeȱreformed throughȱ engagingȱ inȱ honorableȱ andȱ profitableȱ workȱ inȱ theȱ fieldsȱ ofȱ spinning, weaving,ȱsewingȱandȱlaceȬmaking.ȱEstablishedȱinitiallyȱforȱpoorȱwomenȱbeggars itȱhadȱaȱcharitableȱmissionȱasȱanȱinstitutionȱwhereȱwomenȱwereȱbroughtȱbackȱto God,ȱbroughtȱbackȱtoȱhonor,ȱandȱbroughtȱbackȱtoȱchastityȱasȱtheyȱlearnedȱtoȱwork diligentlyȱinȱaȱsoberȱandȱvirtuousȱenvironment.ȱ PortraitsȱofȱtheȱregentessesȱofȱtheȱSpinhuisȱrevealȱthatȱtheseȱwomenȱexercised equalȱauthorityȱwithȱmaleȱsupervisorsȱandȱalsoȱhelpedȱtoȱinsureȱthatȱtheȱwomen confinedȱthereȱwereȱnotȱabusedȱbyȱmen.ȱTheyȱformedȱimportantȱoversightȱforȱthe prisonȱandȱcommunicatedȱwithȱmagistratesȱtoȱdiscussȱsentencesȱandȱpunishments forȱtheȱprisoners.ȱPeacockȱassertsȱthatȱtheȱfoundingȱofȱtheȱSpinhuisȱnecessitatedȱa culturalȱcircumstanceȱinȱwhichȱwomen,ȱtheirȱskills,ȱandȱtheirȱpower,ȱwereȱgiven voiceȱinȱtheȱconstructionȱofȱaȱsocialȱinstitution.ȱAsȱaȱconsequence,ȱwhenȱwomen prisonersȱwalkedȱthroughȱtheȱportalȱofȱtheȱSpinhuisȱtheyȱrealizedȱthatȱtheyȱwere nowȱunderȱfemaleȱcontrol.ȱAndȱwhileȱthatȱdisciplineȱwasȱstrict,ȱitȱwasȱcertainly moreȱcharitableȱforȱtheȱlongȬtermȱbenefitȱofȱwomenȱprisonersȱthanȱtheȱpatriarchal brothel/prisonsȱfoundȱinȱotherȱareasȱofȱearlyȱmodernȱEurope. TomȱWillardȱstudiesȱcasesȱofȱdeceitȱandȱfraudȱinȱEnglandȱduringȱtheȱseventeenth centuryȱinȱ“PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen:ȱSomeȱEnglishȱScammersȱandȱTheirȱJust Desserts.”ȱUsingȱBenȱJonson’sȱgreatȱcityȱdrama,ȱTheȱAlchemistȱ(1610)ȱasȱaȱpointȱof departure,ȱ Willardȱ catalogsȱ aȱ hostȱ ofȱ cheatingȱ scamsȱ associatedȱ notȱ onlyȱ with alchemy,ȱ butȱ withȱ millenarianȱ religion,ȱ fortuneȱ telling,ȱ andȱ muchȱ more.ȱ One schemeȱincludesȱintroducingȱaȱgullibleȱpersonȱtoȱtheȱQueenȱofȱtheȱFairiesȱand helpingȱ toȱ secureȱ herȱ assistanceȱ inȱ suchȱ mattersȱ asȱ winningȱ atȱ cards.ȱ Jonson’s handlingȱofȱthisȱruseȱnotȱonlyȱmakesȱforȱgreatȱstageȱdramaȱbutȱwouldȱalsoȱhave remindedȱhisȱoriginalȱaudienceȱofȱsimilarȱcasesȱinȱrecentȱyears. Sixȱyearsȱearlier,ȱforȱexample,ȱoneȱJaneȱPhillipsȱhadȱbeenȱ“whippedȱthroughȱthe Citie”ȱofȱLondonȱforȱherȱpartȱinȱfleecingȱaȱcountryȱgentlemanȱwhoȱwantedȱan introductionȱtoȱtheȱFairyȱQueen.ȱAndȱthisȱwasȱnotȱanȱisolatedȱcase,ȱforȱthreeȱyears afterȱJonson’sȱplayȱwasȱperformedȱbyȱShakespeare’sȱcompany,ȱaȱwoman,ȱAlice West,ȱ wasȱ broughtȱ toȱ trialȱ withȱ herȱ husbandȱ forȱ “theȱ impoverishingȱ ofȱ many simpleȱpeople”ȱofȱLondonȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱledȱtoȱbelieveȱthatȱsheȱwasȱtheȱFairy Queen.ȱTheȱreportageȱfromȱtheseȱtrialsȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱpeopleȱwhoȱflockedȱto Jonson’sȱ playȱ wereȱ amusedȱ equallyȱ byȱ theȱ gullibilityȱ ofȱ thoseȱ connedȱ andȱ the outrageousnessȱofȱtheȱcunningȱwomen’sȱartistry.ȱJonson’sȱprefatoryȱcommentsȱon theȱplayȱshowȱthatȱheȱdidȱnotȱconfineȱhisȱsatireȱtoȱanyȱoneȱcharacterȱorȱsocialȱrole. DenisȱBjaïȱstudiesȱMontaigne’sȱcommentsȱonȱtheȱpunishmentȱofȱcriminalsȱinȱhis article,ȱ“Enȱlaȱjusticeȱmême,ȱtoutȱceȱquiȱestȱauȬdelàȱdeȱlaȱmortȱsimpleȱmeȱsemble

Introduction

25

pureȱ cruautéȱ (Essais,ȱ II,ȱ 11):ȱ Réflexionsȱ deȱ Montaigneȱ surȱ leȱ châtimentȱ des criminels.”ȱBjaïȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱMontaigne’sȱreflectionsȱaboutȱtheȱpunishmentȱof criminalsȱwereȱinspiredȱbyȱtheȱjuridical,ȱhistorical,ȱandȱphilosophicalȱworksȱheȱhad readȱandȱalsoȱbyȱhisȱownȱpersonalȱexperienceȱasȱaȱmagistrateȱandȱwitnessȱtoȱthe tragicȱ errorsȱ committedȱ byȱ theȱ justiceȱ systemȱ ofȱ hisȱ time.ȱ Theȱ possibilityȱ of punishingȱanȱinnocentȱpersonȱmadeȱhimȱveryȱreticentȱtoȱcondemn.ȱ Montaigneȱposesȱmanyȱquestionsȱinȱthisȱregardȱincludingȱwhetherȱaȱpunishment canȱbeȱconsideredȱjustȱorȱnot.ȱHeȱtakesȱintoȱaccountȱtheȱpartȱthatȱemotionsȱ(such asȱangerȱandȱvengeance),ȱchanceȱ(theȱgoodȱnature,ȱorȱnot,ȱofȱtheȱjudge),ȱandȱeven overȬconfidenceȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱtheȱjudgeȱplayȱinȱdecidingȱaȱpunishment.ȱHeȱalso asksȱifȱpunishmentȱshouldȱbeȱproportionalȱtoȱtheȱseverityȱofȱtheȱcrimeȱcommitted andȱconcludesȱthatȱanythingȱbeyondȱsimpleȱdeathȱconstitutesȱcruelty.ȱ ButȱthenȱMontageȱgoesȱonȱtoȱquestionȱwhatȱconstitutesȱ“simpleȱdeath.”ȱHeȱalso addressesȱpunishmentsȱinflictedȱonȱaȱlivingȱbeingȱandȱonȱaȱcorpse,ȱandȱheȱdebates theȱ worthȱ ofȱ purelyȱ symbolicȱ punishments.ȱ Heȱ nextȱ questionsȱ whetherȱ penal punishmentȱcanȱbeȱusefulȱforȱaȱsociety,ȱi.e.,ȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱtoȱcorrectȱtheȱactionsȱof theȱcriminalȱbutȱratherȱthatȱotherȱmembersȱofȱsocietyȱlearnȱfromȱtheȱcriminal’sȱfate. Heȱalsoȱassertsȱthatȱtheȱfirstȱpunishmentȱsufferedȱbyȱaȱguiltyȱpersonȱisȱtheȱtorment ofȱhisȱownȱconscience.ȱMontaigneȱalsoȱobservedȱthatȱtheȱworstȱandȱmostȱsadistic crimesȱareȱthoseȱcommittedȱduringȱaȱtimeȱofȱcivilȱwar.ȱBjaïȱconcludesȱhisȱarticle withȱMontaigne’sȱfamousȱobservationȱthatȱweȱareȱallȱguilty,ȱatȱoneȱtimeȱorȱanother inȱourȱlives,ȱofȱsomeȱmisdeedȱand,ȱthus,ȱanyoneȱatȱsomeȱpointȱinȱhisȱlifeȱcouldȱfind himselfȱunderȱtheȱcontrolȱofȱtheȱjusticeȱsystem. AllisonȱP.ȱCoudertȱinvestigatesȱtheȱthemeȱofȱcannibalismȱinȱearlyȬmodernȱEurope inȱ herȱ article,ȱ “Theȱ Ultimateȱ Crime:ȱ Cannibalismȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Mindsȱ and Imaginations.”ȱSheȱbeginsȱbyȱpointingȱoutȱthatȱaccountsȱandȱstoriesȱofȱcannibalism haveȱobsessedȱtheȱwesternȱimaginationȱbothȱinȱfantasyȱandȱreality.ȱButȱwithȱthe changesȱbroughtȱaboutȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱEuropeȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱtheȱdiscoveryȱofȱthe “new”ȱworld,ȱtheȱreligiousȱconflictsȱgeneratedȱbyȱtheȱReformationȱandȱCounterȬ Reformation,ȱandȱtheȱriseȱofȱaȱprotoȬcapitalistȱconsumerȱsocietyȱaȱnewȱtypeȱof cannibalȱemerged.ȱTheȱnewȱcannibal,ȱonȱtheȱoneȱhand,ȱrepresentedȱtheȱprimitive “other,”ȱaȱdespicableȱandȱcriminalȱmemberȱofȱaȱregressiveȱsocietyȱthatȱstoodȱin starkȱoppositionȱtoȱtheȱprogressiveȱsocietyȱofȱtheȱEuropeans.ȱBut,ȱonȱtheȱother hand,ȱ theȱ imageȱ ofȱ theȱ cannibalȱ cameȱ toȱ symbolizeȱ theȱ veryȱ rapaciousnessȱ of Europeanȱcolonialism,ȱimperialism,ȱandȱcapitalismȱasȱallȱthreeȱliterallyȱdevoured theȱ peoplesȱ andȱ institutionsȱ thatȱ stoodȱ inȱ theirȱ way.ȱ Christianȱ conflictȱ further complicatedȱtheȱcomplexȱmeaningȱofȱcapitalismȱinȱtheȱearlyȬmodernȱperiod.ȱThe parallelȱbetweenȱChristianȱcommunionȱandȱcannibalȱfeastsȱwasȱreadilyȱapparent, especiallyȱ toȱ Protestants,ȱ whoȱ usedȱ itȱ toȱ ridiculeȱ Catholicȱ doctrine.ȱ Coudert concludesȱthatȱcannibalismȱinȱearlyȬmodernȱEuropeȱwasȱaȱrecurring,ȱmultiȬfaceted

26

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

themeȱinȱpublicȱdiscourseȱpittingȱtheȱtwoȱsidesȱinȱtheȱuniversalȱreligiousȱwarsȱof thatȱtime,ȱhighlightingȱtheȱcontradictionsȱandȱconflictsȱgeneratedȱbyȱtheȱtransition fromȱtheȱpreȬmodernȱtoȱtheȱmodernȱworld. Evelynȱ Luefȱ alsoȱ addressesȱ issuesȱ ofȱ earlyȬmodernȱ Europeȱ inȱ herȱ article, “PunishmentȱPostȱMortem:ȱSuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden.”ȱLuef examinesȱtheȱquestionȱofȱhowȱtoȱpunishȱsomeoneȱwhoȱisȱbothȱtheȱperpetratorȱand victimȱofȱaȱcrime,ȱi.e.,ȱaȱsuicide.ȱInȱearlyȬmodernȱEurope,ȱsuicideȱwasȱperceivedȱas aȱfelony,ȱaȱsinfulȱdeed,ȱandȱaȱcrimeȱagainstȱGod,ȱnature,ȱandȱsociety,ȱandȱthisȱin closeȱparallelȱtoȱtheȱperceptionsȱofȱsuicideȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.ȱBothȱsuicideȱand suicideȱattemptȱwereȱcriminallyȱprosecuted.ȱCommittingȱsuicideȱnotȱonlyȱresulted inȱlegalȱconsequencesȱbutȱitȱalsoȱcarriedȱsocialȱstigmaȱandȱimplicationsȱforȱthe societyȱ asȱ aȱ whole.ȱ Luefȱ focusesȱ onȱ howȱ theȱ bodiesȱ ofȱ peopleȱ whoȱ committed suicideȱ wereȱ “punished.”ȱ Usingȱ judicialȱ recordsȱ fromȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ and eighteenthȱ centuriesȱ inȱ Austriaȱ andȱ Swedenȱ sheȱ examinesȱ issuesȱ suchȱ asȱ who inspectedȱtheȱbodiesȱofȱsuicides,ȱwhereȱtheseȱbodiesȱwereȱkeptȱuntilȱjudgmentȱwas rendered,ȱandȱwhenȱtheȱfamilyȱreceivedȱtheȱbodyȱandȱwhenȱwasȱitȱhandedȱover toȱtheȱexecutioner.ȱFromȱthisȱevidence,ȱLuefȱcontrastsȱtheȱpracticalȱhandlingȱof individualȱsuicideȱcasesȱagainstȱnormativeȱjuridicalȱtexts.ȱHerȱstudyȱdocuments theȱbroadȱvarietyȱofȱpracticalȱreactionsȱtowardȱsuicideȱbyȱauthorities,ȱfamilies,ȱand theȱsocietyȱatȱlargeȱandȱinvestigatesȱdecisiveȱcriteriaȱforȱhowȱandȱbyȱwhomȱthe suicide’sȱbodyȱwasȱhandled. Theȱarticlesȱinȱthisȱvolumeȱfindȱmanyȱintersectingȱpointsȱofȱinterest.ȱClassen,ȱLuef, Jost,ȱandȱRibémontȱdealȱwithȱcrimesȱandȱpunishmentȱinȱliteraryȱtextsȱandȱhowȱthe portrayalȱofȱtheseȱsubjectsȱdiffersȱfromȱwhatȱweȱfindȱinȱproscriptiveȱlegalȱtreatises. Asȱtheseȱauthorsȱnote,ȱlegalȱtextsȱdoȱnotȱalwaysȱreflectȱorȱcorroborateȱwaysȱin whichȱ criminalsȱ areȱ broughtȱ toȱ justiceȱ orȱ prevailingȱ juridicalȱ processes. Furthermore,ȱlawȱcodesȱdidȱnotȱalwaysȱinsureȱthatȱtheirȱpreceptsȱwereȱfollowed inȱ legalȱ practice,ȱ i.e.,ȱ withoutȱ actualȱ courtȱ recordsȱ orȱ otherȱ documentationȱ we cannotȱbeȱsureȱthatȱtheseȱcodesȱwereȱenforcedȱor,ȱifȱenforced,ȱwhetherȱtheyȱwere doneȱ systematicallyȱ inȱ allȱ casesȱ orȱ whetherȱ thereȱ wereȱ mitigatingȱ factorsȱ that allowedȱsomeȱcriminalȱactsȱtoȱgoȱunpunished.ȱKomornicka,ȱLuef,ȱRoss,ȱandȱWiedl directlyȱexamineȱcourtȱproceedingsȱandȱotherȱlegalȱdocumentsȱwithȱtheȱintentȱto studyȱissuesȱsuchȱtreason,ȱ suicide,ȱserialȱmurder,ȱandȱpogromsȱagainstȱJewish communities.ȱCompetingȱsystemsȱofȱlaw—customaryȱlawsȱandȱtrialsȱbyȱordealȱor combatȱ andȱ RomanoȬcanonicalȱ proceduresȱ basedȱ onȱ oralȱ andȱ written evidence—areȱinvestigatedȱbyȱTaylorȱthroughȱliteraryȱtexts.ȱ Women,ȱ asȱ victimsȱ andȱ perpetratorsȱ ofȱ crimesȱ areȱ theȱ subjectȱ ofȱ severalȱ other articles.ȱScarboroughȱstudiesȱhowȱwomenȱwereȱtreatedȱinȱaȱthirteenthȬcentury

Introduction

27

legalȱ code,ȱ whileȱ Llewellynȱ examinesȱ punishmentsȱ metedȱ outȱ toȱ womenȱ inȱ a sixteenthȬcenturyȱcollectionȱofȱnovellas.ȱScarboroughȱnotesȱthatȱfemaleȱcriminals wereȱtreatedȱdifferentlyȱand,ȱwhenȱaȱwomanȱwasȱaȱvictim,ȱtheȱpunishmentȱmeted outȱtoȱtheȱabusersȱwasȱoftenȱpredicatedȱonȱtheȱwoman’sȱsocial,ȱmarital,ȱorȱracial standing.ȱPigg,ȱinȱturn,ȱshowsȱhowȱaȱflawedȱjusticeȱsystemȱcanȱoperateȱandȱan innocentȱwomanȱbeȱkilledȱsimplyȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱfearedȱthreatȱthatȱsheȱmightȱlose herȱhonorȱthroughȱherȱvictimizationȱbyȱaȱcorruptȱjudge.ȱȱHisȱanalysisȱunderscores thatȱaȱjudicialȱsystemȱcanȱbeȱpervertedȱtoȱtheȱextentȱthatȱaȱvictimȱactuallyȱsuffers theȱpunishment Llewellynȱfindsȱinȱstoriesȱaboutȱ“theȱbattleȱofȱtheȱsexes”ȱthatȱwomenȱareȱmore likelyȱtoȱbeȱpunishedȱthanȱtoȱmeteȱoutȱpunishmentȱtoȱtheirȱmaleȱcounterparts. Beusterienȱ alsoȱ treatsȱ women,ȱ especiallyȱ theȱ actȱ ofȱ publicȱ shaming,ȱ asȱ a punishmentȱforȱwomenȱaccusedȱofȱsorceryȱorȱpandering.ȱPeacockȱrevealsȱaȱunique allȬfemaleȱ prisonȱ foundedȱ inȱ theȱ lateȱ sixteenthȬcenturyȱ inȱ Amsterdam—the Spinhuis.ȱWomenȱservedȱasȱoperatorsȱandȱoverseersȱofȱthisȱinstitutionȱandȱitȱwas aȱplaceȱofȱreformȱforȱwomenȱinȱsharpȱcontrastȱtoȱotherȱprisonsȱinȱearlyȱmodern Europeȱinȱwhichȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱprisonersȱwereȱhousedȱtogetherȱandȱwomen wereȱroutinelyȱsexuallyȱabusedȱorȱprostitutedȱbyȱmaleȱjailersȱandȱmaleȱinmates alike.ȱTurningȱalsoȱstudiesȱjailsȱandȱjailersȱandȱconcludesȱthatȱnoȱsingleȱnotion emergesȱ aboutȱ eitherȱ theseȱ institutionsȱ orȱ theirȱ wardensȱ duringȱ theȱ medieval period.ȱJailersȱwereȱimportantȱplayersȱinȱtheȱjudicialȱsystemȱfromȱtheȱendȱofȱthe fourteenthȱcentury. Aȱpairȱofȱarticles—thoseȱbyȱBjaïȱandȱGough—approachȱlegalȱmattersȱfromȱa philosophicȱviewpoint.ȱBjaïȱspecificallyȱaddressesȱtheȱfundamentalȱnotionȱofȱwhat constitutesȱcrueltyȱandȱGough’sȱpieceȱisȱconcernedȱwithȱeffortsȱtoȱfindȱaȱpurpose forȱpainȱandȱsuffering.ȱInȱthisȱsameȱvein,ȱClasonȱandȱRuizȱtreatȱtheȱideasȱofȱGod’s justiceȱandȱsinȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱcrimeȱasȱdefinedȱbyȱsecularȱorȱecclesiasticalȱcustoms andȱstatutes.ȱ Aȱnumberȱofȱtheȱarticlesȱdealȱwithȱissuesȱthatȱhaveȱdecidedlyȱcontemporary applicationsȱandȱinsights.ȱForȱexample,ȱRossȱdealsȱwithȱaȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱserial killerȱwhoseȱbehaviorȱisȱstrikinglyȱsimilarȱtoȱtheȱmodernȱpsychologicalȱprofilesȱof thisȱ typeȱ ofȱ criminal.ȱ Lombartȱ dealsȱ withȱ whatȱ actionsȱ andȱ underȱ what circumstancesȱcanȱbeȱdeclaredȱtheȱpremodernȱequivalentsȱofȱwarȱcrimes.ȱNiiranen investigatesȱbehaviorȱthatȱweȱnowȱlabelȱasȱantiȬsocialȱorȱdeviant.ȱAndȱWillard takesȱupȱtheȱideaȱofȱconȱmenȱandȱconȱwomenȱthatȱpreyȱonȱtheȱgullible.ȱHahnȱand CoudertȱtreatȱissuesȱthatȱcontinueȱtoȱfascinateȱtheȱWesternȱimagination—creatures ofȱsupernaturalȱoriginsȱandȱcannibalismȱrespectively. Thisȱvolumeȱexploresȱhowȱdifferentȱcommunities,ȱauthors,ȱandȱjudicialȱauthorities inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ earlyȱ modernȱ periodȱ dealtȱ withȱ theȱ notionȱ ofȱ what constitutesȱaȱcriminalȱactȱandȱhowȱtheyȱchooseȱtoȱpunishȱthoseȱfoundȱguiltyȱof

28

ConnieȱScarboroughȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassen

suchȱ behaviors.ȱ Theȱ articlesȱ relyȱ onȱ aȱ wideȬrangeȱ ofȱ differentȱ sortsȱ of materials—literaryȱ works,ȱ philosophicȱ texts,ȱ memoirs,ȱ lawȱ codes,ȱ court proceedings,ȱotherȱhistoricalȱdocumentation,ȱandȱvisualȱimages—toȱshedȱlightȱon theseȱ keyȱ concepts.ȱ Whileȱ noȱ collectionȱ onȱ soȱ vastȱ aȱ topicȱ canȱ claimȱ toȱ be exhaustive,ȱtheȱstudiesȱincludedȱinȱtheȱpresentȱvolumeȱprovideȱvaluableȱinsights thatȱ helpȱ usȱ toȱ betterȱ understandȱ howȱ medievalȱ andȱ earlyȱ modernȱ societies perceivedȱandȱdealtȱwithȱthoseȱwhoȱcommittedȱreprehensibleȱacts.ȱWeȱhopeȱto haveȱbroughtȱtogetherȱaȱsolidȱgroupȱofȱrelevantȱstudiesȱthatȱcreateȱaȱkaleidoscopic imageȱ ofȱ whatȱ crimeȱ andȱ punishmentȱ meantȱ inȱ theȱ premodernȱ world. Surprisingly,ȱifȱnotȱtragically,ȱtheȱdifferencesȱbetweenȱcriminalȱbehaviorȱinȱtheȱpast andȱinȱtheȱpresentȱseemȱtoȱbeȱratherȱlimited,ȱsinceȱpeopleȱhaveȱalwaysȱfeltȱthe tendencyȱtoȱtransgress,ȱtoȱtakeȱwhatȱdoesȱnotȱbelongȱtoȱthem,ȱtoȱoverpowerȱothers illegally,ȱtoȱabuseȱtheȱsystemȱtoȱtheirȱadvantage,ȱandȱtoȱdisregardȱallȱethical,ȱmoral, andȱreligiousȱnormsȱandȱideals.ȱTheȱTenȱCommandmentsȱhave,ȱunfortunately,ȱnot lostȱinȱrelevance,ȱandȱtheȱcommentsȱaboutȱtheȱSevenȱDeadlyȱSins,ȱpreachedȱabout throughoutȱtheȱentireȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱworld,ȱifȱnotȱuntilȱtoday, haveȱconsistentlyȱpinpointedȱtheȱfundamentalȱhumanȱfrailty,ȱignorance,ȱgreed, hatred,ȱpassion,ȱandȱhenceȱlackȱofȱrationality.49ȱTheȱmasterfulȱallegoricalȱnarrative PiersȱPlowmanȱbyȱWilliamȱLanglandȱ(lateȱfourteenthȱcentury)ȱprovidesȱtheȱperhaps bestȱexampleȱinȱthisȱregard.50ȱConsideringȱtheȱvirtuallyȱuninterruptedȱhistoryȱof crimeȱandȱpunishmentȱfromȱtheȱantiquityȱuntilȱtoday,ȱitȱmakesȱperfectȱsenseȱto revisitȱtheseȱissues,ȱtoȱlayȱtheȱfoundationȱforȱfutureȱresearchȱonceȱagain,ȱandȱto allowȱindividualȱcasesȱfromȱtheȱworldȱofȱliterature,ȱartȱhistory,ȱhistoricalȱandȱlegal documents,ȱetc.,ȱtoȱspeakȱup.ȱCrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱareȱhereȱforȱgoodȱandȱwillȱbe partȱofȱallȱhumanȱsocietiesȱsinceȱweȱdoȱnotȱliveȱinȱaȱutopia.ȱIronically,ȱevenȱtheȱbest utopianȱsocietiesȱasȱprojectedȱbyȱmanyȱdifferentȱwritersȱthroughoutȱtimeȱhave alwaysȱ knownȱ ofȱ rulesȱ andȱ lawsȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ punishȱ thoseȱ whoȱ threatenȱ to transgressȱorȱhaveȱtakenȱmeasuresȱthatȱundermineȱtheȱutopianȱworld.ȱAfterȱall,ȱin theȱmedievalȱworldȱpeopleȱalreadyȱhadȱaȱclearȱsenseȱofȱutopias,ȱandȱtheȱdangers thatȱcouldȱdestroyȱthem51;ȱthisȱalsoȱpertainingȱtoȱtheȱlegalȱsystem.

49

50

51

Seeȱ theȱ contributionsȱ toȱ Theȱ Sevenȱ Deadlyȱ Sins:ȱ Fromȱ Communitiesȱ toȱ Individuals,ȱ ed.ȱ Richard Newhauser.ȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱandȱReformationȱTraditions,ȱ123ȱ(LeidenȱandȱBoston:ȱBrill,ȱ2007). WilliamȱLanglandȇsȱPiersȱPlowman:ȱAȱBookȱofȱEssays,ȱed.ȱKathleenȱM.ȱHewettȬSmitȱ(ȱNewȱYork: Routledge,ȱ2001);ȱWilliamȱLangland,ȱPiersȱPlowman,ȱaȱnewȱannotatedȱeditionȱofȱtheȱCȬtextȱby DerekȱPearsall.ȱExeterȱMedievalȱTextsȱandȱStudiesȱ(1978;ȱExeter,ȱUK:ȱUniversityȱofȱExeterȱPress, 2007).ȱ Seeȱ alsoȱ Williamȱ Langland,ȱ Piersȱ Plowman:ȱ Aȱ ParallelȬTextȱ Editionȱ ofȱ theȱ A,ȱ B,ȱ Cȱ andȱ Z Versions,ȱed.ȱA.ȱV.ȱC.ȱSchmidtȱ(vol.ȱ1:ȱLondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱLongman,ȱ1995;ȱvol.ȱ2:ȱKalamazoo, MI:ȱMedievalȱInstituteȱPublications,ȱ2008). HeikoȱHartmann,ȱ“Utopias/UtopianȱThought,”ȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen. Vol.ȱ2ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2010),ȱ1400–08.

Chapterȱ1 BernardȱRibémont (CESFiMAȱ—ȱUniversitéȱd’Orléansȱ—ȱANRȱJuslittera)

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition:ȱquelquesȱexemples (XIIe–XIIIeȱsiècles)

Laȱchansonȱdeȱgesteȱoffreȱunȱterrainȱparticulièrementȱricheȱpourȱquiȱveutȱs’intéresser auxȱ relationsȱ entreȱ leȱ droitȱ etȱ laȱ littérature.ȱ Enȱ effet,ȱ deȱ nombreusesȱ questions relevantȱduȱjuridiqueȱouȱduȱjudiciaireȱtramentȱlesȱtextesȱépiquesȱduȱMoyenȱÂge: distributionȱ deȱ fiefs,ȱ héritage,ȱ ambassades,ȱ légitimitéȱ deȱ laȱ guerre,ȱ traîtrisesȱ et crimesȱdiversȱsontȱlaȱbaseȱdeȱbienȱdesȱmotifsȱépiquesȱet,ȱauȬdelà,ȱstructurentȱen profondeurȱlaȱplupartȱdeȱnosȱchansons.ȱ Partantȱdeȱceȱconstatȱimmédiat,ȱilȱparaîtȱalorsȱlégitimeȱdeȱs’interrogerȱsurȱles relationsȱqueȱl’écritureȱépiqueȱmédiévaleȱentretientȱavecȱlesȱquestionsȱdeȱdroit,ȱde justice,ȱdeȱprocédure.ȱDeuxȱdirectionsȱprincipalesȱdeȱrechercheȱseȱdégagentȱalors: selonȱlaȱpremière,ȱonȱproposeraȱuneȱlectureȱàȱcaractèreȱhistoriciste,ȱenȱcherchant àȱrepérerȱcommentȱnosȱchansonsȱreflètentȱuneȱréalitéȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱdesȱXIIeȱetȱXIIIe siècle,ȱavecȱéventuellementȱunȱsouvenir,ȱplusȱouȱmoinsȱnostalgique,ȱplusȱouȱmoins fantasmé,ȱ desȱ pratiquesȱ carolingiennes.1ȱ Laȱ deuxièmeȱ voieȱ d’investigationȱ est littéraireȱetȱs’intéresseȱàȱceȱquiȱrelèveȱdeȱceȱqueȱjeȱnommeraiȱuneȱ‘esthétiqueȱdu juridique/judiciaire’ȱetȱconsisteȱàȱmesurerȱlesȱfonctionsȱlittéraires,ȱàȱanalyserȱles constructionsȱdeȱmotifsȱreposantȱsurȱceȱquiȱs’apparenteȱàȱdesȱproblèmesȱdeȱjustice. J’adopteraiȱuneȱdémarcheȱquiȱconsisteȱàȱcroiserȱcesȱdeuxȱtypesȱd’approche,ȱen considérantȱiciȱd’uneȱpartȱleȱmotifȱduȱcrimeȱetȱcertainesȱdeȱsesȱdéclinaisonsȱdans laȱchansonȱdeȱgesteȱetȱd’autreȱpartȱenȱtentantȱdeȱmesurerȱceȱqueȱceȱmotifȱdoitȱ–ȱou neȱdoitȱpasȱ–ȱauȱdroitȱetȱàȱlaȱprocédureȱduȱtemps.ȱIlȱconviendraȱdeȱprendreȱgarde

1

C’estȱdansȱunȱcadreȱplusȱgénéral,ȱselonȱsurtoutȱuneȱméthodologieȱdeȱlaȱcomparaison,ȱceȱqueȱfait R.ȱHowardȱBlochȱdansȱsonȱouvrage,ȱMedievalȱFrenchȱLiteratureȱandȱLawȱ(Berkeley,ȱLosȱAngeles,ȱand London:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1977).

30

BernardȱRibémont

iciȱàȱneȱpasȱtomberȱdansȱleȱpiège,ȱtenduȱauxȱraresȱcritiquesȱs’intéressantȱouȱs’étant intéressésȱàȱcesȱquestions,ȱd’uneȱvisionȱtropȱnaïveȱouȱtropȱsystématiqueȱduȱ‘droit féodal’.ȱÀȱyȱregarderȱdeȱfaçonȱattentive,ȱs’ilȱestȱprobablementȱlégitimeȱdeȱparler deȱ ‘préȬdroit’2ȱ etȱ surtoutȱ deȱ codeȱ d’honneur,ȱ ilȱ estȱ abusifȱ deȱ faireȱ reposerȱ une analyseȱsurȱunȱdroitȱféodalȱquiȱauraitȱunȱcaractèreȱétabli,ȱsavantȱenȱquelqueȱsorte, etȱquiȱn’existeȱpasȱenȱtantȱqueȱtel;ȱqui,ȱjustement,ȱapparaîtȱsouventȱàȱtraversȱune fictionnalisationȱduȱdroit,ȱfictionalisationȱàȱlaquelleȱlesȱchansonsȱdeȱgesteȱneȱsont pasȱétrangères.3ȱIlȱestȱcependantȱintéressantȱdeȱmettreȱenȱparallèleȱcertainsȱpropos desȱjongleursȱavecȱceȱqueȱpeuventȱdireȱdesȱcoutumiers,ȱenȱneȱperdantȱpasȱdeȱvue queȱ cesȱ derniersȱ ontȱ étéȱ écritsȱ aprèsȱ laȱ plupartȱ deȱ nosȱ chansons,ȱ qu’ilsȱ sont influencésȱ parȱ leȱ droitȱ savantȱ etȱ neȱ correspondentȱ doncȱ pasȱ étroitementȱ àȱ une réalitéȱantérieureȱessentiellementȱfluctuanteȱetȱgéographiquementȱinstable.4ȱSiȱla chansonȱdeȱgesteȱestȱleȱrefletȱdeȱcertainesȱpratiques,ȱelleȱn’enȱestȱqueȱleȱreflet,ȱparfois trèsȱdéformé.ȱLesȱtextesȱépiquesȱoffrentȱsurtoutȱleȱtémoignageȱdeȱlaȱplaceȱqueȱle juridiqueȱetȱleȱjudiciaireȱpeuventȱavoirȱdansȱlaȱconstructionȱd’unȱuniversȱdeȱfiction quiȱ seȱ veut,ȱ parceȱ qu’épique,ȱ laȱ miseȱ enȱ exergueȱ deȱ valeursȱ essentielles,ȱ mais exacerbées,ȱd’uneȱsociétéȱetȱsurtoutȱd’unȱgroupeȱsocial.ȱC’estȱàȱlaȱlumièreȱdeȱces motifsȱlittérairesȱépiques,ȱdontȱenȱtermesȱdeȱreprésentation,ȱqueȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgeste peutȱ offrirȱ àȱ l’historienȱ d’intéressantesȱ donnéesȱ surȱ laȱ justiceȱ duȱ Moyenȱ Âge central. Unȱdesȱmoteursȱdeȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgesteȱestȱbienȱconstitué,ȱselonȱunȱschémaȱdeȱtype rupture/réparation,ȱparȱleȱmanquementȱd’unȱpersonnageȱouȱd’unȱgroupeȱàȱun ensembleȱdeȱrèglesȱconsidéréesȱcommeȱétablies,ȱrelevantȱdoncȱdeȱlaȱcoutumeȱou d’unȱcode,ȱprincipalementȱcodeȱd’honneur,ȱmanquementȱimpliquantȱconflit,ȱpuis,

2

3

4

VoirȱPhilippeȱHaugeard,ȱ“UnȱbaronȱrévoltéȱestȬilȱunȱhorsȱlaȱloi?ȱDroitȱetȱviolenceȱdansȱGirartȱde Roussillon,”ȱCahiersȱdeȱRecherchesȱMédiévalesȱ18ȱ(2009):ȱ279–91. VoirȱGérardȱGiordanengo,ȱ“CoutumeȱetȱdroitȱféodalȱenȱFranceȱ(XIIe–XIVeȱsiècle),”ȱFéodalitésȱet droitsȱsavantsȱdansȱleȱMidiȱMédiéval.ȱCollectedȱStudiesȱSeries,ȱ373ȱ(Aldershot,ȱHampshire,ȱUK,ȱand Brookfield,ȱVT:ȱVariorum,ȱ1992)ȱchap.XV.ȱVoirȱégalement,ȱduȱmêmeȱauteur,ȱ“LeȱRomanȱdeȱThèbes, unȱromanȱféodal,”ȱQuiȱdesȱseptȱarzȱsetȱbienȱentendre…ȱÉtudesȱsurȱleȱRomanȱdeȱThèbes,ȱed.ȱBernard Ribémontȱ(Orléans:ȱParadigme,ȱ2002),ȱ193–99;ȱ“Féodalitéȱetȱdroitȱféodal.ȱQuelquesȱobservations”, HistoireȱetȱImagesȱmédiévalesȱ15ȱ(Nov./Déc.ȱ2008,ȱJanvierȱ2009):ȱ4–11.ȱPhilippeȱHaugeard,ȱ“Unȱbaron révoltéȱ estȬilȱ unȱ horsȱ laȱ loi?ȱ Droitȱ etȱ violenceȱ dansȱ Girartȱ deȱ Roussillon,”ȱ Cahiersȱ deȱ Recherches Médiévalesȱ 18(2009):ȱ 279–91.ȱ Bernardȱ Ribémont,ȱ “Droitȱ duȱ seigneur,ȱ droitȱ duȱ vassalȱ dansȱ la chansonȱdeȱgeste,”ȱMédiévalesȱ11/12ȱ(2010):ȱ199–210.ȱOnȱrappelleraȱàȱceȱsujetȱqueȱlesȱLibriȱfeudorum sontȱ uneȱ compilationȱ lombardeȱ tardiveȱ ajoutéeȱ auȱ Corpusȱ jurisȱ civilisȱ etȱ queȱ laȱ rédactionȱ des Coutumesȱestȱtardive;ȱparȱex.ȱleȱTrèsȱancienȱcoutumierȱetȱlaȱSummaȱdeȱlegibusȱNormanniaeȱinȱcuria laïcaliȱdatentȱduȱmilieuȱduȱXIIIeȱs. Laȱrédactionȱdesȱcoutumiersȱn’estȱofficielleȱqu’àȱpartirȱduȱmilieuȱdeȱXVeȱsiècle;ȱilsȱsontȱauparavant rédigésȱàȱpartirȱduȱXIIIeȱsiècle,ȱsurtoutȱenȱFranceȱduȱNord,ȱàȱpartirȱd’initiativesȱprivées,ȱcomme cellesȱ desȱ Établissementsȱ deȱ Saintȱ Louis,ȱ recueilȱ deȱ différentesȱ coutumes,ȱ deȱ Philippeȱ de Beaumanoir,ȱbailliȱdeȱPhilippeȱIII,ȱdeȱJeanȱBouteiller,ȱlieutenantȱduȱbailliȱdeȱTournaisisȱouȱde Jacquesȱd’Ableiges,ȱbailliȱd’ȱÉvreux.

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition

31

parȱunȱretourȱnécessaireȱàȱl’équilibre,ȱrèglementȱdeȱceȱconflit.ȱUnȱtelȱschémaȱrepose surȱuneȱstructureȱqui,ȱauxȱvariationsȱetȱhabillagesȱdiversȱprès,ȱseȱdéclineȱenȱcinq étapes:ȱ1)ȱconstat,ȱimpliciteȱetȱallantȱdeȱsoiȱouȱbienȱsouligné,ȱd’unȱordre;ȱ2)ȱrupture deȱcetȱordre;ȱ3)ȱidentificationȱdesȱcoupablesȱdeȱlaȱrupture;ȱ4)ȱévaluation/jugement deȱlaȱculpabilitéȱdesȱcoupables;ȱ5)ȱrésolutionȱouȱtentativeȱdeȱrésolutionȱduȱconflit. CelleȬciȱpeutȱneȱpasȱseȱproduireȱouȱêtreȱsansȱarrêtȱremiseȱ(gesteȱdesȱLorrainsȱpar exemple);ȱsinon,ȱelleȱseȱréaliseȱenȱgénéralȱselonȱdeuxȱdirections:ȱlaȱpremièreȱest interneȱetȱapparaîtȱcommeȱleȱrésultatȱd’uneȱprocédureȱjudiciaire.ȱLaȱsecondeȱest externeȱ etȱ relèveȱ soitȱ deȱ l’interventionȱ divineȱ parȱ leȱ miracleȱ (Pèlerinageȱ de Charlemagne)ȱouȱparȱlaȱpriseȱdeȱconscienceȱetȱl’élévationȱspirituelleȱduȱhérosȱ(Girart deȱRoussillon),ȱsoitȱd’unȱdépartȱenȱguerreȱcontreȱlesȱsarrasinsȱ(CharroiȱdeȱNîmes), cetteȱdernièreȱsurplombantȱleȱconflitȱetȱleȱréduisantȱàȱnéant;ȱonȱauraȱd’ailleurs souventȱlaȱconjonctionȱdesȱdeuxȱsituationsȱ(ChevalerieȱOgier,ȱGirartȱdeȱVienne).ȱ Jeȱm’intéresseraiȱiciȱauȱpremierȱcas,ȱenȱm’interrogeantȱsurȱleȱtraitementȱduȱcrime dansȱlesȱchansonsȱdeȱgesteȱduȱMoyenȱÂgeȱcentral.ȱCetteȱrechercheȱconduitȱdonc àȱconsidérerȱd’uneȱpartȱceȱqueȱl’épopéeȱinterprèteȱcommeȱcrimeȱetȱd’autreȱpartȱde quelleȱfaçonȱelleȱévalueȱlaȱpeineȱquiȱs’yȱrapporte.ȱLeȱcontexteȱépiqueȱfavoriseȱla miseȱenȱplaceȱdeȱsituationsȱcriminellesȱparticulières,ȱquiȱressortissentȱàȱl’esthétique deȱlaȱviolenceȱetȱàȱlaȱmiseȱenȱlumièreȱdeȱvaleursȱguerrièresȱetȱviriles,ȱceȱquiȱconduit lesȱjongleursȱàȱmettreȱsouventȱenȱscèneȱdesȱhomicides.ȱCesȱderniersȱrelèventȱde deuxȱ catégories:ȱ selonȱ laȱ première,ȱ l’homicide,ȱ quiȱ peutȱ avoirȱ deȱ trèsȱ graves conséquences,ȱ estȱ factuel;ȱ ilȱ estȱ leȱ fruitȱ d’unȱ hasard,ȱ d’unȱ funesteȱ concoursȱ de circonstances:ȱtelȱestȱleȱcasȱparȱexempleȱlorsque,ȱdansȱJourdainȱdeȱBlaye,ȱLothaire, leȱfilsȱdeȱCharlemagne,ȱs’enȱrevenantȱdeȱSaintȬJacquesȱavecȱsonȱpère,ȱetȱavisant uneȱ batailleȱ sousȱ Blaye,ȱ seȱ précipiteȱ deȱ façonȱ inconsidéréeȱ dansȱ laȱ mêlée,ȱ ne sachantȱ quiȱaȱdroitȱouȱtort,ȱetȱseȱfaitȱmalencontreusementȱoccireȱparȱJourdain. Charlemagneȱseȱlaissantȱdominerȱparȱleȱsentimentȱdeȱlaȱ vengeanceȱlignagière, voueȱsaȱhaineȱàȱJourdainȱetȱseȱrallieȱainsiȱauȱtraîtreȱFromont,ȱsansȱprendreȱlaȱpeine deȱjugerȱduȱcas.ȱIlȱreviendraȱsurȱsesȱdispositionsȱàȱlaȱfin,ȱlorsque,ȱsousȱuneȱforme étonnanteȱquiȱressembleȱquelqueȱpeuȱavantȱl’heureȱàȱuneȱdemandeȱofficielleȱde rémission,ȱpriéȱparȱRénier,ȱilȱpardonneraȱàȱJourdain.ȱ LeȱcasȱdeȱHuonȱdeȱBordeauxȱestȱproche,ȱtoutȱenȱétantȱplusȱcomplexe.ȱHuonȱetȱson frèreȱGirard,ȱsurȱlaȱdemandeȱdeȱCharles,ȱquittentȱBordeauxȱpourȱallerȱfaireȱleur hommage.ȱMaisȱleȱtraîtreȱAmauryȱmonteȱlaȱtêteȱduȱjeuneȱCharlot,ȱfilsȱpeuȱmalin deȱ Charles,ȱ etȱ leȱ convaincȱ deȱ l’accompagnerȱ dansȱ unȱ guetȬapensȱ tenduȱ aux Bordelais.ȱCharlotȱseȱprécipiteȱàȱlaȱrencontreȱdeȱHuonȱetȱdeȱGirardȱet,ȱsourdȱaux explicationsȱpacificatricesȱdesȱBordelais,ȱilȱblesseȱGirard;ȱceȱquiȱprovoqueȱlaȱcolère deȱ Huon,ȱ quiȱ tueȱ Charlotȱ enȱ combat.ȱ Arrivéȱ àȱ laȱ courȱ deȱ Charlemagne,ȱ Huon l’accuseȱdeȱtrahison;ȱl’empereur,ȱquiȱneȱcomprendȱguèreȱlaȱsituation,ȱprometȱde vengerȱleȱcrime,ȱmaisȱHuonȱaffirmeȱneȱpasȱconnaîtreȱlesȱagresseurs,ȱceȱquiȱestȱla véritéȱabsolue.ȱArriveȱalorsȱAmauryȱavecȱleȱcadavreȱdeȱCharlotȱetȱilȱdésigneȱHuon

32

BernardȱRibémont

commeȱmeurtrier.ȱCharlemagneȱentreȱenȱrageȱetȱveutȱimmédiatementȱtuerȱHuon, ceȱdontȱl’empêcheȱleȱsageȱNaimes.ȱUneȱprocédureȱjudiciaireȱestȱalorsȱengagée,ȱsous formeȱ deȱ duelȱ judiciaire.ȱ Onȱ remarqueraȱ auȱ passageȱ leȱ rôleȱ deȱ Naimes,ȱ au demeurantȱtraditionnel,ȱquiȱreprésenteȱleȱgarantȱdeȱlaȱjustice,ȱceluiȱquiȱconnaîtȱla coutumeȱetȱtenteȱdeȱlaȱfaireȱtoujoursȱappliquer.ȱ Avantȱleȱduel,ȱCharlemagneȱimposeȱuneȱconditionȱparticulière,ȱàȱsavoirȱqueȱle coupableȱdoitȱavouer.ȱMaisȱleȱdéroulementȱduȱcombat,ȱdurantȱlequelȱAmaury montreȱencoreȱsonȱcaractèreȱdeȱtraître,ȱfaitȱqueȱHuonȱluiȱcoupeȱlaȱtêteȱavantȱqu’il aitȱpuȱavouerȱsaȱforfaiture.ȱToutesȱlesȱaventuresȱdeȱHuonȱsontȱengendréesȱpar cetteȱ clauseȱ inhabituelleȱ qui,ȱ siȱ elleȱ n’apparaîtȱ pasȱ dansȱ laȱ chansonȱ deȱ gesteȱ en général,ȱtémoigneȱcependantȱd’uneȱvisionȱplusȱclaireȱduȱduelȱjudiciaire;ȱceȱdernier enȱeffet,ȱd’aprèsȱlesȱdocumentsȱd’archives,ȱarriveȱrarementȱàȱtermeȱetȱencoreȱplus rarementȱàȱlaȱmortȱd’unȱdesȱdeuxȱchampions5;ȱl’aveuȱouȱlaȱconciliationȱétantȱavant toutȱleȱbutȱrecherché,ȱsouventȱatteintȱdèsȱleȱserment.ȱOnȱpeutȱégalementȱvoirȱici, leȱreflet,ȱdéforméȱetȱréinvestiȱdansȱl’économieȱépique,ȱd’unȱélémentȱessentielȱde laȱcondamnationȱàȱmort,ȱtelȱqueȱleȱpréciseȱparȱexempleȱleȱCoutumierȱd’Artois:ȱ“nus leȱpuetȱiestreȱmisȱamortȱparȱnulȱjugement,ȱs’ilȱneȱconnoistȱdeȱsaȱpropreȱvolonté, sansȱcontrainteȱdeȱprisonȱetȱsansȱautreȱforceȱfaite.”6ȱ Cesȱremarquesȱfaites,ȱvenonsȬenȱàȱlaȱdeuxièmeȱcatégorieȱdeȱcrimeȱdeȱsang.ȱCelleȬ ciȱ peutȱ àȱ sonȱ tourȱ êtreȱ décomposéeȱ enȱ deuxȱ parties.ȱ Laȱ premièreȱ ressortitȱ au meurtreȱouȱàȱl’assassinat7ȱetȱs’inscritȱaisémentȱdansȱunȱcontexteȱqu’ilȱestȱfréquent deȱconsidérerȱcommeȱrelevantȱduȱmanichéismeȱépique.ȱLeȱsecondȱcasȱestȱplus complexeȱetȱn’impliqueȱpasȱuneȱvisionȱlinéaire,ȱvoireȱstéréotypée,ȱcarȱl’homicide estȱ leȱ résultatȱ d’uneȱ suiteȱ d’événementsȱ pouvantȱ leȱ justifier,ȱ ouȱ duȱ moins impliquantȱ unȱ débatȱ (Chansonȱ deȱ Roland,ȱ Ogier,ȱ Renautȱ deȱ Montauban,ȱ Raoulȱ de Cambrai).ȱ Onȱpeutȱconsidérerȱqueȱlaȱpremièreȱdeȱcesȱdeuxȱsituationsȱestȱlaȱplusȱconforme àȱ ceȱ qu’ilȱ estȱ courantȱ deȱ considérerȱ commeȱ relevantȱ duȱ manichéismeȱ etȱ de l’hyperboleȱépiques.ȱDansȱceȱcasȱenȱeffet,ȱleȱmeurtrierȱetȱleȱtraîtreȱseȱvoientȱdotés d’unȱportraitȱsoulignéȱauȱtraitȱnoir,ȱleurȱchâtimentȱneȱpeutȱêtreȱqu’exemplaireȱet leurȱmortȱinéluctableȱetȱinfamante.ȱ

5

6 7

Voir,ȱparȱexemple,ȱBrunoȱLemesle,ȱConflitsȱetȱjusticeȱauȱMoyenȱÂgeȱ(Paris:ȱPressesȱUniversitaires deȱFrance,ȱ2008),ȱ186–87ȱetȱbibliographie. Coutumierȱd’Artois,ȱéd.ȱAdolpheȱTardifȱ(Paris:ȱPicard,ȱ1883),ȱ109. Rappelonsȱqueȱlaȱnotionȱd’assassinatȱn’existeȱpasȱenȱdroitȱromainȱniȱenȱdroitȱpénalȱauȱMoyenȱÂge. Ilȱ fautȱ attendreȱ laȱ loiȱ duȱ 25ȱ septembreȱ 1791ȱ pourȱ queȱ soitȱ préciséȱ queȱ l’homicideȱ avec préméditationȱestȱqualifiéȱd’assassinat.

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition

33

Remarquonsȱàȱceȱproposȱqueȱlaȱmiseȱàȱmortȱinfamanteȱetȱcruelleȱ–ȱpendaison8, écartèlement,ȱ écorchageȱ –ȱ poseȱ quandȱ mêmeȱ problèmeȱ dansȱ unȱ universȱ de protagonistesȱappartenantȱàȱlaȱclasseȱchevaleresqueȱetȱparticulièrementȱfiersȱde leurȱpositionȱsociale.ȱIlȱn’estȱdoncȱpasȱforcémentȱsimpleȱd’appliquerȱdesȱpeines infamantesȱautrementȱqueȱsousȱforme,ȱauȱdemeurantȱrécurrente,ȱdeȱmenace.9ȱLe jugementȱ d’unȱ seigneur,ȱ mêmeȱ traître,ȱ n’estȱ pasȱ toujoursȱ immédiat,ȱ commeȱ le prouveȱleȱcasȱdeȱGanelon.ȱLesȱpeinesȱinfamantesȱserontȱdoncȱappliquéesȱleȱplus aisémentȱduȱmondeȱauxȱnonȬchevaliers,ȱauxȱbrigandsȱenȱparticulier,ȱcommeȱdans leȱMoniageȱGuillaumeȱoù,ȱparȱdeuxȱfois,ȱGuillaumeȱpendȱàȱunȱarbreȱlesȱcorpsȱdes brigandsȱ qu’ilȱ aȱ défaits.10ȱ Lorsqu’ilȱ s’agiraȱ d’unȱ miles,ȱ l’exécutionȱ seraȱ partie prenanteȱd’unȱsystèmeȱdeȱfortȱcontraste,ȱsoulignantȱleȱcaractèreȱparticulièrement odieuxȱetȱsurtoutȱunȱcomportementȱradicalementȱopposéȱàȱceluiȱqueȱl’onȱattend d’unȱchevalier.ȱIlȱfautȱqueȱleȱcondamnéȱn’aitȱauxȱyeuxȱdeȱl’auditeurȱouȱduȱlecteur aucuneȱexcuseȱàȱsonȱcomportement.ȱ Dansȱunȱregistreȱanalogue,ȱmaisȱexȱnegativo,ȱlaȱpunitionȱinfamanteȱ–ȱquiȱneȱpeut êtreȱenȱceȱcasȱmiseȱenȱœuvreȱ–ȱestȱédictéeȱparȱleȱouȱlesȱtraîtresȱcontreȱunȱinnocent, ceȱquiȱsouligneȱleurȱfélonieȱetȱprépareȱenȱquelqueȱsorteȱleurȱpropreȱchâtimentȱà venir.ȱ Uneȱ telleȱ situationȱ seȱ rencontreȱ dansȱ Gaydonȱ oùȱ toutȱ leȱ préparatifȱ deȱ la pendaisonȱdeȱFerraut,ȱordonnéeȱparȱleȱtraîtreȱHertaut,ȱestȱdécritȱparȱleȱjongleur. MaisȱinȱextremisȱGaydonȱvientȱsauverȱFerraut11ȱqui,ȱenȱtouteȱlogiqueȱseraȱpendu sansȱ leȱ moindreȱ procès,ȱ Savariȱ indiquantȱ clairementȱ “Ainsizȱ vaȱ d’ommeȱ qui mainneȱtraïson”ȱ(v.ȱ4684),ȱformuleȱlapidaireȱquiȱparaîtȱenȱéchoȱdeȱcertainsȱpropos queȱl’onȱtrouveȱdansȱlesȱcoutumiers.ȱGaydonȱoffreȱuneȱautreȱscèneȱdeȱpendaison ratéeȱ richeȱ d’enseignements.ȱ Lesȱ traîtresȱ quiȱ entourentȱ Charles,ȱ décidément aveugleȱetȱsourdeȱauxȱinjonctionsȱduȱhérosȱdeȱlaȱchanson,ȱcomplotentȱleȱmeurtre deȱGautier,ȱafinȱdeȱsemerȱleȱdésordreȱdansȱleȱroyaume.ȱIlsȱvontȱdoncȱorganiserȱun guetȬapensȱpourȱseȱsaisirȱdeȱlui.ȱOnȱestȱdoncȱdansȱuneȱcirconstance,ȱrelevéeȱparȱles coutumiers,ȱd’organisationȱdeȱmeurtreȱavecȱpréméditation.ȱ Mais,ȱauȱlieuȱd’unȱassassinatȱpurȱetȱsimple,ȱlesȱtraîtresȱdécidentȱd’uneȱpendaison quiȱpermettraitȱunȱmaximumȱdeȱpublicitéȱauȱforfait.ȱÉvidemment,ȱleȱforfaitȱne réussiraȱpas,ȱlesȱincidentsȱ–ȱsansȱaucunȱdouteȱvouluȱparȱDieuȱ–ȱseȱmultipliant,ȱde façonȱ mêmeȱ cocasseȱ (l’échelleȱ casse)ȱ –ȱ etȱ Gautierȱ réussissantȱ àȱ seȱ libérerȱ etȱ à

8

9

10 11

Surȱlaȱpendaisonȱdansȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgeste,ȱjeȱrenvoieȱauȱbelȱarticleȱdeȱValérieȱNaudet,ȱ“‘Avalȱleȱvent laȱpoudreȱesparse’.ȱLaȱpendaisonȱdansȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgeste,”ȱCrimesȱetȱchâtimentsȱdansȱlaȱchanson deȱgeste,ȱed.ȱBernardȱRibémont.ȱCircare,ȱ2ȱȱ(Paris:ȱKlincksieck,ȱ2008),ȱ203–33. Telȱestȱleȱcas,ȱentreȱautres,ȱdansȱleȱCouronnementȱdeȱLouis,ȱenversȱlesȱprélatsȱquiȱontȱtrahiȱleȱroi Louis.ȱGuillaumeȱdemandeȱàȱsesȱbaronsȱquelleȱpeineȱilsȱdoiventȱencourirȱetȱc’estȱlaȱpendaisonȱqui estȱprononcée.ȱMaisȱlaȱpeineȱneȱseraȱpasȱappliquée,ȱGuillaumeȱseȱcontentantȱd’arracherȱlesȱcrosses desȱévêquesȱetȱdeȱbattreȱcesȱderniers. LeȱMoniageȱGuillaume,ȱéd.ȱNellyȱAndrieuxȬReixȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ2003),ȱv.ȱ1626–33ȱetȱv.ȱ2440–45. Gaydon,ȱéd.ȱetȱtrad.ȱJeanȱSubrenatȱ(LouvainȱandȱParis:ȱPeeters,ȱ2007),ȱ302–05.

34

BernardȱRibémont

assommerȱsesȱadversaires.ȱOnȱestȱiciȱdansȱleȱcadreȱd’unȱvéritableȱmondeȱàȱl’envers oùȱuneȱparodieȱd’exécutionȱvientȱsoulignerȱlaȱnoirceurȱdesȱtraîtres.ȱDesȱrealiaȱsont iciȱàȱl’œuvreȱdansȱleȱchampȱépique,ȱl’économieȱdeȱlaȱnarrationȱlesȱdétournantȱde leurȱfonction:ȱexpositionȱduȱcorpsȱauȱvuȱetȱsuȱdeȱtousȱmaisȱcetteȱfoisȬciȱnonȱàȱtitre d’exemple,ȱ maisȱ deȱ moteurȱ deȱ crise;ȱ Providenceȱ intervenantȱ parȱ unȱ accident empêchantȱ l’exécutionȱ deȱ laȱ peine,ȱ incidentȱ dirimantȱ auȱ yeuxȱ deȱ laȱ justice médiévale.12 Quantȱauȱmeurtrierȱdeȱnosȱchansons,ȱilȱressortitȱleȱplusȱsouventȱàȱlaȱcatégorieȱdu traître,ȱceȱquiȱcorrespondȱbienȱàȱuneȱconceptionȱcouranteȱduȱmeurtre,ȱsiȱl’onȱen croitȱPhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoirȱquiȱexpliqueȱqueȱ“Nusȱmurtresȱn’estȱsansȱtraïson.”13 Uneȱ telleȱ situationȱ apparaîtȱ dansȱ Jourdainȱ deȱ Blaye,ȱ autourȱ duȱ personnageȱ de Fromont.ȱ CeluiȬciȱ estȱ unȱ traîtreȱ patenté:ȱ duȱ lignageȱ deȱ Hardré,ȱ ilȱ estȱ marqué génétiquement,ȱunȱtoposȱdeȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgeste14;ȱsaȱtrahisonȱestȱsurtoutȱmotivée parȱl’envie,ȱlaȱcupiditéȱ–ȱleȱdésirȱdeȱposséderȱBlayeȱetȱdeȱdevenirȱricheȱetȱpuissant–, quiȱ l’entraînentȱ auȱ meurtreȱ etȱ àȱ laȱ spoliationȱ deȱ Jourdain,ȱ héritierȱ légitimeȱ de Blaye.ȱIlȱfaitȱexécuterȱGirartȱetȱsaȱfemme,ȱdeȱnuit,ȱdansȱleurȱlit,ȱmarqueȱsuprême deȱtrahison.ȱIlȱdécapiteȱensuiteȱluiȬmêmeȱunȱpetitȱenfant,ȱleȱfilsȱd’Erembourcȱetȱde Renier,ȱcroyantȱqu’ilȱs’agitȱdeȱJourdain.ȱPreuveȱdeȱsonȱabsenceȱtotaleȱdeȱscrupule etȱdeȱloyauté,ȱilȱvaȱjusqu’àȱfaireȱcouperȱleȱnezȱàȱsesȱdeuxȱplusȱfidèlesȱcomplices, sousȱ leȱ seulȱ prétexteȱ qu’ilȱ aȱ perduȱ leȱ sien,ȱ tranchéȱ parȱ leȱ jeuneȱ Jourdain.ȱ Le jongleurȱaȱdoncȱvouluȱmarquerȱleȱpersonnageȱdeȱFromontȱdesȱattributsȱlesȱplus sombres;ȱ pourȱ ceȱ faire,ȱ ilȱ entoureȱ leȱ crimeȱ duȱ maximumȱ deȱ circonstances aggravantes.ȱ CellesȬciȱsontȱdeȱdeuxȱordres:ȱordreȱmoral,ȱleȱmeurtreȱétantȱlargementȱmotivé parȱlaȱcupidité,ȱmêmeȱsiȱFromontȱprétendȱs’inscrireȱdansȱunȱcycleȱdeȱfaide,ȱvoulant vengerȱHardré,ȱtuéȱloyalementȱparȱleȱpèreȱdeȱJourdainȱdansȱlaȱchansonȱAmiȱet Amile.15ȱEnȱfait,ȱplusȱqueȱdeȱvengeanceȱlégitime,ȱilȱs’agit,ȱauréoléȱd’envie,ȱdeȱhaine, deȱ celleȱ queȱ Philippeȱ deȱ Beaumanoirȱ dénonceȱ commeȱ synonymeȱ deȱ trahison: “Traïsonsȱ siȱ estȱ quantȱ l’enȱ neȱ moustreȱ pasȱ semblantȱ deȱ haineȱ etȱ l’enȱ het mortelmentȱsiȱque,ȱparȱlȱahaine,ȱl’enȱtueȱouȱfetȱtuer.”16ȱIlȱs’agitȱdeȱhaineȱcontenue,

12

13

14 15

16

Voirȱàȱceȱsujet,ȱClaudeȱGauvard,ȱ‘Deȱgraceȱespecial’:ȱCrime,ȱÉtatȱetȱSociétéȱenȱFranceȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyen Âge,ȱ2ȱvol.ȱ(Paris:ȱPublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ1991),ȱ179–82;ȱid.,ȱȱViolenceȱetȱordreȱpublicȱauȱMoyen Âge.ȱ Lesȱmédiévistesȱfrançais,ȱ5ȱ(Paris:ȱPicard,ȱ2005),ȱ68. PhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱduȱBeauvaisis,ȱt.ȱ1,ȱéd.ȱAmédéeȱSalmonȱ(Paris:ȱPicard,ȱ1899), 430. Voir,ȱentreȱautres,ȱlesȱtraîtresȱd’Ayeȱd’AvignonȱouȱdeȱGaydon. Auȱ sujetȱ desȱ questionȱ juridiquesȱ unissantȱ Amiȱ etȱ Amileȱ etȱ Jourdainȱ deȱ Blaye,ȱ voirȱ monȱ article “Épopéeȱmédiévaleȱetȱquestionsȱdeȱdroit.ȱRèglementȱdesȱconflits,ȱrésolutionȱdesȱtensions:ȱleȱcas d’AmiȱetȱAmileȱetȱdeȱJourdainȱdeȱBlaye,”ȱRomanistischeȱZeitschriftȱfürȱLiteraturgeschichteȱ31ȱ(2007): 249–61. PhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱ(voirȱnoteȱ13),ȱ430.

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition

35

doncȱ masquéeȱ parȱ hypocrisie,ȱ ceȱ queȱ leȱ jongleurȱ montreȱ bienȱ enȱ dessinantȱ un FromontȱseȱprésentantȱcommeȱunȱbonȱvassalȱàȱGirart,ȱavantȱdeȱl’assassiner.ȱLe personnageȱapparaîtȱégalementȱcommeȱlâche,ȱprétentieux,ȱtyrannique.ȱD’autre part,ȱs’ilȱressortitȱàȱl’hyperboleȱépique,ȱcetȱexempleȱconcentreȱaussiȱdansȱlaȱfiction desȱélémentsȱrenvoyantȱàȱlaȱconceptionȱjuridiqueȱmédiévaleȱduȱmeurtre.ȱSelonȱla coutumeȱdeȱTouraineȱetȱd’Anjouȱparȱexemple,ȱlaȱpremièreȱdéfinitionȱduȱmeurtre reposeȱsurȱlesȱcirconstances:ȱ“Murtresȱsiȱestȱd’omeȱouȱdeȱfameȱquantȱl’enȱlaȱtueȱen sonȱlit,ȱouȱenȱaucuneȱmeniereȱporȱcoiȱceȱneȱsoitȱenȱmellée.”17ȱEstȱdoncȱcoupableȱde meurtreȱceluiȱquiȱtueȱhorsȱd’unȱcontexteȱdeȱguerre;ȱlaȱmiseȱenȱavantȱdeȱl’homicide perpétréȱsurȱuneȱpersonneȱenȱsonȱlitȱmontreȱqueȱcetteȱcirconstanceȱestȱconsidérée commeȱaggravante.ȱ DansȱsesȱCoutumesȱduȱBeauvaisis,ȱPhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoir,ȱenȱdonnantȱluiȱaussi saȱ définitionȱ duȱ meurtre,ȱ abondeȱ dansȱ leȱ mêmeȱ sens,ȱ enȱ mentionnantȱ laȱ nuit commeȱcirconstanceȱdeȱl’homicide:ȱ“murtresȱsiȱestȱquantȱaucunsȱtueȱouȱfetȱtuer autruiȱenȱaguetȱapenséȱpuisȱsoleilȱesconsantȱdusquesȱaȱsoleilȱlevant.”18ȱDansȱla Sommeȱrural,ȱJeanȱBouteillerȱexpliqueȱqueȱlaȱprocédureȱextraordinaireȱpeutȱêtre appliquéeȱpourȱlesȱcoupablesȱdeȱ“grandsȱcrimesȱetȱenormesȱ[]ȱfaitsȱrepostement.”19 Fromontȱaȱégalementȱtrèsȱbienȱorganiséȱsonȱcrime,ȱavecȱl’aideȱdeȱdeuxȱcomplices lesȱ“serfs”ȱàȱsesȱordres:ȱlaȱpréméditationȱestȱdoncȱpatente,ȱcirconstanceȱaggravante parȱexcellence.20ȱUneȱcharteȱd’Arrasȱdatantȱdeȱ1194ȱsanctionneȱainsiȱdeȱlaȱpeineȱde mortȱ(capudȱproȱcapite)ȱtoutȱcrimeȱdeȱsangȱpréméditéȱ(scienter).21 Laȱpunitionȱseraȱdoncȱàȱlaȱmesureȱetȱduȱcrimeȱetȱdeȱlaȱnoirceurȱduȱpersonnage. C’estȱpourquoi,ȱàȱlaȱfinȱdeȱlaȱchanson,ȱlaȱdescriptionȱduȱprocèsȱestȱréduiteȱàȱsaȱplus simpleȱexpressionȱetȱl’accentȱmisȱsurȱlaȱpunition,ȱquiȱs’étendȱauȬdelàȱdeȱlaȱjustice humaine,ȱl’âmeȱduȱmeurtrierȱimmédiatementȱconduiteȱenȱEnfer: Pourȱleȱjugement,ȱtousȱfurentȱassemblés,ȱprinces,ȱcomtes,ȱseigneursȱetȱvassauxȱtenant fief.ȱIlsȱontȱsuffisammentȱparléȱetȱdélibéré,ȱsiȱbienȱqueȱtousȱseȱsontȱàȱlaȱfinȱmisȱd’accord pourȱ queȱ leȱ fiefféȱ traîtreȱ soitȱ écorchéȱ vif.ȱ Ceȱ quiȱ futȱ faitȱ sansȱ attendre.ȱ Ilsȱ ontȱ lié Fromontȱàȱunȱchevalȱdeȱbâtȱetȱl’ontȱtraînéȱparmiȱlaȱcité,ȱenȱcontrebas.ȱ[…]ȱIlsȱtirent Fromontȱjusqu’àȱunȱfosséȱexistantȱdepuisȱlongtemps;ȱilsȱl’ontȱécorchéȱcommeȱunȱbœuf

17 18

19

20

21

ÉtablissementsȱdeȱSaintȱLouis,ȱéd.ȱPaulȱViollet,ȱt.ȱ2ȱ(Paris:ȱRenouard,ȱ1881),ȱ37–38. Philippeȱ deȱ Beaumanoir,ȱ Coutumesȱ (voirȱ noteȱ 13),ȱ 429.ȱ Voirȱ aussi,ȱ dansȱ lesȱ coutumesȱ de l’Orléanais,ȱlaȱrubriqueȱDeȱapelerȱhomeȱdeȱmurtreȱteȱdeȱtraïson,ȱoùȱlaȱcirconstanceȱ“nuitantre”ȱest soulignéeȱ(ÉtablissementsȱdeȱSaintȱLouisȱ(voirȱnoteȱ17),ȱt.2,ȱ358 Sommeȱrural,ȱouȱleȱgrandȱcoustumierȱgénéralȱdeȱpractiqueȱcivilȱetȱcanon.ȱRevue,ȱcorrigéȱsurȱlȇexemplaire manuscript,ȱillustréȱdeȱcommentairesȱ&ȱannotations,ȱl.1,ȱtit.13,ȱéd.ȱLouisȱCharondasȱleȱCaronȱ(Paris: Mace,ȱ1603). NicoleȱGonthier,ȱLeȱChâtimentȱduȱcrimeȱauȱMoyenȱÂgeȱ(Rennes:ȱPressesȱUniversitairesȱdeȱRennes, 1998)ȱ20sq. NicoleȱGonthier,ȱLeȱChâtimentȱ(voirsȱnoteȱ20),ȱ94.

36

BernardȱRibémont cornu.ȱIlȱaȱfiniȱsaȱvieȱdansȱuneȱcruelleȱsouffrance.ȱLesȱdiables,ȱlesȱcréaturesȱdeȱl’Enfer ontȱemportéȱsonȱâme.22

LeȱnarrateurȱsousȬentendȱqueȱleȱdébatȱaȱportéȱsurȱlaȱnatureȱchâtiment,ȱplusȱqueȱsur l’évaluationȱdeȱlaȱfauteȱetȱdeȱsaȱpunition.ȱLeȱproposȱduȱjongleurȱimpliqueȱqueȱla punitionȱestȱsurtoutȱmotivéeȱparȱunȱsentimentȱprégnantȱdansȱleȱgenreȱépique,ȱla vengeanceȱqui,ȱinȱfine,ȱocculteȱl’exemplaritéȱduȱsupplice.ȱMaisȱcelleȬciȱn’estȱpas pourȱautantȱeffacéeȱetȱelleȱcorrespondȱàȱcertainesȱpratiquesȱd’infamieȱmisesȱen œuvreȱauȱMoyenȱÂge.ȱFromont,ȱavantȱd’atteindreȱleȱlieuȱdeȱsonȱsupplice,ȱestȱainsi traînéȱàȱtraversȱlaȱcité,ȱceȱqueȱpréconisentȱunȱgrandȱnombreȱdeȱcoutumiers,ȱcomme celuiȱ d’Artoisȱ quiȱ indiqueȱ qu’“homȱ atteintȱ deȱ murdreȱ [ȱ ]ȱ doitȱ iestreȱ trainésȱ et pendus”23;ȱpourȱPhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoir,ȱilȱenȱvaȱdeȱmême:ȱ“Quiconqueȱestȱpris enȱcasȱdeȱcrimeȱetȱatainsȱduȱcas,ȱsiȱcommeȱdeȱmurtre,ȱouȱdeȱtraïson,ȱouȱd’homicide, ouȱdeȱfameȱesforcier,ȱilȱdoitȱestreȱtrainésȱetȱpendus.”24ȱ DansȱJourdainȱdeȱBlaye,ȱleȱcondamnéȱestȱcertesȱtraîné,ȱmaisȱnulleȱmentionȱn’est faiteȱdeȱspectateursȱdeȱlaȱcité;ȱFromontȱestȱécorchéȱdansȱunȱfosséȱetȱrienȱn’estȱdit d’uneȱéventuelleȱexpositionȱdeȱsonȱcorps.ȱLeȱjongleurȱmentionneȱseulementȱque laȱ compagnieȱ deȱ Jourdainȱ aȱ assistéȱ auȱ supplice,ȱ ceȱ quiȱ estȱ conformeȱ auȱ droit coutumierȱquiȱspécifieȱqu’aucuneȱpénalitéȱneȱdoitȱs’accomplirȱsansȱtémoin.ȱIci,ȱles spectateursȱsontȱlimitésȱàȱl’entourageȱdeȱJourdain:ȱlaȱvengeanceȱaȱétéȱaccomplie, deȱfaçonȱcruelle,ȱceȱquiȱrétablitȱl’équilibreȱselonȱuneȱjusticeȱquiȱseȱrévèleȱdonc,ȱin fine,ȱsurtoutȱd’ordreȱprivéȱetȱrelevantȱdeȱlaȱfaide. Girartȱ deȱ Roussillonȱ offreȱ égalementȱ uneȱ scèneȱ deȱ punitionȱ infamante,ȱ par pendaison.ȱLeȱtraîtreȱRichierȱavaitȱpermisȱlaȱconquêteȱduȱchâteauȱdeȱRoussillon parȱCharles;ȱlaȱreconquêteȱdeȱlaȱplaceȱforteȱvaȱpermettreȱlaȱvengeance.ȱIciȱencore, lesȱ circonstancesȱ deȱ laȱ trahisonȱ sontȱ nocturnes:ȱ Richierȱ quitteȱ leȱ campȱ de Roussillonȱdeȱnuit,ȱvaȱtrouverȱCharlesȱetȱluiȱproposeȱdeȱtrahir,ȱuniquementȱpas cupidité:ȱ “Queu[s]ȱ rendraȱ Rossillon,ȱ feraȱ ouȱ gent?/S’ilȱ enȱ auraȱ enȱ Franceȱ nul chasement?”ȱdemandeȱleȱtraîtreȱdèsȱleȱseuilȱdeȱlaȱtenteȱduȱroi.25ȱLorsȱdeȱlaȱvictoire deȱ Girartȱ deȱ Roussillon,ȱ Fouqueȱ poursuitȱ leȱ traîtreȱ quiȱ tenteȱ deȱ s’échapperȱ et, l’ayantȱsaisiȱparȱlesȱcheveux,ȱilȱleȱpendȱaussitôtȱsurȱunȱgibetȱsituéȱenȱhautȱd’une colline,ȱleȱjongleurȱprécisantȱqueȱleȱcorpsȱduȱpenduȱseȱbalanceraȱlàȱàȱtoutȱjamais, ceȱ quiȱcorrespondȱàȱlaȱréalitéȱetȱàȱuneȱvisionȱexemplaireȱduȱsupplice,ȱ leȱ corps

22 23

24

25

JourdainȱdeȱBlaye,ȱtrad.ȱBernardȱRibémontȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ2007),ȱ149. Coutumierȱd’Artois,ȱéd.ȱAdolpheȱTardifȱ(Paris:ȱPicard,ȱ1883),ȱ111.ȱDansȱlesȱimagesȱdeȱsupplice qu’elleȱétudie,ȱChristianeȱRaynaudȱindiqueȱuneȱfréquenceȱdeȱ1/5ȱdeȱscènesȱoùȱleȱcondamnéȱest traîné;ȱChristianeȱRaynaud,ȱLaȱviolenceȱauȱMoyenȱÂgeȱ(Paris:ȱLeȱLéopardȱd’or,ȱ1990),ȱ45.ȱVoirȱles exemplesȱdonnésȱparȱNicoleȱGonthier,ȱLeȱChâtimentȱ(voirȱnoteȱ20),ȱ128–29. PhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱ(voirȱnoteȱ13),ȱt.ȱ1,ȱ429.ȱOnȱtrouveȱégalementȱdeȱnombreux exemples,ȱpourȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱdansȱleȱRegistreȱcriminelȱduȱChâtelet. Girartȱ deȱ Roussilon,ȱ éd.ȱ Michelineȱ Deȱ Combarieu,ȱ Jeanȱ Subrenatȱ (Paris:ȱ Librairieȱ Généraleȱ de Franceȱ(Lettresȱgothiques),ȱ1993),ȱv.ȱ959–60.

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition

37

exposéȱdevantȱmontrerȱàȱceuxȱquiȱleȱvoientȱlesȱrisquesȱencourusȱenȱcasȱdeȱcrime grave. Dansȱ uneȱ chansonȱ tardive,ȱ composéȱ auȱ tournantȱ duȱ XIVeȱ siècle,ȱ Baudoinȱ de Sebourc,ȱonȱrencontreȱuneȱsituationȬtypeȱanalogueȱàȱcelleȱduȱJourdainȱdeȱBlayeȱdu XIIIeȱ siècle.ȱ Iciȱ leȱ traîtreȱ odieuxȱ et,ȱ telȱ Fromont,ȱ paréȱ deȱ tousȱ lesȱ défautsȱ –ȱ convoitise,ȱenvie,ȱcupidité,ȱlâcheté,ȱdéloyauté,ȱorgueilȱ–ȱGaufroiȱdeȱFriseȱ–ȱquiȱa mêmeȱ unȱ chevalȱ significativementȱ nomméȱ Fauvainȱ ȱ –ȱ ,ȱ estȱ leȱ sénéchalȱ duȱ roi Ernoul;ȱilȱs’éprendȱdeȱRose,ȱlaȱfemmeȱdeȱceȱdernierȱet,ȱàȱlaȱsuiteȱd’uneȱtrahison sanctionnéeȱparȱuneȱallianceȱlucrativeȱavecȱlesȱsarrasinsȱ(unȱnavireȱchargéeȱd’or), Gaufroiȱréussitȱàȱéliminerȱsesȱconcurrents,ȱlesȱchrétiensȱétantȱquasimentȱtousȱtués lorsȱd’uneȱbatailleȱnavaleȱetȱErnoulȱfaitȱprisonnier.ȱFaisantȱcroireȱàȱlaȱmortȱdeȱceluiȬ ci,ȱGaufroiȱépouseȱRose,ȱpuisȱintrigueȱàȱlaȱcourȱdeȱFrance,ȱenfermeȱRoseȱdansȱune tourȱetȱépouseȱsaȱpropreȱsœur,ȱempoisonneȱleȱroiȱPhilippeȱetȱseȱfaitȱproclamer régent,ȱavecȱl’espoirȱdeȱseȱdébarrasserȱduȱdauphin.ȱ MaisȱtoutȱaȱuneȱfinȱetȱGaufroi,ȱvaincu,ȱfiniraȱtraînéȱetȱpendu,26ȱconformémentȱà ceȱ queȱ disentȱ laȱ plupartȱ desȱ coutumiersȱ qui,ȱ lorsqu’ilȱ s’agitȱ deȱ meurtreȱ etȱ de trahison,ȱpréconisentȱlaȱpeineȱdeȱmortȱparȱpendaison,ȱprécédéeȱdeȱl’exposition infamanteȱduȱcondamné,ȱtraînéȱsurȱuneȱclaie,ȱouȱattachéȱàȱunȱcheval,ȱjusqu’auȱlieu duȱ supplice.ȱ L’auteurȱ deȱ Baudoinȱ donneȱ unȱ certainȱ nombreȱ deȱ détailsȱ qui soulignentȱ laȱ vengeanceȱ contreȱ unȱ traîtreȱ fieffé:ȱ Gaufroiȱ estȱ traîné,ȱ puisȱ ilȱ est attachéȱlesȱmembresȱécartelésȱavecȱuneȱlourdeȱpierreȱsurȱleȱventre;ȱonȱleȱcouronne d’unȱoignon,ȱonȱdanseȱautourȱdeȱlui;ȱlesȱmarmitonsȱluiȱcoupentȱmaintesȱphalanges, puisȱilȱestȱenfinȱtraînéȱetȱpenduȱàȱMontfaucon.ȱLeȱjongleurȱsouligneȱqueȱl’exécution estȱ publique,ȱ “Parȱ devantȱ toutȱ leȱ poeple.”27ȱ Maisȱ iciȱ aucuneȱ formeȱ deȱ procès n’apparaîtȱpourȱjugerȱdeȱlaȱnatureȱdeȱlaȱpeine:ȱGaufroiȱaȱétéȱvaincuȱparȱBaudoin enȱcombatȱsingulierȱet,ȱauȱvuȱdeȱl’ensembleȱdeȱsesȱdiversesȱinfamies,ȱlaȱpunition sembleȱallerȱdeȱsoi:ȱhumiliation,ȱtorture,ȱpendaison. Nosȱchansonsȱcependantȱneȱseȱcantonnentȱpasȱàȱuneȱcriminalitéȱaussiȱimmédiate et,ȱ souvent,ȱ lesȱ casȱ sontȱ plusȱ complexesȱ etȱ permettentȱ ainsiȱ d’offrirȱ des développementsȱplusȱsophistiquésȱsurȱl’appréciationȱduȱcrimeȱetȱdeȱsaȱpunition. LeȱcasȱdeȱGanelon,ȱquiȱfaitȱdate,ȱestȱàȱceȱtitreȱfortȱintéressant.ȱ Siȱl’onȱprendȱla chronologieȱdesȱévénementsȱàȱrebours,ȱonȱpartȱeffectivementȱd’unȱmotifȱdeȱpeine infamante:ȱGanelonȱestȱécartelé,ȱavecȱquelquesȱdétailsȱduȱsupplice,ȱceȱquiȱassez rareȱdansȱlesȱpremièresȱchansonsȱdeȱgeste:ȱ Quatreȱdestrersȱfuntȱamenerȱavant, Puisȱsiȱliȱlientȱeȱlesȱpiezȱeȱlesȱmains. Liȱchevalȱsuntȱorgoillusȱeȱcurant;

26

27

Surȱcetȱépisode,ȱvoirȱClaudeȱRoussel,ȱ“CrimesȱetȱchâtimentsȱdansȱBaudoinȱdeȱSebourc,”ȱCrimesȱet châtimentsȱdansȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgesteȱ(voirȱnoteȱ8),ȱ155–78. BaudoinȱdeȱSebourc,ȱed.ȱLarryȱS.ȱCristȱ(Paris:ȱSociétéȱdesȱAnciensȱTextesȱFrançais,ȱ2001),ȱv.ȱ24070.

38

BernardȱRibémont Quatreȱserjanzȱlesȱacoeillentȱdevant, Deversȱunȱeweȱkiȱestȱenȱmiȱunȱcamp. Guenesȱestȱturnetȱaȱperdiciunȱgrant; Trestuitȱsiȱnerfȱmultȱliȱsuntȱestendant Eȱtuitȱliȱmembreȱdeȱsunȱcorsȱderumpant: Surȱl’erbeȱverteȱenȱespantȱliȱclercȱsanc.28

Cependant,ȱavantȱd’enȱarriverȱlàȱ–ȱc’estȬàȬdireȱàȱuneȱvengeanceȱ–ȱCharlesȱaȱdû défendreȱceȱqu’ilȱconsidéraitȱcommeȱsonȱdroit.ȱEnȱeffet,ȱlaȱChansonȱdeȱRolandȱpose unȱproblèmeȱcomplexeȱenȱtermeȱdeȱdroit,ȱdansȱleȱsensȱdeȱsavoirȱquiȱaȱraisonȱouȱqui aȱtort.ȱLaȱcomplexitéȱdeȱlaȱquestionȱapparaîtȱdèsȱleȱdébutȱdeȱlaȱchanson,ȱlisibleȱà traversȱunȱtopos,ȱceluiȱduȱportrait.ȱContrairementȱàȱceuxȱquiȱluiȱsuccèderont,ȱtels HardréȱouȱFromont,ȱGanelonȱestȱdotéȱd’unȱportraitȱfortȱlouangé:ȱilȱestȱbeau,ȱfier, noble,ȱaltier.ȱIlȱestȱcourageux,ȱcommeȱleȱprouveȱsonȱattitudeȱpremièreȱlorsȱdeȱson ambassadeȱauprèsȱdeȱMarsile.ȱIlȱestȱsignificatifȱque,ȱdécrivantȱleȱprocès,ȱleȱjongleur fasseȱuneȱremarqueȱrelevantȱceȱcaractèreȱcomplexeȱduȱparâtreȱdeȱRoland:ȱ“S’ilȱfust leials,ȱbenȱresemblastȱbarun”ȱ(v.3764).ȱLeȱnœudȱdeȱlaȱquestionȱestȱdeȱsavoirȱsi Ganelonȱ estȱ véritablementȱ unȱ traître.ȱ Carȱ n’avaitȬilȱ pas,ȱ aprèsȱ leȱ débatȱ contre Roland,ȱleȱdroit,ȱpeutȬêtreȱmêmeȱleȱdevoirȱd’exercerȱlaȱfaide?ȱRoland,ȱenȱenvoyant sonȱ parâtreȱ àȱ uneȱ mortȱ quasiȱ certaine,ȱ trahitȱ unȱ membreȱ deȱ sonȱ lignage.ȱ Le problèmeȱestȱque,ȱpourȱexercerȱsaȱvengeance,ȱGanelonȱs’allieȱavecȱlesȱennemis, militairesȱetȱreligieux,ȱdeȱsonȱsuzerain.ȱ Quantȱàȱlaȱ“fleurȱdeȱFrance”ȱtuéeȱàȱRoncevauxȱàȱcauseȱdeȱGanelon,ȱfautȬilȱla considérerȱcommeȱcomposéeȱdesȱalliésȱdeȱRoland,ȱcontreȱlesquelsȱGanelonȱpeut exercerȱuneȱlégitimeȱvengeance,ȱouȱbienȱcommeȱlesȱbaronsȱdeȱCharlemagneȱque Ganelonȱ trahit?ȱ Dansȱ unȱ telȱ contexte,ȱ nulleȱ justiceȱ expéditiveȱ n’estȱ possibleȱ et Ganelonȱneȱpeutȱqu’avoirȱdroitȱàȱunȱprocès.ȱIlȱmeȱparaîtȱd’ailleursȱtrèsȱsignificatif queȱleȱjongleurȱaitȱjugéȱnécessaireȱdeȱpréciser,ȱjusteȱàȱceȱmoment,ȱqueȱc’estȱdans l’“ancieneȱgeste”ȱ(v.3742)ȱqu’ilȱaȱtrouvéȱqueȱCharlemagneȱaȱconvoquéȱsesȱvassaux. Laȱcoutume,ȱsanctionnéeȱparȱleȱtemps,ȱfaitȱautoritéȱetȱleȱprocèsȱestȱbienȱleȱrésultat deȱ l’applicationȱ rigoureuseȱ deȱ laȱ procédure.ȱ Charlemagneȱ ouvreȱ leȱ plaidȱ en demandantȱàȱsesȱbaronsȱdeȱ“jugerȱselonȱleȱdroit”ȱ(v.ȱ3751),ȱformuleȱsoulignantȱla nécessitéȱdeȱtraiterȱleȱcasȱenȱtermeȱdeȱjustice,ȱavecȱplaidȱdeȱl’accusationȱetȱdeȱla défense.ȱCharlemagneȱjoueȱiciȱleȱrôleȱdeȱceluiȱquiȱprononceȱdevantȱl’assembléeȱde justiceȱ–ȱcomposéeȱdeȱsesȱbaronsȱ–ȱlaȱcalumpnia,ȱselonȱuneȱprocédureȱaccusatoire, effectivementȱ enȱ vigueurȱ àȱ laȱ finȱ duȱ XIeȱ siècle.ȱ Ilȱ énonceȱ ainsiȱ lesȱ crimesȱ de Ganelonȱ (laisseȱ 272).ȱ Ceȱ dernierȱ répondȱ vivement,ȱ enȱ récusantȱ l’accusationȱ de traîtrise:

28

ChansonȱdeȱRoland,ȱéditionȱetȱtraductionȱJeanȱDufournetȱ(Paris:ȱGarnierȱFlammarion,ȱ1993)ȱv. 3964–72.

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition DistȱGuenelon:ȱ“Felȱseieȱseȱjolȱceil! Rollantȱmeȱforfistȱenȱorȱetȱenȱaveir, Purȱqueȱjeȱquisȱsaȱmortȱeȱsunȱdestreit; Maisȱtraïsunȱnuleȱn’enȱiȱotrei.”ȱ

39

(v.ȱ3757–60)

Àȱcesȱparoles,ȱlesȱbaronsȱrépondentȱqu’ilsȱvontȱdélibérer.ȱLeȱjongleur,ȱcependant, tientȱquandȱmêmeȱàȱmarquerȱleȱcaractèreȱnégatifȱdeȱGanelon:ȱenȱeffet,ȱRolandȱlui aȱbienȱfaitȱtort,ȱmaisȱpasȱsurȱleȱplanȱmatérielȱdeȱsonȱorȱetȱdeȱsesȱpossessions.ȱLe codeȱd’honneurȱestȱiciȱdétournéȱpourȱfaireȱplaceȱàȱuneȱqualificationȱdeȱcupidité. Enȱfait,ȱceȱbiais,ȱqueȱl’onȱpeutȱconsidérerȱcommeȱunȱeffetȱd’annonceȱparȱrapport àȱlaȱmortȱinfamanteȱquiȱattendȱGanelon,ȱajouteȱàȱlaȱcomplexitéȱdeȱlaȱsituationȱet duȱpersonnage.ȱ LaȱlaisseȱsuivanteȱenȱeffetȱdéveloppeȱleȱplaidoyerȱdeȱGanelonȱqui,ȱici,ȱrelateȱles événementsȱselonȱleȱcodeȱd’honneurȱduȱlignage:ȱRolandȱaȱfaitȱtortȱàȱGanelonȱqui aȱ leȱ droitȱ deȱ seȱ venger.ȱ Etȱ pourȱ parerȱ l’accusationȱ deȱ trahisonȱ desȱ baronsȱ de Charles,ȱilȱenglobeȱOlivierȱetȱtousȱlesȱcompagnonsȱdeȱRoland.ȱUneȱfoisȱencore,ȱeffet formulaireȱsoulignantȱbienȱlaȱcomplexitéȱduȱfaitȱdeȱdroit,ȱlesȱFrancsȱrépondent qu’ilsȱvontȱdélibérer.ȱDansȱlaȱlaisseȱsuivanteȱestȱévoquéeȱlaȱpendaison,ȱpeineȱdont parleȱ Pinabelȱ enȱ rassurantȱ Ganelonȱ etȱ queȱ reprendȱ Thierry,ȱ lorsqu’ilȱ offreȱ ses servicesȱàȱCharles,ȱenȱconsidérantȱqueȱGanelonȱestȱunȱtraître.ȱMaisȱl’assembléeȱde justiceȱn’enȱjugeȱpasȱainsiȱetȱpréfèreȱmanifesterȱleȱdésirȱdeȱrèglementȱduȱconflit: Rolandȱestȱmort,ȱrienȱneȱleȱferaȱrevenir.ȱL’ensembleȱdesȱFrancsȱconsidèreȱqu’ilȱfaut enȱ resterȱ là,ȱ arrêterȱ leȱ procèsȱ etȱ demanderȱ seulementȱ àȱ Ganelonȱ deȱ servirȱ son empereurȱ avecȱ amourȱ etȱ fidélité.ȱ Ilȱ s’agitȱ doncȱ deȱ renouerȱ avecȱ l’”amor”ȱ ou l’amicitia,ȱ doncȱ deȱ rétablirȱ leȱ fonctionnementȱ normalȱ deȱ relationsȱ féodoȬ vassaliques.ȱLeȱduelȱjudiciaireȱestȱfinalementȱdécidé,ȱceȱqui,ȱdansȱlaȱréalitéȱdeȱla procédureȱdesȱXIe–XIIIeȱsiècles,ȱpériodeȱoùȱcetteȱpratiqueȱestȱattestéeȱavecȱune certaineȱrégularité,ȱcorrespondȱàȱuneȱimpasseȱjuridique.29ȱGanelonȱseraȱfinalement condamnéȱàȱcauseȱdeȱlaȱvictoireȱdeȱThierryȱsurȱPinabelȱet,ȱcurieusement,ȱilȱn’est plusȱquestionȱdeȱpendaisonȱpourȱGanelon.ȱEnȱrevanche,ȱleȱduelȱayantȱdécidé,ȱtous lesȱFrancsȱsontȱalorsȱunanimesȱpourȱpendreȱtousȱlesȱotages,ȱsansȱqueȱcelaȱsemble poserȱleȱmoindreȱproblème.ȱ Dansȱunȱregistreȱanalogue,ȱbienȱqu’assezȱdifférentȱquantȱauxȱdonnées,ȱjeȱciterai unȱdeuxièmeȱetȱdernierȱexemple,ȱfourniȱparȱlaȱchansonȱAspremont.ȱNousȱsommes cetteȱfoisȱenȱdomaineȱsarrasinȱoùȱvaȱseȱdéroulerȱàȱlaȱcourȱd’Agoulantȱunȱfortȱlong 29

Paulȱ Ourliac,ȱ “Leȱ duelȱ judiciaireȱ dansȱ leȱ sudȬouest,”ȱ Étudesȱ d’histoireȱ duȱ droitȱ médiévalȱ (Paris: Picard,ȱ1979),ȱ253–58.ȱJeanȬMarieȱCarbasse,ȱ“Leȱduelȱjudiciaireȱdansȱlesȱcoutumesȱméridionales”, Annalesȱ duȱ Midiȱ (1975):ȱ 385–403.ȱ Hélèneȱ CoudercȬBarraud,ȱ “Leȱ duelȱ judiciaireȱ enȱ Gascogne d’aprèsȱlesȱcartulaires,”ȱLeȱRèglementȱdesȱconflitsȱauȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱActesȱduȱXXXIeȱcongrèsȱdeȱla Sociétéȱ desȱ Historiensȱ Médiévistesȱ deȱ l’Enseignementȱ Supérieur,ȱ éd.ȱ Sociétéȱ desȱ Historiens Médiévistesȱdeȱl’EnseignementȱSupérieurȱ(Paris:ȱPressesȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ2001),ȱ97–115.ȱBruno Lemesle,ȱConflitsȱ(voirȱnoteȱ5).ȱ

40

BernardȱRibémont

procès,ȱdestinéȱàȱjugerȱlesȱroisȱMaragonȱetȱAprohant,ȱaccusésȱdeȱtrahison.ȱCes derniersȱétaientȱauxȱcôtésȱd’Eaumont,ȱfilsȱd’Agoulantȱlorsȱd’uneȱbatailleȱcontreȱles Francs.ȱCesȱderniersȱontȱréussiȱȱàȱsubmergerȱlesȱarméesȱsarrasinesȱ–ȱEaumontȱsera d’ailleursȱtuéȱ–ȱetȱMarangonȱetȱAprohant,ȱjugeantȱlaȱsituationȱdésespérée,ȱmais ignorantȱleȱsortȱ d’Eaumont,ȱsontȱrepartisȱbrideȱabattueȱpourȱavertirȱAgoulant. L’orgueilleuxȱémir,ȱapprenantȱlaȱdéfaiteȱdeȱsonȱfils,ȱsansȱpourȱautantȱconnaîtreȱson sort,ȱconsidèreȱimmédiatementȱqueȱlesȱdeuxȱmessagersȱsontȱdesȱtraîtresȱetȱpropose deȱlesȱpendreȱcommeȱlarrons.ȱCependant,ȱilȱsembleȱqueȱcetteȱjusticeȱpersonnelle etȱimmédiateȱneȱpuisseȱfonctionner,ȱmêmeȱenȱcontexteȱépique,ȱcar,ȱjustement,ȱles deuxȱaccusésȱneȱsontȱpasȱdesȱbrigandsȱmaisȱdesȱnobles.ȱAgoulantȱconvoqueȱdonc tousȱsesȱbarons,ȱafinȱdeȱjugerȱceuxȱqu’ilȱconsidèreȱcommeȱtraîtresȱetȱresponsables deȱlaȱmortȱdeȱsesȱhommesȱsurȱleȱchampȱdeȱbataille.ȱ S’enȱsuitȱunȱlongȱplaidȱquiȱs’étaleȱsurȱplusȱdeȱ600ȱvers,ȱpreuveȱdeȱlaȱcomplexité deȱl’affaire.ȱEffectivement,ȱleȱplaidȱseȱprolongeȱcarȱalternentȱlesȱinterventionsȱde laȱdéfenseȱetȱduȱsoutienȱàȱAgoulant;ȱici,ȱtoutȱestȱquestionȱd’appréciation,ȱcarȱilȱn’y aȱ aucuneȱ preuveȱ deȱ laȱ trahison.ȱ Laȱ défenseȱ reposeȱ surȱ laȱ noblesseȱ desȱ deux hommes,ȱenȱquiȱEaumontȱavaitȱmisȱsaȱconfiance:ȱc’estȱdoncȱunȱargumentȱdeȱfama quiȱentreȱenȱjeuȱetȱl’onȱsaitȱcombienȱceluiȬciȱestȱimportantȱenȱmatièreȱdeȱjustice médiévale.ȱLaȱvoixȱdeȱlaȱsagesseȱseȱfaitȱentendreȱparȱl’entremiseȱduȱroiȱAchartȱqui proposeȱdeȱfaitȱuneȱprocédureȱinquisitoireȱenȱdemandantȱqueȱleȱprocèsȱsoitȱremis jusqu’àȱplusȱampleȱinformationȱsurȱceȱquiȱestȱréellementȱarrivéȱàȱl’avantȬgarde d’Eaumont.ȱÀȱl’extrême,ȱSinagonȱconsidèreȱqueȱlaȱfuiteȱetȱl’arrivéeȱdeȱMaragonȱet Aprohantȱ sainsȱ etȱ saufsȱ signeȱ leurȱ trahison,ȱ trahisonȱ quiȱ aȱ entraînéȱ laȱ mort supposéeȱdeȱsesȱfilsȱetȱqu’enȱconséquenceȱilsȱdoiventȱêtreȱpendus,ȱpuisȱleurȱcorps brûléȱ etȱ lesȱ cendresȱ dispersées.ȱ Ilȱ préciseȱ queȱ ceȱ traitementȱ montreraȱ àȱ toute l’arméeȱlaȱréalisationȱdeȱleurȱ“vengoisson,”30ȱdeȱleurȱvengeanceȱdonc.ȱOnȱvoitȱici laȱrencontreȱentreȱunȱchâtimentȱexemplaire,ȱconformeȱàȱunȱjugementȱdeȱcrime odieuxȱetȱlaȱvengeanceȱprivée.ȱL’interventionȱdeȱMatusalonȱrévèleȱencoreȱunȱautre aspectȱdeȱlaȱquestion:ȱluiȱaussiȱsuggèreȱlaȱprocédureȱinquisitoireȱenȱrappelantȱque lesȱfaitsȱneȱsontȱpasȱencoreȱconnusȱetȱilȱinsisteȱsurȱleȱdangerȱd’infligerȱuneȱmort honteuseȱ àȱ deȱ puissantsȱ noblesȱ entourésȱ d’unȱ importantȱ lignage.ȱ Ceȱ que Matusalonȱ indiqueȱ estȱ bienȱ leȱ dangerȱ duȱ déclenchementȱ d’uneȱ faide,ȱ ceȱ que, justement,ȱl’exerciceȱdeȱlaȱjustice,ȱseigneurialeȱouȱroyale,ȱaȱtentéȱdeȱjuguler.ȱ Laȱconclusionȱduȱprocèsȱestȱassezȱinattendue;ȱenȱeffet,ȱlaȱsuccessionȱdesȱplaids révèleȱuneȱimpasseȱquiȱdevraitȱseȱconclureȱparȱuneȱordalieȱouȱunȱduelȱjudiciaire. Maisȱleȱjongleurȱaȱchoisiȱuneȱautreȱvoieȱquiȱallieȱdeuxȱenjeuxȱesthétiques,ȱceluiȱde laȱ violenceȱ etȱ celuiȱ duȱ judiciaire.ȱ Ilȱ joueȱ pourȱ ceȱ faireȱ surȱ ceȱ queȱ l’onȱ peut

30

Chansonȱd’Aspremont,ȱprésentation,ȱéditionȱetȱtraductionȱparȱFrançoisȱSuardȱd’aprèsȱleȱmanuscrit 25529ȱ deȱ laȱ BNF.ȱ Championȱ classiques:ȱ Sérieȱ “Moyenȱ Âge”,ȱ Éditionsȱ bilingues,ȱ 23ȱ (Paris: Champion,ȱ2008),ȱv.ȱ5798.

Leȱ‘crimeȱépique’ȱetȱsaȱpunition

41

considérerȱcommeȱuneȱamorceȱdeȱduel,ȱc’estȬàȬdireȱsurȱleȱsuccèsȱdeȱl’intimidation, ceȱ qui,ȱ commeȱ leȱ prouventȱ lesȱ documentsȱ d’archives,ȱ intervientȱ assez régulièrement,ȱauȱseuilȱd’unȱduelȱqui,ȱalors,ȱn’aȱpasȱlieu.ȱDansȱAspremont,ȱleȱroi Ulienȱmenaceȱl’assemblée,ȱl’amustantȱenȱparticulier,ȱd’uneȱdoubleȱviolence.ȱLa premièreȱémanantȱdeȱlui,ȱenȱtermeȱdeȱdéfiȱquiȱévoqueȱleȱduelȱjudiciaire:ȱquiconque veuilleȱleȱcombattre,ȱqu’ilȱs’arme!ȱLaȱdeuxièmeȱressortitȱàȱl’exerciceȱd’unȱpouvoir absolu,ȱ voireȱ tyrannique:ȱ siȱ l’assembléeȱ décideȱ dansȱ unȱ sensȱ différentȱ des sentimentsȱ d’Agoulant,ȱ ceȱ dernierȱ lesȱ feraȱ tousȱ tuerȱ dansȱ laȱ nuitȱ quiȱ suit.ȱ Ces affirmationsȱintimidantesȱconcluentȱl’affaireȱdeȱfaçonȱradicale,ȱleȱjongleurȱnotant queȱcesȱparolesȱfirentȱ“estuper”ȱlesȱbarons,ȱsoit,ȱpourȱreprendreȱlaȱbelleȱtraduction deȱ Françoisȱ Suard,ȱ leurȱ aȱ “clouéȱ leȱ bec.”ȱ Ulien,ȱ quiȱ devientȱ leȱ porteȬparoleȱ de l’assembléeȱdeȱjusticeȱsansȱautreȱformeȱdeȱdélibération,ȱs’adresseȱàȱAgoulantȱpour proposerȱlaȱpireȱdesȱpunitions,ȱqueȱjeȱdonneȱdansȱlaȱtraductionȱdeȱFrançoisȱȱSuard: LivrezȬlesȱauȱsuppliceȱàȱl’instant,sȱansȱhésiter;ȱfaitesȬlesȱtraînerȱàȱtraversȱl’arméeȱetȱà traversȱlaȱvilleȱdevantȱtoutȱleȱmonde.ȱFaitesȬenȱrecueillirȱlesȱrestes,ȱsansȱenȱperdre aucun,ȱ puisȱ jetezȬlesȱ dansȱ unȱ bourbierȱ puant.ȱ Queȱ quatreȬvingtȱ ouȱ centsȱ femmes légères,ȱquiȱvendentȱleurȱcorpsȱpourȱdeȱl’argent,ȱsoientȱgratifiéesȱchacuneȱd’unȱbesant: ellesȱviendrontȱtoutesȱavecȱjoie;ȱqueȱchacuneȱfasseȱàȱcetȱégardȱceȱquiȱconvient,ȱetȱqu’on voieȱparfaitementȱceȱspectacle;ȱensuiteȱjetezȱsurȱlesȱrestesȱleȱfeuȱgrégeois.ȱCeluiȱquiȱse vengeȱautrementȱd’unȱtraîtreȱluiȱfaitȱtropȱd’honneurȱs’ilȱleȱpendȱauȱgibet.31

C’estȱeffectivementȱceȱsuppliceȱquiȱestȱretenu;ȱleȱjongleurȱpréciseȱqueȱl’onȱrecueille chaqueȱlambeauȱdeȱchair,ȱaussitôtȱjetéȱdansȱunȱcloaque,ȱdevantȱuneȱlargeȱfoule,ȱen partieȱ composéeȱ deȱ prostituées.ȱ L’hyperboleȱ épiqueȱ estȱ miseȱ auȱ serviceȱ du soulignementȱ deȱ l’infamieȱ deȱ laȱ peine.ȱ Unȱ paroxysmeȱ estȱ iciȱ atteint,ȱ quiȱ règle définitivementȱl’affaire,ȱparȱuneȱformeȱdeȱterreurȱenȱquelqueȱsorte,ȱqui,ȱdansȱle contexteȱdeȱlaȱguerreȱcontreȱlesȱchrétiens,ȱeffaceȱtouteȱvelléitéȱdeȱvengeanceȱdu lignageȱdesȱsuppliciés. Queȱ conclureȱ (provisoirement)ȱ desȱ élémentsȱ précédemmentȱ évoqués?ȱ Ilȱ me sembleȱqueȱcesȱexemplesȱsontȱrévélateursȱdeȱlaȱrichesseȱduȱchampȱjudiciaireȱdans laȱchansonȱdeȱgeste,ȱquiȱprendȱàȱsonȱcompteȱunȱensembleȱdeȱdonnéesȱressortissant àȱlaȱpratiqueȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱetȱauȱdroitȱcoutumier:ȱpriseȱenȱcompteȱdeȱlaȱfama,ȱrejet appuyéȱ deȱ l’homicideȱ associéȱ àȱ laȱ traîtriseȱ –ȱ quiȱ montreȱ l’importanceȱ duȱ code d’honneurȱ–ȱ,ȱapplicationsȱdeȱpeinesȱinfamantesȱselonȱdesȱprocéduresȱproposées dansȱlesȱcoutumiers.ȱMaisȱcesȱrealiaȱs’inscriventȱdansȱunȱchampȱlittéraireȱoùȱils entrentȱauȱserviceȱd’uneȱesthétiqueȱpropreȱàȱlaȱchansonȱdeȱgeste.ȱSiȱleȱcrimeȱetȱla trahisonȱoffrentȱunȱsupportȱprivilégiéȱàȱl’exerciceȱdeȱl’hyperbole,ȱs’ilsȱparticipent d’uneȱ esthétiqueȱ deȱ laȱ violenceȱ caractéristiqueȱ deȱ laȱ chansonȱ deȱ geste,ȱ ilsȱ sont égalementȱlesȱvecteursȱd’uneȱexploitationȱcomplexeȱdeȱquestionsȱjuridiques.ȱEntre

31

Suard,ȱed.,ȱChansonȱd’Aspremontȱ(voirȱnoteȱ30),ȱ414–15.

42

BernardȱRibémont

codeȱ d’honneurȱ etȱ droitȱ coutumier,ȱ laȱ chansonȱ deȱ gesteȱ poseȱ laȱ questionȱ de l’identificationȱdeȱlaȱculpabilité,ȱenȱrapportȱàȱlaȱfauteȱetȱàȱlaȱplaceȱoccupéeȱparȱle suspectȱdansȱlaȱhiérarchieȱsociale,ȱàȱlaȱpuissanceȱdeȱsonȱlignage.ȱ Elleȱposeȱégalementȱlaȱquestionȱduȱrapportȱentreȱlaȱfauteȱetȱlaȱpeineȱetȱdoncȱàȱla façonȱdeȱréglerȱunȱconflit.ȱLesȱsolutionsȱoffertesȱressortissentȱdansȱlaȱmajoritéȱdes casȱauȱtraitementȱviolent,ȱconformeȱàȱl’espritȱdeȱl’épopéeȱmédiévale.ȱEnȱcela,ȱla chansonȱdeȱgesteȱpréfigure,ȱdansȱlaȱfiction,ȱuneȱconceptionȱexemplaire,ȱdoncȱcruelle, deȱlaȱpeine,ȱtelleȱqu’onȱlaȱretrouveȱchezȱdiversȱchroniqueursȱdeȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyen Âge,ȱtelsȱunȱPhilippeȱdeȱVigneulles.ȱMais,ȱsiȱl’issueȱseȱcondenseȱsurȱlaȱviolence,ȱle déroulementȱ desȱ plaids,ȱ laȱ miseȱ enȱ placeȱ deȱ situationsȱ aboutissantȱ àȱ une procédure,ȱ sontȱ surtoutȱ révélateursȱ d’uneȱ conscienceȱ duȱ complexeȱ chezȱ les jongleurs.ȱOnȱrevientȱdoncȱici,ȱplusȱqu’àȱuneȱnotionȱdeȱdroit,ȱàȱcelleȱd’unȱ‘préȬ droit’,ȱnotionȱessentiellementȱmouvante,ȱfaiteȱdeȱcoutumeȱetȱdeȱcodeȱd’honneur, àȱl’auneȱdeȱlaȱpuissanceȱd’uneȱpart,ȱdeȱlaȱparoleȱetȱdeȱl’expérience,ȱd’uneȱforme d’auctoritasȱd’autreȱpart.ȱÀȱl’abriȱduȱdroitȱsavantȱquiȱcommenceȱàȱseȱrépandre,ȱla chansonȱdeȱgesteȱreflèteȱcesȱfluctuationsȱtoutȱenȱjouantȱavec,ȱconstruisantȱainsiȱune véritableȱesthétiqueȱduȱjuridique/judiciaire.

Chapterȱ2 SusannaȱNiiranen (TheȱUniversityȱofȱJyväskylä,ȱFinland)

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief” Theȱpoet’sȱReputation:ȱTroubadours— Ancestorsȱofȱpoètesȱmaudits?1

SinceȱmedievalȱtroubadoursȱareȱbestȱknownȱforȱtheirȱloveȬsongsȱandȱinventionȱof courtlyȱloveȱasȱwellȱasȱtheirȱcloseȱconnectionsȱtoȱtheȱrulingȱpower,ȱtheyȱareȱnot easilyȱconnectedȱinȱourȱmindȱwithȱtheȱlowȱlifeȱ(e.g.,ȱwhores,ȱthieves,ȱdrinking, gambling)ȱandȱwithȱoffencesȱviewedȱasȱinjuriousȱtoȱpublicȱmoralsȱ(e.g.,ȱlewdness, adultery,ȱandȱviolence),ȱnotȱtoȱmentionȱwithȱcrimesȱsuchȱasȱmurder.ȱHowever, thereȱareȱseveralȱreferencesȱtoȱaȱcriminalȱorȱatȱleastȱtransgressiveȱwayȱofȱlifeȱboth inȱtroubadours’ȱlifeȱandȱworks.ȱTheȱquestionȱarisesȱhowȱtheȱrolesȱofȱcourtȱpoetȱand loveȱpoetȱcouldȱembraceȱtheȱantisocialȱbehaviorȱandȱimageȱofȱcertainȱtroubadours orȱ whetherȱ thereȱ wasȱ alreadyȱ anȱ emergentȱ traditionȱ ofȱ theȱ cultureȱ ofȱ poètes maudits?ȱAndȱinȱgeneral,ȱwhatȱwereȱtheȱdeterminingȱcharacteristicsȱinȱmedieval poet’sȱreputationȱandȱremembrance?ȱ Inȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱcontext,ȱtheȱmodernȱuseȱofȱtheȱtermȱpoèteȱmaudit (“accursedȱ poet”)ȱ isȱ restrictedȱ toȱ associationȱ withȱ theȱ fifteenthȱ centuryȱ poet FrançoisȱVillonȱbutȱnotȱusedȱforȱotherȱmedievalȱpoetsȱwhoȱseemȱtoȱhaveȱtheȱsame characteristicsȱ andȱ combinationȱ ofȱ genialȱ artist,ȱ lawȬbreaker,ȱ andȱ tragicȱ lover. FromȱVillon,ȱthereȱareȱonlyȱsomeȱtwoȱhundredȱyearsȱtoȱtheȱpoeticȱfloweringȱofȱthe troubadoursȱandȱevenȱlessȱtoȱtheȱtrouvères,ȱwhoseȱinfluenceȱwasȱfeltȱinȱnorthern

1

ThisȱarticleȱhasȱbeenȱwrittenȱwithinȱtheȱprojectsȱTheȱPhilosophicalȱPsychology,ȱMoralityȱandȱPolitics ResearchȱUnit,ȱFinnishȱCentreȱofȱExcellence,ȱandȱMedievalȱStatesȱofȱWelfare,ȱbothȱfundedȱbyȱthe AcademyȱofȱFinland.

44

SusannaȱNiiranen

FranceȱlikeȱthatȱofȱVillon’s.ȱIfȱtheyȱshareȱcommonȱcharacteristicsȱwithȱtheȱimage thatȱtheȱpoetȱVillonȱrepresents,ȱwhyȱisȱVillonȱ(orȱhisȱlegend)ȱtheȱfirstȱtoȱmanifest theȱroleȱofȱtheȱpoetȱatȱtheȱmarginsȱofȱsociety?ȱWhileȱresearchingȱforȱmyȱdoctoral dissertation,2ȱ Iȱ beganȱ toȱ thinkȱ aboutȱ thisȱ aspect:ȱ troubadoursȱ whoȱ cameȱ from variousȱsocialȱbackgroundsȱandȱwhoȱrepresentȱvariousȱformsȱofȱartisticȱexpression asȱwellȱasȱtheȱwomenȱtroubadoursȱwhoȱunanimouslyȱrepresentȱtheȱaristocratic genreȱandȱwhoseȱreputationȱwas—ȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱtroubadours—ȱunstained.ȱ Theȱaimȱofȱthisȱarticleȱisȱtoȱobserveȱcontinuitiesȱ(orȱdiscrepancies)ȱinȱtheȱpoet’s roleȱandȱcommemorationȱinȱmedievalȱandȱlaterȱperiodsȱasȱwellȱasȱtheirȱgendered usesȱthroughȱtheȱmodernȱconceptȱofȱpoètesȱmaudits.ȱTheȱtermȱmightȱappearȱtoȱsome asȱanachronisticȱbut,ȱinȱtheȱstrictȱsense,ȱtheȱtermsȱandȱcategoriesȱsuchȱasȱcrime, gender,ȱgenre,ȱorȱtrobairitz,ȱareȱconceptionsȱofȱlaterȱgenerationsȱwhichȱshould,ȱof course,ȱbeȱredefinedȱeachȱtimeȱinȱrelationȱtoȱtheirȱownȱhistoricalȱcontext.ȱHowever, itȱ hasȱ recentlyȱbeenȱarguedȱthatȱhistoriansȱhaveȱtheȱrightȱtoȱmakeȱuseȱofȱtheir knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ remoteȱ consequencesȱ orȱ interpretationsȱ ofȱ pastȱ actionsȱ and discussȱ pastȱ activitiesȱ asȱ ancestralȱ toȱ modernȱ phenomena.3ȱ Evenȱ thoughȱ the retrogressiveȱorȱretrospectiveȱapproachȱisȱnotȱwidelyȱappliedȱinȱthisȱstudy,ȱitȱhas broughtȱtogetherȱnewȱscholarshipȱalsoȱinȱtheȱfieldȱofȱmedievalȱstudies.4ȱ TheȱFrenchȱexpressionȱpoètesȱmauditsȱmeansȱliterallyȱ“accursedȱpoets.”ȱTheȱterm cameȱ intoȱ widerȱ usageȱ afterȱ Paulȱ Verlaine’sȱ seriesȱ ofȱ essaysȱ calledȱ Lesȱ poètes mauditsȱpublishedȱinȱ1884.ȱInȱthisȱbook,ȱtheȱtermȱwasȱusedȱuniquelyȱforȱtheȱthen littleȱ knownȱ symbolistȱ poets.5ȱ Sinceȱ Verlaine,ȱ theȱ termȱ hasȱ includedȱ the misunderstoodȱ geniusȱ ofȱ theȱ poetsȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ tragedyȱ ofȱ theirȱ lives,ȱ often markedȱ byȱ selfȬdestructiveȱ tendencies.ȱ Abuseȱ ofȱ drugsȱ andȱ alcohol,ȱ insanity, crime,ȱviolence,ȱandȱanyȱsocialȱoffence,ȱoftenȱresultingȱinȱanȱearlyȱdeath,ȱareȱtypical

2

3

4

5

SusannaȱNiiranen,ȱ“`Miroirȱduȱmérite´:ȱLesȱvaleursȱsociales,ȱrôlesȱetȱimageȱdeȱlaȱfemmeȱdansȱlesȱtextes médiévauxȱdesȱtrobairitz,”ȱJyväskyläȱStudiesȱinȱHumanitiesȱ115ȱ(Jyväskylä:ȱUniversityȱofȱJyväskylä, 2009).ȱElectronicȱversionȱatȱhttps://jyx.jyu.fi/dspace/handle/123456789/19676ȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱNov. 1,ȱ2010). InterestȱinȱtheȱretrogressiveȱorȱretrospectiveȱapproachȱinȱhistoryȱisȱrootedȱinȱtheȱAnnalesȱSchool, see,ȱe.g.,ȱMarcȱBloch,ȱLesȱcaractèresȱoriginauxȱdeȱl’histoireȱruraleȱfrancaiseȱ(Oslo:ȱH.ȱAschehoug,ȱ1931); Seeȱ also,ȱ Nickȱ Tosh,ȱ “Anachronismȱ andȱ Retrospectiveȱ Explanation:ȱ Inȱ Defenceȱ ofȱ aȱ PresentȬ CentredȱHistoryȱofȱScience,”ȱStudiesȱinȱHistoryȱandȱPhilosophyȱofȱScienceȱPartȱAȱ34.3ȱ(2003):ȱ647Ȭ59. E.g.,ȱTheȱRetrospectiveȱMethodsȱNetworkȱ(RMN)ȱisȱconcernedȱwithȱstrategiesȱandȱapproachesȱforȱthe diachronicȱ studyȱ ofȱ culturalȱ phenomena,ȱ usingȱ laterȱ evidenceȱ toȱ offerȱ insightsȱ intoȱ earlier periods.ȱTheȱfirstȱconferenceȱofȱtheȱnetworkȱwasȱonȱSept.ȱ13ȱandȱ14,ȱ2010ȱinȱBergen,ȱNorway, whereȱ theȱ RMNȱ Newsletter,ȱ aȱ biȬannualȱ electronicȱ publication,ȱ wasȱ formulated. http://www.uib.no/cms/en/konferanse/2010/04/internationalȬconferenceȬnewȬfocusȬonȬ retrospectiveȬmethodsȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱNov.ȱ1,ȱ2010)ȱ TristanȱCorbière,ȱArthurȱRimbaud,ȱStéphaneȱMallarmé,ȱMarcelineȱDesbordesȬValmoreȱ(theȱonly femaleȱwriterȱincludedȱinȱVerlaine’sȱlist),ȱVilliersȱdeȱl’Isleȱd’Adam,ȱandȱPauvreȱLelian,ȱ“Poor Lelian,”ȱanȱanagramȱofȱPaulȱVerlaine’sȱownȱname,ȱPaulȱVerlaine,ȱLesȱPoètesȱMauditsȱ(Paris:ȱLéon Vanier,ȱ1888),ȱ1.

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

45

elementsȱ ofȱ theȱ lifeȱ ofȱ aȱ poèteȱ maudit.ȱ Inȱ consequence,ȱ thisȱ groupȱ isȱ frequently relatedȱ toȱ decadenceȱ andȱ toȱ theȱ Decadentȱ movement.ȱ Itsȱ poeticȱ symbolism developedȱtheȱthemesȱofȱmysticismȱandȱotherworldliness,ȱinevitabilityȱofȱdeath, andȱmalignityȱofȱsexuality.6 WeȱareȱindebtedȱtoȱThéophileȱGautierȱwhoȱrediscoveredȱVillonȱasȱanȱancestor ofȱtheȱpoétesȱmaudits.ȱWithȱGautier’sȱinterpretation,ȱVillonȱasȱaȱpoorȱandȱradical youngster,ȱwasȱrefashionedȱintoȱaȱromanticȱpoetȱwhoȱservedȱasȱaȱmodelȱforȱseveral Parisianȱpoetsȱofȱtheȱnineteenthȱcentury.7ȱThereȱwereȱsimilarȱtendenciesȱinȱhis imageȱalreadyȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury,ȱforȱinȱaȱbookletȱcalledȱ“Theȱfreeȱmealsȱof MasterȱVillonȱandȱhisȱcompanions,”ȱVillon’sȱreputationȱwasȱdeterminedȱasȱthatȱof anȱerrantȱtrickster,ȱvagrantȱthief,ȱandȱsympatheticȱvoiceȱofȱtheȱpoorȱonlyȱsome fifteenȱyearsȱafterȱhisȱdisappearance.ȱThisȱcollectionȱofȱtalesȱfromȱtheȱendȱofȱthe fifteenthȱcenturyȱisȱcrucialȱinȱtheȱformationȱofȱtheȱimageȱofȱVillonȱasȱweȱknowȱit today.8ȱHisȱassumedȱwayȱofȱlifeȱandȱhisȱcloseȱrelationshipȱtoȱcriminalȱmarginality andȱ unhappyȱ loveȱ affairsȱ allȱ combineȱ toȱ createȱ aȱ cultȬlikeȱ imageȱ ofȱ thisȱ poetic genius.9ȱAsȱforȱtheȱearlierȱperiod,ȱmainlyȱtheȱtwelfthȱandȱearlyȱthirteenthȱcentury, weȱ knowȱ thatȱ Occitanȱ troubadoursȱ demonstratedȱ theirȱ greatȱ concernȱ forȱ their artisticȱ reputationȱ andȱ forȱ theȱ wayȱ inȱ whichȱ theirȱ behaviorȱ ennoblesȱ them,ȱ or makesȱtheirȱreputationȱfall.10ȱThisȱpersistenceȱofȱrhetoricȱexpressesȱnotȱonlyȱlimits ofȱ selfȬsatisfaction,ȱ publicȱ praise,ȱ orȱ fameȱ butȱ values,ȱ behavior,ȱ andȱ attitudes consideredȱappropriateȱinȱsociety.ȱ

6

7 8

9

10

PoetȱAlbertȱSamainȱcalledȱsexualityȱ“fruitȱdeȱmortȱàȱl’arbreȱdeȱlaȱvie”ȱ(fruitȱofȱdeathȱuponȱtheȱtree ofȱlife)ȱandȱ“finȱduȱmonde”ȱ(endȱofȱtheȱworld),ȱAlbertȱSamain,ȱ“Luxure,”ȱAuȱjardinȱdeȱl’infante (1889;ȱParis:ȱMercure,ȱ1920),ȱ179,ȱ188.ȱ ThéophileȱGautier,ȱLesȱgrotesquesȱ(Paris:ȱMichelȱLévyȱFrères,ȱ1859),ȱ1–39. JelleȱKoopmans,ȱ“FrançoisȱVillon:ȱCharacterȱWithinȱorȱWithoutȱHisȱOwnȱPoetry?,”TheȱAuthorȱas Character:ȱ Representingȱ Historicalȱ Writersȱ inȱ Westernȱ Literature,ȱ ed.ȱ Paulȱ Franssenȱ andȱ Ton Hoenselaarsȱ (Madison,ȱ NJ:ȱ Fairleighȱ Dickinsonȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ andȱ London:ȱ Associate UniversityȱPress,ȱ1999),ȱ68–79;ȱhereȱ71.ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolumeȱbyȱJohnȱGough. See,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ Marcȱ Martín,ȱ Villon,ȱ ceȱ hongrois,ȱ ou,ȱ l’eыdificationȱ duȱ culteȱ deȱ Françoisȱ Villonȱ en Hongrie.ȱOfficinaȱHungaricaȱ(Budapest:ȱNemzetköziȱHungaroloыgiaiȱKözpont,ȱ1995);ȱJeanȱFavier, Françoisȱ Villonȱ (Paris:ȱ Fayard,ȱ 1982),ȱ especiallyȱ 143–45,ȱ 193–98,ȱ andȱ 334–42;ȱ seeȱ alsoȱ the contributionȱ toȱ thisȱ volumeȱ byȱ Johnȱ Gough,ȱ ”Theȱ Functionȱ ofȱ Projectedȱ Pain:ȱ Theȱ Poetryȱ of FrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf.” NicoleȱM.ȱSchulman,ȱWhereȱTroubadoursȱwereȱBishops:ȱTheȱOccitaniaȱofȱFolcȱofȱMarseilleȱ(1150Ȭ1231). StudiesȱinȱMedievalȱHistoryȱandȱCultureȱ(NewȱYork,ȱLondon:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2001),ȱ11;ȱDeborahȱH. Nelson,ȱ“NorthernȱFrance,”ȱAȱHandbookȱofȱtheȱTroubadours,ȱ255–261;ȱhereȱ257ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

46

SusannaȱNiiranen

Troubadours AsȱSimonȱGauntȱandȱSarahȱKayȱhaveȱbeautifullyȱstated,ȱtroubadoursȱ“areȱpartȱof theȱ furnitureȱ ofȱ ourȱ culturalȱ knowledge,ȱ anȱ unforgettableȱ heirloomȱ inȱ the Europeanȱheritage.”11ȱThisȱtraditionȱofȱpoetsȬcomposersȬperformersȱ(460ȱofȱwhose namesȱ weȱ know)ȱ flourishedȱ inȱ southernȱ partsȱ ofȱ France,ȱ Occitaniaȱ and neighboringȱEuropeanȱcourtsȱwithȱtheirȱsongs,ȱsomeȱ2500ȱofȱwhichȱsurvive.ȱThis considerableȱamountȱofȱtextsȱcontainsȱvariousȱgenresȱandȱstylesȱbutȱwhatȱposterity knows,ȱapartȱfromȱsomeȱpoliticoȬsatiricalȱorȱreligiousȱsirventes,ȱisȱtheirȱloveȱsongs, cansos.ȱTheȱmostȱfamousȱtroubadours,ȱsuchȱasȱJaufreȱRudelȱ(theȱmotifȱofȱfaraway love)ȱandȱRaimbautȱd’Aurengaȱ(“archetypeȱofȱtheȱcourtlyȱtroubadour”),12ȱareȱalso rememberedȱforȱtheirȱlegendaryȱlivesȱwithȱanȱauraȱofȱromanticȱorȱtragicȱlove.ȱIn addition,ȱthereȱisȱaȱgroupȱofȱtroubadours,ȱwhoȱareȱfamousȱonlyȱbyȱvirtueȱofȱtheir livesȱandȱnotȱforȱtheirȱsongs.ȱThisȱgroupȱconsistsȱofȱsuchȱnamesȱasȱGuilhemȱde Cabestanhȱ(theȱmotifȱofȱtheȱeatenȱheart)13ȱandȱGuilhemȱdeȱlaȱTorȱ(extremeȱpassion towardsȱhisȱdeadȱwife).ȱTheseȱlastȱexamplesȱdemonstrateȱparticularlyȱtheȱclose relationshipȱofȱloveȱandȱdeath,ȱtheȱmodelȱofȱfatalȱloveȱandȱ“love’sȱmartyrdom”ȱin troubadouresqueȱdiscourse.14

11

12

13

14

Simonȱ Gauntȱ andȱ Sarahȱ Kay,ȱ “Introduction,”ȱ Theȱ Troubadours:ȱ Anȱ Introductionȱ (Cambridge: CambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1999),ȱ1–7;ȱhereȱ1. LeslieȱThomasȱTopsfield,ȱTroubadoursȱandȱLoveȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1978), 111. Theȱjealousȱhusbandȱkilledȱtheȱtroubadourȱandȱgaveȱhisȱheartȱtoȱtheȱunfaithfulȱwifeȱtoȱeat.ȱWhen sheȱhadȱeatenȱit,ȱherȱhusbandȱtoldȱherȱwhatȱitȱwasȱandȱsheȱthrewȱherselfȱfromȱtheȱwindowȱand wasȱ killed.ȱ Theȱ storyȱ isȱ knownȱ outsideȱ theȱ Occitanȱ regionȱ inȱ differentȱ versions:ȱ e.g.,ȱ a contemporaryȱversionȱbyȱaȱFrenchȱtrouvère,ȱChâtelainȱdeȱCoucy,ȱwhichȱbelongsȱtoȱtheȱendȱofȱthe twelfthȱ orȱ toȱ theȱ beginningȱ ofȱ theȱ thirteenthȱ centuryȱ andȱ aȱ laterȱ versionȱ ofȱ Boccaccio’sȱ in Decameronȱ (taleȱ IV.9.).ȱ Questionsȱ ofȱ intertextualityȱ amongȱ theseȱ worksȱ remainȱ obscure,ȱ but Boccaccioȱcitesȱaȱ“Provencal”ȱsourceȱatȱtheȱstory’sȱopening.ȱTheȱsourceȱwithȱwhichȱBoccaccioȱwas familiarȱisȱinȱallȱlikelihoodȱtheȱmedievalȱbiographyȱ(vida)ȱofȱGuilhemȱdeȱCabestanh,ȱSeeȱSusanna Niiranen’sȱpaper,ȱ“Troubadours,ȱObsessiveȱLoveȱandȱtheȱMotifȱofȱEatenȱHeart,”ȱSessionȱ617,ȱThe UseȱofȱEmotionsȱandȱGestures,ȱInternationalȱMedievalȱCongress,ȱLeeds,ȱ11ȱJulyȱ2006;ȱaȱMiddle HighȱGermanȱpoet,ȱKonradȱvonȱWürzburg,ȱalsoȱwroteȱaȱversionȱinȱoneȱofȱhisȱverseȱnarratives, “DasȱHerzmäre,”ȱinȱtheȱsecondȱhalfȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱsee,ȱRüdigerȱBrandt,ȱKonradȱvon Würzburg:ȱKleinereȱepischeȱWerke.ȱSecondȱeditionȱ(1999;ȱBerlin:ȱErichȱSchmidt,ȱ2009),ȱ79–90;ȱsee,ȱalso MiladȱDoueihi,ȱȈCorȱneȱEdito,ȈȱModernȱLanguageȱNotesȱ108.4ȱ(1993):ȱ696–709;ȱJacquesȱLeȱGoff, ȈHeadȱorȱHeart?ȱTheȱPoliticalȱUseȱofȱBodyȱMetaphorsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȈȱFragmentsȱForȱaȱHistory ofȱtheȱHumanȱBody,ȱ3ȱvols,ȱed.ȱMichelȱFeherȱwithȱRamonaȱNaddaffȱandȱNadiaȱTazi,ȱtrans.ȱAnna Cancogniȱetȱal.ȱ(NewȱYork:ȱZone,ȱ1989),ȱIII,ȱ12–27.ȱ Aboutȱtheȱbondȱofȱloveȱandȱdeathȱinȱtroubadourȱpoetry,ȱsee,ȱSimonȱGaunt,ȱLoveȱandȱDeathȱin MedievalȱFrenchȱandȱOccitanȱCourtlyȱLiterature:ȱMartyrsȱtoȱLoveȱ(Oxford,ȱNewȱYork,ȱetȱal.:ȱOxford UniversityȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱ1–72.ȱ

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

47

However,ȱwhenȱweȱreadȱaȱsirventesȱofȱRaimonȱd’Avinho,15ȱinȱwhichȱheȱsaysȱthat “Eȱ saiȱ farȱ putasȱ eȱ lairons”,ȱ (Iȱ knowȱ howȱ toȱ beȱ aȱ whoreȱ andȱ thief)ȱ orȱ aȱ vidaȱ of Guilhemȱ Magret,16ȱ inȱ whichȱ itȱ isȱ saidȱ thatȱ heȱ wasȱ aȱ gamblerȱ andȱ aȱ tavernȬ frequenter,ȱitȱisȱabsolutelyȱaȱquestionȱofȱtheȱsameȱtroubadourȱcultureȱevenȱthough theyȱ areȱ notȱ immediatelyȱ connectedȱ withȱ theȱ ideaȱ ofȱ culturalȱ trappingsȱ and traditionsȱinȱtheȱEuropeanȱheritage.ȱInȱwhatȱwayȱandȱtoȱwhatȱextentȱthenȱwere troubadoursȱpoètesȱmauditsȱofȱtheirȱtimeȱorȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱlowȱlifeȱandȱbyȱwhat criteriaȱwasȱtheirȱreputationȱdefined?ȱ Asȱfarȱasȱweȱknow,ȱveryȱfewȱtroubadoursȱbrokeȱtheȱlawȱtoȱsuchȱaȱdegreeȱthat theyȱwereȱtakenȱtoȱcourtȱandȱofficiallyȱpunished.ȱSomeȱofȱthemȱwereȱimprisoned butȱsuchȱcasesȱ(e.g.,ȱBartolomeoȱZorzi,17ȱRichardȱCoeurȱdeȱLion18)ȱwereȱrelatedȱto warfare.ȱNonetheless,ȱseveralȱofȱthemȱwereȱaccusedȱofȱhavingȱlooseȱmoralsȱasȱwell asȱofȱbehaviorsȱthatȱwereȱconsideredȱ“deviant”ȱinȱtheirȱsociety.ȱInȱtheȱfollowing, Iȱ willȱ examineȱ variousȱ casesȱ ofȱ transgressionsȱ andȱ crimesȱ committedȱ byȱ the troubadoursȱ andȱ theȱ consequencesȱ ofȱ thoseȱ actionsȱ inȱ theȱ formȱ ofȱ regular punishments,ȱ suchȱ asȱ excommunicationȱ andȱ exile,ȱ butȱ particularlyȱ the consequencesȱtoȱtheirȱreputationȱasȱpoets.ȱTheȱvidasȱandȱrazos,ȱusuallyȱreferredȱto togetherȱ asȱ biographiesȱ ofȱ theȱ troubadours,ȱ areȱ vitalȱ inȱ theȱ developmentȱ and diffusionȱofȱfameȱandȱillȬfame,ȱfirstȱinȱtheirȱinitialȱoralȱorȱwrittenȱformȱandȱ50–100 yearsȱlaterȱinȱaȱstructurallyȱandȱstylisticallyȱuniformȱwrittenȱstyle.ȱStillȱtoday,ȱthe reputationȱofȱanȱindividualȱtroubadourȱisȱcommonlyȱbasedȱonȱbiographiesȱsimply forȱ theȱ reasonȱ thatȱ theyȱ constituteȱ theȱ mostȱ abundantȱ survivingȱ sourceȱ of informationȱaboutȱtheȱOldȱOccitanȱpoets.ȱ

15

16

17

18

Raimonȱd’Avinho,ȱSirvensȱsuiȱavutzȱetȱarlotz,ȱChrestomathieȱProvençaleȱaccompagnéeȱd’uneȱgrammaire etȱd’unȱglossaire,ȱed.ȱKarlȱBartsch.ȱ5thȱeditionȱ(1866;ȱBerlin:ȱWiegandtȱ&ȱSchotteȱ1892),ȱcol.ȱ210,ȱline 20. JeanȱBoutièreȱandȱAlexanderȬHermanȱSchutz,ȱBiographiesȱdesȱtroubadours.ȱTextesȱProvençauxȱdes XIIIeȱetȱXIVeȱsièclesȱ(Paris:ȱNizet,ȱ1964),ȱvidaȱofȱGuilhemȱMagret,ȱ493.ȱ BartolomeoȱZorziȱwasȱanȱItalianȱtroubadourȱandȱaȱmerchant,ȱwhoȱtravelledȱtoȱConstantinopleȱin 1266ȱandȱwasȱtakenȱcaptiveȱinȱaȱwarȱwithȱVenice,ȱandȱwasȱaȱprisonerȱinȱGenoaȱuntilȱ1273.ȱDuring thisȱtimeȱheȱcontinuedȱtoȱcompose,ȱseeȱtheȱvidaȱofȱBartolomeoȱZorzi,ȱBoutièreȬSchutz,ȱBiographies desȱtroubadours,ȱ576–77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16).ȱAccordingȱtoȱHansȬErichȱKeller,ȱbothȱvidasȱforȱZorziȱseemȱto beȱreliable,ȱHansȬErichȱKeller,ȱ“ItalianȱTroubadours,”ȱAȱHandbookȱofȱtheȱTroubadours,ȱ295–305;ȱhere 301ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). MedievalȱbiographersȱtellȱusȱthatȱreisȱRichartzȱ(RichardȱCoeurȱdeȱLion)ȱwroteȱaȱsirventesȱcalled Dalfins,ȱ jeusȱ voillȱ deraisner,ȱ BoutièreȬSchutz,ȱ Biographiesȱ desȱ troubadoursȱ 1964,ȱ razoȱ Eȱ ofȱ Dalfi d’Alvergne,ȱ294–95ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16)ȱandȱwhoseȱrelationsȱwithȱtheȱworldȱofȱtheȱtroubadoursȱareȱwellȬ known,ȱe.g.,ȱtwoȱtroubadoursȱtreatedȱinȱthisȱarticle,ȱGaucelmȱFaiditȱandȱGuilhemȱdeȱBergueda dedicatedȱtheirȱplanhs,ȱlamentationsȱonȱhisȱdeath,ȱtoȱhim,ȱAnthologieȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱed.ȱPierreȱBec, GérardȱGonfroy,ȱandȱGérardȱLeȱVot.ȱBibliothèqueȱmédiévaleȱ(Paris:ȱUnionȱGénéraleȱd’Éditions 1979),ȱ227;ȱsee,ȱalsoȱBezzola’sȱdiscussionȱofȱ“Richardȱetȱlesȱtroubadours,”ȱRetoȱR.ȱBezzola,ȱLes OriginesȱetȱlaȱformationȱdeȱlaȱlittératureȱcourtoiseȱenȱOccidentȱ(500Ȭȱ1200),ȱ3ȱvols.ȱ(Paris:ȱChampion, 1944Ȭ63),ȱIII,ȱ220–27.

48

SusannaȱNiiranen

GuilhemȱdeȱBergueda—ȱaȱMurderer GuilhemȱdeȱBerguedaȱwasȱaȱCatalanȱtroubadourȱandȱviscountȱofȱBerguedaȱwhose nameȱ appearsȱ inȱ variousȱ documentsȱ betweenȱ 1138ȱ andȱ 1192.ȱ Withȱ hisȱ thirty survivingȱpoemsȱheȱisȱamongȱtheȱmostȱprolificȱCatalanȱtroubadoursȱofȱtheȱtwelfth century.ȱMostȱofȱhisȱsongsȱareȱsirventes,ȱmarkedȱbyȱviolenceȱandȱobscenity,ȱfrom whichȱitȱhasȱbeenȱeasyȱtoȱdrawȱconclusionsȱaboutȱhisȱlaterȱlifeȱasȱaȱmurdererȱand asȱaȱmurderȱvictim.19ȱInȱhisȱsirventes,ȱheȱinsultedȱRaimonȱFolc,ȱ theȱ viscountȱof Cardona,ȱ whomȱ heȱ consideredȱ aȱ politicalȱ rival.ȱ Onȱ severalȱ occasionsȱ he participatedȱardentlyȱinȱfeudalȱstrugglesȱinȱtheȱdistrict.ȱTheȱinfluentialȱviscountȱof CardonaȱsoughtȱtoȱallyȱhimselfȱwithȱAlfonsoȱIIȱ(anotherȱenemyȱofȱtheȱtroubadour) butȱinȱ1175ȱGuilhemȱdeȱBerguedaȱtreachrouslyȱassassinatedȱRaimonȱFolc.ȱHeȱwas exiledȱfromȱCataloniaȱandȱwasȱnotȱheardȱofȱforȱseveralȱyears.ȱWhenȱhisȱtracks reappearȱinȱsourcesȱagain,ȱitȱseemsȱthatȱtheȱtroubadourȱandȱtheȱkingȱwereȱonȱthe roadȱ toȱ reconciliation,ȱ forȱ inȱ 1185ȱ heȱ figuredȱ amongȱ Alfonso’sȱ supportersȱ atȱ a meetingȱwithȱRichardȱCoeurȱdeȱLionȱatȱtheȱcastleȱofȱNajacȱinȱRouergue,ȱtoȱconfirm theirȱallianceȱagainstȱRaimonȱVIȱofȱToulouse.ȱTheȱtroubadourȱdidȱnotȱlackȱenemies butȱ theȱ onlyȱ informationȱ weȱ haveȱ aboutȱ hisȱ deathȱ isȱ thatȱ heȱ wasȱ assassinated aroundȱ1195ȱbyȱanȱordinaryȱfootȬȱsoldierȱ(peon).20 Inȱhisȱlife,ȱGuilhemȱdeȱBerguedaȱwasȱassociatedȱwithȱhisȱfellowȱtroubadours PonsȱdeȱCapduelh,ȱPeireȱVidal,ȱandȱAimericȱdeȱPeguilhanȱbutȱhisȱclosestȱcolleague wasȱundoubtedlyȱBertranȱdeȱBorn,ȱwithȱwhomȱheȱshared,ȱamongȱotherȱthings,ȱa likingȱforȱconflict.ȱInȱtheirȱpoemsȱtheyȱcalledȱthemselvesȱbyȱsenhals,ȱcertainȱkind ofȱpseudonyms,ȱlikeȱ“Tristan,”ȱunderliningȱmaleȱfriendshipȱbutȱtheyȱusedȱalsoȱthe attributeȱ“fraire,”ȱbrother,ȱinȱaddressingȱtoȱeachȱother.ȱIfȱBertran’sȱpoemsȱwereȱin praiseȱ ofȱ warȱ andȱ aȱ warrior’sȱ virtuesȱ spicedȱ upȱ withȱ theȱ horrorsȱ ofȱ battle,ȱ his fellowȱGuilhemȱwentȱmuchȱ furtherȱinȱhisȱbrutalityȱandȱenmity.ȱHisȱvirulence, whichȱ hasȱ noȱ equalȱ inȱ theȱ troubadourȱ repertoire,ȱ appearsȱ alsoȱ inȱ theȱ levelȱ of language,ȱforȱinstanceȱinȱtheȱuseȱofȱvocabulary.21ȱHisȱpoeticȱcrudityȱisȱaddressed inȱ particularȱ towardsȱ hisȱ adversaries,ȱ whomȱ heȱ accusesȱ ofȱ multipleȱ murders, rapes,ȱ andȱ sodomy.22ȱ Martínȱ deȱ Riquer,ȱ whoȱ wroteȱ anȱ exhaustiveȱ studyȱ of

19

20 21

22

MartínȱdeȱRiquer,ȱ“L’ancienneȱ`vida´ȱprovençaleȱduȱtroubadourȱGuilhemȱdeȱBerguedan,”ȱActes deȱmémoiresȱduȱ1erȱCongrèsȱInternationalȱdeȱlangueȱetȱlittératureȱduȱMidiȱdeȱlaȱFrance.ȱ(Collection Publicationsȱdeȱl’InstitutȱméditerranéenȱduȱPalaisȱduȱRoureȱȬȱAvignon,ȱFondationȱFlandreysyȬ Espérandiau,ȱ3ȱ(Avignon:ȱPalaisȱduȱRoure,ȱ1957),ȱ56–67,ȱ64–65.ȱ Anthologieȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱed.ȱPierreȱBecȱetȱal.,ȱ180ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). FrankȱM.ȱChambers,ȱAnȱIntroductionȱtoȱOldȱProvençalȱVersification.ȱMemoirs,ȱ167ȱ(Philadelphia: AmericanȱPhilosophicalȱSociety,ȱ1985),ȱ164;ȱAnthologieȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱed.ȱPierreȱBecȱetȱal.,ȱ180–81 (seeȱnoteȱ18). See,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ Benȱ aiȱ auzitȱ perȱ calsȱ rasos,ȱ Martínȱ deȱ Riquer,ȱ Guillemȱ deȱ Berguedà,ȱ 2ȱ vols. ScriptoriumȱPopuleti,ȱ5ȱandȱ6ȱ(EsplugaȱdeȱFrancoli,ȱSpain:ȱAbadíaȱdeȱPoblet,ȱ1971),ȱII,ȱ123.ȱ

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

49

GuilhemȱdeȱBergueda’sȱlifeȱandȱwork,ȱhighlightsȱGuilhem’sȱtasteȱforȱobscenity statingȱthatȱ“noȱtroubadourȱisȱsuperiorȱtoȱhimȱinȱthatȱaspect.”23ȱToȱsomeȱextent,ȱhis uninhibitedȱ(andȱmaleȬcentered)ȱattitudeȱtowardsȱlustȱandȱsexȱresemblesȱthatȱof WilliamȱIXȱofȱPoitiers,ȱasȱDeȱRiquerȱpointsȱout.ȱSimilarlyȱtoȱWilliamȱofȱPoitiers’s, Guilhemȱ deȱ Bergueda’sȱ workȱ didȱ notȱ merelyȱ consistȱ ofȱ politicalȱ actualitiesȱ or obscenitiesȱsinceȱheȱalsoȱknewȱperfectlyȱwellȱhowȱtoȱcomposeȱgracefulȱloveȱsongs inȱaȱ“conventional”ȱway,ȱsuchȱasȱQuanȱveiȱloȱtemps.24ȱWhatȱWilliamȱofȱAquitaine andȱGuilhemȱdeȱBerguedaȱshareȱmoreȱisȱaȱreputationȱasȱwomanizersȱtoȱsuchȱa degreeȱ thatȱ inȱ theȱ Catalanȱ troubadour’sȱ caseȱ Boutièreȱ andȱ Schutzȱ callsȱ it “donjuanisme.”25 Itȱwouldȱbeȱimprudentȱtoȱdrawȱsweepingȱconclusionsȱaboutȱhisȱpsychologyȱbut sufficeȱ itȱ toȱ sayȱ thatȱ heȱ seemsȱ toȱ haveȱ spentȱ mostȱ ofȱ lifeȱ inȱ aȱ maleȬdominated (homo)ȱsocialȱenvironmentȱmarkedȱbyȱaȱstrongȱwarriorȱethosȱtoȱwhichȱheȱhimself contributedȱ asȱ bestȱ heȱ could.ȱ Onȱ theȱ basisȱ ofȱ documents,ȱ suchȱ asȱ willsȱ and testaments,ȱandȱotherȱsourcesȱrelatedȱtoȱhim,ȱheȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱaȱwifeȱorȱofficial descendants.26 Accordingȱtoȱhisȱvida,ȱGuilhemȱdeȱBerguedaȱkilledȱRaimonȱFolcȱofȱCardonaȱand theȱincidentȱisȱsupportedȱbyȱotherȱcontemporaryȱrecords,27ȱwhichȱisȱoneȱexample ofȱmanyȱofȱtheȱeventsȱandȱplacesȱvidasȱreportȱwhichȱareȱauthentic.ȱTheȱvidaȱfor Guilhemȱactuallyȱcontainsȱaȱseriesȱofȱverifiableȱincidentsȱandȱhasȱprovenȱtoȱbeȱone ofȱtheȱmostȱfaithfulȱreconstructionsȱofȱhistoricalȱeventsȱamongȱallȱtheȱsurviving vidas.ȱ Similarly,ȱ asȱ Elizabethȱ W.ȱ Poeȱ pointsȱ out,ȱ theȱ shortȱ synopsisȱ ofȱ the AlbigensianȱCrusadeȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱoneȱofȱtheȱrazosȱforȱRaimonȱdeȱMiraval isȱreliableȱinȱeveryȱdetail.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱsameȱrazoȱisȱfarȱaway fromȱtheȱtruth,ȱsomethingȱwhichȱanȱenlightenedȱreaderȱmightȱeasilyȱobserve.ȱIn general,ȱ theȱ mostȱ accurateȱ areaȱ ofȱ biographicalȱ informationȱ isȱ notȱ necessarily relatedȱtoȱtheȱdeedsȱorȱvicissitudesȱofȱanȱindividualȱtroubadourȱorȱtoȱtheȱhistorical context,ȱ butȱ toȱ theȱ geographicalȱ informationȱ aboutȱ hisȱ homeȱ districtȱ andȱ his travels,ȱwhichȱare,ȱofȱcourse,ȱinterconnected.ȱNevertheless,ȱitȱisȱusefulȱtoȱbearȱin mindȱthatȱtheȱvalueȱofȱvidasȱandȱrazosȱdoesȱnotȱlieȱwithȱtheirȱrealisticȱreportingȱof theȱpastȱbutȱmoreȱinȱtheirȱownȱfunctionȱdescribingȱandȱintroducingȱaȱpoetȱandȱhis orȱherȱworkȱinȱproseȱformȱasȱanȱessentialȱpartȱofȱthisȱlyricȬdominatedȱtradition.28ȱ

23 24 25 26 27 28

DeȱRiquer,ȱGuillemȱdeȱBerguedà,ȱvol.ȱI,ȱ182ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22). DeȱRiquer,ȱGuillemȱdeȱBerguedà,ȱvol.ȱII,ȱ219ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22). BoutièreȱandȱSchutz,ȱBiographiesȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱ529,ȱn.ȱ4ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16). DeȱRiquer,ȱGuillemȱdeȱBerguedà,ȱvol.ȱI,ȱ18ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22). DeȱRiquer,ȱGuillemȱdeȱBerguedà,ȱvol.ȱI,ȱ519ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22). ElizabethȱW.ȱPoe,ȱ“TheȱVidasȱandȱRazos,”ȱAȱHandbookȱofȱtheȱTroubadours,ȱ185–97;ȱhereȱ190ȱ(seeȱnote 10).

50

SusannaȱNiiranen

ClashesȱwithȱtheȱChurch Alreadyȱtheȱfirstȱknownȱtroubadour,ȱWilliamȱIX,ȱDukeȱofȱAquitaine,ȱtransgressed insomuchȱ asȱ heȱ wasȱ excommunicatedȱ byȱ theȱ Church.ȱ Thisȱ procedureȱ was generallyȱ usedȱ forȱ actionsȱ suchȱ asȱ heresy,ȱ schism,ȱ apostasy,ȱ issuesȱ ofȱ internal governance,ȱmurder,ȱandȱsexualȱ(mis)conduct.ȱFromȱtheȱlateȱeleventhȱcentury,ȱthe Gregorianȱreformȱgaveȱanȱimpetusȱtoȱthisȱsanction,ȱwhichȱbecameȱanȱimportant expedientȱforȱtheȱChurchȱagainstȱdisobedientȱlayȱpowers.29ȱ Thereȱisȱdisputeȱaboutȱtheȱchiefȱcauseȱofȱtheȱexcommunicationȱofȱtheȱfirstȱknown troubadourȱwhichȱbeganȱinȱ1114ȱandȱlastedȱuntilȱ1117ȱbut,ȱapparently,ȱhisȱextraȬ maritalȱliaisonsȱ(sexualȱmisconduct)ȱcausedȱclashesȱwithȱtheȱChurchȱtogetherȱwith theȱ ducalȱ andȱ ecclesiasticalȱ powerȱ struggleȱ forȱ layȱ andȱ clericalȱ controlȱ inȱ the region.30ȱDueȱtoȱWilliam’sȱsocialȱposition,ȱcontemporaryȱLatinȱwritingsȱprovideȱan ampleȱ supplyȱ ofȱ materialȱ onȱ theseȱ eventsȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ onȱ theȱ duke’sȱ lifeȱ and personality.ȱ Theseȱ sourcesȱ includeȱ AngloȬNormanȱ chroniclers’ȱ accountsȱ ofȱ his controversiesȱwithȱtheȱChurchȱandȱsomeȱLatinȱpoemsȱinȱpraiseȱofȱtheȱbishopȱwho excommunicatedȱ Williamȱ andȱ whomȱ theȱ dukeȱ persecuted.ȱ Asȱ theyȱ sketchȱ a portraitȱofȱanȱeminentȱdukeȬtroubadourȱandȱparticularlyȱdescribeȱcontemporary attitudesȱtowardsȱhisȱdeviantȱbehavior,ȱIȱwillȱfocusȱmyȱstudyȱmainlyȱonȱWilliam ofȱMalmesbury’sȱandȱOrdericȱVitalis’sȱchronicles.ȱBearingȱinȱmindȱthat,ȱinȱmost cases,ȱmedievalȱchroniclersȱreportedȱeventsȱandȱprocessesȱwithȱwhichȱtheyȱhadȱno directȱ connection,ȱ theyȱ oftenȱ provideȱ “aȱ preciousȱ storeȱ ofȱ informationȱ onȱ the expectationsȱandȱfears,ȱemotionsȱinȱgeneralȱandȱprejudicesȱinȱparticular,ȱatȱaȱgiven timeȱandȱinȱaȱgivenȱspace.”31 WilliamȱofȱMalmesbury,ȱwhoȱisȱtheȱprincipalȱsourceȱofȱtheseȱincidents,ȱrelates inȱhisȱHistoryȱofȱtheȱEnglishȱKings,ȱthatȱinȱ1114ȱfirstȱtheȱpapalȱlegateȱGirard,ȱBishop ofȱAngoulême,ȱandȱthenȱPeter,ȱBishopȱofȱPoitiers,ȱexcommunicatedȱtheȱdukeȱfor abandoningȱhisȱlegitimateȱwifeȱandȱforȱrefusingȱtoȱendȱanȱadulterousȱliaison.32

29

30

31

32

AccordingȱtoȱtheȱChurch,ȱexcommunication,ȱinȱtheȱsenseȱofȱaȱformalȱproceeding,ȱisȱnotȱaȱpenalty, butȱratherȱaȱformalȱproclamationȱofȱtemporaryȱreligiousȱandȱsocialȱexclusion.ȱTheȱFirstȱCouncil ofȱLyons,ȱ1245,ȱstatedȱthatȱ“theȱaimȱofȱexcommunicationȱisȱhealingȱandȱnotȱdeath,ȱcorrectionȱand notȱdestruction”ȱ(canonȱ19),ȱElisabethȱVodola,ȱExcommunicationȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(Berkeley,ȱLos Angeles,ȱandȱLondon:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1986),ȱ7. See,ȱRuthȱE.ȱHarvey,ȱ“TheȱWivesȱofȱtheȱ`FirstȱTroubadour,’ȱDukeȱWilliamȱIXȱofȱAquitaine,”ȱJournal ofȱMedievalȱHistoryȱ19.4ȱ(1993):ȱ307–25. SophiaȱMenache,ȱ“ChroniclesȱandȱHistoriography:ȱTheȱInterrelationshipȱofȱFactȱandȱFiction,” JournalȱofȱMedievalȱHistoryȱ32.4ȱ(2006):ȱ333–45;ȱhereȱ345.ȱ WilliamȱofȱMalmesbury,ȱGestaȱRegumȱAnglorum:ȱTheȱHistoryȱofȱtheȱEnglishȱKingsȱIȬII,ȱed.ȱR.ȱA.ȱB. Mynors,ȱR.ȱM.ȱThomsonȱandȱM.ȱWinterbottom.ȱOxfordȱMedievalȱTextsȱ(Oxford:ȱClarendonȱPress 1998–99),ȱvol.ȱ1,ȱv.ȱ437.2,ȱ782.ȱ

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

51

OrdericȱVitalisȱinȱturnȱtellsȱusȱthatȱWilliam’sȱwife,ȱ“countessȱofȱPoitou,”ȱherself raisedȱtheȱissueȱduringȱtheȱproceedingsȱofȱtheȱCouncilȱofȱReimsȱtellingȱtheȱPope andȱtheȱwholeȱcouncilȱthatȱsheȱhadȱbeenȱdesertedȱbyȱherȱhusbandȱandȱtheȱwoman namedȱMalberge,ȱtheȱwifeȱofȱtheȱviscountȱofȱChâtellerault,ȱhadȱreplacedȱherȱinȱhis bed.33ȱSinceȱWilliamȱofȱMalmesburyȱdoesȱnotȱnameȱtheȱduke’sȱconcubine,ȱweȱdo notȱknowȱwhetherȱsheȱisȱtheȱsameȱ“Malberge”ȱmentionedȱbyȱOrdericȱorȱpossibly anotherȱperson.ȱSeveralȱscholarsȱshareȱtheȱopinionȱthatȱsheȱcanȱbeȱidentifiedȱasȱthe sameȱ lady.34ȱ Theȱ otherȱ nameȱ identifiedȱ withȱ theȱ Viscountessȱ Châtelleraultȱ is “Dangeirosa,”ȱTheȱDifficult.35ȱAnotherȱinterpretationȱisȱthatȱWilliamȱrequestedȱan annulmentȱ ofȱ hisȱ marriageȱ butȱ wasȱ notȱ successful.ȱ Nevertheless,ȱ hisȱ second legitimateȱson,ȱRaimon,ȱwithȱhisȱwife,ȱPhilippa,ȱwasȱbornȱca.ȱ1115ȱ(theȱexactȱdate isȱnotȱknown)ȱwhichȱhasȱledȱtoȱtheȱconclusionȱthatȱaȱbriefȱreconciliationȱhadȱtaken placeȱbetweenȱtheȱspousesȱafterȱtheȱfirstȱexcommunication.36ȱ WilliamȱofȱMalmesburyȱpresentsȱtwoȱaccountsȱofȱtheȱexcommunicationȱofȱthe troubadourȬduke.ȱIfȱweȱareȱtoȱbelieveȱtheȱchronicler,ȱWilliamȱofȱAquitaineȱreplied withȱjestsȱtoȱtheȱprelates,ȱwhoȱexhortedȱhimȱtoȱchangeȱhisȱwayȱofȱlife.ȱInȱtheȱfirst account,ȱ heȱ isȱ saidȱ toȱ haveȱ quippedȱ thatȱ theȱ baldȱ legateȱ Girard,ȱ bishopȱ of Angoulême,ȱwouldȱrequireȱaȱcombȱforȱhisȱforelockȱbeforeȱheȱwouldȱrepudiateȱhis viceȬcountess.ȱInȱtheȱsecondȱone,ȱtheȱdukeȱisȱsaidȱtoȱhaveȱthreatenedȱPeter,ȱbishop ofȱPoitiers,ȱwithȱaȱsword,ȱswearingȱtoȱkillȱhimȱifȱheȱdidȱnotȱpronounceȱabsolution. TheȱbishopȱcalmlyȱofferedȱupȱhisȱneckȱandȱinvitedȱWilliamȱIXȱtoȱstrikeȱbutȱthe dukeȱputȱawayȱhisȱsword.ȱThisȱscene,ȱalongȱwithȱtheȱduke’sȱdramaticȱandȱwitty wordsȱwhileȱsheathingȱhisȱsword:ȱȈIfȱyouȱareȱboundȱforȱheaven,ȱexpectȱnoȱhelp fromȱ meȈȱ mightȱ beȱ aȱ literaryȱ contaminationȱ ofȱ otherȱ contemporaryȱ accounts. Chroniclers’ȱ liking,ȱ andȱ especiallyȱ theȱ tasteȱ ofȱ theȱ monkȱ ofȱ Malmesbury,ȱ for entertainingȱstoriesȱisȱwellȱknown.ȱStill,ȱitȱisȱmoreȱthanȱprobableȱthatȱheȱwouldȱnot haveȱappliedȱtheseȱanecdotesȱtoȱjustȱanyone.ȱ First,ȱtheȱuseȱofȱcolorfulȱnarrationȱregardingȱhisȱbehaviorȱmightȱbeȱtakenȱasȱa signalȱ ofȱ hisȱ ostentatiousȱ personalityȱ orȱ second,ȱ ofȱ volatileȱ tensionsȱ between ecclesiasticalȱ andȱ ducalȱ powerȱ inȱ theȱ region.ȱ Theȱ thirdȱ possibilityȱ isȱ thatȱ the combinationȱofȱhisȱpersonalȱcharacteristicsȱalongȱwithȱhisȱpoliticalȱpositionȱinvited theȱuseȱofȱcolorfulȱnarration.ȱYetȱitȱisȱdifficultȱtoȱmaintainȱthatȱallȱconspicuous accountsȱrelatedȱtoȱWilliamȱIXȱwereȱtheȱresultȱofȱpureȱimaginationȱorȱliteraryȱtaste

33

34 35

36

TheȱEcclesiasticalȱHistoryȱofȱOrdericȱVitalis,ȱed.ȱMarjorieȱChibnall,ȱ6ȱvols.ȱOxfordȱMedievalȱTexts (Oxford:ȱ Clarendonȱ Press,ȱ 1969Ȭ1980),ȱ vol.ȱ 6,ȱ 258–60;ȱ Harveyȱ scrutinizesȱ theȱ problemȱ ofȱ the identificationȱ ofȱ theȱ assumedȱ wifeȱ ofȱ theȱ dukeȱ whomȱ Ordericȱ Vitalisȱ namesȱ “Hildegarde,” Harvey,ȱ“TheȱWivesȱofȱtheȱ‘FirstȱTroubadour,’”ȱ309–15ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ30). Harvey,ȱ“TheȱWivesȱofȱtheȱ`FirstȱTroubadour,´”ȱ316ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ30). PierreȱBec,ȱLeȱcomteȱdeȱPoitiers,ȱpremierȱtroubadour:ȱÀȱl’aubeȱd’unȱverbeȱetȱd’uneȱérotiqueȱ(Montpellier: UniversitéȱdeȱMontpellier,ȱ2004),ȱ12. Harvey,ȱ“TheȱWivesȱofȱtheȱ`FirstȱTroubadour,’”ȱ321–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ30).

52

SusannaȱNiiranen

ofȱtheȱcompilers.ȱHowever,ȱitȱseemsȱthatȱhisȱextraȬmaritalȱrelationshipsȱbrought himȱintoȱopenȱconflictȱwithȱtheȱChurch,ȱbutȱcloserȱinvestigationȱshowsȱthatȱhis territorialȱ ambitionsȱ certainlyȱ playedȱ aȱ partȱ inȱ theȱ matter.ȱ Namely,ȱ theȱ duke’s promptȱreconciliationȱwithȱhisȱwifeȱPhilippaȱappearsȱtoȱbeȱlinkedȱtoȱtheȱPoitevin attemptsȱtoȱassertȱauthorityȱinȱtheȱToulousain.ȱThus,ȱtheȱbirthȱofȱtheȱsecondȱsonȱin Toulouseȱaroundȱtheȱyearȱ1115ȱcanȱbeȱexplainedȱbyȱtheȱprojectȱofȱsecuringȱthe Poitevinȱpresenceȱinȱtheȱsouth,ȱPhilippa’sȱcounty,ȱwhichȱfinallyȱleadȱWilliamȱto warȱinȱ1123.37 Asȱforȱhisȱotherȱmentionedȱcharacteristics,ȱOrdericȱVitalisȱdepictsȱWilliamȱIX primarilyȱasȱaȱcourageousȱknightȱandȱfighter.ȱIncidentally,ȱseveralȱchroniclers, bothȱinȱEnglandȱandȱinȱFranceȱ(OrdericȱVitalis,ȱWilliamȱofȱMalmesbury,ȱEtienne deȱBourbon),ȱmentionȱhisȱaptitudeȱforȱfooleryȱandȱentertainments,ȱwhichȱwasȱseen asȱ perfectlyȱ appropriateȱ forȱ anȱ aristocraticȱ andȱ aȱ troubadour.ȱ Inȱ contrast,ȱ his proclivityȱforȱaffairsȱwithȱwomenȱwasȱseenȱinȱmoreȱpejorativeȱterms,ȱatȱleastȱinȱthe eyesȱofȱchurchmenȱsuchȱasȱGeoffroiȱdeȱVigeois,ȱGuibertȱdeȱNogent,ȱGeoffroiȱle Gros,ȱGérardȱdeȱGalles,ȱandȱHildebertȱdeȱLavardin.38ȱParticularly,ȱhisȱpresumed uncontrolledȱ sexuality,ȱ asȱ weȱ haveȱ seen,ȱ seemsȱ toȱ haveȱ beenȱ theȱ targetȱ of resentment.39ȱAsȱifȱtoȱconfirmȱhisȱbehavior,ȱsomeȱofȱhisȱsurvivingȱpoemsȱtreat (beyondȱmoreȱconventionalȱloveȱandȱpoliticalȱthemes)ȱadulterousȱadventuresȱin aȱveryȱdaringȱway,ȱusingȱvulgarȱtermsȱwhichȱareȱvirtuallyȱpornographic,ȱinȱthe modernȱsenseȱofȱtheȱword. ȱ Theȱ powerȱ ofȱ theȱ vidasȱ andȱ razos,ȱ commonlyȱ referredȱ toȱ asȱ biographiesȱ ofȱ the troubadours,ȱwasȱcrucialȱinȱdeterminingȱaȱtroubadour’sȱreputation.ȱTheȱessential sourceȱforȱtheȱaccountsȱgivenȱinȱvidasȱandȱrazosȱisȱtheȱtroubadourȱpoems.ȱThatȱvidas andȱ razosȱ drawȱ widelyȱ onȱ lyricȱ textsȱ isȱ nothingȱ new.40ȱ However,ȱ theȱ vidaȱ of William,ȱaȱshortȱandȱanonymousȱbiography41ȱofȱtheȱfirstȱknownȱtroubadour,ȱdoes notȱrelyȱonȱpoemsȱasȱitsȱsourceȱofȱinformationȱor,ȱifȱitȱdoes,ȱtheȱcompilerȱdoesȱnot showȱhisȱpossibleȱresentmentȱofȱtheȱdirectȱsexualȱimageryȱofȱsomeȱofȱWilliam’s poemsȱknownȱbyȱtheȱnamesȱLoȱgatȱros42ȱ(Theȱredȱcat)ȱorȱLaȱleiȱdelȱcon43ȱ(Theȱlawȱof

37 38

39 40 41

42 43

Harvey,ȱ“TheȱWivesȱofȱtheȱ`FirstȱTroubadour,´”ȱ321–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ30). LatinȱreferencesȱtoȱWilliamȱIXȱareȱcollectedȱinȱtheȱappendixȱofȱGeraldȱA.ȱBond’sȱedition,ȱGerald A.ȱBond,ȱTheȱPoetryȱofȱWilliamȱVII,ȱCountȱofȱPoitiers,ȱIXȱDukeȱofȱAquitaineȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱLondon: GarlandȱPublishingȱ1982),ȱandȱmostȱofȱthemȱareȱalsoȱcitedȱinȱBec’sȱeditionȱLeȱcomteȱdeȱPoitiersȱ(see noteȱ35). See,ȱalsoȱBec,ȱLeȱcomteȱdeȱPoitiers,ȱ18–19ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ35). Poe,ȱ“TheȱVidasȱandȱRazos,”ȱ185–90ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ28).ȱ Theȱshortnessȱofȱaȱbiographyȱdoesȱnotȱcorrelateȱwithȱimportanceȱofȱtheȱpoet,ȱPierreȱBec,ȱChant d’amourȱdesȱfemmesȬtroubadours.ȱMoyenȱAgeȱ(Paris:ȱStock,ȱ1995),ȱ25. Companho,ȱtanȱtaiȱagutzȱd’avolsȱconres,ȱBec,ȱLeȱcomteȱdeȱPoitiers,ȱ166ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ35). Faraiȱunȱvers,ȱposȱmiȱsonelh,ȱBec,ȱLeȱcomteȱdeȱPoitiers,ȱ190–95ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ35).

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

53

theȱcunt).ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱtheȱbiographerȱdoesȱnotȱseemȱtoȱbeȱinterestedȱinȱhis maritalȱaffairsȱorȱamorousȱactivitiesȱmoreȱthanȱisȱtheȱaverageȱcaseȱinȱtroubadour vidas.ȱAllȱknownȱcircumstancesȱconsidered,ȱtheȱvidaȱmakesȱonlyȱmoderateȱ(but apparent)ȱreferenceȱtoȱhimȱasȱaȱwomanizer:ȱ LoȱcomsȱdeȱPeitieusȱsiȱfoȱunsȱdelsȱmajorsȱcortesȱdelȱmonȱeȱdelsȱmajorsȱtrichadors deȱ domnasȱ eȱ bonȱ cavaliersȱ d’armasȱ eȱ larcsȱ deȱ domnejar,ȱ eȱ saupȱ benȱ trobarȱ e cantar.ȱetȱanetȱloncȱtempsȱperȱloȱmonȱperȱenganarȱlasȱdomnas.44 [TheȱCountȱofȱPoitiersȱwasȱoneȱofȱtheȱmostȱcourtlyȱmenȱinȱtheȱworldȱandȱoneȱof theȱ greatestȱ deceiversȱ ofȱ women.ȱ Heȱ wasȱ aȱ fineȱ knightȱ atȱ arms,ȱ liberalȱ inȱ his womanizing,ȱandȱaȱfineȱcomposerȱandȱsinger.ȱHeȱtravelledȱforȱaȱlongȱtimeȱthrough theȱworld,ȱdeceivingȱwomen.]ȱ

Theȱdispassionateȱattitudeȱofȱtheȱbiographerȱmightȱalsoȱbeȱattributedȱtoȱtheȱtime gapȱbetweenȱeventsȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱfirstȱknownȱtroubadourȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱthe twelfthȱcenturyȱandȱtheȱwritingȱofȱtheȱvidaȱinȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury. Theȱtimeȱscaleȱofȱoneȱhundredȱyearsȱisȱenoughȱtoȱallowȱindividualȱscandalous episodesȱtoȱfadeȱinȱtheȱcollectiveȱmemoryȱofȱaȱcommunity.ȱMoreover,ȱtheȱcompiler orȱcompilersȱcomeȱfromȱtheȱintermostȱcircleȱofȱtheȱtroubadoursȱsinceȱtheyȱareȱnot clericsȱbutȱtroubadoursȱthemselves.ȱItȱhasȱbeenȱsuggestedȱwithȱgoodȱreasonȱthat theȱ compilers,ȱ atȱ leastȱ twoȱ knownȱ troubadoursȱ mentionedȱ byȱ nameȱ inȱ the survivingȱ repertoryȱ ofȱ vidasȱ andȱ razos,ȱ collectedȱ theȱ informationȱ alreadyȱ in circulationȱinȱoralȱorȱwrittenȱformȱfromȱamongȱtheirȱcolleagues.ȱTheyȱdoubtlessly addedȱsomeȱofȱtheirȱownȱmaterialȱbutȱneverthelessȱturnedȱvidasȱandȱrazosȱinto literatureȱinȱaȱmoreȱorȱlessȱsystematicȱway.45ȱ IfȱweȱreturnȱtoȱWilliamȱIXȱandȱhisȱremembranceȱduringȱtheȱtroubadourȱperiod fromȱtheȱtwelfthȱtoȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱitȱisȱgoodȱtoȱbearȱinȱmind,ȱthatȱhisȱapparent tendencyȱtoȱvariousȱkindsȱofȱexcessȱdescribedȱinȱseveralȱsourcesȱrepresentsȱnot onlyȱhisȱpersonalȱcharacterȱbutȱalsoȱhisȱsocialȱstanding.ȱEarlyȱOccitanȱcourtsȱ(inȱthe eleventhȱ andȱ twelfthȱ century)ȱ actuallyȱ seekȱ toȱ reinforceȱ theirȱ positionȱ and demonstrateȱtheirȱsuperiorȱsophisticationȱthroughȱactivitiesȱwhichȱappearȱtoȱusȱas arrogantȱ andȱ ostentatiouslyȱ prodigalȱ butȱ whoseȱ fundamentalȱ purposeȱ wasȱ to displayȱwealthȱandȱpower,ȱandȱtheȱaristocraticȱwayȱofȱlivingȱasȱdistinctiveȱfromȱthe otherȱsocialȱgroups.46ȱWhatȱmakesȱhisȱcaseȱambiguousȱisȱtheȱfactȱthatȱhisȱwork includesȱsongsȱcontainingȱallȱtheȱconventionsȱofȱtheȱtroubadourȱlyricȱinȱformȱand

44

45 46

VidaȱofȱGuilhem,ȱ”LoȱcomsȱdeȱPeiteus,”ȱBoutièreȱandȱSchutz,ȱBiographiesȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱ7ȱ(see noteȱ16). Poe,ȱ“TheȱVidasȱandȱRazos,”ȱ188–89ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ28). See,ȱLindaȱM.ȱPaterson,ȱTheȱWorldȱofȱtheȱTroubadoursȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress, 1995),ȱ100–01.

54

SusannaȱNiiranen

contentȱas,ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱdescriptionsȱ ofȱ spring,ȱtheȱbeautyȱofȱtheȱlady,ȱthe desireȱtoȱbeȱwithȱher,ȱandȱaȱlongingȱintensifiedȱbyȱvariousȱobstaclesȱsuchȱasȱsocial disparity,ȱphysicalȱdistance,ȱorȱguards.ȱAsȱfarȱasȱaȱ“firstȱknownȱtroubadour”ȱis concerned,ȱitȱhasȱalsoȱbeenȱclaimedȱthatȱoneȱcauseȱforȱtheȱclergy’sȱreprehension wasȱhisȱuseȱofȱtheȱvernacularȱlanguageȱinȱhisȱpoetryȱwhichȱmayȱhaveȱirritated theseȱteachersȱofȱLatinȱandȱmayȱhaveȱcausedȱtensionȱbetweenȱtheȱlayȱandȱclerical elite.47ȱ IfȱWilliamȱofȱAquitaineȱwasȱatȱtheȱtopȱofȱtheȱsocialȱscale,ȱtroubadourȱGuilhem Figueiraȱcomesȱfromȱtheȱlowerȱscale;ȱheȱactuallyȱbelongsȱtoȱtheȱlowerȱbourgeoisie, aȱgroupȱwhichȱisȱwellȱrepresentedȱamongȱtheȱtroubadours.ȱHeȱwasȱtheȱsonȱofȱa tailorȱandȱhimselfȱaȱtailorȱbyȱtradeȱinȱToulouse,ȱactiveȱinȱtheȱlateȱperiodȱofȱthe troubadoursȱ aroundȱ theȱ 1230ȇs.ȱ Thisȱ periodȱ wasȱ markedȱ byȱ theȱ Albigensian Crusade—ȱandȱasȱweȱshallȱsee—ȱtheȱwarȱwasȱnotȱwithoutȱimpactȱonȱtheȱfateȱand reputationȱofȱtheȱtroubadour.ȱ Guilhemȱpossessedȱaȱcriticalȱmindȱandȱhisȱcriticismȱwasȱmainlyȱdirectedȱagainst theȱ papacyȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ assumedȱ immoralityȱ ofȱ theȱ clergy.ȱ Heȱ attackedȱ the crusades,ȱnotȱonlyȱtheȱAlbigensianȱCrusadeȱbutȱalsoȱtheȱfailuresȱofȱtheȱcrusadesȱto theȱHolyȱLand,ȱwhichȱheȱsawȱasȱmanifestationsȱofȱpapalȱimperialism.ȱTwelveȱof hisȱ poemsȱ areȱ extantȱ butȱ hisȱ mostȱ renownedȱ work,ȱ theȱ sirventesȱ contraȱ Roma, actuallyȱentitledȱD’unȱsirventesȱfar,ȱwasȱaȱstrongȱreprimandȱofȱtheȱpapacyȱandȱof theȱAlbigensianȱCrusadeȱandȱalsoȱofȱtheȱfailureȱofȱtheȱfourthȱandȱtheȱfifthȱcrusades, imperialȱ policy,ȱ andȱ theȱ moralȱ failingsȱ ofȱ theȱ clergy.ȱ Theȱ poemȱ wasȱ probably writtenȱ betweenȱ 1227ȱ andȱ 1229ȱ whileȱ Guilhemȱ wasȱ stillȱ inȱ Toulouseȱ and presumablyȱinȱaȱpositionȱtoȱwitnessȱfirsthandȱcircumstancesȱandȱeventsȱinȱthe besiegedȱcity.ȱAnȱemblematicȱpassageȱstates:ȱ RomaȱalsȱSarrazis faitzȱvosȱpaucȱdeȱdampnatge, Masȱgrecsȱeȱlatisȱliuratzȱaȱcarnalatge. Insȱelȱfocȱd’abis,ȱ Roma,ȱfaitzȱvostreȱestatge Enȱperdicion.48 [Rome,ȱtoȱtheȱSaracens youȱdoȱlittleȱdamage

47

48

GeorgeȱT.ȱBeech,ȱ“ContemporaryȱViewsȱofȱWilliam,ȱIXthȱDukeȱofȱAquitaine,ȱ1086–1126,”ȱMedieval LivesȱandȱtheȱHistorian:ȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱProsopography,ȱed.ȱNeithardȱBulstȱandȱJeanȬPhilippe Genêtȱ(Kalamazoo:ȱWesternȱMichiganȱUniversityȱ1986),ȱ73–87;ȱhereȱ83. Katharinaȱ Städtler,ȱ “Theȱ Sirventesȱ byȱ Gormondaȱ deȱ Monpeslier,”ȱ Theȱ Voiceȱ ofȱ theȱ Trobairitz: PerspectivesȱonȱtheȱWomenȱTroubadours,ȱed.ȱWilliamȱD.ȱPaden.ȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia: UniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1989),ȱ129–56;ȱhereȱstanzaȱVI,ȱlinesȱ43–46,ȱ132.

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

55

ButȱtoȱtheȱGreeksȱandȱLatinsȱmassacreȱandȱcarnage; Inȱtheȱfireȱofȱhell,ȱ Romeȱyouȱhaveȱyourȱseat Inȱperdition.]ȱ

HeȱusesȱderogatoryȱexpressionsȱaccusingȱtheȱChurchȱandȱtheȱpopeȱofȱgreediness, treachery,ȱ simony,ȱ andȱ killingȱ theȱ innocent.ȱ Consequently,ȱ theȱ singingȱ of Figueira’sȱsirventesȱwasȱoutlawedȱbyȱtheȱInquisitionȱinȱToulouse.49ȱTheȱtroubadour isȱreportedȱtoȱbeȱlivingȱasȱanȱexileȱinȱLombardyȱ(asȱmanyȱtroubadoursȱdidȱwhile continuingȱtoȱemployȱtheȱOccitanȱlanguageȱinȱpoems)ȱwhereȱheȱeventuallyȱmade hisȱwayȱtoȱEmperorȱFrederickȱII’sȱcourt.ȱUnderȱthisȱeminentȱprotector,ȱheȱwas certainlyȱencouragedȱtoȱcontinueȱhisȱcriticismȱofȱtheȱpapacy.ȱInȱhisȱsirventes,ȱhe alsoȱpromotesȱpeaceȱinȱChristendom,ȱwhichȱdidȱnotȱrestrainȱhimȱfromȱagitatingȱfor Fredrickȱtoȱgoȱonȱaȱcrusade.ȱ Theȱpowerȱofȱhisȱsirventesȱderivesȱfromȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱaȱbroadȱpoliticalȱconflict heavilyȱloadedȱwithȱideologicalȱviewsȱandȱalsoȱespeciallyȱfromȱhisȱliteraryȱskill. Forȱexample,ȱtheȱfirstȱstanzaȱintroducesȱtheȱwordȱ“Roma,”ȱwhichȱlaterȱappears onceȱorȱtwiceȱinȱeveryȱstanzaȱofȱtheȱpoem,ȱrepeatingȱtheȱmessageȱthatȱRomeȱisȱthe mainȱobjectȱofȱGuilhem’sȱcritiqueȱandȱtheȱcauseȱofȱallȱtheȱevilȱthingsȱheȱenumerates inȱhisȱlongȱpoem.ȱHeȱisȱalsoȱaȱmasterȱofȱalliteration,ȱrepeatingȱkeyȱsoundsȱinȱeach stanza.ȱ Regardlessȱ ofȱ hisȱ easilyȱ recognizableȱ poeticȱ techniqueȱ andȱ power,ȱ his medievalȱbiographyȱportraysȱhimȱasȱaȱcertainȱkindȱofȱlooserȱpoetȱwhoȱfrequented wretches,ȱ prostitutes,ȱ andȱ tavernȬkeepersȱ andȱ wasȱ notȱ welcomedȱ amongȱ the nobles. 50ȱ Theȱ vidaȱ makesȱ noȱ referenceȱ toȱ theȱ famousȱ sirventesȱ butȱ expresses negativeȱattitudesȱtowardsȱGuilhem’sȱharshȱcriticismȱofȱtheȱChurch.ȱAccordingȱto BoutièreȱandȱSchutz,ȱtheȱbiographerȱwas,ȱifȱnotȱanȱecclesiastic,ȱatȱleastȱaȱpartisan ofȱRomeȱwhoȱfeelsȱitȱhisȱdutyȱtoȱdenigrateȱtheȱreputationȱofȱGuilhemȱinȱtheȱeyes ofȱposterity.51 AȱwomanȱcalledȱGormondaȱdeȱMonpeslierȱwroteȱaȱresponse,ȱGreuȱm’esȱaȱdurar, toȱtheȱantiȬpapalȱsirventesȱofȱGuilhemȱFigueiraȱfollowingȱFigueira´sȱpoemȱinȱmeter andȱ rhymeȱ forȱ someȱ twentyȱ stanzas.ȱ Sheȱ defendsȱ theȱ Churchȱ andȱ attacksȱ the heretics.ȱHerȱstyleȱisȱasȱardentȱasȱGuilhem’s,ȱe.g.,ȱsheȱexpressesȱaȱdesireȱtoȱsee Figueiraȱtorturedȱtoȱdeath.ȱThoughȱnothingȱisȱknownȱofȱGormondaȱexceptȱforȱher nameȱrecordedȱinȱoneȱofȱtheȱmanuscriptsȱthatȱpreservesȱherȱsirventesȱandȱwhatȱcan beȱdeducedȱfromȱherȱpoem,ȱitȱseemsȱplausibleȱthatȱsheȱwasȱassociatedȱcloselyȱwith theȱorthodoxȱclergy,ȱprobablyȱwithȱtheȱDominicansȱofȱtheȱregionȱofȱMontpellier.

49

50 51

Elaineȱ GrahamȬLeigh,ȱ Theȱ Southernȱ Frenchȱ Nobilityȱ andȱ theȱ Albigensianȱ Crusadeȱ (Woodbridge, Suffolk:ȱTheȱBoydellȱPress,ȱ2005),ȱ36. VidaȱofȱGuilhemȱFigueira,ȱBoutièreȱandȱSchutz,ȱBiographiesȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱ434ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16). VidaȱofȱGuilhemȱFigueira,ȱBoutièreȱandȱSchutz,ȱBiographiesȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱ435,ȱn.ȱ3ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16).

56

SusannaȱNiiranen

Nowadays,ȱsheȱisȱconsideredȱoneȱofȱtheȱOccitanȱwomenȱtroubadours,ȱtheȱtrobairitz, evenȱifȱherȱpoemȱisȱnotȱofȱthatȱaristocraticȱloveȬpoemȱgenreȱtheyȱmainlyȱrepresent. Actually,ȱGormonda’sȱpoemȱisȱaȱrareȱexampleȱofȱtheȱgenreȱofȱsirventesȱattributed toȱaȱwoman.52ȱSinceȱsheȱhasȱnoȱvidaȱorȱrazoȱandȱnoȱotherȱreferencesȱsurviveȱofȱher, itȱisȱaȱchallengingȱtaskȱtoȱmakeȱanyȱhypothesisȱaboutȱherȱreputation.ȱIsȱitȱaȱsignal thatȱthereȱisȱnotȱaȱsingleȱmentionȱofȱherȱinȱanyȱcontemporaryȱwritings?ȱWasȱshe suchȱaȱdissidentȱinȱlayȱtroubadourȱcirclesȱthatȱordinaryȱtroubadourȱpromotersȱfell silentȱaboutȱherȱandȱherȱwork?ȱInȱmodernȱtimes,ȱGormondaȱlikeȱotherȱwomen troubadours,ȱhasȱbeenȱanȱobjectȱofȱaȱkindȱofȱrehabilitationȱinȱwhichȱsheȱisȱcredited withȱwritingȱȈtheȱfirstȱFrenchȱpoliticalȱpoemȱbyȱaȱwoman.”53

Gamblers,ȱTavernȬGoers,ȱandȱaȱFool InȱadditionȱtoȱtheseȱconflictsȱwithȱtheȱChurchȱandȱaccusationsȱofȱlooseȱmorals, anotherȱgroupȱofȱmoreȱorȱlessȱrenownedȱtroubadoursȱwereȱsimilarlyȱaccusedȱof leadingȱ immoralȱ livesȱ butȱ withoutȱ anyȱ visibleȱ politicalȱ orȱ otherȱ ideological purposes.ȱThisȱgroupȱconsistsȱofȱgamblersȱandȱtavernȬgoers.ȱGaucelmȱFaiditȱ(ca. 1170–ca.ȱ1202),ȱforȱexample,ȱinȱhisȱvida,ȱwasȱsaidȱtoȱbeȱaȱfatȱmanȱandȱaȱpoorȱsinger whoȱonlyȱbecameȱaȱmusicianȱfromȱnecessityȱwhenȱheȱlostȱallȱhisȱpropertyȱthrough gambling.ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ hisȱ wife,ȱ namedȱ Guilhelmaȱ Monja,ȱ wasȱ anȱ illȬreputed soldadeira,ȱaȱfemaleȱentertainer,ȱsometimesȱlinkedȱwithȱprostitution.ȱAccordingȱto theȱvida,ȱGuilhelmaȱwasȱalsoȱoverweight.ȱTheyȱhadȱaȱsonȱofȱwhomȱweȱonlyȱknow thatȱhisȱcharacterȱwasȱunsympathetic.ȱDespiteȱhisȱbadȱreputation,ȱGaucelmȱFaidit wasȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ mostȱ prolificȱ troubadoursȱ ofȱ majorȱ importanceȱ andȱ whose protectorsȱwereȱtheȱmostȱeminentȱpeopleȱofȱtheȱtimeȱ(e.g.,ȱRichardȱIȱofȱEngland, Bonifaceȱ ofȱ Monteferrat,ȱ andȱ Geoffreyȱ II,ȱ Dukeȱ ofȱ Brittany).ȱ Aboutȱ seventyȱ of Gaucelm’sȱ songsȱ survive.ȱ Heȱ dedicatedȱ atȱ leastȱ thirteenȱ songsȱ toȱ Maria, viscountessȱofȱVentadorn,ȱaȱwomanȱtroubadourȱherself,ȱaȱperfectlyȱrespectable lady,ȱasȱareȱallȱtheȱOccitanȱwomenȱtroubadoursȱdepictedȱinȱmedievalȱsources. InȱGaucelmȱFaidit’sȱcase,ȱtheȱbiographerȱisȱinȱallȱlikelihoodȱmakingȱaȱparodyȱofȱthe genre.ȱTheȱnameȱofȱtheȱtroubadourȱisȱalreadyȱleadingȱtheȱreaderȱorȱtheȱlistenerȱinto

52

53

SeeȱAngelicaȱRieger,ȱTrobairitz:ȱderȱBeitragȱderȱFrauȱinȱderȱaltokzitanischenȱhöfischenȱLyrik. Editionȱ desȱ Gesamtkorpus.ȱ Beihefteȱ zurȱ Zeitschriftȱ fürȱ romanischeȱ Philologie,ȱ 233ȱ (Tübingen: Niemeyer,ȱ 1991),ȱ 44–45;ȱ Seeȱ alsoȱ Catherineȱ Léglu,ȱ “Didȱ Womenȱ Performȱ Satiricalȱ Poetry? TrobairitzȱandȱSoldadeirasȱinȱMedievalȱOccitanȱPoetry,”ȱForumȱforȱModernȱLanguageȱStudiesȱ37.1 (2001):ȱ15–25. InȱherȱarticleȱonȱGormonda,ȱStädtlerȱpresentsȱtheȱeditionsȱofȱbothȱGormonda’sȱandȱGuilhem’s songs,ȱStädtler,ȱ“TheȱSirventesȱbyȱGormondaȱdeȱMonpeslier,”ȱ129ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ48).ȱ

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

57

theȱworldȱofȱdeliberateȱmockeryȱofȱtheȱusual,ȱsophisticatedȱconventionalȱimagery ofȱvidasȱsinceȱtheȱwordȱfaiditȱmeansȱ“outlaw”ȱorȱ“worthlessȱone.”ȱTheȱbiographer certainlyȱknowsȱthatȱGaucelmȱwasȱaȱnoblemanȱandȱenjoyedȱtheȱpatronageȱofȱmany eminentȱpersonsȱwhoseȱtasteȱbecomesȱatȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱtheȱobjectȱofȱcriticismȱinȱthe vida.ȱHumorousȱstatements,ȱsurprisingȱjuxtapositionsȱandȱequationsȱasȱwellȱas variousȱ punsȱ followȱ oneȱ afterȱ another.ȱ Itȱ isȱ legitimateȱ toȱ askȱ whetherȱ the biographerȱisȱlaughingȱatȱtroubadours,ȱatȱrulers,ȱorȱperhapsȱatȱsomeȱemptyȱliterary conventionsȱheȱconsidersȱcorny?54ȱ TroubadourȱGuilhemȱMagretȱwasȱalsoȱsaidȱtoȱbeȱaȱgambler.ȱAccordingȱtoȱhisȱvida heȱ couldȱ notȱ keepȱ theȱ moneyȱ heȱ earnedȱ butȱ fritteredȱ itȱ awayȱ gamblingȱ and frequentingȱtaverns.ȱAsȱaȱresult,ȱheȱcouldȱnotȱaffordȱtoȱbuyȱarmorȱandȱwasȱillȬ equippedȱasȱaȱknight.ȱForȱaȱknight,ȱitȱwasȱshamefulȱandȱuncourtlyȱtoȱhaveȱtoȱbeg orȱ borrowȱ piecesȱ ofȱ equipment.55ȱ Inȱ aȱ tensoȱ withȱ Guilhemȱ Rainolȱ d’Atȱ heȱ is despisedȱbyȱhisȱdebateȱpartnerȱasȱaȱ“joglarȱvielh,ȱnesci,ȱbadoc”ȱ(anȱold,ȱsilly,ȱstupid joglar).56ȱItȱisȱnoteworthyȱthatȱinȱthisȱcontext,ȱheȱisȱnotȱcalledȱtrobador,ȱbutȱjoglar, generallyȱaȱlowerȱentertainerȱneverȱassociatedȱwithȱaristocraticȱtroubadours.ȱThis entertainerȱisȱsaidȱtoȱbeȱinȱloveȱwithȱwine,ȱ whichȱhasȱcausedȱhisȱthinnessȱand poverty.ȱDespiteȱthis,ȱthereȱwasȱnothingȱwrongȱwithȱhisȱsongs;ȱhisȱbiographer notesȱthatȱheȱwasȱwellȬlikedȱandȱhonoredȱandȱhisȱsongsȱwereȱgood.57ȱ Inȱthisȱcontext,ȱitȱisȱpossibleȱtoȱmakeȱaȱcautiousȱgenreȱidentification.ȱTheȱtenso betweenȱGuilhemȱRainolȱd’AtȱandȱGuilhemȱMagretȱisȱanȱexchangeȱofȱcounterparts whereȱ “rivals”ȱ presentȱ oneȱ another’sȱ vicesȱ inȱ anȱ ironicalȱ fashion.ȱ Theȱ themes, languageȱ andȱ humoristicȱ toneȱ areȱ reminiscentȱ ofȱ someȱ coblasȱ producedȱ some decadesȱlaterȱamongȱtheȱdispersedȱtroubadoursȱinȱtheȱcourtsȱofȱItalyȱandȱSpain afterȱ theȱ Albigensianȱ Crusade.ȱ Colloquialism,ȱ evenȱ obscenity,ȱ togetherȱ withȱ a genuineȱattemptȱtoȱentertainȱareȱdistinctiveȱmarksȱofȱthisȱgenre,ȱwhichȱcultivates themesȱsuchȱasȱprostitution,ȱtaverns,ȱgamblingȱandȱaȱcaricaturizedȱdescriptionȱof theȱadversaryȱinȱaȱpoem.58ȱ

54 55 56

57 58

Poe,ȱ“TheȱVidasȱandȱRazos,”ȱ191–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ28). Paterson,ȱTheȱWorldȱofȱtheȱTroubadours,ȱ72ȱ(seeȱtheȱnoteȱ46). GuilhemȱRainolȱd’AtȱandȱGuilhemȱMagret,ȱMaigret,ȱpujatȱm’esȱelȱcap,ȱlineȱ37,ȱBonaugurio,ȱRialto 7.vi.2003.ȱSeeȱat:ȱhttp://www.rialto.unina.it/GlRain/231.3(Bonaugurio).htmȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱNov. 1,ȱ2010). VidaȱofȱGuilhemȱMagret,ȱBoutièreȱandȱSchutz,ȱBiographiesȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱ493ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16). GuilhemȱRainolȱd’AtȱandȱGuilhemȱMagret,ȱMaigret,ȱpujatȱm’esȱelȱcap,ȱnoteȱofȱtheȱeditor.ȱSeeȱalso Simonȱ Gaunt,ȱ Troubadoursȱ andȱ Irony.ȱ Cambridgeȱ Studiesȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Literatureȱ (Cambridge: CambridgeȱUniversityȱPressȱ1989),ȱesp.ȱ5–38;ȱȱBonaugurio,ȱRialtoȱ7.vi.2003ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ56).

58

SusannaȱNiiranen

Theȱ aboveȬmentionedȱ sirventes59ȱ ofȱ Raimonȱ d’Avinho,ȱ ca.1230,ȱ inȱ whichȱ he claimsȱthatȱheȱknowsȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱaȱthief,ȱdoesȱnotȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱsame genreȱ(itȱisȱnotȱaȱtensoȱorȱanȱexchangeȱofȱcoblasȱandȱtheȱstyleȱisȱnotȱcaricaturizedȱor obsceneȱevenȱthoughȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱeverydayȱlife)ȱasȱtheȱ“diaspora”ȱpoems,ȱwhich containȱaȱsimilarȱhumoristicȱtoneȱandȱtheme.ȱTheȱmainȱfocusȱofȱtheȱpoemȱisȱnotȱon tavernsȱorȱbrothelsȱbutȱonȱprofessions.ȱTheȱtroubadourȱenumeratesȱaȱlongȱand humorousȱlistȱofȱoccupationsȱheȱclaimsȱtoȱhaveȱhad.ȱInȱthisȱlist,ȱvariousȱcraftsmen andȱmerchantsȱrepresentȱtheȱmajority,ȱbutȱalsoȱmultifariousȱlaborers,ȱaȱpriest,ȱand aȱphysicianȱareȱmentioned.ȱInȱmyȱopinion,ȱthisȱvarietyȱreflectsȱtheȱprofessionalism ofȱ theȱ troubadoursȱ andȱ thoseȱ manifoldȱ skillsȱ theyȱ wereȱ expectedȱ toȱ master includingȱtheȱoccupationȱofȱaȱthiefȱ(“stealing”ȱorȱborrowingȱcomponentsȱofȱsongs fromȱotherȱtroubadours)ȱandȱthatȱofȱaȱprostituteȱ(entertainingȱforȱmoney).ȱThe practiceȱ ofȱ “borrowing”ȱ fromȱ otherȱ textsȱ wasȱ inȱ generalȱ notȱ condemnedȱ in medievalȱ literature.ȱ Onȱ theȱ contrary,ȱ borrowingȱ lentȱ prestigeȱ andȱ authority, indicatingȱbothȱtheȱpoet’sȱrespectȱforȱandȱknowledgeȱofȱtheȱtraditionȱinȱwhichȱhe orȱsheȱoperates.60ȱAsȱforȱtheȱroleȱofȱmoneyȱinȱtheȱtroubadour’sȱoccupation,ȱseeȱthe footnotesȱ71ȱandȱ72. Theȱphenomenonȱofȱdescribingȱgambling,ȱofȱfrequentingȱtavernsȱandȱprostitutes inȱvariousȱsourcesȱandȱliteraryȱgenresȱisȱratherȱinterestingȱfromȱtheȱpointȱofȱview ofȱ personalȱ reputation,ȱ whichȱ wasȱ essentialȱ inȱ medievalȱ society.ȱ Accordingȱ to DanielȱLordȱSmail’sȱstudiesȱonȱmedievalȱMarseilles,ȱaȱwastefulȱlifeȱwithȱmoney spentȱonȱdrinksȱorȱgamblingȱwasȱconsideredȱinȱtheȱlawȱcourtsȱasȱaȱmarkerȱofȱa dishonestȱlifeȱandȱtavernsȱwereȱregardedȱasȱvileȱandȱdishonorableȱplaces.ȱCertain witnessesȱwereȱchallengedȱonȱtheȱgroundsȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱ“menȱofȱlowȱstatus,ȱdiceȬ players,ȱgreatȱdeniersȱofȱGod,ȱandȱfrequentȱtavernȬgoers.”61ȱEatingȱorȱdrinkingȱin aȱtavernȱwasȱnotȱnecessarilyȱincriminatingȱbutȱdrinkingȱinȱillȬfamedȱ“hopeless”ȱ(as itȱwasȱsaid)ȱtavernsȱwasȱaȱcommonȱattributeȱofȱdefamedȱmen.ȱNearlyȱasȱcommon wereȱtwoȱotherȱaccusations,ȱthatȱofȱfornicatingȱ(orȱpimping)ȱandȱgambling.ȱThese accusationsȱwereȱassociatedȱwithȱaȱman’sȱeconomicȱfailuresȱimplyingȱtheȱideaȱthat heȱisȱmanagingȱhisȱassetsȱbadlyȱbecauseȱheȱhasȱbeenȱwastingȱthemȱallȱonȱalcohol, prostitutesȱandȱgambling.ȱMoralȱfailureȱwasȱnotȱtheȱexcessȱofȱconsumptionȱbutȱthe wastingȱofȱone’sȱwealthȱorȱassociatingȱwithȱlowȬlives.ȱOtherȱaccusationsȱinclude

59

60

61

Raimonȱ d’Avinho,ȱ Sirvensȱ suiȱ avutzȱ etȱ arlotz,ȱ Chrestomathieȱ Provençaleȱ accompagnéeȱ d’une grammaireȱetȱd’unȱglossaire,ȱed.ȱKarlȱBartschȱ5thȱeditionȱ(1866;ȱBerlin:ȱWiegandtȱ&ȱSchotteȱ1892), “Eȱsaiȱfarȱputasȱeȱlairons”ȱ(Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief),ȱcol.ȱ210,ȱlineȱ20. SeeȱPaulȱZumthor,ȱ“Leȱcarrefourȱdesȱrhétoriqueurs:ȱintertextualitéȱetȱrhétorique,”ȱPoétiqueȱ7.27 (1976):ȱ317–37;ȱhereȱ320. DanielȱLordȱSmail,ȱTheȱConsumptionȱofȱJustice:ȱEmotions,ȱPublicity,ȱandȱLegalȱCultureȱinȱMarseille, 1264–1423.ȱConjunctionsȱofȱReligionȱ&ȱPowerȱinȱtheȱMedievalȱPastȱ(Ithaca,ȱNY:ȱCornellȱUniversity Press,ȱ2003),ȱ124–32.ȱ

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

59

quarrelsomeness,ȱblasphemy,ȱmendacityȱandȱbegging,ȱbutȱtheseȱcharacteristicsȱare rarelyȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱtroubadoursȱevenȱthoughȱsomeȱofȱtheȱtroubadoursȱwere trulyȱsharpȬtonguedȱandȱblasphemous,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱseen.62 IfȱGuilhemȱMagretȱreallyȱwasȱaȱspendthriftȱandȱaȱdrunkȱtoȱsuchȱaȱdegreeȱthatȱhe couldȱnotȱfurnishȱhimselfȱwithȱtheȱequipmentȱofȱknightȱasȱhisȱvidaȱstates,ȱhisȱonly hopeȱlayȱwithȱcompensatingȱforȱtheseȱdefectsȱwithȱhisȱsongsȱandȱhisȱsinging.ȱThe compensationȱpatternȱalsoȱsuitsȱtheȱcaseȱofȱPeireȱVidalȱbecause,ȱevenȱifȱheȱwas neitherȱ aȱ gamblerȱ norȱ aȱ tavernȬgoer,ȱ heȱ isȱ theȱ onlyȱ troubadourȱ describedȱ asȱ a “fool.”ȱHeȱisȱcontinuouslyȱcalledȱ“fol”ȱinȱhisȱvidas,ȱinȱtheȱtextsȱofȱhisȱfellowȱpoets andȱevenȱinȱhisȱownȱsongs.ȱOfȱcourse,ȱthereȱisȱanȱinterconnectednessȱbetweenȱall theseȱthreeȱsourcesȱbutȱforȱsomeȱreason,ȱtheȱthemeȱofȱfoolishnessȱrunsȱparticularly throughȱhisȱbiographyȱasȱaȱleitmotif.ȱHisȱfoolishnessȱwasȱoftenȱassociatedȱwith (mis)adventuresȱwithȱwomen.63 Inȱtheȱcourtlyȱdictionȱofȱtroubadours,ȱfolliaȱoftenȱsignifiesȱtransgressionȱbecause itȱreducesȱtheȱlover’sȱcapacityȱforȱreasoningȱandȱmakesȱhimȱforgotȱtheȱvirtueȱof moderation.ȱInȱthisȱsense,ȱfolliaȱisȱoftenȱrelatedȱtoȱdaringȱbehaviour.64ȱThereȱmight beȱ aȱ correlationȱ betweenȱ theȱ notionȱ ofȱ folliaȱ andȱ theȱ statusȱ ofȱ joglarȱ orȱ thatȱ of cantaireȱ(singer)ȱwhoȱreallyȱdoȱnotȱrepresentȱgoodȱsenseȱbutȱwhoȱknowȱhowȱto blendȱcommonȱsenseȱandȱfollyȱinȱtheirȱpoetryȱand,ȱespeciallyȱinȱtheirȱcase,ȱduring theȱactȱofȱperformance.65ȱThereȱareȱsimilarȱtraitsȱinȱWilliamȱofȱAquitaine’sȱbehavior orȱwhatȱweȱknowȱofȱit.

ReputationȱofȱtheȱTrobairitz Whatȱaboutȱtheȱwomenȱtroubadours?ȱItȱisȱnotȱeasyȱtoȱcompareȱanȱindeterminate butȱneverthelessȱsmallȱgroupȱofȱwomenȱtroubadours66ȱtoȱtheȱlargeȱnumberȱofȱmen, butȱ inȱ theȱ vidasȱ ofȱ femaleȱ troubadours,ȱ thereȱ areȱ noȱ mentionȱ ofȱ lowȱ lifeȱ or

62

63

64

65 66

Vidaȱ ofȱ Guilhemȱ deȱ Bergueda,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ mentionsȱ brieflyȱ thatȱ theȱ troubadourȱ madeȱ good sirventesȱinȱwhichȱheȱspokeȱbadȱofȱsomeȱpeopleȱandȱgoodȱofȱsomeȱothers,ȱBoutièreȱandȱSchutz, Biographiesȱdesȱtroubadours,ȱ527ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16). SusannaȱNiiranen,ȱ“AȱFoolȱandȱaȱTroubadour:ȱFollyȱinȱtheȱLegendȱofȱPeireȱVidal,”ȱBehavingȱlike Fools:ȱVoice,ȱGesture,ȱandȱLaughterȱinȱTexts,ȱManuscripts,ȱandȱEarlyȱBooksȱ1200–1600,ȱed.ȱLucyȱPerry andȱAlexanderȱSchwartz.ȱInternationalȱMedievalȱResearch,ȱ17ȱ(Turnhout:ȱBrepols,ȱ2011),ȱ47–64. GlynnisȱM.ȱCropp,ȱLeȱvocabulaireȱcourtoisȱdesȱtroubadoursȱdeȱl’époqueȱclassiqueȱ(Geneva:ȱLibrairie Droz,ȱ1975),ȱ133–38. Bec,ȱLeȱcomteȱdeȱPoitiers,ȱ55ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ35). Byȱmodernȱscholars,ȱOccitanȱwomenȱtroubadoursȱareȱcommonlyȱcalledȱtrobairitzȱaccordingȱtoȱthe termȱfirstȱusedȱinȱtheȱthirteenthȱcenturyȱtext,ȱRomanȱdeȱFlamenca.ȱTheȱwordȱtrobairitzȱisȱusedȱvery rarelyȱinȱOldȱOccitanȱtexts,ȱasȱitȱdoesȱnotȱoccurȱinȱlyricalȱpoetry,ȱgrammaticalȱtreatises,ȱorȱinȱthe biographiesȱofȱtheȱtrobairitzȱorȱtroubadours.ȱ

60

SusannaȱNiiranen

dishonestȱbehavior.ȱWomenȱtroubadoursȱwereȱneverȱaccusedȱofȱhangingȱaround inȱtaverns,ȱgambling,ȱphysicalȱassaults,ȱorȱassociatingȱwithȱlowȬlives.ȱNorȱwere theyȱvilifiedȱasȱincapableȱofȱmanagingȱtheirȱassets.ȱThisȱisȱofȱcourseȱdueȱtoȱtheir highȱsocialȱstandingȱbutȱsocialȱstatusȱdoesȱnotȱentirelyȱexplainȱtheȱdecency,ȱatȱleast asȱfarȱasȱmenȱareȱconcerned,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱseenȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱWilliamȱofȱPoitiers, Gaucelmȱ Faidit,ȱ andȱ Guilhemȱ deȱ Bergueda,ȱ whoȱ wereȱ nobles.ȱ Forȱ aȱ poet’s reputation,ȱ gender67ȱ appearsȱ toȱ beȱ aȱ moreȱ importantȱ factorȱ thanȱ his/herȱ social group.ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ vidas,ȱ trobairitzȱ frequentedȱ decentȱ placesȱ likeȱ castlesȱ and abbeysȱwithȱtheirȱpeers.ȱInȱtheirȱpoems,ȱweȱmeetȱotherȱdomnasȱlikeȱtheȱtrobairitz themselvesȱandȱamics,ȱmaleȱfriends,ȱasȱwellȱasȱsomeȱfemaleȱfriendsȱandȱhusbands. Negativeȱcharactersȱareȱrepresentedȱbyȱcollectiveȱfiguresȱofȱlauzengiers,ȱgelos,ȱand envejosȱ andȱ negativeȱ emotionsȱ byȱ expressionsȱ ofȱ lackingȱ andȱ frustration. Altogether,ȱ theȱ choiceȱ ofȱ vocabularyȱ (lacking)ȱ andȱ syntaxȱ (abundantȱ useȱ of negations)ȱhasȱbeenȱconsideredȱsignificantȱandȱhasȱbeenȱpreciselyȱinterpretedȱas reflectingȱwomen’sȱfeelingsȱofȱfrustration.ȱSexualȱorȱpoliticalȱimageryȱ(exceptȱfor Gormonda’sȱ sirventes)ȱ wasȱ notȱ theirȱ fieldȱ andȱ theirȱ channelȱ ofȱ expressionȱ was restrictedȱtoȱtheȱspheresȱofȱemotionsȱandȱmorality.68ȱ Anȱexampleȱofȱhighȱmoralityȱassociatedȱwithȱsocialȱvaluesȱisȱmanifestedȱinȱthe termsȱ pretzȱ (merit,ȱ esteem,ȱ reputation)ȱ andȱ onorȱ (honour,ȱ reputation),ȱ which correspondȱwidelyȱtoȱtheȱmedievalȱconceptionȱofȱfama.69ȱNoneȱofȱtheȱtrobairitzȱ(23 inȱmyȱcorpus)ȱenjoyedȱmalaȱfamaȱuntilȱinȱtheȱseventeenthȱorȱpossiblyȱeighteenth centuryȱwhenȱtheȱsoȬcalledȱBéziersȱmanuscriptȱwasȱcompiled.70ȱItȱseemsȱthatȱtheir statusȱwasȱestablishedȱandȱesteemedȱduringȱtheȱtwelfthȱandȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱthe goldenȱperiodȱofȱtheȱtroubadours,ȱandȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱdistinguishedȱfromȱother femaleȱmusiciansȱsuchȱasȱcantairitzȱ(singers),ȱjoglaressasȱ(femaleȱjoglars,ȱplausably musicians),ȱ orȱ soldadeiras,71ȱ performers,ȱ whoseȱ nameȱ derivesȱ fromȱ theȱ word

67

68 69

70

71

Aboutȱtheȱproblemȱofȱgenderȱandȱauthorshipȱinȱtheȱtrobairitzȱcanon,ȱseeȱBec,ȱLeȱchantȱd’amourȱdes femmesȬtroubadours,ȱ17–29ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41);ȱRieger,ȱTrobairitz,ȱ29–47ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ52);ȱMathildaȱTomaryn Bruckner,ȱ“TheȱTrobairitz,”ȱAȱHandbookȱofȱtheȱTroubadours,ȱ214–20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10);ȱSimonȱGaunt, Genderȱ andȱ Genreȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Frenchȱ Literature.ȱ Cambridgeȱ Studiesȱ inȱ French,ȱ 53ȱ (Cambridge: CambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱl995),ȱ158–65;ȱNiiranen,ȱ‘Miroirȱdeȱmérite,´ȱ28–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). Niiranen,ȱ`Miroirȱdeȱmérite,´ȱ200–05ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).ȱ Malaȱfamaȱisȱrelatedȱhereȱmoreȱwithȱsocialȱinfamyȱ(infamiaȱfacti)ȱbornȱfromȱscandalsȱandȱidleȱtalk thanȱ withȱ legalȱ infamyȱ (infamiaȱ iuris),ȱ originatingȱ fromȱ Romanȱ law,ȱ Winfriedȱ Trusen,ȱ “Der Inquisitionsprozeß:ȱSeineȱhistorischenȱGrundlagenȱundȱfrühenȱFormen,“ȱZeitschriftȱderȱSavignyȬ StiftungȱfürȱRechtsgeschichte,ȱKanonistischeȱAbteilungȱ74ȱ(1988):ȱ168–230;ȱhereȱ180. InȱtheȱmanuscriptȱofȱBéziers,ȱsomeȱofȱtheȱtrobairitzȱareȱdepictedȱasȱcheapȱentertainers,ȱraisingȱtheir skirtsȱandȱshowingȱtheirȱlegs,ȱBec,ȱChantȱd’amourȱdesȱfemmesȬtroubadours,ȱ60ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41). Singers,ȱ jongleuresses,ȱ andȱ femaleȱ entertainersȱ whoseȱ functionsȱ remainȱ obscure.ȱ Itȱ hasȱ been suggestedȱthatȱsoldadeirasȱworkedȱinȱareasȱfromȱmusicȱtoȱprostitution,ȱcf.ȱIberianȱpanaderas,ȱserranas andȱsoldadeiras,ȱDeniseȱK.ȱFilios,ȱPerformingȱWomenȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges:ȱSex,ȱGender,ȱandȱtheȱIberian

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

61

soldada72ȱ(money),ȱandȱwhoseȱsuspiciousȱreputationȱwasȱinheritedȱfromȱtheȱtimes ofȱmimae,ȱscurraeȱandȱhistriones,ȱcondemnedȱbyȱChurchȱmoralists.ȱForȱexample,ȱthe portraitȱ ofȱ theȱ wifeȱ ofȱ Gaucelmȱ Faidit,ȱ aȱ soldadeiraȱ calledȱ Guillelmaȱ Monja,ȱ is heavilyȱparodiedȱinȱtheȱvida73ȱofȱtheȱtroubadour,ȱwhichȱleadsȱusȱtoȱsuggestȱthatȱher positionȱ couldȱ notȱ haveȱ beenȱ veryȱ highlyȱ esteemedȱ or,ȱ alternatively,ȱ thatȱ her professionȱ wasȱ relatedȱ toȱ burlesqueȱ andȱ openȱ toȱ humoristicȱ comments.ȱ One distinguishingȱfeatureȱinȱcomparingȱfemaleȱtoȱmaleȱpoetsȱisȱthatȱtheȱtrobairitzȱand otherȱhighȬbornȱdomnasȱ(andȱnotȱordinaryȱfemnas,ȱmolhers,ȱcantairitz,ȱorȱsoldadeiras) figuringȱinȱvidasȱareȱneverȱridiculed,ȱorȱtheirȱironyȱisȱfarȱtooȱsophisticatedȱforȱus toȱbeȱobserved.ȱ

DoubleȱroleȱofȱdomnaȱandȱPatroness Strikingly,ȱwhileȱtheȱtroubadoursȱareȱparodiedȱandȱcriticizedȱinȱtheirȱownȱworks, whereȱ theyȱ commentȱ onȱ theȱ worksȱ andȱ stylesȱ ofȱ eachȱ other,ȱ andȱ inȱ the biographicalȱ texts,ȱ theȱ trobairitzȱ treatȱ themselvesȱ andȱ areȱ treatedȱ byȱ other troubadoursȱwithȱgreatȱesteem.ȱTheirȱsocialȱpositionȱleadsȱtoȱtheȱdoubleȱroleȱof domnaȱ(sourceȱofȱinspiration)ȱandȱpatronessȱ(sourceȱofȱmaterialȱresources),ȱ the latterȱ ofȱ whichȱ certainlyȱ softenedȱ theȱ sharpȱ tonguesȱ ofȱ theȱ troubadoursȱ who dependedȱonȱthem.ȱConcerningȱtheȱinformationȱfromȱbiographies,ȱitȱisȱpossible, thatȱafterȱ50–100ȱyearsȱwhenȱtheȱ“lives”ȱwereȱcompiled,ȱtheȱauthorsȱofȱvidasȱand razosȱ didȱ notȱ knowȱ theȱ trobairitzȱ anymoreȱ and,ȱ withoutȱ anyȱ specificȱ reasonȱ to criticize,ȱtheyȱchoseȱtheȱpositiveȱlanguageȱregisterȱtoȱpromoteȱunknownȱbutȱdecent poemsȱofȱtheȱtrobairitz.ȱTheȱfewȱmanuscriptsȱandȱabundantȱunicasȱinȱthemȱprove thatȱtheȱpopularityȱandȱdiffusionȱofȱtheirȱworksȱfellȱfarȱshortȱofȱthatȱofȱtheȱmost illustriousȱ troubadours,ȱ toȱ whomȱ dozensȱ ofȱ songsȱ areȱ attributedȱ oftenȱ with numerousȱmanuscriptȱvariations.ȱNevertheless,ȱtheȱtrobairitzs’ȱskillȱinȱcomposing isȱneverȱquestionedȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱthatȱofȱmanyȱtroubadours.ȱ Inȱ Occitanȱ lawȱ courts,ȱ womenȱ wereȱ mostȱ commonlyȱ discreditedȱ forȱ their inabilityȱtoȱgoverningȱtheirȱmouths,ȱmostȱgenerallyȱforȱquarrelsȱandȱgossiping whileȱ“goodȱconversation”ȱwasȱessentialȱinȱtheȱarrayȱofȱfavorableȱcharacterȱtraits.74 Thisȱ appropriationȱ ofȱ “goodȱ conversation”ȱ isȱ alsoȱ foundȱ amongȱ theȱ court

72

73

74

Lyric.ȱTheȱNewȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(NewȱYork:ȱPalgraveȱMacmillan,ȱ2005),ȱ179–89. Cf.ȱ theȱ wordȱ soldadierȱ (mercenaryȱ soldier),ȱ Emilȱ Levy,ȱ Petitȱ dictionnaireȱ ProvençalȬFrançais, (Heidelberg:ȱCarlȱWinter,ȱ1961),ȱ349–50. Asȱtoȱvidasȱasȱsources:ȱevenȱifȱtheirȱvalueȱliesȱnotȱinȱtheirȱtruthfulȱreconstructionȱofȱrealȱevents, thoughȱoccasionallyȱtheyȱprovideȱthatȱasȱwell,ȱtheyȱcanȱessentiallyȱrevealȱhabits,ȱattitudesȱand modesȱofȱconductȱandȱthoughtȱattachedȱtoȱtheȱtroubadours’ȱworldȱ(seeȱnotesȱ28ȱandȱ31). LordȱSmail,ȱTheȱConsumptionȱofȱJustice,ȱ128ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ61).

62

SusannaȱNiiranen

accomplishmentsȱand,ȱforȱtheȱwomenȱtroubadours,ȱinȱtheȱformȱofȱ“gentȱparlar,” whichȱmeansȱlenient,ȱbenevolent,ȱandȱwittyȱparlance.ȱTheȱtermȱalsoȱimpliesȱthat one’sȱvoiceȱisȱneitherȱtooȱloudȱnorȱtooȱquietȱasȱwellȱasȱaȱmoderateȱspeakingȱspeed andȱwasȱconsideredȱpartȱofȱcourtlyȱbehaviorȱinȱwhichȱaȱpersonȱhadȱaȱcontrolȱover hisȱorȱherȱspeechȱandȱgesturesȱandȱhadȱagreeableȱappearance.75ȱ Choosingȱ theȱ pretzȱ (prestige,ȱ whichȱ couldȱ alsoȱ beȱ translatedȱ asȱ `selfȬesteem´)76 moreȱ orȱ lessȱ consciously,ȱ trobairitzȱ themselvesȱ tookȱ careȱ ofȱ theirȱ reputation betweenȱ theȱ rolesȱ ofȱ domnasȱ (marriedȱ womenȱ whoseȱ principalȱ functionȱ inȱ the troubadourȱcultureȱwasȱinspiringȱandȱrewardingȱmenȱotherȱthanȱtheirȱhusbands) andȱwomenȬtroubadours,ȱevadingȱtheȱbadȱlabelȱofȱmanyȱmedievalȱ(female)ȱartists andȱperformers.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱidealȱofȱpretzȱdidȱnotȱpreventȱoneȱofȱtheȱtrobairitz, Claraȱd’Anduza,ȱfromȱfeelingȱaȱ”greatȱdesireȱforȱcelebrity.”77ȱInȱtheȱsameȱtext,ȱshe isȱ characterizedȱ stereotypicallyȱ asȱ skilled,ȱ agreeable,ȱ learnedȱ andȱ beautiful. ”Strategyȱofȱpretz”ȱwasȱthusȱadoptedȱbyȱtheȱbiographers,ȱtoo,ȱevenȱifȱtheȱtrobairitz songsȱ doȱ notȱ seemȱ toȱ haveȱ enjoyedȱ greatȱ popularity.ȱ Similarly,ȱ compilersȱ of chansonniersȱ(troubadourȱmanuscripts)ȱesteemedȱtheȱartȱofȱwomenȱtroubadoursȱto theȱ extentȱ thatȱ theyȱ oftenȱ groupedȱ themȱ togetherȱ inȱ theirȱ ownȱ sectionsȱ of manuscripts.ȱMoreover,ȱoneȱItalianȱmanuscriptȱcontainsȱaȱremarkableȱamountȱof illustrations,ȱminiaturesȱofȱtheȱtrobairitz,ȱbutȱnoneȱofȱtheȱtroubadours.ȱInȱthisȱway, originalȱmanuscriptȱbuyers,ȱcopyists,ȱandȱscribesȱparticipatedȱinȱcontributing— consciouslyȱorȱnot—toȱtheȱreputationȱofȱtheȱtrobairitz.ȱTheȱsameȱremarkȱisȱnaturally validȱinȱtheȱtermsȱofȱtheȱtroubadours.

SomeȱFinalȱRemarksȱ Itȱseemsȱthatȱamongȱtheȱtroubadours,ȱanyȱreputationȱwasȱbetterȱthanȱnoȱreputation atȱallȱwhileȱforȱtheȱtrobairitzȱitȱwasȱaȱmoreȱdelicateȱquestion.ȱThisȱstudyȱconfirms whatȱweȱknowȱaboutȱtheȱgenderedȱidealsȱandȱpracticesȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.ȱMen hadȱ greaterȱ leewayȱ thanȱ women,ȱ oneȱ indicationȱ ofȱ whichȱ isȱ theȱ physicalȱ and materialȱspaceȱtroubadoursȱoccupiedȱonȱtheirȱjourneysȱandȱatȱtaverns.ȱTheyȱalso

75 76

77

Niiranen,ȱ‘Miroirȱdeȱmérite,´ȱ174–75ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). See,ȱe.g.,ȱtheȱsongȱofȱComtessaȱdeȱDia,ȱwhereȱsheȱlistsȱallȱofȱherȱgoodȱqualitiesȱ(alsoȱpretz)ȱalthough herȱfriendȱhasȱleftȱher:ȱ“Valerȱmiȱdeuȱmosȱpretzȱeȱmosȱparatgesȱ/ȱeȱmaȱbeutatzȱeȱplusȱmosȱfis coratgesȱ/ȱperȱqu’ieuȱvosȱmandȱlaiȱontȱesȱvostrȱestatgesȱ/ȱestaȱchansonȱqueȱmeȱsiaȱmessatges”ȱ(My reputationȱandȱlineageȱshouldȱbeȱofȱhelpȱtoȱme,ȱandȱmyȱbeautyȱand,ȱstillȱmore,ȱmyȱtrueȱheart;ȱfor thatȱIȱsendȱtoȱyouȱoutȱinȱyourȱestateȱthisȱsong,ȱwhichȱwillȱbeȱmyȱmessenger),ȱComtessaȱdeȱDia,ȱA chantarȱm’er,ȱlinesȱ29–32,ȱBec,ȱLeȱchantȱd’amourȱdesȱfemmesȬtroubadours,ȱ102ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).ȱ Etȱ acȱ granȱ volontatȱ deȱ pretz,ȱ Razoȱ ofȱ Ucȱ deȱ SaintȬCirc,ȱ Boutièreȱ andȱ Schutz,ȱ Biographiesȱ des troubadours,ȱ244:3ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16).

“Iȱknowȱhowȱtoȱbeȱaȱwhoreȱandȱthief”

63

hadȱaȱmonopolyȱonȱvariousȱkindȱofȱexcessȱinȱtheirȱbehaviorȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱpresence ofȱhumorȱinȱtheirȱverses.78ȱInȱaddition,ȱwhatȱunifiesȱtheseȱmaleȱpoetsȱisȱtheirȱantiȬ clericalism,ȱwhichȱreflectsȱtheȱtensionȱbetweenȱtheȱlayȱandȱecclesiasticalȱpolitical andȱeconomicalȱcontrolȱinȱtheȱOccitanȱregionȱfromȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱeleventhȱuntilȱthe midȬthirteenthȱcentury.ȱSomeȱofȱthemȱsubstantiatedȱtheȱspectrumȱofȱmaleȱfantasies aboutȱwomenȱwhereasȱtrobairitzȱdaringlyȱexpressedȱloveȱandȱlongingȱbutȱmoreȱin sensualȱ thanȱ inȱ sexualȱ terms.ȱ Womenȱ troubadoursȱ shareȱ moreȱ common characteristicsȱasȱaȱgroup:ȱtheyȱareȱallȱaristocratsȱandȱtreatedȱalwaysȱwithȱdecency andȱesteemȱinȱdifferentȱsources,ȱAlreadyȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱtheyȱwereȱtreatedȱas aȱ collectiveȱ and,ȱ consequently,ȱ theirȱ poemsȱ andȱ biographiesȱ wereȱ collected togetherȱinȱmanuscripts.ȱ ExaminationȱofȱtheȱconstructionȱofȱtheȱmedievalȱOccitanȱpoet’sȱreputationȱreveals thatȱitȱisȱnotȱquestionȱofȱaȱsubgroup,ȱgenre,ȱnorȱofȱhisȱsocioȬeconomicȱsituation.ȱIt isȱasȱmultifacetedȱasȱisȱtheȱbodyȱofȱOccitanȱ(Limousin,ȱCatalan,ȱToulousain,ȱetc.) troubadoursȱfromȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱeleventhȱcenturyȱuntilȱtheȱtimeȱofȱtheȱAlbigensian warsȱ inȱ theȱ firstȱ decadesȱ ofȱ theȱ thirteenthȱ centuryȱ andȱ evenȱ beyond.ȱ The troubadoursȱcameȱfromȱdiverseȱsocialȱgroups,ȱfromȱprincesȱtoȱnoblesȱandȱknights, fromȱ merchantsȱ andȱ craftsmenȱ toȱ lowerȱ classes,ȱ andȱ adoptedȱ andȱ developed distinctiveȱstylesȱofȱpoetry.ȱConsideringȱthisȱheterogeneity,ȱtheȱtroubadoursȱcannot beȱviewedȱasȱaȱmonolith.ȱInȱtheirȱreputationȱandȱinȱtheirȱlaterȱremembrance,ȱthere areȱ someȱ similaritiesȱ toȱ laterȱ poètesȱ mauditsȱ startingȱ fromȱ theȱ abundant consumptionȱofȱalcoholȱandȱamorousȱmisadventuresȱrejectingȱorȱaccentuatingȱthe roleȱ ofȱ sexuality,ȱ andȱ extendingȱ toȱ medievalȱ symbolismȱ (useȱ ofȱ allusions, metaphors,ȱsenhals,ȱetc.),ȱandȱtoȱpersonalȱtragediesȱincludingȱprematureȱdeath.ȱ TheirȱmostȱdistinctiveȱfeatureȱcomparedȱwithȱnineteenthȬcenturyȱpoetsȱisȱthat theȱtroubadoursȱwereȱnotȱinsecureȱaboutȱtheirȱpoeticȱskills;ȱonȱtheȱcontrary,ȱthey wereȱextremelyȱconsciousȱofȱtheirȱpoeticȱtalentȱwhichȱtheyȱpromoteȱalsoȱinȱtheir colleagues,ȱ praisingȱ theirȱ fellowsȱ andȱ theirȱ sophisticatedȱ technique,ȱ and encouragingȱpoeticȱjoustsȱbetweenȱtwoȱorȱmoreȱcounterparts,ȱforȱinstance.ȱThe compilersȱofȱvidasȱandȱrazosȱorganicallyȱparticipatedȱinȱthisȱpoeticȱpromotionȱand theirȱpowerȱisȱundeniableȱinȱtheȱprocessȱofȱdevelopingȱaȱreputation.ȱAȱreputation wasȱdefinedȱnotȱmerelyȱbyȱbiographies,ȱbutȱbyȱtheȱtroubadoursȱthemselves,ȱtheir patrons,ȱaudience,ȱcopyists,ȱnotȱforgettingȱtheȱliteraryȱtasteȱofȱtheȱtime.ȱEvenȱif medievalȱtroubadoursȱandȱtheirȱreputationȱdoȱnotȱentirelyȱfitȱtheȱcategoryȱofȱpoètes maudits,ȱ excludingȱ someȱ individualȱ poeticȱ talesȱ becauseȱ theyȱ wereȱ notȱ tragic,

78

Theȱexceptionȱmayȱproveȱtheȱrule,ȱseeȱtheȱtenso,ȱNaȱCarenzaȱabȱbelȱcorsȱavinen,ȱbetweenȱAlaisina IseldaȱandȱCarenzaȱwhichȱcanȱbeȱinterpretedȱasȱanȱironicȱparodyȱaboutȱtraditionalȱloveȱdiscourse. Inȱtheȱtenso,ȱtwoȱwomenȱareȱdiscussingȱwhetherȱitȱisȱworthwhileȱtoȱacquireȱaȱhusbandȱorȱaȱchild, Bec,ȱLeȱchantȱd’amourȱdesȱfemmesȬtroubadours,ȱ131–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).

64

SusannaȱNiiranen

mysticȱ orȱ selfȬdestructiveȱ enough,ȱ theirȱ transgressionsȱ andȱ fooleryȱ were consideredȱaȱpartȱofȱtheirȱprofessionȱasȱentertainers,ȱandȱinȱsomeȱsense,ȱasȱteachers ofȱmoralsȱandȱmorality,ȱasȱtheyȱoftenȱcallȱthemselves.ȱTheȱreversibleȱrolesȱofȱthe “courtlyȱ lovers”ȱ amused,ȱ educatedȱ andȱ seemedȱ toȱ appealȱ toȱ someȱ eternal sympathyȱforȱtheȱsuccessfulȱrascalȱlatentȱinȱhumanȱnature.ȱ Oneȱaimȱofȱthisȱarticleȱhasȱbeenȱtoȱshowȱtoȱwhatȱextentȱrascalȱcharactersȱhaveȱbeen usedȱ inȱ formingȱ aȱ poet’sȱ reputation,ȱ andȱ byȱ whatȱ kindsȱ ofȱ contemporary projectionsȱthatȱuseȱwasȱjustified.ȱParticularȱattentionȱhasȱbeenȱdevotedȱtoȱtheȱfirst legendaryȱusesȱinȱmedievalȱbiographies.ȱIfȱitȱisȱevidentȱthatȱlegendsȱaffectȱour reading,ȱthenȱoneȱcanȱaskȱwhetherȱaȱreaderȱcanȱapproachȱtheȱtextsȱofȱWilliamȱXI orȱGuilhemȱdeȱBerguedaȱ(orȱVillonȱorȱRimbaud)ȱwithoutȱknowingȱtheirȱ“lives”ȱor “characters,”ȱorȱwhetherȱitȱwouldȱbeȱbetterȱtoȱopenȱtheȱanthologiesȱwithoutȱany knowledgeȱofȱtheȱcontext.ȱ Moreover,ȱtheȱtimeȱscaleȱposesȱmoreȱchallengesȱtoȱmodernȱinterpreters.ȱBeyond Villonȱandȱknownȱtroubadoursȱthereȱisȱanȱabundanceȱofȱanonymousȱworksȱfrom theȱMiddleȱAges.ȱTheȱtendencyȱtoȱattributeȱthemȱtoȱwellȬknownȱpoetsȱ(asȱinȱthe caseȱofȱsomeȱsupposedȱwomenȱtroubadours)ȱprovesȱthatȱtheȱ“characters”ȱoften formedȱ byȱ “lives”ȱ areȱ moreȱ easilyȱ adoptedȱ thanȱ authorsȱ andȱ textsȱ by contemporaryȱasȱwellȱasȱsubsequentȱaudiences.79ȱ

79

Koopmans,ȱ“FrançoisȱVillon:ȱCharacterȱWithinȱorȱWithoutȱhisȱOwnȱPoetry?,”ȱ77–78ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8).

Chapterȱ3 ChristopherȱR.ȱClason (OaklandȱUniversity,ȱRochester,ȱMI)

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit:ȱLanguage,ȱTransgression andȱJusticeȱinȱThreeȱMedievalȱGermanȱEpicȱPoems

“Whoȱalsoȱhathȱmadeȱusȱableȱministers ofȱtheȱNewȱTestament;ȱnotȱofȱtheȱletter, butȱofȱtheȱspirit:ȱforȱtheȱletterȱkilleth,ȱbut theȱspiritȱgivethȱlife.”ȱ (2ȱCorinthiansȱ3:6) OftenȱinȱGermanȱmedievalȱepicsȱtheȱheroȱmustȱeitherȱovercomeȱanȱimbalanceȱin theȱconfigurationȱofȱpersonalȱvirtuesȱorȱ(s)heȱmustȱatoneȱforȱsomeȱoffenseȱagainst heavenlyȱ orȱ secularȱ law.ȱ Commonlyȱ theseȱ imbalancesȱ orȱ offensesȱ are,ȱ atȱ first, unknownȱorȱunwittinglyȱcommitted,ȱandȱtheȱinitialȱchallengeȱtoȱtheȱheroȱisȱto discoverȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱoffensesȱbeforeȱsheȱorȱheȱcanȱgainȱknowledgeȱofȱhumane andȱspiritualȱvalues,ȱandȱfinallyȱsetȱoutȱonȱtheȱpathȱthatȱreturnsȱherȱorȱhimȱtoȱthe goodȱgracesȱofȱtheȱsocialȱordo.ȱTheȱultimateȱarbiterȱofȱwhatȱconstitutesȱoffense, whatȱoneȱmightȱtermȱtheȱ“spiritȱofȱtheȱlaw,”ȱisȱtypicallyȱelusive,ȱconcealedȱwithin, behindȱorȱseparateȱfromȱverbalȱdirectivesȱthatȱIȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱgroupȱtogetherȱasȱthe “letterȱofȱtheȱlaw”:ȱformulations,ȱexpressedȱverballyȱorȱinȱwriting,ȱofȱsecularȱand ecclesiasticalȱcustoms,ȱstatutes,ȱcommandmentsȱandȱotherȱregulations.ȱ WhileȱtheȱletterȬofȬtheȬlawȱisȱimportantȱforȱtheȱcodificationȱofȱwhatȱisȱrequired ofȱ everyoneȱ inȱ theȱ courtlyȱ socialȱ network,ȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ spiritȬofȬtheȬlaw elevatesȱtheȱheroȱtoȱaȱhigherȱlevelȱofȱexistence.ȱTheȱletterȱisȱconsistentȱwithȱan immature,ȱunderdevelopedȱstateȱofȱconsciousnessȱthatȱisȱboundȱtoȱtheȱliteralȱword, whileȱtheȱspiritȱcorrespondsȱtoȱmature,ȱsophisticatedȱunderstandingȱofȱwhatȱlies behindȱ theȱ writtenȱ word.ȱ Theȱ letterȱ mayȱ beȱ associatedȱ withȱ whatȱ isȱ explicit, simple,ȱ generallyȱ applicableȱ and,ȱ inȱ aȱ legalȱ sense,ȱ superficial,ȱ whileȱ theȱ spirit

66

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

reflectsȱ thatȱ whichȱ isȱ obscure,ȱ complex,ȱ individualȱ andȱ profound.ȱ Theȱ former toleratesȱnoȱinterpretation,ȱwhileȱtheȱlatterȱdemandsȱit.ȱFinally,ȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlaw holdsȱaȱsocietyȱtogether,ȱwhileȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlawȱelevatesȱtheȱindividualȱtoȱthe highestȱlevelsȱofȱheroism,ȱaltruismȱandȱselfȬfulfillment.1ȱ Thus,ȱtheȱquestionȱofȱletterȱvs.ȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlawȱisȱpartlyȱaȱmatterȱofȱsemanticsȱ(in thisȱ case,ȱ howȱ anȱ expressionȱ transmitsȱ multipleȱ meanings)ȱ andȱ partlyȱ of psychologyȱ andȱ epistemologyȱ (howȱ oneȱ developsȱ theȱ abilityȱ toȱ perceiveȱ and understandȱtheȱmultipleȱlayersȱofȱmeaningȱlanguageȱcanȱcontain).ȱObviously,ȱa thoroughȱtreatmentȱofȱtheseȱmattersȱisȱanȱimmenseȱundertaking,ȱfarȱbeyondȱthe scopeȱofȱthisȱessay.ȱHowever,ȱthereȱmayȱbeȱsomeȱbenefitsȱtoȱaȱjudiciouslyȱbriefȱand selectiveȱdiscussionȱofȱsomeȱaspectsȱofȱthisȱquestion,ȱwhichȱseemsȱtoȱariseȱinȱa surprisingȱnumberȱandȱvarietyȱofȱworks. Theȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱknowledge,ȱjusticeȱandȱlanguageȱcomesȱstrikinglyȱinto theȱforegroundȱinȱthreeȱGermanȱepicȱpoemsȱofȱtheȱHighȱMiddleȱAges:ȱHartmann vonȱAue’sȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrich,ȱWolframȱvonȱEschenbach’sȱParzival,ȱandȱGottfried vonȱStraßburg’sȱTristanȱundȱIsolde.ȱInȱallȱthree,ȱepistemologyȱandȱlanguageȱplay significantȱrolesȱinȱdeterminingȱculpabilityȱandȱpenalty,ȱwhileȱworldlyȱexperiences andȱstrugglesȱprovideȱbackdropsȱandȱtestingȱgroundsȱforȱpersonalȱdevelopment andȱsuccessȱ(orȱfailure),ȱwithȱprofoundȱimplicationsȱforȱtheȱcharacters’ȱspiritual growthȱandȱwelfare.ȱTheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlawȱprovidesȱsocialȱcohesion.ȱHowever,ȱthe charactersȱinȱeachȱofȱtheȱliteraryȱworksȱunderȱdiscussionȱmustȱmoveȱbeyondȱthe mereȱletterȱtoȱanȱunderstandingȱofȱtheȱlaw’sȱspirit—andȱasȱaȱresult,ȱtheyȱoftenȱact inȱtheirȱownȱselfȬinterestȱandȱcontraryȱtoȱtheȱobvious,ȱnormativeȱ“letter.”ȱHence, theȱ literaryȱ worksȱ presentȱ manyȱ idealsȱ thatȱ runȱ inȱ oppositionȱ toȱ theȱ social structure,ȱ andȱ perhapsȱ threatenȱ theȱ socialȱ statusȱ quoȱ withȱ erosionȱ andȱ even disintegration.2

1

2

Thus,ȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱ“letter”ȱandȱ“spirit”ȱasȱIȱdefineȱitȱincorporatesȱtheȱessentialȱaspects ofȱtheȱtraditionalȱsemantic/semioticȱproblemȱofȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱsignifierȱandȱsignified; inȱ thisȱ regard,ȱ severalȱ seminalȱ biblicalȱ texts,ȱ undoubtedlyȱ wellȬknownȱ byȱ medievalȱ authors, presentȱthisȱissueȱinȱaȱsimilarȱlight,ȱsuchȱas,ȱ“Woeȱuntoȱyou,ȱscribesȱandȱPharisees,ȱhypocrites!ȱfor yeȱpayȱtitheȱofȱmintȱandȱaniseȱandȱcummin,ȱandȱhaveȱomittedȱtheȱweightierȱ[matters]ȱofȱtheȱlaw, judgment,ȱmercy,ȱandȱfaith:ȱtheseȱoughtȱyeȱtoȱhaveȱdone,ȱandȱnotȱtoȱleaveȱtheȱotherȱundone”ȱ(King JamesȱBibleȱ[1769],ȱMatt.ȱ23:23).ȱ See,ȱforȱexample,ȱAlbrechtȱClassen’sȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolume,ȱ“CriminalȱMinds,ȱLackȱofȱJustice, Perpetration,ȱ andȱ Transgression:ȱ theȱ Casesȱ ofȱ Heinrichȱ derȱ Glichezare’sȱ Reinhardȱ Fuchsȱ and WernherȱtheȱGardener’sȱHelmbrecht.”

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

67

Theȱ firstȱ ofȱ theȱ threeȱ works,ȱ Hartmann’sȱ Derȱ armeȱ Heinrichȱ (Poorȱ Henry),3 introducesȱtheȱaudienceȱtoȱaȱsocialȱenvironmentȱinȱwhichȱitȱseemsȱatȱfirstȱthatȱmen andȱwomenȱareȱleadingȱethicalȱcourtlyȱlives,ȱfulfillingȱtheȱ“letterȱofȱtheȱlaw”ȱand preservingȱ theȱ courtlyȱ ordo.ȱ Theȱ openingȱ linesȱ ofȱ theȱ poemȱ describeȱ theȱ poet himself,ȱ andȱ offerȱ aȱ listȱ ofȱ hisȱ skillsȱ andȱ intellectualȱ capabilitiesȱ heȱ claimsȱ to possess,ȱsubstantialȱindeedȱforȱaȱmemberȱofȱtheȱknightlyȱclass.ȱInȱtheȱfirstȱthree,ȱfor example,ȱheȱestablishesȱhisȱcredentialsȱasȱaȱcapableȱnarratorȱforȱthisȱstory:ȱ“Ein ritterȱsoȱgeleretȱwas,ȱ/ȱdazȱerȱanȱdenȱbuochenȱlas,ȱ/ȱswazȱerȱdarȱanȱgeschribenȱvant” (1–3;ȱ“Thereȱwasȱonceȱaȱknightȱsoȱwellȱeducatedȱthatȱheȱwasȱableȱtoȱreadȱwhatever heȱ foundȱ writtenȱ inȱ books”).4ȱ Sinceȱ heȱ isȱ ableȱ toȱ read,ȱ heȱ surelyȱ possessesȱ the abilityȱtoȱacquireȱallȱtheȱinformationȱheȱneedsȱtoȱperformȱhisȱofficeȱinȱanȱexemplary manner,ȱ andȱ thusȱ Hartmannȱ firmlyȱ establishesȱ hisȱ claimȱ toȱ authority.ȱ Butȱ his personalȱliteraryȱabilitiesȱpaleȱinȱcomparisonȱtoȱtheȱrealȬlife,ȱknightlyȱattributesȱof theȱmanȱheȱisȱaboutȱtoȱdescribe.ȱHartmannȱimmediatelyȱcommencesȱhisȱhymnȱof praiseȱtoȱtheȱvirtuesȱandȱabilitiesȱpossessedȱbyȱHeinrich,ȱaȱfictitiousȱSwabianȱlord, whoȱ isȱ theȱ subjectȱ ofȱ theȱ tale.ȱ Itȱ wouldȱ appearȱ that,ȱ inȱ regardȱ toȱ theȱ social embellishmentsȱhighlyȱrespectedȱbyȱmedievalȱcourtlyȱsociety,ȱHeinrichȱhasȱbeen bornȱwithȱaȱsilverȱspoonȱinȱhisȱmouth,ȱandȱtheȱnarratorȱfindsȱthat,ȱ .ȱ.ȱ.ȱanȱdemȱenwasȱvergezzenȱ deheinerȱderȱtugentȱ dieȱeinȱritterȱinȱsinerȱjugentȱ zeȱvollemȱlobeȱhabenȱsolȱ.ȱ.ȱ. sinȱgeburtȱunwandelbaereȱ undȱwolȱdenȱvürstenȱgelich,ȱ dochȱwasȱerȱunnachȱalsoȱrichȱ

3

4

TheȱcriticalȱliteratureȱonȱHartmann’sȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrichȱisȱconsiderable;ȱtheȱolderȱbibliographies byȱWapnewskiȱ(PeterȱWapnewski,ȱHartmannȱvonȱAueȱ[Stuttgart:ȱMetzler,ȱ1962;ȱ7thȱed.ȱ1979])ȱand Niehbuhrȱ(ElfriedeȱNiebuhr,ȱBibliographieȱzuȱHartmannȱvonȱAue.ȱBibliographienȱzurȱdeutschen Literaturȱ desȱ Mittelalters,ȱ 6ȱ [Berlin:ȱ E.ȱ Schmidt,ȱ 1977])ȱ canȱ beȱ supplementedȱ byȱ worksȱ from ChristophȱCormeauȱandȱWilhelmȱStörmer,ȱHartmannȱvonȱAue:ȱEpoche,ȱWerk,ȱWirkung.ȱBeck’sche Elementarbücherȱ(Munich:ȱBeck,ȱ1985),ȱandȱFrancisȱG.ȱGentry,ȱed.ȱȱAȱCompanionȱtoȱtheȱWorksȱof HartmannȱvonȱAue.ȱStudiesȱinȱGermanȱLiterature,ȱLinguisticsȱandȱCultureȱ(Rochester,ȱNY:ȱCamden House,ȱ 2005),ȱ andȱ includesȱ severalȱ worksȱ thatȱ dealȱ withȱ epistemologyȱ andȱ punishment;ȱ for example,ȱSusanȱL.ȱClarkȱ(HartmannȱvonȱAue:ȱLandscapesȱofȱMindȱ[Houston:ȱRiceȱUniversityȱPress, 1989])ȱexaminesȱtheȱtextȱasȱaȱprocessȱofȱlearningȱ(theȱlessonȱisȱthoroughlyȱreligious),ȱnotȱonlyȱfor Heinrichȱ andȱ hisȱ childȱ bride,ȱ butȱ alsoȱ forȱ theȱ reader;ȱ andȱ Melittaȱ Weissȱ Adamson’sȱ analysis (“IllnessȱandȱCureȱinȱHartmannȱvonȱAue’sȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrichȱandȱIwein,”ȱinȱGentry,ȱed.,ȱ125–40).ȱ MiddleȱHighȱGermanȱtextȱtakenȱfromȱHartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrich:ȱMittelhochdeutschȱ/ Neuhochdeutsch.ȱEd.ȱUrsulaȱRautenberg,ȱtrans.ȱSiegfriedȱGrosseȱ(Stuttgart:ȱReclam,ȱ2003);ȱEnglish translationȱtextȱtakenȱfromȱHartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱArthurianȱRomances,ȱTalesȱandȱLyricȱPoetry:ȱthe CompleteȱWorksȱofȱHartmannȱvonȱAue.ȱTranslatedȱandȱcommentaryȱbyȱFrankȱTobin,ȱKimȱVivianȱand RichardȱH.ȱLawsonȱ(UniversityȱPark:ȱPennsylvaniaȱStateȱUniversity,ȱ2001),ȱ217–34;ȱlineȱreferences toȱtheȱoriginalȱareȱgivenȱinȱparentheses,ȱfollowedȱbyȱtranslationȱtextȱwithȱpageȱreferences.

68

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason derȱgeburtȱundȱdesȱguotesȱ soȱderȱêrenȱundȱdesȱmuotes.5ȱ [inȱ[him]ȱnoȱqualityȱhadȱbeenȱforgottenȱthatȱaȱknightȱinȱhisȱprimeȱshouldȱhaveȱtoȱwin fullȱesteemȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱheȱwasȱstillȱnotȱnearlyȱsoȱendowedȱinȱbirthȱandȱpossessionsȱasȱheȱwas inȱreputationȱ[êre]ȱandȱnobleȱattitude.6]ȱ

ȱ HartmannȱgoesȱonȱtoȱdescribeȱHeinrich’sȱletterȬperfectȱstæteȱ(62),ȱtriuweȱ(62),ȱzuht (63),ȱerbermdeȱ(65),ȱmilteȱ(66),ȱêreȱ(69),ȱand,ȱinȱsummary,ȱlabelsȱhimȱ“courtlyȱand wise”ȱ(höveschȱundeȱwîs,ȱ74).7ȱHowever,ȱwhatȱisȱexpressedȱhereȱasȱwisdomȱ(wîs),ȱin combinationȱ withȱ (andȱ following)ȱ theȱ adjectiveȱ thatȱ linksȱ himȱ toȱ theȱ court (hövesch),ȱappliesȱtoȱworldlyȱandȱsocialȱmatters,ȱtheȱkindsȱofȱthingsȱoneȱlearnsȱfrom theȱwordsȱofȱmasters.ȱHisȱmettleȱhasȱneverȱbeenȱtested,ȱsinceȱheȱhasȱneverȱknown want,ȱ norȱ apparentlyȱ hasȱ heȱ everȱ encounteredȱ aȱ significantȱ setback.ȱ Thus, Hartmann’sȱpronouncementȱofȱtheseȱvirtuesȱechoesȱaȱbitȱhollowly,ȱforȱifȱtheȱtotal ofȱhisȱhero’sȱqualitiesȱisȱmerelyȱtheȱsumȱofȱallȱhisȱabundant,ȱbutȱsociallyȱtypical, “refinements,”ȱweȱhaveȱaȱgoodȱbureaucrat,ȱbutȱweȱdon’tȱhaveȱwhatȱamountsȱtoȱa hero,ȱorȱatȱleastȱnotȱyet.ȱ Heinrich’sȱknowledgeȱofȱsocialȱvirtueȱcorrespondsȱtoȱaȱspirituallyȱjuvenileȱstate, inȱwhichȱoneȱactsȱasȱoneȱhasȱbeenȱtoldȱtoȱact,ȱaccordingȱtoȱaȱ“oneȬsizeȬfitsȬall,” letterȬofȬtheȬlawȱ listȱ ofȱ dicta.ȱ Unlessȱ theȱ characterȱ encountersȱ difficultiesȱ and challenges,ȱ(s)heȱwillȱnotȱdevelopȱandȱmature.ȱByȱexperiencingȱandȱconfronting problems,ȱoneȱdiscoversȱandȱdevelopsȱtheȱstrengthsȱoneȱpossesses;ȱinȱthisȱwayȱthe individualȱ gainsȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ goodȱ andȱ evil,ȱ andȱ insightȱ intoȱ howȱ virtues integrateȱpsychologicallyȱintoȱtheȱadultȱpersonality.ȱByȱenduringȱhardshipȱand prevailingȱinȱconflict,ȱtheȱknightȱmovesȱfromȱobedienceȱtoȱtheȱlaw’sȱletterȱtoȱthe knowledgeȱandȱinsightȱrequiredȱforȱtheȱfulfillmentȱofȱitsȱspirit.ȱ ForȱHeinrich,ȱasȱwellȱasȱmanyȱotherȱmedievalȱliteraryȱcharacters,ȱthisȱbecomes anȱepistemologicalȱprocess—oneȱmustȱperceive,ȱrecognizeȱandȱunderstandȱthat whatȱoneȱsometimesȱdoesȱisȱeitherȱwrongȱorȱthatȱthereȱisȱaȱhigherȱpurposeȱtoward whichȱ oneȱ mustȱ activelyȱ strive.ȱ Heinrichȱ isȱ astonishedȱ andȱ crushedȱ whenȱ he

5 6 7

HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrich,ȱ32–46ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱArthurianȱRomances,ȱTalesȱandȱLyricȱPoetry,ȱ217ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). “Courtlyȱandȱwise”ȱisȱmyȱtranslation.ȱFrankȱTobinȱrendersȱthisȱlineȱasȱ“courtlyȱandȱhadȱtheȱgood senseȱbornȱofȱexperience,”ȱconcerningȱwhichȱTobinȱexplainsȱinȱaȱfootnoteȱthatȱMHGȱwîsȱ“denotes beingȱintelligent,ȱsensible,ȱreasonable,ȱcircumspect,ȱprudent—qualitiesȱgainedȱthroughȱexperience. Renderingȱitȱsimplyȱasȱ“wise”ȱwouldȱbeȱmisleading,ȱbecauseȱwisdomȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱaȱvirtueȱofȱa higherȱ orderȱ and,ȱ asȱ weȱ shallȱ seeȱ throughȱ Heinrich’sȱ subsequentȱ actions,ȱ notȱ aȱ qualityȱ he possessesȱatȱthisȱpointȱinȱhisȱlife”ȱ(218,ȱseeȱnoteȱ4).ȱIȱdisagreeȱwithȱTobin’sȱtranslationȱforȱprecisely theȱreasonȱheȱgivesȱhere:ȱHeinrich’sȱbehaviorȱisȱnotȱtheȱresultȱofȱwisdomȱ“ofȱaȱhigherȱorder,” becauseȱitȱisȱnotȱachievedȱthroughȱexperience.ȱTheȱmodifierȱwîsȱmightȱbeȱliterallyȱtranslatedȱhere asȱ“ableȱtoȱruleȱbasedȱonȱtheȱrulesȱoneȱhasȱlearned.”ȱTheȱhigherȱorderȱofȱwisdomȱarrivesȱonlyȱafter Heinrichȱhasȱfacedȱenormousȱdifficultyȱandȱisȱableȱtoȱactȱcompassionately.ȱ

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

69

contractsȱ leprosy,ȱaȱdiseaseȱwhichȱtoȱtheȱmedievalȱmindȱindicatesȱasȱmuchȱan internal,ȱspiritualȱandȱmoralȱdegenerationȱasȱanȱexternal,ȱphysicalȱcorruption.8ȱBut, asȱheȱlaterȱisȱableȱtoȱadmitȱtoȱtheȱpeasantȱfamilyȱthatȱgenerouslyȱtakesȱcareȱofȱhim afterȱheȱhasȱbecomeȱill,ȱheȱbecomesȱconvincedȱthatȱhisȱdiseaseȱisȱaȱpunishmentȱfor theȱcrimeȱofȱforgettingȱaboutȱGod:ȱ “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱwanȱichȱinȱlützelȱaneȱsach,ȱ vonȱdesȱgnadenȱmirȱgeschachȱ vilȱêrenȱundeȱguotes.ȱ dôȱdesȱhôchmuotesȱ denȱhôhenȱportenæreȱverdrôz,ȱ dieȱsældenȱporteȱerȱmirȱbeslôz.ȱ dâȱkumȱichȱleiderȱniemerȱin:ȱ dazȱverworhteȱmirȱmînȱtumberȱsin.ȱ gotȱhâtȱdurchȱrâcheȱanȱmichȱgeleitȱ einȱsusȱgewanteȱsiecheit,ȱ dieȱniemanȱmacȱerloesen.”9ȱ [“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱlittleȱdidȱIȱlookȱtoȱHimȱfromȱwhoseȱfavorȱIȱhadȱmanyȱhonorsȱandȱpossessions. WhenȱthisȱarroganceȱangeredȱtheȱexaltedȱGatekeeper,ȱheȱshutȱtheȱgatesȱofȱhappiness inȱmyȱface.ȱAlas,ȱI’llȱneverȱgetȱin.ȱMyȱfoolishnessȱruinedȱthatȱforȱme.ȱAsȱvengeance, Godȱhasȱinflictedȱonȱmeȱaȱsicknessȱfromȱwhichȱnoȱoneȱcanȱfreeȱme.”10]ȱ

Heinrichȱ hasȱ madeȱ progressȱ towardȱ aȱ resolution,ȱ sinceȱ heȱ admitsȱ hisȱ offense; however,ȱheȱstillȱremainsȱignorantȱofȱtheȱdeeper,ȱmetaphoricalȱsignificanceȱofȱhis diseaseȱasȱaȱchallengeȱandȱopportunityȱforȱgrowth,ȱandȱofȱitsȱspiritualȱvalue,ȱkeys toȱhisȱprogressȱbeyondȱtheȱsuperficialityȱofȱcourtlyȱsocialȱvirtuesȱwhichȱhaveȱthus farȱconstitutedȱtheȱsoleȱfocusȱofȱhisȱlife.ȱ Thus,ȱHeinrich’sȱoffenseȱagainstȱGodȱisȱaȱviolationȱofȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlawȱ(heȱhas forgottenȱ God).ȱ Andȱ so,ȱ whenȱ heȱ visitsȱ doctorsȱ inȱ Monpellierȱ andȱ Salernoȱ to discoverȱhowȱheȱmightȱbeȱhealed,ȱtheȱphysiciansȱpresentȱhimȱwithȱveryȱbadȱnews:ȱ “dâȱvonȱmuozȱiuȱdiuȱhelfeȱminȱ durchȱalleȱnotȱsinȱversaget.ȱ irȱmüesetȱhabenȱeineȱmaget,ȱ diuȱvollenȱmanbæreȱ undȱdesȱwillenȱwære,ȱ

8

9 10

PeterȱWapnewskiȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3,ȱ95)ȱgivesȱperhapsȱtheȱbestȱknownȱanalysis,ȱlinkingȱHeinrich’sȱguilt toȱsuperbia;ȱLeslieȱBadanesȱ(“Heinrich’sȱLeprosy:ȱPunishmentȱorȱTest?”ȱModernȱLanguageȱStudies 10ȱ[1980]:ȱ88–92)ȱconsidersȱtheȱdiseaseȱasȱaȱtest,ȱsimilarȱtoȱtheȱtrialsȱofȱtheȱOldȱTestamentȱfigure, Job;ȱhowever,ȱtheȱtextȱindicatesȱclearlyȱthatȱHeinrichȱhasȱalreadyȱ“failed”ȱaȱtest,ȱandȱmyȱanalysis attemptsȱtoȱshowȱthatȱhisȱexperientialȱpathȱpointsȱtowardȱinnerȱchangeȱthroughȱlearning,ȱmaking anotherȱtestȱunnecessaryȱuntilȱsomeȱdevelopmentȱhasȱoccurred. HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrich,ȱ401–11ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱArthurianȱRomances,ȱTalesȱandȱLyricȱPoetry,ȱ221ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

70

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason dazȱsîȱdenȱtôtȱdurchȱiuchȱlite.ȱ nuȱenistȱezȱnihtȱderȱliuteȱsite,ȱ dazȱezȱiemanȱgerneȱtuo.ȱ soȱenhoertȱouchȱandersȱnihtȱdarȱzuoȱ niuwanȱderȱmagetȱherzebluot:ȱ dazȱwæreȱvürȱiuwerȱsuhtȱguot.”11 [“Andȱsoȱmyȱhelpȱmustȱbeȱdeniedȱyouȱthroughoutȱallȱyourȱtrials.ȱYouȱwouldȱhaveȱto haveȱaȱvirginȱofȱclearlyȱmarriageableȱageȱwillingȱtoȱsufferȱdeathȱforȱyourȱsake.ȱNow, it’sȱnotȱtheȱusualȱbehaviorȱofȱpeopleȱtoȱdoȱthisȱeagerly.ȱNothingȱelseȱisȱrequiredȱforȱa cureȱ thanȱ theȱ bloodȱ fromȱ theȱ heartȱ ofȱ aȱ virgin.ȱ Thatȱ wouldȱ beȱ theȱ cureȱ forȱ your disease.”12]

Theȱformulaȱisȱexpressedȱinȱlanguageȱthat,ȱwhenȱtakenȱatȱfaceȱvalueȱ(theȱ“letterȱof theȱformula”ȱofȱtheȱcure),ȱisȱvirtuallyȱimpossibleȱtoȱsatisfy.ȱTheȱideaȱthatȱsomeone wouldȱactuallyȱapplyȱtheȱheart’sȱbloodȱofȱaȱvirginȱgirl,ȱextractedȱwhileȱtheȱheart isȱ stillȱ beating,ȱ toȱ aȱ leper’sȱ woundsȱ toȱ effectȱ aȱ cureȱ strikesȱ usȱ asȱ soȱ blatantly barbaricȱandȱunjustȱthatȱoneȱcannotȱimagineȱsuchȱaȱprocedureȱbeingȱperformedȱin anyȱcivilizedȱculture.ȱButȱonlyȱ onȱ faceȱ value;ȱonȱtheȱmetaphoricalȱlevel,ȱblood possessesȱmanyȱcomplexȱandȱsophisticatedȱsignificancesȱthatȱlieȱatȱtheȱveryȱcore ofȱmedievalȱspiritualȱlife.13ȱForȱexample,ȱbloodȱhasȱaȱstrongȱsemanticȱassociation withȱ love.14ȱ Asȱ aȱ metaphor,ȱ theȱ imageȱ ofȱ blood,ȱ inȱ thisȱ instance,ȱ drawsȱ its significanceȱfromȱtheȱlevelȱofȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlaw—gainingȱanȱunderstandingȱof this,ȱ anȱ epistemologicalȱ process,ȱ willȱ eventuallyȱ guideȱ Heinrichȱ toȱ maturity, happinessȱandȱsalvation. Firstȱthingsȱfirst,ȱhowever.ȱTheȱdaughterȱofȱtheȱkindȱliegemanȱtakingȱcareȱofȱthe leprousȱHeinrichȱoffersȱherselfȱasȱsacrifice,ȱarguingȱconvincinglyȱthat,ȱinȱsoȱdoing, sheȱhopesȱtoȱachieveȱquickȱsalvationȱforȱherȱsoul.ȱOneȱmightȱobjectȱhereȱthatȱher offer,ȱwhileȱostensiblyȱkind,ȱevenȱheroic,ȱlacksȱaȱcompletelyȱproperȱintentio,ȱsince selfȬinterestȱclearlyȱplaysȱaȱrole,ȱbutȱherȱprofoundȱloveȱforȱHeinrichȱcannotȱ be denied.ȱTheȱ“immature”ȱ(withȱrespectȱtoȱhisȱabilityȱtoȱcomprehendȱtheȱ“spiritȱof theȱlaw”),ȱsickȱnoblemanȱfinallyȱacquiescesȱtoȱherȱpersistentȱdemands,ȱandȱthey

11 12 13

14

HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱDerȱarmeȱHeinrich,ȱ222–32ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱArthurianȱRomances,ȱTalesȱandȱLyricȱPoetry,ȱ219ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Seeȱ Carolineȱ Walkerȱ Bynum,ȱ Wonderfulȱ Blood:ȱ Theologyȱ andȱ Practiceȱ inȱ Lateȱ Medievalȱ Northern GermanyȱandȱBeyondȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ2007),ȱinȱwhichȱsheȱdiscusses manyȱofȱtheȱimportantȱmedievalȱconnectionsȱbetweenȱbloodȱandȱtheology,ȱasȱwellȱasȱmedicine, e.g.:ȱ“Inȱmedicalȱrecipes,ȱasȱinȱtheȱstoryȱofȱLonginusȱthatȱcirculatedȱinȱlaterȱmedievalȱEurope, bloodȱvivifiesȱandȱrestores;ȱitȱcuresȱleprosy,ȱblindness,ȱandȱepilepsyȱasȱwellȱasȱsin”ȱ(156). Thisȱsenseȱofȱbloodȱasȱaȱmetaphorȱisȱvalidȱinȱnumerousȱtraditions,ȱfromȱtheȱrealmȱofȱChristian symbolism,ȱwhereȱtheȱbloodȱofȱChristȱwasȱshedȱforȱtheȱloveȱofȱhumanity,ȱtoȱinterpersonalȱlove, asȱinȱParzivalȱwhereȱtheȱsightȱofȱgooseȱbloodȱonȱtheȱwhiteȱsnowȱremindsȱlonelyȱParzivalȱofȱhis wife,ȱCondwiramurs,ȱandȱsendsȱhimȱintoȱaȱloveȬtranceȱ(seeȱbelow).

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

71

makeȱtheirȱwayȱtoȱtheȱSalernoȱphysicianȱwhoȱwouldȱperformȱforȱthemȱthisȱbloody service.ȱHowever,ȱasȱsheȱisȱaboutȱtoȱundergoȱtheȱordeal,ȱHeinrichȱviewsȱherȱnaked bodyȱthroughȱaȱsmallȱapertureȱinȱtheȱdoorȱtoȱtheȱoperatingȱroom.ȱSuddenly,ȱhe feelsȱstronglyȱmovedȱtoȱtrueȱcompassionȱandȱhaltsȱtheȱ“virginȱsacrifice”—heȱstops theȱdoctorȱjustȱinȱtime,ȱsecondsȱbeforeȱheȱslicesȱintoȱtheȱyoungȱgirl’sȱthorax.ȱThe decisiveȱmomentȱbecomesȱtransformativeȱforȱtheȱsickȱnobleman.ȱForȱtheȱfirstȱtime Heinrich’sȱvoiceȱrisesȱtoȱaȱdeclarationȱofȱhisȱwill,ȱunequivocallyȱandȱwithȱforce: “gotesȱwilleȱmueszeȱanȱmirȱgeschehen!”ȱ(1276;ȱ“MayȱGod’sȱwillȱwithȱregardȱtoȱme beȱdone”)15ȱLikeȱGretchenȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱFaustȱPartȱ1,16ȱHeinrichȱactivelyȱremoves himselfȱ fromȱ theȱ plansȱ andȱ designsȱ ofȱ othersȱ andȱ givesȱ himselfȱ overȱ toȱ the judgmentȱofȱGod,ȱemergingȱfromȱtheȱpassivityȱthatȱhasȱplaguedȱhimȱsinceȱthe onsetȱofȱhisȱillness.ȱHeȱbecomesȱaȱspiritualȱloverȱratherȱthanȱaȱsubmissiveȱpatient, andȱcarriesȱoutȱaȱcompassionateȱaction,ȱratherȱthanȱmerelyȱreceivingȱtheȱbenefit ofȱ others’ȱ kindness—becauseȱ whatȱ heȱ doesȱ involvesȱ sacrificeȱ andȱ selfȬdenial purelyȱforȱtheȱbenefitȱofȱanotherȱhumanȱbeing,ȱitȱisȱaȱtrueȱactȱofȱlove,ȱsomething heȱhasȱnotȱyetȱperformed.ȱ Hisȱ newfoundȱ abilityȱ toȱ understandȱ whatȱ itȱ meansȱ toȱ loveȱ reflectsȱ a psychologicalȱ andȱ epistemologicalȱ evolution,ȱ signalingȱ aȱ freshȱ capacityȱ for Heinrichȱ toȱ understandȱ metaphoricalȱ language,ȱ andȱ hisȱ passageȱ toȱ aȱ new appreciationȱofȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlaw.ȱTheȱphysician’sȱoriginalȱrecommendationȱfor treatment,ȱ“theȱheart’sȱbloodȱofȱaȱmaiden”ȱisȱpreciselyȱtheȱcorrectȱsubstanceȱto batheȱhisȱdermalȱlesions,ȱbutȱcertainlyȱnotȱasȱaȱsimpleȱphysicalȱliquidȱthatȱanȱactual surgeonȱhasȱinȱfactȱcutȱoutȱofȱaȱyoung,ȱsexuallyȱinexperiencedȱgirl.ȱRather,ȱthe formulaȱofȱtheȱtreatmentȱmustȱbeȱunderstoodȱasȱaȱfigureȱofȱspeechȱwithȱaȱsemantic complication,ȱ whichȱ oneȱ mustȱ perceiveȱ correctlyȱ andȱ contemplateȱ withȱ an awarenessȱofȱitsȱmetaphoricalȱqualityȱbeforeȱoneȱcanȱclaimȱtrueȱknowledgeȱofȱits fullȱmeaning.ȱ Ifȱbloodȱisȱaȱmetaphorȱforȱlove,ȱandȱthisȱbloodȬloveȱspringsȱfromȱtheȱheartȱof someoneȱasȱpureȱandȱasȱwillingȱasȱtheȱpeasant’sȱmagnificent,ȱlovingȱdaughter,ȱthen certainlyȱtheȱconditionsȱofȱtheȱcureȱhaveȱbeenȱmetȱonȱtheȱmetaphoricalȱlevel.ȱThus, onȱhisȱreturnȱhomeȱHeinrichȱdiscoversȱthatȱheȱhasȱbeenȱcured,ȱandȱfurthermore thatȱheȱisȱdeeplyȱinȱloveȱwithȱtheȱyoungȱgirl,ȱandȱsheȱwithȱhim.ȱFurthermore,ȱit mustȱbeȱnotedȱthatȱHeinrichȱisȱfarȱfromȱhisȱcourtlyȱenvironmentȱwhenȱheȱcomes toȱ hisȱ realizationȱ andȱ isȱ cured.ȱ Aȱ bothersomeȱ questionȱ arisesȱ thatȱ oneȱ cannot

15 16

HartmannȱvonȱAue,ȱArthurianȱRomances,ȱTalesȱandȱLyricȱPoetry,ȱ231ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). SeeȱtheȱfinalȱsceneȱinȱJohannȱWolfgangȱvonȱGoethe,ȱFaust:ȱderȱTragödieȱersterȱTeilȱ(GoethesȱWerke, HamburgerȱAusgabe,ȱvol.ȱ3,ȱed.ȱErichȱTrunzȱ[Hamburg:ȱChristianȱWegner,ȱ1949],ȱ145),ȱwhere Gretchen,ȱsoonȱtoȱbeȱexecutedȱforȱhavingȱmurderedȱherȱillegitimateȱbaby,ȱrespondsȱtoȱFaust’s pleadingsȱthatȱsheȱescapeȱwithȱhim,ȱexclaimingȱbeforeȱherȱformerȱlover,ȱ“GerichtȱGottes!ȱdirȱhab’ ichȱmichȱübergeben”(4605;ȱ“JudgmentȱofȱGod!ȱIȱdeliverȱmyselfȱtoȱyou”—myȱtranslation).ȱ

72

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

evade:ȱisȱitȱpossibleȱtoȱachieveȱsuchȱvaluableȱaccomplishmentsȱatȱcourt?ȱHartmann seemsȱtoȱbeȱcastingȱaȱdarkȱshadowȱofȱdoubtȱonȱtheȱvalueȱofȱaȱcourtlyȱeducationȱin theȱvirtuesȱofȱknighthood.ȱ LikeȱHartmann’sȱHeinrich,ȱWolfram’sȱParzivalȱfacesȱaȱconflictȱbroughtȱonȱbyȱhis earlyȱ lackȱ ofȱ knowledgeȱ andȱ understanding:ȱ he,ȱ too,ȱ unwittinglyȱ offendsȱ the “spiritȱofȱtheȱlaw,”ȱwhileȱinterpretingȱtheȱ“letterȱofȱtheȱlaw”ȱtooȱliterally.ȱInȱthe earlyȱpartsȱofȱtheȱepicȱpoemȱParzival’sȱimmatureȱsensibilityȱcannotȱpenetrateȱthe veneerȱofȱexternalȱappearances.ȱWhenȱexperiencingȱphenomenaȱthatȱrequireȱsome responseȱonȱhisȱpart,ȱheȱslavishlyȱappliesȱrulesȱorȱadvice,ȱacquiredȱfromȱhisȱmother orȱotherȱ“masters,”ȱthatȱmayȱorȱmayȱnotȱhaveȱrelevanceȱtoȱtheȱsituation.ȱWhereas inȱ Hartmann’sȱ workȱ theȱ transgressionȱ ofȱ neglectingȱ Godȱ isȱ patentlyȱ spiritual, Wolfram’sȱ Parzivalȱ managesȱ toȱ offendȱ bothȱ secularȱ customȱ (forȱ example,ȱ by stealingȱaȱringȱandȱaȱkissȱfromȱJeschute)ȱandȱGod’sȱwillȱ(hisȱgreatȱerror:ȱfailingȱto showȱcompassionȱforȱhisȱuncle,ȱtheȱwoundedȱFisherȱKingȱAnfortas).ȱTheȱpathȱback toȱ rectitudeȱ bringsȱ Parzivalȱ throughȱ greatȱ difficultyȱ andȱ suffering,ȱ butȱ his persistenceȱandȱloyaltyȱatoneȱforȱhisȱpreviousȱwrongdoing.ȱ Becauseȱ Parzival’sȱ mother,ȱ Herzeloyde,ȱ receivesȱ newsȱ thatȱ herȱ husband, Gahmuret,ȱhasȱdiedȱinȱknightlyȱcombat,ȱtheȱdisconsolateȱwidowȱdecidesȱtoȱraise herȱinfantȱsonȱinȱtheȱremoteȱforestsȱofȱSoltane,ȱfarȱfromȱtheȱcourtlyȱenvironment thatȱ sheȱ considersȱ dangerous.ȱ Whileȱ herȱ intentionȱ inȱ keepingȱ himȱ ignorantȱ of courtlyȱwaysȱisȱobviouslyȱtoȱprotectȱParzivalȱfromȱharm,ȱinȱfact,ȱsheȱdoesȱhimȱa greatȱdisservice.ȱTheȱboyȱisȱdestinedȱtoȱbecomeȱtheȱsuccessorȱtoȱtheȱFisherȱKing, theȱkeeperȱandȱguardianȱofȱtheȱHolyȱGrail,ȱaȱpositionȱthatȱrequiresȱtheȱhighest levelsȱofȱinsight,ȱsophisticationȱandȱgoodȱjudgment.ȱMostȱimportantly,ȱheȱneeds toȱfeelȱandȱexpressȱcompassion,ȱperhapsȱtheȱsupremeȱvirtueȱofȱChristianityȱandȱan essentialȱskillȱforȱaȱspirituallyȱenlightenedȱruler.ȱ However,ȱ becauseȱ youngȱ Parzivalȱ knowsȱ onlyȱ theȱ naturalȱ environmentȱ of Soltane,ȱheȱremainsȱinnocentȱandȱnaiveȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱmostȱaspectsȱofȱlifeȱthatȱan educationȱinȱcourtlyȱsurroundingsȱwouldȱhaveȱtaughtȱhim.ȱHeȱhasȱlittleȱunderȬ standing,ȱforȱexample,ȱofȱcauseȱandȱeffect,ȱsoȱthatȱhisȱhuntingȱinstinctsȱcompelȱhim toȱshootȱarrowsȱatȱtheȱforestȱsongbirdsȱheȱloves,ȱandȱwhenȱtheyȱfallȱdeadȱtoȱhisȱfeet heȱcriesȱbitterlyȱbecauseȱtheyȱnoȱlongerȱsing.ȱHisȱschoolingȱinȱethicsȱandȱproper behaviorȱconsistsȱofȱdeȬcontextualizedȱbitsȱofȱadviceȱfromȱhisȱmother,ȱsuchȱas:ȱ Obȱdichȱeinȱgrâȱwîseȱmanȱȱ zuhtȱwilȱlêrenȱalsȱerȱwolȱkan,ȱȱ demȱsoltuȱgerneȱvolgen,ȱȱ undȱwisȱimȱnihtȱerbolgen.ȱȱ sun,ȱlâȱdirȱbevolhenȱsîn,ȱȱ swaȱduȱguotesȱwîbesȱvingerlînȱȱ mügestȱerwerbenȱuntȱirȱgruoz,ȱȱ dazȱnim:ȱezȱtuotȱdirȱkumbersȱbuoz.ȱȱ

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

73

duȱsoltȱzeȱirȱkusseȱgâhenȱȱ undȱirȱlîpȱvastȱumbevâhen:ȱȱ dazȱgîtȱgelückeȱundȱhôhenȱmuot,ȱ obȱsiȱkiuscheȱistȱundeȱguot.17 [Ifȱaȱwise,ȱgreyȬhairedȱmanȱoffersȱtoȱteachȱyouȱgoodȱmannersȱasȱheȱwouldȱwellȱknow how,ȱdoȱasȱheȱsaysȱwithȱaȱwill,ȱdoȱnotȱflyȱintoȱaȱpassion.ȱLetȱmeȱgiveȱyouȱthisȱadvice, myȱson.ȱWhereverȱyouȱcanȱwinȱaȱlady’sȱringȱandȱgreeting,ȱtakeȱit—itȱwillȱridȱyouȱofȱthe dumps.ȱWasteȱnoȱtime,ȱbutȱkissȱandȱembraceȱher.ȱItȱwillȱbringȱyouȱgoodȱfortuneȱand raiseȱyourȱspirits,ȱgrantedȱsheȱbeȱchasteȱandȱgood.18]

Ofȱcourse,ȱHerzeloydeȱcannotȱsuppressȱallȱtracesȱofȱcourtlyȱsophisticationȱinȱher discourse—sheȱofȱcourseȱmeansȱthatȱtheȱboyȱshouldȱtakeȱaȱwoman’sȱringȱwhenȱit isȱ offered,ȱ andȱ notȱ robȱ itȱ fromȱ her.ȱ Butȱ becauseȱ ofȱ hisȱ uniquelyȱ deficient upbringing,ȱ solelyȱ inȱ nature,ȱ withoutȱ theȱ benefitsȱ ofȱ atȱ leastȱ someȱ courtly instruction,ȱ Parzivalȱ cannotȱ interpretȱ theȱ “spirit”ȱ informingȱ suchȱ wisdom,ȱ but ratherȱfollowsȱHerzeloyde’sȱcounselȱnaivelyȱandȱwithoutȱrestraint.ȱThus,ȱtheȱ“child ofȱnature’s”ȱfirstȱsignificantȱencounterȱwithȱtheȱcivilizedȱworldȱafterȱleavingȱthe supervisionȱ ofȱ hisȱ motherȱ provesȱ disastrous.19ȱ Forȱ whenȱ theȱ youngȱ man encountersȱJeschute,ȱtheȱbeautifulȱandȱdevotedȱwifeȱofȱtheȱgreatȱknightȱOrilus,ȱhe recallsȱtheȱ“letter”ȱofȱhisȱmother’sȱadviceȱandȱforcesȱhimselfȱuponȱtheȱunwilling woman.ȱHeȱstealsȱfromȱherȱbothȱaȱringȱandȱaȱkiss,ȱandȱthenȱleavesȱherȱshocked, upsetȱ andȱ disheveled.ȱ Asȱ heȱ departsȱ fromȱ theȱ sceneȱ ofȱ hisȱ assault,ȱ Jeschute’s jealousȱhusbandȱspotsȱhim.ȱTheȱensuingȱchainȱofȱeventsȱthusȱsetȱintoȱmotionȱbears aȱgoodȱdealȱofȱsignificanceȱforȱtheȱletterȱandȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlaw;ȱlaterȱweȱwill returnȱtoȱtheȱsceneȱinȱaȱmoreȱdetailedȱdiscussion.ȱ Mattersȱgrowȱmoreȱserious,ȱhowever,ȱwhenȱParzivalȱreceivesȱinstructionȱinȱthe basicsȱofȱknighthoodȱfromȱhisȱmentorȱ Gurnemanz.20ȱTheȱold,ȱwizenedȱmanȱof experience,ȱ Gurnemanzȱ presentsȱ Parzivalȱ withȱ aȱ listȱ ofȱ rulesȱ andȱ dictaȱ thatȱ a knightȱoughtȱtoȱfollow;ȱnestledȱamongȱthemȱisȱaȱwarningȱagainstȱbeingȱoverly curious:ȱ“‘irnȱsultȱnihtȱvilȱgevrâgen”ȱ(171,17;ȱ“‘Doȱnotȱaskȱmanyȱquestions’”)21

17

18

19

20

21

Middleȱ Highȱ Germanȱ textȱ takenȱ fromȱ Wolframȱ vonȱ Eschenbach,ȱ Parzival:ȱ Mittlehochdeutschȱ / Neuhochdeutsch,ȱ2ȱvols.,ȱtrans.ȱwithȱanȱafterwordȱbyȱWolfgangȱSpiewokȱ(Stuttgart:ȱReclam,ȱ1981); hereȱ127,21—128,2. EnglishȱtranslationȱtextȱtakenȱfromȱWolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱtrans.ȱA.ȱT.ȱHattoȱ(London, NewȱYork,ȱetȱal.:ȱPenguin,ȱ1980). SeeȱOtfridȱEhrismann,ȱ“Jeschute,ȱor,ȱHowȱtoȱArrangeȱtheȱTamingȱofȱaȱHero:ȱTheȱMythȱofȱParzival fromȱ Chrétienȱ toȱ Adolfȱ Muschg,ȱ Studiesȱ inȱ Medievalismȱ 8ȱ (1996):ȱ 46–71,ȱ whoȱ examinesȱ this encounterȱasȱaȱfunctionȱofȱtheȱantithesisȱ“nature”ȱvs.ȱ“civilization.”ȱ AlbrechtȱClassenȱfindsȱfaultȱwithȱGurnemanzȱforȱhavingȱgivenȱaȱyoungȱpersonȱsoȱcursoryȱan “education”ȱinȱwhatȱoneȱneedsȱtoȱdoȱtoȱbeȱaȱknight;ȱseeȱVerzweiflungȱundȱHoffnung:ȱdieȱSucheȱnach derȱkommunikativenȱGemeinschaftȱinȱderȱdeutschenȱLiteraturȱdesȱMittelalters.ȱBeihefteȱzurȱMediaevistik 1ȱ(Frankfurtȱa.ȱM.ȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱPeterȱLang,ȱ2002),ȱ248.ȱ WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17);ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ96ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18).

74

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

—goodȱadviceȱforȱmostȱsocialȱsituations,ȱbutȱwhenȱParzivalȱfollowsȱtheȱ“letter”ȱof thisȱruleȱandȱfailsȱtoȱposeȱtheȱquestionȱtoȱtheȱwoundedȱAnfortas,ȱ“‘oeheim,ȱwaz wirretȱdir?’”ȱ(795,ȱ29;ȱ“‘Dearȱuncle,ȱwhatȱailsȱyou?’”),22ȱheȱthrowsȱhisȱentireȱworld intoȱaȱconditionȱofȱgreatȱsorrowȱandȱsuffering.ȱWereȱheȱtoȱfollowȱhisȱinstinctsȱat theȱGrailȱCastleȱandȱdemonstrateȱtheȱ“spirit”ȱofȱcompassion,ȱheȱwouldȱsucceedȱin hisȱadventure;ȱbutȱhisȱnaiveȱinclinationȱtoȱfollowȱslavishlyȱtheȱletterȱofȱhisȱteacher’s ruleȱcondemnsȱhimȱtoȱyearsȱofȱatonementȱandȱdesperateȱwandering,ȱinȱsearchȱof theȱGrailȱCastleȱandȱanotherȱchanceȱtoȱmakeȱamendsȱforȱhisȱerror.ȱParzivalȱmust growȱandȱdevelopȱintoȱaȱmature,ȱcompassionateȱhumanȱbeingȱbeforeȱheȱcanȱtake hisȱproperȱpositionȱasȱAnfortas’ȱheir. Parzivalȱ ultimatelyȱ succeedsȱ inȱ hisȱ endeavor,ȱ largelyȱ dueȱ toȱ theȱ growthȱ he experiencesȱ throughȱ painȱ andȱ sufferingȱ (especiallyȱ asȱ aȱ resultȱ ofȱ theȱ Grail Messengerȱ Cundrie’sȱ devastatingȱ revelationȱ ofȱ hisȱ wrongdoing),ȱ andȱ later, throughȱtheȱinformationȱandȱinstructionȱheȱreceivesȱfromȱhisȱcousin,ȱSigune,ȱand theȱhermit,ȱTrevrizent.ȱHowever,ȱindicationsȱofȱhisȱdevelopmentȱbeginȱtoȱappear alreadyȱjustȱafterȱheȱdepartsȱfromȱtheȱGrailȱCastle.ȱAȱparticularlyȱstrikingȱsignȱof growthȱisȱrevealedȱwhenȱParzival,ȱridingȱalongȱaȱwildernessȱpathȱcoveredȱinȱsnow, discoversȱaȱplaceȱwhereȱaȱfalconȱhasȱswoopedȱdownȱuponȱaȱflockȱofȱgeese,ȱinjuring oneȱofȱthem,ȱsuchȱthatȱthreeȱdropsȱofȱbloodȱhaveȱfallenȱonȱtheȱground’sȱwhite shroud.ȱSpontaneously,ȱParzivalȱ“reads”ȱtheȱimageȱasȱaȱmetaphorȱforȱhisȱbeloved wife,ȱCondwiramurs,ȱwhomȱatȱthisȱpointȱheȱmissesȱtremendously: ȱ vonȱsînenȱtriuwenȱdazȱgeschach. doȱerȱdieȱbluotesȱzäherȱsach ûfȱdemȱsnêȱ(derȱwasȱalȱwîz), dôȱdâhteȱerȱ“werȱhâtȱsînenȱvlîz gewantȱanȱdiseȱvarweȱclâr? Cundwîerȱâmûrs,ȱsichȱmacȱvürȱwâr disiuȱvarweȱdirȱgelîchenȱ.ȱ.ȱ. Condwîrȱâmûrs,ȱhieȱlîtȱdînȱschîn. sîtȱderȱsnêȱdemȱbluoteȱwîzeȱbôt, undȱezȱdenȱsnêȱsusȱmachetȱrôt, Cundwîrȱâmûrs, demȱglîchetȱsichȱdînȱbêâȱcurs: desȱenbistuȱnihtȱerlâzen.”23ȱ

[Thisȱcameȱfromȱhisȱloyalȱattachment.ȱForȱwhenȱheȱsawȱtheȱdropsȱofȱbloodȱonȱthe white,ȱwhiteȱsnowȱheȱaskedȱhimself,ȱ“whoȱhasȱsetȱhisȱhandȱtoȱtheseȱfreshȱcolours? Condwiramurs,ȱ theseȱ tintsȱ mayȱ trulyȱ beȱ likenedȱ toȱ yourȱ complexion!.ȱ .ȱ . Condwiramurs,ȱhereȱliesȱyourȱbrightȱimage!ȱTheȱsnowȱlendingȱitsȱwhiteȱtoȱtheȱblood,

22 23

WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17);ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ395ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ282,ȱ23ȱ–29,ȱ283,ȱ4–9ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

75

theȱbloodȱreddeningȱsnow—Condwiramurs!ȱYourȱfairȱpersonȱisȱreflectedȱhere,ȱI’llȱnot excuseȱyouȱtheȱcomparison!”24]

LikeȱHartmann’sȱHeinrich,ȱParzivalȱgraduallyȱbeginsȱtoȱcomprehendȱtheȱsignsȱhe seesȱ inȱ anȱ increasinglyȱ complexȱ manner.25ȱ Hisȱ abilityȱ toȱ perceiveȱ andȱ express (albeitȱ inwardly)ȱ theȱ metaphoricalȱ valueȱ ofȱ theȱ dropsȱ ofȱ bloodȱ inȱ theȱ snow achievesȱaȱmuchȱhigherȱlevelȱofȱintellectualȱaccomplishmentȱthanȱtheȱyoungȱknight hasȱ thusȱ farȱ evinced,ȱ andȱ showsȱ thatȱ heȱ isȱ indeedȱ onȱ theȱ pathȱ leadingȱ to fulfillment.ȱ Again,ȱ asȱ inȱ Heinrich’sȱ case,ȱ itȱ isȱ loveȱ combinedȱ withȱ theȱ painȱ of experience,ȱwhichȱstirsȱcomplexȱemotionsȱinȱtheȱheroȱandȱleadsȱhimȱforwardȱto everȱgreaterȱunderstandingȱandȱknowledge.ȱEventually,ȱitȱwillȱbeȱParzival’sȱlove forȱ andȱ loyaltyȱ toȱ hisȱ wifeȱ thatȱ willȱ empowerȱ himȱ toȱ attainȱ hisȱ goal,ȱ butȱ only throughȱtheȱinsights,ȱskillsȱandȱknowledgeȱthatȱheȱgainsȱoverȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱtale willȱheȱbeȱableȱtoȱrule.ȱThus,ȱheȱgraduallyȱoutgrowsȱhisȱrelianceȱonȱtheȱ“letterȬofȬ theȬlaw”ȱandȱbeginsȱtoȱunderstandȱandȱembraceȱtheȱlaw’sȱspirit.ȱGivenȱanother chance,ȱParzivalȱwillȱeventuallyȱposeȱtheȱcompassionateȱquestion,ȱrealizingȱthat forȱoneȱpersonȱtoȱinquireȱaboutȱtheȱpainȱofȱanotherȱisȱnotȱoneȱquestionȱtooȱmany, butȱratherȱtheȱkind,ȱhumaneȱthingȱtoȱdo. InȱadditionȱtoȱParzival’sȱmainȱadventure,ȱWolfram’sȱepicȱpoemȱpresentsȱanother significantȱsituationȱwhereȱtheȱnatureȱofȱcrime,ȱjusticeȱandȱpunishmentȱcomesȱinto focus.ȱTheȱchainȱofȱeventsȱthatȱbeginsȱwithȱParzival’sȱabuseȱofȱJeschuteȱ(described above),ȱcontinuesȱwithȱtheȱbitterȱinterrogationȱsheȱmustȱendureȱatȱtheȱhandsȱofȱher husbandȱOrilus,ȱandȱsubsequentlyȱOrilus’sȱunfairȱjudgmentȱandȱabusiveȱtreatment ofȱhisȱinnocentȱwife,ȱresultsȱinȱaȱsomewhatȱdifferentȱperspectiveȱonȱtheȱprocessȱof fallingȱoutȱofȱtheȱordo,ȱwhetherȱthisȱbeȱaȱmatterȱofȱsocialȱtransgressionȱ(crime), religiousȱoffenseȱ(sin)ȱorȱpersonalȱdisloyalty,ȱasȱinȱthisȱcase.ȱWhenȱOrilusȱreturns toȱ hisȱ wife’sȱ tent,ȱ heȱ hasȱ alreadyȱ witnessedȱ Parzivalȱ leavingȱ theȱ sceneȱ and, convincedȱbyȱhisȱwife’sȱdisheveledȱappearanceȱthatȱsheȱhasȱjustȱenjoyedȱaȱtryst withȱtheȱhandsomeȱyouth,ȱbeginsȱtoȱupbraidȱher.ȱHisȱinconsiderateȱaccusations arise,ȱ toȱ beȱ sure,ȱ fromȱ emotionalȱ turmoil,ȱ butȱ neverthelessȱ theirȱ vehemence indicatesȱaȱpossibleȱpredilectionȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱOrilusȱforȱviscerallyȱjumpingȱto conclusions,ȱasȱheȱrefusesȱhisȱwifeȱtheȱhonorȱsheȱdeserves.ȱLikeȱParzivalȱinȱhis

24 25

WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ148ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). AsȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“Reading,ȱWritingȱandȱLearningȱinȱWolframȱvonȱEschenbach’sȱParzival,”ȱA CompanionȱtoȱWolfram’sȱParzival,ȱed.ȱWillȱHasty.ȱStudiesȱinȱGermanȱLiterature,ȱLinguistics,ȱand Cultureȱ (Columbia,ȱ SC:ȱ Camdenȱ House,ȱ 1999),ȱ 189–202,ȱ pointsȱ out,ȱ “itȱ isȱ consistentȱ with Wolfram’sȱ probableȱ positionȱ betweenȱ oralityȱ andȱ literacyȱ thatȱ theȱ mostȱ importantȱ kindȱ of “reading”ȱthatȱtakesȱplaceȱinȱParzivalȱisȱaȱmetaphoricalȱreadingȱofȱsigns,ȱandȱnotȱaȱliteralȱreading ofȱletters”ȱ(196);ȱIȱwouldȱonlyȱaddȱthat,ȱforȱmanyȱauthors,ȱ“reading”ȱextendsȱbeyondȱtheȱability merelyȱ toȱ knowȱ whatȱ isȱ written,ȱ butȱ alsoȱ toȱ understandȱ theȱ meaningȱ “betweenȱ the lines”—perhapsȱinȱtheȱsenseȱofȱHartmann’sȱclaim,ȱthatȱheȱ“anȱdenȱbuochenȱlas,ȱ/ȱswazȱerȱdarȱan geschribenȱvantȱ“ȱ(seeȱabove,ȱnoteȱ4),ȱincludingȱtheȱgistȱbehindȱtheȱwrittenȱword.

76

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

readingȱofȱsigns,ȱOrilus,ȱtoo,ȱseemsȱimmature,ȱrenderingȱanȱinterpretationȱthat doesȱnotȱtakeȱintoȱaccountȱpossibleȱcomplexitiesȱandȱextenuatingȱcircumstances, evenȱbeforeȱheȱhasȱgivenȱJeschuteȱtheȱopportunityȱtoȱexplain.ȱHisȱprideȱhasȱbeen wounded,ȱand,ȱinȱanȱattemptȱtoȱreestablishȱhisȱselfȬesteemȱasȱwarrior,ȱheȱnarrates aȱdetailedȱaccountȱofȱhisȱvariousȱdeedsȱandȱconquests;ȱinȱhisȱrage,ȱOrilusȱsinksȱinto theȱmundaneȱparlanceȱofȱtheȱknightlyȱresumé.26ȱHisȱtiradeȱfocusesȱsolelyȱonȱhis ownȱexternalȱhonor,ȱwhichȱheȱgainedȱthroughȱbattleȱbyȱdefeatingȱthisȱknightȱand that,ȱandȱwhichȱheȱbelievesȱhisȱwife’sȱmisconductȱhasȱbesmirched.ȱ Thisȱisȱtheȱhonorȱofȱappearances,ȱwhereȱreputationȱisȱaffirmedȱbyȱthirdȬparty observers:ȱothersȱlookȱatȱtheȱknightȱandȱhisȱcircumstancesȱandȱgiveȱhimȱhonor becauseȱ heȱ appearsȱ toȱ beȱ honorable.ȱ Orilus’sȱ rantȱ regardingȱ hisȱ victoriesȱ and trouncingsȱofȱthisȱopponentȱandȱthat,ȱhowever,ȱisȱinappropriateȱforȱtheȱpresent situation,ȱperhapsȱprovidingȱhimȱratherȱwithȱaȱmeansȱofȱbolsteringȱhisȱegoȱthan aȱsuitableȱlanguageȱforȱcommunicatingȱwithȱhisȱwifeȱregardingȱwhatȱheȱthinksȱis herȱadultery.27ȱTheȱresultingȱabuseȱtoȱwhichȱheȱsubjectsȱhisȱspouseȱindicatesȱthat Orilus,ȱtoo,ȱmustȱundergoȱthatȱinnerȱtransformationȱtypicalȱofȱcharactersȱwhoȱfind themselvesȱunderȱspiritualȱandȱpsychologicalȱduress. Inȱ theȱ meantimeȱ Jeschuteȱ beginsȱ toȱ mountȱ aȱ defenseȱ thatȱ focusesȱ more appropriatelyȱonȱinternalȱhonor,ȱoneȱbasedȱonȱtheȱsenseȱof,ȱandȱconfidenceȱin, personalȱ worthinessȱ ratherȱ thanȱ deedsȱ ofȱ derringȬdoȱ andȱ theȱ boastingȱ that ensues.28ȱJeschuteȱreprimandsȱOrilusȱthatȱheȱnotȱcompromiseȱhisȱknightlyȱhonor, forȱheȱisȱ“getriuweȱundeȱwîs”ȱ(136,12;ȱ“Youȱareȱtrueȱandȱdiscerning.”)29ȱAgain,ȱas inȱHartmann’sȱhymnȱofȱpraiseȱtoȱhisȱcharacter,ȱHeinrich,ȱ“wisdom”ȱisȱconnected toȱ oneȱ whoȱ mayȱ beȱ actingȱ inȱ aȱ mannerȱ ofȱ whichȱ courtlyȱ bureaucratsȱ would approve,ȱbutȱnotȱasȱaȱmatureȱandȱtrulyȱheroicȱindividual.30ȱSheȱtruthfullyȱdeclares thatȱsheȱhasȱbeenȱfaithfulȱandȱwasȱnotȱtheȱtransgressorȱherȱhusbandȱconsidersȱher toȱbe,ȱbutȱratherȱtheȱvictimȱofȱanother’sȱtransgression.ȱAnyȱactionȱthatȱwouldȱlower herȱwouldȱnotȱbefitȱaȱwomanȱofȱherȱrank,ȱnotȱmerelyȱbecauseȱothersȱwouldȱseeȱit thatȱwayȱbutȱalsoȱbecauseȱsheȱwouldȱfeelȱthatȱway.ȱBeforeȱsheȱcanȱadequately presentȱherȱcase,ȱhowever,ȱOrilusȱsilencesȱher,ȱandȱthenȱhumiliatesȱher,ȱdepriving

26 27

28 29 30

WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ133,ȱ29–136,ȱ8ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). Seeȱ Classen,ȱ Verzweiflungȱ undȱ Hoffnungȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 20),ȱ 133–35,ȱ whoȱ discussesȱ thisȱ issueȱ inȱ the contextȱofȱHartmannsȱErecȱasȱaȱproblemȱinȱtheȱsocialȱstructuresȱandȱnormsȱforȱcommunication betweenȱmenȱandȱwomen:ȱ“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱdieȱWarnungȱdesȱDichtersȱkommtȱdochȱdeutlichȱzumȱAusdruck, wieȱleichtȱdasȱsozialeȱundȱkommunikativeȱGewebeȱderȱGesellschaftȱzerreißenȱkann,ȱwennȱGewalt dieȱsprachlichenȱundȱmoralischenȱNormenȱzerstört”ȱ(134),ȱandȱfurther,ȱ“offeneȱRedeȱist.ȱ.ȱ.ȱmithin nochȱ nichtȱ möglich,ȱ vielmehrȱ mußȱ dieȱ Heldinȱ aufȱ dieȱ Lügeȱ zurückgreifen,ȱ umȱ sichȱ inȱ der männlichȱdominierten,ȱd.h.ȱtatenorientiertenȱundȱderȱKommunikationȱabholdenȱGesellschaftȱzu behaupten”ȱ(135). WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzivalȱ136,ȱ11–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ79ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Seeȱabove,ȱnoteȱ7.

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

77

herȱofȱdecentȱclothing,ȱofȱhisȱcompanionshipȱandȱherȱhorseȱofȱitsȱsaddle,ȱbridleȱand food.ȱThus,ȱbecauseȱhisȱwifeȱapparentlyȱbreaksȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlaw,ȱOrilusȱdoes notȱallowȱforȱinterpretationȱofȱtheȱevidence:ȱJeschuteȱisȱmerelyȱguiltyȱasȱfarȱasȱhe isȱconcerned,ȱandȱsheȱmustȱsufferȱtheȱpunishment,ȱwhichȱisȱrepresentedȱthrough externalȱsigns.ȱBecauseȱheȱcanȱexerciseȱdominationȱoverȱherȱbyȱwieldingȱbrute force,ȱsheȱmustȱsubmitȱinȱsilenceȱtoȱhisȱindignities.31 Althoughȱ Orilusȱ deniesȱ herȱ theȱ rightȱ toȱ speak,ȱ Wolfram’sȱ descriptionȱ ofȱ her innerȱstateȱindicatesȱthatȱsheȱisȱthinkingȱwithȱmuchȱmoreȱspiritualȱsophistication thanȱ herȱ husband,ȱ andȱ sheȱ expressesȱ aȱ farȱ moreȱ profoundȱ connectionȱ and commitmentȱtoȱtheirȱrelationshipȱthanȱheȱdoes.ȱHersȱisȱtheȱlanguageȱofȱselflessȱlove thatȱrisesȱtoȱtheȱlevelȱofȱtrueȱcompassion,ȱandȱitȱevokesȱnobleȱsentimentsȱfromȱthe narratorȱasȱwell: alȱweindeȱsunderȱlachen diuȱvrouweȱjâmersȱrîche schietȱdannenȱtrûreclîche. sineȱmüeteȱniht,ȱswazȱirȱgeschach, wanȱirȱmannesȱungemach: desȱtrûrenȱgapȱirȱgrôzeȱnôt, dazȱsiȱnochȱsampfterȱwæreȱtôt. nuȱsultȱirȱsiȱdurchȱtriweȱclagen: siȱbeginntȱnuȱhôhenȱkumberȱtragen. wærȱmirȱallerȱwîbeȱhazȱbereit, michȱmüetȱdochȱvrounȱJeschûtenȱleit.32ȱ [Allȱ thoughtȱ ofȱ laughterȱ gone,ȱ andȱ inȱ tears,ȱ theȱ wretchedȱ ladyȱ setȱ outȱ dolefully. Whateverȱsheȱenduredȱsheȱdidȱnotȱmindȱit,ȱonlyȱthatȱherȱhusbandȱsufferedȱso.ȱHis unhappinessȱ soȱ distressedȱ herȱ thatȱ sheȱ wouldȱ haveȱ foundȱ deathȱ moreȱ kind.ȱ Her faithfulȱloveȱdeservesȱyourȱpity,ȱsinceȱfromȱnowȱonȱsheȱisȱtoȱsufferȱgreatȱtribulation. ThoughȱIȱwereȱhatedȱbyȱtheȱwholeȱsex,ȱtheȱwrongȱdoneȱtoȱLadyȱJeschuteȱcouldȱnotȱfail toȱangerȱme.33]ȱ

Orilusȱstubbornlyȱadheresȱtoȱhisȱprematureȱjudgment,ȱhowever,ȱandȱtoȱbreakȱout ofȱthisȱdilemmaȱheȱrequiresȱaȱsignificantȱintervention.ȱIronically,ȱitȱturnsȱoutȱthat theȱoriginalȱsourceȱofȱhisȱemotionalȱanguishȱprovidesȱtheȱsolutionȱheȱneeds.ȱBarely maintainingȱ hisȱ lovingȱ spouseȱ inȱ aȱ patheticȱ conditionȱ asȱ heȱ forcesȱ herȱ toȱ ride hungry,ȱlonelyȱandȱinȱtatters,ȱatopȱaȱstarvingȱponyȱfollowingȱdejectedlyȱseveral

31

SeeȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱTheȱPowerȱofȱaȱWoman’sȱVoiceȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱLiterature:ȱNew ApproachesȱtoȱGermanȱandȱEuropeanȱWomenȱWritersȱandȱtoȱViolenceȱagainstȱ WomenȱinȱPremodern Times.ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture,ȱ1ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱde Gruyter,ȱ2007),ȱ219–21.

32

WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ137,ȱ20–29ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18).

33

78

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

hundredȱmetersȱtoȱhisȱrear,ȱheȱsetsȱoffȱonȱaȱpersonalȱmissionȱofȱvengeance,ȱfirstȱto findȱandȱthenȱtoȱtrounceȱParzival.ȱTheȱquestȱtakesȱaȱgoodȱdealȱofȱtime,ȱandȱinȱthe interimȱParzivalȱhasȱalreadyȱvisitedȱMunsalvæscheȱforȱtheȱfirstȱtime.ȱHavingȱfailed toȱposeȱtheȱquestionȱofȱcompassionȱtoȱtheȱwoundedȱFisherȱKing,ȱAnfortas,ȱand nowȱexperiencingȱfeelingsȱofȱguiltȱandȱremorse,ȱheȱisȱbeginningȱtheȱprocessȱofȱhis ownȱtransformationȱfromȱimmatureȱinnocenceȱtoȱresponsibleȱadulthood,ȱfromȱthe “letter”ȱtoȱtheȱ“spirit.”ȱ WhenȱOrilusȱfinallyȱovertakesȱParzivalȱandȱchallengesȱhim,ȱheȱfindsȱthatȱheȱis noȱmatchȱforȱtheȱyoungȱknight.ȱAfterȱdefeatingȱOrilus,ȱParzivalȱcommandsȱhimȱto reconcileȱ withȱ hisȱ wifeȱ asȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ conditionsȱ forȱ hisȱ surrender,ȱ andȱ Orilus forgivesȱherȱmostȱreluctantly.ȱNow,ȱforȱtheȱfirstȱtime,ȱParzivalȱbeginsȱtoȱactȱinȱa responsible,ȱselfȬreliantȱmanner.ȱHeȱsensesȱthatȱheȱmustȱdoȱmoreȱthanȱdictateȱa reconciliationȱthatȱmerelyȱfulfillsȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱtypicalȱdemandsȱaȱconqueror makesȱ ofȱ aȱ vanquishedȱ opponent,ȱ whichȱ areȱ notȱ sufficientȱ toȱ facilitateȱ aȱ true transformationȱofȱspirit.ȱHeȱstillȱneedsȱtoȱconvinceȱthisȱvanquishedȱopponentȱof Jeschute’sȱ innocence,ȱ becauseȱ itȱ isȱ theȱ compassionateȱ thingȱ toȱ do.ȱ Therefore, ParzivalȱbringsȱOrilusȱtoȱaȱreliquary,ȱwhereuponȱtheȱnarratorȱtellsȱus: Parzivâlȱdôȱmitȱtriwenȱvuor: erȱnamȱdazȱheiltuom,ȱdrûfȱerȱswuor. susȱstabteȱerȱselbeȱsînenȱeitȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ ichȱhânzȱdâȱvür,ȱdieȱtreitȱgot. nuȱmüezeȱichȱvlüsteclîchenȱspot zeȱbêdenȱlîbenȱimmerȱhân vonȱsînerȱkraft,ȱobȱmissetân disiuȱfrouweȱhabe,ȱdôȱdizȱgeschach dazȱichȱirȱvürspanȱvonȱirȱbrach. ouchȱvuorteȱichȱmêrȱgoldesȱdan. ichȱwasȱeinȱtôreȱundȱnihtȱeinȱman, gewahsenȱnihtȱbîȱwitzen. vilȱweinens,ȱdâȱbîȱswitzen mitȱjâmerȱdolteȱvilȱirȱlîp. siȱistȱbenamenȱeinȱunschuldicȱwîp. dâneȱscheideȱichȱûzȱnihtȱmêre: desȱsîȱpfantȱmînȱsældeȱundȱêre. Ruochtȱirs,ȱsiȱsolȱunschuldecȱsîn. seht,ȱgebtȱirȱwiderȱirȱvingerlîn.34ȱ [Nowȱ Parzivalȱ didȱ aȱ charitableȱ deed.ȱ Heȱ tookȱ theȱ relicsȱ andȱ sworeȱ onȱ them, administeringȱhisȱoathȱtoȱhimselfȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ“letȱmeȱbeȱmockedȱandȱdamnedȱinȱthisȱlifeȱand theȱnextȱthroughȱHisȱpower,ȱifȱthisȱladyȱdidȱamissȱwhenȱIȱchancedȱtoȱtearȱherȱbrooch fromȱher,ȱwhenȱIȱalsoȱboreȱoffȱotherȱgold!ȱIȱwasȱaȱyoungȱfool—noȱman—notȱyetȱgrown

34

WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ269,1–3,ȱ269,17–270,2ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

79

toȱyearsȱofȱdiscretion.ȱWeepingȱcopiouslyȱandȱbathedȱinȱperspiration,ȱsheȱhadȱmuch toȱputȱupȱwithȱinȱherȱwretchedness.ȱIȱtellȱyouȱsheȱisȱanȱinnocentȱwoman.ȱ Iȱ except nothingȱfromȱthisȱoath,ȱmayȱmyȱhonorȱandȱhopesȱofȱblissȱbeȱpledgeȱforȱit.ȱByȱyour leave,ȱsheȱshallȱbeȱinnocent!ȱHere,ȱgiveȱherȱbackȱherȱring.”35]ȱ

Parzival’sȱ honestȱ selfȬreflection,ȱ admissionȱ thatȱ heȱ wasȱ “einȱ tôreȱ undȱ nihtȱ ein man,”ȱ andȱ unselfishȱ actȱ ofȱ kindnessȱ areȱ theȱ firstȱ indicationsȱ thatȱ theȱ youthȱ is movingȱfromȱhisȱstateȱofȱimmaturityȱandȱcrossingȱtheȱthresholdȱofȱadulthood, whereȱ heȱ mustȱ beȱ willingȱ toȱ acceptȱ responsibilityȱ forȱ hisȱ actions.ȱ Inȱ fact,ȱ his admissionȱtoȱfoolishnessȱmirrorsȱOrilus’sȱbehaviorȱasȱwell,ȱforȱhe,ȱtoo,ȱhasȱbeen “gewahsenȱ nihtȱ bîȱ witzen”ȱ andȱ becauseȱ ofȱ hisȱ immature,ȱ foolishȱ treatmentȱ of Jeschute,ȱ“mitȱjâmerȱdolteȱvilȱirȱlîp.”ȱBut,ȱitȱwouldȱappearȱthatȱinȱWolfram’sȱwork, theȱ“spirit”ȱleadingȱtoȱcharitableȱdeedsȱisȱcontagious,ȱandȱtheȱtransformationȱin Orilusȱisȱimmediatelyȱapparent: dieȱgâbeȱenpfiencȱderȱdegenȱguot. dôȱstreichȱerȱvonȱdemȱmundeȱdazȱbluot undȱkusteȱsînesȱherzenȱtrût. ouchȱwartȱverdactȱirȱblôziuȱhûtȱ.ȱ.ȱ. dôȱsprachȱderȱvürsteȱOrilus aberȱzeȱParzivâleȱalsus. “helt,ȱdînȱunbetwungenȱeit gîtȱmirȱgrôzȱliepȱundȱcrankezȱleit. ichȱhânȱschumpfentiureȱgedolt, diuȱmirȱvröudeȱhâtȱerholt. jâȱmacȱmitȱêrenȱnuȱmînȱlîp ergetzenȱdizȱwerdeȱwîpȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ nuȱlônȱdirȱgot,ȱsiȱistȱvalschesȱvrî. ichȱhânȱunvuogeȱanȱirȱgetân.” 36

ȱ

[Theȱ goodȱ knightȱ acceptedȱ theȱ gift.ȱ Wipingȱ theȱ bloodȱ fromȱ hisȱ lipsȱ heȱ kissedȱ the darlingȱ ofȱ hisȱ heart.ȱ Heȱ alsoȱ coveredȱ herȱ nakednessȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ Princeȱ Orilusȱ turnedȱ to Parzivalȱagain.ȱ“Knight,”ȱheȱsaid,ȱ“yourȱoathȱsoȱfreelyȱofferedȱgivesȱmeȱmuchȱjoyȱand littleȱsorrow.ȱTheȱdefeatȱIȱhaveȱsufferedȱinȱbattleȱhasȱbroughtȱmeȱbackȱmyȱhappiness. NowȱIȱcanȱmakeȱamendsȱtoȱthisȱladyȱwithȱhonorȱafterȱbanishingȱherȱfromȱfavorȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱshe standsȱclearedȱofȱinfidelity.ȱItȱwasȱnotȱasȱaȱgentlemanȱthatȱIȱtreatedȱherȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”37]

ȱ Now,ȱOrilus,ȱtoo,ȱhasȱexperiencedȱaȱperiodȱofȱdeepȱpainȱandȱemergesȱfromȱitȱa betterȱindividual.38ȱFinally,ȱheȱhasȱbecomeȱcapableȱofȱshowingȱcompassion,ȱandȱby 35 36 37 38

WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ141ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱ270,5ȱ–ȱ271,7ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). WolframȱvonȱEschenbach,ȱParzival,ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ142ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Onȱtheȱtopicȱofȱpainȱasȱaȱnecessaryȱstageȱofȱindividualȱdevelopment,ȱpleaseȱseeȱtheȱcontribution toȱthisȱvolumeȱbyȱJohnȱGough,ȱ“Pain:ȱSuffering,ȱAgony,ȱandȱDeathȱinȱtheȱWorksȱofȱFrançois Villon.”

80

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

expressingȱhisȱregretȱforȱhisȱfoolishȱandȱhastyȱjudgmentȱofȱJeschute,ȱheȱcanȱadmit hisȱ previousȱ “unvuoge”ȱ andȱ reestablishȱ aȱ lovingȱ relationshipȱ withȱ hisȱ wife. Althoughȱbothȱmenȱtreatedȱherȱhorribly,ȱitȱisȱclearȱfromȱherȱsubsequentȱactions thatȱsheȱisȱmostȱwillingȱtoȱexonerateȱherȱhusband.ȱThus,ȱsheȱbecomesȱoneȱofȱthe mostȱextraordinarilyȱforgivingȱcharactersȱinȱmedievalȱliterature.39 Theȱimmatureȱstateȱofȱmindȱthatȱcomprehendsȱonlyȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlaw,ȱasȱI haveȱ describedȱ itȱ above,ȱ isȱ characteristicȱ ofȱ manyȱ atȱ court,ȱ inȱ theȱ opinionȱ of GottfriedȱvonȱStraßburg,ȱandȱprovidesȱaȱcentralȱthematicȱproblemȱinȱhisȱepicȱpoem TristanȱundȱIsolde.40ȱByȱcontrast,ȱtheȱlovers’ȱrelationshipȱreflectsȱtheȱhigherȱqualities ofȱtheȱnewȱordoȱaboutȱwhichȱGottfriedȱwritesȱinȱhisȱprologue.41ȱInȱtheȱ244ȱlines comprisingȱGottfried’sȱcomplexȱintroductionȱtoȱhisȱpoem,ȱheȱcriticizesȱhisȱcourtly colleaguesȱforȱtheirȱsimplisticȱpreoccupationȱwithȱeasyȱgratification,ȱtheȱmany,ȱ .ȱ.ȱ.ȱdie,ȱvonȱderȱichȱhoereȱsagen, diuȱkeineȱswæreȱenmügeȱgetragen undȱniwanȱinȱvröudenȱwelleȱsweben. dieȱlâzeȱouchȱgotȱmitȱvröudenȱleben! Derȱwerldeȱundȱdiserneȱlebene enkumtȱmînȱredeȱnihtȱebene. irȱlebenȱundȱmînezȱzweientȱsich.42ȱ [.ȱ.ȱ.ȱwhoȱ[asȱIȱhear]ȱareȱunableȱtoȱendureȱsorrowȱandȱwishȱonlyȱtoȱrevelȱinȱbliss.ȱ(Please Godȱtoȱletȱthemȱliveȱinȱtheirȱbliss!)ȱWhatȱIȱhaveȱtoȱsayȱdoesȱnotȱconcernȱthatȱworldȱand suchȱaȱwayȱofȱlife;ȱtheirȱwayȱandȱmineȱdivergeȱsharply.43]

39

40

41

42

43

Ofȱcourse,ȱwomenȱfindȱthemselvesȱinȱsuchȱabusiveȱsituationsȱoftenȱinȱmedievalȱliterature,ȱandȱthe menȱwhoȱtreatȱthemȱinȱthisȱmannerȱareȱrarelyȱaccusedȱandȱevenȱmoreȱrarely,ȱifȱever,ȱpunished appropriately;ȱforȱexample,ȱwithȱreferenceȱtoȱaȱsimilarȱcaseȱregardingȱtheȱabuseȱofȱBoccaccio’s GriseldaȱinȱhisȱDecameronȱ(10,ȱ1). TheȱgreatȱbodyȱofȱcriticalȱliteratureȱonȱGottfried’sȱworkȱgrowsȱunabatedly,ȱandȱnegotiatingȱits dimensionsȱ isȱ aȱ formidableȱ task;ȱ fortunately,ȱ thereȱ areȱ severalȱ importantȱ bibliographicȱ tools dedicatedȱ toȱ Gottfried’sȱ work:ȱ Gottfriedȱ Weber,ȱ Gottfriedȱ vonȱ Straßburg,ȱ 5thȱ ed.,ȱ updatedȱ by WernerȱHoffmannȱ(Stuttgart:ȱMetzler,ȱ1981);ȱChristophȱHuber,ȱGottfriedȱvonȱStraßburg:ȱTristan, KlassikerȬLektüren,ȱ 3ȱ (Berlin:ȱ Erichȱ Schmidt,ȱ 2000);ȱ andȱ finally,ȱ theȱ journalȱ Tristania,ȱ which regularlyȱupdatesȱcurrentȱresearchȱtrends.ȱ SeeȱAlbrechtȱSchöne,ȱ“ZuȱGottfriedsȱ‘Tristan’ȬProlog,”ȱDeutscheȱVierteljahrschriftȱfürȱLiteraturȬȱund Geistesgeschichteȱ29ȱ(1955):ȱ447–74;ȱKlausȱSpeckenbach,ȱStudienȱzumȱBegriffȱ“edelezȱherze”ȱimȱTristan Gottfriedsȱ vonȱ Strassburg.ȱ Mediumȱ Aevumȱ –ȱ Philologischeȱ Studien,ȱ 6ȱ (Munich:ȱ Eidos,ȱ 1965); Classen,ȱVerzweiflungȱundȱHoffnung,ȱ307–08ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ20). MiddleȱHighȱGermanȱtextȱtakenȱfromȱGottfriedȱvonȱStrassburg,ȱTristan,ȱed.ȱbyȱFriedrichȱRanke, reȬeditedȱandȱtrans.ȱintoȱNewȱHighȱGermanȱbyȱRüdigerȱKrohn,ȱ3ȱvols.ȱ(Stuttgart:ȱReclam,ȱ1980, 1983),ȱwithȱlineȱreferencesȱ(hereȱ51–57). EnglishȱtranslationȱtextȱtakenȱfromȱGottfriedȱvonȱStrassburg,ȱTristan:ȱwithȱtheȱ‘Tristan’ȱofȱThomas, trans.ȱbyȱA.ȱT.ȱHattoȱ(London,ȱNewȱYorkȱetȱal.:ȱPenguin,ȱ1967),ȱwithȱpageȱreferencesȱgivenȱin parenthesesȱ(here,ȱ42).

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

81

Whileȱtheȱcourtlyȱretinueȱseeksȱmerelyȱpleasureȱandȱjoy,ȱGottfriedȱenvisionsȱa new,ȱrevolutionaryȱsocialȱorderȱofȱedeleȱherzenȱ(“nobleȱhearts”),ȱwhoseȱacceptance ofȱ life’sȱ difficultyȱ alongȱ withȱ itsȱ pleasures,ȱ andȱ whoseȱ embracingȱ ofȱ authentic experience,ȱtypifyȱanȱeliteȱgroupȱofȱcognoscenti,ȱwhoȱhaveȱachievedȱaȱmaturityȱand wisdom,ȱandȱcanȱcomprehendȱandȱappreciateȱlife’sȱcomplexities,ȱandȱwhoȱdoȱnot requireȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlawȱtoȱdictateȱtheirȱactions,ȱbutȱratherȱembraceȱitsȱspirit.44 Gottfriedȱwritesȱhisȱpoemȱforȱthisȱworld, diuȱsametȱinȱeimeȱherzenȱtreit irȱsüezeȱsûr,ȱirȱliebezȱleit, irȱherzeliep,ȱirȱsenedeȱnôt, irȱliebezȱleben,ȱirȱleidenȱtôt, irȱliebenȱtôt,ȱirȱleidezȱleben. demȱlebeneȱsîȱmînȱlebenȱergeben, derȱwerltȱwilȱichȱgewerldetȱwesen, mitȱirȱverderbenȱoderȱgenesen.45ȱ [whichȱtogetherȱinȱoneȱheartȱbearsȱitsȱbitterȬsweet,ȱitsȱdearȱsorrow,ȱitsȱheart’sȱjoy,ȱits love’sȱpain,ȱitsȱdearȱlife,ȱitsȱsorrowfulȱdeath,ȱitsȱdearȱdeath,ȱitsȱsorrowfulȱlife.ȱToȱthis lifeȱletȱmyȱlifeȱbeȱgiven,ȱofȱthisȱworldȱletȱmeȱbeȱpart,ȱtoȱbeȱdamnedȱorȱsavedȱwithȱit.46]ȱ

Gottfried’sȱuseȱhereȱofȱchiasmusȱandȱparallelȱstructures,ȱemblematicȱofȱaȱclassical education,ȱ demonstratesȱ thatȱ heȱ isȱ preparingȱ theȱ readerȱ rhetoricallyȱ forȱ the sophisticatedȱdiscourseȱtoȱfollow—perhapsȱannouncingȱtoȱtheȱaudienceȱthatȱan understandingȱofȱtheȱformȱofȱtheȱliteraryȱworkȱwillȱbeȱnecessaryȱforȱaȱthorough appreciationȱofȱitsȱcontent.47ȱ OverȱaȱlargeȱportionȱofȱGottfried’sȱtext,ȱtheȱcourtȱisȱobsessedȱwithȱprovingȱthat TristanȱandȱIsoldeȱareȱcarryingȱonȱanȱaffair,ȱandȱtheȱcourtiers’ȱrepeatedȱattempts toȱuncoverȱevidenceȱreflectsȱaspectsȱofȱwhatȱweȱhaveȱpreviouslyȱtermedȱletterȬofȬ theȬlawȱjustice.ȱEvenȱwhenȱKingȱMarkȱhimselfȱdiscoversȱhisȱwifeȱandȱhisȱnephew lockedȱinȱaȱlovers’ȱembrace,ȱheȱracesȱbackȱtoȱcourtȱinȱorderȱtoȱfetchȱwitnesses,ȱfor itȱisȱwrittenȱthatȱheȱmustȱdoȱsoȱ“alsoȱdazȱlantrehtȱhæte”ȱ(18244;ȱ“inȱaccordance withȱ theȱ lawȱ ofȱ theȱ land”)48—butȱ beforeȱ heȱ canȱ returnȱ withȱ witnesses,ȱ Tristan managesȱtoȱflee.ȱTheȱloversȱevadeȱdetectionȱandȱprosecutionȱforȱaȱlongȱwhile,ȱnot

44

45 46 47

48

Someȱcriticsȱhaveȱelevatedȱthisȱeliteȱgroupȱtoȱhighȱlevelsȱofȱsophistication,ȱevenȱmysticismȱ(e.g., Speckenbach,ȱStudienȱzumȱBegriffȱ“edelezȱherze”,ȱ105–20ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ40]. GottfriedȱvonȱStrassburg,ȱTristan,ȱ59–66ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ42). GottfriedȱvonȱStrassburg,ȱTristan,ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ42ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ43). WhileȱmanyȱcriticsȱhaveȱfoundȱtextualȱevidenceȱofȱGottfried’sȱclassicalȱeducation,ȱtwoȱworksȱhave focusedȱ particularlyȱ onȱ thisȱ theme:ȱ C.ȱ Stephenȱ Jaeger,ȱ Medievalȱ Humanismȱ inȱ Gottfriedȱ von Strassburg’sȱTristanȱundȱIsoldeȱ(Heidelberg:ȱWinter,ȱ1977),ȱandȱWinfriedȱChrist,ȱRhetorikȱundȱRoman: UntersuchungenȱzuȱGottfriedsȱvonȱStrassburgȱ“TristanȱundȱIsold.”ȱDeutscheȱStudien,ȱ31ȱ(Meisenheim amȱGlan:ȱHain,ȱ1977). GottfriedȱvonȱStrassburg,ȱTristanȱ(seeȱnoteȱ42);ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ281ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ43).

82

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

onlyȱ asȱ theȱ resultȱ ofȱ theirȱ discretionȱ andȱ astoundinglyȱ goodȱ fortune,ȱ butȱ also because,ȱ whenȱ itȱ comesȱ toȱ theȱ courtȱ andȱ theȱ law,ȱ theȱ “letter”ȱ canȱ easilyȱ be manipulated.ȱTristanȱandȱIsoldeȱdevelopȱaȱmasteryȱofȱtheȱcourtlyȱdiscourse,ȱthe essential,ȱbasicȱformȱofȱtheȱcourtlyȱcodex,ȱandȱemployȱitȱtoȱinterpretȱpublicallyȱthe “letterȱofȱtheȱlaw”ȱforȱtheȱbenefitȱofȱtheirȱlessȱsophisticatedȱcourtlyȱcolleagues.ȱIn theȱmeantime,ȱtheȱloversȱcultivateȱtheirȱownȱformȱofȱsophisticatedȱcommunication, basedȱ onȱ metaphorȱ andȱ symbol—theȱ “truth”ȱ behindȱ theȱ letter—inȱ orderȱ to continue,ȱundetected,ȱtheirȱsublimeȱbutȱperilousȱrelationship.49ȱMostȱremarkably, theȱloversȱseemȱtoȱbeȱableȱtoȱrelyȱuponȱtheȱcooperation,ȱifȱnotȱtheȱcollusion,ȱof DivineȱProvidence.ȱIfȱweȱconsiderȱtheȱunsuccessfulȱoutcomesȱofȱtheȱnumerous investigations,ȱ trapsȱ andȱ surveillancesȱ toȱ whichȱ theȱ courtȱ subjectsȱ Tristanȱ and Isolde,ȱweȱmightȱevenȱsuspectȱthatȱGodȱstronglyȱsupportsȱtheȱloversȱinȱtheirȱbreak fromȱsterileȱcourtlyȱtraditions.ȱToȱbeȱsure,ȱGottfriedȱmakesȱitȱperfectlyȱclearȱthat, inȱhisȱopinion,ȱtheȱcourtlyȱsystemȱofȱmarriageȬbyȬbetrothalȱnoȱlongerȱenjoysȱGod’s favor,ȱandȱthatȱsomeȱprocessesȱforȱascertainingȱlegalȱproofȱofȱguiltȱorȱinnocence, suchȱasȱtheȱ“ordeal,”ȱrunȱcontraryȱtoȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlaw,ȱbyȱshowingȱtheȱutter futilityȱofȱsuchȱpractices.ȱ Letȱusȱturnȱforȱaȱmomentȱtoȱtheȱsceneȱofȱtheȱordeal,ȱforȱitȱprovidesȱperhapsȱthe clearestȱexampleȱofȱtheȱletterȬofȬtheȬlaw’sȱinferiorityȱtoȱtheȱspirit.ȱTheȱformulaȱof theȱ process50ȱ followsȱ aȱ strictȱ protocol:ȱ theȱ accusedȱ mustȱ makeȱ aȱ statementȱ (a

49

50

WhileȱitȱisȱclearȱthatȱTristanȱisȱinitiallyȱtheȱteacherȱandȱIsoldeȱtheȱpupilȱ(onȱtheȱmodelȱofȱAbelard andȱHeloise—seeȱJosephȱCampbell,ȱTheȱMasksȱofȱGod:ȱCreativeȱMythologyȱ[NewȱYork,ȱLondon, Toronto,ȱ etc.:ȱ Penguin,ȱ 1968],ȱ 54;ȱ Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ “Abaelardsȱ Historiaȱ Calamitatum,ȱ der BriefwechselȱmitȱHeloiseȱundȱGottfriedsȱvonȱStraßburgȱTristan:ȱHistorischȬbiographischeȱund fiktionaleȱ Schicksale.ȱ Eineȱ Untersuchungȱ zurȱ Intertextualitätȱ imȱ zwölftenȱ undȱ dreizehnten Jahrhundert,”ȱ arcadiaȱ 35.2ȱ (2000):ȱ 225–53),ȱ inȱ theȱ processȱ ofȱ learningȱ thisȱ newȱ mediumȱ of communication,ȱIsoldeȱsoonȱsurpassesȱherȱteacherȱnotȱonlyȱinȱherȱlinguisticȱabilities,ȱbutȱalsoȱas theȱ primaryȱ designerȱ andȱ developerȱ ofȱ theirȱ ruses,ȱ whileȱ Tristanȱ growsȱ everȱ lessȱ capableȱ of sophisticatedȱunderstandingȱandȱplanning—aȱpointȱIȱwillȱtakeȱupȱlaterȱinȱthisȱessay;ȱseeȱespecially Classen,ȱVerzweiflungȱundȱHoffnung,ȱ279–358ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ20),ȱwhoȱdevelopsȱaȱtheoreticalȱbackground forȱtheirȱrelationshipȱasȱaȱcommunicativeȱcommunityȱandȱdemonstratesȱinȱdetailȱhowȱGottfried developsȱtheirȱutopianȱlove,ȱnotȱonlyȱasȱeros,ȱbutȱalsoȱasȱlanguage;ȱalsoȱseeȱmyȱessayȱonȱtheȱshift ofȱpowerȱinȱtheȱlovers’ȱrelationshipȱandȱIsolde’sȱnewȱdominantȱposition,ȱ“TheȱBitternessȱofȱLove onȱtheȱSea:ȱIsolde’sȱAmorousȱDiscourseȱViewedȱthroughȱGottfried’sȱCrystallineȱTransparency,” WordsȱofȱLoveȱandȱLoveȱofȱWordsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱRenaissance,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(Tempe, AZ:ȱArizonaȱCenterȱforȱMedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱStudies,ȱ2008),ȱ275–89.ȱ Isolde’sȱtrialȱandȱhowȱitȱmeasuresȱupȱtoȱtheȱjudicialȱstandardsȱofȱtheȱtimeȱareȱexploredȱbyȱVickie L.ȱZiegler,ȱTrialȱbyȱFireȱandȱBattleȱinȱMedievalȱGermanȱLiterature,ȱStudiesȱinȱGermanȱLiterature, LinguisticsȱandȱCultureȱ(Rochester,ȱNewȱYork:ȱCamdenȱHouse,ȱ2004),ȱ114–45;ȱsheȱsuggestsȱ(127) thatȱGottfriedȱnarratesȱsomeȱaspectsȱofȱtheȱtrialȱinȱfarȱgreaterȱdetailȱthanȱothers,ȱwhileȱsomeȱare notȱmentionedȱatȱall,ȱbecauseȱheȱwishesȱtoȱfocusȱhisȱaudience’sȱattentionȱonȱtheȱqueen,ȱor,ȱ“asȱa clericȱhimself,ȱheȱwasȱreluctantȱtoȱgiveȱtheȱliturgyȱaȱprominentȱroleȱinȱaȱprocedureȱofȱwhichȱhe himselfȱseemedȱtoȱbeȱcritical”;ȱseeȱalsoȱErnestȱC.ȱYork,ȱ“EnglishȱLegalȱCustomsȱinȱtheȱMedieval

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

83

“judicialȱoath”ȱutteredȱbeforeȱaȱtribunal—inȱtheȱcaseȱofȱIsolde,ȱitsȱmembersȱare KingȱMarkȱandȱprominentȱcourtiers,ȱwithȱaȱbishopȱpresiding)ȱthatȱdeclaresȱher/his innocence;ȱifȱtheȱtribunalȱagreesȱonȱtheȱacceptabilityȱofȱtheȱstatement,ȱtheȱaccused swearsȱher/hisȱinnocenceȱandȱtakesȱintoȱher/hisȱhandȱanȱironȱobjectȱthatȱhasȱbeen heatedȱinȱfireȱtoȱaȱveryȱhighȱtemperature;ȱher/hisȱinnocenceȱisȱprovenȱifȱtheȱhand remainsȱuninjured,ȱsupposedlyȱsparedȱbyȱdivineȱintercessionȱifȱGodȱhasȱdeemed theȱaccusedȱtoȱbeȱinnocent.ȱIsoldeȱisȱableȱtoȱsecureȱthisȱpositiveȱoutcomeȱforȱherself byȱconcoctingȱanȱevasiveȱoathȱfromȱaȱstringȱofȱhalfȬtruths.ȱ TheȱinscrutableȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱGod’sȱjusticeȱandȱhumanȱinvestigationȱand proofȱcomesȱtoȱexpressionȱespeciallyȱinȱIsolde’sȱtrialȱbyȱhotȱiron:ȱherȱsuccessful (althoughȱ evasive)ȱ oathȱ fulfillingȱ onlyȱ theȱ “letterȱ ofȱ theȱ law”ȱ easilyȱ foolsȱ the membersȱ ofȱ theȱ courtȱ whileȱ stillȱ apparentlyȱ satisfyingȱ God’sȱ will.ȱ Gottfried’s subsequentȱdigressionȱonȱhowȱGod’sȱjudgment,ȱ“wintschaffenȱalseȱeinȱermelȱist” (15736;ȱ“pliantȱasȱaȱwindblownȱsleeve”ȱ[248]),51ȱcannotȱbeȱforcedȱbyȱhumanȱbeings, servesȱasȱbothȱaȱwarningȱagainstȱtheȱpresumptuousȱattemptȱtoȱfathomȱtheȱways ofȱGod52ȱasȱwellȱasȱaȱsuggestionȱthatȱGodȱcondonesȱtheȱamorousȱbehaviorȱofȱthe lovers.53 AlthoughȱGottfried’sȱversionȱofȱtheȱtaleȱbreaksȱoffȱlongȱbeforeȱTristan’sȱmarriage toȱIsoldeȱofȱtheȱWhiteȱHands,ȱtheȱFrenchȱsourceȱGottfriedȱclaimsȱforȱhisȱTristan, ThomasȱofȱBrittany,54ȱprovidesȱanȱinterestingȱvariationȱonȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetween languageȱandȱjustice.ȱTristan’sȱultimateȱfateȱisȱsealedȱwhenȱheȱisȱ“punished”ȱbyȱhis wifeȱforȱhisȱtransgressionsȱagainstȱher,ȱwhichȱincludeȱaȱnumberȱofȱliesȱandȱrefusals toȱ participateȱ fullyȱ inȱ theȱ marriageȱ contract—heȱ hasȱ neverȱ consummatedȱ the marriage!ȱHerȱinsistenceȱthatȱtheȱwhiteȱsailsȱonȱtheȱboat,ȱannouncingȱthatȱIseutȱthe FairȱisȱaboardȱbringingȱhealingȱtoȱherȱmoribundȱloverȱTristan,ȱareȱblackȱ(“Jolsȱsai purȱ veir.ȱ /ȱ Sachezȱ queȱ leȱ sigleȱ estȱ tutȱ neir”ȱ (1755–56;ȱ “Iȱ amȱ entirelyȱ sureȱ of

51 52

53

54

TristanȱLegend,”ȱStudiesȱinȱPhilologyȱ68ȱ(1971):ȱ1–9,ȱwhoȱaccountsȱforȱaȱsignificantȱdeviationȱinȱthe orderȱofȱeventsȱinȱtheȱprocedureȱ(thatȱtheȱoathȱofȱdenialȱoccursȱsoȱlate,ȱgivingȱIsoldeȱmoreȱpower toȱmanipulateȱtheȱwording)ȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱlocalȱculturalȱdifferencesȱ(4–6). GottfriedȱvonȱStrassburg,ȱTristan,ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ42);ȱtrans.ȱHatto,ȱ248ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ43). SeeȱZieglerȱ(seeȱnoteȱ50),ȱwhereȱsheȱcommentsȱonȱGottfried’sȱpassage:ȱ“intellectualȱoppositionȱto theȱordeal,ȱespeciallyȱstrongȱinȱlateȱtwelfthȬcenturyȱParis,ȱcenteredȱonȱitsȱrootsȱinȱsuperstitionȱand theȱattemptȱtoȱmanipulateȱorȱtemptȱGod,ȱprovingȱtheȱfundamentallyȱunorthodoxȱcharacterȱofȱthe ordealȱprocess”ȱ(129). SeeȱH.ȱB.ȱWillson,ȱ“TheȱOldȱandȱtheȱNewȱLawȱinȱGottfried’sȱ‘Tristan,’”ȱModernȱLanguageȱNotesȱ60 (1965):ȱ 212–24;ȱ Willsonȱ suggestsȱ thatȱ theȱ keyȱ toȱ understandingȱ God’sȱ supportȱ isȱ theȱ lovers’ demonstrationȱofȱcompassion—however,ȱthisȱthesisȱbecomesȱcomplicatedȱwhenȱoneȱconsiders Tristanȱ andȱ Isolde’sȱ repeatedȱ hoodwinkingsȱ ofȱ Kingȱ Markȱ (althoughȱ heȱ treatsȱ themȱ most magnanimously)ȱandȱotherȱmembersȱofȱtheȱcourt,ȱandȱespeciallyȱIsolde’sȱnearȱmurderȱofȱherȱladyȬ inȬwaitingȱBrangæneȱ(12696–934). Thomas,ȱLesȱFragmentsȱduȱRomanȱdeȱTristan:ȱPoèmeȱduȱXIIȱsiècle,ȱed.ȱBartinaȱH.ȱWindȱ(Geneva:ȱDroz, 1960).

84

ChristopherȱR.ȱClason

it—knowȱthatȱtheȱsailȱisȱcompletelyȱwhite”—myȱtranslation),55ȱcondemnsȱTristan toȱdeath.ȱThus,ȱthroughȱherȱdissemblance,ȱIseutȱofȱtheȱWhiteȱHandsȱacquiresȱthe roleȱ ofȱ judge,ȱ juryȱ andȱ executionerȱ forȱ theȱ socialȱ orderȱ thatȱ hasȱ sufferedȱ great offenseȱatȱtheȱhandsȱofȱtheȱlovers.ȱ Intriguingly,ȱ sheȱ hasȱ alreadyȱ demonstratedȱ aȱ highȱ levelȱ ofȱ linguistic sophisticationȱ(e.g.,ȱherȱcommentȱregardingȱwaterȱsplashingȱonȱherȱthighȱmaking bolderȱ withȱ herȱ thanȱ herȱ husbandȱ everȱ hadȱ [250–57]),56ȱ andȱ hereȱ sheȱ merely employsȱtheȱsameȱkindȱofȱmetaphoricalȱdiscourseȱtheȱloversȱhaveȱreliedȱuponȱto hideȱ theirȱ relationship.ȱ Whileȱ theȱ signifiedȱ referenceȱ ofȱ herȱ utterance—the sails—areȱactuallyȱnotȱblack,ȱbutȱratherȱwhite,ȱonȱtheȱmetaphoricalȱlevelȱtheyȱmay indeedȱachieveȱblackness.ȱAsȱfarȱasȱIseutȱofȱtheȱWhiteȱHandsȱisȱconcerned,ȱtheir colorȱrepresentsȱtheȱarrivalȱofȱtheȱpersonȱwhoȱwillȱsurelyȱ“blacken”ȱanyȱhopeȱshe mightȱ haveȱ forȱ herȱ husband’sȱ affection,ȱ whileȱ atȱ theȱ sameȱ timeȱ theȱ situation “blackens”ȱherȱheartȱtoȱperformȱsuchȱaȱhatefulȱdeed. Itȱ isȱ importantȱ toȱ noteȱ thatȱ Tristan’sȱ masteryȱ ofȱ languageȱ andȱ hisȱ powersȱ of insightȱ waneȱ significantlyȱ overȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ theȱ work,ȱ especiallyȱ afterȱ his declarationȱofȱlove.ȱSinceȱtheȱmomentȱheȱandȱIsoldeȱreturnedȱfromȱIrelandȱonȱthe wooingȱexpedition,ȱitȱhasȱbeenȱshe,ȱandȱnotȱTristan,ȱwhoȱhasȱfunctionedȱasȱthe primaryȱ plannerȱ ofȱ theirȱ trysts,ȱ plotsȱ andȱ deceptions.ȱ Furthermore,ȱ Tristan’s placingȱ ofȱ theȱ swordȱ betweenȱ himȱ andȱ Isoldeȱ atopȱ theȱ crystallineȱ bedȱ inȱ the minnegrotte,ȱ whileȱ successfullyȱ deceivingȱ Markȱ intoȱ believingȱ theȱ pairȱ was remainingȱchaste,ȱdesecratesȱtheȱmetaphoricallyȱ“pure”ȱenvironmentȱandȱsignifies theirȱreturnȱtoȱcourtȱandȱtheȱendȱofȱtheirȱrelationship.ȱByȱplacingȱtheȱsymbolȱof honorȱ(theȱsword)ȱbetweenȱthemȱonȱtheȱsymbolicȱbedȱofȱlove,57ȱTristanȱhimself assertsȱtheȱprimacyȱofȱhonorȱoverȱlove.ȱItȱisȱperhapsȱtheȱmostȱimportantȱincident inȱ whichȱ theȱ reputedlyȱ consummateȱ loverȱ demonstratesȱ thatȱ heȱ noȱ longer understandsȱtheȱpowerȱofȱmetaphors,ȱandȱthisȱ“crime”ȱagainstȱtheȱpurityȱofȱtheir loveȱonȱmetaphoricalȱlevelȱcondemnsȱitȱtoȱend.ȱThus,ȱatȱtheȱmomentȱofȱTristan’s death,ȱIseutȱofȱtheȱWhiteȱHands’ȱdoubleȬentendreȱcatchesȱhimȱdefenseless,ȱandȱhe mustȱsufferȱtheȱultimateȱ(“capital”)ȱpunishment,ȱanȱexecutionȱforȱcrimesȱagainst love.ȱ Inȱconclusion,ȱtheȱthreeȱworksȱweȱhaveȱbroughtȱunderȱdiscussionȱprovideȱdifferent perspectivesȱonȱtheȱissueȱofȱtheȱletterȱandȱspiritȱofȱlaw.ȱEachȱmemberȱofȱtheȱcourtly

55 56 57

Thomas,ȱLesȱFragmentsȱduȱRomanȱdeȱTristanȱ(seeȱnoteȱ54). Thomas,ȱLesȱFragmentsȱduȱRomanȱdeȱTristanȱ(seeȱnoteȱ54). SeeȱChristopherȱR.ȱClason,ȱ“DeceptionȱinȱtheȱBoudoir:ȱGottfried’sȱ‘Tristan’ȱandȱ‘Lying’ȱinȱBed,” JournalȱofȱEnglishȱandȱGermanicȱPhilologyȱ103ȱ(2004):ȱ277–96,ȱwhereȱIȱclaimȱthatȱ“theȱswordȱ.ȱ.ȱ. representsȱloyaltyȱtoȱone’sȱlord,ȱtheȱfeudalȱobligationȱthatȱTristanȱowesȱtoȱMarkeȱasȱhisȱkingȱ.ȱ.ȱ. TristanȱunwittinglyȱbringsȱtheȱsymbolȱofȱcourtlyȱdutyȱontoȱtheȱveryȱaltarȱofȱtheȱminneȬsacrament [andȱthereby]ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱperformsȱaȱkindȱofȱdesecrationȱofȱtheȱminnegrotte”ȱ(294).

TheȱLaw—LetterȱandȱSpirit

85

communityȱisȱsubjectȱtoȱwhatȱisȱcommandedȱbyȱsocial,ȱpoliticalȱorȱreligiousȱpower, whetherȱitȱcomesȱinȱanȱexplicitȱcodexȱorȱitȱisȱhandedȱdownȱthroughȱoralȱtradition; adherentsȱtoȱtheȱletterȱbecomeȱ“normal”ȱandȱundistinguished.ȱInȱaȱsocietyȱwhere continuityȱ andȱ predictabilityȱ areȱ crucial,ȱ theseȱ qualitiesȱ areȱ perhapsȱ desirous. However,ȱasȱtheȱthreeȱepicȱtalesȱdemonstrate,ȱinȱcasesȱwhereȱtheȱindividualȱis destinedȱforȱhigher,ȱindividual,ȱorȱheroicȱachievements,ȱaȱgreaterȱconsciousness ofȱtheȱspiritȱandȱmeaningȱbehindȱtheȱwrittenȱwordȱisȱrequired.ȱTheȱpathȱfrom immaturityȱtoȱadulthoodȱisȱfraughtȱwithȱdifficulty,ȱbutȱifȱtheȱheroȱisȱtoȱsucceed (s)heȱmustȱconfrontȱitȱandȱevolve—develop,ȱgrow,ȱandȱlearn.ȱHeinrichȱisȱhealed, ParzivalȱbecomesȱGrailȱKing,ȱandȱOrilusȱturnsȱintoȱaȱtrueȱpartnerȱforȱhisȱloving wifeȱbecauseȱtheyȱundergoȱthisȱevolution.ȱTristan’sȱdevolutionȱspellsȱtheȱendȱofȱhis loveȱandȱhisȱlife.ȱInȱeachȱofȱtheseȱcases,ȱtheȱcharacter’sȱabilityȱtoȱinterpretȱtheȱspirit ofȱtheȱlawȱbehindȱtheȱletterȬofȬtheȬlawȱultimatelyȱdecidesȱherȱorȱhisȱsuccessȱor failure.

Chapterȱ4 StaceyȱHahn (OaklandȱUniversity,ȱRochester,ȱMI)

Crime,ȱPunishmentȱandȱtheȱHybridȱinȱMedievalȱFrench Romance:ȱRobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

Theȱ widespreadȱ tendencyȱ toȱ traceȱ one’sȱ lineageȱ orȱ characterȱ toȱ supernatural originsȱorȱinfluencesȱseemsȱaȱconstantȱthroughoutȱmythology,ȱfolklore,ȱreligion andȱhistory.ȱThisȱphenomenonȱmayȱbeȱobservedȱregardingȱAeneas,ȱtheȱfounder ofȱRomeȱandȱancestorȱofȱBrutus,ȱtheȱfirstȱofȱtheȱBritonȱKings,ȱwhoseȱmotherȱwas theȱgoddessȱVenusȱorȱtheȱoffspringȱofȱMélusine,ȱtheȱfairyȱmistressȱandȱfounding motherȱofȱtheȱLusignanȱfamilyȱofȱPoitiers.ȱOtherȱexamplesȱincludeȱSirȱLancelot withȱhisȱlinkȱtoȱtheȱlineageȱofȱtheȱbiblicalȱKingȱDavidȱthroughȱhisȱmotherȱorȱin modernȱtimesȱDanȱBrownȱandȱhisȱattemptȱtoȱconnectȱtheȱlegendȱofȱtheȱHolyȱGrail toȱtheȱsupposedȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱChristȱandȱMaryȱMagdaleneȱthatȱproduced betweenȱ themȱ aȱ humanȱ lineage.ȱ Supernaturalȱ origins,ȱ whetherȱ ofȱ divineȱ or diabolicalȱnature,ȱbringȱwithȱthemȱimmenseȱburdensȱthatȱwreakȱpotentialȱhavoc orȱgraveȱresponsibilitiesȱonȱthoseȱbornȱofȱthem.ȱTheȱburdenȱofȱdiabolicalȱorigins manifestȱinȱtheȱprotagonistsȱofȱmedievalȱromanceȱoftenȱleadsȱtheseȱcharactersȱon theȱ pathȱ toȱ crimeȱ andȱ subsequentȱ punishment.ȱ Nonetheless,ȱ noȱ matterȱ how obscureȱorȱmurkyȱone’sȱorigins,ȱitȱisȱalwaysȱpossibleȱtoȱrepentȱandȱredeemȱoneself, especiallyȱ withinȱ theȱ parametersȱ ofȱ theȱ Christianȱ traditionȱ thatȱ circumscribes medievalȱromance.ȱ Aȱ diabolicalȱ bloodlineȱ or,ȱ asȱ inȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ Robertȱ theȱ Devil,ȱ aȱ conception engineeredȱbyȱaȱdemonȱdoesȱnotȱnecessarilyȱdictateȱaȱtragicȱdestinyȱasȱlongȱasȱthe hybridȱownsȱupȱtoȱhisȱevilȱnature,ȱwhichȱmayȱoccurȱasȱtheȱresultȱofȱselfȬreflection, orȱthroughȱtheȱmiseryȱandȱisolationȱbroughtȱaboutȱbyȱevilȱdeeds.ȱInȱasȱmuchȱasȱthe criminalȱ possessesȱ freeȱ willȱ andȱ hasȱ beenȱ baptized,ȱ hisȱ redemptionȱ isȱ always possible,ȱprovidedȱheȱrepentȱandȱmakeȱrestitution.ȱTheȱjourneyȱtowardȱsalvation isȱaȱslowȱandȱdifficultȱprocess,ȱusuallyȱearnedȱthroughȱselfȬsacrificeȱbyȱcompleting

88

StaceyȱHahn

difficultȱtasksȱthatȱrestoreȱtheȱveryȱsocietyȱorȱindividualsȱwhichȱtheȱmalefactor attemptedȱtoȱdestroy.ȱInȱtheȱbattleȱbetweenȱgoodȱandȱevilȱtheȱhybrid,ȱbecauseȱof hisȱ linkȱ withȱ theȱ supernatural,ȱ playsȱ aȱ moreȱ formidableȱ roleȱ thanȱ hisȱ human counterpartsȱbecauseȱhisȱstrengthsȱandȱweaknessesȱareȱamplifiedȱandȱtherefore haveȱaȱmoreȱdevastatingȱeffectȱonȱtheȱsocialȱfabric.ȱWhenȱtheȱhybridȱchannelsȱhis energyȱinȱaȱpositiveȱway,ȱheȱcanȱaccomplishȱmoreȱthanȱallȱofȱhisȱpeers,ȱandȱbyȱthe sameȱ token,ȱ whenȱ thisȱ energyȱ burstsȱ forthȱ inȱ anȱ angry,ȱ vengefulȱ manner,ȱ his destructionȱisȱvirtuallyȱunstoppable.1ȱ TwoȱmedievalȱFrenchȱromances,ȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱandȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine,ȱare remarkablyȱsimilarȱinȱtheirȱtreatmentȱofȱtheirȱhybridȱmaleȱprotagonists,ȱeachȱone ofȱ whomȱ actsȱ outȱ theȱ markȱ ofȱ hisȱ supernaturalȱ origins,ȱ incurredȱ throughȱ the agencyȱofȱhisȱmother,ȱbyȱwreakingȱhavocȱonȱhallowedȱcommunities.ȱTheȱlivesȱof Robertȱ theȱ Devilȱ andȱ Geoffreyȱ Bigȱ Tooth,ȱ althoughȱ largelyȱ differentȱ inȱ many respectsȱgivenȱtheȱseparateȱgenresȱtoȱwhichȱtheyȱbelong,ȱshareȱmanyȱparallelsȱthat indicateȱthatȱtheȱRobertȱtheȱDevilȱlegendȱmayȱhaveȱplayedȱaȱstrongȱroleȱinȱshaping theȱ Romanȱ deȱ Mélusine.2ȱ Theȱ followingȱ isȱ aȱ listȱ ofȱ episodesȱ thatȱ linkȱ theȱ two protagonists:ȱRobertȱtheȱDevilȱsetsȱfireȱtoȱtheȱabbeyȱofȱArques,ȱincineratingȱallȱthe nunsȱinside,ȱwhileȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth,ȱtheȱmaleȱheroȱofȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine, commitsȱsimilarȱinjuryȱbyȱsettingȱfireȱtoȱtheȱmonasteryȱofȱMaillezais,ȱkillingȱallȱthe monksȱwithin,ȱincludingȱhisȱbrotherȱFromont.ȱ Bothȱrenegadesȱwillȱrepentȱofȱtheirȱactions,ȱredeemȱthemselvesȱbyȱprovingȱtheir worthȱ onȱ theȱ battlefieldȱ andȱ makeȱ aȱ pilgrimageȱ forȱ absolutionȱ toȱ theȱ popeȱ in Rome.ȱGeoffreyȱwillȱseekȱtoȱmakeȱamendsȱbyȱestablishingȱanȱabbeyȱinȱmemoryȱof thoseȱheȱhasȱkilledȱandȱanȱabbeyȱwillȱbeȱconsecratedȱtoȱRobertȱafterȱhisȱdeath.ȱ Neitherȱoneȱwillȱmarryȱorȱbearȱoffspring,ȱthusȱsafelyȱsparingȱhumanityȱtheȱdanger ofȱtheirȱevilȱseeds.3ȱInȱaddition,ȱRobertȱandȱGeoffreyȱareȱaffiliatedȱwithȱimportant medievalȱdynastiesȱbyȱvirtueȱofȱtheirȱnamesȱandȱplaceȱofȱorigin:ȱRobertȱisȱlinked

1

2

3

TheȱsameȱpatternȱisȱevidentȱinȱotherȱmedievalȱworksȱsuchȱasȱtheȱLancelotȬGrailȱCycleȱwhereȱa privilegedȱbloodlineȱguaranteesȱtheȱsuccessȱofȱtheȱheroȱandȱdestinesȱhimȱtoȱaccomplishȱgreat deedsȱasȱwasȱtheȱcaseȱforȱLancelotȱandȱGalahadȱwhoȱcanȱtraceȱtheirȱheritageȱbackȱtoȱtheȱBiblical KingȱDavidȱthroughȱLancelot’sȱmother.ȱForȱtheȱLancelotȬGrailȱCycle,ȱseeȱLancelot:ȱromanȱenȱprose duȱXIIIeȱsiècle.ȱed.ȱAlexandreȱMicha.ȱ9ȱvols.ȱ(GenevaȱandȱParis:ȱDroz,ȱ1978–1983);ȱLaȱQuesteȱdel SaintȱGraal:ȱromanȱduȱXIIIeȱsiècle.ȱed.ȱAlbertȱPauphiletȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ1978);ȱandȱLaȱMortȱleȱroi Artu:ȱromanȱduȱXIIIeȱsiècle.ȱed.ȱJeanȱFrappierȱ(Geneva:ȱDroz,ȱ1996).ȱAnotherȱexampleȱisȱtheȱtwelfthȬ centuryȱRomanȱd’Enéas,ȱaȱmedievalȱadaptationȱofȱVirgil’sȱAeneid,ȱwhereȱtheȱheroȱisȱpredestinedȱby divineȱwillȱandȱhisȱlineageȱtoȱsucceedȱinȱfoundingȱaȱnewȱTroyȱinȱItaly.ȱLeȱRomanȱd’Enéas.ȱed.ȱAimé Petitȱ(Paris:ȱLibrairieȱGénéraleȱFrançaise,ȱ1997).ȱ Althoughȱbothȱworksȱareȱromances,ȱRobertȱleȱdiableȱhasȱstrongerȱhagiographicalȱovertonesȱwhile theȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱfocusesȱmoreȱstronglyȱonȱdynasticȱissues. Inȱlaterȱversionsȱofȱtheȱlegend,ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱDitȱdeȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱ(earlyȱfourteenthȱcentury), Robertȱmarriesȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughterȱandȱbecomesȱaȱfatherȱratherȱthanȱliveȱoutȱtheȱrestȱofȱhis lifeȱasȱaȱhermit.ȱ

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

89

toȱtheȱdukesȱofȱNormandy,ȱaȱdynastyȱlocatedȱinȱNorthernȱFranceȱwhileȱGeoffrey descendsȱfromȱtheȱLusignanȱfamilyȱofȱPoitiersȱinȱSouthwesternȱFrance.ȱ BecauseȱthereȱexistsȱsoȱmanyȱsimilaritiesȱbetweenȱtheȱRobertȱtheȱDevilȱlegend andȱlaterȱromancesȱbothȱinȱEnglishȱandȱinȱFrench,ȱwhichȱappearȱtoȱhaveȱbeen directlyȱorȱindirectlyȱinspiredȱbyȱRobertȱtheȱDevil,ȱcriticsȱsuchȱasȱAndreaȱHopkins andȱJaneȱGilbertȱhaveȱidentifiedȱtheseȱworksȱasȱbelongingȱtoȱaȱdistinctiveȱliterary subȱgenre,ȱtheȱpenitentialȱromance.ȱTheseȱromances,ȱwhichȱdealȱwithȱ“unnatural mothersȱandȱtheirȱmonstrousȱoffspring”ȱhaveȱmanyȱcommonalitiesȱsuchȱasȱhybrid sons,ȱsecrecyȱregardingȱtheȱidentityȱofȱaȱfatherȱfigureȱandȱaȱquestȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱthe sonȱtoȱseekȱtheȱnatureȱofȱhisȱpaternalȱorigins.4ȱ Inȱaddition,ȱtheȱmonstrousȱchildrenȱcommitȱheinousȱcrimesȱsuchȱasȱmurderȱand theȱ desecrationȱ ofȱ monasteriesȱ orȱ convents,ȱ yetȱ despiteȱ theirȱ evilȱ deeds,ȱ they manageȱtoȱredeemȱthemselvesȱthroughȱactsȱofȱpenance,ȱwhichȱmightȱinvolveȱbattle againstȱtheȱinfidelȱasȱproofȱofȱaȱChristianȱconversion,ȱtheȱconstructionȱofȱreligious sites,ȱ orȱ aȱ pilgrimageȱ toȱ seekȱ absolutionȱ fromȱ theȱ popeȱ inȱ Rome.ȱ Manyȱ ofȱ the curiousȱanomaliesȱinȱJeanȱd’Arras’sȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱmakeȱsenseȱwhenȱviewed inȱlightȱofȱthisȱgenre.ȱInȱherȱstudyȱofȱMiddleȱEnglishȱpenitentialȱromancesȱAndrea Hopkinsȱstatesȱinȱherȱprefaceȱthatȱtheseȱromancesȱ(GuyȱofȱWarwick,ȱSirȱYsumbras, SirȱGowther,ȱandȱRoberdȱofȱCisyle)ȱ“concernȱthemselvesȱwithȱtheȱsin,ȱrepentance, andȱatonementȱofȱtheirȱheroes.ȱDespiteȱbeingȱfewȱinȱnumberȱtheyȱformȱaȱcoherent andȱdistinctiveȱgroupȱandȱhaveȱneverȱpreviouslyȱbeenȱstudiedȱinȱassociationȱwith eachȱother.ȱTheȱmainȱpointȱtoȱemergeȱfromȱtheȱstudyȱisȱthatȱinȱthisȱcloselyȱrelated groupȱofȱtexts,ȱtheȱkindȱofȱpenanceȱexperiencedȱbyȱtheȱheroesȱandȱitsȱtreatmentȱby theȱauthorsȱreflectsȱarchaicȱtraditionsȱandȱviewsȱatȱvarianceȱwithȱtheȱcontemporary teachingȱandȱpracticeȱofȱtheȱChurch,ȱandȱthatȱthisȱsurprisingȱdepartureȱisȱlargely determinedȱbyȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱkindȱofȱliteratureȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱpoemȱbelongsȱ– romance.”5ȱ Theȱpenitentialȱromance,ȱthen,ȱcombinesȱelementsȱofȱromanceȱwithȱhagiography suchȱ thatȱ theȱ protagonistȱ movesȱ fromȱ theȱ secularȱ worldȱ ofȱ tournaments,ȱ sex, violenceȱandȱsinȱtoȱaȱrejectionȱofȱtheseȱvaluesȱthroughȱpenanceȱandȱaȱmovement towardȱaȱlifestyleȱgroundedȱonȱaestheticȱprinciplesȱmoreȱinȱtuneȱwithȱChristian notionsȱ ofȱ redemption.ȱ Theseȱ notionsȱ ofȱ redemption,ȱ however,ȱ doȱ notȱ always reflectȱ contemporaryȱ religiousȱ practices,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ functionȱ onȱ aȱ levelȱ that correspondsȱmoreȱcloselyȱtoȱfolkloreȱandȱmyth.ȱTheȱgenerallyȱacceptedȱsourceȱfor

4

5

JaneȱGilbert,ȱ“UnnaturalȱMothersȱandȱMonstrousȱChildrenȱinȱTheȱKingȱofȱTarsȱandȱSirȱGowther,” MedievalȱWomen:ȱTextsȱandȱContextsȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱBritain:ȱEssaysȱforȱFelicityȱRiddy,ȱed.ȱJocelyn WoganȬBrowne,ȱRosalynnȱVoaden,ȱArlynȱDiamond,ȱAnnȱHutchison,ȱandȱCarolȱMealeȱ(Turnhout, Belgium:ȱBrepols,ȱ2000),ȱ329–44. Andreaȱ Hopkins,ȱ Theȱ Sinfulȱ Knights:ȱ Aȱ Studyȱ ofȱ Middleȱ Englishȱ Penitentialȱ Romanceȱ (Oxford: ClarendonȱPress,ȱ1990),ȱPreface.ȱ

90

StaceyȱHahn

thisȱuniqueȱgenreȱthatȱbecameȱincreasinglyȱpopularȱthroughoutȱtheȱcourseȱofȱthe MiddleȱAgesȱandȱevenȱintoȱtheȱtwentiethȱcenturyȱisȱtheȱlegendȱofȱRobertȱleȱDiable whichȱ existsȱ inȱ twoȱ verseȱ manuscripts,ȱ oneȱ datingȱ fromȱ theȱ latterȱ halfȱ ofȱ the thirteenthȱcenturyȱ(BNȱfr.ȱ25516),ȱreferredȱtoȱasȱmanuscriptȱA,ȱandȱtheȱotherȱfrom theȱlateȱfourteenthȱorȱearlyȱfifteenthȱcenturyȱ(BNȱfr.ȱ24405),ȱmanuscriptȱB.ȱ Theȱenormouslyȱpopularȱlegendȱwasȱtranslatedȱintoȱseveralȱlanguagesȱandȱexists inȱverseȱandȱproseȱromance,ȱconte,ȱdit,ȱexemplum,ȱandȱmiracleȱplay.ȱ6ȱTheȱlegendȱhas alsoȱ beenȱ amplifiedȱ andȱ secularizedȱ withȱ theȱ passageȱ ofȱ timeȱ soȱ thatȱ inȱ later versionsȱtheȱfigureȱofȱRobertȱendsȱupȱmarryingȱandȱfatheringȱchildrenȱratherȱthan rejectȱmarriageȱinȱorderȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱsaintlyȱhermit.ȱTheȱgenreȱwasȱparticularly successfulȱinȱEnglandȱwhereȱtheȱfigureȱofȱRobertȱevolvesȱintoȱEnglish,ȱsecularized heroesȱwhoȱtakeȱonȱvariousȱnamesȱandȱguisesȱasȱinȱtheȱheroesȱofȱtheȱromances mentionedȱaboveȱstudiedȱbyȱAndreaȱHopkins:ȱGuyȱofȱWarwick,ȱSirȱYsumbras,ȱSir Gowtherȱ andȱ Roberdȱ ofȱ Cisyle.ȱ Aȱ comparisonȱ ofȱ theȱ developmentȱ ofȱ these romancesȱinȱbothȱFrenchȱandȱ Englishȱmightȱbeȱfruitfulȱinȱthatȱthereȱareȱmany similaritiesȱbetweenȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth,ȱSirȱGowtherȱandȱGuyȱofȱWarwick.7ȱAs mightȱ beȱ expected,ȱ manyȱ themesȱ inȱ theȱ earlyȱ Robertȱ theȱ Devilȱ taleȱ become amplified,ȱrationalized,ȱandȱmoreȱfullyȱexaminedȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine,ȱjustȱas theyȱhaveȱinȱtheȱEnglishȱromancesȱderivedȱfromȱtheȱlegend.ȱ InȱthisȱpaperȱIȱwillȱreferȱtoȱtheȱlaterȱeditionȱofȱtheȱverseȱRobertȱleȱdiableȱbasedȱon manuscriptȱBȱandȱeditedȱbyȱElisabethȱGaucher.ȱIȱhaveȱchosenȱtheȱlatterȱmanuscript toȱbeȱtheȱobjectȱofȱmyȱcomparisonȱsinceȱmanuscriptȱBȱelaboratesȱmoreȱfullyȱonȱthe psychologyȱofȱRobert’sȱevilȱdeedsȱandȱcontrition.8ȱItȱisȱalsoȱmoreȱapproximateȱin

6

7

8

ForȱaȱthoroughȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱentireȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱcorpus,ȱseeȱElisabethȱGaucher,ȱRobertȱleȱDiable: Histoireȱ d’uneȱ légendeȱ (Paris:ȱ Champion,ȱ 2003).ȱ Forȱ aȱ detailedȱ analysisȱ ofȱ theȱ twoȱ verse manuscripts,ȱ21–97.ȱForȱaȱcomparisonȱofȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱwithȱleȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine,ȱ175–77.ȱAndrea HopkinsȱalsoȱcomparesȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱtoȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱinȱTheȱSinfulȱKnights:ȱ201–02ȱ(see noteȱ5).ȱȱLiseȱAndriesȱcomparesȱrewritingsȱofȱRobertȱtheȱDevilȱinȱ“LaȱBibliothèqueȱbleue:ȱLes réécrituresȱdeȱRobertȱleȱDiable,“Littératureȱ30ȱ(1978):ȱ51Ȭ66.ȱ ForȱaȱcomparisonȱbetweenȱRobertȱandȱSirȱGowther,ȱseeȱDorothyȱS.ȱMcCoy,ȱ“FromȱCelibacyȱto Sexuality:ȱAnȱExaminationȱofȱSomeȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱRenaissanceȱVersionsȱofȱtheȱStoryȱof Robertȱ theȱ Devil,”ȱ Humanȱ Sexualityȱ inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ Renaissance,ȱ ed.ȱ Douglasȱ RadcliffȬ Umstead.ȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Pittsburghȱ Publicationsȱ onȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ Renaissance,ȱ 4 (Pittsburgh:ȱCenterȱforȱMedievalȱ&ȱRenaissanceȱStudies,ȱUniversityȱofȱPittsburgh,ȱ1978),ȱ29Ȭ39.ȱSee also,ȱShirleyȱMarchalonis,ȱ“SirȱGowther:ȱTheȱProcessȱofȱaȱRomance,”ȱChaucerȱReview:ȱAȱJournalȱof MedievalȱStudiesȱandȱLiteraryȱCriticismȱ6.1ȱ(1971):ȱ14Ȭ29.ȱȱ Allȱ referencesȱ toȱ Robertȱ leȱ Diableȱ areȱ fromȱ Elisabethȱ Gaucher’sȱ editionȱ basedȱ onȱ theȱ later manuscriptȱB.ȱRobertȱleȱDiable,ȱed.ȱElisabethȱGaucherȱȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ2006).ȱForȱmanuscriptȱA, seeȱE.ȱLösethȱ(ed.),ȱRobertȱleȱDiable:ȱRomanȱd’aventuresȱ(1903;ȱNewȱYork:ȱJohnson,ȱ1968).ȱForȱa comparisonȱ ofȱ iconographicȱ imagesȱ inȱ theȱ twoȱ manuscripts,ȱ seeȱ Meredithȱ T.ȱ McMunn,ȱ “The IconographyȱofȱRobertȱleȱDiableȱandȱtheȱIllustrationȱofȱMedievalȱRomance,”ȱRomanceȱLanguages Annualȱ2ȱ(1990):ȱ141Ȭ45.ȱSeeȱalsoȱCorinneȱCooperȬDeniau,ȱ“LeȱDiableȱauȱMoyenȬAge,ȱentreȱpeur

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

91

dateȱandȱspiritȱtoȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱwhichȱexistsȱinȱtwoȱmanuscriptsȱasȱwell, oneȱwrittenȱinȱproseȱbyȱJeanȱd’Arrasȱ(caȱ1393)ȱandȱanotherȱinȱverseȱbyȱCoudrette (caȱ1401).ȱIȱwillȱfocusȱonȱJeanȱd’Arras’sȱMélusineȱbecauseȱofȱitsȱemphasisȱonȱthe psychologyȱofȱitsȱprotagonistsȱandȱbecauseȱelementsȱofȱitsȱplotȱareȱmoreȱclosely alignedȱwithȱthoseȱinȱRobertȱleȱDiable.9ȱȱ AlthoughȱIȱuseȱtheȱwordȱhybridȱtoȱcharacterizeȱbothȱRobertȱandȱGeoffrey,ȱthere areȱsomeȱsubtleȱdistinctionsȱtoȱbeȱmadeȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱtheirȱbiologicalȱmakeup. GeoffreyȱBigȱToothȱisȱaȱtrueȱhybridȱinȱthatȱheȱisȱtheȱoffspringȱofȱhisȱfairyȱmistress motherȱMélusineȱandȱherȱmortalȱhusbandȱRaymondin.ȱMélusineȱisȱherselfȱthe hybridȱoffspringȱofȱherȱhumanȱfatherȱElinasȱofȱScotlandȱandȱherȱfairyȱmistress motherȱPrésine.ȱGeoffreyȱisȱinȱessenceȱaȱhybridȱtwiceȱremoved—aȱhybridȱofȱa hybrid—inȱthatȱtheȱoriginsȱofȱhisȱsupernaturalȱfairyȱbloodlineȱderiveȱnotȱsolely fromȱhisȱmotherȱbutȱfromȱhisȱgrandmother,ȱbothȱofȱwhomȱmarriedȱmortalȱmen andȱ whoȱ withȱ theseȱ menȱ gaveȱ birthȱ toȱ humanȱ offspring.ȱ Oneȱ mayȱ observeȱ a diminutionȱofȱfairyȱbloodȱandȱitsȱpotencyȱacrossȱtheȱgenerationsȱasȱitȱbecomes dilutedȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱinterbreedingȱwithȱhumankind.ȱPrésineȱpossessesȱtheȱability toȱcastȱdisparateȱspellsȱonȱeachȱofȱherȱthreeȱdaughtersȱasȱpunishmentȱforȱtheir havingȱ enclosedȱ theirȱ fatherȱ withinȱ theȱ mountainȱ ofȱ Brumbloremlionȱ in Northumberland.ȱAsȱaȱresultȱofȱherȱmother’sȱspellȱMélusine’sȱbodyȱisȱforcedȱto shiftȱshapeȱintoȱserpentineȱformȱfromȱtheȱwaistȱdownȱonȱSaturdays.ȱTheȱspellȱmay beȱliftedȱifȱMélusineȱmarriesȱaȱmortalȱwhoȱpromisesȱneverȱtoȱseeȱherȱonȱSaturday. Ifȱsuchȱaȱmanȱkeepsȱhisȱpromise,ȱMélusine’sȱbodyȱwillȱrevertȱtoȱhumanȱform,ȱthus allowingȱherȱtoȱdieȱtheȱdeathȱofȱaȱmortalȱwomanȱandȱhenceȱbeȱredeemed.ȱIfȱheȱfails toȱkeepȱhisȱword,ȱMélusineȱwillȱbeȱbanishedȱfromȱhumanȱsocietyȱandȱforcedȱto takeȱonȱpermanentlyȱherȱserpentȱformȱuntilȱJudgmentȱDay.10 Inȱcontrastȱtoȱherȱmother,ȱMélusine’sȱpowersȱseemȱtoȱbeȱlessȱpotentȱasȱtheȱfairy portionȱ ofȱ theȱ bloodlineȱ withȱ itsȱ supernaturalȱ giftsȱ isȱ dilutedȱ through intermarriageȱwithȱhumankind.ȱMélusineȱsharesȱwithȱherȱmotherȱtheȱabilityȱto predictȱtheȱfutureȱandȱsecretȱknowledgeȱofȱancestralȱorigins.ȱHerȱknowledgeȱof Raymondin’sȱ ancestryȱ propelsȱ herȱ toȱ urgeȱ himȱ toȱ recoverȱ landsȱ wrested unlawfullyȱ fromȱ hisȱ father,ȱ Hervy.ȱ Herȱ fairyȱ natureȱ alsoȱ endowsȱ herȱ withȱ an enhancedȱcapacityȱforȱfertility,ȱtheȱabilityȱtoȱconstructȱcastlesȱatȱrecordȱspeedȱand miraculouslyȱconjureȱupȱlandȱfromȱtheȱdimensionsȱofȱaȱstag’sȱhide.ȱTheȱremaining vestigesȱ ofȱ fairyȱ natureȱ inȱ Mélusine’sȱ childrenȱ resideȱ inȱ theȱ physicalȱ taresȱ or

9

10

etȱangoisse:ȱLeȱMotifȱdeȱ‘l’enfantȱvouéȱauȱdiable’ȱetȱlaȱlégendeȱdeȱRobertȱleȱDiable,”ȱTravauxȱde Littératureȱ16ȱ(2003):ȱ27–45.ȱȱ AllȱreferencesȱtoȱJeanȱd’Arras’sȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱareȱbasedȱonȱtheȱfollowingȱedition:ȱJean d’Arras,ȱMélusineȱouȱlaȱnobleȱhistoireȱdeȱLusignan.ȱed.,ȱintro.ȱandȱtrans.ȱJeanȬJacquesȱVincensini (Paris:ȱLibrairieȱGénéraleȱFrançaise,ȱ2003). Cf.ȱDorothyȱYamamoto,ȱTheȱBoundariesȱofȱtheȱHumanȱinȱMedievalȱEnglishȱLiteratureȱ(Oxford:ȱOxford UniversityȱPress,ȱ2000).

92

StaceyȱHahn

motherȱmarksȱbornȱonȱtheȱfacesȱofȱeightȱofȱherȱtenȱsons,ȱtheȱlatterȱsonsȱRaymonnet andȱThierryȱbeingȱphysicallyȱnormalȱasȱMélusine’sȱfairyȱnatureȱbecomesȱdiluted throughoutȱtheȱcourseȱofȱherȱmarriage.ȱ UnlikeȱGeoffrey,ȱRobertȱisȱnotȱtechnicallyȱaȱhybridȱbecauseȱtheȱdevilȱdidȱnotȱsire himȱthroughȱsexualȱrelationsȱwithȱhisȱmotherȱtheȱDuchessȱofȱNormandy,ȱrather Robert’sȱmotherȱmadeȱaȱpactȱwithȱtheȱdevilȱtoȱfacilitateȱhisȱconceptionȱthrough normalȱconjugalȱmeansȱwithȱtheȱcaveatȱthatȱherȱhumanȱoffspringȱbeȱconsecrated toȱtheȱdevil’sȱevilȱintent.ȱWhereasȱMélusineȱisȱfecund,ȱhavingȱgivenȱbirthȱtoȱten sons,ȱ Robert’sȱ motherȱ hasȱ beenȱ unableȱ toȱ conceiveȱ afterȱ seventeenȱ yearsȱ of marriage.ȱFeelingȱhumiliatedȱforȱherȱinabilityȱtoȱconceiveȱwhenȱwomenȱofȱlesser rankȱbearȱchildren,ȱtheȱduchessȱaccusesȱGod,ȱclaimingȱheȱlacksȱtheȱpowerȱtoȱgive herȱ aȱ child.ȱ Sinceȱ fertilityȱ wasȱ oftenȱ viewedȱ asȱ anȱ actȱ ofȱ divineȱ graceȱ andȱ its opposite,ȱ theȱ inabilityȱ toȱ conceive,ȱ aȱ signȱ ofȱ God’sȱ displeasure,ȱ theȱ duchess commitsȱaȱgraveȱerrorȱinȱattributingȱherȱbarrennessȱtoȱGodȱratherȱthanȱtoȱherȱown unworthiness.ȱSheȱthenȱaddressesȱtheȱdevil,ȱtellingȱhimȱthatȱsheȱwillȱhenceforth directȱherȱprayersȱtoȱhimȱifȱheȱhelpsȱherȱproduceȱanȱheir.ȱShortlyȱthereafter,ȱher husband,ȱtheȱDukeȱofȱNormandy,ȱliesȱwithȱherȱandȱsheȱconceivesȱaȱchildȱthatȱwill beȱconsecratedȱtoȱevil.ȱRobertȱisȱtheȱscionȱofȱtheȱdevilȱinȱmuchȱtheȱsameȱwayȱthat SaintȱAlexisȱbecomesȱaȱholyȱman:ȱaȱsupernaturalȱbeingȱfacilitatesȱtheȱbirthȱofȱa childȱbutȱinȱreturnȱtheȱchildȱwillȱserveȱinȱsomeȱwayȱtheȱfacilitatorȱofȱitsȱbeing.ȱIn thisȱcaseȱtheȱtieȱbetweenȱRobertȱandȱtheȱdevilȱisȱcontractualȱratherȱthanȱbiological, althoughȱRobert’sȱdistinctivelyȱtallȱandȱphysicallyȱstrongȱbodyȱtypeȱimpliesȱhis affinityȱwithȱtheȱsupernatural.ȱIfȱnotȱgeneticallyȱtheȱdevil’sȱsonȱinȱbody,ȱRobertȱwill certainlyȱplayȱthatȱroleȱinȱspirit. Asȱhybrids,ȱinȱtheȱsenseȱthatȱRobertȱandȱGeoffreyȱexhibitȱextraordinaryȱphysical andȱbehavioralȱanomaliesȱtypicallyȱlinkedȱwithȱsupernaturalȱagents,ȱtheirȱbodies areȱ characterizedȱ byȱ gigantism,ȱ whichȱ inȱ medievalȱ romanceȱ oftenȱ signifies demonicȱoriginsȱandȱnegativeȱhumanȱfailingsȱsuchȱasȱcruelty,ȱsavageȱstrength, anger,ȱprideȱandȱlust.ȱȱRobert’sȱbehaviorȱisȱdiabolicalȱfromȱbirthȱasȱheȱscratches, kicks,ȱ wails,ȱ andȱ tormentsȱ hisȱ caretakers.ȱ Heȱ bitesȱ theȱ breastsȱ ofȱ hisȱ nursesȱ so viciouslyȱ thatȱ theyȱ mustȱ useȱ aȱ hornȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ feedȱ him.ȱ Heȱ wreaksȱ havoc whereverȱheȱgoes,ȱstrikingȱandȱkillingȱanyoneȱwhoȱgetsȱinȱhisȱway.ȱRobertȱgrows moreȱinȱoneȱyearȱthanȱmostȱchildrenȱgrowȱinȱsevenȱandȱatȱageȱtwentyȱheȱstands tallerȱandȱisȱstrongerȱthanȱanyȱofȱhisȱpeers.ȱRobertȱdevelopsȱaȱparticularȱhatredȱfor membersȱofȱtheȱclergyȱandȱhisȱviolenceȱagainstȱtheȱChurchȱbecomesȱsoȱegregious thatȱtheȱpopeȱexcommunicatesȱhim.ȱBanishedȱfromȱhomeȱbyȱhisȱparentsȱRobert joinsȱupȱwithȱbandits,ȱterrorizingȱallȱwhoȱcomeȱintoȱcontactȱwithȱhim.ȱLikeȱRobert, Geoffreyȱ isȱ describedȱ asȱ tallȱ andȱ muscular,ȱ aȱ manȱ ofȱ extraordinaryȱ strength, boldnessȱandȱferocityȱinȱbattle.ȱGeoffrey,ȱhowever,ȱisȱaȱtamerȱimageȱofȱRobert.ȱHe doesȱnotȱuseȱhisȱextraordinaryȱheightȱorȱstrengthȱforȱevilȱpurposesȱuntilȱratherȱlate inȱtheȱromanceȱwhenȱhisȱviolenceȱeruptsȱunexpectedlyȱagainstȱfamilyȱmembers.

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

93

TheȱemblemȱofȱGeoffrey’sȱdestructiveȱangerȱliesȱinȱhisȱmotherȱmark,ȱtheȱboar’s toothȱthatȱjutsȱoutȱofȱhisȱmouthȱandȱservesȱasȱaȱreminderȱofȱtheȱboarȱhuntȱthatȱled toȱhisȱfather’sȱbanishmentȱandȱunionȱwithȱMélusine.ȱ Theȱfulcrumȱandȱturningȱpointȱofȱeachȱromanceȱconcernsȱtheȱdestructionȱofȱan abbeyȱwhichȱisȱconsumedȱbyȱfireȱalongȱwithȱallȱofȱitsȱinhabitants.ȱThisȱeventȱserves asȱaȱcatalystȱthatȱprovokesȱaȱcrisisȱofȱconscience,ȱwhichȱforcesȱtheȱmalefactorȱto realizeȱ theȱ egregiousȱ natureȱ ofȱ hisȱ crime,ȱ thusȱ drivingȱ himȱ toȱ seekȱ penance. Robert’sȱdestructionȱofȱtheȱAbbeyȱofȱArquesȱstemsȱfromȱanȱinnate,ȱnaturalȱhatred forȱtheȱclergyȱsinceȱasȱaȱscionȱofȱtheȱdevilȱheȱisȱnaturallyȱinclinedȱtoȱhateȱallȱthings relatingȱtoȱGod.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱrealizationȱofȱtheȱnegativeȱimpactȱofȱthisȱcrimeȱhits homeȱwhenȱheȱreturnsȱtoȱtheȱcityȱofȱArquesȱafterȱhavingȱdestroyedȱtheȱabbeyȱand findsȱnoȱoneȱtoȱtakeȱhisȱhorse.ȱRobertȱbecomesȱpensive,ȱwonderingȱwhyȱeveryone runsȱfromȱhimȱinȱfearȱandȱwhyȱhisȱeveryȱattemptȱatȱdoingȱgoodȱalwaysȱresultsȱin evil.ȱInȱRutebeuf’sȱMiracleȱdeȱThéophileȱ(caȱ1260)ȱaȱsimilarȱsenseȱofȱalienation,ȱof beingȱseparatedȱfromȱhumankindȱdueȱtoȱevilȱintent,ȱalsoȱmovesȱThéophileȱtoȱseek redemptionȱthroughȱtheȱgraceȱofȱtheȱVirginȱMary.ȱNeitherȱThéophile’sȱrichesȱnor Robert’sȱgleeȱinȱsheerȱdestructionȱresultȱinȱanyȱlongȱlastingȱsenseȱofȱselfȱfulfillment sinceȱhumanȱhappinessȱreliesȱonȱcommunionȱwithȱothersȱandȱselfishȱactsȱalways diminishȱone’sȱrelationsȱwithȱothers.ȱThereȱisȱnoȱgreaterȱsourceȱofȱterrorȱthanȱthat ofȱbeingȱentirelyȱalone.ȱȱ InȱcontrastȱtoȱRobert,ȱupȱuntilȱtheȱburningȱofȱtheȱAbbeyȱofȱMaillezais,ȱwhen Geoffreyȱ killedȱ hisȱ brotherȱ Fromontȱ andȱ allȱ ofȱ theȱ monksȱ within,ȱ Geoffrey’s behaviorȱhadȱbeenȱwhollyȱexemplary.ȱHeȱexhibitedȱnothingȱbutȱloveȱandȱcharity towardȱhisȱbrothers,ȱevenȱgoingȱsoȱfarȱasȱtoȱriskȱlifeȱandȱlimbȱdefendingȱthemȱin variousȱ militaryȱ campaigns.ȱ Withȱ theȱ exceptionȱ ofȱ thisȱ misadventureȱ sibling rivalryȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱwhollyȱabsentȱfromȱthisȱromanceȱasȱevidencedȱbyȱGuyȱand Urienȱ whoȱ areȱ theȱ firstȱ ofȱ Mélusine’sȱ sonsȱ toȱ embarkȱ onȱ adventureȱ withȱ the expressȱintentȱofȱavoidingȱpossibleȱbrotherlyȱconflictȱoverȱinheritanceȱbyȱseeking landsȱ andȱ empireȱ overseas.ȱ Thusȱ far,ȱ Geoffreyȱ hasȱ followedȱ inȱ hisȱ father’s footstepsȱbyȱreclaimingȱancestralȱlandsȱinȱIrelandȱjustȱasȱRaymondin,ȱinspiredȱby Mélusine,ȱreclaimedȱtheȱlandsȱlostȱtoȱHervy,ȱhisȱfatherȱinȱBrittany.ȱDuringȱthis exploitȱ Geoffreyȱ actsȱ compassionatelyȱ towardȱ theȱ Ladyȱ ofȱ Valbruiyant,ȱ a resourcefulȱandȱcleverȱmotherȱresemblingȱMélusineȱwhoȱmanagesȱtoȱsmoothȱover herȱhusband’sȱtreasonȱwhichȱGeoffreyȱseemsȱtoȱoverlook.ȱGeoffreyȱthenȱtravelsȱto theȱHolyȱLandȱinȱtheȱnameȱofȱChristendomȱtoȱdefendȱhisȱbrothersȱGuyȱandȱUrien againstȱSaracenȱattack.ȱ NotȱonlyȱdoesȱGeoffreyȱproveȱhimselfȱtoȱbeȱtheȱmostȱheroicȱwarriorȱamongȱhis brothers,ȱheȱmanagesȱtoȱmakeȱpeaceȱwithȱoneȱofȱChristendom’sȱfiercestȱenemies, theȱ Sultanȱ ofȱ Damascus.ȱ Geoffreyȱ isȱ alsoȱ theȱ onlyȱ Lusignanȱ toȱ battleȱ against supernaturalȱfoes,ȱasȱembodiedȱinȱtheȱgiantȱGardon,ȱwhoȱpillagesȱandȱterrorizes hisȱfather’sȱsubjectsȱandȱfinallyȱagainstȱGrimaut,ȱGardon’sȱuncle.ȱByȱdefeatingȱthis

94

StaceyȱHahn

giantȱGeoffreyȱactsȱforȱtheȱcollectiveȱgood,ȱbringingȱpeace,ȱlawȱandȱorderȱtoȱhis father’sȱkingdom.ȱAsȱRupertȱPickensȱobservesȱ“AlthoughȱGeoffreyȱisȱfoolhardy andȱoftenȱcallous,ȱnothingȱinȱhisȱcharacterȱandȱnothingȱinȱJean’sȱplot—notȱany formȱofȱantimonasticism,ȱnotȱaȱhintȱofȱhatredȱforȱhisȱbrother—anticipatesȱsuchȱan effusionȱofȱcruelty”.11ȱWhileȱitȱisȱtrueȱthatȱthereȱdidȱexistȱanȱhistoricalȱGeoffreyȱof LusignanȱwhoȱsetȱfireȱtoȱtheȱAbbeyȱofȱMaillezaisȱinȱ1323,ȱtheȱsuddenȱintrusionȱof thisȱactȱofȱviolenceȱseemsȱutterlyȱgratuitousȱandȱoutȱofȱcharacterȱgivenȱGeoffrey’s behaviorȱinȱtheȱromanceȱthusȱfar,ȱunlessȱitȱisȱunderstoodȱwithinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱthe penitentialȱ romance,ȱ whereȱ actsȱ ofȱ violenceȱ areȱ endemicȱ toȱ offspringȱ of supernaturalȱoriginsȱandȱmayȱcropȱupȱunexpectedly. OneȱmightȱunderstandȱwhyȱGeoffreyȱattacksȱhisȱpaternalȱuncle,ȱtheȱCountȱof Forest,ȱinȱrevengeȱagainstȱhisȱaccusationsȱagainstȱMélusine,ȱwhichȱledȱRaymondin toȱbreakȱhisȱpactȱwithȱher.ȱHowever,ȱitȱisȱdifficultȱtoȱfathomȱtheȱcauseȱofȱGeoffrey’s attackȱagainstȱFromont,ȱwhoȱwasȱgrantedȱpermissionȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱmonkȱfromȱhis parents.ȱTheȱtextȱclearlyȱindicatesȱthatȱFromontȱisȱnotȱatȱfault:ȱ“Maisȱsachiézȱque ceȱneȱfutȱmieȱleȱfaitȱdeȱFromont,ȱcarȱilȱfuȱmoultȱdevotȱetȱdeȱmoultȱsaincteȱvieȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.” (676;ȱButȱknowȱthatȱthisȱwasȱnotȱFromont’sȱfault,ȱforȱheȱwasȱveryȱdevoutȱandȱled aȱveryȱholyȱlifeȱ.ȱ.ȱ.).ȱOneȱmightȱsurmiseȱthatȱGeoffrey’sȱvaluesȱareȱtooȱworldlyȱfor himȱtoȱsupportȱhisȱbrother’sȱchoiceȱofȱcareerȱorȱthatȱheȱmightȱloveȱthisȱbrotherȱtoo much,ȱ thusȱ turningȱ anȱ excessȱ ofȱ loveȱ intoȱ hatred.ȱ Atȱ firstȱ Geoffreyȱ blamesȱ his parentsȱforȱnotȱprovidingȱFromontȱwithȱlandȱandȱaȱwifeȱwhichȱwouldȱallowȱhim toȱ leadȱ aȱ secularȱ existence.ȱ Heȱ thenȱ accusesȱ theȱ monksȱ ofȱ Maillezaisȱ ofȱ being lecherousȱandȱhavingȱenchantedȱhisȱbrotherȱintoȱbecomingȱaȱmonkȱinȱorderȱto bringȱprestigeȱtoȱtheirȱorder.ȱ HeȱrefusesȱtoȱbelieveȱthatȱFromontȱhasȱdecidedȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱmonkȱonȱhisȱown volitionȱdespiteȱFromont’sȱassertionsȱtoȱtheȱcontrary:ȱ“Monȱchierȱfrere,ȱparȱl’ame queȱj’ayȱaȱDieuȱaȱrendre,ȱilȱn’aȱpersonneȱceansȱquiȱoncquesȱleȱmeȱconseillast.ȱCar jeȱl’ayȱfaitȱdeȱmoyȱpropre,ȱsansȱconseilȱd’autruiȱetȱparȱdroicteȱdevocion”ȱ(682;ȱMy dearȱbrother,ȱuponȱtheȱsoulȱthatȱIȱoweȱuntoȱGod,ȱnoȱoneȱhereȱhasȱeverȱadvisedȱme, forȱIȱhaveȱdoneȱthisȱofȱmyȱownȱfreeȱwill,ȱwithoutȱadviceȱfromȱanyoneȱandȱthrough pureȱdevotion).ȱInȱhisȱangerȱGeoffreyȱdisregardsȱthisȱargument,ȱconsideringȱitȱa personalȱaffrontȱtoȱhaveȱaȱbrotherȱasȱaȱmonkȱasȱifȱthisȱvocationȱwereȱinherently shameful:ȱ“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱneȱilȱmeȱseraȱjaȱreprouvéȱqueȱj’ayeȱmoineȱaȱfrere!”ȱ(682;ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.norȱwill Iȱeverȱbeȱreproachedȱforȱhavingȱaȱmonkȱforȱaȱbrother).ȱMélusineȱseemsȱtoȱaffirm thisȱthesisȱlaterȱonȱwhenȱsheȱtriesȱtoȱreconcileȱfatherȱandȱsonȱoverȱtheȱdeathȱof Fromont:ȱ“SeȱGieffroy,ȱvostreȱfilz,ȱaȱfaitȱsonȱoultraigeȱparȱsonȱcourageȱmerveilleux etȱ fort,ȱ sachiézȱ queȱ deȱ certainȱ c’estȱ pourȱ leȱ pechiéȱ desȱ moines,ȱ quiȱ estoientȱ de

11

RupertȱPickens,ȱ“TheȱPoeticsȱofȱParadoxȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine,”ȱMélusineȱofȱLusignan:ȱFounding FictionȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱFrance,ȱed.ȱDonaldȱMaddoxȱandȱSaraȱSturmȬMaddoxȱ(AthensȱandȱLondon: TheȱUniversityȱofȱGeorgiaȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ48–75;ȱhere,ȱ60.

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

95

mauvaiseȱvieȱetȱdesordonnee”ȱ(692;ȱIfȱyourȱsonȱGeoffreyȱhasȱcommittedȱanȱoutrage throughȱhisȱmarvelousȱandȱstrongȱcourage,ȱknowȱthatȱforȱcertainȱitȱisȱbecauseȱof theȱsinȱofȱtheȱmonksȱwhoȱleadȱanȱevilȱandȱdissoluteȱlife).ȱToȱwhatȱdebaucheryȱis Mélusineȱ referring?ȱ Couldȱ thereȱ beȱ anȱ underlyingȱ currentȱ ofȱ homosexuality impliedȱ inȱ thisȱ vocation?12ȱ Orȱ isȱ thereȱ aȱ rivalryȱ betweenȱ theȱ twoȱ brothersȱ that parallelsȱtheȱdisputeȱbetweenȱCainȱandȱAbel?ȱCouldȱGeoffreyȱbeȱjealousȱofȱhis brother’sȱlessȱworldlyȱvocationȱjustȱasȱCainȱwasȱupsetȱthatȱhisȱsacrificialȱoffering wasȱ lessȱ pleasingȱ toȱ God?ȱ Atȱ oneȱ pointȱ Raymondinȱ seemsȱ toȱ demonstrateȱ a preferenceȱforȱFromont:ȱ“Ilȱn’avoitȱyssiȱdeȱtoyȱplusȱdeȱbienȱqueȱFromont”ȱ(694; Fromontȱwasȱtheȱgreatestȱgoodȱthatȱhasȱcomeȱfromȱyou).ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱthis excessȱofȱangerȱthatȱgoesȱbeyondȱtheȱboundsȱofȱreasonȱparallelsȱthatȱofȱMélusine whenȱsheȱwreakedȱrevengeȱonȱherȱfatherȱoutȱofȱaȱmistakenȱsenseȱofȱloyaltyȱto Presine.ȱByȱtakingȱjusticeȱintoȱhisȱownȱhandsȱagainstȱaȱfamilyȱmemberȱGeoffrey’s behaviorȱreflectsȱthatȱofȱhisȱmother,ȱthusȱcreatingȱaȱcausalȱlinkȱtoȱanger,ȱhomicide andȱhisȱhybridȱorigins.13 TenȱknightsȱofȱGeoffrey’sȱretinueȱjumpȱtoȱFromont’sȱdefense,ȱaffirmingȱhisȱright andȱindicatingȱthatȱFromont,ȱthroughȱprayersȱandȱgoodȱactions,ȱcouldȱabsolveȱthe sinsȱburdeningȱtheȱsoulsȱofȱhisȱfellowȱmonks.ȱImperviousȱtoȱreasonȱGeoffreyȱalone setsȱfireȱtoȱtheȱabbeyȱsinceȱtheȱknightsȱrefuseȱtoȱtakeȱpartȱinȱthisȱsenselessȱkilling. ItȱisȱonlyȱafterȱGeoffreyȱdepartsȱandȱlooksȱatȱtheȱsceneȱofȱtheȱcrimeȱfromȱaȱdistance thatȱheȱrepentsȱandȱrealizesȱtheȱfullȱextentȱofȱhisȱactions.ȱIfȱnotȱforȱtheȱintervention ofȱhisȱmen,ȱtheȱtextȱimpliesȱthatȱGeoffreyȱwouldȱhaveȱcommittedȱsuicideȱatȱsword pointȱoutȱofȱdespair.ȱTheȱsolaceȱtheyȱgiveȱGeoffreyȱreflectsȱtheȱadviceȱMélusine willȱlaterȱgiveȱherȱhusbandȱwhenȱheȱlearnsȱofȱthisȱcrime:ȱ“Sire,ȱsire,ȱc’estȱtropȱtart aȱrepentirȱquantȱlaȱfolieȱestȱfaicte.ȱLeȱdoloserȱn’yȱvaultȱdesormaisȱrien.ȱMaisȱpenséz deȱfaireȱenȱlaȱsatisfacionȱaȱDieuȱetȱauȱmonde”ȱ(684–86;ȱMyȱlord,ȱmyȱlord,ȱitȱisȱtoo lateȱ toȱ repentȱ whenȱ theȱ deedȱ isȱ done.ȱ Fromȱ nowȱ onȱ sorrowȱ servesȱ noȱ useful purpose.ȱThinkȱinsteadȱofȱmakingȱrestitutionȱtoȱGodȱandȱtoȱtheȱworld).ȱWhenȱevil occurs,ȱthereȱisȱnoȱuseȱinȱcryingȱoverȱspilledȱmilk,ȱoneȱmustȱcarryȱonȱandȱtryȱto makeȱrestitutionȱthroughȱgoodȱworks.ȱ InȱcontrastȱtoȱGeoffrey,ȱRobert’sȱpathȱtoȱredemptionȱfollowsȱanȱaddedȱstepȱthat isȱdimlyȱreflectedȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine.ȱThisȱaddedȱstepȱconcernsȱhisȱmother inȱ whomȱ heȱ detectsȱ theȱ originsȱ ofȱ hisȱ waywardȱ tendencies.ȱ Robert’sȱ early relationshipȱwithȱwomenȱisȱtroublesomeȱandȱfraughtȱwithȱviolenceȱbeginningȱwith

12

13

Itȱwouldȱbeȱinterestingȱtoȱconductȱfurtherȱresearchȱintoȱthisȱmatterȱtoȱseeȱifȱsuchȱanȱaccusation couldȱbeȱleveledȱatȱanyȱparticularȱmonasticȱorderȱatȱthisȱtimeȱorȱagainstȱanyȱofȱtheȱLusignans.ȱ ForȱanȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱthemeȱofȱangerȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine,ȱseeȱmyȱarticleȱ“’Telȱcuideȱvengier saȱhonteȱquiȱl’accroist’:ȱWrathȱinȱJeanȱArras’sȱRomanȱdeȱȱMélusine,”ȱCourtlyȱArtsȱandȱtheȱArtȱof Courtliness:ȱSelectedȱPapersȱfromȱtheȱȱEleventhȱTriennialȱCongressȱofȱtheȱInternationalȱCourtlyȱLiterature Society.ȱ Universityȱ ofȱ WisconsinȬMadison,ȱ 29ȱ Julyȱ –ȱ 4ȱ Augustȱ 2005.ȱ ed.ȱ Keithȱ Busbyȱ and ChristopherȱKleinhenzȱ(CambridgeȱandȱRochester,ȱNY:ȱD.ȱS.ȱBrewer,ȱ2006),ȱ419–30.ȱȱȱ

96

StaceyȱHahn

hisȱlongȱandȱpainfulȱbirthȱthatȱcausesȱhisȱmotherȱgreatȱsufferingȱandȱtheȱnippleȱhe bitesȱoffȱofȱhisȱmostȱbeautifulȱwetȱnurse.ȱAfterȱhavingȱventedȱhisȱrageȱonȱnuns, perhapsȱaȱdisguisedȱandȱunconsciousȱformȱofȱmotherȱhatred,ȱRobertȱwondersȱwhy heȱisȱalwaysȱdrivenȱtoȱcommitȱmayhem.ȱHeȱsurmisesȱthatȱhisȱevilȱdeedsȱmustȱhave somethingȱtoȱdoȱwithȱtheȱcircumstancesȱattendingȱhisȱbirthȱandȱthatȱtheȱfaultȱlies withȱhisȱmother.ȱ WeȱknowȱfromȱromancesȱsuchȱasȱtheȱLancelotȬGrailȱCycleȱthatȱtheȱcircumstances attendingȱone’sȱbirthȱcanȱbeȱaȱharbingerȱofȱlaterȱmoralȱdeviation,ȱespeciallyȱsince itȱwasȱbelievedȱthatȱoriginalȱsinȱpassedȱfromȱgenerationȱtoȱgenerationȱthroughȱthe concupiscenceȱ thatȱ accompaniesȱ sexualȱ relations.ȱ Asȱ sexȱ wasȱ associatedȱ with originalȱ sin,ȱ itȱ wasȱ believedȱ thatȱ originalȱ sinȱ wasȱ passedȱ downȱ alongȱ the generationsȱthroughȱtheȱprocessȱofȱreproductionȱandȱthatȱsexualȱdevianceȱcould alsoȱbeȱpassedȱalongȱfromȱparentȱtoȱchildȱjustȱasȱnobilityȱofȱcharacterȱwasȱseenȱas stemmingȱfromȱaȱnobleȱlineage.ȱBeingȱbornȱofȱanȱadulterousȱorȱunnaturalȱcoupling increasedȱtheȱchancesȱthatȱoneȱmightȱhaveȱaȱproclivityȱtowardȱsexualȱexcess.ȱThis wasȱtheȱcaseȱforȱKingȱArthurȱwhoȱwasȱbornȱofȱanȱadulterousȱliaisonȱandȱwhoȱacted outȱ hisȱ immoralȱ originsȱ byȱ committingȱ anȱ actȱ ofȱ incestȱ withȱ hisȱ halfȬsister, resultingȱinȱtheȱengenderingȱofȱMordred.ȱ InȱkeepingȱwithȱthisȱpatternȱMordredȱendsȱupȱcovetingȱhisȱfather’sȱwifeȱand empire,ȱleadingȱtoȱtheȱfinalȱbattleȱbetweenȱfatherȱandȱsonȱonȱtheȱplainȱofȱSalisbury andȱtheirȱmutualȱextinction.ȱInȱmostȱofȱtheseȱcasesȱitȱisȱtheȱfatherȱwhoȱfailedȱto abideȱ byȱ theȱ properȱ codeȱ ofȱ sexualȱ relations,ȱ whichȱ resultedȱ inȱ theȱ moral deficienciesȱ inȱ hisȱ offspring.ȱ Onlyȱ divineȱ interventionȱ canȱ rectifyȱ theȱ sinȱ inȱ an illegitimateȱ actȱ ofȱ conceptionȱ soȱ thatȱ harmȱ doesȱ notȱ comeȱ toȱ theȱ child.ȱ Divine interventionȱ andȱ theȱ virginityȱ orȱ virtueȱ ofȱ theȱ motherȱ canȱ smoothȱ overȱ an illegitimateȱbirth,ȱasȱwasȱtheȱcaseȱforȱGalaad,ȱwhoseȱmotherȱwasȱtheȱvirginȱgrail maiden,ȱandȱMerlin,ȱwhoseȱmotherȱrepentedȱofȱtheȱangerȱwhichȱallowedȱtheȱdevil toȱ impregnateȱ her.ȱ Howȱ Robertȱ makesȱ theȱ leapȱ fromȱ masculineȱ toȱ feminine misconductȱinȱhisȱengenderingȱisȱquiteȱinteresting.ȱHisȱsuspicionsȱareȱbasedȱonȱhis mother’sȱevasivenessȱregardingȱtheȱquestionȱofȱpaternity:ȱ Penseȱqueȱcelleȱmescheance Liȱsoitȱvenueȱparȱnaissance, Etȱqueȱcoupesȱyȱaitȱsaȱmere, Quiȱonquesȱneȱfuȱversȱluyȱclere: Bienȱsetȱl’ocoisonȱetȱleȱteche Etȱl’aventureȱpourȱquoyȱ[p]esche.ȱ [Robertȱthoughtȱthatȱthisȱwickedness Cameȱfromȱhisȱbirth Andȱthatȱhisȱmotherȱwasȱsomehowȱtoȱblame Sheȱhadȱneverȱbeenȱstraightforwardȱwithȱhim

(vv.ȱ647–52)

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

97

Sheȱmustȱknowȱtheȱreasonȱandȱtheȱstain Andȱtheȱeventȱbecauseȱofȱwhichȱheȱsins.]ȱ

Robertȱthreatensȱhisȱmotherȱatȱswordȱpointȱtoȱtellȱhimȱtheȱtruthȱregardingȱhis conception.ȱItȱisȱwhenȱsheȱtellsȱofȱherȱpactȱwithȱtheȱdevil,ȱthatȱRobertȱundergoes theȱ transformationȱ necessaryȱ forȱ hisȱ rehabilitation.ȱ Theȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ hisȱ true paternalȱ affiliationȱ createsȱ aȱ shockȱ thatȱ rattlesȱ Robertȱ toȱ hisȱ veryȱ core.ȱ His immediateȱreactionȱisȱanger,ȱfollowedȱbyȱsuffering,ȱshame,ȱandȱfinallyȱbitterȱtears. InȱhisȱanalysisȱofȱthisȱmotifȱinȱtheȱRomanceȱofȱSirȱGowther,ȱwhichȱfollowsȱaȱsimilar pattern,ȱJeffreyȱCohenȱseesȱinȱthisȱreactionȱtheȱimprintȱofȱFreud’sȱOedipusȱcomplex andȱ byȱ extensionȱ theȱ Lacanianȱ phenomenonȱ ofȱ theȱ Nameȱ ofȱ theȱ Father.14 Accordingȱtoȱthisȱinterpretation,ȱtheȱsymbolicȱdeathȱofȱtheȱfather,ȱtheȱoneȱRobert believedȱ hadȱ engenderedȱ him,ȱ andȱ acceptanceȱ ofȱ responsibilityȱ forȱ thatȱ death causesȱRobertȱtoȱenterȱintoȱtheȱsymbolicȱorder,ȱwhichȱprovokesȱhisȱconversion.ȱIn orderȱtoȱrestoreȱlossȱofȱtheȱbiologicalȱfather,ȱRobertȱembracesȱtheȱsymbolicȱfather whoȱ representsȱ lawȱ andȱ order.ȱ Itȱ isȱ atȱ thisȱ momentȱ thatȱ Robertȱ setsȱ offȱ onȱ his pilgrimageȱtoȱRomeȱtoȱseekȱabsolutionȱforȱhisȱsinsȱfromȱtheȱpope,ȱtheȱsymbolic fatherȱofȱtheȱCatholicȱChurch.ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ Janeȱ Gilbert,ȱ normallyȱ monstrousȱ childrenȱ ofȱ theȱ penitential romancesȱ“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱareȱimagesȱofȱtheirȱfather’sȱfailureȱtoȱperformȱtheȱpaternalȱfunction .ȱ.ȱ.”15ȱRobert’sȱfather,ȱtheȱDukeȱofȱNormandy,ȱlackedȱtheȱpotencyȱtoȱprocreateȱand asȱ aȱ resultȱ hisȱ motherȱ askedȱ theȱ devilȱ toȱ helpȱ herȱ conceiveȱ aȱ child.ȱ Although Geoffrey’sȱfatherȱRaymondinȱisȱsexuallyȱpotent,ȱhavingȱengenderedȱtenȱsons,ȱhe isȱaȱratherȱweakȱfigureȱwhoȱbowsȱtoȱMélusineȱinȱmattersȱofȱrunningȱtheirȱestate andȱdirectingȱtheirȱchildren’sȱeducation.ȱHeȱlacksȱtheȱtemerityȱtoȱinquireȱintoȱhis wife’sȱupbringingȱwhenȱconfrontedȱbyȱhisȱrelativesȱaboutȱherȱorigins.ȱEvenȱthough Mélusineȱdefersȱtoȱherȱhusbandȱwhenȱappropriate,ȱsheȱtendsȱtoȱdominate,ȱmaking mostȱofȱtheȱimportantȱdecisions.ȱ AsȱStephenȱNicholsȱhasȱpointedȱoutȱ“Sheȱhas,ȱafterȱall,ȱreturnedȱherȱfatherȱtoȱthe wombȱandȱsymbolicallyȱassumedȱtheȱmaleȱrolesȱofȱmasterȱbuilderȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ,ȱfounderȱof aȱlineage,ȱandȱstrategistȱforȱtheȱconflictsȱinȱwhichȱherȱhusbandȱengages.”16ȱInȱspite ofȱMélusine’sȱdominantȱroleȱbothȱwithinȱandȱoutsideȱtheȱfamily,ȱGeoffreyȱhasȱa positiveȱ relationshipȱ withȱ womenȱ andȱ commitsȱ noȱ violentȱ actsȱ againstȱ them, unlikeȱRobertȱwhoȱindiscriminatelyȱrapesȱanyȱwomanȱcrossingȱhisȱpathȱbeforeȱhis

14

15 16

Jeffreyȱ Jeromeȱ Cohen.ȱ Ofȱ Giants.ȱ Sex,ȱ Monsters,ȱ andȱ theȱ Middleȱ Ages.ȱ Medievalȱ Cultures,ȱ 17 (Minneapolis:ȱUniversityȱofȱMinnesotaȱPress,ȱ1999).ȱSeeȱhisȱchapterȱentitledȱ“TheȱBodyȱHybrid: Giants,ȱDogȬmen,ȱandȱBecomingȱInhuman,”ȱ119–41. Gilbert,ȱ“UnnaturalȱMothersȱandȱMonstrousȱChildren,”ȱ340ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).ȱ StephenȱNichols,ȱ“MélusineȱbetweenȱMythȱandȱHistory:ȱProfileȱofȱaȱFemaleȱDemon,”ȱMélusineȱof Lusignan:ȱFoundingȱFictionȱinȱlateȱMedievalȱFrance,ȱed.ȱDonaldȱMaddoxȱandȱSaraȱSturmȬMaddox (AthensȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱGeorgiaȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ137–64;ȱhereȱ154–55.ȱȱ

98

StaceyȱHahn

conversion.ȱ Theȱ crimeȱ ofȱ unboundȱ lust,ȱ whetherȱ throughȱ rape,ȱ fornication,ȱ or adultery,ȱplaysȱnoȱimportantȱroleȱforȱtheȱLusignanȱclanȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine, sinceȱallȱloveȱrelationshipsȱendȱinȱmarriage.ȱFourȱofȱMélusine’sȱsonsȱ(Guy,ȱUrien, Renaudȱ andȱ Antoine)ȱ engageȱ inȱ battleȱ forȱ theȱ soleȱ purposeȱ ofȱ protecting vulnerableȱdaughtersȱfromȱbeingȱforcedȱintoȱmarriagesȱagainstȱtheirȱwill.ȱThey thenȱgoȱonȱtoȱmarryȱtheseȱmaidensȱandȱbecomeȱlandownersȱabroad.ȱUnbridled lustȱoccursȱonlyȱamongȱforeignȱknightsȱandȱinȱtheȱArmenianȱbranchȱofȱtheȱfamily atȱ theȱ veryȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ romanceȱ whenȱ aȱ youngȱ Armenianȱ kingȱ demonstrates incestuousȱfeelingsȱforȱhisȱauntȱMeliorȱduringȱtheȱAdventureȱatȱtheȱSparrowhawk Castle,ȱwhichȱbringsȱaboutȱtheȱdownfallȱandȱeventualȱdeclineȱofȱhisȱfamilyȱline. Thisȱlackȱofȱlust,ȱeitherȱforbiddenȱorȱculminatingȱinȱadultery,ȱdistinguishesȱthe RomanȱdeȱMélusineȱfromȱpriorȱmajorȱproseȱromancesȱlikeȱtheȱLancelotȬGrailȱCycle andȱtheȱProseȱTristan,ȱwhereȱlustȱleadsȱtoȱtheȱclimaticȱendȱofȱchivalricȱArthurian society.ȱViolenceȱandȱangerȱappearȱtoȱhaveȱreplacedȱlustȱasȱtheȱtragicȱflawȱleading toȱdestructionȱinȱtheȱpenitentialȱromances.ȱ WhereasȱitȱisȱRobertȱwhoȱragesȱagainstȱhisȱmother,ȱtheȱpurportedȱcauseȱofȱhis diabolicalȱ origins,ȱ byȱ threateningȱ herȱ atȱ knifepoint,ȱ itȱ isȱ Mélusine’sȱ husband RaymondinȱandȱnotȱGeoffreyȱwhoȱragesȱagainstȱMélusineȱasȱtheȱpossibleȱsource ofȱGeoffrey’sȱdemonicȱbehavior.ȱAlthoughȱitȱisȱGeoffrey’sȱviolentȱactȱofȱfratricide thatȱprovokesȱhisȱfatherȱtoȱbreakȱhisȱoathȱtoȱMélusineȱbyȱpublicallyȱdecryingȱher serpentȱ nature,ȱ thusȱ banishingȱ herȱ fromȱ theȱ humanȱ world,ȱ thisȱ inadvertent matricide,ȱforȱwhichȱGeoffreyȱisȱheldȱresponsible,ȱisȱanȱunwantedȱconsequenceȱof hisȱcrimeȱandȱnotȱitsȱintent.ȱHisȱsenseȱofȱoutrageȱregardingȱtheȱlossȱofȱhisȱmother willȱbeȱtakenȱoutȱonȱtheȱCountȱofȱForest,ȱtheȱuncleȱwhoȱencouragedȱRaymondin toȱspyȱonȱhisȱwife,ȱthusȱcausingȱRaymondinȱtoȱbreakȱhisȱoathȱtoȱher.ȱInȱaȱdiatribe thatȱhasȱdireȱconsequencesȱforȱMélusineȱRaymondinȱmakesȱaȱdirectȱconnection betweenȱtheȱcriminalityȱofȱhisȱsonȱandȱMélusine’sȱmysteriousȱserpentȱnature:ȱ Hee,ȱtresfaulseȱserpente,ȱparȱDieu,ȱneȱtoyȱneȱtesȱfaisȱneȱsontȱqueȱfantosmeȱneȱjaȱhoir queȱtuȱayesȱportéȱneȱvendraȱaȱbonȱchiefȱenȱlaȱfin.ȱCommentȱrarontȱlesȱviesȱceulxȱqui sontȱarsȱenȱgriefȱmisereȱneȱtonȱfilzȱquiȱs’estoitȱrenduzȱauȱcrucefix?ȱIlȱn’avoitȱyssiȱdeȱtoy plusȱdeȱbienȱqueȱFromont.ȱOrȱestȱdestruitȱparȱl’artȱdemoniacle,ȱcarȱtousȱceulxȱquiȱsont forcennézȱdeȱyreȱsontȱouȱcommandementȱdesȱprincesȱd’enferȱetȱparȱceȱfistȱGieffroyȱle grantȱetȱhorribleȱetȱhideuxȱforfaitȱd’ardoirȱsonȱfrereȱetȱlesȱmoines,ȱquiȱmortȱneȱavoient pointȱdesservie. (692–94) [Oȱfalseȱserpent,ȱbyȱGod,ȱyouȱandȱyourȱdeedsȱareȱnothingȱbutȱphantasms,ȱandȱnoȱheir thatȱyouȱhaveȱeverȱborneȱwillȱturnȱoutȱwellȱinȱtheȱend.ȱHowȱwillȱthoseȱwhoȱwereȱburnt withȱ suchȱ painfulȱ sufferingȱ everȱ regainȱ theirȱ lives,ȱ includingȱ yourȱ ownȱ sonȱ who dedicatedȱhisȱlifeȱtoȱChrist?ȱFromontȱwasȱtheȱonlyȱgoodȱthingȱthatȱeverȱcameȱfromȱyou. Nowȱhe’sȱdestroyedȱbyȱdemonicȱarts,ȱforȱallȱthoseȱmaddenedȱwithȱrageȱdoȱtheȱbidding ofȱtheȱprincesȱofȱhell;ȱandȱsoȱitȱwasȱthatȱGeoffreyȱcommittedȱthisȱgreatȱandȱheinous

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

99

crimeȱofȱburningȱhisȱbrotherȱandȱtheȱmonksȱwhoȱneverȱforȱȱaȱmomentȱdeservedȱsuch aȱdeath.17]ȱȱ

Raymondinȱ thenȱ goesȱ onȱ toȱ wishȱ thatȱ hisȱ sonȱ hadȱ neverȱ beenȱ born.ȱ This renunciationȱofȱpaternityȱculminatesȱinȱanȱoedipalȱmomentȱasȱRaymondinȱvows toȱkillȱhisȱsonȱwithȱhisȱbareȱhands.ȱBothȱRobertȱandȱGeoffreyȱexperienceȱdanger withȱrespectȱtoȱtheirȱfathersȱwhoȱwishȱtoȱputȱthemȱtoȱdeathȱasȱpunishmentȱforȱtheir heinousȱcrimes.ȱInȱbothȱinstancesȱtheȱmotherȱplaysȱtheȱroleȱofȱintercessor.ȱInȱorder toȱsaveȱherȱson,ȱRobert’sȱmotherȱsuggestsȱthatȱheȱbeȱmadeȱaȱknightȱinȱtheȱhopeȱthat knighthoodȱ mightȱ channelȱ hisȱ violentȱ tendenciesȱ towardȱ someȱ betterȱ end. Similarly,ȱMélusineȱtriesȱtoȱreconcileȱRaymondinȱwithȱGeoffreyȱbyȱdownplaying theȱgravityȱofȱhisȱmisdeedsȱandȱbyȱpredictingȱhisȱfutureȱrehabilitation.ȱȱȱ Inȱ bothȱ romancesȱ deviantȱ behaviorȱ inȱ offspringȱ isȱ associatedȱ withȱ maternal defects.ȱAccordingȱtoȱmedievalȱmedicalȱloreȱaȱwoman’sȱemotionsȱduringȱherȱtime ofȱpregnancyȱ(herȱenvieȱdeȱmère)ȱcouldȱleaveȱaȱphysicalȱandȱmoralȱimprintȱonȱher offspring.18ȱ Anyȱ goodȱ accruingȱ toȱ aȱ childȱ wouldȱ comeȱ fromȱ itsȱ father’sȱ seed. Mélusine’sȱmotherȱPrésineȱmakesȱthisȱclearȱtoȱherȱbyȱstatingȱthatȱherȱhopeȱfor redemptionȱliesȱinȱtheȱgoodȱthatȱsheȱinheritedȱfromȱherȱfather.ȱTheȱblameȱforȱevil behaviorȱisȱshiftedȱfromȱmaleȱagencyȱandȱfreeȱwillȱontoȱtheȱfemaleȱelementȱof generation.ȱLaurenceȱdeȱLoozeȱindicatesȱtheȱlackȱofȱfairnessȱinȱthisȱinstance:ȱ ItȱisȱhubristicȱforȱRaymondinȱtoȱraiseȱhimselfȱaboveȱtheȱlawȱandȱclaimȱnoȱparticipation inȱsin’sȱtransmission.ȱSecondȱisȱthatȱRaymondinȱfailsȱtoȱseeȱhisȱboarȬsonȱasȱaȱsignȱofȱhis ownȱ violentȱ transgression,ȱ alsoȱ representedȱ byȱ aȱ boar.ȱ Finally,ȱ Raymondinȱ proves himselfȱaȱslaveȱtoȱtheȱsignifierȱhere,ȱforȱheȱfocusesȱentirelyȱonȱMélusineȱasȱserpentȬsign andȱ notȱ atȱ allȱ onȱ herȱ intentions.ȱ Accusingȱ herȱ ofȱ beingȱ Oldȱ Testamantȱ inȱ nature, Raymondinȱ isȱ inȱ factȱ theȱ oneȱ whoȱ provesȱ himselfȱ anȱ Oldȱ Testamentȱ typeȱ of interpreter.19ȱȱȱȱȱ

AccordingȱtoȱDeȱLooze,ȱRaymondinȱrepresentsȱtheȱOldȱTestamentȱliteralȱeyeȱfor anȱeyeȱjusticeȱwhileȱMélusineȱrepresentsȱtheȱNewȱTestamentȱjusticeȱofȱcompassion andȱmercyȱthatȱstressesȱintentionȱoverȱact.ȱAsȱstatedȱearlier,ȱtheȱconductȱofȱthe fatherȱduringȱtheȱtimeȱofȱaȱchild’sȱconceptionȱmayȱhaveȱaȱdeleteriousȱimpactȱonȱhis offspringȱ asȱ inȱ theȱ LancelotȬGrailȱ cycle,ȱ yetȱ aȱ childȱ mayȱ beȱ sparedȱ byȱ divine interventionȱ ifȱ theȱ motherȱ happensȱ toȱ beȱ aȱ virginȱ orȱ repentsȱ ofȱ theȱ deedȱ that engenderedȱtheȱchildȱasȱwasȱtheȱcaseȱregardingȱtheȱbirthsȱofȱGalaadȱandȱMerlin.

17 18

19

StephenȱNichols,ȱ“MélusineȱBetweenȱMythȱandȱHistory,”ȱ149ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16).ȱȱ DouglasȱKelly,ȱ“TheȱDomesticationȱofȱtheȱMarvelousȱinȱtheȱMélusineȱRomances,”ȱMélusineȱof Lusignan:ȱFoundingȱFictionȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱFrance,ȱed.ȱDonaldȱMaddoxȱandȱSaraȱSturmȬMaddox (AthensȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱGeorgiaȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ32–47;ȱhere,ȱ39–40. LaurenceȱdeȱLooze,ȱ“’Laȱfourmeȱduȱpiéȱtouteȱescripte’:ȱMélusineȱandȱtheȱEntranceȱintoȱHistory,” MélusineȱofȱȱLusignan:ȱFoundingȱFictionȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱFrance,ȱed.ȱDonaldȱMaddoxȱandȱSaraȱSturmȬ Maddoxȱ(AthensȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱGeorgiaȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ125–36;ȱhere,ȱ132.

100

StaceyȱHahn

Thereȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱaȱconflictȱregardingȱwhetherȱaȱgeneticȱpredispositionȱtowards evilȱstemsȱfromȱtheȱmaternalȱorȱpaternalȱline.ȱȱRaymondin’sȱshortsightednessȱon thisȱissueȱisȱbornȱoutȱwhenȱGeoffreyȱdoesȱmanageȱtoȱredeemȱhimselfȱandȱmake amendsȱforȱhisȱmisconductȱnearȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱromance.ȱȱ AlthoughȱbothȱGeoffreyȱandȱRobertȱrepentȱofȱtheirȱcrimesȱbyȱseekingȱabsolution fromȱ theȱ popeȱ inȱ Rome,ȱ Robert’sȱ penanceȱ isȱ farȱ moreȱ developedȱ andȱ severe becauseȱ hisȱ crimesȱ areȱ moreȱ weightyȱ andȱ endemicȱ toȱ hisȱ personalityȱ than Geoffrey’sȱcrimes.ȱInȱfact,ȱRobert’sȱcrimesȱareȱsoȱegregiousȱthatȱtheȱpopeȱisȱunable toȱassignȱhimȱanȱappropriateȱpenanceȱandȱsendsȱhimȱtoȱhisȱconfessor,ȱaȱhallowed hermitȱlivingȱinȱtheȱforestȱofȱMarabondeȱwhoȱisȱonlyȱableȱtoȱobtainȱtheȱproper penanceȱthroughȱdivineȱinterventionȱduringȱmass.ȱTheȱpenanceȱarrivesȱinȱtheȱform ofȱaȱletterȱhandedȱdownȱbyȱaȱmysteriousȱhandȱasȱifȱGodȱaloneȱhasȱtheȱcapacityȱto interveneȱinȱtheȱaffairsȱofȱSatan,ȱhisȱarchenemy.ȱ RobertȱexperiencesȱfullyȱtheȱthreeȱstagesȱofȱpenanceȱassignedȱbyȱAbélardȱand developedȱ byȱ Pierreȱ theȱ Chanter,ȱ namely,ȱ “contritionȱ ofȱ heart,ȱ confessionȱ by mouth,ȱandȱsatisfactionȱofȱworks.”20ȱTheȱfirstȱstageȱoccurredȱimmediatelyȱupon Robert’sȱacknowledgmentȱofȱhisȱsinȱwhenȱheȱfirstȱfeltȱanger,ȱthenȱintenseȱsuffering andȱshame,ȱfollowedȱbyȱtears.ȱHavingȱthrownȱawayȱhisȱsword,ȱheȱthenȱshavesȱhis headȱandȱdressesȱinȱragsȱasȱaȱsignȱofȱhumility.ȱRobertȱconfessesȱhisȱsinsȱtoȱtheȱpope whoȱ writesȱ themȱ downȱ inȱ theȱ letterȱ heȱ directsȱ Robertȱ toȱ giveȱ toȱ theȱ hermit. AccordingȱtoȱdivineȱdecreeȱRobert’sȱpenanceȱisȱtripartite:ȱ1)ȱheȱisȱcommandedȱto playȱtheȱroleȱofȱtheȱfoolȱorȱmadmanȱwhichȱwillȱgiveȱothersȱlicenseȱtoȱabuseȱhimȱ2) heȱmustȱneverȱspeakȱduringȱtheȱperiodȱofȱhisȱpenanceȱandȱ3)ȱheȱmustȱeatȱonly whatȱheȱcanȱwrestȱfromȱtheȱmouthsȱofȱdogs.ȱHeȱisȱalsoȱtoldȱthatȱifȱaȱmessenger fromȱGodȱsendsȱhimȱonȱaȱmission,ȱheȱmustȱobey,ȱprovidedȱtheȱmessengerȱcan nameȱhisȱthreeȱdivinelyȱordainedȱpenances.ȱ RobertȱthenȱtravelsȱtoȱRomeȱwhereȱheȱlivesȱtheȱlifeȱofȱaȱmadmanȱatȱtheȱhomeȱof anȱemperorȱwhoseȱonlyȱheirȱisȱhisȱmuteȱdaughter.ȱOnceȱRobertȱbecomesȱtheȱtown fool,ȱcitizensȱhaveȱtheȱrightȱtoȱbeatȱandȱabuseȱhim.ȱTheȱvictimizerȱbecomesȱthe victimȱ ofȱ collectiveȱ hatredȱ andȱ rage,ȱ thusȱ Robert’sȱ earlierȱ unbridled,ȱ senseless violenceȱisȱrepaidȱinȱkind.ȱRobert’sȱabasement,ȱwhichȱhasȱaȱcatharticȱeffect,ȱamuses theȱkingȱandȱtheȱcourt.ȱRobert’sȱimposedȱvowȱofȱsilenceȱrepresentsȱtheȱsilencing ofȱhisȱegoȱandȱdemonstratesȱobedience,ȱoneȱofȱtheȱbasicȱtenantsȱofȱcivilityȱand courtlyȱdecorum,ȱwhichȱRobertȱneedsȱtoȱdevelopȱinȱorderȱtoȱreturnȱtoȱtheȱsocial

20

JohnȱW.ȱBaldwin,ȱAristocraticȱLifeȱinȱMedievalȱFrance:ȱTheȱRomancesȱofȱJeanȱRenartȱandȱGerbertȱde Montreuil,ȱ1190–1230ȱ(BaltimoreȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱJohnsȱHopkinsȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2000),ȱ225, givesȱaȱdetailedȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱsacramentȱofȱpenanceȱinȱseveralȱtwelfthȱandȱthirteenthȱcentury Frenchȱromancesȱbasedȱonȱchurchȱdoctrine.ȱȱ

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

101

order.ȱSinceȱcontritionȱdemandsȱhumility,ȱtheȱforsakingȱofȱegoȱandȱtheȱsurrender ofȱself,ȱRobertȱaccomplishesȱthisȱbyȱeatingȱandȱlivingȱamongȱtheȱdogs.21ȱ Theȱ threeȱ penancesȱ describedȱ aboveȱ representȱ anȱ internalȱ cleansingȱ and abasementȱthatȱmustȱoccurȱinȱorderȱforȱRobertȱtoȱbeȱintegratedȱintoȱtheȱhuman order,ȱwhereȱheȱlearnsȱtoȱbehaveȱmuchȱlikeȱanȱobedientȱdogȱthatȱgainsȱmastery overȱitsȱselfish,ȱinstinctualȱurges.ȱThisȱallowsȱRobertȱtoȱexistȱinȱsocietyȱwithout posingȱanyȱrisksȱorȱharmȱtoȱtheȱpopulace.ȱTheȱlifeȱofȱaȱdog,ȱhowever,ȱisȱhardly honorable.ȱ Robertȱ needsȱ toȱ completeȱ theȱ finalȱ phaseȱ ofȱ hisȱ rehabilitation,ȱ “the satisfactionȱofȱworks,”ȱthatȱwillȱallowȱhimȱtoȱbeȱaȱcontributingȱmemberȱofȱsociety, capableȱofȱsacrificingȱhisȱownȱselfȱinterestsȱtoȱthatȱofȱtheȱgreaterȱgood.ȱRobertȱwill doȱthisȱonȱtwoȱlevels.ȱFirst,ȱheȱwillȱriskȱlifeȱandȱlimbȱinȱorderȱtoȱdefendȱtheȱsocial order,ȱasȱrepresentedȱinȱtheȱemperorȱandȱhisȱdaughter,ȱwhoȱareȱbesiegedȱbyȱan angryȱseneschal.ȱSecond,ȱheȱwillȱupholdȱtheȱspiritualȱorder,ȱasȱrepresentedȱbyȱthe Church,ȱwhichȱRobertȱdefendsȱagainstȱtheȱinfidelȱTurksȱwhoȱbesiegeȱRome. Becauseȱsalvationȱisȱdependentȱuponȱgrace,ȱRobertȱwillȱneedȱoutsideȱhelpȱin orderȱ toȱ vindicateȱ himselfȱ onȱ bothȱ theȱ socialȱ andȱ spiritualȱ levels.ȱ Oneȱ ofȱ the instrumentsȱofȱRobert’sȱrehabilitationȱ onȱtheȱsocialȱlevelȱwillȱbeȱtheȱemperor’s beautifulȱdaughter,ȱwhoȱisȱherselfȱmuteȱdueȱtoȱsomeȱunnamedȱsin:ȱ“Maisȱneȱsai quelȱ desloiautéȱ /ȱ Neȱ quelzȱ pechiésȱ mutȱ laȱ pucielle,ȱ /ȱ C’aincȱ neȱ parla,ȱ ainsȱ est muielle”ȱ(1248–1250;ȱYetȱIȱdoȱnotȱknowȱwhatȱunlawfulȱactȱ/ȱnorȱwhatȱsinȱsilenced theȱ maidenȱ /ȱ sheȱ neverȱ speaksȱ /ȱ ratherȱ sheȱ isȱ mute).ȱ Althoughȱ theȱ emperor’s daughterȱisȱableȱtoȱunderstandȱtheȱspeechȱofȱothers,ȱsheȱcanȱonlyȱcommunicate usingȱsignȱlanguage.ȱRobertȱandȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughterȱwillȱrelyȱuponȱeachȱother forȱmutualȱsupportȱasȱtheyȱstriveȱtoȱredeemȱthemselves.ȱ AsȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱaȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱmisfitȱwhoȱbearȱtheȱweightȱof theirȱ sinsȱ (parallelingȱ Raymondinȱ andȱ Mélusine,ȱ bothȱ ofȱ whomȱ committed homicide,ȱoneȱinvoluntarilyȱandȱtheȱotherȱvoluntarily),ȱcomeȱtogetherȱtoȱworkȱout theirȱmutualȱsalvation.ȱAlthoughȱtheȱtextȱneverȱexplicitlyȱrefersȱtoȱtheȱexactȱnature ofȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughter’sȱsin,ȱAgataȱSobczykȱbelievesȱthatȱtheȱsecretȱsinȱfor whichȱ theȱ youngȱ womanȱ suffersȱ isȱ hiddenȱ incest,ȱ forȱ herȱ fatherȱ isȱ extremely possessiveȱ andȱ doesȱ notȱ wantȱ toȱ marryȱ herȱ toȱ hisȱ seneschalȱ whoȱ constantly harassesȱhimȱforȱherȱhandȱinȱmarriage.22ȱInȱfact,ȱaccordingȱtoȱSobczyk,ȱtheȱemperor

21

22

JeffreyȱJeromeȱCohenȱdevotesȱanȱentireȱarticleȱtoȱtheȱsignificanceȱofȱtheȱdogȱinȱtheȱrehabilitation ofȱSirȱGowther,ȱwhoseȱlifeȱfollowsȱtheȱsameȱtrajectoryȱasȱRobert’s.ȱMuchȱofȱhisȱanalysisȱisȱbased onȱtheȱimageȱofȱtheȱdogȱasȱanȱoedipalizedȱbeingȱthatȱhelpsȱGowtherȱcomeȱ toȱ termsȱwithȱhis identity,ȱȱ“GowtherȱAmongȱtheȱDogs:ȱBecomingȱInhumanȱC.ȱ1400,”ȱBecomingȱMaleȱȱinȱtheȱMiddle Ages,”ȱed.ȱJeffreyȱJeromeȱCohenȱandȱBonnieȱWheelerȱ(NewȱYork:ȱGarland,ȱ1997),ȱ219–44.ȱȱȱ AgataȱSobczyk,ȱ“Encoreȱunȱincesteȱocculté:ȱl’épisodeȱdeȱlaȱfilleȱdeȱl’empereurȱdansȱLeȱRomanȱde Robertȱ leȱ Diable,”ȱ Etudesȱ médiévales,ȱ ed.ȱ Danielleȱ Buschinger.ȱ Collectionȱ Médiévalesȱ (Amiens: Centreȱ d’Etudesȱ Médiévales,ȱ Universitéȱ deȱ PicardieȬJulesȱ Verne,ȱ 1999),ȱ 221–34.ȱ Gaucherȱ also affirmsȱthatȱthisȱisȱaȱlikelyȱassumption,ȱRobertȱleȱDiable:ȱHistoireȱd’uneȱlégende,ȱ34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6).ȱȱȱ

102

StaceyȱHahn

permitsȱherȱtoȱmarryȱonlyȱwhenȱaȱworthyȱsuitorȱ(Robert)ȱisȱwoundedȱinȱtheȱthigh, symbolicallyȱrenderingȱhimȱimpotentȱandȱthereforeȱunableȱtoȱenjoyȱtheȱsexual relationsȱherȱfatherȱmightȱfindȱthreatening.ȱ Afterȱaȱlapseȱofȱsevenȱyears,ȱRobert’sȱlifeȱamongȱtheȱdogsȱtakesȱaȱnewȱturnȱwhen theȱTurksȱattackȱRome.ȱDuringȱthisȱwholeȱperiodȱtheȱemperor’sȱseneschalȱhasȱbeen wagingȱwarȱagainstȱhim,ȱleavingȱhimȱdefenselessȱinȱaȱtimeȱofȱneedȱandȱlikelyȱto loseȱtheȱwar.ȱAlarmed,ȱRobertȱgoesȱoffȱtoȱprayȱnearȱaȱfountain,ȱaskingȱthatȱGod grantȱ himȱ theȱ opportunityȱ toȱ fightȱ inȱ theȱ emperor’sȱ defense.ȱ Althoughȱ Robert praysȱinȱsilence,ȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughterȱobservesȱhisȱgesturesȱandȱunderstandsȱhis prayer.ȱInȱanswerȱtoȱhisȱpleaȱanȱangelȱappearsȱwhoȱpresentsȱRobertȱwithȱarmsȱand aȱswordȱandȱcommandsȱhimȱtoȱfightȱforȱtheȱsakeȱofȱChristendom.ȱ Theȱ angel,ȱ dressedȱ inȱ whiteȱ armsȱ andȱ ridingȱ aȱ whiteȱ steed,ȱ resemblesȱ the archangelȱ Michael,ȱ theȱ swornȱ enemyȱ ofȱ Satan,ȱ whoȱ protectsȱ humanityȱ against diabolicalȱforces.ȱUnderȱtheȱauspicesȱofȱtheȱangel,ȱweȱseeȱthatȱRobertȱisȱnoȱlonger anȱadversaryȱagainstȱChristendom.ȱRatherȱthanȱwageȱwarȱagainstȱallȱthingsȱholy, heȱdefendsȱtheȱchurchȱwithȱallȱofȱhisȱstrength.ȱTheȱviolenceȱthatȱcharacterized Robert’sȱyouthȱhasȱnowȱbeenȱchanneledȱtoȱaȱhigherȱend.ȱForȱthreeȱyearsȱinȱaȱrow RobertȱdefeatsȱtheȱTurksȱfightingȱincognitoȱandȱafterȱeachȱbattleȱheȱreturnsȱbloody andȱbeatenȱtoȱtheȱfountainȱwhereȱtheȱangelȱappearsȱtoȱtakeȱawayȱhisȱarms.ȱNoȱone atȱcourtȱknowsȱthatȱtheȱsilentȱmanȱwhoȱeatsȱwithȱtheȱdogsȱisȱactuallyȱtheȱvaliant warriorȱwhoȱhasȱsparedȱthemȱfromȱTurkishȱinvasionȱexceptȱforȱtheȱemperor’s daughterȱwhoȱhasȱobservedȱhisȱinteractionsȱwithȱtheȱangelȱandȱhisȱprowessȱonȱthe battlefield.ȱSinceȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughterȱisȱunableȱtoȱspeakȱandȱherȱattemptsȱat communicatingȱhisȱidentityȱthroughȱsignȱlanguageȱareȱrebuffed,ȱRobert’sȱidentity remainsȱaȱmysteryȱuntilȱtheȱemperorȱdevisesȱaȱplanȱtoȱcatchȱhimȱbyȱambushȱasȱhe returnsȱfromȱbattle.ȱ Unfortunately,ȱtheȱplanȱbackfiresȱandȱRobertȱisȱaccidentallyȱwoundedȱinȱthe thighȱwithȱaȱlanceȱwhoseȱtipȱembedsȱitselfȱinȱtheȱwound.ȱTheȱemperor’sȱdaughter watchesȱ Robertȱ dressȱ hisȱ woundȱ andȱ pullȱ outȱ theȱ lanceȱ headȱ whichȱ heȱ then promptlyȱhides.ȱInȱaȱfinalȱattemptȱtoȱlearnȱRobert’sȱidentityȱtheȱemperorȱpromises hisȱdaughterȱinȱmarriageȱtoȱtheȱmanȱwhoȱcanȱshowȱbothȱtheȱwoundȱandȱlanceȱtip thatȱmatchesȱtheȱwound.ȱTheȱseneschalȱusesȱthisȱopportunityȱtoȱlayȱclaimȱtoȱthe emperor’sȱdaughterȱbyȱwoundingȱhimselfȱatȱlanceȱpointȱandȱpassingȱhimselfȱoff asȱ Robert.ȱ Theȱ youngȱ maidenȱ seemsȱ doomedȱ toȱ anȱ unhappyȱ marriageȱ until, throughȱanȱactȱofȱdivineȱintervention,ȱsheȱisȱgivenȱtheȱgiftȱofȱspeechȱandȱrelates Robert’sȱ story.ȱ Later,ȱ theȱ hermitȱ ofȱ Marabondeȱ arrivesȱ atȱ court,ȱ givingȱ Robert permissionȱtoȱspeak.ȱHavingȱredeemedȱhimselfȱandȱearnedȱaȱnewȱidentity,ȱRobert canȱ nowȱ pronounceȱ hisȱ nameȱ andȱ recountȱ hisȱ lifeȱ storyȱ toȱ theȱ court.ȱ Shortly thereafter,ȱRobertȱlearnsȱthatȱhisȱparentsȱhaveȱdiedȱandȱheȱisȱinvitedȱtoȱreturn homeȱ toȱ Normandyȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ becomeȱ king.ȱ Heȱ isȱ alsoȱ invitedȱ toȱ marryȱ the emperor’sȱdaughterȱandȱbecomeȱtheȱfutureȱemperorȱofȱRome.ȱFearfulȱthatȱhisȱsoul

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

103

isȱstillȱinȱperilȱRobertȱrefusesȱallȱworldlyȱgoods,ȱpreferringȱtoȱdedicateȱhimselfȱto Godȱbyȱlivingȱasȱaȱhermitȱinȱtheȱcompanyȱofȱtheȱhermitȱwhoȱsavedȱhisȱlife.ȱRobert endsȱhisȱdaysȱperformingȱmiraclesȱandȱisȱburiedȱinȱRomeȱuntilȱaȱpowerfulȱcount stealsȱhisȱbonesȱandȱwithȱthemȱfoundsȱtheȱAbbeyȱSaintȱRobertȱnearȱPuy.ȱ Asȱcommonlyȱoccursȱinȱmedievalȱromance,ȱfeminineȱagencyȱbringsȱaboutȱthe integrationȱ ofȱ theȱ heroȱ intoȱ theȱ publicȱ domain.ȱ Justȱ asȱ Mélusineȱ made Raymondin’sȱreturnȱtoȱcivilizationȱpossibleȱbyȱendowingȱherȱhusbandȱwithȱaȱfief throughȱtheȱmiracleȱofȱtheȱstag’sȱhide,ȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughterȱplaysȱaȱsimilarȱrole byȱmiraculouslyȱbreakingȱherȱsilenceȱinȱorderȱtoȱletȱtheȱcourtȱknowȱofȱRobert’s heroicȱexploits.ȱBecauseȱRobertȱhasȱcommittedȱviolentȱcrimesȱagainstȱwomen,ȱit isȱfittingȱthatȱheȱshouldȱrepairȱtheȱinjusticeȱbyȱmakingȱrestitutionȱtoȱaȱwoman.ȱJust asȱhisȱmother’sȱpactȱwithȱtheȱdevilȱledȱtoȱhisȱdownfall,ȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughter makesȱ upȱ forȱ thisȱ injury,ȱ firstȱ throughȱ herȱ silenceȱ andȱ theȱ punishmentsȱ she receivesȱtryingȱtoȱupholdȱhisȱhonor,ȱandȱthenȱthroughȱtheȱgiftȱofȱspeech,ȱwhich allowsȱ herȱ toȱ makeȱ hisȱ valorȱ public.ȱ Theȱ emperor’sȱ daughter’sȱ wiseȱ speech contrastsȱwithȱRobert’sȱmother’sȱtreasonousȱoath.ȱRobertȱpreservesȱtheȱworldly orderȱbyȱdefendingȱtheȱinterestsȱofȱtheȱemperor’sȱdaughterȱagainstȱtheȱwayward seneschalȱandȱtheȱspiritualȱorderȱbyȱengagingȱinȱaȱholyȱwarȱandȱthusȱprovingȱhe isȱaȱmanȱofȱGod,ȱnotȱtheȱscionȱofȱtheȱdevil.ȱHisȱmarkedȱpreferenceȱforȱtheȱcelibate lifeȱhelpsȱmitigateȱtheȱhorribleȱrapesȱheȱperformedȱasȱaȱwaywardȱyouth.ȱ Inȱ theȱ Romanȱ deȱ Mélusineȱ aȱ widerȱ gapȱ existsȱ betweenȱ theȱ commissionȱ ofȱ the heinousȱcrimeȱcenteredȱonȱtheȱdesecrationȱofȱaȱholyȱspace,ȱtheȱfullȱconsciousness ofȱtheȱegregiousnessȱnatureȱofȱtheȱcrime,ȱandȱtheȱpilgrimageȱtoȱRome.ȱGeoffrey willȱmakeȱhisȱpilgrimageȱtoȱRomeȱafterȱhisȱfatherȱmakesȱhisȱpilgrimageȱfirstȱas penanceȱforȱhavingȱbetrayedȱMélusine.ȱItȱisȱaȱgeneralȱpatternȱinȱtheȱproseȱromance forȱGeoffreyȱtoȱfollowȱinȱhisȱfather’sȱfootsteps.ȱNarrativeȱeventsȱinȱRobertȱtheȱDevil areȱ alteredȱ toȱ suitȱ newȱ circumstancesȱ acrossȱ theȱ generationsȱ inȱ theȱ Romanȱ de Mélusine.ȱAlthoughȱbothȱGeoffreyȱandȱhisȱfatherȱseekȱabsolutionȱforȱtheirȱcrimes byȱvisitingȱtheȱpope,ȱitȱisȱRaymondinȱwhoȱbecomesȱaȱhermitȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱthe romanceȱandȱnotȱGeoffrey.ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ Unlikeȱ Robert,ȱ Geoffreyȱ doesȱ notȱ rehabilitateȱ himselfȱ throughȱ anyȱ kindȱ of humiliationȱorȱselfȬabasement.ȱRobert’sȱpenanceȱisȱfarȱmoreȱcompleteȱandȱheartfelt thanȱGeoffrey’s.ȱInȱfact,ȱveryȱlittleȱspaceȱisȱdevotedȱtoȱdescribingȱGeoffrey’sȱmental anguishȱapartȱfromȱhisȱinitialȱdesireȱtoȱkillȱhimselfȱoutȱofȱdespairȱrightȱafterȱhe burnedȱdownȱtheȱabbey.ȱInstead,ȱlikeȱtheȱheroesȱofȱcourtlyȱromance,ȱheȱredeems himselfȱ byȱ accomplishingȱ difficultȱ adventuresȱ thatȱ bringȱ collectiveȱ peaceȱ and reestablishȱ socialȱ harmonyȱ toȱ aȱ disturbedȱ socialȱ order.ȱ Whereasȱ Robertȱ has committedȱ aȱ panoplyȱ ofȱ sins,ȱ rangingȱ fromȱ robbery,ȱ rape,ȱ murder,ȱ andȱ the desecrationȱofȱholyȱspaces,ȱGeoffrey’sȱsinsȱareȱlimitedȱtoȱthree:

104

StaceyȱHahn Etȱ luiȱ souvintȱ commentȱ ilȱ avoitȱ arsȱ lesȱ moynesȱ deȱ Malerésȱ etȱ l’abbéȱ etȱ sonȱ frere Fromont,ȱ sansȱ raison,ȱ etȱ queȱ parȱ ceȱ pechiéȱ avoitȱ estéȱ saȱ mereȱ perdue,ȱ puisȱ lui ramembreȱdeȱsonȱoncle,ȱleȱconteȱdeȱForests,ȱlequelȱilȱfistȱsaillirȱdeȱlaȱgrosseȱtourȱde MarcelliȱleȱChastelȱsurȱlaȱrocheȱetȱleȱfistȱtuer.ȱ(736) [AndȱheȱrememberedȱhowȱheȱhadȱburnedȱtheȱmonksȱofȱMaillezaisȱȱincludingȱtheȱabbot andȱhisȱbrotherȱFromont,ȱwithoutȱreason,ȱandȱthatȱthroughȱthisȱsinȱheȱhadȱlostȱhis mother,ȱthenȱheȱrememberedȱhisȱuncle,ȱtheȱCountȱofȱForest,ȱwhomȱheȱkilledȱwhenȱhe slippedȱfromȱtheȱhighȱtowerȱofȱMarcillyȱCastleȱontoȱtheȱrockȱbelow.]

ȱȱ Theȱelementȱallȱthreeȱsinsȱhaveȱinȱcommonȱisȱtheȱdeathȱofȱaȱfamilyȱmemberȱwhich isȱoccasionedȱbyȱGeoffrey’sȱinitialȱoutburstȱofȱangerȱagainstȱFromont.ȱ InȱcontrastȱtoȱRobertȱaȱhugeȱgapȱexistsȱbetweenȱtheȱmomentȱwhenȱGeoffrey commitsȱhisȱmostȱheinousȱcrimeȱandȱhisȱpilgrimageȱtoȱRomeȱtoȱseekȱabsolution. AfterȱdestroyingȱtheȱabbeyȱofȱMaillezais,ȱGeoffreyȱcausesȱanotherȱhomicide,ȱthe deathȱofȱhisȱpaternalȱuncle.ȱGeoffreyȱwillȱthenȱdiscoverȱhisȱfamilyȱoriginsȱthrough battleȱandȱinȱthisȱheȱresemblesȱtheȱheroesȱofȱbothȱverseȱandȱproseȱromance,ȱamong themȱLancelotȱandȱtheȱFairȱUnknown,ȱwhoȱuncoverȱtheȱsecretsȱofȱtheirȱnameȱand lineageȱ throughȱ chivalry.ȱ Theseȱ knightsȱ mustȱ prove,ȱ throughȱ accomplishing difficultȱexploits,ȱthatȱtheyȱareȱworthyȱofȱtheirȱbloodlines.ȱGeoffreyȱmustȱconquer andȱ expiateȱ theȱ giantȱ withinȱ himselfȱ byȱ defeatingȱ theȱ giantȱ Grimaut,ȱ thus triumphingȱ overȱ hisȱ giantȱ natureȱ beforeȱ reachingȱ theȱ stateȱ ofȱ surrenderȱ and humilityȱrequisiteȱforȱpenance.23ȱ AccordingȱtoȱJeffreyȱCohen,ȱ“Inȱidentityȱromance,ȱtheȱmomentȱofȱOedipalization usuallyȱ occursȱ duringȱ theȱ fightȱ againstȱ theȱ giant.ȱ Theȱ youngȱ heroȱ defeatsȱ his monstrousȱdouble,ȱrenderingȱaȱvolatileȱmultiplicityȱofȱpossibilityȱintoȱaȱunitary, regularizedȱbeing.”24ȱAfterȱGeoffreyȱkillsȱGrimautȱinȱtheȱveryȱmountainȱwhereȱhis grandfatherȱwasȱinterred,ȱGeoffreyȱlearnsȱfromȱanȱinscriptionȱheldȱinȱtheȱhandsȱof anȱ alabasterȱ statueȱ ofȱ Présineȱ thatȱ hisȱ maternalȱ grandfatherȱ isȱ Kingȱ Elinasȱ of Scotland.ȱHeȱalsoȱlearnsȱhowȱElinasȱcameȱtoȱbeȱimprisonedȱinȱthisȱspot,ȱtheȱthree punishmentsȱallottedȱtoȱhisȱmotherȱandȱherȱtwoȱsistersȱforȱthisȱcrimeȱandȱhowȱthe giantȱhadȱbeenȱplacedȱthereȱtoȱguardȱtheȱtombȱuntilȱaȱdescendantȱofȱoneȱofȱElinas’ daughtersȱwouldȱbanishȱhim.ȱ ThisȱeventȱmarksȱGeoffreyȱasȱtheȱpredestined,ȱelectȱmemberȱofȱhisȱlineageȱto whomȱtheȱfullȱstoryȱofȱhisȱfamily’sȱtransgressionsȱonȱhisȱmother’sȱsideȱisȱmade known.ȱGeoffreyȱlearnsȱthatȱtheȱLusignansȱdescendȱfromȱanȱillustriousȱlineageȱof whichȱ theyȱ canȱ beȱ proud,ȱ thusȱ mitigatingȱ theȱ socialȱ onusȱ associatedȱ with Mélusine’sȱsupernaturalȱoriginsȱandȱserpentȱbody.ȱGeoffrey’sȱplumbingȱofȱthe secretȱofȱhisȱoriginsȱmimicsȱRobert’sȱdiscoveryȱofȱhisȱdevilȱorigins.ȱHowever,ȱthe

23 24ȱ

GeoffreyȱdefeatsȱaȱgiantȱbeforeȱandȱafterȱtheȱburningȱofȱtheȱAbbeyȱofȱMaillezais.ȱȱ Cohen,ȱOfȱGiants,ȱ125ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14).ȱ

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

105

narratorȱ attenuatesȱ theȱ fairy,ȱ maternalȱ elementȱ ofȱ hisȱ lineageȱ inȱ favorȱ ofȱ the human,ȱmasculineȱone.ȱGeoffrey’sȱfinalȱadventuresȱwillȱbeȱdevotedȱtoȱsharingȱthis informationȱwithȱhisȱfatherȱandȱtheȱrestȱofȱhisȱsiblings.ȱItȱappearsȱthatȱJeanȱd’Arras isȱlegitimizingȱMélusine’sȱbloodlinesȱbyȱstressingȱitsȱhumanȱconnections.ȱOnce theseȱoriginsȱhaveȱbeenȱmadeȱclear,ȱGeoffreyȱmakesȱhisȱpilgrimageȱtoȱRomeȱwhere theȱpopeȱdeclaresȱhisȱpenanceȱtoȱbeȱtheȱrebuildingȱofȱtheȱAbbeyȱofȱMaillezaisȱand theȱrestorationȱ ofȱitsȱmonasticȱorder.ȱTheȱpilgrimageȱdoesȱnotȱtakeȱplaceȱright away,ȱhowever,ȱbecause,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱalreadyȱobservedȱinȱpreviousȱadventures, Geoffrey’sȱ lifeȱ pathȱ willȱ retrace,ȱ inȱ keepingȱ withȱ theȱ genreȱ ofȱ theȱ genealogical romances,ȱthoseȱofȱhisȱfather.ȱRaymondinȱwillȱjourneyȱtoȱRomeȱfirstȱinȱorderȱto atoneȱforȱhisȱbetrayalȱofȱMélusineȱwithȱGeoffreyȱfollowingȱinȱhisȱfootstepsȱafterȱhe learnsȱthatȱhisȱfatherȱhasȱbecomeȱaȱhermit.ȱȱ Althoughȱ Geoffreyȱ seemsȱ toȱ beȱ theȱ sonȱ whoȱ resemblesȱ Robertȱ theȱ most, Mélusine’sȱtenȱsonsȱrepresentȱvariationsȱofȱbehaviorȱthatȱcanȱoccurȱwithinȱthe hybridȱrace.ȱIfȱweȱperceiveȱtheȱRobertȱtheȱDevilȱlegendȱasȱhavingȱlooselyȱinspired theȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine,ȱJeanȱd’Arrasȱtakesȱtheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱdemonȱsonȱandȱturnsȱit intoȱaȱfamilyȱdrama,ȱdrawingȱitȱoutȱsynchronicallyȱwithinȱtheȱimmediateȱfamily soȱthatȱeachȱsonȱrepresentsȱaȱdifferentȱshadeȱofȱhybridȱconductȱandȱdiachronically acrossȱtheȱgenerationsȱasȱtheirȱhybridȱnatureȱdissipatesȱthroughȱtime.ȱAsȱstated earlier,ȱwhatȱdistinguishesȱMélusine’sȱsonsȱasȱhybridsȱareȱtheȱmotherȱmarksȱor congenitalȱdefectsȱthatȱmarȱtheȱfacesȱofȱeightȱofȱherȱtenȱoffspring,ȱtheȱlatterȱsons ThierryȱandȱRaymonnetȱbeingȱphysicallyȱnormal.ȱInȱaddition,ȱtheȱLusignanȱfamily isȱsubjectȱtoȱanȱinnateȱtendencyȱtoȱcommitȱhomicide,ȱwhetherȱofȱaȱvoluntaryȱor involuntaryȱ nature,ȱ forȱ itȱ wasȱ Mélusine’sȱ actȱ ofȱ parricideȱ andȱ Raymondin’s accidentalȱ slayingȱ ofȱ hisȱ uncleȱ Aimeryȱ duringȱ aȱ boarȱ huntȱ thatȱ broughtȱ the banishedȱcoupleȱtogether.ȱItȱappearsȱthatȱtheȱmarriageȱbetweenȱthemȱisȱaȱtestȱthat willȱresultȱinȱmutualȱredemptionȱifȱtheȱcoupleȱcanȱonlyȱmanageȱtoȱreconcileȱtheir differences.ȱ SevenȱofȱMélusine’sȱtenȱsonsȱleadȱratherȱnormalȱlivesȱinȱspiteȱofȱtheirȱhybrid natureȱ byȱ marryingȱ mortalȱ womenȱ andȱ raisingȱ children.ȱ Nearȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ the romanceȱweȱhearȱaccountsȱofȱMélusine’sȱgrandsons,ȱallȱofȱwhomȱareȱfullyȱhuman, andȱwhoȱmarryȱandȱfoundȱfamilies.ȱDouglasȱKellyȱbringsȱattentionȱtoȱMélusine’s threeȱ celibateȱ sonsȱ Geoffrey,ȱ Fromontȱ andȱ Horribleȱ whoȱ standȱ outȱ fromȱ their brothersȱbyȱtheirȱsingularȱnatures.25ȱTheseȱsonsȱareȱtheȱlastȱtoȱbearȱmotherȬmarks, theȱphysicalȱdeformitiesȱthatȱidentifyȱthemȱasȱhybrids.ȱTheȱremainingȱsons,ȱThierry andȱRemonnet,ȱareȱnormal,ȱwhichȱattestsȱtoȱMélusine’sȱtransformationȱthrough marriageȱfromȱfairyȱmistressȱtoȱhumanȱfemale.ȱEachȱoneȱofȱtheȱthreeȱcelibateȱsons embodiesȱinȱthreeȱpersonsȱtheȱtripartiteȱevolutionȱorȱseriesȱofȱstagesȱattainedȱby

25

DouglasȱKelly,ȱ“TheȱDomesticationȱofȱtheȱMarvelous,”ȱ34–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18).

106

StaceyȱHahn

Robertȱ asȱ heȱ evolvesȱ fromȱ aȱ demonicȱ monsterȱ intoȱ aȱ saint.ȱ Horrible,ȱ the unredeemableȱLusignanȱwithȱthreeȱeyes,ȱresemblesȱRobertȱinȱhisȱmostȱprimitive, brutalȱ state,ȱ havingȱ firstȱ killedȱ twoȱ nursesȱ byȱ theȱ ageȱ ofȱ fourȱ byȱ bitingȱ their nipples,ȱandȱlater,ȱtwoȱservants.ȱ ThisȱsonȱisȱsoȱviciousȱthatȱMélusineȱasksȱthatȱheȱbeȱputȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱsuffocation soȱ thatȱ heȱ willȱ notȱ inflictȱ furtherȱ injuryȱ onȱ herȱ subjects.26ȱ Here,ȱ weȱ seeȱ howȱ a personalityȱ traitȱ inȱ Robertȱ theȱ Devilȱ isȱ reworkedȱ andȱ expandedȱ toȱ becomeȱ a separateȱ characterȱ inȱ theȱ Romanȱ deȱ Mélusine.ȱ Fromontȱ representsȱ theȱ opposite extremeȱfromȱHorrible,ȱforȱhisȱheart’sȱdesireȱisȱtoȱbecomeȱaȱmonk,ȱaȱvocationȱto whichȱMélusineȱandȱRaymondinȱgiveȱtheirȱfullȱconsent.ȱAsȱweȱhaveȱseen,ȱrather thanȱdoȱharmȱtoȱothers,ȱFromontȱbecomesȱtheȱvictimȱofȱGeoffrey’sȱmurderousȱrage andȱthusȱabsorbsȱandȱsuffersȱtheȱviolenceȱtoȱwhichȱhisȱlineageȱseemsȱdestined. Geoffrey’sȱbehaviorȱrepresentsȱtheȱmeanȱbetweenȱabjectȱcrueltyȱandȱsaintlinessȱas heȱvacillatesȱbetweenȱtheȱtwoȱextremesȱrepresentedȱbyȱHorribleȱandȱFromont. GeoffreyȱisȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱdeathȱofȱFromontȱandȱhisȱuncleȱtheȱCountȱofȱForest, yetȱheȱalsoȱperformsȱheroicallyȱinȱbattleȱdefendingȱtheȱinterestsȱofȱhisȱbrothersȱand priorȱ toȱ hisȱ actȱ ofȱ fratricide,ȱ heȱ crusadedȱ onȱ behalfȱ ofȱ theȱ Churchȱ inȱ theȱ Holy Lands.27ȱȱȱȱ AlthoughȱGeoffreyȱneverȱbecomesȱaȱsaintlyȱhermitȱlikeȱRobert,ȱheȱdoesȱremain celibateȱandȱdevotesȱtheȱlatterȱpartȱofȱhisȱlifeȱtoȱensuringȱtheȱeternalȱsalvationȱof hisȱfamilyȱthroughȱtheȱconstructionȱofȱanȱabbey,ȱchapelȱandȱhospital.ȱTheȱperson whoȱ followsȱ inȱ Robert’sȱ pathȱ asȱ repentant,ȱ saintlyȱ hermitȱ isȱ Raymondin,ȱ and indeed,ȱhisȱpenanceȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱ moreȱ heartfeltȱandȱdeeperȱthanȱGeoffrey’s.ȱIt appearsȱ thatȱ theȱ characterȱ ofȱ Robertȱ theȱ Devilȱ hasȱ beenȱ brokenȱ upȱ intoȱ four separate,ȱcontrastingȱpersonsȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine.ȱFirst,ȱthereȱisȱtheȱtrinityȱof maleȱcelibateȱoffspring,ȱtwoȱofȱwhomȱrepresentȱextremesȱthatȱcannotȱsurviveȱinȱthe humanȱworld.ȱThisȱtrinityȱofȱmaleȱoffspringȱreflectsȱtheȱtrinityȱofȱfemaleȱoffspring asȱrepresentedȱinȱMélusineȱandȱherȱtwoȱsistersȱMeliorȱandȱPalestine,ȱbothȱofȱwhom receiveȱaȱpenanceȱandȱareȱbannedȱfromȱparticipatingȱinȱtheȱhumanȱworld.

26

27

AlthoughȱoneȱmayȱbeȱastonishedȱatȱMélusine’sȱlackȱofȱmaternalȱaffectionȱforȱHorribleȱandȱcringe atȱherȱdecisionȱtoȱcommitȱinfanticide,ȱHorrible’sȱoutrageousȱdeedsȱwarrantȱsomeȱsortȱofȱobjective punishmentȱandȱindeedȱheȱmayȱhaveȱsufferedȱaȱdeathȱsentenceȱorȱbanishmentȱifȱheȱhadȱlivedȱto commitȱtheȱcrimesȱpredicted.ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱMélusine’sȱlackȱofȱfamilialȱfeelingȱfitsȱinȱwithȱthe generalȱpatternȱofȱmanslaughterȱexhibitedȱbyȱbothȱMélusineȱandȱGeoffreyȱwhoȱdeliberatelyȱkilled familyȱmembersȱeitherȱoutȱofȱaȱsenseȱofȱoutrageȱorȱaȱmisguidedȱsenseȱofȱjustice.ȱThisȱfinalȱactȱof homicideȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱMélusineȱcouldȱalsoȱindicateȱherȱwillingnessȱtoȱplaceȱtheȱcommonȱgood overȱandȱaboveȱpersonalȱandȱfamilyȱinterests,ȱthusȱreinforcingȱtheȱnotionȱofȱtheȱparadoxicalȱand inscrutableȱnatureȱofȱjusticeȱthatȱJeanȱd’Arrasȱdiscussesȱinȱhisȱprologue.ȱȱ BothȱGeoffreyȱandȱRobertȱdoȱbattleȱagainstȱtheȱinfidel;ȱhowever,ȱGeoffreyȱwagesȱsuchȱaȱwarȱbefore theȱburningȱofȱtheȱabbeyȱandȱRobertȱdoesȱsoȱafterwards.ȱȱ

RobertȱtheȱDevilȱandȱGeoffreyȱBigȱTooth

107

ȱȱ Accordingȱ toȱ Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ “Thereȱ is,ȱ however,ȱ aȱremarkableȱdifference betweenȱMélusineȱandȱherȱtwoȱsistersȱwhoȱneverȱmanageȱtoȱjoinȱhumanȱsociety andȱremainȱratherȱnebulousȱfairiesȱwhoȱcannot,ȱdespiteȱmanyȱefforts,ȱbeȱrescued fromȱ theȱ banishmentȱ imposedȱ onȱ themȱ byȱ theirȱ motherȱ Persina.”28ȱ Similarly, HorribleȱandȱFromontȱareȱbanishedȱfromȱhumanȱsocietyȱbyȱmotherȱandȱbrother respectively,ȱwhichȱleavesȱGeoffrey,ȱlikeȱhisȱmotherȱMélusine,ȱtoȱcopeȱwithȱthe effectsȱ ofȱ hisȱ crimeȱ inȱ theȱ humanȱ world.ȱ Finally,ȱ thereȱ isȱ Raymondin,ȱ who withdrawsȱfromȱtheȱworldȱinȱorderȱtoȱexpiateȱhisȱsinsȱandȱprayȱforȱtheȱsalvation ofȱhisȱbelovedȱwife.ȱ ȱȱȱ Inȱconclusion,ȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱMélusineȱincorporatesȱandȱdevelopsȱbasicȱnarrative patternsȱ andȱ characterȱ traitsȱ suggestedȱ byȱ theȱ legendȱ ofȱ Robertȱ theȱ Devil, producingȱvariousȱshadesȱofȱbehaviorȱasȱaȱwayȱofȱexploringȱtheȱeffectsȱofȱthese behaviorsȱonȱsocietyȱacrossȱtheȱgenerations.ȱNeitherȱtaleȱfollowsȱtheȱtrajectoryȱof twelfthȱorȱthirteenthȱcenturyȱcourtlyȱromanceȱinȱthatȱloveȱplaysȱnoȱmajorȱroleȱas aȱ motivatingȱ orȱ subversiveȱ force.ȱ Theȱ relationshipȱ betweenȱ Robertȱ andȱ the emperor’sȱdaughterȱisȱwhollyȱchasteȱandȱallȱloveȱrelationshipsȱinȱtheȱRomanȱde Mélusineȱ endȱ inȱ marriage,ȱ withȱ loveȱ seemingȱ toȱ playȱ aȱ veryȱ minor,ȱ almost perfunctoryȱrole.ȱTheȱelementȱofȱforbidden,ȱadulterousȱloveȱisȱabsent.ȱItȱdoesȱseem thatȱtheȱtwoȱromancesȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱsubȱgenreȱofȱtheȱpenitentialȱromance,ȱasȱmany criticsȱhaveȱsuggested,ȱbecauseȱtheȱmainȱthrustȱofȱtheȱromancesȱisȱtheȱexposure andȱexpiationȱofȱaȱsecretȱcrimeȱlinkedȱtoȱone’sȱfamilyȱheritageȱandȱmanifestȱin one’sȱhybridȱnature.ȱTheȱmainȱcharactersȱmustȱcomeȱtoȱtermsȱwithȱtheirȱduality, andȱinȱsoȱdoingȱforgeȱaȱnewȱidentityȱmoreȱinȱkeepingȱwithȱChristianȱvalues.ȱȱ Theȱbattleȱbetweenȱtheȱforcesȱofȱgoodȱandȱevilȱplaysȱaȱparticularlyȱstrongȱrole inȱtheȱlivesȱofȱtheȱhybrids,ȱwhoȱintensify,ȱthroughȱtheirȱexcessiveȱbehavior,ȱtheȱgift andȱ curseȱ ofȱ theirȱ supernaturalȱ origins.ȱ Demonicȱ originsȱ seemȱ toȱ explain outrageousȱbehaviorȱthatȱmightȱotherwiseȱbeȱhardȱtoȱattributeȱtoȱpeopleȱbornȱof nobleȱdescentȱsinceȱgoodness,ȱintelligenceȱandȱbeautyȱwereȱcommonlyȱassociated withȱ royalȱ bloodlines.ȱ Alcuinȱ Blamiresȱ believesȱ thatȱ theȱ hybridȱ expresses “profoundȱ medievalȱ anxietiesȱ aboutȱ theȱ productionȱ ofȱ heirs,ȱ andȱ particularly violentȱandȱungovernableȱheirs,ȱwithoutȱlayingȱtheseȱphenomenaȱexclusivelyȱat theȱdoorȱofȱfiends.”29ȱTheȱcontradictionsȱinȱtheseȱromancesȱareȱpurposefulȱandȱnot meantȱtoȱbeȱclarified,ȱratherȱtheyȱreflectȱtheȱperplexingȱstateȱofȱtheȱworldȱasȱit exists,ȱfullȱofȱenigmasȱregardingȱgoodȱandȱevil.ȱTheseȱromances,ȱwrittenȱduring

28

29

AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“LoveȱandȱFearȱofȱtheȱForeign:ȱThüringȱvonȱRingoltingen’sȱMelusineȱ(1456):ȱA XenologicalȱAnalysis,”ȱDaphnisȱ33.1–2ȱ(2004):ȱ97–122;ȱhere,ȱ118.ȱ Alcuinȱ Blamires,ȱ “Theȱ Twinȱ Demonsȱ ofȱ Aristocraticȱ Societyȱ inȱ Sirȱ Gowther,”ȱ Pulpȱ Fictionsȱ of MedievalȱEngland:ȱEssaysȱinȱPopularȱRomance,ȱed.ȱNicolaȱMcDonaldȱ(ManchesterȱandȱNewȱYork: ManchesterȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2004),ȱ45–62;ȱhereȱ52.

108

StaceyȱHahn

anȱeraȱwhenȱpeopleȱbelievedȱinȱtheȱsupernaturalȱandȱwereȱunawareȱofȱtheȱscience behindȱreproduction,ȱillustrateȱtheȱcontradictionsȱinherentȱinȱattemptingȱtoȱassign goodȱandȱevilȱtoȱanyȱparticularȱcause,ȱespeciallyȱaȱgeneticȱone.ȱTheȱcelibacyȱofȱthe hybridsȱandȱtheȱextinctionȱofȱtheirȱbloodlineȱallowȱusȱtoȱviewȱthemȱfromȱaȱsafe distance.ȱInȱaddition,ȱtheȱredemptionȱofȱtheȱdemonicȱchildȱgivesȱusȱcomfortȱand hopeȱthatȱtheȱevilȱinȱhumanityȱcanȱbeȱmitigated.ȱ

Chapterȱ5 ScottȱL.ȱTaylor (PimaȱCommunityȱCollege,ȱTucson)

JudiciumȱDei,ȱvulgarisȱpopularisqueȱsensus: SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱandȱResistanceȱtoȱits Displacementȱbyȱtheȱ“New”ȱOrdinesȱiudiciorumȱas EvidencedȱbyȱFrancophonicȱLiteratureȱofȱthe HighȱMiddleȱAges

LesȱEncoupementsȱdeȱlaȱCorone,1ȱanȱanonymousȱandȱhighlyȱpracticalȱAngloȬNorman treatiseȱcompiledȱcircaȱ1274ȱdealingȱexclusivelyȱwithȱcriminalȱlaw,ȱtellsȱtheȱstory ofȱaȱthief,ȱindictedȱbyȱtheȱcountryȱandȱbroughtȱbeforeȱJusticeȱLaurenceȱdeȱBrok.ȱDe Brok,ȱadvisingȱtheȱmanȱofȱtheȱaccusation,ȱenquiredȱofȱhimȱhowȱheȱwishedȱtoȱacquit himself.ȱTheȱaccusedȱreplied,ȱ“Byȱmyȱbody,ȱsir,”ȱwhichȱisȱtoȱsay,ȱbyȱcombat.ȱAnd theȱjusticeȱadvisedȱhim,ȱ“myȱgoodȱman,ȱnoȱmanȱmakesȱsuitȱagainstȱyouȱexceptȱthe king,ȱandȱtheȱkingȱdoesȱnotȱdoȱbattle.ȱHowȱdoȱyouȱwantȱtoȱproveȱthatȱyouȱare goodȱandȱhonest?”ȱButȱtheȱthiefȱinsistedȱonȱbattle,ȱuntilȱtheȱjusticeȱdecidedȱtoȱask him,ȱ“Areȱyouȱaȱgoodȱandȱhonestȱman?”ȱ“Yes,ȱindeed,”ȱproclaimedȱtheȱaccused, “andȱIȱamȱreadyȱtoȱdefendȱmyselfȱbyȱmyȱbodyȱagainstȱthisȱaccusation.”ȱAndȱthe justiceȱcontinued,ȱ“Iȱsay,ȱareȱyouȱgoodȱandȱhonest?”ȱAndȱtheȱthiefȱreplied,ȱ“Yes, sir,ȱIȱam.”ȱAndȱtheȱjusticeȱsaidȱ“Howȱdoȱyouȱwishȱtoȱproveȱit?”ȱAndȱtheȱthiefȱsaid, “Byȱtheȱcountry,ȱofȱcourse!”ȱAndȱtheȱcountryȱcame,ȱandȱsaidȱheȱwasȱaȱthiefȱand hadȱcommittedȱtheȱtheftȱforȱwhichȱheȱhadȱbeenȱindicted,ȱandȱseveralȱothersȱas well;ȱandȱsoȱheȱwasȱhanged,ȱandȱinȱsuchȱaȱwayȱheȱwasȱtricked.2

1

2

AlsoȱknownȱasȱLaȱCoroneȱPledeeȱdevantȱJustices,ȱorȱPlacitaȱCorone,ȱunderȱwhichȱlatterȱtitleȱitȱhasȱbeen editedȱwithȱintroduction,ȱnotesȱandȱtranslationȱbyȱJ.ȱM.ȱKaye.ȱSupplementaryȱSeries,ȱ4ȱ(London andȱColchester:ȱSeldenȱSociety,ȱ1966). PlacitaȱCorone,ȱ23ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱauthorȱofȱtheȱtextȱisȱdiscussingȱhowȱtoȱavoidȱbeingȱhangedȱby

110

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

Theȱlegalȱliteratureȱofȱtheȱperiodȱaboundsȱinȱsimilarȱgamesȱofȱwitsȱasȱlitigants stalwartlyȱ demandȱ theirȱ customaryȱ rightsȱ andȱ royalȱ functionariesȱ noȱ less determinedlyȱundertakeȱtoȱmaneuverȱthemȱintoȱacceptingȱnewȱproceduresȱduring aȱ periodȱ ofȱ legalȱ transition.ȱ Beginningȱ inȱ theȱ lateȱ eleventhȱ andȱ earlyȱ twelfth centuries,ȱ inȱ aȱ developmentȱ thatȱ wouldȱ ultimatelyȱ transformȱ Westernȱ law, RomanoȬcanonicalȱjudicialȱproceduresȱbasedȱonȱoralȱandȱwrittenȱevidenceȱcame toȱdisplaceȱcustomaryȱproceduresȱforȱdeterminingȱguiltȱandȱpunishmentȱresting onȱimmanentȱjustice.ȱTheȱwidelyȱdebatedȱreasonsȱforȱthisȱtransformationȱfallȱinto twoȱ schoolsȱ ofȱ thought.ȱ Theȱ firstȱ attributesȱ theȱ changeȱ toȱ sociologicalȱ factors, includingȱwidespreadȱskepticismȱandȱtheȱgrowthȱofȱurbanȱcentersȱatȱtheȱexpense ofȱsmall,ȱisolatedȱcommunities3;ȱtheȱotherȱelitistȱperspectiveȱmaintainsȱthatȱthe ordealȱ disappearedȱ largelyȱ because,ȱ onȱ theologicalȱ principles,ȱ theȱ church withdrewȱitsȱsanctionȱbyȱcanonȱofȱFourthȱLateranȱCouncil,ȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱriseȱofȱan intellectualȱapparatchikiȱtrainedȱinȱtheȱordinesȱiudiciorum,ȱtrialȱproceduresȱfounded uponȱtheȱRomanȱlaw.4

3

4

insistingȱonȱbattle,ȱinstructingȱtheȱreader:ȱ“Etȱfetaȱsaverȱkeȱiamnesȱpenduȱneȱserraȱtantȱcumȱil donneȱteuȱrespouns,ȱsiȱilȱneȱseitȱvencuȱparȱbataille,ȱmesȱenȱprisounȱserraȱtantȱcumȱleȱRoyȱseitȱen vie;ȱetȱsiȱleȱRoyȱmoergeȱsiȱserraȱillȱdelivers”ȱ(“Andȱbeȱassuredȱthatȱheȱneverȱwillȱbeȱhangedȱsoȱlong asȱheȱgivesȱthisȱresponse,ȱunlessȱheȱbeȱdefeatedȱinȱbattle,ȱbutȱheȱwillȱremainȱinȱprisonȱsoȱlongȱas theȱKingȱremainȱalive,ȱandȱifȱtheȱKingȱdie,ȱthenȱwillȱheȱbeȱfreed”),ȱ23ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). TheȱmostȱradicalȱofȱtheseȱisȱCharlesȱRadding,ȱ“SuperstitionȱtoȱScience:ȱNature,ȱFortuneȱandȱthe PassingȱofȱtheȱMedievalȱOrdeal,”ȱTheȱAmericanȱHistoricalȱReviewȱ84ȱ(1979):ȱ945–69,ȱadvancingȱthe thesisȱthatȱwidespreadȱskepticismȱofȱdivineȱimmanenceȱgenerallyȱledȱtoȱaȱsecularȱperspective,ȱa thesisȱadvancedȱfurtherȱinȱhisȱAȱWorldȱMadeȱbyȱMen:ȱCognitionȱandȱSociety,ȱ400–1200ȱ(ChapelȱHill, NC,ȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱNorthȱCarolinaȱPress,ȱ1985).ȱAsȱnotedȱbyȱKennethȱPennington, TheȱPrinceȱandȱtheȱLawȱ1200–1600:ȱSovereigntyȱandȱRightsȱinȱtheȱWesternȱLegalȱTraditionȱ(Berkeleyȱand LosȱAngeles:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1993),ȱ134,ȱnoteȱ49,ȱfewȱhistoriansȱhaveȱascribedȱto Radding’sȱview.ȱSeeȱalsoȱJohnȱContreni’sȱreviewȱofȱRadding’sȱtome,ȱSpeculumȱ63ȱ(1988):ȱ709–14. PeterȱBrown,ȱ“SocietyȱandȱtheȱSupernatural:ȱAȱMedievalȱChange,”ȱDaedalusȱ104ȱ(1975):ȱ133–51, reprintedȱwithȱadditionalȱnotesȱinȱSocietyȱandȱtheȱHolyȱinȱLateȱAntiquityȱ(BerkeleyȱandȱLosȱAngeles: UniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1982),ȱ302–32,ȱisȱmoreȱmoderateȱinȱhisȱassessmentȱofȱtheȱdegreeȱof change,ȱbutȱdoesȱargueȱforȱanȱincreasedȱskepticismȱatȱleastȱvisȬàȬvisȱimmanentȱjusticeȱperȱse.ȱPaul R.ȱHyams,ȱ“TrialȱbyȱOrdeal:ȱTheȱKeyȱtoȱProofȱinȱtheȱEarlyȱcommonȱLaw,ȱ”OnȱtheȱLawsȱandȱCustoms ofȱEngland:ȱEssaysȱinȱHonorȱofȱSamuelȱE.ȱThorne,ȱed.ȱMorrisȱS.ȱArnold,ȱThomasȱA.ȱGreen,ȱSalleyȱA. Scully,ȱandȱStephenȱD.ȱWhite.ȱStudiesȱinȱLegalȱHistoryȱ(ChapelȱHill,ȱNC:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱNorth CarolinaȱPress,ȱ1981),ȱ90–126,ȱarguesȱthatȱordealsȱwereȱrationalȱonlyȱinȱsmallȱcommunitiesȱofȱthe earlyȱMiddleȱAgesȱwhereȱthereȱexistedȱaȱcommonȱfamiliarity. Theȱ mostȱ prominentȱ adherentȱ ofȱ thisȱ positionȱ isȱ Robertȱ Bartlett,ȱ Trialȱ byȱ Fireȱ andȱ Water:ȱ The MedievalȱJudicialȱOrdealȱ(Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1986).ȱToȱthisȱviewȱemphasizingȱthe importanceȱofȱtheȱecclesiasticȱelites,ȱKennethȱPennington,ȱTheȱPrinceȱandȱtheȱLawȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱadds theȱvitalȱroleȱofȱtrainedȱjurists.ȱOnȱtheȱextensiveȱproceduralȱliteratureȱofȱtheȱperiodȱadopting RomanoȬcanonicalȱ proceduresȱ basedȱ onȱ writtenȱ andȱ testimonialȱ evidence,ȱ seeȱ Lindaȱ FowlerȬ Magerl,ȱOrdoȱiudiciorumȱvelȱordoȱiudiciarius:ȱBegriffȱundȱLiteraturgattung.ȱRepertorienȱzurȱFrühzeit derȱgelehrtenȱRechte.ȱJusȱCommune,ȱSonderhefteȱ19ȱ(Frankfurtȱa.ȱM.:ȱKlostermann,ȱ1984).

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

111

ȱFromȱtheȱninthȬcenturyȱpolemicsȱofȱAgobardȱofȱLyon5ȱattackingȱtheȱpremisesȱof ordealsȱ bothȱ inȱ theoryȱ andȱ praxis,ȱ andȱ railingȱ againstȱ theȱ Gundobadianȱ law adoptingȱtheȱjudiciumȱDeiȱoutȱofȱtheȱconcernȱofȱBurgundianȱrulersȱoverȱrampant perjury,ȱ toȱ theȱ fourteenthȬcenturyȱ compilationsȱ ofȱ Giovanniȱ deȱ Legnano, theologiansȱcondemnedȱordealsȱbasedȱnotȱonlyȱonȱscripturalȱproscriptionsȱagainst theȱtemptationȱofȱGodȱandȱtheȱsheddingȱofȱblood,ȱbutȱonȱgroundsȱtheyȱsimplyȱdid notȱwork.6ȱTheȱequityȱofȱtheȱlawȱofȱnationsȱdictatesȱthatȱoffendersȱbeȱpunished,ȱthe innocentȱacquitted.7ȱButȱinȱGottesurteilȱtheȱoppositeȱsometimesȱhappens.ȱHence,ȱin 867,ȱPopeȱNicholasȱIȱforebadeȱjudicialȱduels8;ȱinȱ886,ȱPopeȱStephanȱVȱenjoined

5

6

7

8

Liberȱejusdemȱadȱpraefatumȱimperatorem,ȱadversusȱlegemȱGundobadi,ȱetȱimpiaȱcertaminaȱquaeȱperȱeam geruntur,ȱ inȱ J.ȱ P.ȱ Migne,ȱ ed.,ȱ Patrologiaeȱ cursusȱ completus,ȱ seriesȱ Latinaȱ (PL)ȱ (Paris:ȱ Migne, 1844–1855),ȱ104:ȱ113–26l;ȱLiberȱdeȱdivinisȱsententiisȱdigestus,ȱcumȱbrevissimisȱadnotationibus,ȱcontra damnabilemȱopinionemȱputantium,ȱdiviniȱiudiciiȱveritatemȱigne,ȱvelȱaquis,ȱvelȱconflictȱarmorumȱpatefieri, PLȱ104:249–68. “Qualiterȱduellamȱhocȱpurgatoriumȱinhibitumȱsitȱiureȱdivinoȱprobaturȱsicȱilleȱactusȱestȱinhibitus iureȱdivinoȱperȱquemȱsitȱdeiȱtemptatio.ȱSedȱhocȱduellumȱestȱhuiusmodiȱergoȱprobaturȱmaiorȱper illudȱpreceptum.ȱNonȱtemptabisȱdominumȱdieȱtui.ȱProbatȱminor.ȱNamȱtuncȱtemptaturȱdeusȱcum perquiriturȱaliquidȱcontraȱnaturamȱquodȱnonȱestȱproductibileȱnisiȱmiraculoȱdivinoȱsicȱestȱdicere inȱhocȱduelloȱpurgationis.ȱNamȱnaturalȱestȱquodȱfortioriȱetȱingeniosiorȱvincatȱminusȱfortemȱet minusȱingeniosumȱnecȱecontraȱfieriȱpotestȱordineȱnaturali.ȱSedȱaliquamȱminusȱfortisȱetȱminus ingeniosusȱ fovetȱ iusticiamȱ etȱ perȱ duellumȱ quaerimusȱ utȱ victoriamȱ obtineatȱ utȱ ipsiusȱ iusticia declaret.ȱSicȱergoȱdeusȱtemptatusȱmiraculumȱfaciat.ȱConfirmaturȱilleȱactusȱestȱinhibitusȱiureȱdivino quareȱestȱadȱinȱventusȱfabricanteȱdiabolo.ȱHocȱduellumȱestȱhuiusȱmodi,ȱergoȱprobaturȱmaior,ȱnam nilȱcommuneȱdeiȱadȱdiabolamȱlucisȱadȱtenebras.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱ(“Howȱtheȱduelȱofȱpurgationȱisȱforbiddenȱby divineȱlawȱisȱdemonstratedȱasȱfollows.ȱAnȱactȱisȱforbiddenȱtoȱtheȱextentȱitȱisȱaȱtemptationȱofȱGod. Butȱthisȱduelȱisȱofȱsuchȱkind;ȱthus,ȱtheȱmajorȱpremiseȱisȱprovenȱbyȱtheȱprecept:ȱTemptȱnotȱtheȱLord thyȱGod.ȱTheȱminorȱisȱproved:ȱForȱthenȱGodȱisȱtemptedȱwhenȱanythingȱisȱaskedȱofȱhimȱcontrary toȱnatureȱwhichȱcannotȱariseȱexceptȱbyȱdivineȱmiracle,ȱwhichȱfollowsȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱthisȱduel.ȱFor itȱisȱnaturalȱforȱtheȱstrongestȱandȱmostȱadeptȱtoȱdefeatȱtheȱlessȱstrongȱandȱlessȱadept;ȱnorȱdoesȱit happenȱinȱtheȱnaturalȱorderȱofȱthings.ȱButȱsometimesȱtheȱlessȱstrongȱandȱlessȱadeptȱfavorȱjustice, andȱweȱseekȱbyȱtheȱduelȱthatȱheȱachievesȱvictoryȱandȱthatȱhisȱjusticeȱbeȱdeclared.ȱSoȱthusȱGodȱis temptedȱtoȱperformȱaȱmiracle.ȱItȱisȱconfirmed:ȱanȱactȱisȱforbiddenȱbyȱdivineȱlawȱtoȱtheȱextentȱitȱis aȱ deviceȱ ofȱ theȱ devil.ȱ Thisȱ duelȱ isȱ ofȱ suchȱ type,ȱ henceȱ theȱ majorȱ isȱ proved.ȱ Sinceȱ nothingȱ is commonȱtoȱGodȱandȱtheȱdevil,ȱtheȱlightȱandȱtheȱdarknessȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.“)ȱTractatusȱdeȱbello,ȱdeȱrepresaliisȱet deȱduelloȱdominiȱJohannisȱdeȱLignano,ȱcumȱadditionibusȱDominiȱPauliȱdeȱLignano,ȱcap.ȱclxxv. “Namȱdictatȱequitasȱiureȱgentiumȱdelinquentsȱpuniriȱinnocentsȱabsoluiȱacȱinȱhocȱbelloȱcontingit quandoquamȱecontraȱergoȱinhibitumȱiureȱgentium”(“Forȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱlawȱofȱnations,ȱequity demandsȱ thatȱ theȱ guiltyȱ beȱ punished,ȱ theȱ innocentȱ acquitted.ȱ Butȱ inȱ thisȱ battle,ȱ theȱ opposite sometimesȱhappens.ȱHence,ȱitȱisȱforbiddenȱbyȱtheȱlawȱofȱnations”).ȱTractatusȱdeȱbelloȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). Monomachianȱueroȱinȱlegeȱnonȱassumimus,ȱquamȱpreceptamȱfuisseȱnonȱreperimus,ȱquam,ȱlicet iniisseȱquosdamȱlegamus,ȱsicutȱsanctumȱDavidȱetȱGoliamȱsacraȱproditȱistoria,ȱnusquamȱtamenȱut proȱ legeȱ teneaturȱ alicubiȱ diuinaȱ sanxitȱ auctoritas,ȱ cumȱ hocȱ etȱ huiusmodiȱ sectantesȱ Deum solummodoȱtemptareȱuideantur”ȱ(Weȱdoȱnotȱsupport,ȱhowever,ȱjudicialȱbattle,ȱwhichȱweȱdoȱnot findȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱtheȱrule,ȱthoughȱweȱreadȱthatȱonceȱitȱwasȱpracticed,ȱasȱappearsȱfromȱtheȱsacred storyȱofȱDavidȱandȱGoliath.ȱNevertheless,ȱnowhereȱdidȱdivineȱauthorityȱanywhereȱratifyȱthatȱthe practiceȱbeȱretainedȱasȱlaw,ȱwhenȱthisȱandȱsimilarȱproceduresȱonlyȱseemȱtoȱtemptȱGod”),ȱC.ȱ2ȱq. 5ȱc.ȱ22.

112

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

ordealsȱ ofȱ hotȱ ironȱ andȱ water,ȱ anȱ injunctionȱ reissuedȱ byȱ Alexanderȱ II.9ȱ When GratianȱcomposedȱhisȱDecretum,ȱtheȱonlyȱauthorityȱinȱfavorȱofȱordealsȱheȱcould findȱwereȱtwoȱcanonsȱfromȱtheȱCouncilȱofȱWormsȱ(868)ȱallowingȱtheȱEucharistic ordeal,10ȱandȱoneȱfromȱtheȱSynodȱofȱSeligenstadtȱ(1023),ȱallowingȱdivineȱjudgment inȱaccusationsȱofȱadultery.11 OnlyȱlaterȱeditorsȱsucceededȱinȱlocatingȱtwoȱninthȬcenturyȱpaleae,ȱNobilisȱhomo,12 fromȱtheȱCouncilȱofȱTriburȱ(895),ȱandȱQuiȱpresbiterum,13ȱfromȱtheȱCouncilȱofȱMainz

9

10 11

12

13

Consuluistiȱdeȱinfantibus,ȱquiȱinȱunoȱlectoȱcumȱparentibusȱdorminetesȱmortuiȱreperiuntur,ȱutrum ferroȱcandente,ȱautȱaquaȱferuente,ȱseuȱalioȱquolibetȱexamineȱparentesȱseȱpurificareȱdebeantȱeos nonȱobpressisse.ȱMonendiȱnamqueȱsuntȱetȱprotestandiȱparentes,ȱneȱtamȱtenellosȱsecumȱinȱuno collocentȱ lecto,ȱ neȱ negligentiaȱ qualibetȱ prouenientȱ suffocenturȱ uelȱ opprimantur,ȱ undeȱ ipsi homicidiiȱreiȱinueniantur.ȱNamȱferriȱcandentisȱuelȱaquaeȱfeuentisȱexaminationeȱconfessionem extorqueriȱaȱquolibetȱsacriȱnonȱconsentȱcanones,ȱetȱquodȱsanctorumȱPatrumȱdocumentoȱsancitum nonȱ estȱ supersticiosaȱ adinuentioneȱ nonȱ estȱ presumendum.ȱ Spontaneaȱ enimȱ confessioneȱ uel testiumȱapprobationeȱpublicataȱdelicta,ȱhabitoȱpreȱoculisȱDeiȱtimore,ȱcommissaȱsuntȱregimini iudicare.ȱOccultaȱueroȱetȱincognitaȱsuntȱilliȱrelinquenda,ȱquiȱsolusȱnouitȱcordaȱfilliorumȱhominum. Hiȱautem,ȱquiȱprobantur,ȱuelȱconfitenturȱtalisȱreatusȱseȱnoxiosȱtuaȱeosȱcastigetȱmoderatio,ȱquiȱsi conceptumȱinȱuteroȱquiȱperȱaborsumȱdeleuerit,ȱhomicida,ȱest,ȱquantoȱmagis,ȱquiȱuniusȱsaltemȱdiei puerulumȱperemerit,ȱhomicidamȱesseȱseȱexcusareȱnequibit”ȱ(“Weȱhaveȱbeenȱaskedȱregarding infantsȱwhoȱwereȱfoundȱdeadȱinȱtheȱsameȱbedȱwithȱtheirȱsleepingȱparents,ȱwhetherȱtheyȱought clearȱthemselvesȱbyȱhotȱironȱorȱboilingȱwater,ȱorȱbyȱsomeȱotherȱtest,ȱofȱcrushingȱthem.ȱForȱthe parentsȱhadȱbeenȱcitedȱandȱadmonishedȱnotȱtoȱletȱsuchȱtenderȱonesȱtoȱsleepȱwithȱthemȱinȱaȱsingle bed,ȱlestȱbyȱsomeȱnegligenceȱtheyȱcause,ȱtheyȱshouldȱbeȱsuffocatedȱorȱcrushed,ȱwhenceȱtheyȱare foundȱdefendantsȱinȱthisȱhomicide.ȱNowȱtoȱextortȱaȱconfessionȱthroughȱexaminationȱbyȱhotȱiron orȱboilingȱwater,ȱwhenceȱyouȱpleaseȱtheȱholyȱcanonsȱdoȱnotȱadvise,ȱandȱthereȱisȱnoȱestablished exampleȱofȱtheȱholyȱfathersȱthatȱwouldȱdefendȱsuperstitiousȱdevice.ȱIndeed,ȱcrimesȱmadeȱpublic byȱvoluntaryȱconfessionȱorȱbyȱapprobation,ȱalwaysȱinȱaweȱbeforeȱtheȱeyesȱofȱGod,ȱareȱcommitted toȱrulesȱtoȱjudge.ȱHowever,ȱthoseȱthatȱareȱhiddenȱandȱunknownȱareȱleftȱtoȱhimȱwhoȱknowsȱthe heartsȱofȱtheȱsonsȱofȱman.ȱMoreover,ȱthoseȱdefendantsȱprovenȱorȱconfessedȱtoȱbeȱguiltyȱitȱisȱyour dutyȱtoȱchastiseȱwithȱmoderation,ȱwhoȱhavingȱconceivedȱinȱuteroȱhadȱaborted,ȱisȱaȱmurderer, muchȱmore,ȱanyoneȱwhoȱwouldȱcutȱoffȱaȱlittleȱchildȱfromȱevenȱaȱsingleȱdayȱshallȱbeȱunableȱto absolveȱhimselfȱofȱbeingȱaȱmurderer”),ȱC.ȱ2ȱq.ȱ5ȱc.ȱ20. C.ȱ2ȱq.ȱ5ȱc.ȱ23ȱandȱc.ȱ26. “Statuitȱquoqueȱsanctaȱsinodus,ȱut,ȱsiȱduoȱdeȱadulterioȱaccusatiȱfuerint,ȱetȱamboȱnegauerint,ȱet orantȱsibiȱconcede,ȱutȱalterȱillorumȱutrosqueȱdiuinoȱpurgetȱiudicio,ȱsiȱunusȱinȱhocȱceciderit,ȱambo reiȱhabeantur”ȱ(“Theȱholyȱsynodȱholdsȱthatȱifȱtwoȱareȱaccusedȱofȱadultery,ȱandȱbothȱdenyȱthe chargesȱandȱplead,ȱyieldingȱthemselves,ȱthatȱshouldȱeitherȱofȱthemȱproceedȱaccordingȱtoȱdivine judgment,ȱifȱoneȱfailsȱtherein,ȱbothȱshouldȱbeȱheldȱguilty”),ȱC.ȱ2ȱq.ȱ5ȱc.ȱ25. “Nobilisȱhomoȱuelȱingenuusȱsiȱinȱsinodoȱaccusaturȱetȱnegauerit,ȱsiȱeumȱconstiteritȱfidelemȱesse, cumȱduodecimȱingenuisȱseȱexpurget;ȱsiȱanteaȱdeprehensusȱfueritȱinȱfurto,ȱautȱperiurio,ȱautȱfalso testimonio,ȱadȱiuramentumȱnonȱadmittatur,ȱsedȱ(sicutȱquiȱingenuusȱnonȱest)ȱferuentiȱaquaȱuel candentiȱferroȱseȱexpurget”ȱ(“Aȱnoblemanȱorȱoneȱfreeborn,ȱifȱheȱbeȱaccusedȱbeforeȱtheȱsynodȱand denyȱtheȱcharges,ȱifȱitȱfindȱhimȱtoȱbeȱfaithful,ȱheȱmayȱacquitȱhimselfȱwithȱtwelveȱfreebornȱoath helpers;ȱbutȱifȱpreviouslyȱheȱhadȱbeenȱdetectedȱinȱtheftȱorȱperjuryȱorȱfalseȱtestimony,ȱheȱshallȱnot beȱallowedȱpurgationȱbyȱoath,ȱbutȱjustȱasȱthoughȱheȱwereȱnotȱfreeborn,ȱheȱmustȱacquitȱhimselfȱby boilingȱwaterȱorȱhotȱiron”),ȱC.ȱ2ȱq.ȱ5.ȱc.ȱ15. “Quiȱpresbiterumȱocciderit,ȱduodecimȱannorumȱeiȱpenitenciaȱsecundumȱcanonesȱinponature;ȱaut

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

113

(847),ȱallowingȱpurgationȱbyȱoathȱtoȱtheȱfreebornȱandȱpurgationȱbyȱhotȱironȱor waterȱtoȱtheȱunfree.ȱTheseȱeditorialȱadditionsȱareȱindicativeȱofȱtheȱlivelyȱdebate14ȱ

14

siȱnegauerit,ȱsiȱliberȱest,ȱcumȱsepuagintaȱduobusȱiuret;ȱsiȱautemȱseruus,ȱsuperȱduodecimȱuomeres feruentesȱseȱexpurget.ȱConuictusȱueroȱnoxaeȱusqueȱadȱultimumȱuitaeȱtempusȱmiliciaeȱcingulo careat,ȱetȱabsqueȱspeȱconiugiiȱmaneat”ȱ(“Whosoeverȱkillsȱaȱpriestȱshallȱbeȱsentencedȱtoȱtwelve yearsȱofȱpenance,ȱorȱifȱheȱdeniesȱtheȱcharge,ȱifȱfree,ȱheȱshallȱswearȱwithȱseventyȬtwoȱoathȱhelpers, butȱifȱservile,ȱheȱshallȱacquitȱhimselfȱoverȱtwelveȱhotȱplowshares.ȱMoreover,ȱconvictedȱofȱthe crime,ȱheȱshallȱcontinuouslyȱuntilȱtheȱendȱofȱhisȱlifeȱabstainȱfromȱmilitaryȱserviceȱandȱremain withoutȱhopeȱofȱmarriage”),ȱC.ȱ2ȱq.ȱ5ȱc. WhileȱtheȱriseȱofȱaȱtrainedȱjuristicȱeliteȱcommencingȱinȱtheȱItalianȱmunicipallities,ȱseeȱJohannes Fried,ȱDieȱEntstehungȱdesȱJuristenstandesȱimȱ12.ȱJahrhundert:ȱZurȱsozialenȱStellungȱundȱpolitischen Bedeutungȱ gelehrterȱ Juristenȱ inȱ Bolognaȱ undȱ Modena.ȱ Forschungenȱ zurȱ neuerenȱ PrivatrechtsȬ geschichte,ȱ 21ȱ (Cologneȱ andȱ Vienna:ȱ Böhlau,ȱ 1974),ȱ favoredȱ theȱ trendȱ towardȱ procedures emphasizingȱtestimonyȱandȱdocumentation,ȱseeȱparticularlyȱR.ȱC.ȱvanȱCaenegem,ȱ“Laȱpreuve dansȱ leȱ droitȱ duȱ moyenȱ ageȱ occidental:ȱ Rapportȱ deȱ synthese,”ȱ Laȱ Preuve:ȱ Moyenȱ Ageȱ etȱ temps moderns.ȱRecueilsȱdeȱlaȱSociétéȱJeanȱBodin,ȱ17.2ȱ(Brussels:ȱÉd.ȱDeȱlaȱLibrairieȱencyclopédique, 1965),ȱ691–753;ȱKennethȱPennington,ȱTheȱPrinceȱandȱtheȱLaw,ȱ132–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4),ȱsomeȱlegistes maintainedȱ ifȱ notȱ theȱ consistencyȱ ofȱ ordealȱ andȱ Romanȱ law,ȱ atȱ leastȱ thatȱ theȱ twoȱ wereȱ not inconsistent.ȱ See,ȱ e.g.,ȱ Hermannȱ Nottarp,ȱ Gottesurteilstudien.ȱ Bambergerȱ Abhandlungenȱ und Forschungen,ȱ2ȱ(Munich:ȱKösel,ȱ1956),ȱ49.ȱWhileȱJamesȱA.ȱBrundageȱmaintainsȱthatȱGratianȱwas opposedȱtoȱordealsȱandȱsoughtȱtoȱexplainȱawayȱconciliarȱcanonsȱthatȱprescribedȱthem,ȱsoȱthatȱC. 2ȱq.ȱ5ȱc.ȱ24–25ȱneedȱbeȱreadȱinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱtheȱdictaȱaccompanyingȱc.ȱ22ȱandȱc.ȱ26,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱand ChristianȱSocietyȱinȱMedievalȱEuropeȱ(ChicagoȱandȱLondon:ȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1987),ȱ253, theȱdictaȱaccompanyingȱc.ȱ20ȱcastsȱdoubtȱonȱtheȱextentȱofȱprohibition:ȱ“Hocȱautemȱutrumȱad omniaȱgeneraȱpurgationis,ȱanȱadȱhecȱduoȱtantum,ȱqueȱhisȱprohbitaȱuidentur,ȱpertineant,ȱnon inmeritoȱdubitaturȱpropterȱsacrificiumȱzelopipiae,ȱetȱilludȱGregorii:ȱ‘Siȱvir,ȱquiȱfrigidaeȱnaturae esseȱ dicitur,ȱ perȱ uerumȱ iudiciumȱ probareȱ potuerit,ȱ uxoremȱ suamȱ numquamȱ seȱ cognovisse, separeturȱabȱea.”(“However,ȱwhetherȱthisȱpertainsȱtoȱallȱmannerȱofȱpurgationȱorȱonlyȱtheȱtwo remainsȱopenȱtoȱdoubt,ȱonȱaccountȱofȱtheȱsacrificeȱofȱjealousy,ȱandȱtheȱstatementȱofȱGregory:ȱ‘if aȱmanȱsaidȱtoȱbeȱofȱcoldȱnatureȱcanȱproveȱbyȱaȱsuitableȱtrialȱthatȱheȱneverȱhadȱintercourseȱwithȱhis wife,ȱheȱmayȱbeȱseparatedȱfromȱher’”).ȱTheȱfirstȱofȱtheseȱisȱexpandedȱinȱc.ȱ21,ȱrecitingȱtheȱordeal ofȱBitterȱwatersȱcontainedȱinȱtheȱoldȱTestamentȱbookȱofȱNumbers,ȱalthoughȱinȱsomeȱmanuscripts appearingȱ asȱ palaea,ȱ isȱ undoubtedlyȱ byȱ Gratianȱ himself.ȱ Seeȱ theȱ accompanyingȱ notationes correctorumȱ byȱ Emilȱ Friedberg,ȱ Corpusȱ Iurisȱ Canoniciȱ editioȱ Lipsiensisȱ secunda.ȱ 2ȱ vols.ȱ (Leipzig: Tauchnitz,ȱ1879–1881).ȱTheȱsecondȱinstanceȱrelatingȱtoȱallegationsȱofȱsexualȱincapacity,ȱseeȱC.ȱ27 q.ȱ2ȱc.ȱ29,ȱraisesȱtheȱquestionȱofȱ“perȱuerumȱiudicatum.”ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱglossȱofȱtheȱStowe manuscript,ȱBritishȱLibraryȱStoweȱ378,ȱfol.ȱ167ȱvb:ȱ“Probareȱmulieremȱdebetȱquodȱnonȱpositȱuir cumȱ eaȱ coireȱ siȱ ueltȱ aliumȱ accipere,ȱ etiamȱ siȱ uirȱ contradicat.ȱ Hicȱ enimȱ probaboȱ perȱ uerum iudicium,ȱscilicetȱaspectȱcorporisȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱ(“Itȱisȱproperȱforȱaȱwomanȱtoȱproveȱthatȱherȱhusbandȱis incapableȱofȱintercourseȱwithȱherȱshouldȱsheȱdesireȱtoȱtakeȱanother,ȱevenȱifȱherȱhusbandȱdenies it.ȱOfȱcourse,ȱIȱwillȱinvestigateȱthisȱthroughȱsuitableȱtrial,ȱcertainlyȱphysicalȱexamination”).ȱQuoted inȱBrundage,ȱLaw,ȱSexȱandȱChristianȱSociety,ȱ322,ȱnoteȱ308ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14).ȱJoannesȱFaventius,ȱinȱhis Summa,ȱB.L.ȱRoyalȱ9ȱE.ȱVII,ȱfol.ȱ136ra:ȱ“Scilicetȱmembrumȱeiusȱinspiciaturȱaȱmulieribus,ȱquiaȱfote nonȱ estȱ aptumȱ carnaliȱ opera”ȱ (“Certainlyȱ hisȱ memberȱ mayȱ beȱ inspectedȱ byȱ women,ȱ since perchanceȱitȱisȱnotȱsuitableȱforȱcarnalȱoperations”).ȱQuotedȱinȱBrundgae,ȱLaw,ȱSexȱandȱChristian Society,ȱ322ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14).ȱTheȱcontextȱsuggests,ȱhoweverȱthatȱGratianȱhadȱsomethingȱmoreȱinȱmind thanȱaȱsimpleȱinspection.Inȱcasesȱofȱheresy,ȱperhapsȱaȱmajorityȱofȱclericsȱsupportedȱordeal,ȱeven byȱ hotȱ iron,ȱ asȱ witnessȱ cap.ȱ 1ȱ ofȱ theȱ Councilȱ ofȱ Rheimsȱ (1157),ȱ Sacrorumȱ conciliorumȱ novaȱ et

114

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

amongȱ twelfthȬcenturyȱ legalȱ analystsȱ asȱ toȱ theȱ nature,ȱ purpose,ȱ efficacyȱ and permissibilityȱofȱvariousȱtypesȱofȱordeal,ȱinȱaȱtimeȱwhenȱtheȱordealȱitselfȱseemed toȱbeȱflourishingȱthroughoutȱtheȱEuropeanȱcontinent,ȱwhichȱfloweringȱisȱtheȱbasis forȱ theȱ claimȱ thatȱ theȱ prohibitionsȱ ofȱ Fourthȱ Lateranȱ wereȱ theȱ impetusȱ forȱ the subsequentȱrapidȱdeclineȱofȱtheȱordealȱinȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱratherȱthanȱany generalȱsocialȱchangeȱwithȱanȱattendantȱmetamorphosisȱinȱmentalité. ȱEvenȱproponentsȱofȱthisȱargumentȱconcede,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱcomplianceȱwithȱthe prohibitionsȱofȱtheȱFourthȱLateranȱCouncilȱ(1215)ȱwhichȱprovidedȱasȱpartȱofȱa canonȱprohibitingȱclerksȱfromȱsheddingȱbloodȱeitherȱthroughȱparticipationȱinȱlegal administrationȱorȱthroughȱtheȱpracticeȱofȱsurgeryȱsimplyȱthat: “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱnecȱquisquamȱpurgationiȱaquaeȱferventisȱvelȱfrigidaeȱseuȱferriȱcandentisȱritum cuislibetȱbenedictionisȱautȱconsecrationisȱimpendat,ȱsalvisȱnihilominusȱprohibitionibus deȱmonomachiisȱsiveȱduellisȱanteaȱpromulgates.”15ȱ [“.ȱ.ȱ.norȱwillȱanyoneȱbestowȱanyȱriteȱwhatsoeverȱofȱblessingȱorȱconsecrationȱupon purgationȱbyȱboilingȱorȱcoldȱwaterȱorȱhotȱiron,ȱpreservingȱneverthelessȱtheȱprohibitions againstȱmonomachiaȱorȱduelsȱpreviouslyȱissued.”]

wereȱ neitherȱ particularlyȱ swiftȱ norȱ complete.16ȱ Inȱ theȱ subsequentȱ decade,ȱ the papacyȱ continuedȱ toȱ bemoanȱ theȱ browȬbeatingȱ ofȱ clergyȱ intoȱ participationȱ in ordeals,ȱwithȱHonoriusȱIIIȱfeelingȱcompelledȱtoȱreissueȱtheȱinjunctionsȱinȱ1223ȱor 1224.17ȱNonetheless,ȱcouncilsȱwereȱcontinuingȱtoȱcondemnȱtheȱpracticeȱatȱBayeux inȱ 1300,18ȱ whileȱ Gregoryȱ XIȱ roundlyȱ criticizedȱ theȱ ordealȱ provisionsȱ ofȱ the Sachsenspiegelȱinȱ1374.19ȱ

15

16 17

18

19

amplissimaȱcollectio,ȱ2ndȱed,ȱ53ȱvols.ȱ(Paris:ȱWelter,ȱ1901–1927),ȱ21–84,ȱwhichȱwasȱfollowedȱatȱArras inȱ1172ȱandȱCambraiȱinȱ1183,ȱseeȱDominiqueȱBarthélemy,ȱ“Diversitéȱdesȱordaliesȱmédiévales,” RevueȱHistoriqueȱ280ȱ(1988):ȱ3–25;ȱhereȱ24,ȱn.ȱ24ȱandȱn.ȱ84;ȱandȱshortlyȱbeforeȱtheȱprohibitionȱof FourthȱLateran,ȱInnocentȱrebukedȱtheȱbishopȱofȱStrassburgȱforȱemployingȱtheȱordeal.ȱVerborum abbreviatumȱ78,ȱPLȱ205:230.ȱSeeȱgenerally,ȱJohnȱW.ȱBaldwin,ȱ“TheȱIntellectualȱPreparationȱforȱthe Canonsȱofȱ1215ȱAgainstȱOrdeals,”ȱSpeculumȱ36ȱ(1961):ȱ613–36.ȱ Canonȱ18.ȱTheȱidenticalȱlanguageȱappearsȱinȱXȱ3.50.9.ȱTheȱpreviousȱpromulgationsȱseemȱtoȱrefer toȱtheȱearlierȱprohibitionsȱagainstȱ“nundinasȱvelȱferias”ȱ(“joustsȱorȱfairs”)ȱissued,ȱinterȱaliaȱat SecondȱLateran,ȱcanonȱ14,ȱandȱThirdȱLateran,ȱcanonȱ20. SeeȱBartlett,ȱTrialȱbyȱFireȱandȱWater,ȱ130–31ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Xȱ5.35.3;ȱforȱtheȱearlierȱdate,ȱseeȱChronicaȱMinorȱMinoritaeȱErphordensis,ȱed.ȱOswaldȱHolderȬEgger. ScriptoresȱRerumȱGermanicarum,ȱ42ȱ(HanoverȱandȱLeipzig:ȱHahn,ȱ1899),ȱ602. Sacroramȱconciliorumȱnovaȱetȱamplissimaȱcollection,ȱed.ȱG.ȱD.ȱMansi.ȱ2nd.ȱed.,ȱ53ȱvols.ȱ(Parisȱand Leipzig:ȱWelter,ȱ1901–1927),ȱ25:ȱ67. Deȱordaliis,ȱed.ȱPeterȱBrowe,ȱ2ȱvols.ȱTextusȱetȱdocumentaȱinȱusumȱexercitationumȱetȱpraeiectionum academicarum/Seriesȱtheologicaȱ4ȱ(Rome:ȱPontificiaȱUniversitàȱGregoriana,ȱ1932–1933),ȱ1:44.

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

115

Germanȱ sourcesȱ fromȱ Lorsch20ȱ andȱ Hanover21ȱ continuedȱ toȱ citeȱ ordealsȱ as admissibleȱwellȱintoȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury,ȱwhileȱinȱsouthwesternȱFrance,ȱordeals continuedȱtoȱreceiveȱsanctionȱatȱleastȱasȱlateȱasȱ1309ȱinȱArticleȱ9ȱofȱLesȱcoutumes d’Alzenȱ(compteȱdeȱFoix).22ȱTrialȱbyȱbattle,ȱcondemnedȱbyȱtheȱChurchȱearlierȱandȱno lessȱvociferouslyȱthanȱautonomicȱordeal,ȱcontinuedȱinȱbothȱEnglandȱandȱFrance intoȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury,ȱandȱwasȱonlyȱabrogatedȱinȱEnglandȱinȱ1818.23 ȱ Thisȱ tenacityȱ wasȱ notȱ anȱ indicationȱ ofȱ royalȱ favor.ȱ Fromȱ theȱ ninthȱ century onwards,ȱrulers,ȱsecularȱandȱecclesiastic,ȱhadȱadoptedȱorȱtoleratedȱordealsȱinȱthe nameȱofȱcombatingȱperjury,ȱthoughȱrecognizingȱtheȱproceduresȱasȱundependable andȱsusceptibleȱtoȱmanipulation.ȱEadmer’sȱdescriptionȱinȱtheȱHistoriaȱNovarumȱof Williamȱ Rufus’sȱ outburstȱ againstȱ theȱ iudiciumȱ Dei24ȱ wasȱ notȱ soȱ muchȱ a manifestationȱ ofȱ theȱ king’sȱ religiousȱ skepticism,ȱ asȱ ofȱ frustrationȱ withȱ the unpredictabilityȱofȱtheȱordeal.ȱ Granted,ȱ theȱ autonomicȱ ordeal,ȱ whichȱ inȱ Englandȱ seemsȱ toȱ haveȱ beenȱ used routinelyȱonlyȱinȱwhatȱwouldȱsubsequentlyȱcomeȱtoȱbeȱdenominatedȱ“criminal” casesȱ(sinceȱmostȱcasesȱaroseȱonȱappeal,ȱorȱwhatȱtodayȱwouldȱbeȱcalledȱcomplaint, ofȱaȱtort,ȱorȱactȱcontraryȱtoȱlawȱorȱjustice),ȱhadȱnoȱapplicabilityȱanywhereȱinȱcases whereȱ theȱ defendantȱ wasȱ takenȱ inȱ flagranteȱ delictoȱ orȱ confessed,ȱ andȱ was everywhereȱ aȱ vehicleȱ onlyȱ ofȱ lastȱ resort.ȱ Inȱ aȱ fictionalȱ trialȱ ofȱ Godwinȱ forȱ the murderȱofȱAlfred,ȱbrotherȱofȱEdwardȱtheȱConfessor,ȱtheȱpoetȱGaimarȱinȱhisȱEstoire d’Engleisȱ portraysȱ theȱ baronsȱ debatingȱ whetherȱ aȱ chargeȱ ofȱ felonyȱ requires jugement,ȱi.e.,ȱordealȱbyȱironȱorȱwater,ȱorȱjudicialȱduel,ȱorȱwhetherȱasȱtheȱcharacter Frithugistȱmaintains,ȱsuchȱorpȱapel,ȱi.e.,ȱanȱaccusationȱwithoutȱwitnesses,ȱcanȱbe refutedȱbyȱoath,ȱwithȱwhichȱcontentionȱtheȱfictionalȱLeofricȱagrees.ȱHence,ȱthe suitorsȱdetermine,ȱinȱlightȱofȱtheȱprestigiousȱpositionȱofȱtheȱdecedentȱbutȱlackȱof witnesses,ȱ toȱ makeȱ anȱ esguard,ȱ orȱ arbitrationȱ award.25ȱ Gaimar’sȱ graspȱ ofȱ the procedureȱseemsȱconsistentȱwithȱthoseȱassessmentsȱsuggestingȱthat,ȱatȱleastȱin criminalȱ cases,ȱonlyȱseriousȱcrimesȱattributedȱtoȱanȱaccusedȱofȱnoȱorȱillȬrepute

20

21 22

23 24

25

JacobȱGrimm,ȱWeisthümer.ȱ7ȱvols.ȱ(Göttingen:ȱDieterich,ȱ1840–1878),ȱ1:465–66;ȱcitedȱinȱBartlett, TrialȱbyȱFireȱandȱWaterȱ131ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). HermannȱNottarp,ȱGottesurteilstudien,ȱ204ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14). SeeȱPaulȱOurliac,ȱ“LeȱDuelȱiudiciaireȱdansȱleȱsudȬouest,”ȱRevueȱduȱNordȱ158ȱ[MelangesȱRaymond Monier]ȱ(1958),ȱrpt..ȱinȱÉtudesȱd’historieȱduȱdroitȱmedievalȱ(Paris:ȱA.ȱetȱJ.ȱPicard,ȱ1979),ȱ251–58;ȱhere 254ȱandȱnoteȱ1. St.ȱ59ȱGeo.ȱIII,ȱc.ȱ46 “Adȱhocȱquoqueȱlapsusȱest,ȱutȱDeiȱiudicioȱincredulousȱfieretȱiniustitiaequeȱilludȱarguens,ȱDeum autȱfactaȱhominumȱignorareȱautȱaequitatisȱeaȱlanceȱnolleȱpensareȱastrueret”ȱ(Heȱsankȱalsoȱtoȱthis, thatȱheȱdoubtedȱitȱhadȱbeenȱtheȱjudgmentȱofȱGod,ȱarguingȱthatȱitȱwasȱunjustȱandȱaddingȱthatȱeither Godȱdidȱnotȱknowȱtheȱdeedsȱofȱmenȱorȱheȱwasȱunwillingȱtoȱweighȱthemȱimpartially”).ȱHistoria novarumȱ2,ȱPLȱ159:412. GeffreiȱGaimar,ȱEstoireȱdesȱengleis,ȱed.ȱandȱtrans.ȱIanȱShortȱ(Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2009), linesȱ4861–5028.

116

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

whereȱaȱprimaȱfacieȱcaseȱcouldȱbeȱdemonstratedȱeverȱwereȱreferredȱtoȱanȱordeal. Inȱotherȱcases,ȱlitigantsȱnotȱinfrequentlyȱofferedȱtoȱundergoȱjugementȱasȱaȱstrategic ploy,ȱandȱalmostȱasȱfrequentlyȱadvancedȱpretencesȱtoȱdemurȱatȱtheȱlastȱmoment.26 Evenȱthen,ȱacrossȱEurope,ȱfromȱEnglandȱtoȱHungary,ȱtheȱconvictionȱrateȱbyȱsuch meansȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱlessȱthanȱfiftyȱpercent,27ȱperhapsȱinȱEnglandȱasȱlowȱas oneȱinȱthree.28ȱHenryȱIIȱattemptedȱtoȱcompensateȱforȱthisȱinefficiencyȱbyȱtheȱAssize ofȱClarendonȱofȱ1166,ȱprovidingȱthatȱjuriesȱofȱtwelveȱmenȱofȱeveryȱhundredȱand fourȱ ofȱ everyȱ townshipȱ provideȱ theȱ namesȱ ofȱ anyoneȱ accusedȱ orȱ suspectedȱ of robberyȱ withinȱ theȱ twelveȱ precedingȱ years,ȱ whichȱ suspectsȱ wereȱ roundedȬup, thoseȱofȱillȬreputeȱandȱfoundȱwithȱstolenȱgoodsȱbeingȱsummarilyȱdispatched,ȱthe restȱbeingȱsubmittedȱtoȱtrialȱbyȱcoldȱwater,ȱthoseȱconvictedȱlosingȱaȱfoot,ȱandȱafter theȱAssizeȱofȱNorthamptonȱinȱ1175,ȱtheirȱrightȱhandȱasȱwell,ȱthoseȱpassingȱbutȱof illȬreputeȱbeingȱabjuredȱtoȱquitȱtheȱkingdom.29 Asideȱ fromȱ theȱ obviousȱ cynicismȱ inȱ Henry’sȱ useȱ ofȱ theȱ ordeal,ȱ theȱ Angevin assizesȱareȱnotableȱforȱtheȱuseȱofȱtheȱpresentingȱjury.ȱWhetherȱfoundedȱuponȱthe DanishȱjuryȱofȱpresentmentȱorȱtheȱFrankishȱinquest,30ȱtheȱprocedureȱcertainlyȱwas usedȱfromȱtheȱdaysȱofȱtheȱConquerorȱforward,ȱalthoughȱBongertȱarguesȱthatȱHenry II’sȱversionȱwasȱonceȱdistilledȱthroughȱtheȱpracticeȱcommonȱinȱAnjou.31ȱWithȱthe jury,ȱdenunciationȱemergedȱasȱanȱalternativeȱtoȱappeal,ȱi.e.,ȱaccusation,ȱwhichȱhad beenȱuntilȱthenȱtheȱprimaryȱmethodȱofȱbringingȱoffensesȱtoȱbar,ȱaccountingȱtoȱno smallȱdegreeȱforȱtheȱwantȱofȱdistinctionȱbetweenȱcivilȱandȱcriminalȱpleas.ȱWell beforeȱ theȱ innovationsȱ ofȱ Innocentȱ III,ȱ itȱ wasȱ mentionedȱ inȱ theȱ ordo,ȱ Hactenus magister,ȱwrittenȱcircaȱ1167ȱinȱCologneȱbyȱtheȱcanonȱRenerus,ȱmostȱlikelyȱunderȱthe influenceȱ ofȱ Gerardȱ Pucelle.32ȱ Suchȱ ordinesȱ mayȱ explainȱ theȱ treatiseȱ writtenȱ in

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

OnȱtheȱstrategicȱuseȱofȱtheȱordealȱinȱtheȱOccitan,ȱseeȱStephenȱD.ȱWhite,ȱ“ProposingȱtheȱOrdealȱand AvoidingȱIt:ȱStrategyȱandȱPowerȱinȱWesternȱFrenchȱLitigation,ȱ1050–1110,”ȱCulturesȱofȱPower: Lordship,ȱStatusȱandȱProcessȱinȱTwelfthȬCenturyȱEurope,ȱed.ȱThomasȱN.ȱBison.ȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeries (Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylavaniaȱPress,ȱ1995),ȱ89–123. See,ȱe.g.,ȱR.ȱDarest,ȱÉtudesȱd’histoireȱduȱdroitȱ(Paris:ȱL.ȱLaroseȱetȱForcel,ȱ1889)ȱI:ȱ259–64,ȱdiscussing theȱRegestrumȱdeȱVarad,ȱprintedȱbyȱS.ȱL.ȱEndlicher,ȱRerumȱHungaricumȱMonumentaȱArpadianaȱ(1849; rpt..,ȱLeipzig:ȱHiersemann,ȱ1931),ȱ640–742. SeeȱRobertȱBartlett,ȱEnglandȱUnderȱtheȱNormanȱandȱAngevinȱKingsȱ1075–1225ȱ(Oxford:ȱClarendon Press,ȱ2000),ȱ183–84. SeeȱW.ȱL.ȱWarren,ȱHenryȱIIȱ(BerkeleyȱandȱLosȱAngeles:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1973),ȱ355. AsȱWarrenȱpointsȱout,ȱtheȱDialogusȱdeȱScaccario,ȱattributedȱtoȱRichardȱfitzNigel,ȱhimselfȱanȱinsider inȱHenry’sȱcourt,ȱreferredȱtoȱitȱasȱtheȱmostȱsevereȱassizeȱappointedȱtoȱrepressȱcrime. Onȱtheȱissue,ȱseeȱFrankȱM.ȱStenton,ȱAngloȬSaxonȱEngland,ȱ3rd.ȱed.ȱOxfordȱHistoryȱofȱEngland,ȱ2 (1943;ȱOxford:ȱClarendon,ȱ1971),ȱ651–52. YvonneȱBongert,ȱRecherchesȱsurȱlesȱcoursȱlaïquesȱduȱXeȱauȱXIIIȱsiècleȱ(Paris:ȱPicard,ȱ1949).ȱInȱall likelihood,ȱHenry’sȱinnovationsȱborrowedȱasȱwellȱfromȱcanonȱlawȱproceduresȱofȱtheȱperiod.ȱSee R.ȱH.ȱHelmholz,ȱ“TheȱEarlyȱHistoryȱofȱtheȱGrandȱJuryȱandȱtheȱCanonȱLaw,”ȱUniversityȱofȱChicago LawȱReviewȱ50ȱ(1983):ȱ613–27. SeeȱLindaȱFowlerȬMagerl,ȱOrdinesȱiudiciariiȱandȱLibellisȱdeȱordineȱiudiciorumȱ(FromȱtheȱMiddleȱofȱthe

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

117

Henry’sȱday,ȱcommonlyȱknownȱasȱGlanvill,ȱwhichȱdividesȱpleasȱintoȱcriminalȱand civil,ȱ reservingȱ theȱ mostȱ seriousȱ asȱ pleasȱ ofȱ theȱ crown,ȱ aȱ taxonomyȱ thitherto unknownȱinȱEnglishȱlaw. Althoughȱ theȱ useȱ ofȱ jurorsȱ inȱ theȱ inquestȱ wasȱ knownȱ onȱ bothȱ sidesȱ ofȱ the channel,ȱfromȱtheȱmidȬȱtoȱlateȬtwelfthȱcenturyȱtheyȱbeganȱtoȱdivergeȱinȱpractice; certainlyȱbyȱtheȱ1194ȱestablishmentȱofȱtheȱcustodiesȱplacitorumȱcoronae,ȱwhenȱthe Angevinȱsystemȱmovedȱtowardȱaȱdoubleȱpresentmentȱinvolvingȱmultipleȱjuriesȱof viciniȱ whoȱ actedȱ somewhereȱ betweenȱ witnessesȱ andȱ factȬfinders,ȱ withȱ no prescribedȱrulesȱofȱevidence,ȱandȱwhoseȱverdictsȱwereȱinȱsomeȱsenseȱanȱevidence ratherȱthanȱaȱjudgment.33ȱInȱFrance,ȱwhereȱandȱwhenȱjurorsȱtriedȱcasesȱratherȱthan theȱbailliȱorȱseneschal,ȱofficersȱwhoȱwereȱreligiouslyȱrotatedȱbyȱtheȱreignȱofȱLouis IX,ȱtoȱassureȱtheirȱtotalȱfidelityȱtoȱtheȱcrown,ȱtheȱjurorsȱfunctionedȱmoreȱpassively inȱtheȱroleȱofȱenqueteurs,ȱwhoȱheardȱandȱpresumablyȱweighedȱevidenceȱincluding testimonyȱandȱdocuments,ȱaccordingȱtoȱevermoreȱpreciseȱhierarchicalȱstandards ofȱproofs.ȱByȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱandȱbeforeȱ1215,ȱinȱeitherȱlocation,ȱthe defendantȱappearsȱtoȱhaveȱhadȱaȱchoiceȱofȱstandingȱonȱanȱinquiryȱorȱinquestȱor goingȱtoȱtheȱordeal;ȱafterȱ1215,ȱtheȱalternativeȱwasȱbattle,ȱanȱalternativeȱlimitedȱin inquests,ȱandȱoverȱtimeȱevenȱinȱappeals.ȱWellȱbeforeȱtheȱbanȱonȱordeal,ȱatȱleastȱin England,ȱtheȱdefendantȱcouldȱpurchaseȱfromȱtheȱcrownȱtheȱrightȱtoȱputȱhimselfȱon theȱcountry,ȱi.e.,ȱtheȱmultipleȱjuriesȱofȱtheȱassize,ȱaȱprerogativeȱgladlyȱextendedȱby theȱ Angevinȱ monarchsȱ whoȱ alwaysȱ wereȱ happyȱ toȱ grantȱ anyȱ privilegeȱ that contributedȱ toȱ theȱ treasury.ȱ Theȱ procedureȱ wasȱ risky,ȱ theȱ juriesȱ tryingȱ guilt typicallyȱbeingȱtheȱsameȱasȱhadȱmadeȱtheȱpresentmentȱuntilȱitȱwasȱestablishedȱin theȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱthatȱindictorsȱwereȱtoȱbeȱexcludedȱfromȱtheȱtrialȱjury.34ȱ Exceptionesȱ recognizedȱ byȱ Francophonicȱ courtsȱ wereȱ dilatoryȱ orȱ preemptive pleas.ȱGenerally,ȱtheȱonlyȱdefenseȱtoȱfelonyȱwasȱcompleteȱdenial.ȱInȱtheȱAngevin realms,ȱ theȱ writȱ Deȱ odioȱ etȱ atia,ȱ anotherȱ contributorȱ toȱ theȱ fisc,ȱ wasȱ available perhapsȱasȱearlyȱasȱ1178ȱtoȱchallengeȱwhatȱtodayȱwouldȱbeȱcalledȱoverchargingȱthe offense.35ȱInȱtheȱearlyȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱtheȱordo,ȱOlim,ȱbyȱOttoȱPapiensisȱbecame quiteȱpopular,ȱparticularlyȱinȱEngland,36ȱandȱinȱ1234,ȱtheȱAngloȬNormanȱcanonist

33

34 35

36

TwelfthȱtoȱtheȱEndȱofȱtheȱFifteenthȱCentury).ȱTypologieȱdesȱsourcesȱduȱmoyenȱâgeȱoccidentalȱ63 (Turnhout,ȱBelgium:ȱBrepols,ȱ1994),ȱ63;ȱed.,ȱFowlerȬMagerl,ȱOrdoȱiudiciorumȱvelȱordoȱiudiciarius, 290–93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). SeeȱMikeȱMcNair,ȱ“TheȱOriginsȱofȱtheȱJury:ȱVicinageȱandȱtheȱAntecedentsȱofȱtheȱJury,”ȱLawȱand HistoryȱReviewȱ17ȱ(1999):ȱ537–99. YearȱBookȱ30–3,1ȱEdwardȱI,ȱ531. OnȱtheȱWritȱDeȱodioȱetȱatia,ȱseeȱparticularlyȱNaomiȱD.ȱHurnard,ȱTheȱKing’sȱPardonȱforȱHomicide beforeȱADȱ1307ȱ(Oxford:ȱClarendonȱPress,ȱ1969),ȱAppendixȱI,ȱ339–80. FowlerȬMagerl,ȱOrdinesȱiudiciarii,ȱ94ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ32).

118

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

composedȱ theȱ ordoȱ Scietiam,37ȱ dealingȱ extensivelyȱ withȱ exceptiones,ȱ butȱ the evolutionȱofȱtheȱdefensiveȱpleaȱwasȱaȱslow,ȱandȱoftenȱcostly,ȱone. Inȱtheȱinterim,ȱInnocentȱIIIȱwouldȱofferȱhisȱownȱvariationȱonȱtheȱinquest,ȱtoȱwit, inquisitorialȱprocedure,ȱnotȱonlyȱwithoutȱdefiningȱtheȱrightsȱofȱdefendants,ȱbutȱin manyȱ casesȱ restrictingȱ themȱ underȱ theȱ rubricȱ reiȱ publicaeȱ interest,ȱ neȱ criminal remaneantȱimpunita,ȱaȱdoctrinalȱphraseȱborrowedȱfromȱaȱtreatiseȱcomposedȱcirca 1190ȱbyȱaȱFrenchȱcanon.38ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtime,ȱtheȱbanȱonȱclericalȱparticipationȱin ordealsȱplayedȱintoȱtheȱhandsȱofȱroyalȱfunctionariesȱalreadyȱanxiousȱtoȱeliminate theȱ ordeal.ȱ Perhapsȱ theȱ injunctionȱ ofȱ theȱ Fourthȱ Lateranȱ Councilȱ (1215)ȱ was intended,ȱasȱoneȱwriterȱhasȱcommented,ȱ“toȱbringȱhomeȱtoȱmonarchsȱandȱotherȱlay authoritiesȱtheȱlessonȱthatȱtheirȱcapacityȱtoȱgovernȱdependedȱuponȱtheȱcooperation ofȱchurchȱauthorities.”39ȱIfȱso,ȱitȱwasȱaȱchallengeȱthatȱmanyȱmonarchsȱwereȱhappy toȱaccept.40ȱ MagnatesȱandȱprofessionalȱjuristsȱalsoȱstoodȱtoȱgainȱbyȱactsȱofȱecclesiasticalȱselfȬ limitation,ȱ particularlyȱ inȱ anȱ ageȱ witnessingȱ theȱ expandingȱ ubiquityȱ ofȱ capital punishment,ȱ atȱ leastȱ untilȱ theȱ curiaȱ ofȱ Bonifaceȱ VIIIȱ recognizedȱ theȱ episcopal possessionȱ ofȱ purelyȱ secularȱ jurisdictionȱ obviatingȱ theȱ needȱ forȱ advocatesȱ to exerciseȱ highȱ justice.41ȱ Butȱ itȱ wasȱ kingsȱ whoȱ couldȱ seeȱ theȱ opportunitiesȱ for controllingȱtheȱadministrationȱofȱjusticeȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱpowerȱandȱrevenueȱtoȱbe derivedȱfromȱtheirȱroleȱasȱultimateȱappellateȱauthority,ȱaȱfunctionȱscarceȱavailable whereȱ judgmentȱ wasȱ ofȱ God.ȱ Indeed,ȱ notȱ onlyȱ wouldȱ theyȱ haveȱ eliminated unilateralȱordeal,ȱbutȱtheȱslow,ȱcostly,ȱandȱalmostȱasȱunpredictableȱwagerȱofȱbattle asȱ well,ȱ hadȱ theyȱ aȱ meansȱ ofȱ compellingȱ defendantsȱ toȱ acceptȱ trialȱ byȱ juryȱ or inquest,ȱ whichȱ ultimatelyȱ theyȱ undertookȱ toȱ achieveȱ byȱ jailingȱ noncompliant suspects.42

37 38

39 40

41

42

FowlerȬMagerl,ȱOrdoȱiudiciorum,138–41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Seeȱ Richardȱ M.ȱ Fraher,ȱ “Theȱ Theoreticalȱ Justificationȱ forȱ theȱ Newȱ Criminalȱ Lawȱ ofȱ theȱ High MiddleȱAges:ȱReiȱPublicaeȱInterest,ȱNeȱCriminaȱRemaneantȱImpunita,”ȱUniversityȱofȱIllinoisȱLawȱReview (1984):ȱ577–95. JamesȱA.ȱBrundage,ȱMedievalȱCanonȱLawȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱLongman,ȱ1995),ȱ141. Cf.ȱMarieȬNoëlleȱGrippari,ȱ“LeȱjugementȱdeȱDieuȱouȱlaȱmiseȱenȱjeuȱduȱpouvoir,”ȱRevueȱHistorique 278ȱ(1987):ȱ281–91;ȱhereȱ289. SeeȱF.ȱMerzbacher,ȱ“Hochgerichtsbarkeit,”ȱHandwörterbuchȱzurȱdeutschenȱRechtsgeschichte:ȱHRG, ed.ȱAdalbertȱErler,ȱEkkehardȱKaufmann,ȱandȱWolfgangȱFriedrichȱStammlerȱ(Berlin:ȱE.ȱSchmidt, 1971–),ȱ2:174. ForȱNormandy,ȱseeȱL’AncienneȱcoutumeȱdeȱNormandie,ȱed.ȱWilliamȱLaurenceȱDeȱGruchyȱ(Jersey: Ch.ȱLeȱFeuvre,ȱ1881),ȱc.ȱ68,ȱ167:ȱ“perȱiustitiariumȱdebetȱarrestariȱetȱfirmoȱcarcereȱdebetȱobservari usqueȱadȱdiemȱetȱannumȱcumȱpenuriaȱvictusȱetȱpotusȱ(àȱpeuȱdeȱmengerȱetȱdeȱboire)ȱnisiȱinterimȱsuper hocȱpatriaeȱinquisitionemȱseȱofferatȱsustinere”(“heȱshouldȱbeȱarrestedȱandȱheldȱinȱaȱsecureȱprison byȱtheȱpresidingȱjudgeȱforȱaȱyearȱandȱaȱdayȱwithȱlittleȱfoodȱorȱdrink,ȱunlessȱmeanwhileȱheȱpresent himselfȱtoȱundergoȱinquisitionȱbyȱtheȱcountryȱonȱthisȱcase”).ȱQuotedȱinȱFrederickȱPollockȱand FredericȱWilliamȱMaitland,ȱTheȱHistoryȱofȱEnglishȱLawȱBeforeȱtheȱTimeȱofȱEdwardȱI,ȱ2ndȱed.,ȱ2ȱvols. (Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1898)ȱ2:651,ȱn.ȱ4.ȱInȱEngland,ȱtheȱlimitȱofȱaȱyearȱandȱa

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

119

Asȱaȱconsequence,ȱitȱmayȱbeȱsaidȱthatȱtheȱcriminalȱdefendantȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱand earlyȱfourteenthȱcenturiesȱwasȱoftenȱworseȱoffȱthanȱheȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱinȱtheȱday ofȱ theȱ ordeal.ȱ Heȱ wasȱ allȱ butȱ presumedȱ guilty,ȱ affordedȱ noȱ meaningful examinationȱofȱwitnesses,ȱprovidedȱnoȱrealȱproceduralȱprotections,ȱandȱgivenȱno meansȱeitherȱbyȱwitȱorȱdivineȱintervention,ȱtoȱescapeȱwithȱhisȱlifeȱandȱbodyȱparts intact.ȱMeanwhile,ȱlocalȱlordsȱwereȱlessȱthanȱcontentȱwithȱtheȱdevelopingȱsystem ofȱroyalȱadministrationȱwhetherȱthroughȱjusticiars,ȱjudges,ȱseneschalsȱorȱbaillis, thoseȱ“indefatigableȱlevelers,”ȱdescribedȱbyȱDupontȬFerrier,ȱwhoȱenvisionedȱaȱday whenȱ“thereȱwouldȱnoȱlongerȱbeȱanyoneȱbetweenȱtheȱkingȱandȱhisȱsubjectsȱexcept theȱking’sȱofficers.”43ȱFinally,ȱtheȱlargerȱpublicȱmayȱhaveȱappreciatedȱtheȱoptionȱof aȱjuryȱorȱinquest,ȱbutȱnonethelessȱwereȱimbuedȱwithȱtheȱconceptȱofȱbattleȱasȱthe franchiseȱ ofȱ theȱ francusȱ homo.ȱ Likewise,ȱ theyȱ mustȱ haveȱ appreciatedȱ their communalȱinputȱintoȱimpositionȱandȱinterpretationsȱofȱordeals44;ȱandȱinȱtheȱlast analysis,ȱfeltȱcomfortableȱwithȱtheirȱcustomaryȱjustice,ȱtheȱspectacleȱofȱanȱordeal withȱtheȱprospectȱofȱaȱgoodȱcastrationȱandȱblindingȱorȱdrawingȱandȱquartering beingȱ asȱ dearȱ toȱ theirȱ heartsȱ asȱ publicȱ hangingsȱ wereȱ inȱ nineteenthȬcentury England.ȱAsȱtheȱcartularyȱofȱSt.ȱFlorentȬlèsȬSaumurȱreadsȱforȱanȱordealȱheldȱin 1066: “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱetȱpeneȱtotiusȱplebsȱcivitatisȱcujusȱnonȱparvaȱmultitudoȱadȱilludȱiudiciumȱquasi adȱspectaculumȱconfluxit.”45 [“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱandȱalmostȱallȱtheȱpeopleȱofȱtheȱcity,ȱwhoseȱmultitudeȱwasȱnotȱsmall,ȱflowedȱto theȱtrialȱasȱifȱtoȱaȱspectacle.”]ȱ

InȱAngers,ȱtheȱpopularȱinterestȱinȱordealsȱwasȱdescribedȱwithȱanȱentryȱforȱ1166, noting:

43

44

45

dayȱdidȱnotȱappertain,ȱandȱtheȱprisonerȱwasȱoftenȱkeptȱinȱirons,ȱseeȱBrittonȱ1.26,ȱorȱladenȱwithȱas muchȱironȱasȱheȱcouldȱbear.ȱYearȱBookȱ30–31,ȱEdwardȱI,ȱ511. Gustaveȱ DupontȬFerrier,ȱ Lesȱ Officiersȱ royauxȱ desȱ baillagesȱ etȱ sénéchausséesȱ etȱ lesȱ institutions monarchiquesȱlocalesȱenȱFranceȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱmoyenȱâgeȱ(Paris:ȱE.ȱBouillon,ȱ1902),ȱ873ȱ;ȱquotedȱinȱMichael Jones,ȱȈTheȱLastȱCapetiansȱandȱEarlyȱValoisȱKings,ȱ1314–1364,ȱȈȱȱTheȱNewȱCambridgeȱMedieval History:ȱ C.ȱ 1300–c.ȱ 1415,ȱ ed.ȱ Michaelȱ Jonesȱ (Cambridge:ȱ Cambridgeȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ 2000), 388–421;ȱhereȱ410. Thisȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱalwaysȱbeenȱtheȱcase.ȱCompare,ȱe.g.,ȱtheȱpoliticalȱaspectsȱofȱtheȱordealȱrelated byȱ Wulfstanȱ inȱ ninthȬcenturyȱ England,ȱ Frithegodiȱ Monachiȱ Breviloquiumȱ Vitaeȱ Beatiȱ Wilrediȱ et Wulfstaniȱ Cantorisȱ narratioȱ metricaȱ deȱ S.ȱ Swithino,ȱ ed.ȱ Alistairȱ Campbell.ȱ Thesaurusȱ mundi: bibliothecaȱscriptoriumȱlatinorumȱmediaeȱetȱrecentionrisȱaetatisȱ1ȱ(TuriciȱandȱZurich:ȱInȱAedibus ThesauriȱMundi,ȱ1950),ȱ150–54,ȱandȱdiscussionȱinȱPaulȱHyams,ȱ“TrialȱbyȱOrdeal,”ȱ93–94ȱ(seeȱnote 3)ȱwithȱtheȱordealȱheldȱinȱFlorenceȱinȱ1068ȱoverȱsimoniacalȱbishopsȱrecitedȱinȱtheȱVitaȱGualbertiȱof Andreas,ȱ ccȱ 73–75,ȱ discussedȱ byȱ Colinȱ Morris,ȱ “Judiciumȱ Dei:ȱ Theȱ Sociologicalȱ andȱ Political SignificanceȱofȱtheȱOrdealȱinȱtheȱEleventhȱCentury,”ȱChurchȱSocietyȱandȱPolitics.ȱStudiesȱinȱChurch Historyȱ12ȱ(Oxford:ȱBlackwell,ȱ1975),ȱ95–111;ȱhereȱ97–98. Bibl.Nat.ȱnouv.ȱAcq.ȱLat.ȱ1930,ȱfol.ȱ99rȱ–100v,ȱtranscribedȱinȱYvonneȱBongert,ȱRecherchesȱsurȱles coursȱlaïques,ȱ308–10ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ31).

120

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor “Videruntȱautem,ȱvelȱiudiciumȱportari,ȱvelȱmanumȱtertiaȱdieȱmoreȱreguardari,ȱfere universiȱhominessȱetȱmulieresȱdeȱDoadoȱetȱpluresȱdeȱmoniibusȱdictiȱBerlaii.46 [“Moreover,ȱnearlyȱallȱtheȱmenȱandȱwomenȱofȱDoadȱandȱmanyȱofȱtheȱmenȱfromȱthe saidȱ Berlai,ȱ cameȱ toȱ witnessȱ eitherȱ theȱ impositionȱ ofȱ judgmentȱ or,ȱ foolishly,ȱ the inspectionȱofȱtheȱhandȱonȱtheȱthirdȱday.”]

ȱForȱmanyȱobservers,ȱtheȱnewȱprocedures,ȱwhetherȱadoptedȱorȱadaptedȱfromȱthe RomanoȬcanonicalȱordinesȱmustȱhaveȱseemedȱjustȱplainȱ“foreign,”ȱnotȱtheȱleastȱin theirȱseparationȱofȱcourtȱandȱcommunity. ThisȱxenophobiaȱwouldȱnaturallyȱbeȱexpectedȱinȱthoseȱareasȱnewlyȱunderȱFrench domination,ȱsuchȱasȱtheȱMidiȱwhereȱforȱdecadesȱafterȱtheȱcapitulationȱofȱRaymond VIIȱofȱToulouseȱinȱtheȱ1229ȱTreatyȱofȱMeauxȱeffectivelyȱestablishingȱtheȱsuzerainty ofȱLouisȱIX,ȱtheȱdenizensȱofȱtheȱméridienneȱregardedȱbothȱFrenchȱandȱclergyȱasȱtheir occupiers.47ȱFromȱthisȱsouthernȱperspective,ȱRomanȱlawȱwasȱseenȱasȱanȱinstrument ofȱthatȱveryȱ“foreign”ȱdomination.48ȱTheȱproblemȱlayȱnotȱmerelyȱwithȱtheȱlaw,ȱbut withȱ theȱ cadreȱ ofȱ learnedȱ lawyersȱ whoȱ appliedȱ it:ȱ hence,ȱ oneȱ townȱ actually prohibitedȱtheȱemploymentȱofȱanyȱlegisteȱorȱcanonisteȱasȱattorneyȱforȱtheȱcity.49 WhileȱtheȱtroubadoursȱandȱjongleursȱofȱtheȱMidiȱfoundȱtheseȱuniversityȬtrained juristsȱsubversiveȱofȱOccitanȱculture,ȱtheyȱwereȱnotȱaloneȱinȱtheirȱsentiments.ȱTo theȱnorth,ȱaȱsimilarȱresentmentȱisȱmanifestȱinȱtheȱBibleȱofȱGuiotȱdeȱProvins.ȱGuiot’s commentaryȱisȱnotȱaȱcondemnationȱofȱlegalȱpractitionersȱperȱse,ȱbutȱanȱindictment ofȱ theȱ Italianȱ schoolsȱ andȱ theirȱ emphasisȱ onȱ reasonȱ andȱ techniqueȱ over

46 47

48

49

Cartulaireȱnoirȱdeȱlaȱcathédraleȱd’Angers,ȱed.ȱCharlesȱUrseauȱ(Paris:ȱA.ȱPicard,ȱ1908),ȱNo.ȱ111,ȱ191. See,ȱforȱexample,ȱBernartȱSicartȱdeȱMarvejos,ȱ“LaȱDominationȱdesȱclercsȱetȱdesȱFrançais,”ȱed. AlfredȱJeanroy,ȱrev.ȱed.ȱJ.ȱBoelcke,ȱAnthologieȱdesȱTroubadoursȱXIIme–XIIImeȱsiècles.ȱLesȱClassiques d’ocȱ(Paris:ȱA.G.ȱNizet,ȱ1974),ȱ249–53.ȱ WroteȱPierreȱCardenal,ȱ“EtendsȬtu,ȱtoiȱquiȱt’esȱfaitȱlegisteȱetȱquiȱsupprimeȱpubliquementȱleȱdroit d’autrui”(“Listen,ȱyouȱwhoȱmakeȱaȱlegisteȱofȱyourself,ȱandȱwhoȱwouldȱpublicallyȱabolishȱtheȱlaw ofȱothers”).ȱQuotedȱinȱPaulȱOurliac,ȱ“GloseȱJuridiqueȱsurȱleȱTroubadourȱPierreȱCardenal,ȱ“ȱÉtudes d’histoire,ȱ268ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22).ȱInȱsomeȱsense,ȱthisȱmayȱseemȱinconsistentȱwithȱtheȱreputationȱofȱthe Midiȱasȱtheȱpaysȱduȱdroitȱécrit,ȱandȱtheȱfameȱofȱMontpellierȱasȱaȱcenterȱofȱRomanȱlawȱandȱitsȱfamous teacher,ȱ Placentius.ȱ However,ȱ writtenȱ lawȱ wasȱ notȱ restrictedȱ toȱ Romanȱ lawȱ butȱ included customaryȱandȱstatutoryȱ law,ȱ asȱwellȱasȱwrittenȱchartersȱand,ȱinitially,ȱRomanȱlawȱservedȱto supplementȱthese—andȱnotableȱearlyȱthirteenthȬcenturyȱMeridionalȱdocumentsȱmanifestȱjustȱsuch eclecticism.ȱSeeȱJeanȱBaumel,ȱHistoireȱd’uneȱseigneurieȱduȱMidiȱdeȱlaȱFrance,ȱ2ȱvols.ȱ(Montpellier: Causse,ȱ1969),ȱI:ȱ295–98;ȱLindaȱM.ȱPaterson,ȱTheȱWorldȱofȱtheȱTroubadours:ȱMedievalȱOccitanȱSociety, c.ȱ110ȱ–ȱc.ȱ1300ȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1993),ȱ173–74.ȱ CoutumesȱdeȱPamiers,ȱdiscussedȱinȱOurliac,ȱ“GloseȱJuridique”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22).

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

121

fundamentalȱjustice.50ȱHisȱcynicismȱshinesȱthroughȱwhenȱheȱplaysȱwithȱtheȱword glose,ȱwhichȱcanȱreferȱeitherȱtoȱaȱglossȱorȱtoȱaȱreprimand: “Cistȱchapitresȱfutȱfaizȱsensȱglose, maisȱilȱferaitȱuneȱfortȱglose esȱlenguesȱfausesȱdesliées deȱceuȱqueȱj’oiȱdireȱdecries.”51ȱ [“Theseȱchaptersȱareȱmadeȱlikeȱaȱgloss;ȱindeed,ȱitȱwillȱbeȱaȱstrongȱreprimandȱtoȱthe false,ȱlooseȱtongues,ȱthatȱoughtȱbeȱtiedȱinȱviewȱofȱthatȱwhichȱIȱintendȱtoȱsayȱaboutȱthe decrees.”]ȱ

Itȱisȱnotȱtheȱloftyȱhonorableȱbooksȱwhichȱoneȱcallsȱtheȱlawȱandȱdecreesȱwhichȱbring lawyersȱtoȱfraudȱandȱdeceit;ȱnorȱdoȱtheyȱfindȱthereȱtheirȱduplicityȱandȱdoubleȬ dealing.ȱRather: ”Esȱloisȱapregnentȱtricherie: sorȱlesȱpoinsȱetȱsorȱlesȱbiausȱdis queȱilȱconoissentȱ[es]ȱescris baratentȱloieȱsiècleȱetȱengignent.”52 [“Theyȱlearnȱtreacheryȱaboutȱtheȱlaw,ȱandȱbyȱtheirȱlegalȱpointsȱandȱtheirȱfancyȱwords thatȱtheyȱlearnȱinȱtheirȱwritings,ȱtheyȱdeceiveȱandȱdefraudȱtheȱworld”].

WhatȱGuiotȱcondemnsȱisȱnotȱcunning,ȱforȱcraftȱisȱaȱstapleȱofȱFrenchȱliterature. ConsiderȱtheȱwellȬlaidȱplanȱofȱLienor,ȱheroineȱofȱRenart’sȱGuillaumeȱdeȱDole,ȱin entrappingȱ theȱ wickedȱ seneschalȱ whoȱ hasȱ besmirchedȱ herȱ reputation,ȱ by discoveringȱsheȱboreȱonȱherȱthighȱaȱroseȬshapedȱbirthmark,ȱtrickingȱhimȱasȱtoȱher identityȱandȱclaimingȱheȱhadȱseducedȱher.ȱThen,ȱsinceȱ“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱs’eleȱfustȱasȱloiȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”53 (i.e.,ȱ“sheȱhadȱstudiedȱtheȱlaw”),ȱsheȱdemandsȱjusticeȱfromȱtheȱking,ȱbyȱjugement deȱDieu.ȱTheȱseneschalȱswearsȱheȱhasȱneverȱlaidȱeyesȱuponȱher,ȱandȱisȱofȱcourse victoriousȱ inȱ hisȱ ordealȱ ofȱ coldȱ water,ȱ atȱ whichȱ pointȱ theȱ maidenȱ revealsȱ her birthmark,ȱ herȱ chastityȱ beingȱ vindicatedȱ byȱ theȱ veryȱ jugementȱ thatȱ acquitsȱ the

50

51

52 53

Eduardȱ Meynial,ȱ “Remarquesȱ surȱ laȱ reactionȱ populaireȱ contreȱ l’invasionȱ duȱ droitȱ romainȱ en FranceȱauxȱXIIeȱetȱXIIIeȱsiècles,”MélangesȱChabaneau:ȱVolumeȱoffertȱàȱCamilleȱChabaneauȱàȱl’ȱoccasion duȱ75.ȱanniversaireȱdeȱsaȱnaissanceȱ–ȱ4ȱmarsȱ1906ȱ–ȱparȱsesȱélèves,ȱsesȱamisȱetȱsesȱadmirateursȱ(Erlangen: F.ȱJunge,ȱ1907;ȱrpt.ȱGeneva:ȱSlatkine,ȱ1973),ȱ557–84.ȱHowever,ȱheȱattributedȱthisȱhostilityȱlargely toȱtheȱcompetitionȱbetweenȱParisȱandȱBologna,ȱandȱtheȱpublicȱsentimentȱthatȱtheȱItalianȱschools wereȱ“foreign.”ȱOurȱsuggestionȱisȱthatȱtheȱresistanceȱtranscendsȱtheȱparochialȱtoȱtheȱsubstantive concernȱforȱjustice. LaȱBibleȱdeȱGuiot,ȱLesȱœuvresȱdeȱGuiotȱdeȱProvins,ȱpoèteȱlyriqueȱetȱsatirique,ȱed.ȱJohnȱOrr.ȱUniversity ofȱManchester:ȱFrenchȱSeriesȱ(ManchesterȱandȱParis:ȱUniversityȱofȱManchesterȱPress,ȱ1915),ȱ10–93, linesȱ2429–33. LaȱBible,ȱlinesȱ2512–15ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51). JeanȱRenart,ȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱlaȱRoseȱouȱdeȱGuillaumeȱdeȱDole,ȱed.ȱFélixȱLecoy.ȱLesȱClassiquesȱFrançais duȱMoyenȱAgeȱ(CFMA)ȱ91ȱ(Parisȱ:ȱChampion,ȱ1979),ȱlineȱ4768.

122

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

stewardȱofȱtheȱseduction.ȱTheȱsameȱplotȱisȱusedȱinȱatȱleastȱthreeȱotherȱromansȱofȱthe firstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱincludingȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱlaȱvioletteȱbyȱGerbertȱde Montreuil,ȱwhichȱportrayedȱtheȱseneschalȱasȱundergoingȱwagerȱofȱbattleȱrather thanȱ unilateralȱ ordeal,54ȱ andȱ theȱ anonymousȱ works,ȱ Compteȱ deȱ Poitiersȱ andȱ the proseȱRoiȱFloreȱetȱlaȱbelleȱJeanne,55ȱandȱclearlyȱdependsȱforȱitsȱdenouementȱuponȱthe efficacyȱofȱtheȱjugementȱdeȱDieu,ȱasȱwellȱasȱaȱfullȱmeasureȱofȱclevernessȱonȱtheȱpart ofȱtheȱheroine. CunningȬlikeȱwisdomȱisȱaȱvirtue,ȱperhapsȱaȱgift,ȱmuchȱlaudedȱinȱliterature.ȱOne ofȱ theȱ fewȱ fabliauxȱ toȱ evenȱ mentionȱ legalȱ practitioners,ȱ andȱ thenȱ byȱ snidely comparingȱSt.ȱThomas’sȱphlegmaticȱreplyȱwithȱtheȱstolidityȱofȱtheȱlegistes56,ȱLe villainȱ quiȱ Conquestȱ Paradisȱ parȱ Plaitȱ (“Theȱ Peasantȱ whoȱ Pleadȱ hisȱ Wayȱ into Heaven”)ȱrecountsȱtheȱtrialsȱofȱaȱpeasantȱwhoȱdepartsȱtheȱworldȱandȱwandersȱinto theȱcelestialȱkingdom,ȱonlyȱtoȱavoidȱejectmentȱbyȱtheȱapostlesȱthroughȱhisȱsuperior wit.ȱUltimately,ȱGod,ȱappreciatingȱaȱwellȬfoundedȱargument,ȱconcedesȱandȱadmits theȱ peasant’sȱ soulȱ toȱ paradise.ȱ Moral:ȱ “Melsȱ valtȱ enginesȱ queȱ neȱ faitȱ force”57 (“Clevernessȱisȱpreferableȱtoȱcourage”). Soȱ highȱ isȱ theȱ incidenceȱ inȱ Frenchȱ romanceȱ ofȱ cleverȱ victoriesȱ andȱ escapes, throughȱmistakenȱidentities,ȱequivocalȱoathsȱandȱotherȱdevices,ȱthatȱsomeȱwriters, deemingȱtheseȱmachinationsȱasȱruseȱandȱconnivance,ȱargueȱtheyȱindicateȱsociety’s ownȱrecognitionȱofȱtheȱweaknessesȱinȱtheȱcustomaryȱjudicialȱsystem.58ȱYseutȱplots toȱhaveȱTristam,ȱdisguisedȱasȱaȱbeggar,ȱcarryȱherȱonȱhisȱshouldersȱacrossȱaȱmuddy river,ȱsoȱsheȱisȱableȱtoȱtriumphȱinȱordealȱbyȱoathȱbyȱtruthfullyȱswearingȱthatȱno manȱbutȱkingȱMarcȱandȱtheȱbeggarȱwhoȱcarriedȱherȱacrossȱtheȱriverȱhadȱeverȱbeen betweenȱ herȱ legs.59ȱ Similarly,ȱ followingȱ theirȱ illicitȱ union,ȱ Lancelotȱ defends Guinevere’sȱ honorȱ byȱ dispatchingȱ herȱ accuser.ȱ And,ȱ ofȱ course,ȱ Amiȱ savesȱ his

54

55

56

57 58

59

Bothȱversionsȱdisplayȱclericȱparticipation,ȱthoughȱsomeȱwritersȱhaveȱpaidȱparticularȱattentionȱto theȱuseȱofȱmonomachiaȱratherȱthanȱunilateralȱordeal.ȱSee,ȱe.g.,ȱJohnȱW.ȱBaldwin,ȱAristocraticȱLife inȱMedievalȱFrance:ȱTheȱRomancesȱofȱJeanȱRenartȱandȱGerbertȱdeȱMontreuil,ȱ1190–1230ȱ(Baltimoreȱand London:ȱJohnsȱHopkinsȱPress,ȱ2000),ȱ211. SeeȱUrbanȱTignerȱHolmes,ȱJr.,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱOldȱFrenchȱLiteratureȱfromȱtheȱOriginsȱtoȱ1300ȱ(Chapel Hill,ȱNC:ȱLenker,ȱ1937);ȱGastonȱParis,ȱ“LeȱCycleȱdeȱlaȱgageure,”ȱRomaniaȱ32ȱ(1903):ȱ481–551.ȱ “.ȱ.ȱ.Tumas,ȱTumas,ȱplusȱestesȱcoiȱ/ȱDesȱresponsausȱqueȱnusȱlegistes!”ȱ(“.ȱ.ȱ.Thomas,ȱThomas,ȱyou areȱslowerȱofȱresponseȱthanȱourȱlegistes!”)ȱNouveauȱRecuielȱcompletȱdesȱfabliauxȱ(NRCF),ȱed.ȱWillem NoomenȱandȱNicoȱVanȱdenȱBoogard,ȱ10ȱvols.ȱ(Assen:ȱVanȱGorcum,ȱ1993–1996),ȱvol.ȱ5,ȱ#39,ȱlines 62–63. LeȱVillainȱquiȱConquestȱParadis,ȱlineȱ172ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ56). PerhapsȱtheȱmostȱprominentȱofȱtheseȱcriticsȱisȱR.ȱHowardȱBloch,ȱMedievalȱFrenchȱLiteratureȱandȱLaw (Berkeley,ȱLosȱAngeles,ȱandȱLondon:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1977). Béroul,ȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱTristan,ȱpoèmeȱduȱXIIeȱsiècle,ȱed.ȱErnestȱMuretȱandȱL.m.ȱDefourques,ȱ4thȱed.ȱLes ClassiquesȱFrançaisȱduȱMoyenȱAgeȱ12ȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ1947),ȱlinesȱ4199–4213.

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

123

friendȱAmilesȱbyȱsurreptitiouslyȱtakingȱhisȱplaceȱinȱtheȱbattleȱoverȱtheȱhonorȱof Belissant.ȱOneȱwriterȱhasȱlabeledȱthisȱphenomenonȱasȱ“swindlingȱjustice.”60 Butȱ didȱ theȱ medievalȱ readersȱ orȱ listenersȱ ofȱ theseȱ romancesȱ perceiveȱ these instancesȱasȱdefaultsȱofȱjustice?ȱProbablyȱnot.ȱRather,ȱtheseȱplotsȱappealȱtoȱsome innateȱsenseȱofȱaȱhigherȱlaw,ȱofȱaȱmoreȱsubstantiveȱjustice.ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱpopularity ofȱromancesȱinȱwhichȱheroesȱorȱheroinesȱavoidȱstrictȱapplicationȱofȱtheȱlawȱshould notȱ beȱ surprising.ȱ Theȱ Christianȱ messageȱ itselfȱ isȱ foundedȱ uponȱ simultaneous fulfillmentȱofȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlawȱandȱGod’sȱgraciousȱmercyȱtoȱtheȱbeliever.ȱThe purposeȱ ofȱ judicialȱ systems,ȱ inȱ theȱ estimationȱ ofȱ theȱ public,ȱ wasȱ notȱ strict applicationȱ ofȱ lawȱ butȱ theȱ triumphȱ ofȱ goodȱ overȱ evil.ȱ Therefore,ȱ theȱ principle virtueȱrequiredȱofȱaȱjudge,ȱaccordingȱtoȱBeaumanoir,ȱwasȱnotȱknowledgeȱofȱthe law,ȱbutȱwisdom.61ȱItȱwasȱthisȱqualityȱthatȱwasȱpoisonedȱbyȱtheȱlegistes. ȱWhatȱGuiotȱcondemnsȱisȱtheȱdisjunctureȱbetweenȱRomanȱlawȱandȱprocedureȱand fundamentalȱjustice.ȱWhenȱheȱsaysȱofȱtheȱlegistesȱatȱbar,ȱthatȱ“atantȱaimmentȱtort commeȱdroitȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”62ȱ(“thenȱtheyȱloveȱwrongȱasȱright”),ȱheȱisȱexpressingȱhisȱoutrage atȱtheirȱdisinterestȱinȱsubstantiveȱoutcome: Moltȱdevroientȱboinȱfruitȱporteir, Etȱlorȱoevreȱsiȱaaismeir Qu’ellȱfustȱchiereȱetȱhonoree. Etȱboinȱcuerȱetȱboneȱpensee Ontȱilȱquantȱilȱsontȱescolier; Moltȱferoientȱilȱaȱprisier Seȱlorȱsensȱestoitȱatorneiz Seloncȱloisȱetȱseloncȱdecreiz; C’estȱclergïeȱloaulȱetȱfine. Moltȱsontȱsilȱenȱfolleȱdoctrine Quiȱpuisentȱmalvaiseȱscience

60

61

62

RonaldȱGeneȱKoss,ȱ“’SwindlingȱJustice’:ȱtheȱiudiciumȱdeiȱinȱMedievalȱFrenchȱLiterature,”ȱLawȱin MediaevalȱLifeȱandȱThought,ȱed.ȱEdwardȱB.ȱKingȱandȱSusanȱJ.ȱRidyardȱ(Sewanee:,ȱTN:ȱTheȱPressȱof theȱUniversityȱofȱtheȱSouth,ȱ1990),ȱ233–43. “Ilȱnousȱestȱavisȱqueȱcilȱquiȱveutȱesterȱloiausȱbaillisȱetȱdroituriersȱdoitȱavoirȱenȱsoiȱ.x.ȱvertus,ȱes quellsȱl’uneȱestȱetȱdoitȱesterȱdameȱetȱmestresseȱdeȱtoutesȱlesȱautres,ȱneȱsansȱluiȱneȱpueentȱesterȱles autresȱvertusȱgouvernees.ȱEtȱceleȱvertusȱestȱappeleeȱsapience,ȱquiȱvautȱautantȱcommeȱesterȱsages. Donquesȱdisonsȱnousȱqueȱcilȱqui’ȱs’entrementȱdeȱBaillieȱgarderȱetȱdeȱjusticeȱfereȱdoitȱesterȱages, neȱ autrementȱ ilȱ neȱ savoitȱ pasȱ fereȱ ceȱ quiȱ apartientȱ aȱ officeȱ deȱ bailiff”(“Itȱ isȱ ourȱ opinionȱ that whoeverȱwouldȱbeȱaȱfaithfulȱandȱjustȱjudgeȱmustȱpossessȱtenȱvirtues,ȱoneȱofȱwhichȱisȱandȱmustȱbe theȱladyȱandȱmistressȱofȱallȱtheȱothers,ȱlestȱwithoutȱitȱtheȱothersȱcannotȱbeȱgoverned.ȱAndȱthat virtueȱisȱcalledȱwisdom,ȱwhichȱwouldȱbeȱtheȱsameȱasȱtoȱbeȱwise.ȱThusȱweȱsayȱthatȱheȱshouldȱbe wiseȱwhenȱheȱattendsȱtoȱbeingȱaȱjudgeȱandȱdoingȱjustice,ȱlestȱotherwiseȱheȱknowȱnotȱwhatȱtoȱdo pertainingȱtoȱtheȱjudicialȱoffice”).ȱPhillipeȱdeȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis,ȱed.ȱAmedée Salmon.ȱCollectionȱdeȱtextesȱpourȱservirȱàȱlȇétudeȱetȱàȱlȇenseignementȱdeȱlȇhistoireȱ(Paris:ȱÉditions A.ȱetȱJ.ȱPicard,ȱ1889),ȱ¶12. LaȱBibleȱdeȱGuiot,ȱlineȱ2481ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51).

124

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor Enȱfontainneȱdeȱsapience; Neȱsontȱmieȱbienȱabevrei, Ilȱboiventȱouȱrusiaulȱtrovlei.63 [Theyȱoughtȱtoȱbearȱmuchȱgoodȱfruit,ȱandȱtheirȱworkȱbeȱsoȱdirectedȱthatȱitȱproduces goodȱ andȱ honor,ȱ andȱ theyȱ oughtȱ toȱ haveȱ goodȱ careȱ andȱ thoughtsȱ whenȱ theyȱ are schooled,ȱsoȱtheirȱmannerȱbeȱturnedȱaccordingȱtoȱlawȱandȱdecreeȱforȱwhichȱtheyȱwould meritȱmuchȱesteem:ȱthatȱwouldȱbeȱaȱpureȱandȱfineȱscience.ȱInstead,ȱtheyȱengageȱin foolishȱstudiesȱthatȱmakeȱanȱevilȱscienceȱofȱtheȱfountȱofȱwisdom;ȱandȱtheyȱareȱnot refreshed,ȱforȱtheyȱdrinkȱwhereȱtheȱwatersȱareȱmurky.]

Inȱshort,ȱtheseȱlegalȱtechniciansȱuponȱwhomȱtheȱnewȱsystemȱdependsȱareȱmore interestedȱinȱlegalityȱthanȱinȱjustice,ȱforȱwhichȱlatterȱobjectiveȱtheȱordealȱseems uniquelyȱ qualified.ȱ Indeed,ȱ Guiotȱ mayȱ haveȱ playedȱ aȱ significantȱ roleȱ inȱ the disseminationȱofȱtheȱLohengrinȱlegend,ȱwhichȱdependsȱheavilyȱuponȱtheȱefficacy ofȱtrialȱbyȱcombat,ȱifȱheȱisȱindeedȱtheȱGuiotȱ(Kyot)ȱwhomȱWolframȱvonȱEschenbach citesȱasȱhisȱGewährsmannȱforȱtheȱtale.64 Thisȱdistinctionȱbetweenȱlawȱfoundedȱonȱreasonȱandȱjusticeȱgroundedȱinȱcharity wasȱevidentlyȱonȱtheȱmindȱofȱJeanȱdeȱMeun,ȱwhenȱinȱtheȱRomanȱdeȱlaȱRose,ȱhe relatesȱLivy’sȱtaleȱofȱAppiusȱandȱVirginius.ȱAppius,ȱunableȱtoȱwinȱVirginia,ȱthe daughterȱofȱVirginius,ȱbyȱlegitimateȱmeans,ȱallowedȱhisȱhirelingȱtoȱbringȱaȱsuit falselyȱ allegingȱ thatȱ Virginiaȱ wasȱ hisȱ slave,ȱ andȱ demandingȱ possessionȱ ofȱ his chattel.ȱHastily,ȱAppiusȱjudgedȱinȱfavorȱofȱtheȱplaintiff,ȱorderingȱVirginiaȱtoȱbe deliveredȱupȱimmediately.ȱThereupon,ȱ“parȱamourȱsansȱhaîne...”65ȱ(“throughȱlove andȱwithoutȱanyȱhatred”),ȱVirginiusȱdecapitatesȱhisȱdaughterȱtoȱsaveȱherȱfrom infamy,ȱandȱpresentsȱherȱheadȱtoȱtheȱjudgeȱinȱopenȱcourt.ȱOutraged,ȱtheȱjudge ordersȱVirginius’sȱexecution,ȱbutȱtheȱpeopleȱofȱtheȱtown,ȱmovedȱbyȱpity,ȱdefend Virginiusȱagainstȱtheȱauthorities,ȱandȱinstead,ȱseizeȱtheȱjudgeȱandȱthrowȱhimȱinto prison,ȱwhereȱheȱkillsȱhimselfȱbeforeȱtrial. Underȱ Romanȱ law,ȱ Virginiusȱ hadȱ committedȱ aȱ capitalȱ crime.ȱ Butȱ the townspeople,ȱandȱbyȱimplication,ȱJeanȱdeȱMeun,ȱandȱbyȱstillȱfurtherȱimplication, theȱ layȱ readerȱ orȱ listener,ȱ wellȱ understandȱ thatȱ Virginiusȱ doesȱ notȱ merit punishment.ȱ Similarly,ȱ theȱ maidenȱ ofȱ theȱ roseȱ deservesȱ vindication,ȱ theȱ evil seneschalȱwarrantsȱhumiliation,ȱtheȱpeasantȱreallyȱdoesȱmeritȱparadise,ȱandȱwhile TristanȱandȱIseultȱandȱLancelotȱandȱGuinevereȱultimatelyȱreceiveȱpunishmentȱof anotherȱsort,ȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱreallyȱdeserveȱtoȱdie,ȱparticularlyȱatȱtheȱinstigationȱofȱan

63 64

65

LaȱBibleȱdeȱGuiot,ȱlinesȱ2491–504ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51). Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ “Nochȱ einmalȱ zuȱ Wolframsȱ ‘spekulativer’ȱ Kyôtȱ ȬQuelleȱ imȱ Lichtȱ jüdischer KulturȱundȱPhilosophieȱdesȱzwölftenȱJahrhunderts,”ȱStudiȱMedievaliȱXLVIȱ(2005):ȱ281–308. GuillaumeȱdeȱLorrisȱetȱJeanȱdeȱMeun,ȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱlaȱRose,ȱed.ȱFelixȱLécoy,ȱ3ȱvols.ȱCFMAȱ92,ȱ93, andȱ98ȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ1973–1983),ȱvol.ȱ1,ȱlineȱ5605.ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolumeȱby DanielȱF.ȱPigg.

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

125

accuserȱ whoseȱ motivesȱ areȱ baserȱ thanȱ theirȱ desires.ȱ Suchȱ storiesȱ areȱ notȱ an indictmentȱofȱcustomaryȱjustice,ȱbutȱaȱvindication.66 ȱTheȱimpactȱofȱtheseȱstoriesȱturnsȱuponȱtheȱinternalȱmotivationsȱandȱintentȱofȱthe characters.ȱ Butȱ anȱ inquisitorialȱ system,ȱ whileȱ perhapsȱ superiorȱ inȱ eliciting historicalȱ facts,ȱ isȱ noȱ moreȱ designedȱ toȱ penetrateȱ psychologicalȱ andȱ emotional motivationȱthanȱisȱtheȱsyllogisticȱanalysisȱappliedȱtoȱtheȱfactsȱderivedȱthroughȱthe inquisitorialȱprocess.ȱTheȱjugementȱdeȱDieuȱwasȱdesignedȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱasȱaȱtruthȬ findingȱenterprise,ȱasȱaȱsystemȱallowingȱGodȱtoȱworkȱhisȱjusticeȱsinceȱHeȱalone knowsȱ theȱ humanȱ heartȱ andȱ itsȱ hiddenȱ recesses.ȱ Afterȱ all,ȱ underȱ theȱ rubricȱ of confession,ȱpreachersȱcontinuedȱtoȱemployȱexamplaȱillustratingȱGod’sȱforgiveness andȱmercyȱtoȱtheȱpenitentȱsinnerȱthroughȱeitherȱescapeȱorȱmitigationȱofȱtheȱnatural consequencesȱofȱordeals.67ȱIdeally,ȱwhenȱaȱmatterȱwasȱheardȱbeforeȱkingȱorȱcourt, orȱevenȱappointedȱbailli,ȱtheȱjudgeȱwasȱbutȱaȱmeagerȱstandȬinȱforȱGod,ȱrequiring hisȱexerciseȱofȱwisdomȱratherȱthanȱtechnicalȱknowledge.ȱInȱtrulyȱseriousȱcases concerningȱlossȱofȱlifeȱorȱlimb,ȱappealȱstillȱlayȱwithȱthatȱ“higherȱauthority.”ȱ Theȱcontinuedȱfaithȱinȱthatȱhigherȱappealȱappearsȱfromȱtheȱpublicȱsatisfaction withȱtheȱdeȱGrisȱcaseȱofȱ1386,ȱtheȱlastȱduelȱfoughtȱbyȱordersȱofȱtheȱParlementȱde Paris.ȱTheȱdefendant,ȱaȱsquireȱofȱgoodȱreputeȱandȱpiousȱreport,ȱwasȱaccusedȱof rapingȱtheȱwifeȱofȱtheȱknight,ȱJehanȱdeȱCarrouges,ȱwhoȱwasȱunableȱevenȱtoȱputȱa dateȱtoȱtheȱallegedȱcrime.ȱNonetheless,ȱtheȱdefeatȱandȱdeathȱofȱtheȱsquireȱwas greetedȱ asȱ theȱ manifestȱ judgmentȱ ofȱ Godȱ byȱ allȱ theȱ chroniclersȱ ofȱ theȱ period, includingȱJeanȱFroissartȱandȱJeanȱJuvenal.68ȱ 66

67

68

Cf.ȱH(arold)ȱB(ernard)ȱWillson,ȱ“TheȱOldȱandȱtheȱNewȱLawȱinȱGottfried’sȱTristan,”ȱTheȱModern LanguageȱReviewȱ60ȱ(1965):ȱ212–24,ȱhereȱ218:ȱ“ForȱtheȱmostȱstrikingȱcharacteristicȱofȱtheȱNewȱLaw isȱindeedȱitsȱinherentȱsubtlety,ȱitsȱdefianceȱofȱlogic.ȱByȱtheȱparadoxȱofȱitsȱforgivenessȱofȱsinsȱand theȱRedemptionȱofȱguiltyȱmanȱthroughȱtheȱdeathȱofȱOneȱwhoȱisȱperfectȱitȱmakesȱnonsenseȱofȱthe rigidȱlogicȱofȱtheȱOldȱLawȱandȱitsȱmaximȱofȱ‘anȱeyeȱforȱanȱeyeȱandȱaȱtoothȱforȱaȱtooth.’ȱChrist’s outwittingȱtheȱPhariseesȱisȱaȱmeansȱtoȱtheȱendȱofȱprovingȱthatȱloveȱisȱaȱhigherȱandȱmoreȱsubtleȱlaw thanȱanyȱother.ȱLikewise,ȱinȱanȱanalogicalȱsense,ȱlistȱinȱTristanȱisȱaȱmeansȱtoȱtheȱendȱofȱshowing thatȱloveȱhasȱitsȱownȱlawȱandȱitsȱownȱsubtlety.ȱTheȱessenceȱofȱlistȱisȱthatȱitȱemphasizesȱtheȱcontrast betweenȱappearanceȱandȱrealityȱandȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱalthoughȱtheȱloversȱmayȱbeȱguiltyȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱlaw .ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheyȱareȱnot,ȱinȱfact,ȱasȱguiltyȱinȱtheȱsightȱofȱtheȱGodȱofȱLoveȱasȱtheyȱareȱinȱtheȱeyesȱofȱtheir enviousȱfellowȬmen,ȱwhoȱareȱthemselvesȱsinners.ȱTheȱlatterȱareȱthereforeȱoutwittedȱbyȱtheȱlovers justȱasȱtheȱPhariseesȱareȱoutwittedȱbyȱChrist—andȱinȱthisȱbattleȱofȱwitsȱtheyȱareȱsupportedȱby Christ,ȱwhoȱisȱHimselfȱaȱpractitionerȱofȱlist.”ȱ SeeȱJacquesȱBerlioz,ȱ“LesȱOrdalesȱdansȱlesȱexemplaȱdeȱlaȱConfessionȱ(XIIIeȱ–ȱXIVeȱsiècles),ȱ“ȱL’Aveu: AntiquitéȱetȱMoyenȬâge:ȱActesȱdeȱlaȱtableȱrondeȱorganizéeȱparȱl’ÉcoleȱfrançaiseȱdeȱRomeȱavecȱleȱconcours duȱCNRSȱetȱdeȱl’universitéȱdeȱTrieste,ȱRomeȱ28–30ȱmaisȱ1984.ȱCollectionȱdeȱL’ÉcoleȱFrançaiseȱde Rome,ȱ88ȱ(Rome:ȱÉcoleȱFrançaiseȱdeȱRome,ȱ1986),ȱ315–40. JeanȱFroissart,ȱChroniques,ȱed.ȱSiméonȱLuce,ȱGastonȱRaynaudȱandȱLéonȱMirot,ȱ15ȱvols.ȱ(Paris:ȱVv. J.ȱRenouardȱ[puisȱH.ȱChampion],ȱ1869–1966),ȱ13:102–07;ȱJeanȱJuvenalȱdesȱUrsins,ȱHistoireȱdeȱCharles VI,ȱroyȱdeȱFrance,ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.,ȱed.ȱJosephȬFrançoisȱMichaudȱandȱJeanȱJosephȱFrançoisȱPoujoulat.ȱNouvelle collectionȱdesȱmémoiresȱpourȱservirȱàȱl’histoireȱdeȱFranceȱdepuisȱleȱXIIIeȱsiècleȱjusqu’àȱlaȱfinȱdu XVIIIe.ȱVol.,ȱ2ȱ(ParisȱandȱLyon:ȱGuyot,ȱ1850),ȱ371.ȱAsȱpointedȱoutȱbyȱEstherȱCohen,ȱTheȱCrossroads

126

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

Similarly,ȱpublicȱfaithȱinȱimmanentȱjusticeȱisȱreflectedȱinȱtheȱpopularityȱoverȱthe trèsȱ longueȬduréeȱ ofȱ theȱ ancientȱ taleȱ ofȱ theȱ chienȱ deȱ Montargis,ȱ dogȱ ofȱ aȱ knight murderedȱ byȱ hisȱ jealousȱ rival,ȱ Macaire.ȱ Theȱ dogȱ returnedȱ toȱ court,ȱ showing markedȱ friendlinessȱ toȱ allȱ butȱ Macaire,ȱ arousingȱ suspicion.ȱ Theȱ kingȱ ordered Macaireȱtoȱofferȱfoodȱtoȱtheȱdog,ȱwhichȱitȱrefusedȱfromȱtheȱknight’sȱhand.ȱTaken asȱaȱprimaȱfacieȱcase,ȱaȱjugementȱwasȱordered,ȱMacaireȱarmedȱwithȱstaffȱandȱshield, theȱdogȱwithȱaȱbarrel.ȱNaturally,ȱtheȱdogȱwon,ȱandȱMacaireȱwasȱforcedȱtoȱconfess andȱwasȱexecuted.ȱThisȱstoryȱwentȱthroughȱaȱnumberȱofȱversionsȱandȱwasȱeven recountedȱ approvinglyȱ inȱ theȱ earlyȱ seventeenthȱ centuryȱ byȱ theȱ Frenchȱ jurist, ClaudeȱExpillyȱwho,ȱasȱhadȱhisȱpredecessors,ȱacceptedȱimplicitlyȱtheȱhistoricityȱof theȱtale.69ȱByȱcomparison,ȱacrossȱtheȱchannel,ȱFortescueȱwasȱtoutingȱtheȱgloryȱof theȱjuryȱsystemȱoverȱtheȱinquisitorialȱsystem,70ȱandȱMalory,ȱatȱleastȱchezȱCaxton, hadȱturnedȱArthurianȱromanceȱintoȱaȱtragedyȱofȱfailedȱexpectations,ȱcorruption, murderȱandȱincest.71 Isȱthereȱfurtherȱevidenceȱforȱpublicȱapprobationȱforȱcustomaryȱjustice?ȱStrangely, perhaps,ȱitȱisȱprovidedȱbyȱtheȱAngloȬNormanȱlegalȱtreatisesȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱand earlyȱfourteenthȱcenturiesȱthemselves.ȱIfȱoneȱreadsȱtheȱPlacitaȱCorone,ȱwithȱwhich weȱopened,ȱorȱtheȱtreatise,ȱBritton,ȱoneȱwouldȱthinkȱthatȱfewȱchangesȱhadȱtaken placeȱ inȱ theȱ operationȱ ofȱ law,ȱ andȱ thatȱ trialȱ byȱ battle,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ was commonplace.ȱ Inȱ reality,ȱ byȱ midȬcentury,ȱ jugementȱ deȱ Dieuȱ hadȱ fallenȱ offȱ in England,ȱnotȱonlyȱdueȱtoȱtheȱregularizationȱofȱpresentment,ȱbutȱbecauseȱchancery

69

70 71

ofȱJustice:ȱLawȱandȱCultureȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱFrance.ȱBrill’sȱStudiesȱinȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱ36ȱ(Leiden andȱNewȱYork:ȱE.ȱJ.ȱBrill,ȱ1993),ȱ59–60,ȱtheȱjuristȱJeanȱleȱCoqȱwasȱamongȱtheȱfewȱtoȱrecordȱa jaundicedȱopinionȱofȱbothȱprocedureȱandȱresults.ȱQuestionesȱJohannisȱGalli,ȱed.ȱMargueritteȱBoulet. Bibliothéqueȱdesȱécolesȱfrançaisesȱd’AthénesȱetȱdeȱRome,ȱ156ȱ(Paris:ȱE.ȱdeȱBoccard,ȱ1944),ȱ95–98, writingȱinterȱalia,ȱ“EtȱhabeoȱscrupulumȱquodȱfueritȱDeiȱvindicta,ȱetȱsicȱpluribusȱvisumȱfuitȱqui videruntȱdictumȱduellum.”ȱ(“IȱhaveȱdoubtsȱthisȱwasȱtheȱvengeanceȱofȱGod,ȱandȱsoȱitȱseemedȱto severalȱothersȱwhoȱwitnessedȱtheȱsaidȱduel”),ȱQu.ȱ89,ȱ110. SeeȱEstherȱCohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice,ȱ60–61ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ68),ȱdiscussingȱtheȱversionȱpassedȱdown byȱClaudeȱExpilly,ȱPlaidoyezȱdeȱmreȱClaudeȱExpilly,ȱconseillerȱduȱroyȱetȱsonȱadvocateȱgeneral.ȱ.ȱ.ȱpresident auȱParlementȱdeȱGrenoble;ȱensembleȱplusieursȱarrestsȱ&ȱreiglemensȱnotablesȱduditȱParlement,ȱ5thȱed. (Lyonȱ:ȱImpr.ȱDeȱS.ȱRigaud,ȱ1631),ȱ199–200.ȱWhileȱCohenȱemphasizesȱtheȱformulaicȱnatureȱofȱthese lateȱmedievalȱstories,ȱmyȱargumentȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheirȱfavorȱgenerallyȱlayȱinȱsubstanceȱratherȱthan form.ȱCf.ȱJ.ȱViscardi,ȱLeȱChienȱdeȱMontargis:ȱEtudeȱdeȱfolkloreȱjuridiqueȱ(Paris:ȱF.ȱLoviton,ȱ1932),ȱ54–61. SirȱJohnȱFortescue,ȱDeȱLaudibusȱLegumȱAngliae,ȱc.ȱ20,ȱc.ȱ22,ȱcc.ȱ29–32. SeeȱThomasȱC.ȱRumble,ȱ“’TheȱTaleȱofȱTristam’:ȱDevelopmentȱbyȱAnalogy,”ȱMalory’sȱOriginality: AȱCriticalȱStudyȱofȱLeȱMortȱDarthur,ȱed.ȱR.ȱM.ȱLumianskyȱ(Baltimore:ȱJohnsȱHopkinsȱPress,ȱ1964), 146;ȱRalphȱJ.ȱHexter,ȱEquivocalȱOathsȱandȱOrdealsȱinȱMedievalȱLiteratureȱ(TheȱLeBaronȱRusselȱBriggs PrizeȱHonorsȱEssaysȱinȱEnglish,ȱ1974)ȱ(Cambridge,ȱMA,ȱandȱLondon:ȱHarvardȱUniversityȱPress, 1975),ȱ42.ȱForȱtheȱliteraryȱtraditionȱofȱthisȱtale,ȱnowȱseeȱAlbrechtȱClassen’sȱIntroductionȱtoȱRural SpaceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱAge,ȱed.ȱidȱinȱcollaborationȱwithȱChristopherȱR.ȱClason. FundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture,ȱ9ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2012), 102–06.

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

127

hadȱdevisedȱaȱnewȱwritȱinȱwhatȱwouldȱcomeȱtoȱbeȱknownȱasȱtort,ȱobviatingȱthe needȱforȱappealȱasȱaȱtacticȱinȱtheȱrecoveryȱofȱdamages.72ȱ Meanwhile,ȱjusticesȱseldomȱdeniedȱtheȱvalidityȱofȱtheȱoldȱlawsȱandȱprocedures, butȱ ratherȱ foundȱ exceptionsȱ toȱ theirȱ application.ȱ Hence,ȱ Fleta,ȱ theȱ Latinȱ text roughlyȱcontemporaneousȱwithȱBritton,ȱseemsȱtoȱrecognizeȱthatȱactualȱpracticeȱhad changed,ȱdespiteȱtheȱeffortȱofȱjustices,ȱinȱtheȱwordsȱofȱJ.ȱM.ȱKaye,ȱ“toȱleaveȱthe façadeȱofȱtheȱancientȱrulesȱstanding,ȱwhilstȱdemolishingȱtheȱstructureȱbehind.”73 Indeed,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱnoted,ȱwagerȱofȱbattleȱwasȱnotȱofficiallyȱabrogatedȱinȱEngland untilȱtheȱnineteenthȱcentury,ȱdespiteȱbeingȱwhittledȱ downȱtoȱanȱoddityȱbyȱthe 1300’s.ȱInȱFrance,ȱwhereȱLouisȱattemptedȱtoȱprohibitȱitȱinȱroyalȱcourtsȱinȱ1260,ȱit continuedȱtoȱthriveȱinȱtheȱprovincialȱcourts,ȱwhereȱappelleesȱretainedȱtheȱrightȱto demandȱbattleȱagainstȱnotȱonlyȱappellantsȱandȱwitnesses,ȱbutȱevenȱagainstȱjurors. Insteadȱofȱprohibitingȱbattelȱinȱcasesȱinvolvingȱwomen,ȱtheȱinfirm,ȱorȱtheȱelderly, asȱ hadȱ Englishȱ courts,ȱ mostȱ provincialȱ andȱ seigniorialȱ courtsȱ onȱ theȱ continent continuedȱtoȱrecognizeȱtheȱuseȱofȱchampions.ȱSoȱpopularȱwasȱtheȱjugementȱdeȱDieu, thatȱPhilipȱtheȱFairȱwasȱcompelledȱtoȱrestoreȱtheȱpracticeȱtoȱroyalȱcourts,ȱperhaps becauseȱ theȱ alternativeȱ toutedȱ byȱ theȱ crown’sȱ trainedȱ legistesȱ wasȱ inquisitorial procedureȱwhichȱbyȱthenȱhadȱfoundȱitselfȱlargelyȱdependentȱonȱtorture,ȱwhichȱwas apparentlyȱ moreȱ popularlyȱ embracedȱ inȱ theȱ Italianȱ communesȱ thanȱ byȱ the majorityȱ ofȱ Frenchmen.74ȱ Onlyȱ withȱ theȱ officialȱ redactionsȱ ofȱ customȱ inȱ the fifteenthȱ andȱ sixteenthȱ centuriesȱ wasȱ theȱ Frenchȱ crownȱ finallyȱ successfulȱ in establishingȱaȱmodelȱofȱjusticeȱdispensedȱfromȱabove,ȱinȱwhichȱanȱinsurmountable gulfȱexistedȱbetweenȱtheȱcourtȱandȱtheȱlitigants.ȱ Meanwhile,ȱacrossȱtheȱchannelȱinȱanȱEnglandȱclingingȱtenuouslyȱtoȱitsȱNorman andȱAngevinȱrootsȱthroughȱtheȱtenacityȱofȱthatȱbastardizedȱdialectȱknownȱasȱ“law French,”ȱtheȱcrownȱhadȱbeenȱlargelyȱsuccessfulȱinȱtransformingȱtheȱEnglishȱlegal 72

73 74

SeeȱDanielȱKlerman,ȱ“SettlementȱandȱtheȱDeclineȱofȱPrivateȱProsecutionȱinȱThirteenthȬCentury England,”ȱLawȱandȱHistoryȱReviewȱ19ȱ(2001):ȱ1–65. IntroductionȱtoȱPlacitaȱCorone,ȱxviiȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ Seeȱforȱexample,ȱBartolusȱdeȱSaxoferrato,ȱCommentariaȱinȱiusȱuniversumȱcivileȱ(Baselȱ1562),ȱadȱDig. Just.ȱ18.20ȱs.v.ȱQuiȱsine:ȱ“Ideoȱdicoȱhicȱquodȱquidamȱiudicesȱstultiȱquiȱstatimȱcumȱhabeantȱindicia contraȱreumȱcoguntȱeumȱadȱconfitendum.ȱCerteȱhocȱnonȱdebetȱfieri,ȱquiaȱcondemnarentȱeumȱex indiciisȱetȱsuspitionibus,ȱsedȱdebentȱadhibereȱtormentaȱcumȱmoderamine,ȱetȱexȱistisȱveritatem investigare.ȱEtȱitaȱiamȱfeciȱpluriesȱfieri,ȱsedȱsiȱhabitaȱtorturaȱnonȱinveniebaturȱverum,ȱabsolvebam eum,ȱetȱhocȱfaciebamȱscribiȱinȱactis:ȱ‘Habitaȱtorturaȱcumȱmoderamineȱnonȱreperiȱeumȱculpabilem.’ Etȱhocȱneȱtemporeȱsyndicatusȱpossitȱdici,ȱ‘Tuȱdebuistiȱeumȱtorquere’”ȱ(“Thus,ȱIȱsayȱregardingȱthis, thatȱthereȱareȱsomeȱdullȱjudgesȱwhoȱimmediatelyȱwhenȱtheyȱhaveȱinformationȱagainstȱaȱdefendant compelȱhimȱtoȱconfess.ȱSurely,ȱthisȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱdone,ȱbecauseȱtheyȱcondemnȱhimȱbasedȱon informationȱandȱsuspicion;ȱrather,ȱtheyȱshouldȱapplyȱtortureȱwithȱmoderationȱandȱfromȱthis, searchȱoutȱtheȱtruth.ȱAndȱsoȱseveralȱtimesȱIȱundertookȱtoȱdo,ȱbutȱifȱtheȱtruthȱwasȱnotȱuncovered byȱapplicationȱofȱtorture,ȱIȱacquittedȱhim,ȱandȱIȱcausedȱthisȱtoȱbeȱwrittenȱinȱtheȱrecord:ȱ‘With tortureȱadministeredȱwithȱmoderation,ȱIȱdidȱnotȱfindȱhimȱguilty,’ȱandȱthis,ȱlestȱsometimeȱthe syndicateȱisȱableȱtoȱsay,ȱ‘youȱshouldȱhaveȱtorturedȱhim’”).

128

ScottȱL.ȱTaylor

systemȱthroughȱchangeȱsoȱincrementalȱandȱsoȱsuccessfulȱinȱitsȱcooptationȱofȱthe public75ȱ thatȱ inȱ theȱ processȱ somethingȱ ofȱ aȱ mythȱ ofȱ theȱ juryȱ systemȱ wasȱ born, whereinȱtrialȱbyȱjuryȱwasȱtheȱcustomaryȱrightȱofȱEnglishmen.76 Inȱconclusion,ȱIȱwouldȱsubmitȱthatȱthisȱbriefȱexcursionȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱpassing ofȱ theȱ ordealȱ wasȱ neitherȱ theȱ productȱ ofȱ widespreadȱ skepticism,ȱ particularly regardingȱ immanentȱ justice,ȱ norȱ wasȱ itȱ theȱ immediateȱ consequenceȱ ofȱ the withdrawalȱ ofȱ Churchȱ sanction.ȱ Inȱ variousȱ guises,ȱ beliefȱ inȱ andȱ appealsȱ to immanentȱjusticeȱsurvivedȱwithoutȱtheȱimmediateȱandȱactiveȱparticipationȱofȱthe clergy.ȱRather,ȱtheȱdecisionȱofȱtheȱFouthȱLateranȱCouncilȱlargelyȱcoincidedȱwith theȱobjectivesȱofȱsecularȱrulersȱandȱtheirȱlegisteȱminions,ȱwhoseȱambitionsȱwere delayedȱbyȱaȱrecalcitrantȱpublicȱmindfulȱofȱitsȱcustomaryȱprerogatives,ȱandȱmore trustfulȱ ofȱ theȱ eternalȱ truthsȱ ofȱ God,ȱ thanȱ ofȱ theȱ innovationsȱ ofȱ kings,ȱ whose functionȱinȱtheȱpopularȱimaginationȱremainedȱpreservationȱandȱapplicationȱofȱthe

75

76

Asȱaȱconsequence,ȱtheȱconvictionȱrate,ȱdespiteȱtheȱfearȱofȱsomeȱdefendants,ȱwasȱnotoriouslyȱlow. SeeȱThomasȱAndrewȱGreen,ȱVerdictȱAccordingȱtoȱConscienceȱ(Chicago:ȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress, 1985);ȱ Johnȱ G.ȱ Bellamy,ȱ Crimeȱ andȱ Publicȱ Orderȱ inȱ Englandȱ inȱ theȱ Laterȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ (London: RoutledgeȱandȱKeganȱPaul,ȱ1973).ȱVariousȱreasonsȱhaveȱbeenȱadvancedȱforȱthisȱphenomenon, includingȱoverȬchargingȱandȱoverȬpresentment.ȱHowever,ȱinȱadditionȱtoȱdisapprovalȱofȱlawȱor punishment,ȱitȱisȱalsoȱpossibleȱthatȱjuriesȱchoseȱtoȱexpressȱaȱcommunalȱmercyȱnotȱdissimilarȱto whatȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱexpectedȱinȱtheȱjugementȱdeȱDieu.ȱSeeȱTrishaȱOlson,ȱ“OfȱEnchantment:ȱThe PassingȱofȱOrdealsȱandȱtheȱRiseȱofȱJuryȱTrial,”ȱSyracuseȱLawȱReviewȱ50ȱ(2000):ȱ109–96;ȱhereȱ173–74. Ofȱcourse,ȱjuryȱnullificationȱandȱmercyȱareȱhardlyȱmutuallyȱexclusiveȱcategoriesȱforȱaȱperiodȱin whichȱtheȱdefenseȱisȱlargelyȱunknownȱandȱunavailable.ȱTheȱindependenceȱofȱEnglishȱjuriesȱwas grudginglyȱ acceptedȱ untilȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ whenȱ itsȱ roleȱ wasȱ reinedȱ inȱ byȱ the developmentȱofȱjuryȱinstructions.ȱSeeȱJohnȱH.ȱLangbein,ȱ“HistoricalȱFoundationsȱofȱtheȱLawȱof Evidence:ȱAȱViewȱfromȱtheȱRyderȱSources,”ȱColumbiaȱLawȱReviewȱ96ȱ(1996):ȱ1168–99. OneȱcannotȱdenyȱorȱdiscountȱtheȱhappyȱcoincidenceȱofȱMagnaȱCartaȱandȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱthe juryȱwhichȱledȱinȱtheȱearlyȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱtoȱtheȱidentificationȱofȱthatȱinstitutionȱwithȱthe defendant’sȱpeers.ȱSeeȱYearȱBookȱ30–31,ȱEdwardȱI,ȱ531,ȱandȱJamesȱClarkeȱHolt,ȱMagnaȱCarta,ȱ2nd ed.ȱ(Cambridge:ȱUniversityȱofȱCambridgeȱPress,ȱ1992),ȱ397.ȱ

SurvivalȱofȱCustomaryȱJusticeȱ

129

law,ȱnotȱlegislation.ȱUntilȱandȱtoȱtheȱextentȱRomanȱcivilȱlawȱconceptsȱfosteredȱa Renaissanceȱpretensionȱtoȱabsolutism,ȱitȱcouldȱbe—andȱoftenȱwas—said,ȱ“Vox populi,ȱvoxȱDei.”77ȱȱȱȱȱ

77

Onȱtheȱpeculiarȱhistoryȱofȱthisȱexpression,ȱseeȱGeorgeȱBoas,ȱ“VoxȱPopuli”:ȱEssaysȱinȱtheȱHistoryȱof anȱIdeaȱ(Baltimore:ȱJohnsȱHopkinsȱPress,ȱ1969);ȱS.ȱA.ȱGallacher,ȱ“Voxȱpopuli,ȱvoxȱDei,”ȱPhilological Quarterlyȱ24ȱ(1945):ȱ12–19;ȱEdwardȱPeters,ȱ“Voxȱpopuli,ȱvoxȱdei,”ȱLawȱinȱMediaevalȱLifeȱandȱThought, ed.ȱEdwardȱB.ȱKingȱandȱSusanȱJ.ȱRodyardȱ(Sewanee,ȱTN:ȱTheȱPressȱofȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱtheȱSouth, 1990),ȱ91–120.ȱDespiteȱtheȱvarietyȱofȱsensesȱinȱwhichȱtheȱmaximȱwasȱused,ȱIȱthinkȱparticularlyȱof itsȱ useȱ inȱ Philippeȱ deȱ Commynes,ȱ Mémoires,ȱ ed.ȱ Josephȱ Calmette,ȱ 3ȱ vols.ȱ Lesȱ Classiquesȱ de L’HistoireȱdeȱFranceȱauȱMoyenȱAgeȱ3,ȱ5,ȱandȱ6ȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ1924–1925),ȱ3:82:ȱ“Parȱquoy concludȱceȱpropos,ȱdisant,ȱaprèsȱl’avoirȱouyȱdireȱàȱplusieursȱbonsȱhomesȱdeȱreligionȱetȱdeȱsaincte vieȱetȱàȱmainteȱaultreȱsorteȱdeȱgensȱ(quiȱestȱlaȱvoixȱdeȱDieuȱqueȱlaȱvoixȱduȱpeuple),ȱqueȱNostre Seigneurȱlesȱvouloitȱpugnirȱvisiblement,ȱetȱqueȱchascunȱleȱcogneüt,ȱetȱparȱeulxȱdonnerȱexemple àȱtousȱroysȱetȱprincesȱdeȱbienȱvivreȱetȱselonȱsesȱcommendemensȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱ(“Wherefore,ȱthisȱsubject concludes,ȱsayingȱasȱhasȱbeenȱheardȱsaidȱbyȱmanyȱgoodȱmenȱofȱreligionȱandȱholyȱlife,ȱandȱby manyȱotherȱsortsȱofȱpeopleȱ(i.e.,ȱtheȱvoiceȱofȱtheȱpeopleȱisȱtheȱvoiceȱofȱGod),ȱthatȱourȱLordȱwished toȱpunishȱthemȱmanifestlyȱthatȱeveryoneȱwouldȱknowȱit,ȱandȱbyȱthemȱtoȱprovideȱanȱexampleȱto allȱkingsȱandȱprincesȱtoȱliveȱrighteouslyȱandȱaccordingȱtoȱhisȱcommandments”).ȱSeeȱdiscussions ofȱthisȱpassageȱinȱBoas,ȱ26ȱ(seeȱabove);ȱPeters,ȱ116–17ȱ(seeȱabove).ȱ Clearly,ȱthisȱappealȱtoȱthe punishmentȱofȱtheȱwickedȱasȱanȱexampleȱtoȱothersȱisȱrelatedȱinȱsentimentȱtoȱtheȱjugementȱdeȱDieu andȱtheȱvindicatioȱDeiȱasȱinterpretationsȱandȱjustificationsȱforȱwarfare.ȱSeeȱalso,ȱScottȱL.ȱTaylor, “TheȱConquestȱofȱSodom:ȱSymbiosisȱofȱCalumnyȱandȱCanonȱinȱtheȱJusȱBelliȱfromȱIrelandȱtoȱthe Indies,”ȱWarȱandȱPeace:ȱCriticalȱIssuesȱinȱEuropeanȱSocietiesȱandȱLiteratureȱ800Ȭ1800,ȱed.ȱAlbrecht ClassenȱandȱNadiaȱMargolis.ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture,ȱ7ȱ(Berlinȱand NewȱYork:ȱWalterȱdeȱGruyter,ȱ2011),ȱ81–97.

Chapterȱ6 AlbrechtȱClassen (TheȱUniversityȱofȱArizona,ȱTucson)

CrimeȱandȱViolenceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges: TheȱCasesȱofȱHeinrichȱderȱGlichezare’sȱReinhardȱFuchs andȱWernherȱderȱGartenære’sȱHelmbrecht1

Everyȱ culturalȬhistorianȱ isȱ facedȱ byȱ theȱ difficultȱ taskȱ ofȱ selectingȱ his/her documents,ȱdata,ȱimages,ȱorȱobjectsȱforȱtheȱevaluationȱofȱspecificȱconditionsȱunder investigation.ȱThisȱappliesȱasȱmuchȱtoȱourȱownȱworldȱasȱtoȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.ȱThis couldȱmean,ȱforȱinstance,ȱandȱveryȱmuchȱdependingȱonȱone’sȱpointȱofȱview,ȱthat theȱmedievalȱperiodȱwouldȱhaveȱtoȱbeȱidentifiedȱasȱtheȱ‘darkȱages.’ȱButȱnoȱone wouldȱbeȱfullyȱableȱtoȱidentifyȱwhatȱtheyȱmeanȱtherebyȱinȱspecificȱandȱdetailed terms,ȱinȱcomparisonȱwithȱanyȱotherȱage.ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱsuchȱevaluationsȱare alwaysȱ inȱ theȱ dangerȱ ofȱ relyingȱ onȱ someȱ obscureȱ criteriaȱ andȱ standards,ȱ asȱ if historyȱitselfȱwere,ȱbyȱnecessity,ȱprogressiveȱandȱlinear.ȱ Ofȱcourse,ȱifȱweȱlistenȱtoȱoneȱgroupȱofȱarguments,ȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱwereȱfilled withȱviolence,ȱcriminalȱbehavior,ȱandȱlawlessness,ȱwhichȱwouldȱjustifyȱusȱtoday toȱcharacterizeȱthemȱasȱ‘dark.’ȱVengeanceȱandȱbloodȬfeudsȱwereȱquiteȱcommon aspects,ȱandȱmanyȱpeopleȱsufferedȱbadlyȱfromȱbeingȱexposedȱtoȱcriminals,ȱgangs ofȱbanditsȱandȱmurderers,ȱandȱviolentȱsuppressionȱbyȱtheȱsoldiersȱofȱtheirȱown lord’sȱneighbor.2ȱFeuding,ȱinternecineȱstrife,ȱriots,ȱrebellions,ȱandȱcountlessȱwars

1

2

IȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱexpressȱmyȱgratitudeȱtoȱConnieȱScarborough,ȱTexasȱTechȱUniversity,ȱforȱhaving readȱmyȱarticleȱandȱprovidingȱmeȱwithȱvaluableȱfeedback.ȱAllȱremainingȱmistakesȱare,ȱofȱcourse, myȱown. Forȱanȱexcellentȱselectionȱofȱprimaryȱtexts,ȱseeȱVengeanceȱinȱMedievalȱEurope:ȱAȱReader,ȱed.ȱDaniel LordȱSmailȱandȱKellyȱGibsonȱ(Toronto,ȱON,ȱTonawanda,ȱNY,ȱetȱal.:ȱUniversityȱofȱTorontoȱPress, 2009);ȱseeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱVengeanceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges:ȱEmotion,ȱReligionȱandȱFeud,ȱed. SusannaȱA.ȱThroopȱandȱPaulȱR.ȱHyamsȱ(Farnham,ȱSurrey,ȱandȱBurlington,ȱVT:ȱAshgate,ȱ2010).ȱ

132

AlbrechtȱClassen

wereȱpartȱofȱtheȱcommonȱexperiencesȱfarȱandȱwide,ȱandȱthisȱwasȱcertainlyȱtrue duringȱtheȱearlyȱMiddleȱAges,3ȱbutȱinȱlaterȱperiodsȱasȱwell. However,ȱ theȱ Peaceȱ ofȱ Godȱ movements,ȱ atȱ leastȱ sinceȱ theȱ eleventhȱ century, clearlyȱindicatedȱhowȱmuchȱpeopleȱhighȱandȱlowȱwereȱconcernedȱwithȱfinding waysȱtoȱchannelȱwideȬspreadȱandȱuncontrolledȱviolence,ȱbutȱobviouslyȱhadȱaȱhard timeȱrealizingȱtheirȱgoals.4ȱButȱhasȱnotȱtheȱideaȱofȱpeaceȱalwaysȱbeenȱaȱdream, evanescentȱinȱmostȱcases,ȱandȱareȱnotȱdecadesȱofȱpeacefulȱexistence,ȱsuchȱasȱinȱthe WesternȱworldȱsinceȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱSecondȱWorldȱWar,ȱjustȱtemporalȱrespites?5 Doesȱnotȱbarbarismȱandȱsheerȱviolenceȱsimplyȱlurkȱaroundȱtheȱcornerȱevenȱtoday?6 Certainly,ȱthereȱareȱlaws,ȱcourts,ȱtheȱpolice,ȱandȱotherȱinstitutionsȱandȱinstruments availableȱtodayȱthatȱspecificallyȱaimȱatȱtheȱcontainmentȱofȱcrime,ȱbutȱthisȱdoesȱnot necessarilyȱ makeȱ peopleȱ moreȱ peaceful,ȱ orȱ lawȬabiding.ȱ Consideringȱ these contradictions,ȱweȱcanȱeasilyȱrecognizeȱthatȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱsimilarȱconditions existedȱ andȱ thenȱ wereȱ metȱ byȱ timeȬspecificȱ orȱ timeȬcharacteristicȱ measures.7 Sensationalȱmurderȱcasesȱhappenedȱasȱmuchȱinȱtheȱpastȱasȱtheyȱoccurȱtoday,ȱand weȱquicklyȱhaveȱtoȱrealizeȱthatȱhumanȱnatureȱdoesȱnotȱseemȱtoȱimproveȱmuch overȱtime.ȱ Asȱ theȱ thirteenthȬcenturyȱ Middleȱ Highȱ Germanȱ didacticȱ poetȱ Hugoȱ von Trimbergȱemphasizedȱinȱhisȱchapterȱonȱrobbers,ȱ“Swâȱvolkesȱgrôziuȱmenigeȱsî,ȱ/ Dâȱsîȱouchȱschadeȱundȱschandeȱbî”ȱ(6775–76;ȱWhereverȱthereȱisȱaȱhugeȱcrowdȱof people,ȱthereȱisȱalsoȱtoȱbeȱfoundȱdamageȱandȱshamefulness).8ȱMoreover,ȱthoseȱwho striveȱtoȱgainȱpowerȱandȱprofitȱbyȱwayȱofȱjoiningȱtheȱserviceȱofȱaȱgreatȱlord,ȱtend notȱtoȱacquireȱmuchȱhonorȱorȱmoneyȱ(6777–80).ȱGreedȱrulesȱtheȱworld,ȱtriggering

3

4

5

6

7

8

AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“EarlyȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱTheȱLiteraryȱEncyclopediaȱ(4Ȭ23Ȭ10;ȱbyȱsubscriptionȱonly: http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=7222)ȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱMayȱ1,ȱ2010). See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱDominiqueȱBarthélemy,ȱL’AnȱmilȱetȱlaȱpaixȱdeȱDieu:ȱLaȱFranceȱchrétienneȱetȱféodale 980Ȭ1060ȱ([Paris]:ȱLibrairieȱArthèmeȱFayard,ȱ1999). Peterȱ Dinzelbacher,ȱ Lebensweltenȱ desȱ Mittelalters:ȱ 1000–1500.ȱ Bachmannsȱ Basiswissen,ȱ 1 (Badenweiler:ȱWissenschaftlicherȱVerlagȱBachmann,ȱ2010),ȱ239Ȭ69. GertrudȱNunnerȬWinkler,ȱ“Gewaltȱ–ȱeinȱSpezifikumȱderȱModerne?,”ȱRpt.ȱMaxȬPlanckȬInstitutȱfür Psychologischeȱ Forschung,ȱ 18ȱ (Munich:ȱ MaxȬPlanckȬInst.ȱ fürȱ Psychologischeȱ Forschung,ȱ 1996), 81–95;ȱ Warrior’sȱ Dishonour:ȱ Barbarity,ȱ Moralityȱ andȱ Tortureȱ inȱ Modernȱ Warfare,ȱ ed.ȱ George Kassimerisȱ(Aldershot,ȱEngland,ȱBurlington,ȱVT:ȱAshgate,ȱ2006). Forȱ aȱ goodȱ historicalȱ approachȱ toȱ thisȱ topic,ȱ seeȱ Ernstȱ Schubert,ȱ Räuber,ȱ Henker,ȱ armeȱ Sünder: Verbrechenȱ undȱ Strafeȱ imȱ Mittelalter.ȱ Withȱ anȱ epilogueȱ byȱ Thomasȱ Vogtherrȱ (Darmstadt: WissenschaftlicheȱBuchgesellschaft,ȱ2007).ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱMedievalȱCrimeȱandȱSocial Control,ȱed.ȱBarbaraȱA.ȱHanawaltȱandȱDavidȱWallace.ȱMedievalȱCultures,ȱ16ȱ(Minneapolisȱand London:ȱUniversityȱofȱMinneapolisȱPress,ȱ1999);ȱTrevorȱDean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEuropeȱ1200–1550 (London:ȱPearsonȱEducation,ȱ2001). HugoȱvonȱTrimberg,ȱDerȱRenner,ȱed.ȱGustavȱEhrismann.ȱMitȱeinemȱNachwortȱundȱErgänzungen vonȱGüntherȱSchweikle.ȱDeutscheȱNeudrucke.ȱReihe:ȱTexteȱdesȱMittelalters.ȱVol.ȱ1ȱ(1908;ȱBerlin: Walterȱ deȱ Gruyter,ȱ 1970),ȱ 282.ȱ Seeȱ nowȱ theȱ contributionsȱ toȱ Schamȱ undȱ Schamlosigkeit: GrenzverletzungenȱinȱLiteraturȱundȱKulturȱderȱVormoderne,ȱed.ȱKatjaȱGvozdevaȱandȱHansȱRudolf Velten.ȱTrendsȱinȱMedievalȱPhilology,ȱ21ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2011).

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

133

constantȱwavesȱofȱcriminalȱbehaviorȱandȱsinfulnessȱ(6817–18).ȱWhereasȱinȱtheȱtime ofȱtheȱOldȱTestamentȱtheȱJewsȱburntȱsacrificalȱanimalsȱinȱhonorȱofȱGodȱ(6830–32), andȱwhereasȱgoodȱChristiansȱburnȱthyme,ȱmyrrh,ȱandȱincenseȱinȱhonorȱofȱtheir Godȱ(ȱ6833–36),ȱnowȱnewȱfiresȱareȱlit:ȱ“Nuȱbrennetȱmanȱschiurenȱundȱruozigiu dachȱ/ȱUndȱmanicȱarmerȱliuteȱgemach,ȱ/ȱDieȱfrostic,ȱhungericȱundeȱblôzȱ/ȱBeteln gênt,ȱderȱleitȱvilȱgrôzȱ/ȱIstȱümȱirȱkleiniuȱkindelîn,ȱ/ȱDiuȱarmȱundȱellendeȱmüezen sîn”ȱ(6837–42;ȱNowȱtheyȱburnȱbarnsȱandȱrusticȱroofs,ȱandȱtheȱhousesȱofȱmanyȱpoor people.ȱ Theseȱ haveȱ toȱ goȱ begging,ȱ freezing,ȱ hungry,ȱ andȱ naked.ȱ Theyȱ suffer greatly,ȱandȱtheirȱlittleȱchildrenȱmustȱbeȱpoorȱandȱmiserable).ȱ Theȱissueȱforȱus,ȱhowever,ȱwouldȱbeȱtoȱanalyzeȱtheȱspecificȱconditionsȱthatȱlead toȱcrimeȱandȱviolenceȱandȱthenȱprobeȱwhatȱmeasuresȱhaveȱbeenȱtakenȱtoȱcombat, orȱatȱleastȱtoȱcontainȱthem.ȱMoreover,ȱweȱwillȱalwaysȱhaveȱtoȱkeepȱinȱmindȱthe phenomenonȱ itselfȱ thatȱ crimeȱ isȱ reportedȱ andȱ reflectedȱ on,ȱ signalingȱ eitherȱ an awarenessȱofȱtheȱdangerȱforȱsocietyȱatȱlarge,ȱorȱanȱappealȱtoȱtheȱauthoritiesȱto intervene,ȱifȱnotȱtoȱpurgeȱitsȱownȱranksȱfromȱcriminalȱelements.9 Forȱ aȱ generalȱ approachȱ toȱ ourȱ topic,ȱ itȱ wouldȱ beȱ extremelyȱ importantȱ to recognizeȱthatȱmedievalȱsocietyȱwasȱnotȱatȱallȱasȱhomogenousȱasȱweȱregularly assume,ȱ soȱ tensionsȱ betweenȱ majorityȱ andȱ minorityȱ groupsȱ inȱ religiousȱ terms couldȱ easilyȱ eruptȱ violently.ȱ Christiansȱ hatingȱ theȱ Jewishȱ communities—the oppositeȱwasȱcertainlyȱalsoȱtheȱcase—increasinglyȱcarriedȱoutȱpogroms,ȱrelegated Jewsȱ toȱ aȱ ghetto,ȱ ridiculedȱthemȱinȱpublicȱ(“Judensau”),10ȱmalignedȱthem,ȱand oftenȱ persecutedȱ themȱ withȱ everyȱ meansȱ available.11ȱ Butȱ thisȱ globalȱ picture dangerouslyȱgeneralizesȱandȱreliesȱheavilyȱonȱstereotypesȱandȱhighlyȱsimplified observations,ȱdisregardingȱaȱplethoraȱofȱevidenceȱthatȱspeaksȱtoȱtheȱveryȱopposite,

9

10

11

See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱSalimaȱMoyard,ȱCrimeȱdeȱpoisonȱetȱprocèsȱpolitiqueȱàȱlaȱCourȱdeȱSavoie:ȱL’AffairȱPierre Gerbaisȱ (1379–1382).ȱ Cahiersȱ lausannoisȱ d’histoireȱ médiévale,ȱ 44ȱ (Lausanne:ȱ Universitéȱ de Lausanne,ȱ2008);ȱClaudeȱBerguerand,ȱLeȱDuelȱd’OthonȱdeȱGrandsonȱ(1397):ȱMortȱd’unȱchevalierȬpoète àȱ laȱ finȱ duȱ MoyenȬAge.ȱ Cahiersȱ lausannoisȱ d’histoireȱ médiévale,ȱ 45ȱ (Lausanne:ȱ Universitéȱ de Lausanne,ȱ2008);ȱforȱaȱreview,ȱseeȱMarinaȱMontessano,ȱStudiȱmedievaliȱLI.1ȱ(2010):ȱ459–61. BirgitȱWiedl,ȱ“LaughingȱatȱtheȱBeast:ȱTheȱJudensau:ȱAntiȬJewishȱPropagandaȱandȱHumorȱfromȱthe MiddleȱAgesȱtoȱtheȱEarlyȱModernȱPeriod,”ȱLaughterȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimes: EpistemologyȱofȱaȱFundamentalȱHumanȱBehavior,ȱitsȱMeaning,ȱandȱConsequences,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen. Fundamentalsȱ ofȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Culture,ȱ 5ȱ (Berlinȱ andȱ Newȱ York:ȱ Walterȱ de Gruyter,ȱ2010),ȱ325–64. Thisȱtopicȱhasȱalreadyȱbeenȱstudiedȱbyȱmanyȱscholars,ȱforȱinstance,ȱMiriȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales:ȱThe NarrativeȱAssaultȱonȱLateȱMedievalȱJews.ȱTheȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(1999;ȱPhiladelphia:ȱUniversityȱof PennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ2004);ȱRobertȱChazan,ȱTheȱJewsȱofȱMedievalȱWesternȱChristendom,ȱ1000Ȭ1500. CambridgeȱMedievalȱTextbooksȱ(Cambridge,ȱNewȱYork,ȱetȱal.:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2006). AlexandraȱCuffel,ȱGenderingȱDisgustȱinȱMedievalȱReligiousȱPolemicȱ(NotreȱDame,ȱIN:ȱUniversityȱof Notreȱ Dameȱ Press,ȱ 2007),ȱ providesȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ mostȱ insightfulȱ analysisȱ ofȱ hatredȱ amongȱ the representativesȱofȱallȱthreeȱmonotheisticȱworldȱreligions,ȱregularlyȱpredicatedȱonȱtheȱveryȱsame stereotypesȱandȱimagesȱofȱtheȱenemy.ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionȱtoȱtheȱpresentȱvolumeȱbyȱBirgit Wiedl.

134

AlbrechtȱClassen

whetherȱweȱthinkȱofȱcourtlyȱliterature,ȱmysticalȱtexts,ȱGothicȱcathedrals,ȱtheȱrise ofȱtheȱuniversities,ȱorȱtheȱartsȱatȱlarge.12ȱInȱthoseȱcontextsȱtheȱtermȱ‘dark’ȱhasȱno meaningȱ atȱ allȱ andȱ easilyȱ provesȱ toȱ beȱ absurd.ȱ Everythingȱ dependsȱ onȱ local conditions,ȱindividuals,ȱmentalȱstructures,ȱsocialȱandȱculturalȱframeworks,ȱetc., whichȱappliesȱalmostȱmoreȱtoȱtheȱmedievalȱworldȱthanȱtoȱmodernȱpolitics,ȱfor whichȱ thisȱ dictumȱ wasȱ originallyȱ phrased,ȱ butȱ itȱ certainlyȱ hasȱ aȱ timeless relevance.13ȱ Toȱ illustrateȱ theȱ centralȱ issueȱ here,ȱ Iȱ willȱ discussȱ twoȱ majorȱ narrativesȱ from medievalȱGermanȱliteratureȱwhereȱtotalȱviolenceȱandȱaȱruthlessȱcriminalȱmind characterizeȱ theȱ respectiveȱ protagonistȱ whoȱ terrorizesȱ everyoneȱ aroundȱ him, leadingȱtoȱendlessȱsufferingȱandȱsubjugationȱofȱtheȱaffectedȱpeople,ȱfoeȱandȱfriend, highȱandȱlow,ȱlayȱandȱclerical.ȱInȱtheȱAlsatianȱHeinrichȱ(derȱGlichezare)’sȱfable narrativeȱReinhardȱFuchsȱ(ca.ȱ1170–1190)ȱandȱinȱWernherȱderȱGardenære’sȱdidactic accountȱofȱHelmbrechtȱ(ca.ȱ1260–1274)ȱtheȱfundamentalȱquestionȱisȱraisedȱinȱunique andȱominousȱwaysȱaboutȱwhereȱjusticeȱliesȱandȱwhetherȱthereȱisȱhopeȱforȱtheȱlegal systemȱtoȱinterveneȱandȱtoȱpreventȱviolence.ȱ Criticalȱmass,ȱinȱotherȱwords,ȱhasȱfinallyȱreachedȱunforeseenȱdimensionsȱinȱthese textsȱandȱthreatensȱtoȱengulfȱtheȱentireȱworldȱsinceȱtheȱevilȱcharacterȱinȱHeinrich’s textȱatȱfirstȱgainsȱtheȱupperȱhandȱandȱthenȱisȱbroughtȱtoȱjusticeȱbyȱtheȱauthorities. Atȱfirst,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱcriminalȱ(youngȱHelmbrecht)ȱgoesȱonȱaȱrampageȱofȱviolence aimedȱatȱmaterialȱgainsȱwhichȱisȱtoleratedȱforȱfarȱtooȱlongȱbyȱtheȱownȱfamilyȱback homeȱ andȱ theȱ territorialȱ lord,ȱ orȱ theȱ government.ȱ Althoughȱ heȱ isȱ ultimately lynchedȱbyȱhisȱpreviousȱvictims,ȱtheȱpeasants,ȱthereȱremainsȱaȱstrongȱsenseȱthat crimeȱisȱnotȱeliminatedȱatȱall,ȱandȱviolenceȱisȱonlyȱsuspendedȱforȱaȱshortȱtime.ȱ Butȱletȱusȱfirstȱgainȱsomeȱinsightȱintoȱtheȱglobalȱdiscourseȱonȱsuffering,ȱviolence, andȱcrimeȱasȱitȱdominatedȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱbeforeȱweȱturnȱtoȱtheseȱtwoȱtextsȱso weȱcanȱsetȱupȱtheȱnecessaryȱframeworkȱforȱourȱinvestigation.ȱExaminingȱthese issuesȱdoesȱnotȱimply,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱIȱwouldȱwantȱtoȱconfirm,ȱonceȱagain,ȱthe notionȱofȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱasȱaȱbrutal,ȱviolenceȬridden,ȱprimitive,ȱandȱbarbaric world.ȱ Theȱ criticalȱ pointȱ canȱ onlyȱ beȱ toȱ uncoverȱ aȱ specificȱ discourseȱ inȱ these literaryȱtextsȱandȱtoȱprobeȱtheirȱmessagesȱinȱethical,ȱlegal,ȱmoral,ȱreligious,ȱand politicalȱterms.

12

13

ElishevaȱBaumgarten,ȱMothersȱandȱChildren:ȱJewishȱFamilyȱLifeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱtrans.ȱfromȱthe Hebrew.ȱ Jews,ȱ Christians,ȱ andȱ Muslimsȱ fromȱ theȱ Ancientȱ toȱ theȱ Modernȱ Worldȱ (Princeton: PrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2004).ȱSeeȱalsoȱBernardȱLewis,ȱCulturesȱinȱConflict:ȱChristians,ȱJews,ȱand Muslimsȱ inȱ theȱ Ageȱ ofȱ Discoveryȱ (Newȱ York:ȱ Oxfordȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ 1995).ȱ Further,ȱ seeȱ the excellentȱcontributionsȱtoȱMisconceptionsȱaboutȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱed.ȱStephenȱJ.ȱHarrisȱandȱBryonȱL. Grigsby.ȱ Routledgeȱ Studiesȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Religionȱ andȱ Culture,ȱ 7ȱ (Newȱ Yorkȱ andȱ London: Routledge,ȱ2008). PaulȱHyams,ȱ“WasȱthereȱReallyȱSuchȱaȱThingȱasȱFeudȱinȱtheȱHighȱMiddleȱAges?,”ȱVengeanceȱinȱthe MiddleȱAges,ȱ151–75;ȱhereȱ174ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

135

Peopleȱhaveȱalwaysȱdisplayedȱaȱtendencyȱtoȱcommitȱcrimes,ȱtoȱbeȱviolent,ȱtoȱact unfairlyȱandȱunjustly.ȱTheȱcynicȱwouldȱprobablyȱsayȱthatȱweȱwriteȱhistoryȱinȱorder toȱrecordȱtheȱinnumerableȱcasesȱofȱcrimeȱandȱtoȱreflectȱuponȱpossibleȱreactionsȱto violence,ȱifȱweȱapplyȱNewton’sȱthirdȱlawȱofȱmotionȱwhichȱsuggestsȱthatȱevery actionȱisȱfollowedȱbyȱanȱequalȱandȱoppositeȱreaction.ȱMoreover,ȱweȱstudyȱtheȱpast becauseȱ theȱ endlessȱ humanȱ sufferingȱ needsȱ toȱ gainȱ aȱ voice,ȱ soȱ analyzingȱ the miseryȱandȱpainȱthatȱpeopleȱhaveȱgoneȱthroughȱinȱtheȱpastȱmightȱhelpȱusȱtoȱcome toȱtermsȱwithȱourȱownȱdailyȱtribulations,ȱsorrow,ȱgrief,ȱandȱpain,ȱbutȱthenȱonȱa higherȱlevel.14ȱOfȱcourse,ȱweȱwillȱneverȱbeȱableȱtoȱovercomeȱinjusticeȱcompletely, forȱinstance,ȱbutȱweȱwillȱbeȱinȱaȱmuchȱmoreȱconstructiveȱpositionȱtoȱcomprehend theȱessenceȱofȱhumanȱexistenceȱinȱfaceȱofȱsuffering.15ȱAsȱtheȱthirteenthȬcentury DominicanȱpreacherȱandȱmysticȱHenryȱSusoȱ(HeinrichȱSeuse)ȱemphasizedȱinȱhis highlyȱ influentialȱ Horologiumȱ Sapientiaeȱ (ca.ȱ 1330/31),ȱ humanȱ lifeȱ isȱ deeply burdenedȱ byȱ sufferingȱ fromȱ injustice,ȱ filledȱ withȱ pain,ȱ vilificationȱ and mortification.ȱNevertheless,ȱSusoȱdoesȱnotȱshrinkȱbackȱfromȱanyȱofȱthoseȱaspects; insteadȱheȱwelcomesȱallȱtribulationsȱandȱidentifiesȱthemȱasȱessentialȱcatalystsȱfor manȱtoȱtranslateȱtheȱearthlyȱprisonȱofȱhisȱfleshȱintoȱtheȱspiritȱthatȱisȱthusȱreadied forȱtheȱunionȱwithȱtheȱGodheadȱafterȱaȱlongȱperiodȱofȱtesting: Quidȱ namqueȱ est,ȱ quodȱ aequeȱ corȱ tumidumȱ etȱ animumȱ elatumȱ acȱ hominem ambitiosumȱseȱipsumȱmagisȱfaciatȱcognoscereȱetȱnonȱaltaȱsapere,ȱsedȱhumiliterȱinȱseȱipso consistereȱacȱtimere,ȱetȱquodȱproximoȱpatientiȱcondescendereȱdoceat?ȱHaecȱestȱnutrix humilitatis,ȱ doctrixȱ patientiae,ȱ custosȱ virginitatis,ȱ comparatrixȱ aeternaeȱ felicitatis. Tribulatioȱ habitaȱ esȱ adeoȱ salutifera,ȱ utȱ vixȱ sit,ȱ quiȱ abȱ eiusȱ seȱ abscondatȱ bonitatis aspergine,ȱsiveȱsitȱdeȱincipientiumȱnumeroȱvelȱproficientiumȱseuȱetiamȱperfectorum. Rubiginemȱ aufertȱ peccatorum,ȱ incrementaȱ praestatȱ virtutumȱ etȱ ubertatemȱ confert gratiarum.ȱ Quidȱ hocȱ thesauroȱ pretiosissimoȱ utilius?ȱ Ipsaȱ namqueȱ peccataȱ tollit, purgatoriumȱ minuit,ȱ repellitȱ tentationes,ȱ exstinguitȱ carnalitates,ȱ spiritumȱ renovat,

14

15

Dinzelbacher,ȱ Lebenswelten,ȱ 239–59ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 5),ȱ depictsȱ aȱ medievalȱ worldȱ whereȱ brutality, inhumaneȱtreatmentȱofȱprisoners,ȱhostages,ȱopponents,ȱandȱsimplyȱofȱtheȱinhabitantsȱofȱconquered castlesȱandȱcities,ȱnotȱtoȱspeakȱofȱtheȱpeasants,ȱwasȱrampantȱandȱhorrifying.ȱHeȱminimizesȱthe attempts,ȱveryȱfewȱfarȱandȱwide,ȱasȱheȱseesȱit,ȱtoȱestablishȱpeaceȱandȱtoȱdisplayȱmercy,ȱbutȱhere asȱ soȱ oftenȱ inȱ recentȱ scholarshipȱ theȱ selectionȱ ofȱ sourcesȱ determinesȱ theȱ intendedȱ goalȱ of presentingȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱasȱhorrifying.ȱThisȱisȱalsoȱoneȱofȱtheȱmainȱpointsȱraisedȱbyȱJudithȱM. Bennett,ȱHistoryȱMatters:ȱPatriarchyȱandȱtheȱChallengesȱofȱFeminismȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱof PennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱ43–48. LiteratureȱoftenȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱtheȱplatformȱforȱwhatȱSigmundȱFreudȱhadȱcalledȱ“Trauerarbeit” (comingȱtoȱtermsȱwithȱgrief),ȱwhichȱ findsȱitsȱperhapsȱbestȱexpressionȱinȱJohannesȱvonȱTepl’s Ackermannȱfromȱca.ȱ1400ȱinȱwhichȱaȱwidowerȱdebatesȱwithȱDeathȱaboutȱtheȱreasonsȱwhyȱhisȱwife hadȱtoȱdie.ȱSeeȱAndréȱSchnyder,ȱ“TrauerarbeitȱdesȱWitwers:ȱVorläufigerȱVersuch,ȱeinȱaltbekanntes Werkȱneuȱzuȱsehen,”ȱJahrbuchȱderȱOswaldȱvonȱWolkensteinȱGesellschaft,ȱ4ȱ(1986/1987):ȱ25–39.ȱCf.ȱalso theȱ contributionsȱ toȱ Griefȱ andȱ Gender:ȱ 700–1700,ȱ ed.ȱ Jenniferȱ C.ȱ Vaught,ȱ withȱ Lynneȱ Dickson Brucknerȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱHoundmills,ȱBasingstoke,ȱHampshire,ȱEngland:ȱPalgraveȱMacmillan, 2003).

136

AlbrechtȱClassen spemȱ roborat,ȱ vultumȱ exhilarat,ȱ conscientiaeȱ affertȱ serenitatem,ȱ etȱ internorum gaudiorumȱcontiunuamȱpraestatȱubertatem.16 [ForȱwhatȱisȱitȱthatȱmakesȱaȱmanȱofȱhaughtyȱheartȱandȱpuffedȬupȱmindȱandȱambition learnȱtoȱknowȱhimselfȱbetter,ȱandȱ“notȱtoȱmindȱhighȱthings,”ȱbutȱtoȱremainȱhumbly withinȱ himselfȱ andȱ toȱ fear,ȱ andȱ toȱ teachȱ othersȱ toȱ stoopȱ downȱ toȱ theirȱ suffering neighbors?ȱTribulationȱisȱtheȱnurseȱofȱhumility,ȱtheȱteacherȱofȱpatience,ȱtheȱguardian ofȱvirginity,ȱtheȱbringerȱofȱeverlastingȱfelicity.ȱTribulationȱisȱconsideredȱtoȱbringȱsuch wellȬbeingȱthatȱitȱcanȱhardlyȱbeȱthatȱanyoneȱwillȱhideȱhimselfȱwhenȱitȱsprinklesȱits goodnessȱaround,ȱwhetherȱheȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱbeginnersȱorȱtoȱtheȱproficientȱorȱevenȱto theȱperfect.ȱItȱtakesȱawayȱtheȱrustȱofȱsins,ȱitȱpromotesȱtheȱgrowthȱofȱvirtues,ȱandȱit confersȱ theȱ fullnessȱ ofȱ graces.ȱ Whatȱ canȱ beȱ ofȱ greaterȱ useȱ thanȱ thisȱ mostȱ precious treasure?ȱ Forȱ itȱ takesȱ awayȱ sins,ȱ itȱ shortensȱ purgatory,ȱ itȱ repelsȱ temptations,ȱ it extinguishesȱ carnality,ȱ itȱ renewsȱ theȱ spirit,ȱ itȱ strengthensȱ hope,ȱ itȱ enlivensȱ the countenance,ȱ itȱ bringsȱ peaceȱ ofȱ conscienceȱ andȱ itȱ offersȱ theȱ unendingȱ fullnessȱ of inwardȱjoys.17

Despiteȱtheȱoverlyȱoptimistic,ȱifȱnotȱnaive,ȱattemptsȱbyȱmodernȱscholarsȱsuchȱasȱthe famousȱsociologistȱNorbertȱEliasȱ(1939)ȱtoȱidentifyȱknighthoodȱasȱtheȱessential institutionȱinventedȱandȱimplementedȱtoȱcontrolȱendlessȱviolenceȱandȱtoȱinject culturalȱvaluesȱpredicatedȱonȱlove,ȱpeace,ȱmutualȱrespect,ȱandȱhonor,ȱallȱsubsumed underȱ theȱ mantraȱ ofȱ theȱ Kingȱ Arthurȱ mythȱ withȱ itsȱ subsequentȱ processȱ of civilization,ȱanyȱcarefulȱexaminationȱofȱmedievalȱsourcesȱrevealsȱalsoȱtheȱdark sides.18ȱHowever,ȱwhatȱsocietyȱorȱculturalȱperiodȱdidȱnotȱexperienceȱbothȱaspects ofȱhumanȱlife:ȱhappinessȱandȱsorrow,ȱviolenceȱandȱpeace?ȱAsȱRichardȱW.ȱKaeuper confirms,ȱ “Chivalryȱ wasȱ notȱ simplyȱ aȱ codeȱ integratingȱ genericȱ individualȱ and society,ȱ notȱ simplyȱ anȱ idealȱ forȱ relationsȱ betweenȱ theȱ sexesȱ orȱ aȱ meansȱ for knockingȱoffȱtheȱroughȱwarriorȱedgesȱinȱpreparationȱforȱtheȱEuropeanȱgentleman toȱcome.ȱTheȱbloodyȬmindedȱsideȱofȱtheȱcode—evenȱifȱitȱseemsȱtoȱmodernsȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱa shudderingȱmatter—wasȱofȱtheȱessenceȱofȱchivalry.ȱTheȱknightȱwasȱaȱwarriorȱand notȱEveryman.”19ȱ

16

17

18

19

HeinrichȱSeuse,ȱHorologiumȱSapientiae.ȱErsteȱkritischeȱAusgabeȱunterȱBenützungȱderȱVorarbeiten vonȱ Dominikusȱ Pflanzerȱ OP.ȱ Spicilegiumȱ Friburgense.ȱ Texteȱ zurȱ Geschichteȱ desȱ kirchlichen Lebens,ȱ23ȱ(Freiburg,ȱCH:ȱUniversitätsverlag,ȱ1977),ȱ489–90. Bl.ȱHenryȱSuso,ȱWisdom’sȱWatchȱUponȱtheȱHours,ȱtrans.ȱEdmundȱColledge,ȱO.S.A.ȱTheȱFathersȱof theȱChurch:ȱMediaevalȱContinuationȱ(Washington,ȱDC:ȱTheȱCatholicȱUniversityȱofȱAmericaȱPress, 1994),ȱ197. SeeȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱGewaltȱimȱMittelalter:ȱRealitätenȱ–ȱImaginationen,ȱed.ȱManuelȱBraunȱand CorneliaȱHerberichsȱ(PaderbornȱandȱMunich:ȱWilhelmȱFink,ȱ2005). RichardȱW.ȱKaeuper,ȱChivalryȱandȱViolenceȱinȱMedievalȱEuropeȱ(OxfordȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱOxford UniversityȱPress,ȱ1999),ȱ8.ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱViolenceȱinȱMedievalȱCourtlyȱLiterature:ȱA Casebook,ȱ ed.ȱ Albrechtȱ Classen.ȱ Routledgeȱ Medievalȱ Casebooksȱ (Newȱ Yorkȱ andȱ London: Routledge,ȱ2004).

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

137

Itȱ mightȱ beȱ futileȱ toȱ carryȱ outȱ aȱ comparisonȱ betweenȱ medievalȱ andȱ modern violenceȱbecauseȱtheȱradicallyȱchangedȱconditionsȱinȱbothȱworldsȱwouldȱmakeȱthis trulyȱ impossible,ȱ althoughȱ thereȱ areȱ indeedȱ sometimesȱ mustȱ puzzlingȱ and troublingȱcasesȱofȱmassiveȱchildȱmurderȱthenȱandȱtoday.20ȱControlȱofȱviolence,ȱfor instance,ȱhasȱobviouslyȱbeenȱmostlyȱchanneledȱandȱtransferredȱtoȱtheȱstateȱwith itsȱpoliceȱforceȱandȱmilitaryȱsince,ȱsay,ȱtheȱeighteenthȱcentury,ȱwhichȱwereȱnot quiteȱyetȱinȱplaceȱduringȱtheȱpremodernȱera.ȱDoesȱthisȱmean,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱpeople haveȱbecomeȱlessȱviolent,ȱthatȱsufferingȱatȱlargeȱhasȱdiminishedȱoverȱtime?ȱIsȱthere lessȱneedȱtoȱprobe,ȱasȱHenryȱSusoȱandȱthenȱJohannesȱvonȱTeplȱ(Ackermann)ȱdidȱca. seventyȱyearsȱlaterȱinȱBohemia,ȱwhyȱthereȱisȱsufferingȱandȱhowȱweȱareȱtoȱcope withȱit?ȱTheȱpurelyȱrhetoricalȱnatureȱofȱthisȱquestionȱthenȱleadsȱusȱtoȱtheȱcentral concernȱofȱthisȱpaper,ȱstayingȱclearȱofȱtheȱmythicalȱnotionȱofȱhistoryȱbeingȱaȱlinear, progressiveȱdevelopment,ȱmovingȱawayȱfromȱaȱdarkȱtoȱaȱlightȱworld. Despiteȱ theȱ appearanceȱ ofȱ aȱ ratherȱ idyllicȱ worldȱ atȱ Kingȱ Arthur’sȱ courtȱ and elsewhere,ȱmedievalȱpoetsȱandȱartistsȱdidȱnotȱhesitateȱtoȱcriticize,ȱorȱevenȱripȱapart, theȱveilȱbehindȱtheȱfictionalityȱofȱtheirȱworksȱandȱeverydayȱreality.ȱHereȱIȱwantȱto discussȱ twoȱ majorȱ textsȱ whereȱ thisȱ issueȱ findsȱ powerfulȱ expression,ȱ theȱ firstȱ a significantȱfableȱnarrativeȱfromȱtheȱlateȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱtheȱsecondȱaȱdidacticȱand moralisticȱverseȱnarrativeȱfromȱtheȱsecondȱhalfȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱcenturyȱInȱboth worksȱ weȱ areȱ brutallyȱ confrontedȱ withȱ theȱ consequencesȱ ofȱ vileȱ characters, criminalȱbehavior,ȱlackȱofȱanyȱmorality,ȱandȱofȱphysicalȱviolence.ȱWeȱwillȱhaveȱto askȱ ourselvesȱ whyȱ theirȱ authorsȱ choseȱ toȱ addressȱ theirȱ topics,ȱ andȱ thenȱ tryȱ to correlateȱtheirȱobservationsȱtoȱlargerȱsocialȱandȱpoliticalȱissuesȱaffectingȱtheirȱtime. Theȱfactȱthatȱtheseȱmedievalȱwritersȱapproachedȱsuchȱissuesȱinȱtheȱfirstȱplaceȱand exploredȱtheȱnatureȱandȱmeaningȱofȱviolenceȱsoȱdrasticallyȱclearlyȱalertsȱusȱto avoidȱ suchȱ stereotypical,ȱ mostlyȱ populist,ȱ conceptsȱ ofȱ aȱ ‘dark’ȱ ageȱ vs.ȱ an ‘enlightened’ȱage.21 Asȱaȱusefulȱspringboardȱforȱourȱdiscussion,ȱletȱusȱfirstȱlookȱatȱaȱmostȱimpressive illuminatedȱmanuscriptȱwhereȱtheȱminiaturesȱforȱtheȱindividualȱpoetsȱproveȱtoȱbe highlyȱ revealingȱ asȱ toȱ theȱ culturalȬhistoricalȱ issueȱ atȱ stakeȱ here.ȱ Inȱ theȱ early fourteenthȱcenturyȱmembersȱofȱtheȱwealthyȱZurichȱfamilyȱManesseȱandȱprobably aȱgroupȱofȱlikeȬmindedȱfriendsȱcommissionedȱaȱscribeȱorȱaȱwholeȱscriptoriumȱto collectȱtheȱbestȱorȱmostȱpopularȱcourtlyȱloveȱpoetryȱfromȱtheȱlateȱtwelfthȱtoȱthe earlyȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱinȱoneȱmanuscriptȱandȱtoȱaddȱaȱpoetȱportraitȱforȱeachȱone ofȱthem.ȱTheȱvolumeȱconsistsȱofȱ852ȱfolioȱpagesȱwhichȱrecordȱca.ȱ5,400ȱstanzasȱand 36ȱdidacticȱpoemsȱbyȱ140ȱauthors;ȱitȱmustȱhaveȱtakenȱatȱleastȱaȱwholeȱdecade,ȱifȱnot

20 21

SeeȱtheȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolumeȱbyȱLiaȱB.ȱRoss. SeeȱHiramȱKümper,ȱ“TheȱTermȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen (BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱdeȱGruyter,ȱ2010),ȱvol.ȱ2,ȱ1310–19.

138

AlbrechtȱClassen

more,ȱtoȱcompileȱthisȱmassiveȱtome.ȱThereȱareȱinȱtotalȱ137ȱfullȱpageȱminiatures,ȱ118 ofȱwhichȱcontainȱaȱcoatȱofȱarmsȱtoȱemphasizeȱtheȱrespectiveȱpoets’ȱaristocratic rank,ȱalthoughȱnoneȱofȱtheȱfiguresȱareȱpresentedȱinȱanyȱrealisticȱfashionȱandȱnever recognizableȱinȱindividualisticȱterms.22ȱTheȱartistsȱmadeȱgreatȱeffortsȱtoȱpresentȱthe poetsȱinȱanȱidyllicȱfashion,ȱalmostȱalwaysȱplacingȱthemȱinȱaȱcharacteristicȱcourtly setting,ȱshowingȱthemȱplayingȱchessȱwithȱaȱladyȱ(no.ȱ6),ȱhuntingȱwithȱbirdsȱofȱprey (no.ȱ7),ȱholdingȱaȱscrollȱasȱaȱsymbolȱofȱtheirȱcreativeȱartȱ(no.ȱ10),ȱpresentingȱaȱpoem toȱaȱladyȱ(no.ȱ17),ȱtakingȱaȱbathȱ(no.ȱ20),ȱorȱbeingȱinvolvedȱinȱaȱtournamentȱ(no.ȱ22). Theȱladiesȱalwaysȱappearȱinȱaȱmostȱcharmingȱpose,ȱbeautifullyȱdressed,ȱyoung, charming,ȱandȱbeautiful,ȱholdingȱaȱfalconȱ(no.ȱ29),ȱdebatingȱwithȱtheȱloverȱ(no.ȱ30), pullingȱtheȱloverȱupȱtoȱtheirȱroomsȱhighȱupȱinȱaȱtowerȱ(no.ȱ31),ȱholdingȱaȱpetȱin theirȱarmsȱ(no.ȱ34,ȱno.ȱ37),ȱorȱdancingȱwithȱtheȱpoetȬknightȱ(no.ȱ46).ȱOneȱofȱthe mostȱappealingȱimagesȱmightȱbeȱtheȱoneȱforȱLordȱWachsmutȱvonȱMühlhausen, showingȱaȱladyȱsittingȱonȱaȱhorseȱandȱaimingȱanȱarrowȱofȱloveȱatȱtheȱmanȱstanding behindȱherȱ(no.ȱ59).ȱ Untilȱtodayȱtheseȱimagesȱhaveȱbeenȱusedȱforȱcountlessȱbookȱcoversȱdedicatedȱto theȱ studyȱ ofȱ theȱ Middleȱ Ages,ȱ forȱ modernȱ novelsȱ setȱ inȱ thatȱ timeȱ period,ȱ for webpages,ȱandȱartȱwork,ȱandȱwithȱgoodȱreasons.ȱTheȱManesseȱSongbookȱreflectsȱin anȱoverwhelmingȱfashionȱtheȱbeautyȱandȱidealsȱofȱtheȱcourtlyȱworldȱwhereȱlove andȱ chivalryȱ rule.ȱ However,ȱ aȱ carefulȱ examinationȱ alsoȱ revealsȱ veryȱ different scenes,ȱsuchȱasȱtheȱportraitȱofȱLordȱ Reinmarȱ vonȱBrennenbergȱ(no.ȱ61)ȱwhoȱis shownȱasȱbeingȱbrutallyȱmurderedȱbyȱaȱgangȱofȱcriminals,ȱoneȱofȱthemȱstabbing himȱinȱhisȱheadȱwithȱtheȱsword,ȱtheȱotherȱoneȱstrikingȱhisȱside,ȱandȱothersȱraising theirȱswordsȱaboutȱtoȱsmiteȱhimȱasȱwell.ȱAsȱfarȱasȱweȱcanȱtell,ȱtheȱpoet,ȱbrotherȱof theȱRegensburgȱCanonȱBrunoȱvonȱBrennenberg,ȱwasȱindeedȱmurderedȱinȱ1275, andȱinȱ1276ȱtheȱBishopȱofȱRegensburgȱpromisedȱBrunoȱvengeanceȱforȱthisȱheinous act.23ȱTheȱimageȱforȱtheȱpoetȱDüringȱ(no.ȱ75)ȱshowsȱtheȱsiegeȱofȱaȱcastle;ȱtheȱpoet Neidhartȱ(no.ȱ92)ȱisȱbeleagueredȱbyȱmeanȬspiritedȱpeasants,ȱhisȱarchȬenemies,ȱat leastȱ withinȱ hisȱ sarcasticȱ Winterȱ songs.ȱ Inȱ theȱ miniatureȱ forȱ Lordȱ Dietmarȱ der Setzerȱ(no.ȱ111)ȱtwoȱknightsȱfightȱagainstȱeachȱotherȱwithȱtheirȱswords,ȱandȱoneȱof

22

23

GiselaȱKornrumpf,ȱVomȱCodexȱManesseȱzurȱKolmarerȱLiederhandschrift:ȱAspekteȱderȱÜberlieferung, Formtraditionen,ȱ Texte.ȱ Münchenerȱ Texteȱ undȱ Untersuchungenȱ zurȱ deutschenȱ Literaturȱ des Mittelalters,ȱ133ȱ(Tübingen:ȱNiemeyer,ȱ2008).ȱForȱanȱonlineȬversionȱofȱtheȱdigitizedȱmanuscript, seeȱ http://diglit.ub.uniȬheidelberg.de/diglit/cpg848/ȱ (lastȱ accessedȱ onȱ Augustȱ 23,ȱ 2010). Wikipedia.deȱ offersȱ aȱ surprisinglyȱ wellȬwrittenȱ article,ȱ alongȱ withȱ updatedȱ research: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Manesseȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱAug.ȱ23,ȱ2010).ȱForȱanȱeasyȱaccess inȱprintȱformat,ȱseeȱCodexȱManesse:ȱDieȱMinitaturenȱderȱGroßenȱHeidelbergerȱLiederhandschrift.ȱEd. andȱexplainedȱbyȱIngoȱF.ȱWaltherȱwithȱGiselaȱSiebert.ȱ6thȱed.ȱ(1988;ȱFrankfurtȱa.ȱM.:ȱInsel,ȱ2001). Seeȱ alsoȱ Codexȱ Manesse:ȱ Dieȱ Großeȱ Heidelbergerȱ Liederhandschrift.ȱ FaksimileȬAusgabeȱ desȱ Codex PalatinusȱGermanicusȱ848ȱderȱUniversitätsȬBibliothekȱHeidelberg.ȱCommentaryȱbyȱWalterȱKoschorreck andȱWilfriedȱWernerȱ(Kassel:ȱGanymed,ȱ1981). Walter,ȱCodexȱManesse,ȱ124ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ22).

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

139

themȱcutsȱthroughȱhisȱopponent’sȱhead,ȱsendingȱhimȱtoȱhisȱdeath.ȱAtȱtimesȱweȱare alsoȱconfrontedȱwithȱtheȱbloodyȱrealityȱofȱwar,ȱsuchȱasȱinȱtheȱminiatureȱforȱCount Albrechtȱ vonȱ Hegerlochȱ (no.ȱ 18),ȱ withȱ fourȱ triumphantȱ knights,ȱ theȱ poet presumablyȱamongȱthem,ȱcompletelyȱoverwhelmingȱtheirȱopponentsȱwhoȱareȱall fallingȱtoȱtheȱground,ȱdyingȱfromȱtheirȱwounds.ȱ Altogether,ȱconsideringȱtheȱratherȱcontrastiveȱimagesȱinȱtheȱManesseȱmanuscript, itȱwouldȱbeȱerroneousȱtoȱassumeȱthatȱtheȱworldȱofȱtheȱmedievalȱcourtsȱconstituted aȱpeaceful,ȱcrimeȬȱandȱviolenceȬfreeȱenvironmentȱwhereȱallȱconcernsȱandȱenergies wereȱdedicatedȱtoȱtheȱpursuanceȱofȱloveȱandȱhonor.ȱInȱfact,ȱWesternȱhistoryȱhas alwaysȱbeenȱdeterminedȱbyȱviolenceȱandȱwar,ȱandȱitȱwouldȱbeȱhighlyȱhypocritical toȱviewȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱeitherȱthroughȱrosyȱglassesȱorȱthroughȱtheȱlensesȱofȱthe mythȱofȱtheȱ‘darkȱages,’ȱfallingȱpreyȱtoȱtheȱoppositeȱmythȱregardingȱthatȱworldȱas utterlyȱ determinedȱ byȱ violence,ȱ brutality,ȱ andȱ primitivism,ȱ toȱ recaptureȱ our theoreticalȱruminationsȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱthisȱstudy.24 Let’sȱsimplyȱfaceȱit,ȱhumanȱnatureȱisȱviolent,ȱandȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱtheȱsoȬcalled ‘civilizationȱprocess’ȱprimarilyȱreflectsȱtheȱcontinuousȱeffortsȱtoȱcomeȱtoȱtermsȱwith theȱ ‘criminal’ȱ andȱ beastly,ȱ uncivilȱ characterȱ inȱ us.ȱ Literatureȱ hasȱ consistently servedȱtheȱextremelyȱimportantȱfunctionȱofȱmirroringȱthisȱviolenceȱandȱengaging theȱlistener/readerȱinȱaȱcriticalȱdiscourseȱonȱthisȱdevastatingȱphenomenon,ȱperhaps asȱaȱwayȱtoȱconfrontȱusȱwithȱsomeȱofȱtheȱmostȱdangerousȱtraitsȱinȱourȱlivesȱandȱto findȱ measuresȱ toȱ containȱ thatȱ explosiveȱ tendencyȱ towardȱ violence.25ȱ Bothȱ the AlsatianȱpoetȱHeinrichȱandȱtheȱAustrianȱwriterȱWernherȱtheȱGardenæreȱmade importantȱcontributionsȱtoȱtheȱexaminationȱofȱcriminalityȱandȱviolenceȱasȱthey observedȱthemȱatȱtheirȱtime.26

24

25

26

IrenäusȱEiblȬEibesfeldt,ȱLoveȱandȱHate:ȱTheȱNaturalȱHistoryȱofȱBehaviorȱPatterns,ȱtrans.ȱGeoffrey Strachanȱ(1970;ȱNewȱYork:ȱHolt,ȱRinehartȱandȱWinston,ȱ1972);ȱJ.ȱD.ȱCarthyȱandȱF.ȱJ.ȱG.ȱEbling,ȱeds., TheȱNaturalȱHistoryȱofȱAggression.ȱSymposiaȱofȱtheȱInstituteȱofȱBiology,ȱ13ȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork: Academicȱ Press,ȱ 1964);ȱ G.ȱ F.ȱ Jones,ȱ “Theȱ Treatmentȱ ofȱ Bloodshedȱ inȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Modern Literature,”ȱStudiaȱNeophilologicaȱ70ȱ(1998):ȱ83–88;ȱRobertȱL.ȱO’Connell,ȱOfȱArmsȱandȱMen:ȱAȱHistory ofȱ War,ȱWeapons,ȱandȱAggressionȱ(NewȱYork:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1989).ȱFrantišekȱGraus, “GewaltȱundȱRechtȱimȱVerständnisȱdesȱMittelalters,”ȱBaslerȱBeiträgeȱzurȱGeschichtswissenschaftȱ134 (1974):ȱ 5–21;ȱ Udoȱ Friedrich,ȱ “Dieȱ Zähmungȱ desȱ Heros:ȱ Derȱ Diskursȱ derȱ Gewaltȱ und Gewaltregulierungȱimȱ12.ȱJahrhundert,”ȱMittelalter:ȱNeueȱWegeȱdurchȱeinenȱaltenȱKontinent,ȱhg.ȱJanȬ DirkȱMüllerȱundȱHorstȱWenzelȱ(StuttgartȱundȱLeipzig:ȱHirzel,ȱ1999),ȱ149–79;ȱValentinȱGroebner, Defaced:ȱTheȱVisualȱCultureȱofȱViolenceȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(NewȱYork:ȱZoneȱBooks,ȱ2004). AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“GewaltverbrechenȱalsȱThemaȱdesȱspätarturischenȱRomans.ȱSozialkritischesȱin WirntsȱvonȱGrafenbergȱWigalois,”ȱEtudesȱGermaniquesȱ62,ȱ2ȱ(2007):ȱ429–55. LateȬmedievalȱliteratureȱknowsȱmanyȱexamplesȱofȱaȱcriticalȱdiscourseȱfocusedȱonȱhowȱtoȱcombat violence,ȱseeȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“DieȱsichȱselbstȱverschlingendeȱGewalt:ȱGrundsätzlicheȱGedanken zuȱeinemȱglobalȬmenschlichenȱPhänomenȱmitȱmediävistischenȱPerspektivenȱaufȱWernhersȱdes GaertenæreȱHelmbrechtȱundȱHeinrichȱWittenwilersȱRing,”ȱFuthark:ȱRevistaȱdeȱinvestigaciónȱyȱcultura 1ȱ(2006):ȱ11–39.

140

AlbrechtȱClassen

Asȱ isȱ soȱ oftenȱ theȱ caseȱ inȱ medievalȱ literature,ȱ notȱ muchȱ isȱ knownȱ about Heinrich—previouslyȱidentifiedȱwithȱtheȱepithetȱ‘Glîchezære,’ȱwhich,ȱhowever, seemsȱtoȱbeȱnothingȱbutȱanȱallusionȱtoȱtheȱcunningȱskillsȱofȱtheȱliteraryȱfigureȱof theȱfox—butȱweȱassumeȱthatȱheȱoriginatedȱfromȱtheȱAlsace,ȱifȱweȱcanȱtrustȱhis referencesȱtoȱspecificȱlocalitiesȱandȱpersonalitiesȱthere.27ȱItȱseemsȱmostȱrealisticȱto placeȱhimȱinȱtheȱsecondȱhalfȱofȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱmoreȱconcretelyȱbetweenȱ1170 andȱ1190ȱ(orȱ1192),ȱbutȱweȱcannotȱsayȱwhetherȱheȱbelongedȱtoȱtheȱnobilityȱorȱtoȱthe groupȱ ofȱ minstrels.ȱ Judgingȱ fromȱ hisȱ manyȱ literaryȱ allusionsȱ andȱ hisȱ expert knowledgeȱofȱhowȱtoȱrunȱaȱlegalȱprocess,ȱwhichȱmakesȱupȱaȱmajorȱportionȱofȱhis text,ȱheȱmustȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱhighlyȱlearnedȱpersonȱwithȱdetailedȱunderstandingȱof theȱjudicialȱsystem,ȱsoȱheȱcouldȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱcleric,ȱanȱadministrator,ȱorȱevenȱa judge.28ȱTheȱtextȱofȱhisȱfableȱnarrative,ȱReinhardȱFuchs,ȱhasȱcomeȱdownȱtoȱusȱinȱtwo groupsȱofȱmanuscripts,ȱtheȱolderȱoneȱ(especiallyȱms.ȱS)ȱfromȱtheȱearlyȱthirteenth century,ȱtheȱmoreȱrecentȱoneȱ(mss.ȱPȱandȱK)ȱfromȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury.ȱ Theȱ textȱ drawsȱ onȱ theȱ Oldȱ Frenchȱ Romanȱ deȱ Renart,ȱ whichȱ consistsȱ ofȱ many differentȱ episodicȱ narrativesȱ (branches),29ȱ butȱ Heinrichȱ wasȱ theȱ earliestȱ oneȱ to blendȱthemȱallȱtogetherȱandȱtoȱcreateȱaȱcomprehensiveȱandȱconsistentȱepic,ȱtheȱfirst ofȱitsȱkindȱbasedȱonȱthisȱextraordinaryȱprotagonist,ȱtheȱevilȱandȱcunningȱfox.ȱOnly hereȱdoȱweȱdiscoverȱaȱconsistentȱmotivationalȱstructureȱandȱaȱcohesiveȱaccount thatȱ takesȱ usȱ fromȱ theȱ earlyȱ stages,ȱ withȱ theȱ foxȱ committingȱ sporadicȱ actsȱ of violence,ȱdeception,ȱorȱlying,ȱtoȱtheȱfinal,ȱtriumphantȱmomentȱwhenȱtheȱfoxȱhas

27

28

29

HereȱIȱwillȱquoteȱfromȱDerȱReinhartȱFuchsȱdesȱElsässersȱHeinrich,ȱed.ȱKlausȱDüwel.ȱAltdeutsche Textbibliothek,ȱ96ȱ(Tübingen:ȱNiemeyer,ȱ1984).ȱSeeȱalsoȱHeinrichȱderȱGlichezâre,ȱReinhartȱFuchs: Mittelhochdeutschȱ undȱ Neuhochdeutsch.ȱ Ed.,ȱ trans.,ȱ andȱ explainedȱ byȱ KarlȬHeinzȱ Göttertȱ (1976; Stuttgart:ȱReclam,ȱ1980).ȱForȱfacsimilesȱofȱtheȱrelevantȱmanuscripts,ȱseeȱDerȱmittelhochdeutsche ReinhartȱFuchs:ȱAbbildungenȱundȱMaterialienȱzurȱhandschriftlichenȱÜberlieferung,ȱed.ȱOtfriedȱ[sic] Ehrismann.ȱLitterae,ȱ72ȱ(Göppingen:ȱKümmerle,ȱ1980). Sigridȱ Widmaier,ȱ Dasȱ Rechtȱ imȱ “Reinhartȱ Fuchs”.ȱ Quellenȱ undȱ Forschungenȱ zurȱ SprachȬȱ und KulturgeschichteȱderȱgermanischenȱVölker,ȱ102ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱdeȱGruyter,ȱ1993). AȱparallelȱcaseȱtoȱHeinrichȱwouldȱbeȱtheȱearlyȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱConstanceȱpublicȱnotaryȱHeinrich Wittenwilerȱwho,ȱwhenȱheȱcomposedȱhisȱfamousȱRingȱatȱca.ȱ1400,ȱalsoȱincludedȱmuchȱdetailed informationȱaboutȱtheȱlegalȱprocess. Theȱ Oldȱ Frenchȱ Romanȱ deȱ Renartȱ consistsȱ ofȱ aȱ cycleȱ ofȱ animalȱ fablesȱ thatȱ experiencedȱ a considerableȱ popularity,ȱ withȱ fourteenȱ completeȱ andȱ nineteenȱ fragmentaryȱ manuscriptsȱ still extantȱtoday.ȱTheȱtwentyȬsevenȱindividualȱbranches,ȱcomposedȱbetweenȱca.ȱ1174ȱandȱ1250,ȱwere writtenȱbyȱca.ȱtwentyȱanonymousȱauthors,ȱprobablyȱclerics,ȱonlyȱsomeȱofȱthemȱknownȱtoȱus,ȱsuch asȱ Pierreȱ deȱ SaintȬCloud,ȱ Richardȱ deȱ Lison,ȱ andȱ theȱ priestȱ ofȱ Laȱ CroixȬenȬBrie.ȱ Theȱ text experiencedȱaȱconsiderableȱreceptionȱinȱtheȱlateȱMiddleȱAgesȱallȱoverȱEurope;ȱseeȱJohnȱFlinn,ȱLe RomanȱdeȱRenartȱdansȱlaȱlittératureȱfrançaiseȱetȱdansȱlesȱlittératuresȱetrangèresȱauȱMoyenȱAgeȱ(Paris: PressesȱUniversitairesȱdeȱFrance,ȱ1963);ȱHermannȱKrapoth,ȱ“RomanȱdeȱRenart,”ȱEnzyklopädieȱdes Märchens:ȱHandwörterbuchȱzurȱhistorischenȱundȱvergleichendenȱErzählforschung,ȱed.ȱRolfȱWilhelm Brednich.ȱVol.ȱ11.2ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱdeȱGruyter,ȱ2004),ȱ795–803.ȱForȱtheȱMiddleȱHigh andȱMiddleȱLowȱGerman,ȱandȱMiddleȱEnglishȱversions,ȱplusȱtheȱlongȬtermȱreceptionȱprocessȱuntil theȱpresent,ȱseeȱKlausȱDüwel,ȱReinhartȱFuchsȱ(seeȱnoteȱ27),ȱ488–502.

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

141

gainedȱabsoluteȱcontrolȱoverȱtheȱentireȱcourt.ȱWhereasȱweȱstillȱcanȱlaughȱaboutȱthe smartȱtricksȱplayedȱbyȱRenartȱinȱtheȱOldȱFrenchȱandȱolder,ȱLatinȱversions,ȱHeinrich castȱhisȱprotagonistȱasȱaȱthoroughlyȱevilȱcharacter,ȱperhapsȱasȱ‘evilȱincarnate’ȱin HansȱRobertȱJauss’sȱterms.30ȱ Somethingȱisȱdeeplyȱupsettingȱandȱunsettlingȱaboutȱthisȱnarrative,ȱandȱyetȱit appealedȱtoȱitsȱaudiencesȱfarȱandȱwide,ȱbothȱinȱsouthernȱandȱnorthernȱGermany, inȱItaly,ȱtheȱNetherlands,ȱandȱEngland.ȱTheȱFrenchȱpoetȱRutebeufȱannouncedȱin hisȱRenartȱleȱBestourné,ȱforȱinstance,ȱ“Renartȱestȱmort,ȱRenartȱvit,ȱetȱRenartȱrègne!,” andȱinȱJaquemartȱGielée’sȱRenartȱleȱNouvelȱandȱinȱtheȱanonymousȱCouronnementȱde Renartȱtheȱevilȱprotagonistȱhasȱevenȱachievedȱhisȱdeviousȱgoalȱtoȱclimbȱtheȱsocial ladderȱtoȱtheȱveryȱtop—evilȱrulesȱtheȱworld.31ȱItȱmightȱgoȱtooȱfarȱtoȱidentifyȱRenart orȱReinhartȱwithȱtheȱdevilȱhimselfȱsinceȱtheȱtextȱdoesȱnotȱaimȱforȱaȱmetaphysical explanationȱofȱtheȱmassiveȱcriminalȱactsȱcommittedȱbyȱtheȱprotagonist,ȱbutȱhe certainlyȱstandsȱinȱforȱsomeȱofȱtheȱworstȱcharacterȱtraitsȱinȱhumanȱlife.ȱHowever, followingȱJohnȱFlinn,ȱweȱmightȱidentifyȱhimȱasȱtheȱincarnationȱofȱallȱcunning,ȱruse, andȱhypocrisy.32ȱ Notȱ surprisingly,ȱ heȱ represented,ȱ indeed,ȱ theȱ deeplyȱ troublingȱ senseȱ ofȱ fear amongȱallȱpeopleȱofȱbeingȱduped,ȱdeceived,ȱcheated,ȱabused,ȱfooled,ȱandȱbadly treatedȱbyȱaȱthief,ȱorȱanyȱkindȱofȱcriminal,ȱespeciallyȱifȱthisȱgenericȱcrimeȱisȱcarried outȱbyȱaȱmemberȱofȱtheȱclergyȱorȱtheȱsecularȱauthorities.ȱLittleȱwonderȱthenȱthat weȱfindȱalmostȱcountlessȱimagesȱofȱthisȱnotoriousȱfoxȱinȱaȱmyriadȱofȱmedieval artworks,ȱsuchȱasȱinȱmisericords,ȱstoneȱcapitals,ȱminiatures,ȱcorbels,ȱspandrels, woodenȱdoorframes,ȱtapestry,ȱpewȱends,ȱstainedȱglasses,ȱandȱelsewhere.33ȱ Althoughȱmanyȱscholarsȱhaveȱalreadyȱcommentedȱonȱtheȱentireȱcorpusȱofȱthis beastȱfable,ȱandȱsoȱhaveȱobservedȱtheȱincredibleȱextentȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱfoxȱsteals, rapes,ȱlies,ȱandȱrulesȱcontraryȱtoȱallȱmoralȱandȱethicalȱstandards,34ȱhereȱIȱwillȱrevisit

30

31 32

33

34

HansȱRobertȱJauss,ȱUntersuchungenȱzurȱmittelalterlichenȱTierdichtung.ȱBeihefteȱzurȱZeitschriftȱfür romanischeȱPhilologie,ȱ100ȱ(Tübingen:ȱNiemeyer,ȱ1959),ȱ295.ȱAroundȱ1050ȱanȱanonymousȱauthor composedȱtheȱLatinȱtextȱEcbasisȱcuiusdamȱcaptiviȱperȱtropologiamȱinȱtheȱregionȱofȱLorraine,ȱfollowed byȱanotherȱLatinȱversion,ȱYsengrimus,ȱca.ȱ1150,ȱcomposedȱinȱGentȱbyȱaȱMasterȱNivardus,ȱwhoȱwas theȱfirstȱtoȱassignȱnamesȱtoȱtheȱindividualȱanimals.ȱForȱaȱconvenientȱintroductionȱtoȱtheȱindividual narratives,ȱ seeȱ Thomasȱ W.ȱ Best,ȱ Reynardȱ theȱ Fox.ȱ Twayne’sȱ Authorȱ Seriesȱ (Boston:ȱ Twayne Publishers,ȱ1983). QuotedȱfromȱFlinn,ȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱRenart,ȱ690ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ29). Flinn,ȱLeȱRomanȱdeȱRenart,ȱ690–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ29).ȱHeinrichsȱReinhardȱFuchs,”ȱSchamȱundȱSchamlosigkeit (seeȱnoteȱ8),ȱ97–130,ȱwarmsȱagainstȱaȱreductionistȱreadingȱofȱtheȱfoxȱasȱtheȱdevil,ȱ122–24. Kennethȱ Varty,ȱ Reynard,ȱ Renart,ȱ Reinaertȱ andȱ Otherȱ Foxesȱ inȱ Medievalȱ England:ȱ theȱ Iconographic Evidence.ȱAȱStudyȱofȱtheȱIllustratingȱofȱFoxȱLoreȱandȱReynardȱtheȱFoxȱStoriesȱinȱEnglandȱDuringȱthe MiddleȱAgesȱ(Amsterdam:ȱAmsterdamȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1999).ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱexcellentȱcatalogȱfor theȱexhibition,ȱReinekeȱFuchs:ȱEinȱeuropäischesȱEpos.ȱEineȱAusstellungȱdesȱGoetheȬMuseumsȱDüsseldorf, ed.ȱJörnȱGöres.ȱCatalogueȱbyȱHorstȱKlitzingȱ(Düsseldorf:ȱGoetheȬMuseumȱDüsseldorf,ȱAntonȬundȬ KatharinaȬKippenbergȬStiftung,ȱ1989). ForȱaȱpanȬEuropeanȱsummary,ȱseeȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ“RomanȱdeȱRenart,”ȱEncyclopediaȱofȱMedieval

142

AlbrechtȱClassen

theȱtextȱbyȱtheȱAlsatianȬGermanȱauthorȱtoȱprobeȱhowȱmuchȱthereȱisȱaȱsenseȱofȱthe devastatingȱ consequencesȱ ofȱ criminalityȱ andȱ howȱ Heinrichȱ viewedȱ theȱ social interactionsȱbetweenȱhisȱprotagonistȱandȱallȱtheȱotherȱanimals,ȱthatȱis,ȱtheȱother socialȱestates.ȱSubsequentlyȱIȱwillȱexamineȱwhatȱWernherȱtheȱGardenerȱhadȱtoȱsay aboutȱcriminalȱbehaviorȱandȱwhatȱconsequencesȱsocietyȱwouldȱhaveȱtoȱfaceȱifȱit wentȱunchecked. Theȱ narratorȱ inȱ Reinhardȱ Fuchsȱ immediatelyȱ warnsȱ hisȱ audienceȱ aboutȱ his protagonist,ȱtheȱevilȱfox,ȱwhomȱheȱidentifiesȱasȱaȱ“tiereȱwilde”ȱ(3;ȱwildȱanimal) whoseȱintentionsȱwereȱallȱdirectedȱatȱcommittingȱcrimesȱagainstȱeveryoneȱbyȱway ofȱdeceptionȱandȱtrickeryȱ(7).ȱSubsequently,ȱheȱprovidesȱanȱexampleȱforȱReinhard’s cunningȱandȱevilȱnature,ȱthoughȱitȱdealsȱonlyȱwithȱtheȱfox’sȱkillingȱaȱchicken,ȱa veryȱ commonȱ situationȱ inȱ reality,ȱ whichȱ manyȱ fableȱ authorsȱ haveȱ discussed throughoutȱtime.ȱIntriguingly,ȱhowever,ȱhereȱweȱobserveȱhowȱmuchȱtheȱfoxȱknows howȱtoȱutilizeȱtheȱpowerȱofȱrhetoric,ȱdrawingȱfromȱtraditionalȱcourtlyȱlanguageȱin orderȱtoȱputȱtheȱroosterȱoffȱguardȱandȱtoȱpuffȱupȱhisȱarrogance,ȱwhichȱthenȱallows himȱtoȱcatchȱandȱkillȱhisȱvictim.ȱClaimingȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱgoodȱfriendȱwithȱthe rooster’sȱ fatherȱ Sengelinȱ whoȱ usedȱ toȱ upholdȱ traditionalȱ courtlyȱ mannersȱ and displayedȱhonorableȱbehaviorȱevenȱtowardȱinferiors,ȱReinhardȱsucceedsȱinȱluring theȱson,ȱSchantecler,ȱdownȱfromȱtheȱtree,ȱtoȱcloseȱhisȱeyes,ȱtoȱflapȱhisȱwings,ȱand toȱ singȱ “alsȱ einȱ vrolichezȱ hvn”ȱ (125;ȱ asȱ aȱ happyȱ chicken,ȱ i.e.,ȱ rooster).ȱ Theȱ fox wouldȱhaveȱenjoyedȱhisȱprey,ȱifȱtheȱroosterȱhadȱnotȱengagedȱhimȱinȱaȱconversation, forcingȱtheȱfoxȱtoȱopenȱhisȱmouth,ȱwhichȱallowsȱSchanteclerȱtoȱpullȱoutȱhisȱneck andȱtoȱescape.ȱ Asȱhilariousȱasȱtheȱentireȱsceneȱmightȱbe,ȱtheȱstrategyȱemployedȱbyȱtheȱfoxȱis predicatedȱonȱtheȱassumptionȱthatȱcourtlyȱvaluesȱhaveȱdisappearedȱinȱpracticeȱand yetȱstillȱareȱregardedȱhighlyȱasȱidealsȱfromȱtheȱpast.ȱByȱimplyingȱthatȱtheȱrooster mightȱ notȱ maintainȱ theȱ sameȱ degreeȱ ofȱ civilityȱ andȱ politenessȱ asȱ hisȱ father, Reinhardȱknowsȱhowȱtoȱteaseȱtheȱsimpletonȱofȱaȱroosterȱdownȱfromȱhisȱtreeȱand thusȱ toȱ becomeȱ hisȱ victim.ȱ Ofȱ course,ȱ theȱ foxȱ himselfȱ betraysȱ theseȱ idealsȱ by pretendingȱtoȱbeȱaȱcriticȱofȱtheȱdeclineȱofȱpublicȱmores,ȱechoingȱgeneralȱlaments aboutȱtheȱdisappearanceȱofȱanȱoldȱworld.ȱButȱReinhardȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱtheȱworst offenderȱandȱtoȱbeȱtheȱcrucialȱcatalystȱforȱbringingȱdownȱtheȱcourtlyȱidealsȱbecause heȱpervertsȱthemȱsoȱbadlyȱandȱruthlessly. HavingȱlostȱhisȱmealȱbecauseȱSchanteclerȱhasȱregainedȱhisȱfreedom,ȱReinhard triesȱtoȱconvinceȱaȱtitmouseȱtoȱgiveȱhimȱaȱkiss,ȱhopingȱthatȱheȱmightȱbiteȱandȱkill itȱatȱthatȱveryȱmoment.ȱUnfortunatelyȱforȱhim,ȱtheȱbirdȱseesȱthroughȱhisȱcunning

Literature,ȱed.ȱJayȱRuudȱ(NewȱYork:ȱFactsȱonȱFile,ȱ2006),ȱ549–50.ȱHansȱRudolfȱVelten,ȱ“Schamlose Bilderȱ–ȱschamlosesȱSprechenȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8),ȱ97–130,ȱdiscussesȱtheȱlossȱofȱshameȱandȱhonorȱinȱthis text,ȱbutȱalsoȱpointsȱoutȱtheȱintricateȱpairingȱofȱshameȱandȱshamelessness.

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

143

andȱdeceivesȱhimȱinȱturn,ȱandȱgetsȱawayȱwithoutȱhavingȱbeenȱhurtȱbyȱtheȱfox.ȱAs sillyȱasȱtheȱentireȱsceneȱmightȱbe,ȱtheȱnarratorȱhasȱpredicatedȱitȱonȱtheȱimportant politicalȱcustomȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱthatȱmembersȱofȱaȱfamilyȱorȱaȱsocialȱgroup giveȱkissesȱtoȱeachȱotherȱasȱanȱexpressionȱofȱtheirȱloyaltyȱandȱkinship.ȱAmong theologians,ȱtheȱkissȱrepresentedȱpeace,ȱcommunity,ȱandȱagreement;ȱforȱlawyers theȱkissȱsealedȱaȱcontract;ȱamongȱtheȱrulingȱclassȱtheȱkissȱservedȱasȱanȱexpression ofȱsubservienceȱandȱkingship.ȱAccordingȱtoȱBernardȱofȱClairvauxȱtheȱkissȱwasȱa signȱofȱpeace,ȱandȱforȱWilliamȱofȱSaintȬThierryȱkissingȱallowedȱthoseȱinvolvedȱto expressȱ theirȱ spiritualȱ commitmentȱ toȱ formȱ aȱ community.ȱ Thoseȱ whoȱ kissed signaledȱtheirȱmutualȱsolidarity.35ȱ Theȱfoxȱdeliberatelyȱreliesȱonȱthisȱsetȱofȱculturalȱassumptions,ȱtriesȱtoȱforceȱthe titmouseȱtoȱabideȱbyȱthem,ȱbutȱheȱisȱcompletelyȱreadyȱtoȱbetrayȱthemȱforȱhisȱown advantage,ȱ noȱ longerȱ caringȱ aboutȱ anyȱ traditionalȱ valueȱ systems,ȱ whichȱ he (ab)usesȱ onlyȱ forȱ hisȱ ownȱ advantage.ȱ Whatȱ quicklyȱ provesȱ toȱ beȱ theȱ central strategyȱthroughoutȱtheȱentireȱnarrativeȱcarryingȱtheȱdidacticȱmessage,ȱHeinrich reflectsȱ globallyȱ andȱ inȱ detailȱ onȱ theȱ wideȱ rangeȱ ofȱ courtlyȱ idealsȱ and demonstrates,ȱthroughȱReinhard’sȱbehavior,ȱhowȱanȱindividualȱwithȱaȱcriminal mindȱcanȱeasilyȱundermineȱthemȱandȱturnȱthemȱupsideȱdown.ȱMoreover,ȱinȱthe caseȱofȱtheȱraven,ȱwhoȱbecomesȱtheȱfox’sȱnextȱvictim,ȱsingingȱisȱnoȱlongerȱvalued asȱinȱtheȱpast;ȱinstead,ȱtheȱraven’sȱattemptȱtoȱliveȱupȱtoȱtheȱexpectationsȱraisedȱby Reinhardȱ travestiesȱ allȱ courtlyȱ singing;ȱ henceȱ courtlyȱ loveȱ andȱ culture,ȱ as representedȱinȱtheȱManesseȱmanuscript.ȱ Theȱ foxȱ cleverlyȱ playsȱ withȱ theȱ conceptȱ ofȱ love,ȱ especiallyȱ withȱ painȱ that regularlyȱresultsȱfromȱunrequitedȱlove,ȱclaimingȱthatȱtheȱcheeseȱthatȱhadȱfallen fromȱtheȱbranchȱwhereȱtheȱravenȱhadȱwantedȱtoȱeatȱitȱwouldȱhurtȱhisȱwoundȱeven furtherȱthroughȱitsȱstrongȱsmell.ȱReinhardȱ knowsȱonlyȱtooȱwellȱhowȱtoȱutilize courtlyȱlanguage,ȱclaimingȱ“ichȱwartȱhivteȱvroweȱwunt”ȱ(260;ȱIȱbecameȱwounded byȱaȱladyȱtoday).ȱAppealingȱtoȱtheȱravenȱtoȱrememberȱtheȱ“triwe”ȱ(265),ȱorȱloyalty, whichȱhisȱfatherȱwouldȱhaveȱdisplayedȱwithȱnoȱdelayȱinȱsuchȱaȱcase,36ȱheȱcanȱlure himȱdownȱtoȱtheȱground,ȱwhereȱheȱalmostȱmanagesȱtoȱcaptureȱtheȱsillyȱbirdȱand devourȱit.ȱButȱthenȱReinhardȱhasȱtoȱrunȱawayȱbecauseȱaȱhunterȱwithȱtwoȱdogs picksȱonȱhisȱtrail,ȱwhichȱallowsȱtheȱravenȱtoȱexpressȱhisȱdisgustȱandȱirritationȱabout theȱfox’sȱmeanȱspiritȱandȱdeceptiveȱbehaviorȱthatȱalmostȱcostȱhimȱhisȱlife.ȱThe

35

36

KlausȱSchreiner,ȱ“‘ErȱküsseȱmichȱmitȱdemȱKußȱseinesȱMundes’ȱ(Osculeturȱmeȱosculoȱorisȱsui,ȱCant 1,ȱ 1):ȱ Metaphorik,ȱ kommunikativeȱ undȱ herrschaftlicheȱ Funktionenȱ einerȱ symbolischen Handlung,”ȱHöfischeȱReprässentation:ȱDasȱZeremoniellȱundȱdieȱZeichen,ȱed.ȱHeddaȱRagotzkyȱand HorstȱWenzelȱ(Tübingen:ȱNiemeyer,ȱ1990),ȱ89–132. ForȱaȱdetailedȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱessentialȱcourtlyȱvaluesȱandȱtheirȱspecificȱtermsȱinȱMiddleȱHigh German,ȱseeȱOtfridȱEhrismann,ȱwithȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱWinderȱMcConnellȱetȱal.,ȱEhreȱundȱMut, ÂventiureȱundȱMinne:ȱHöfischeȱWortgeschichtenȱausȱdemȱMittelalterȱ(Munich:ȱC.ȱH.ȱBeck,ȱ1995).ȱFor “triuwe,”ȱseeȱ211–16.

144

AlbrechtȱClassen

termsȱthatȱheȱusesȱtoȱcommentȱonȱhisȱopponent’sȱtreacheryȱareȱimportantȱforȱtheir culturalȬhistoricalȱrelevance:ȱ“erȱsprach:ȱ‘dazȱeinȱgebvreȱdemȱandernȱtvt,ȱ/ȱKvmt dickeȱlon,ȱdesȱhoreȱichȱiehen.ȱ/ȱneve,ȱalsoȱistȱvchȱgeschehen”ȱ(298–300;ȱheȱsaid: “whatȱoneȱpeasantȱdoesȱtoȱanother,ȱoftenȱcomesȱaroundȱtoȱhim,ȱasȱIȱhaveȱheard. Cousin,ȱthat’sȱwhatȱhasȱhappenedȱtoȱyou).ȱ Althoughȱheȱonlyȱintendsȱtoȱmockȱtheȱfoxȱandȱtoȱexposeȱhisȱevilȱcharacter,ȱhe resortsȱ toȱ theȱ termȱ ‘peasant’ȱ toȱ indicateȱ theȱ profoundȱ transgressionȱ thatȱ has affectedȱtheȱentireȱcourtlyȱsociety,ȱperhapsȱbestȱexpressedȱinȱtheȱpoemsȱbyȱthe contemporaryȱ AustrianȬBavarianȱ Neidhartȱ (ca.ȱ 1220–ca.ȱ 1240).ȱ Inȱ hisȱ Summer songsȱtheȱpeasantȱwomenȱareȱdrivenȱbyȱsheerȱsexualȱlustȱtoȱrunȱafterȱtheȱknight ofȱ Reuental,ȱ whereasȱ inȱ theȱ Winterȱ songsȱ hisȱ chancesȱ inȱ mattersȱ ofȱ loveȱ have dimmedȱbecauseȱtheȱstrongȱandȱresourcefulȱpeasantȱladsȱhaveȱcutȱhimȱoutȱofȱthe competitionȱ andȱ ridiculeȱ himȱ asȱ anȱ impoverishedȱ knight.37ȱ Inȱ ourȱ context,ȱ the ravenȱrefersȱtoȱtheȱworldȱofȱpeasantsȱbecauseȱReinhard’sȱtrickeryȱalmostȱhadȱcost himȱhisȱlife,ȱsoȱheȱhasȱgoodȱreasonȱtoȱcharacterizeȱhimȱasȱaȱcrudeȱandȱviolent personȱwhoȱdeservedlyȱsuffersȱnowȱfromȱtheȱhunter’sȱdogs. AsȱsoonȱasȱtheȱfoxȱencountersȱtheȱcatȱDiprecht,ȱheȱdrawsȱonȱanotherȱtraditional courtlyȱvalue,ȱloyalȱservice,ȱwhichȱtheȱformerȱisȱonlyȱtooȱhappyȱtoȱprovide:ȱ“‘.ȱ.ȱ. minȱdienstȱsolȱdirȱsinȱbereit’”ȱ(324;ȱIȱamȱreadyȱtoȱserveȱyou).ȱReinhardȱdoesȱnot care,ȱ however,ȱ aboutȱ anyȱ ofȱ thoseȱ valuesȱ andȱ brutallyȱ andȱ gleefullyȱ abuses Diprecht’sȱbeliefȱinȱtheȱvalidityȱofȱthoseȱvalues,ȱleadingȱhimȱtoȱaȱtrapȱsetȱbyȱa hunter.ȱYet,ȱinȱthisȱcase,ȱheȱmeetsȱhisȱmatchȱbecauseȱtheȱcatȱisȱfullyȱawareȱofȱthe dangerȱandȱjumpsȱoverȱtheȱtrapȱandȱsoȱavoidsȱtheȱdanger.ȱWorseȱevenȱforȱtheȱfox, theȱcatȱlaterȱpushesȱhimȱintoȱtheȱtrap,ȱmakingȱsureȱthatȱReinhard’sȱfootȱgetsȱcaught (355),ȱ andȱ thenȱ runsȱ away:ȱ “Vndeȱ bevalchȱ inȱ Lvcifere”ȱ (357;ȱ entrustedȱ himȱ to Lucifer).ȱButȱthisȱis,ȱofȱcourse,ȱnotȱReinhard’sȱendȱbecauseȱheȱdeceivesȱtheȱpeasant whoȱ laterȱ arrivesȱ toȱ checkȱ onȱ hisȱ trap,ȱ pretendingȱ toȱ beȱ dead,ȱ andȱ whenȱ the peasantȱhitsȱatȱhim,ȱheȱmovesȱhisȱheadȱsoȱthatȱtheȱtrapȱisȱstruck,ȱliberatingȱits victim.ȱ Theȱ complexityȱ ofȱ theȱ fableȱ narrativeȱ comesȱ toȱ theȱ foreȱ particularly drasticallyȱhereȱbecauseȱtheȱfox’sȱdeviousȱactionsȱareȱintriguinglyȱmatchedȱwith scoffingȱremarksȱaboutȱtheȱlowȱintellectȱofȱtheȱpeasantȱclass—aȱpervasiveȱattitude throughoutȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.38 37

38

GüntherȱSchweikle,ȱNeidhart.ȱSammlungȱMetzler,ȱ253ȱ(Stuttgart:ȱMetzler,ȱ1990);ȱNeidhartȬLieder: TexteȱundȱMelodienȱsämtlicherȱHandschriftenȱundȱDrucke,ȱed.ȱUlrichȱMüller,ȱIngridȱBennewitz,ȱand FranzȱViktorȱSpechtler.ȱ3ȱvols.ȱSalzburgerȱNeidhartȬEdition,ȱ1–3ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalter deȱGruyter,ȱ2007). See,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ theȱ contributionsȱ toȱ Europeanȱ Peasantsȱ andȱ Theirȱ Markets:ȱ Essaysȱ inȱ Agrarian EconomicȱHistory,ȱed.ȱWilliamȱNelsonȱParkerȱandȱE.ȱL.ȱJonesȱ(Princeton,ȱNJ:ȱPrincetonȱUniversity Press,ȱ 1975);ȱ andȱ toȱ Landlords,ȱ Peasants,ȱ andȱ Politicsȱ inȱ Medievalȱ England,ȱ ed.ȱ T.ȱ H.ȱ Aston (CambridgeȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1987);ȱseeȱalsoȱPieroȱCamporesi,ȱBauern, Priester,ȱPossenreisser:ȱVolkskulturȱundȱKulturȱderȱElitenȱimȱMittelalterȱundȱinȱderȱfrühenȱNeuzeit,ȱtrans. fromȱtheȱItalianȱbyȱKarlȱF.ȱHauberȱ(Frankfurtȱa.ȱM.ȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱCampusȱVerlag,1997);ȱPaulȱH.

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

145

Next,ȱtheȱfoxȱmeetsȱtheȱwolfȱYsengrimȱtoȱwhomȱheȱoffersȱhisȱservice,ȱthatȱis,ȱhis cunningȱasȱaȱpoliticalȱstrategyȱasȱaȱperfectȱcomplementȱtoȱtheȱother’sȱ physical strengthȱ(yetȱalsoȱlackȱofȱintelligence!).ȱTogether,ȱtheyȱwouldȱbeȱableȱtoȱovercome allȱotherȱanimals:ȱ“‘.ȱ.ȱ.ȱIchȱbinȱlistic,ȱsoȱsitȱstarcȱir.ȱ/ȱirȱmohtetȱgvtenȱtrostȱhanȱzv mir.ȱ/ȱVonȱiwerȱkraftȱvndȱvonȱminenȱlistenȱ/ȱkondeȱsichȱnihtȱgevristen.ȱ/ȱIchȱkonde einȱbvrcȱwolȱzebrechen’”ȱ(397–401;ȱ“Iȱamȱsophisticated,ȱandȱyouȱareȱstrong.ȱYou canȱwellȱtrustȱme.ȱNoȱoneȱwillȱbeȱableȱtoȱresistȱyourȱstrengthȱandȱmyȱcunning.ȱI canȱeasilyȱbreakȱaȱcastle).ȱ Inȱ conformityȱ withȱ muchȱ courtlyȱ criticism,ȱ voicedȱ moreȱ orȱ less contemporaneouoslyȱbothȱbyȱclericsȱsuchȱasȱWalterȱMap,ȱGeraldȱofȱWales,ȱand JohnȱofȱSalisbury,ȱandȱbyȱvernacularȱpoetsȱsuchȱasȱDerȱarmeȱHartmann,ȱHeinrich vonȱMelk,ȱWernerȱvonȱElmendorf,ȱandȱTheȱStricker,ȱandȱmostȱfacetiouslyȱbyȱthe anonymousȱFrenchȱauthorȱofȱtheȱchantefableȱAucassinȱetȱNicolette,39ȱHeinrichȱsignals inȱunmistakableȱtermsȱhowȱdangerousȱthisȱnewȱmemberȱofȱtheȱwolf’sȱcourtȱsoon turnsȱ outȱ toȱ be:ȱ “Dazȱ erȱ inȱ zeȱ gevaternȱ namȱ do,ȱ /ȱ desȱ wartȱ erȱ sintȱ vilȱ vnvro” (405–06;ȱ heȱ becameȱ veryȱ unhappyȱ laterȱ thatȱ heȱ acceptedȱ himȱ asȱ his cousin/courtier).ȱAsȱsoonȱasȱReinhardȱisȱaloneȱwithȱYsengrim’sȱwifeȱHersante,ȱhe triesȱ toȱ seduceȱ her,ȱ butȱ heȱ doesȱ notȱ succeedȱ atȱ first.ȱ Later,ȱ however,ȱ weȱ learn throughȱanȱindirectȱreportȱthatȱtheȱfoxȱhadȱrapedȱher,ȱwhichȱcausesȱherȱhusband greatȱpainȱsinceȱheȱhasȱnoȱwayȱofȱgettingȱhisȱrevengeȱ(586–90).ȱTheȱsituationȱfor Ysengrimȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱparticularlyȱhurtfulȱbecauseȱheȱlovesȱhisȱwifeȱandȱsingsȱa songȱinȱpraiseȱofȱherȱjustȱbeforeȱheȱisȱinformedȱaboutȱherȱsexualȱviolationȱ(565–76).ȱ AtȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱYsengrimȱasȱtheȱrulerȱofȱhisȱcourtȱalsoȱbehavesȱegoisticallyȱand rudely,ȱdisregardingȱhisȱservantȱReinhard,ȱnotȱsharingȱfoodȱwithȱhim,ȱwhichȱthe latterȱavengesȱinȱhisȱtypicalȱfashionȱbyȱleadingȱtheȱwolfȱintoȱaȱdangerousȱsituation inȱwhichȱheȱalmostȱlosesȱhisȱlife.ȱTheȱnarrator’sȱcriticismȱisȱhenceȱdirectedȱbothȱat theȱrulersȱandȱtheirȱcourtiers,ȱbothȱgroupsȱmakingȱaȱshamȱofȱallȱtraditionalȱcourtly values,ȱideals,ȱethicalȱnorms,ȱandȱmoralȱcriteria.ȱJeanȬMarcȱPastréȱrecognizesȱin thisȱsceneȱandȱmanyȱothersȱclearȱallusionsȱtoȱtheȱpoliticalȱandȱmilitaryȱsituationȱin contemporaryȱGermanyȱruledȱbyȱtheȱHohenstaufenȱfamily:ȱ

39

Freedman,ȱTheȱImagesȱofȱtheȱMedievalȱPeasant.ȱFiguraeȱ(Stanford,ȱCA:ȱStanfordȱUniversityȱPress, 1999).ȱTheȱmostȱimportantȱstudy,ȱhowever,ȱcontinuesȱtoȱbeȱWernerȱRösener,ȱPeasantsȱinȱtheȱMiddle Ages.ȱTranslatedȱandȱwithȱforewordȱandȱglossaryȱbyȱAlexanderȱStützerȱ(1985;ȱCambridge:ȱPolity, 1992).ȱThisȱtopicȱnowȱfindsȱfullȱconsiderationȱinȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱtheȱvolumeȱRuralȱSpaceȱinȱthe MiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTime,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen.ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarly ModernȱCulture,ȱ9ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2012). C.ȱStephenȱJaeger,ȱTheȱOriginsȱofȱCourtliness:ȱCivilizingȱTrendsȱandȱtheȱFormationȱofȱCourtlyȱIdeals 939–1210.ȱTheȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1985),ȱ54–66; JoachimȱBumke,ȱHöfischeȱKultur:ȱLiteraturȱundȱGesellschaftȱimȱhohenȱMittelalter.ȱVol.ȱ2ȱ(Munich: DeutscherȱTaschenbuchȱVerlag,ȱ1986),ȱ583–94.

146

AlbrechtȱClassen Itȱisȱtheȱliteraryȱandȱsatiricalȱoutlookȱofȱtheȱmoralistȱwhichȱgovernsȱtheȱadventurous careerȱofȱReinhart,ȱaȱcynicalȱlittleȱlord,ȱambitiousȱandȱunscrupulousȱwho,ȱatȱtheȱrisk ofȱlosingȱhisȱlifeȱtries,ȱatȱfirstȱinȱvain,ȱthenȱwithȱsuccess,ȱtoȱquenchȱanȱinextinguishable thirstȱ forȱ power,ȱ exploitingȱ oneȱ afterȱ theȱ otherȱ familyȱ ties,ȱ courtliness,ȱ religion, medicine,ȱuntilȱheȱreachesȱhisȱgoal.ȱAsȱaȱcourtier,ȱReinhartȱcouldȱwellȱrepresentȱthat socialȱ groupȱ which,ȱ inȱ Germany,ȱ supplantedȱ theȱ oldȱ aristocracyȱ ofȱ Germanic conquerors,ȱaȱcaricatureȱofȱthoseȱerrantȱknightsȱinȱsearchȱofȱgoodnessȱandȱhonour,ȱand whoseȱnewȱcultureȱwasȱcourtliness.ȱReinhartȱwouldȱbeȱtheȱsatiricalȱmirrorȬimageȱofȱa certainȱGermanȱaristocracyȱwhoseȱriseȱcorrespondsȱtoȱtheȱculturalȱflourishingȱofȱthe yearsȱ1180ȱtoȱ1200.40

However,ȱtheȱfoundationȱofȱtheȱentireȱnarrativeȱbyȱHeinrichȱandȱofȱtheȱlongȱpanȬ Europeanȱliteraryȱtraditionȱrestsȱonȱaȱmostȱtroublesomeȱrealizationȱthatȱtheȱpublic idealsȱandȱvaluesȱareȱnoȱlongerȱupheldȱandȱthatȱcriminalityȱandȱviolenceȱdominate allȱaspectsȱofȱsocialȱlife.ȱNeitherȱlordsȱnorȱtheirȱinferiorsȱareȱtoȱbeȱtrusted,ȱand everyoneȱ isȱ onlyȱ onȱ theȱ lookoutȱ forȱ his/herȱ ownȱ wellȬbeing,ȱ disregardingȱ any ethicalȱorȱmoralȱstandards.ȱ Asȱ theȱ subsequentȱ eventsȱ makeȱ abundantlyȱ clear,ȱ bruteȱ forceȱ (Ysengrim)ȱ is curiouslyȱ coupledȱ withȱ amazingȱ ignoranceȱ andȱ naivete,ȱ ifȱ notȱ stupidity.ȱ Not surprisingly,ȱ theȱ greedyȱ wolfȱ repeatedlyȱ becomesȱ theȱ fox’sȱ victimȱ andȱ barely escapesȱalive.ȱTheȱwolfȱsuffersȱphysicalȱpainȱandȱlossȱofȱlimbsȱasȱtheȱdirectȱresults ofȱtheȱsnaresȱsetȱforȱhimȱbyȱtheȱevilȬmindedȱfoxȱwhoȱcaresȱlittleȱaboutȱhisȱvictim/s andȱpursuesȱhisȱstrategiesȱmostlyȱsimplyȱoutȱofȱenjoymentȱinȱcausingȱhurt,ȱand doingȱevilȱtoȱhisȱneighbors.ȱViolenceȱrules,ȱpowerfullyȱandȱskillfullyȱmanipulated byȱReinhardȱwhoȱconstantlyȱdevicesȱnewȱstrategiesȱtoȱgetȱtheȱwolfȱintoȱdanger, particularly,ȱitȱseems,ȱbecauseȱheȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱaȱfoolȱandȱalwaysȱfallsȱpreyȱtoȱthe fox’sȱmaliciousȱoperations:ȱ“Isengrin,ȱderȱtvmme”ȱ(984;ȱYsengrim,ȱtheȱstupidȱone). Significantly,ȱwhateverȱReinhardȱconceivesȱasȱpromisingȱplansȱforȱhisȱ‘lord’ȱleads toȱ theȱ wolfȱ sufferingȱ terribleȱ physicalȱ pain,ȱ thoughȱ weȱ doȱ notȱ reallyȱ feelȱ any sympathyȱ forȱ himȱ eitherȱ becauseȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ socialȱ crudenessȱ andȱ intellectual ignorance,ȱandȱespeciallyȱhisȱextraordinaryȱselfishnessȱandȱbrutalityȱtowardȱall peopleȱunderȱhisȱreign.ȱ Notȱsurprisingly,ȱwhenȱtheȱfoxȱconvincesȱhimȱtoȱcatchȱfishȱinȱtheȱiceȬcoldȱlake withȱtheȱhelpȱofȱhisȱtail,ȱwhichȱheȱultimatelyȱlosesȱbecauseȱtheȱwaterȱfreezesȱover duringȱtheȱnight,ȱtrappingȱtheȱdumbȱbeastȱwhoȱcanȱlaterȱsaveȱhisȱneckȱonlyȱby tearingȱ theȱ bodyȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ tail,ȱ theȱ narratorȱ comments:ȱ “Ysengrinȱ phlac tvmbirȱsinne”ȱ(749;ȱYsengrimȱdisplayedȱaȱstupidȱmind).ȱNotȱthatȱReinhardȱdoes notȱfallȱpreyȱtoȱhisȱownȱlackȱofȱreasonȱatȱtimes,ȱdrivenȱbyȱhisȱloveȱforȱhisȱwife

40

JeanȬMarcȱPastré,ȱ“Morals,ȱJusticeȱandȱGeopoliticsȱinȱtheȱReinhartȱFuchsȱofȱtheȱAlsatianȱHeinrich derȱGlichezaere,”ȱReynhardȱtheȱFox:ȱSocialȱEngagementȱandȱCulturalȱMetamorphosesȱinȱtheȱBeastȱEpic fromȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ toȱ theȱ Present,ȱ ed.ȱ Kennethȱ Varty.ȱ Polygons:ȱ Culturalȱ Diversitiesȱ and Intersections,ȱ1ȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱOxford:ȱBerghahnȱBooks,ȱ2000),ȱ37–53;ȱhereȱ52.

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

147

whomȱheȱbelievesȱtoȱseeȱatȱtheȱbottomȱofȱaȱwellȱ(848).ȱButȱheȱsurvives,ȱandȱthen canȱutilizeȱtheȱwolfȱforȱhisȱownȱrescueȱlongȱbeforeȱtheȱownersȱofȱtheȱwellȱarrive andȱ giveȱ Ysengrimȱ aȱ rough,ȱ almostȱ deadly,ȱ beating.ȱ Theȱ wolfȱ hadȱ foolishly believedȱtheȱfox’sȱfalseȱexplanationȱaboutȱhisȱreasonsȱforȱbeingȱdeepȱinȱthatȱhole andȱsoȱhadȱplacedȱhimselfȱintoȱoneȱofȱtheȱbuckets.ȱHisȱweightȱdragsȱhimȱdown, whichȱallowsȱReinhardȱtoȱbeȱelevatedȱtoȱtheȱtopȱagain,ȱwhereuponȱheȱabandons theȱotherȱtoȱhisȱgrimȱdestiny. Thisȱepisodeȱisȱwellȱknownȱandȱhasȱbeenȱreproduced,ȱadapted,ȱandȱtranslated inȱ manyȱ subsequentȱ versionsȱ ofȱ thisȱ text,ȱ andȱ weȱ canȱ easilyȱ laughȱ aboutȱ it, entertainedȱasȱbyȱtheȱotherȱscenesȱwithȱtheȱfoxȱtriumphingȱoverȱtheȱwolf.ȱButȱthe situationȱhereȱgainsȱadditionalȱintensityȱbecauseȱofȱReinhard’sȱdeviousȱplayȱonȱthe basicȱChristianȱteachings,ȱreferringȱtoȱParadiseȱandȱHell,ȱluringȱhisȱvictimȱtoȱthe bottomȱofȱtheȱwellȱwhereȱheȱwouldȱnotȱonlyȱmeetȱhisȱbelovedȱwife,ȱbutȱwould, aboveȱall,ȱenjoyȱtheȱgloriesȱofȱHeavenȱwhereȱheȱcouldȱfindȱanȱendlessȱamountȱof preyȱtoȱsatisfyȱhisȱhungerȱ(923–26).ȱWhenȱtheȱwolfȱasksȱwhatȱtheȱgleamingȱlights mightȱbeȱthatȱheȱobserves,ȱtheȱfoxȱpretendsȱthatȱhisȱownȱeyesȱrepresentȱgemsȱand jewelsȱthatȱshineȱallȱbyȱthemselvesȱasȱpartȱofȱtheȱparadisiacalȱsetting.41ȱ Althoughȱ Reinhardȱisȱstuckȱ inȱhisȱmiserableȱposition,ȱbarelyȱ survivingȱfrom drowning,ȱheȱhasȱmaintainedȱallȱhisȱintellectȱandȱknowsȱexceedinglyȱwellȱhowȱto manipulateȱ hisȱ listener,ȱ pretendingȱ thatȱ bothȱ worldsȱ ofȱ Heavenȱ andȱ Hellȱ are situatedȱ closelyȱ togetherȱ downȱ atȱ theȱ bottomȱ ofȱ theȱ well.ȱ Ironically,ȱ theȱ well belongsȱ toȱ aȱ monastery,ȱ soȱ theȱ foxȱ playsȱ withȱ theȱ religiousȱ juxtapositionȱ ofȱ a Christianȱstrongholdȱwithȱtheȱsiteȱofȱhisȱmiseryȱtoȱcreateȱanȱillusionȱforȱtheȱwolf whichȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱsoȱattractiveȱthatȱheȱwantsȱtoȱjoinȱhimȱinȱtheȱdepthȱofȱtheȱwell. Theȱauthorȱobviouslyȱreflectsȱsarcasticallyȱonȱtheȱevilȱstrategiesȱemployedȱbyȱthe clergy,ȱasȱheȱperceivedȱit,ȱtoȱprojectȱapocalypticȱimagesȱandȱtoȱpresentȱtoȱtheir audiencesȱ simpleȬmindedȱ conceptsȱ ofȱ goodȱ andȱ evil,ȱ withȱ theȱ formerȱ actually easilyȱaccessibleȱinȱreturnȱforȱaȱsmallȱpayment,ȱsuchȱasȱindulgences.ȱThisȱfindsȱits perfectȱillustrationȱinȱtheȱwolf’sȱvoluntaryȱdescentȱintoȱtheȱdepthȱwhereȱtheȱfox thenȱcanȱabandonȱhimȱandȱexposeȱhim,ȱonceȱtheȱwolfȱhasȱbeenȱpulledȱupȱagainȱby theȱmonks,ȱtoȱterribleȱbeatingȱbecauseȱtheyȱtryȱtoȱkillȱhim,ȱofȱcourseȱasȱanȱevil animal.ȱTheȱentireȱworldȱofȱspiritualityȱandȱtheologyȱisȱtravestiedȱandȱexposedȱas aȱ sham.ȱ Andȱ thoseȱ whoȱ preachȱ aboutȱ theȱ afterworldȱ areȱ caricaturedȱ asȱ evilȬ mindedȱ trickstersȱ whoȱ onlyȱ thinkȱ ofȱ theirȱ ownȱ wellȬbeingȱ andȱ howȱ theyȱ can exploitȱtheirȱparishionersȱforȱtheirȱselfishȱandȱegoisticalȱschemes.ȱ Hereȱweȱfaceȱanȱexplicitȱexampleȱofȱanticlericalism,ȱactuallyȱaȱveryȱearlyȱone, andȱyetȱalreadyȱharsh,ȱpainful,ȱandȱaggressive,ȱwithȱtheȱfoxȱridiculingȱevenȱthe

41

ChristelȱMeier,ȱGemmaȱspiritalis:ȱMethodeȱundȱGebrauchȱderȱEdelsteinallegoreseȱvomȱfrühenȱChristentum bisȱinsȱ18.ȱJahrhundert.ȱMünsterscheȱMittelalterȬSchriften,ȱ34.1ȱ(Munich:ȱW.ȱFink,ȱ1977),ȱprovides aȱdetailedȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱsymbolicȱmeaningȱofȱgemsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.

148

AlbrechtȱClassen

basicȱtenetsȱofȱtheȱChurchȱregardingȱbothȱParadiseȱandȱHell,ȱespeciallyȱsinceȱthe foxȱgoesȱsoȱfarȱasȱtoȱclaimȱthatȱeveryoneȱwhoȱwantsȱtoȱenterȱtheȱformerȱfirstȱneeds toȱexperienceȱtheȱlatterȱwhereȱoneȱlosesȱskinȱandȱhairȱfromȱtheȱheatȱofȱtheȱfire (910–14).42ȱ Butȱ theȱ promiseȱ ofȱ anȱ endlessȱ amountȱ ofȱ foodȱ makesȱ theȱ decisive differenceȱforȱtheȱwolfȱwhoȱthenȱisȱreadyȱtoȱjumpȱintoȱtheȱbucketȱasȱinstructedȱby theȱfox,ȱandȱsoȱendsȱupȱinȱtheȱhellishȱholeȱwhileȱtheȱruthlessȱfoxȱsailsȱtoȱtheȱtop andȱ isȱ rescued,ȱ evenȱ thoughȱ heȱ sarcasticallyȱ describesȱ theȱ situationȱ inȱ justȱ the oppositeȱway:ȱ“‘.ȱ.ȱ.ȱhieȱzvȱhimelricheȱ/ȱSoltvȱminenȱstvlȱhan,ȱ/ȱwanȱichȱdirsȱvilȱwol gan.ȱ/ȱIchȱwilȱvzȱinȱdazȱlant,ȱ/ȱdvȱdemȱtevfelȱinȱdieȱhant’”ȱ(948–52;ȱhereȱinȱtheȱrealm ofȱheavenȱyouȱoughtȱtoȱhaveȱmyȱchair,ȱwhichȱIȱhappilyȱcedeȱtoȱyou.ȱIȱwantȱtoȱgo outȱtoȱtheȱworldȱthatȱbelongsȱtoȱtheȱdevil).ȱ Surprisingly,ȱHeinrichȱdoesȱnotȱdirectlyȱattackȱtheȱmonks,ȱandȱonlyȱmentions theirȱeffortsȱtoȱkillȱtheȱwolfȱwhoseȱmiserableȱconditionȱtheyȱregardȱasȱtheȱresultȱof God’sȱvengeanceȱ(973).ȱMoreover,ȱhisȱbroadȱcriticismȱfindsȱexpressionȱonlyȱwhen Reinhardȱassumesȱtheȱroleȱofȱaȱmonkȱasȱaȱpreacherȱandȱthusȱluresȱhisȱopponent intoȱtheȱwell,ȱalmostȱlikeȱtheȱdevilȱwhoȱtendsȱtoȱdeceiveȱhisȱvictimsȱbyȱpresenting theȱfoulȱunderworldȱasȱmoreȱbeautifulȱthanȱHeaven.ȱTheȱauthorȱridicules,ȱinȱother words,ȱprimarilyȱthoseȱwhoȱuseȱsermonsȱasȱaȱcatalystȱtoȱdupeȱtheirȱparishioners and,ȱ ofȱ course,ȱ alsoȱ theȱ layȱ peopleȱ whoȱ allowȱ suchȱ abuseȱ toȱ happen.ȱ Asȱ the narratorȱexplicitlyȱcommentsȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱthisȱepisode,ȱequatingȱYsengrimȱwith theȱordinaryȱperson,ȱ“dieȱveltȱstentȱnochȱalsustȱhie,ȱ/ȱDazȱmanicȱmanȱmitȱvalscheit /ȱvberwantȱsinȱarbeitȱ/ȱBazȱdanneȱeiner,ȱderȱderȱtriwenȱpflac”ȱ(992–95;ȱtheȱworld isȱthusȱthatȱmanyȱovercomeȱtheirȱchallengesȱbyȱmeansȱofȱdeception,ȱbetterȱthan thoseȱwhoȱpursuedȱloyalty).ȱ HardlyȱbyȱcoincidenceȱtheȱfamousȱminstrelȱWaltherȱvonȱderȱVogelweideȱ(ca. 1200–1220)ȱformulatedȱveryȱsimilarȱcriticism,ȱclaimingȱthatȱtheȱessentialȱandȱgood valuesȱhaveȱlostȱallȱchancesȱandȱcannotȱprevailȱanymoreȱbecauseȱ“stîgȱundȱwege sintȱinȱbenomen”ȱ(2,ȱ20;ȱpeopleȱtookȱawayȱtheirȱpathsȱandȱroads).ȱTheȱmainȱreason forȱthisȱmisery,ȱasȱWaltherȱemphasizes,ȱresultsȱfromȱtheȱruleȱofȱ“untriuwe”ȱ(21; disloyalty)ȱthatȱlurksȱbehindȱtheȱcornerȱofȱeverything.ȱHeȱknowsȱonlyȱtoȱlament: “gewaltȱvertȱûfȱderȱstrâze,ȱ/ȱfrideȱundȱrehtȱsintȱsêreȱwunt”ȱ(22–23;ȱviolentȱforce dominatesȱtheȱroad,ȱpeaceȱandȱjusticeȱareȱbadlyȱwounded).43ȱ 42

43

Seeȱ theȱ contributionsȱ toȱ Anticlericalismȱ inȱ Lateȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Europe,ȱ ed.ȱ Peterȱ A. DykemaȱandȱHeikoȱA.ȱOberman.ȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱandȱReformationȱThought,ȱLIȱ(Leiden,ȱNew York,ȱandȱCologne:ȱE.ȱJ.ȱBrill,ȱ1993);ȱseeȱalsoȱBirgitȱBeine,ȱDerȱWolfȱinȱderȱKutte:ȱGeistlicheȱinȱden MärenȱdesȱdeutschenȱMittelalters.ȱBraunschweigerȱBeiträgeȱzurȱdeutschenȱSpracheȱundȱLiteratur, 2ȱ(Bielefeld:ȱVerlagȱfürȱRegionalgeschichte,ȱ1999).ȱOnlyȱHelmutȱBrall,ȱ“‘Wahrlich,ȱdieȱPfaffenȱsind schlimmerȱalsȱderȱTeufel!’:ȱZurȱEntstehungȱderȱdeutschenȱSchwankdichtungȱimȱ13.ȱJahrhundert,” Euphorionȱ94.3ȱ(2000):ȱ319–34,ȱalsoȱrefers,ȱthoughȱjustȱinȱpassing,ȱtoȱtheȱReinhardȱFuchsȱtradition (323). WaltherȱvonȱderȱVogelweide,ȱLeich,ȱLieder,ȱSangsprüche.ȱ14th,ȱcompletelyȱnewȱed.ȱofȱtheȱoneȱby Karlȱ Lachmann,ȱ ed.ȱ Christophȱ Cormeauȱ (Berlinȱ andȱ Newȱ York:ȱ Walterȱ deȱ Gruyter,ȱ 1996),

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

149

Ironically,ȱ however,ȱ whenȱ Ysengrimȱ subsequentlyȱ triesȱ toȱ findȱ justiceȱ atȱ the courtȱofȱtheȱlionȱbyȱlegalȱmeans,ȱallȱhisȱeffortsȱandȱthoseȱofȱhisȱcompanions,ȱwho haveȱsimilarlyȱsufferedȱfromȱReinhard’sȱcountlessȱevilȱdeeds,ȱultimatelyȱturnȱto nought.ȱThoseȱwhoȱhaveȱsuedȱhimȱcomeȱtoȱrealizeȱinȱtheȱendȱthatȱtheyȱhaveȱonly sufferedȱasȱaȱresultȱandȱthenȱhaveȱbeenȱabusedȱasȱsteppingȱstonesȱforȱtheȱfoxȱon hisȱclimbȱupȱtheȱsocialȱladder.ȱInȱfact,ȱtheȱbiggestȱcriminalȱturnsȱoutȱtoȱbeȱtheȱmost powerfulȱpersonȱinȱtheȱstateȱwhoȱevenȱdisrespectsȱtheȱruler.ȱInȱfact,ȱonceȱReinhard hasȱdefeatedȱallȱhisȱopponents,ȱhavingȱconvincedȱtheȱkingȱthatȱheȱneedsȱsome partsȱofȱtheirȱbodiesȱforȱhisȱownȱhealingȱprocess,ȱheȱtakesȱtheȱfinalȱstep,ȱbrewsȱa deadlyȱpoison,ȱandȱthusȱkillsȱtheȱkingȱwhoȱrealizesȱtheȱbetrayalȱtooȱlateȱwhenȱhe bitterlyȱcomplainsȱaboutȱtheȱdownfallȱofȱsocialȱandȱethicalȱmores:ȱ“‘.ȱ.ȱ.ȱswerȱsich anȱdenȱvngetruwenȱlat,ȱ/ȱDemȱwirtȱizȱleit,ȱdesȱmvzȱichȱiehen,ȱ/ȱalsamȱistȱovchȱnv mirȱgeschehen’”ȱ(2238–40;ȱheȱwhoȱtrustsȱthoseȱwhoȱareȱdisloyalȱwillȱexperience suffering,ȱasȱIȱmustȱsay,ȱsinceȱitȱhasȱhappenedȱtoȱme).ȱ Similarly,ȱtheȱnarratorȱcommentsȱonȱtheȱcamel’sȱdestinyȱwhichȱconfirmsȱthis maximȱ asȱ well,ȱ especiallyȱ becauseȱ sheȱ hadȱ servedȱ asȱ theȱ fox’sȱ advocateȱ atȱ the king’sȱ court.ȱ Reinhardȱ hadȱ subsequentlyȱ askedȱ theȱ kingȱ toȱ appointȱ herȱ asȱ the abbessȱofȱtheȱconventȱofȱErstein,ȱbutȱsinceȱtheȱnunsȱrevoltedȱagainstȱthatȱdecision andȱkilledȱtheȱcamelȱoutȱofȱprotest,ȱweȱareȱgivenȱtheȱsameȱcommentsȱaboutȱtheȱevil natureȱofȱrottenȱcharactersȱsuchȱasȱtheȱfox:ȱ“Izȱistȱovchȱnochȱalsoȱgetan,ȱ/ȱswer hilfetȱeinemȱvngetrevwenȱman,ȱ/ȱDazȱerȱsineȱnotȱvberwindet,ȱ/ȱdazȱerȱdochȱanȱim vindetȱ /ȱ Valschs,ȱ desȱ hanȱ wirȱ gnvcȱ gesehen,ȱ /ȱ vndȱ mvzȱ ovchȱ dickeȱ alsam geschehen”ȱ (2157–62;ȱ Thisȱ isȱ theȱ wayȱ howȱ itȱ happensȱ untilȱ today:ȱ whoever providesȱhelpȱtoȱanȱuntrustworthyȱmanȱtoȱovercomeȱsufferingȱwillȱfindȱinȱhim falseness,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱobservedȱoftenȱenoughȱandȱasȱitȱwillȱalsoȱhappenȱmanyȱtimes inȱtheȱfuture).44ȱ Asȱ scholarshipȱ hasȱ noticedȱ numerousȱ times,ȱ theȱ referencesȱ toȱ thatȱ political appointment,ȱ similarlyȱ toȱ theȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ elephantȱ asȱ theȱ kingȱ ofȱ Bohemia (2097–2116),ȱbothȱofȱwhichȱresultedȱinȱdeadlyȱconsequencesȱforȱtheȱnewȱhonoree, canȱbeȱreadȱasȱallusionsȱtoȱspecificȱhistoricalȱeventsȱinȱGermanȱimperialȱpoliticsȱat theȱendȱofȱtheȱtwelfthȱcenturyȱwhenȱchaosȱandȱviolenceȱunderminedȱallȱtraditional legalȱandȱpoliticalȱstructures.45ȱAfterȱall,ȱatȱtheȱendȱReinhardȱevenȱturnsȱagainstȱthe

44 45

“Reichston”ȱno.ȱ2,ȱorȱL.ȱ8.4,ȱhereȱ11.ȱSeeȱalsoȱWaltherȱvonȱderȱVogelweide,ȱTheȱSingleȬStanzaȱLyrics, ed.ȱandȱtrans.,ȱwithȱintroductionȱandȱcommentaryȱbyȱFrederickȱGoldinȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱLondon: Routledge,ȱ2003),ȱno.ȱ27,ȱ141.ȱIȱpreferȱtoȱuseȱmyȱownȱtranslationȱwhichȱstaysȱcloserȱtoȱtheȱoriginal. ThisȱisȱnotȱsupposedȱtoȱbeȱaȱcriticismȱofȱGoldin’sȱversion,ȱbutȱheȱpursuedȱaȱdifferentȱpurposeȱin hisȱapproach,ȱmakingȱWalther’sȱtextsȱasȱunderstandableȱandȱpalatableȱasȱpossible. Toȱavoidȱerrors,ȱhereȱIȱwriteȱoutȱallȱsuperscriptaȱthatȱserveȱasȱtypographicalȱcuesȱforȱumlauts. UteȱSchwab,ȱZurȱDatierungȱundȱInterpretationȱdesȱReinhartȱFuchs.ȱMitȱeinemȱtextkritischenȱBeitrag vonȱKlausȱDüwel.ȱQuaderniȱdellaȱsezioneȱlinguisticaȱdegliȱAnnaliȱVȱ(Napels:ȱCymba,ȱ1967),ȱ31ff. (seeȱnowȱrpt.ȱwithȱanȱepilogueȱandȱaȱlistȱofȱcorrigenda,ȱLorch:ȱErikaȱKümmerle,ȱ2010);ȱKlaus Düwel,ȱ“NamenȱundȱÖrtlichkeiten,”ȱDerȱReinhartȱFuchs,ȱXXVII–XXIXȱ(seeȱnoteȱ27);ȱWidmaier,ȱDas

150

AlbrechtȱClassen

kingȱandȱpoisonsȱhim,ȱdemonstratingȱhowȱfarȱtraitorsȱareȱwillingȱtoȱgo:ȱ“Derȱartzet wasȱ mitȱ valscheȱ da,ȱ /ȱ denȱ kvnicȱ verrietȱ erȱ sa”ȱ (2165–66;ȱ Theȱ medicalȱ doctor proceededȱwithȱdeception;ȱheȱbetrayedȱtheȱking).ȱThisȱservesȱasȱaȱgeneralȱwarning againstȱ theȱ cataclysmicȱ consequencesȱ ofȱ criminalityȱ andȱ violenceȱ ifȱ theyȱ go uncheckedȱforȱaȱlongȱtime.ȱTheȱkingȱhimselfȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱrapid declineȱofȱhisȱkingdomȱbecauseȱheȱdoesȱnotȱcareȱaboutȱjusticeȱandȱpeace,ȱconsiders onlyȱhisȱownȱneeds,ȱandȱdisplaysȱgreed,ȱselfishness,ȱandȱrecklessness.ȱForȱhimȱthe sufferingȱofȱhisȱpeopleȱmeansȱlittle,ȱorȱnothing,ȱalthoughȱheȱisȱstillȱwillingȱtoȱsetȱup courtȱandȱdemandsȱtheȱfoxȱtoȱappearȱbeforeȱhisȱjudges.ȱButȱweȱalsoȱrecognizeȱhow littleȱtheȱlegalȱsystemȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱworkingȱbecauseȱtheȱbiggestȱperpetratorȱfinds theȱbestȱlawyersȱandȱcanȱthusȱturnȱallȱtheȱcourtȱproceedingsȱtotallyȱaroundȱbyȱway ofȱplayingȱsmartlyȱtheȱrolesȱofȱaȱpenitent,ȱaȱmedicalȱdoctor,ȱandȱaȱpilgrim.ȱHe appealsȱ toȱ theȱ king’sȱ baseȱ instinctsȱ sinceȱ heȱ needsȱ helpȱ toȱ overcomeȱ physical problemsȱandȱquicklyȱforgetsȱtheȱactualȱcriesȱforȱhelpȱofȱhisȱsubjectsȱwhoȱareȱin needȱofȱprotectionȱagainstȱtheȱarchȱvillain,ȱtheȱfoxȱReinhard.ȱ Curiously,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱtrueȱandȱfullȱcriticismȱisȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱdirectedȱagainst theȱevilȱfox,ȱtheȱruthlessȱcriminal.ȱSurely,ȱeveryoneȱaroundȱhim,ȱexceptȱforȱhisȱown family,ȱexpressesȱtheirȱdeepȱangerȱandȱevenȱfuryȱaboutȱhisȱendlessȱmisdeeds.ȱFor thatȱ reasonȱ theyȱ soughtȱ helpȱ atȱ theȱ royalȱ court.ȱ Andȱ forȱ thatȱ reasonȱ theyȱ so diligentlyȱpursueȱlegalȱredress.ȱUltimately,ȱhowever,ȱandȱthisȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱthe trulyȱcriticalȱpointȱofȱHeinrich’sȱfableȱnarrative,ȱKingȱVrevelȱfailsȱinȱhisȱobligations bothȱasȱkingȱandȱasȱjudge,ȱbeingȱconcernedȱonlyȱwithȱhisȱownȱneedsȱandȱdesires, abandoningȱthoseȱwhoȱhaveȱsufferedȱfromȱReinhard’sȱmaliciousnessȱandȱcruelty, andȱthenȱevenȱheapsȱpraise,ȱhonor,ȱandȱwealthȱuponȱtheȱtrickster,ȱdeceiver,ȱand assassinȱwhoȱfinallyȱmanagesȱtoȱkillȱtheȱking.ȱWhetherȱitȱmightȱbeȱjustified,ȱas CoraȱDietlȱhasȱrecentlyȱsuggested,ȱthatȱtheȱviolenceȱexertedȱbyȱtheȱkingȱdiffers fromȱtheȱfox’sȱviolenceȱonlyȱinȱtheȱwayȱthatȱitȱisȱpresentedȱinȱpublic,ȱseemsȱto stretchȱtheȱargumentȱaȱlittle,ȱbutȱitȱisȱstillȱworthyȱofȱfurtherȱexamination:ȱ Dieȱ Opferȱ undȱ dieȱ eigentlicheȱ Gewaltanwendungȱ werdenȱ beiȱ derȱ Ausübungȱ von potentiaȱausgeblendet.ȱIndemȱHeinrichȱdieseȱTechnikȱderȱabsichtlichenȱAusblendung geradezuȱ plakativȱ anwendet,ȱ legtȱ erȱ offen,ȱ wieȱ sehrȱ dieȱ Herrscherȱ vonȱ einer entsprechendenȱDarstellungȱihrerȱMachtȱabhängigȱsind.46 [Theȱvictimsȱandȱtheȱactualȱexertionȱofȱviolenceȱareȱbeingȱoccludedȱwhenȱtheȱpotestas isȱenacted.ȱByȱdrasticallyȱemployingȱtheȱtechniqueȱofȱintentionalȱocclusion,ȱheȱreveals howȱmuchȱrulersȱdependȱonȱtheȱappropriateȱrepresentationȱofȱtheirȱpower.]

46

Recht,ȱ214–16ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ28). Coraȱ Dietl,ȱ “Violentiaȱ undȱ potestas:ȱ Einȱ füchsischerȱ Blickȱ aufȱ ritterlicheȱ Tugendȱ undȱ gerechte Herrschaftȱimȱ‘ReinhartȱFuchs’,”ȱDichtungȱundȱDidaxe:ȱLehrhaftesȱSprechenȱinȱderȱdeutschenȱLiteratur desȱMittelalters,ȱed.ȱHenrikeȱLähnemannȱandȱSandraȱLindenȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱde Gruyter,ȱ2009),ȱ41–54;ȱhereȱ54.

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

151

Theȱ foxȱ hasȱ transgressedȱ notȱ onlyȱ theȱ basicȱ normsȱ ofȱ hisȱ society,ȱ heȱ hasȱ also disregardedȱ theȱ generalȱ callȱ forȱ peaceȱ announcedȱ byȱ theȱ kingȱ (1239–41).47ȱ The manyȱ crimesȱ committedȱ byȱ Reinhardȱ wouldȱ normallyȱ beȱ treatedȱ asȱ egregious transgressions,ȱleadingȱtoȱhisȱimprisonment,ȱifȱnotȱexecution.ȱButȱthatȱisȱnotȱthe case.ȱInstead,ȱweȱencounterȱaȱkingȱwhoȱcarries,ȱinȱtheȱfirstȱplace,ȱaȱcuriousȱname, Vrevel:ȱ“Einȱlewe,ȱderȱwasȱVrevelȱgenant”ȱ(1241).ȱTheȱmeaningȱcouldȱbeȱquite diverse,ȱ implyingȱ bothȱ criminality,ȱ arrogance,ȱ andȱ hubris,ȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ courage, boldness,ȱandȱlackȱofȱfear.ȱInȱtheȱFrenchȱversionsȱtheȱkingȱisȱidentifiedȱasȱ“Noble,” whereasȱ hereȱ inȱ theȱ Germanȱ narrativeȱ Heinrichȱ deliberatelyȱ playedȱ withȱ the duplicityȱofȱtheȱking’sȱname,ȱsignalingȱtherebyȱtheȱlossȱofȱaȱuniversalȱsystemȱof valuesȱandȱidealsȱbecauseȱtheȱoneȱcentralȱinstitution,ȱtheȱroyalȱcourt,ȱhasȱfailedȱto upholdȱitsȱendȱofȱtheȱbargain,ȱwhichȱsubsequentlyȱallowsȱtheȱcriminalsȱtoȱtake totalȱcontrol.48ȱ Ifȱ weȱ didȱ notȱ knowȱ thatȱ Heinrichȱ hadȱ composedȱ thisȱ textȱ atȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ the twelfthȱcentury,ȱweȱcouldȱeasilyȱimagineȱitȱasȱaȱmodernȱnovelȱaboutȱtheȱpervasive intertwiningȱofȱtheȱMafiaȱwithȱtheȱstateȱgovernment,ȱandȱofȱcorruptionȱpermeating everyȱstrataȱofȱsociety.ȱThisȱnarrativeȱinȱtheȱfableȱtraditionȱveryȱmuchȱreadsȱlike aȱstatementȱreflectingȱutterȱdespairȱbecauseȱallȱlegal,ȱpolitical,ȱethical,ȱmoral,ȱand religiousȱideals,ȱvalues,ȱandȱstandardsȱhaveȱbrokenȱdown,ȱwithȱnoȱhopeȱleftȱforȱa recoveryȱandȱtheȱreestablishmentȱofȱaȱsocietyȱdeterminedȱbyȱlaws,ȱlegality,ȱaȱfair andȱjustȱpoliticalȱsystem.ȱ Althoughȱallȱanimalsȱdecryȱtheȱking’sȱdeath,ȱaȱvictimȱofȱanȱassassinationȱattack byȱtheȱfox,ȱbutȱalsoȱaȱvictimȱofȱhisȱownȱfoolishness,ȱegoism,ȱlackȱofȱmorality,ȱand disregardȱ ofȱ theȱ laws,ȱ theȱ foxȱ Reinhardȱ goesȱ scotȬfreeȱ andȱ fearsȱ noȱ oneȱ and nothing:ȱ “Sieȱ dreuwetenȱ alleȱ harteȱ /ȱ demȱ gvtenȱ Reinharte”ȱ (2247–48;ȱ Theyȱ all seriouslyȱthreatenedȱtheȱgoodȱ[powerful]ȱReinhard).ȱIfȱweȱeverȱdaredȱtoȱlaugh aboutȱtheȱfoolishnessȱofȱsomeȱofȱthoseȱanimalsȱinȱthisȱfableȱnarrative,ȱthisȱfinal realizationȱ mustȱ certainlyȱ chokeȱ itȱ completely.ȱ Thisȱ Alsatianȱ authorȱ obviously harboredȱmostȱcynicalȱperspectivesȱandȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱanyȱhopeȱforȱaȱbrightȱfuture becauseȱevilȱpeopleȱruledȱuncheckedȱandȱhadȱgainedȱcontrolȱoverȱallȱinstitutions andȱpersonalitiesȱdominatingȱtheirȱworld. Letȱusȱaddȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱaȱfairlyȱsimilarȱtextȱfromȱca.ȱ1260–1274ȱwhereȱcriminality alsoȱ constitutesȱ theȱ centralȱ theme,ȱ atȱ firstȱ destroyingȱ allȱ hopeȱ forȱ justiceȱ and

47

48

Forȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱthisȱpeaceȱmovement,ȱseeȱElmarȱWadl,ȱLandfrieden,ȱStrafe,ȱRecht:ȱzwölfȱStudien zumȱ Mittelalter.ȱ Schriftenȱ zurȱ europäischenȱ RechtsȬȱ undȱ Verfassungsgeschichte,ȱ 37ȱ (Berlin: Dunckerȱ&ȱHumblot,ȱ2001);ȱandȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱArnoȱBuschmann,ȱLandfrieden:ȱAnspruchȱund Wirklichkeit.ȱGörresȬGesellschaftȱzurȱPflegeȱderȱWissenschaft:ȱNeueȱFolge,ȱ98ȱ(Paderborn,ȱMunich, etȱal.:ȱFerdinandȱSchöningh,ȱ2002).ȱ KlausȱDüwel,ȱed.,ȱReinhartȱFuchs,ȱ71,ȱnoteȱtoȱversȱ1241ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ27).

152

AlbrechtȱClassen

protection.ȱHowever,ȱhereȱatȱleastȱpunishmentȱcatchesȱupȱwithȱtheȱcriminalȱinȱthe end,ȱandȱtheȱreaderȱcanȱbreatheȱaȱsighȱofȱreliefȱbecause,ȱdespiteȱtheȱenormityȱof violenceȱexertedȱbyȱtheȱprotagonist,theȱauthoritiesȱstepȱinȱandȱreconstituteȱthe laws.ȱWernherȱderȱGärtner,ȱorȱGartenære,ȱisȱnotȱeasilyȱidentifiableȱforȱus,ȱbutȱhe wasȱcertainlyȱaȱminstrelȱofȱinferiorȱsocialȱrankȱwhoȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱworkedȱasȱa gardener,ȱ henceȱ hisȱ epithet.49ȱ Hisȱ Helmbrechtȱ hasȱ survivedȱ inȱ onlyȱ two manuscripts,ȱfirstȱandȱforemostȱinȱtheȱmanuscriptȱA,ȱAmbraserȱHeldenbuchȱ(Vienna, cod.ȱser.ȱnovaȱ2663,ȱ225rb–29rb),ȱwhichȱwasȱcopiedȱbetweenȱ1504ȱandȱ1515ȱby HansȱRiedȱforȱEmperorȱMaximilianȱI,ȱsecondȱinȱtheȱBerlinȱmanuscriptȱBȱ(mgfȱ470, 229va–40vb),ȱwrittenȱinȱtheȱfirstȱquarterȱofȱtheȱfifteenthȱcenturyȱforȱtheȱwealthy knightȱLeonhardȱMeurlȱzuȱLeonbachȱinȱTraungau,ȱUpperȱAustria.50ȱTheȱformer manuscriptȱ seemsȱ toȱ beȱ theȱ mostȱ reliableȱ one,ȱ butȱ theȱ finalȱ judgmentȱ isȱ still outstanding.ȱ Theȱ datingȱ ofȱ Helmbrechtȱ remainsȱ vague,ȱ andȱ itȱ couldȱ haveȱ been composedȱasȱlateȱasȱca.ȱ1273–1278,ȱalthoughȱtheȱyearsȱbetweenȱ1260ȱandȱ1274ȱseem mostȱ likely.51ȱ Scholarshipȱ hasȱ dealtȱ withȱ thisȱ textȱ inȱ numerousȱ fashionsȱ and approachedȱitȱfromȱaȱvarietyȱofȱperspectives,ȱusingȱbothȱsociologicalȱandȱpoliticalȬ ethicalȱconcepts.ȱWeȱhaveȱavailableȱtodayȱbothȱaȱtrustworthyȱcriticalȱedition,52ȱa solidȱcommentary,53ȱandȱmanyȱscholarlyȱstudiesȱthatȱilluminateȱvirtuallyȱevery aspectȱrelevantȱofȱthisȱtext.54ȱ

49

50

51

52

53

54

AdolfȱStelzl,ȱMeierȱHelmbrechtȱvonȱWernherȱdemȱGartenaere:ȱEineȱSpurensucheȱ(Riedȱi.ȱI.:ȱMoserbauer Druckȱ&ȱVerlag,ȱ2001),ȱmadeȱanȱinterestingȱeffortȱtoȱidentifyȱtheȱpoetȱasȱaȱmemberȱofȱtheȱformer AugustinianȱconventȱofȱRanshofen,ȱfirstȱmentionedȱinȱ788,ȱinȱBraunau,ȱUpperȱAustria,ȱbutȱthisȱis basicallyȱ nothingȱ butȱ aȱ positivisticȱ approachȱ andȱ hasȱ notȱ muchȱ scholarlyȱ validity.ȱ Seeȱ also http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stift_Ranshofenȱ(lastȱaccessȱonȱAug.ȱ23,ȱ2010) Thisȱ importantȱ manuscriptȱ hasȱ beenȱ discussedȱ manyȱ timesȱ inȱ aȱ varietyȱ ofȱ contexts,ȱ see,ȱ for instance,ȱDietrichsȱFlucht.ȱTextgeschichtlicheȱAusgabe,ȱed.ȱElisabethȱLienertȱandȱGertrudȱBeck. TexteȱundȱStudienȱzurȱmittelhochdeutschenȱHeldenepik,ȱ1ȱ(Tübingen:ȱNiemeyer,ȱ2003),ȱXV–XVIII, withȱanȱextensiveȱbibliography. FritzȱPeterȱKnapp,ȱ“WernherȱderȱGärtner,”ȱDieȱdeutscheȱLiteraturȱdesȱMittelalters:ȱVerfasserlexikon. 2ndȱcompl.ȱrev.ȱed.ȱbyȱBurghartȱWachingerȱetȱal.ȱVol.ȱ10.3/4ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱde Gruyter,ȱ1998),ȱ927–36.ȱEnglishȱreadersȱareȱwellȱservedȱbyȱLindaȱB.ȱParshall’sȱintroductionȱto Wernherȱ derȱ Gartenaere,ȱ Helmbrecht,ȱ intro.ȱ andȱ trans.ȱ byȱ eadem.ȱ Germanȱ editionȱ byȱ Ulrich Seelbach.ȱGarlandȱLibraryȱofȱMedievalȱLiterature,ȱSeriesȱA,ȱ28ȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱLondon:ȱGarland, 1987),ȱix–xlvi;ȱseeȱalsoȱLindaȱB.ȱParshall,ȱ“WernherȱderȱGartenaere,”ȱGermanȱWritersȱandȱWorksȱof theȱ Highȱ Middleȱ Ages:ȱ 1170–1280,ȱ ed.ȱ Jamesȱ Hardinȱ andȱ Willȱ Hasty.ȱ Dictionaryȱ ofȱ Literary Biography,ȱ138ȱ(Detroit,ȱWashington,ȱDC,ȱandȱLondon:ȱGaleȱResearch,ȱ1994),ȱ170–77. WernherȱderȱGartenære,ȱHelmbrecht,ȱed.ȱFriedrichȱPanzerȱandȱKurtȱRuh.ȱ10thȱed.ȱbyȱHansȬJoachim Ziegeler.ȱAltdeutscheȱTextbibliothek,ȱ11ȱ(Tübingen:ȱNiemeyer,ȱ1993). UlrichȱSeelbach,ȱKommentarȱzumȱ“Helmbrecht”ȱvonȱWernherȱdemȱGartenære.ȱGöppingerȱArbeitenȱzur Germanistik,ȱ469ȱ(Göppingen:ȱKümmerle,ȱ1987). UlrichȱSeelbach,ȱSpäthöfischeȱLiteraturȱundȱihreȱRezeptionȱimȱspätenȱMittelalter:ȱStudienȱzumȱPublikum desȱ‘Helmbrecht’ȱvonȱWernherȱdemȱGartenaere.ȱPhilologischeȱStudienȱundȱQuellen,ȱ115ȱ(Berlin:ȱErich Schmidt,ȱ1987);ȱPetraȱMenke,ȱRechtȱundȱOrdoȬGedankeȱimȱHelmbrecht.ȱGermanistischeȱArbeitenȱzu SpracheȱundȱKulturgeschichte,ȱ24ȱ(Frankfurtȱa.ȱM.,ȱBerlin,ȱetȱal.:ȱPeterȱLang,ȱ1993;ȱforȱtheȱolder secondaryȱliterature,ȱseeȱUlrichȱSeelbach,ȱBibliographieȱzuȱWernherȱderȱGartenaere.ȱBibliographien

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

153

TheȱdidacticȱintentionsȱofȱWernher’sȱtextsȱareȱveryȱeasyȱtoȱrecognize,ȱdealing withȱtheȱyoungȱsonȱofȱaȱwealthyȱfarmerȱwhoȱintendsȱtoȱriseȱaboveȱhisȱownȱsocial classȱ andȱ turnsȱ intoȱ aȱ robberȱ knight.ȱ Afterȱ havingȱ spentȱ aȱ considerableȱ time robbing,ȱpillaging,ȱlooting,ȱkilling,ȱandȱstealingȱfreelyȱwithoutȱanyoneȱintervening, youngȱ Helmbrechtȱ isȱ finallyȱ apprehendedȱ byȱ theȱ authoritiesȱ andȱ quickly punished,ȱlosingȱbothȱhisȱeyes,ȱhisȱrightȱarm,ȱandȱhisȱleftȱfoot,ȱdebilitatingȱhimȱso completelyȱthatȱheȱcanȱnoȱlongerȱstepȱintoȱaȱstirrupȱtoȱrideȱonȱaȱhorseȱorȱwieldȱa sword.ȱ Aȱ yearȱ laterȱ peasantsȱ whoȱ hadȱ formerlyȱ sufferedȱ fromȱ hisȱ rampageȱ of violenceȱ apprehendȱ himȱ andȱ quicklyȱ lynchȱ him,ȱ thusȱ ventilatingȱ theirȱ deep frustrationȱandȱwrathȱaboutȱtheirȱtotalȱhelplessnessȱinȱtheȱpreviousȱsituation.ȱ Theȱfamilyȱstructureȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱtheȱfirstȱvictim,ȱwithȱtheȱparentsȱbeingȱalmost asȱguiltyȱasȱtheirȱsonȱinȱhelpingȱhimȱtoȱequipȱhimselfȱproperlyȱforȱtheȱlifeȱofȱa robberȱknight.ȱMuchȱmoreȱpainfulȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱtheȱcollapseȱofȱtheȱcommunicative communityȱthatȱformsȱtheȱessentialȱbondȱamongȱpeople.ȱAlthoughȱfatherȱandȱson engageȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱponderousȱconversations,ȱtheȱelderȱHelmbrechtȱtryingȱto warnȱhisȱsonȱaboutȱtheȱdireȱconsequencesȱofȱhisȱrebellingȱagainstȱtheȱconstraints ofȱfeudalȱsociety,ȱultimatelyȱhisȱsonȱdismissesȱallȱpropheciesȱandȱadmonishments. HeȱcontinuesȱtoȱenjoyȱtheȱnewȬfoundȱwealthȱandȱseeminglyȱpowerfulȱposition,ȱyet heȱ isȱ thenȱ apprehendedȱ byȱ theȱ authoritiesȱ andȱ receivesȱ aȱ nearlyȱ deadly punishment,55ȱsoonȱfollowedȱbyȱhisȱexecutionȱatȱtheȱhandsȱofȱtheȱirateȱpeasants whoȱareȱdeterminedȱtoȱeliminateȱthisȱmostȱviolentȱelementȱofȱtheirȱsociety. Despiteȱtheȱfather’sȱdesperateȱattemptsȱtoȱdissuadeȱhisȱsonȱfromȱhisȱdangerous careerȱplans,ȱyoungȱHelmbrechtȱdisregardsȱallȱandȱeveryȱadvice,ȱentirelyȱbentȱon gainingȱwealthȱandȱesteemȱasȱquicklyȱasȱpossible.ȱNoneȱofȱhisȱfather’sȱsuggestions toȱmarryȱaȱwealthyȱbride,ȱforȱinstance,ȱappealȱtoȱhimȱanyȱlongerȱ(279–98)ȱbecause heȱalmostȱseemsȱdeliriousȱwithȱtheȱideaȱofȱjoiningȱcourtlyȱsocietyȱandȱdismissing allȱtracesȱofȱhisȱformerȱpeasantȱexistenceȱ(299–328).ȱHeȱdoesȱnotȱrealize,ȱhowever, andȱprobablyȱneverȱlearnsȱthatȱtheȱmilitaryȱserviceȱthatȱheȱwillȱenterȱconstitutes nothingȱbutȱtheȱbasestȱandȱdirtiestȱpartȱofȱknightlyȱactivities,ȱnotȱevenȱworthyȱof theȱnameȱofȱaȱknight.56ȱNevertheless,ȱheȱenjoysȱanȱincredibleȱrushȱofȱadrenalinȱthat turnsȱ himȱ intoȱ aȱ berserkȬlikeȱ robberȱ knightȱ whoȱ doesȱ notȱ spareȱ anyoneȱ or anything,ȱ grabbingȱ everythingȱ availableȱ toȱ him,ȱ andȱ delightingȱ inȱ theȱ total freedomȱthatȱthisȱviolenceȱgrantsȱhimȱtemporarily.ȱ

55

56

zurȱdeutschenȱLiteraturȱdesȱMittelalters,ȱ8ȱ(Berlin:ȱErichȱSchmidt,ȱ1981). Forȱaȱcommunicativeȱapproachȱtoȱthisȱnarrative,ȱseeȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱVerzweiflungȱundȱHoffnung: DieȱSucheȱnachȱderȱkommunikativenȱGemeinschaftȱinȱderȱdeutschenȱLiteraturȱdesȱMittelalters.ȱBeihefte zurȱMediaevistik,ȱ1ȱ(Frankfurtȱa.ȱM.,ȱBerlin,ȱetȱal.:ȱPeterȱLang,ȱ2002),ȱ359–99. Fritzȱ Peterȱ Knapp,ȱ “Standesverräterȱ undȱ Heimatverächterȱ inȱ derȱ bayerischȬösterreichischen Literaturȱ desȱ Spätmittelalters,”ȱ Wernherȱ derȱ Gärtner:ȱ ‘Helmbrecht’.ȱ Dieȱ Beiträgeȱ desȱ HelmbrechtȬ SymposionsȱinȱBurghausenȱ2001,ȱed.ȱTheodorȱNolteȱandȱTobiasȱSchneiderȱ(Stuttgart:ȱS.ȱHirzel,ȱ2001), 9–24;ȱhereȱ11.

154

AlbrechtȱClassen

AsȱyoungȱHelmbrechtȱreportsȱduringȱhisȱfirstȱvisitȱhome,ȱnewȱcourtlyȱcustoms haveȱbeenȱintroduced,ȱreplacingȱtheȱtraditionalȱvaluesȱofȱwooingȱforȱlove,ȱsinging, andȱ dancing.ȱ Nowadays,ȱ asȱ heȱ brags,ȱ courtlyȱ lifestyleȱ hasȱ turnedȱ intoȱ wild ‘fraternityȱparties’,ȱasȱweȱmightȱsayȱtoday,ȱwithȱexcessȱofȱdrinkingȱ(984–1006),ȱand withȱlyingȱandȱdeceivingȱenjoyingȱtheȱhighestȱrecognitionȱ(1007–12).ȱTraditional tournamentsȱhaveȱbeenȱreplacedȱbyȱactualȱhuntingȱofȱinnocentȱpeople,ȱcuttingȱoff theirȱlimbsȱandȱkillingȱthem,ȱtakingȱhostages,ȱwhateverȱmightȱbeȱpossibleȱtoȱgain profitsȱ (1023–36).ȱ Thisȱ robberȱ knightȱ hasȱ foundȱ similarlyȬmindedȱ fellowsȱ who proveȱtoȱbeȱnothingȱbutȱtheȱworstȱkindsȱofȱcriminals,ȱpridingȱthemselvesȱonȱbeing theȱbestȱthievesȱandȱkillersȱfarȱandȱwideȱ(1185–1230).ȱHeȱhimselfȱbragsȱaboutȱthe extentȱofȱviolenceȱ withȱwhichȱheȱhasȱtreatedȱhisȱcountlessȱvictimsȱinȱtheȱmost brutalȱmannerȱ(1235–56).ȱ Peevishlyȱ theȱ fatherȱ triesȱ toȱ warnȱ himȱ aboutȱ theȱ direȱ consequences,ȱ butȱ the youngȱmanȱonlyȱconsidersȱthisȱasȱanȱinsultȱandȱtellsȱhimȱthatȱheȱwillȱfromȱthenȱon noȱlongerȱprotectȱhisȱownȱfamilyȱfromȱhisȱfriends’ȱcriminalȱbehaviorȱandȱviolence (1265–92).ȱIndeed,ȱthatȱisȱtheȱcaseȱforȱaȱwhile,ȱandȱtheȱfeastsȱwhichȱtheȱrobbers celebrateȱbyȱfarȱoutdoȱthose,ȱasȱtheȱnarratorȱemphasizes,ȱwhichȱKingȱArthurȱused toȱenjoyȱ(1478–81).ȱAllȱtheȱfoodȱandȱtheȱvaluableȱgoods,ȱhowever,ȱareȱnoȱlonger legitimatelyȱacquired,ȱorȱfreelyȱgiven,ȱorȱraisedȱthroughȱjustifiedȱtaxation.ȱOnȱthe contrary,ȱasȱtheȱnarratorȱunderscores,ȱ“manecȱwiteweȱundeȱweiseȱ/ȱanȱguoteȱwart geletzetȱ/ȱundȱriuwecȱgesetzet”ȱ(1464–66;ȱmanyȱaȱwidowȱandȱorphanȱlostȱitsȱgoods andȱcastȱintoȱsorrow).ȱTheȱbasicȱprinciplesȱofȱchivalryȱandȱknighthood,ȱinȱtheȱname ofȱKingȱArthur,ȱareȱbadlyȱtransgressedȱbecauseȱcriminalȱmindsȱcontrolȱtheȱlands. Theȱyoungȱmenȱroamȱfreelyȱandȱlootȱwhereverȱtheyȱcan,ȱnotȱcaringȱaboutȱany person’sȱconditions,ȱneeds,ȱpoverty,ȱorȱailment.ȱ Aȱveritableȱnightmareȱhasȱbeenȱunleashedȱuponȱtheȱland,ȱandȱnoȱoneȱseems capableȱofȱpreventingȱthisȱwaveȱofȱcrimeȱorȱofȱarrestingȱtheȱgangȱofȱcriminals, whomȱHelmbrechtȱproudlyȱcountsȱamongȱhisȱfriends.ȱMoreover,ȱheȱobviously exceedsȱeveryoneȱinȱbrutality,ȱrapaciousness,ȱandȱviolentȱbehavior,ȱnotȱsparing evenȱhisȱpreviousȱneighborsȱandȱperhapsȱrelatives.ȱHeȱgoesȱevenȱsoȱfarȱasȱtoȱmarry offȱhisȱsisterȱtoȱoneȱofȱthem,ȱLemberslindȱ(DevourerȱofȱLambs).ȱNotȱsurprisingly, Wernherȱhasȱchosenȱmostȱtellingȱnamesȱforȱsomeȱofȱtheȱrobbersȱwhoȱdevourȱtheir foodȱatȱtheȱweddingȱfeastȱlikeȱwolves:ȱ“WolvesguomeȱundȱWolvesdarmȱ/ȱunde Wolvesdrüzzelȱ/ȱlârtenȱmanegeȱschüzzelȱ/ȱundȱmanegenȱbecherȱwîtenȱ/ȱzeȱden selbenȱhôchzîten”ȱ(1552–56;ȱMouthȱofȱaȱWolfȱandȱGutȱofȱaȱWolf,ȱandȱsoȱThroatȱof aȱ Wolf,ȱ theyȱ allȱ emptiedȱ manyȱ dishesȱ andȱ manyȱ largeȱ cupsȱ atȱ thatȱ feast). Obviously,ȱhereȱtheyȱallȱbecomeȱguiltyȱofȱoneȱofȱtheȱsevenȱdeadlyȱsins,ȱgluttony, andȱthusȱbetrayȱthemselvesȱasȱsomeȱofȱtheȱworstȱsinners,ȱorȱtransgressors,ȱofȱtheir society.57ȱ

57

MortonȱWȱBloomfield,ȱTheȱSevenȱDeadlyȱSins:ȱanȱIntroductionȱtoȱtheȱHistoryȱofȱaȱReligiousȱConcept,

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

155

Truly,ȱsomeȱofȱtheȱsevenȱdeadlyȱsinsȱseemȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱpersonifiedȱhere,ȱall servingȱ asȱ aȱ severeȱ warningȱ againstȱ theȱ ghastlyȱ transgressionȱ committedȱ by Helmbrechtȱandȱhisȱgangȱofȱaccomplices.ȱTheyȱdoȱnotȱknowȱanyȱlimits,ȱtheyȱcare onlyȱaboutȱthemselves,ȱtheyȱhaveȱlostȱanyȱsenseȱofȱsocialȱobligation,ȱtheyȱlootȱthe entireȱcountry,ȱdevourȱallȱfoodȱandȱdrink,ȱalthoughȱtheyȱreallyȱtakeȱmostly,ȱifȱnot exclusively,ȱfromȱtheirȱownȱkinȱandȱneverȱengageȱinȱanyȱ(!)ȱknightlyȱcombatȱor fightȱagainstȱanyȱnobleman.ȱHelmbrechtȱhadȱonlyȱsparedȱhisȱownȱintimateȱfamily backȱhomeȱforȱaȱwhile,ȱbutȱnow,ȱinȱorderȱtoȱenjoyȱaȱfeastȱwithoutȱanyȱsenseȱofȱselfȬ containmentȱ (mâze),ȱ heȱ andȱ theȱ othersȱ simplyȱ takeȱ whateverȱ theyȱ canȱ grab indiscriminatelyȱwithȱnoȱconcernȱforȱtheȱsufferingȱtheyȱcreateȱeverywhereȱinȱthe countryside.ȱ Notȱ surprisingly,ȱ however,ȱ theȱ narratorȱ describesȱ thisȱ sceneȱ as tantamountȱ toȱ theȱ lastȱ mealȱ aȱ prisonerȱ onȱ deathȱ rowȱ mightȱ enjoy:ȱ “ezȱ wasȱ ir jungestezȱmaz,ȱ/ȱdazȱsiȱimmerȱmêȱgâzenȱ/ȱoderȱfrœlîcheȱgesâzen”ȱ(1572–74;ȱitȱwas theirȱlastȱmealȱthatȱtheyȱeverȱcouldȱeatȱorȱwhereȱtheyȱcouldȱsitȱcarefree).ȱAsȱso oftenȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱevenȱtheȱmealȱcarriedȱaȱdeeplyȱsymbolicȱmeaning,ȱhere reflectingȱuponȱtheȱtotalȱdisregardȱofȱallȱvirtuesȱandȱvalues.58ȱInȱtheȱnextȱscene suddenlyȱ theȱ judgeȱ withȱ fourȱ ofȱ hisȱ constablesȱ arrivesȱ andȱ arrestsȱ theȱ entire criminalȱ company,ȱ bringingȱ themȱ allȱ toȱ justice,ȱ anȱ actȱ whichȱ couldȱ easilyȱ be comparedȱtoȱChrist’sȱLastȱJudgmentȱ(1612–30).59 WeȱmightȱbeȱwellȱadvisedȱtoȱexamineȱtheȱlegalȬhistoricalȱgroundingȱofȱtheȱentire narrativeȱframework,ȱasȱPetraȱMenkeȱhasȱalreadyȱoutlinedȱinȱgreatȱdetail.60ȱButȱfor usȱitȱonlyȱmattersȱthatȱWernherȱreflectsȱuponȱtheȱwidespreadȱcriminalityȱinȱhis societyȱandȱpresentsȱtheȱextremeȱexampleȱofȱHelmbrechtȱasȱaȱdrasticȱwarning. Afterȱall,ȱeveryoneȱofȱhisȱaccomplicesȱmeetsȱhisȱdeath,ȱwhereasȱtheȱprotagonistȱis sparedȱhisȱlife,ȱthoughȱheȱlosesȱhisȱeyes,ȱtheȱrightȱhand,ȱandȱtheȱleftȱfoot.ȱHisȱsister Gotelintȱisȱshamedȱandȱmightȱwellȱhaveȱbeenȱrapedȱasȱaȱformȱofȱpunishment, althoughȱtheȱtextȱisȱnotȱallȱthatȱclearȱaboutȱit:ȱ“Gotelintȱverlôsȱirȱbriutegewant;ȱ/ȱbî einemȱzûneȱmanȱsieȱvantȱ/ȱinȱvilȱswacherȱküste.ȱ/ȱsiȱhêtȱirȱbeideȱbrüsteȱ/ȱmitȱhanden verdecket:ȱ/ȱsiȱwasȱunsanfteȱerschrecket”ȱ(1631–36;ȱGotelintȱlostȱherȱbridalȱgown. Oneȱcouldȱseeȱherȱstandingȱatȱaȱfenceȱinȱveryȱpoorȱshape.ȱSheȱcoveredȱbothȱher breastsȱwithȱtheȱhands:ȱSheȱwasȱcrudelyȱfrightened).ȱTheȱnarratorȱsubsequently wondersȱhimselfȱwhetherȱanythingȱworseȱmightȱhaveȱhappenedȱtoȱher,ȱbutȱhe

58

59

60

withȱSpecialȱReferenceȱtoȱMedievalȱEnglishȱLiterature.ȱMichiganȱStateȱCollegeȱofȱAgricultureȱand AppliedȱScience,ȱEastȱLansing.ȱStudiesȱinȱLanguageȱandȱLiteratureȱ([EastȱLansing,ȱMI:]ȱMichigan Stateȱ Collegeȱ Press,ȱ 1952);ȱ seeȱ nowȱ alsoȱ theȱ contributionsȱ toȱ Theȱ Sevenȱ Deadlyȱ Sins:ȱ From Communitiesȱ toȱ Individuals,ȱ ed.ȱ Richardȱ Newhauser.ȱ Studiesȱ inȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Reformation Traditions,ȱ123ȱ(LeidenȱandȱBosten:ȱBrill,ȱ2007). Trudeȱ Ehlert,ȱ “Zurȱ Semantisierungȱ vonȱ Essenȱ undȱ Trinkenȱ inȱ Wernhersȱ desȱ Gartenære ‘Helmbrecht’,”ȱZeitschriftȱfürȱdeutschesȱAltertumȱundȱdeutscheȱLiteraturȱ138.1ȱ(2009):ȱ1–16. Seelbach,ȱKommentar,ȱ188–89,ȱdiscussesȱtheȱentireȱsettingȱonlyȱinȱlegalȬhistoricalȱtermsȱandȱignores theȱmoralȬtheologicalȱdimension. Menke,ȱRechtȱundȱOrdoȬGedanke,ȱ170–74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ54)

156

AlbrechtȱClassen

refusesȱtoȱspecifyȱit,ȱprobablyȱbecauseȱheȱwantedȱtoȱintimateȱthatȱsheȱhadȱsuffered sexualȱviolationȱ(1637–38). ȱ Mostȱimportantly,ȱhowever,ȱWernherȱemphasizesȱthatȱnoȱcriminalȱwouldȱever haveȱ aȱ chanceȱ againstȱ judges,ȱ orȱ constables,ȱ sinceȱ theseȱ wereȱ God’sȱ own instruments,ȱwhoȱwouldȱneverȱtolerateȱanyȱcrimeȱtoȱcontinueȱforȱanȱextended period,ȱ“sôȱgotȱderȱrâcheȱwilȱselbeȱphlegen”ȱ(1650;ȱwhenȱGodȱwantsȱtoȱcarryȱout hisȱrevengeȱHimself).ȱHelmbrecht’sȱsufferingȱafterȱhisȱreleaseȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱbrutal, beingȱblind,ȱhavingȱlostȱtwoȱofȱhisȱmajorȱlimbs,ȱandȱfinallyȱheȱfallsȱintoȱtheȱhands ofȱhisȱformerȱvictimsȱwhoȱquicklyȱlynchȱhimȱbyȱhanging.ȱTragically,ȱinȱtheȱepisode beforeȱthat,ȱtheȱyoungȱcriminalȱtriesȱtoȱfindȱrefugeȱinȱhisȱfather’sȱfarm,ȱbutȱtheȱlaws ofȱtheȱlandȱprohibitȱthat,ȱasȱmuchȱasȱtheȱoldȱman’sȱheartȱthreatensȱtoȱbreakȱwith deepȱpainȱbecauseȱheȱhasȱtoȱrejectȱhisȱownȱsonȱ(1776).61ȱ Theȱ narrativeȱ concludesȱ withȱ someȱ finalȱ didacticȱ commentsȱ regardingȱ the exemplaryȱ natureȱ ofȱ thisȱ account.ȱ Wernherȱ clearlyȱ formulatesȱ hisȱ warningȱ to anyoneȱamongȱtheȱyoungȱgenerationȱwhoȱmightȱconsiderȱfollowingȱtheȱsameȱpath asȱ theȱ oneȱ whichȱ Helmbrechtȱ hadȱ chosen.ȱ Clearlyȱ reminiscentȱ ofȱ theȱ Fourth Commandment,ȱtheȱclosingȱremarksȱprofileȱtheȱhorribleȱconsequencesȱoneȱmore timeȱ andȱ signalȱ thatȱ thereȱ isȱ justice,ȱ thatȱ punishmentȱ willȱ followȱ suitȱ uponȱ a perpetration.ȱ Lookingȱ around,ȱ Wernherȱ observesȱ thatȱ violenceȱ andȱ highway robberyȱhaveȱcomeȱtoȱanȱendȱbecauseȱtheȱcriminalȱHelmbrechtȱhasȱbeenȱhanged (1919–22).ȱThisȱmightȱwellȱhaveȱbeenȱintendedȱasȱaȱdirectȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱprofound lamentȱ utteredȱ byȱ Waltherȱ vonȱ derȱ Vogelweideȱ regardingȱ theȱ insecurity everywhere,ȱ theȱ rampantȱ violence,ȱ andȱ theȱ endlessȱ crimeȱ thatȱ allȱ undermined peaceȱ andȱ theȱ loveȱ ofȱ God.ȱ Ifȱ anyoneȱ mightȱ considerȱ followingȱ Helmbrecht’s example,ȱheȱwouldȱsurelyȱexperience,ȱsoȱWernherȱcontends,ȱtheȱsameȱdestinyȱand endȱupȱonȱtheȱgallows:ȱ“siȱkomenȱouchȱdanneȱanȱdieȱwide”ȱ(1930;ȱtheyȱwillȱbe liftedȱupȱatȱtheȱwillowȱtree). Letȱ usȱ concludeȱ withȱ someȱ reflectionsȱ uponȱ theȱ similaritiesȱ andȱ differences betweenȱbothȱverseȱnarratives,ȱseparatedȱbyȱca.ȱeightyȱtoȱninetyȱyears,ȱtheȱolder oneȱcomposedȱinȱAlsaceȱ(thenȱinȱtheȱwesternȱpartsȱofȱtheȱGermanȱEmpire),ȱthe laterȱoneȱcreatedȱinȱtheȱareaȱofȱUpperȱAustriaȱ(territoryȱofȱtheȱHapsburgians,ȱinȱthe southeasternȱ parts).ȱ Bothȱ areȱ predicatedȱ onȱ theȱ realizationȱ thatȱ violenceȱ and criminalityȱhaveȱgainedȱtheȱupperȱhandȱinȱtheirȱsociety.ȱOnceȱrobbery,ȱmurder, andȱrapeȱhaveȱbecomeȱtheȱnormȱinȱeverydayȱlife,ȱallȱotherȱvaluesȱandȱidealsȱare seriouslyȱendangered.ȱViolenceȱandȱcrimeȱaffectȱeveryoneȱandȱare,ȱasȱbothȱauthors suggest,ȱtoȱbeȱregardedȱasȱaȱcancerȱthatȱkillsȱtheȱsocialȱbodyȱaltogether.ȱButȱthere areȱ alsoȱ significantȱ differences.ȱ Whileȱ Heinrichȱ espousedȱ aȱ mostȱ pessimistic

61

WernerȱSchröder,ȱ“ZurȱTragikȱdesȱVatersȱimȱ‘Helmbrecht’ȱWernhersȱdesȱGärtners,”ȱJahrbuchȱfür internationaleȱGermanistikȱ34.2ȱ(2002):ȱ183–205.

ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱHelmbrecht

157

outlookȱandȱexpressedȱaȱcynicalȱopinionȱregardingȱtheȱneededȱhelpȱfromȱtheȱking, orȱanyȱotherȱauthorityȱfigure,ȱWernherȱdescribedȱtheȱoutbreakȱofȱviolenceȱonlyȱas aȱtemporaryȱphenomenonȱthatȱcanȱbeȱcontainedȱandȱovercomeȱinȱtheȱendȱbecause aȱlegalȱsystemȱisȱinȱplaceȱwithȱsufficientȱenergy,ȱpower,ȱandȱauthorityȱtoȱenforce theȱlaws.ȱ Nevertheless,ȱheȱalsoȱrecognizedȱtheȱenormousȱpainȱandȱsufferingȱthatȱaffected everyoneȱ inȱ theȱ peasantȱ communitiesȱ whereȱ theȱ robberȱ knightsȱ ravagedȱ and looted.ȱButȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱHeinrich,ȱtheȱAustrianȱauthorȱbelievesȱinȱtheȱauthority figures,ȱheȱtrustsȱinȱtheȱpowerȱofȱtheȱjudges,ȱandȱisȱconfidentȱthatȱGodȱwillȱcome toȱtheȱhelpȱofȱallȱHisȱpeople,ȱespeciallyȱinȱsuchȱtimesȱofȱsuffering.62ȱTheȱAlsatian writerȱexpressesȱnoȱinterestȱinȱtheȱChurchȱandȱdemonstratesȱnoȱconfidenceȱinȱthe clergy,ȱespeciallyȱbecauseȱtheyȱproveȱtoȱbeȱpartȱofȱtheȱcriminalȱsystemȱandȱareȱjust asȱcorruptȱasȱeveryoneȱelse.ȱ Onȱ theȱ otherȱ hand,ȱ weȱ haveȱ toȱ beȱ carefulȱ inȱ ourȱ assessmentȱ ofȱ theȱ literary strategiesȱpursuedȱbyȱbothȱauthors.ȱBothȱclearlyȱopposedȱviolenceȱandȱcriminality, butȱwhereasȱtheȱoneȱperceivedȱtheȱfoxȱasȱanȱindefatigableȱforceȱbecauseȱofȱhis absoluteȱruthlessnessȱandȱlackȱofȱconscience,ȱtheȱotherȱutilizedȱhisȱtaleȱasȱaȱdidactic instrumentȱtoȱpreventȱtheȱfutureȱgenerationȱfromȱgettingȱtrappedȱinȱthatȱkindȱof mindȬsetȱ andȱ behavioralȱ patterns.ȱ Weȱ couldȱ almostȱ characterizeȱ Helmbrechtȱ as pedagogicallyȱmotivated,ȱwhereasȱReinhardȱFuchsȱemergesȱasȱaȱpieceȱofȱpolitical reflection,ȱdiscountingȱorȱquestioningȱanyȱexistingȱauthorityȱandȱventingȱaȱdeepȬ seatedȱ mistrustȱ inȱ anyȱ pretenseȱ orȱ illusionsȱ byȱ theȱ representativesȱ ofȱ theȱ legal system.ȱDespiteȱallȱtheȱdifferences,ȱhowever,ȱweȱsuddenlyȱgraspȱaȱmajorȱdiscourse onȱ theȱ effectivenessȱ ofȱ theȱ laws,ȱ theȱ courts,ȱ andȱ theȱ enforcementȱ officers (constables,ȱlawyers,ȱetc.)ȱthatȱragedȱduringȱtheȱtwelfthȱandȱthirteenthȱcenturies. ForȱWernherȱtheȱfeudalȱordoȱwasȱstill,ȱorȱratherȱagain,ȱtheȱsupremeȱidealȱthatȱhad toȱbeȱprotectedȱatȱallȱcosts,ȱespeciallyȱbecauseȱhisȱprotagonistȱevenȱtransgressed againstȱ theȱ ruleȱ ofȱ peaceȱ andȱ theȱ lawsȱ ofȱ theȱ land.63ȱ Forȱ theȱ cynicȱ Heinrich criminalityȱ hasȱ alreadyȱ takenȱ overȱ allȱ controls,ȱ hasȱ permeatedȱ allȱ echelonsȱ of society,ȱandȱevenȱtheȱbestȱcourtiersȱandȱlawyersȱhaveȱlostȱallȱchancesȱtoȱdefend justiceȱ andȱ peaceȱ againstȱ thoseȱ brutalȱ andȱ recklessȱ perpetratorsȱ amongstȱ their ranks.ȱInȱReinhardȱFuchsȱevenȱtheȱking,ȱtheȱlastȱbeaconȱofȱhopeȱinȱaȱseaȱofȱviolence andȱ corruption,ȱ succumbsȱ toȱ theȱ fox’sȱ everȱ changingȱ trickery,ȱ cunning,ȱ and deceptionȱbecauseȱheȱdisplaysȱaȱweakȱcharacterȱandȱaȱtendencyȱtowardȱtyranny. Inȱ Helmbrecht,ȱ onȱ theȱ otherȱ hand,ȱ theȱ judgeȱ finallyȱ appears,ȱ theȱ criminalsȱ are apprehended,ȱ judgmentsȱ areȱ metedȱ out,ȱ andȱ violenceȱ comesȱ toȱ anȱ end,ȱ even 62

63

CorneliaȱWilhelmȬGraf,ȱ“RichterȱundȱGerichteȱimȱHelmbrecht,”ȱRechtȱundȱJuristenȱimȱBildȱder Literatur,ȱed.ȱHermannȱWeberȱ(Berlin:ȱWissenschaftlicherȱVerlag,ȱ2005),ȱ1–7. HannesȱKästner,ȱ“‘Frideȱundȱreht’ȱimȱ‘Helmbrecht’:ȱWernhersȱmæreȱimȱKontextȱzeitgenössischer franziskanischerȱGesellschaftsȬȱundȱOrdnungsvorstellungen,”ȱWernherȱderȱGärtner:ȱ‘Helmbrecht’, 25–43;ȱhereȱ37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ56).

158

AlbrechtȱClassen

thoughȱtheȱpeasantsȱultimatelyȱhaveȱtoȱresortȱtoȱvengeanceȱtoȱdealȱwithȱtheȱyoung erstwhileȱrobberȱknightȱtheȱwayȱheȱdeserves,ȱatȱleastȱinȱtheirȱopinion.ȱ ContemporaryȱauthorsȱsuchȱasȱtheȱAngloȬNormanȱwriterȱMarieȱdeȱFranceȱand Middleȱ Highȱ Germanȱ Theȱ Strickerȱ alsoȱ voicedȱ theirȱ fearȱ ofȱ rampantȱ violence, especiallyȱ ifȱ originatingȱ fromȱ theȱ kingȱ himself.64ȱ Probingȱ theȱ issueȱ further,ȱ we wouldȱhaveȱnoȱdifficultiesȱdetectingȱmanyȱotherȱliteraryȱexamplesȱconcerningȱthe discourseȱonȱcriminality.ȱThisȱdoesȱnot,ȱhowever,ȱmakeȱtheȱworldȱofȱtheȱtwelfth andȱ thirteenthȱ centuriesȱ theȱ ‘darkȱ ages.’ȱ Onȱ theȱ contrary,ȱ theȱ moreȱ individual writersȱ cameȱ toȱ termsȱ withȱ theseȱ fundamentalȱ conflictsȱ andȱ pervasive perpetrationsȱ ofȱ violence,ȱ theȱ moreȱ theirȱ literaryȱ documentsȱ servedȱ asȱ critical mediaȱtoȱreflectȱonȱviolenceȱandȱinvitedȱtheȱaudienceȱtoȱtakeȱchargeȱagainstȱthe criminalsȱandȱtoȱfendȱoffȱtheȱbreakersȱofȱtheȱlaw.ȱ Despiteȱ Heinrich’sȱ almostȱ devastatingȱ cynicism,ȱ leavingȱ noȱ realȱ hopeȱ for recoveryȱofȱjusticeȱandȱtheȱfairȱdistributionȱofȱpower,ȱhisȱfableȱnarrativeȱReinhard Fuchsȱ alsoȱ addedȱ toȱ thatȱ discourseȱ andȱ encouragedȱ theȱ audienceȱ toȱ oppose criminalȱtransgressors,ȱtoȱfightȱagainstȱcorruption,ȱtoȱsecureȱaȱbetterȱlegalȱsystem, andȱtoȱkeepȱaȱwatchfulȱeyeȱonȱtheirȱpolitical,ȱmilitary,ȱandȱreligiousȱleaders.ȱThe negativeȱexamplesȱprovidedȱbyȱHeinrichȱwereȱterrifyingȱenoughȱtoȱmakeȱpeople springȱtoȱaction.ȱAsȱpolemicalȱasȱhisȱfableȱaccountȱmightȱbe,ȱpursuingȱaȱstrongly antiȬHohenstaufenȱagenda,ȱitȱisȱdeterminedȱbyȱglobalȱmessagesȱaboutȱtheȱdangers ofȱ theȱ fallȬoutȱ fromȱ uncontrolledȱ violenceȱ andȱ abuseȱ ofȱ theȱ politicalȱ system. Althoughȱcrimeȱhereȱseemsȱtoȱpayȱoff,ȱtheȱtextȱactuallyȱexpressesȱhopeȱthatȱpeople willȱstandȱupȱandȱdefendȱthemselvesȱinȱtimeȱagainstȱtheȱdownfallȱofȱtheirȱworld. Theȱhorrorȱconveyedȱhereȱwasȱsupposedȱtoȱringȱanȱalarmȱbell,ȱandȱtheȱoutcome ofȱHeinrich’sȱaccountȱcertainlyȱprovesȱhisȱpoint.65

64

65

Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ “Theȱ Peopleȱ Riseȱ Upȱ againstȱ theȱ Tyrantsȱ inȱ theȱ Courtlyȱ World:ȱ Johnȱ of Salisbury’sȱ Policraticus,ȱ theȱ Fablesȱ byȱ Marieȱ deȱ Franceȱ andȱ theȱ anonymousȱ Maiȱ undȱ Beaflor,” Neoheliconȱ35.1ȱ(2008):ȱ17–29. Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ144–59ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7),ȱrightlyȱalertsȱusȱtoȱtheȱdangerȱofȱcorrelating tooȱcloselyȱaȱliteraryȱaccountȱaboutȱaȱcrimeȱorȱaȱcriminalȱwithȱaȱhistoricalȱcase.ȱNevertheless, literaryȱexamplesȱaboutȱcriminalȱbehaviorȱresonateȱwithȱtheȱaudienceȱorȱserveȱasȱaȱmirrorȱof criminalȱcases,ȱorȱasȱwarningsȱaboutȱtheȱominousȱthreatsȱresultingȱfromȱuncontrolled,ȱbrutal violence.

Chapterȱ7 JohnȱP.ȱGough (NewȱYorkȱUniversity)ȱ

TheȱFunctionȱofȱProjectedȱPain:ȱTheȱPoetryȱofȱ FrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf1

Inȱ theȱ workȱ ofȱ theȱ lateȱ fifteenthȬcenturyȱ Frenchȱ poetȱ Françoisȱ Villon,ȱ pain manifestsȱitselfȱunderȱvariousȱguisesȱandȱforms.ȱToȱreadȱandȱdrawȱaȱthreadȱfrom oneȱinstanceȱofȱpainȱtoȱanotherȱinȱtheȱpoemsȱisȱdifficult;ȱeachȱinstanceȱstandsȱalone whileȱretainingȱanȱinherentlyȱphysicalȱsubstantiveȱrelationȱtoȱtheȱwhole.ȱToȱwhat endȱdoesȱVillonȱincludeȱtheȱvariousȱinstancesȱofȱpain,ȱpunishmentȱandȱtorture? Whatȱpurposeȱdoȱtheyȱserveȱinȱtheȱbroaderȱframeworkȱofȱtheȱpoems?ȱItȱwillȱbe arguedȱhereȱthatȱVillonȱusesȱpainȱandȱsufferingȱtoȱelucidateȱtheȱcontrast,ȱtransition, andȱ relationshipȱ betweenȱ lifeȱ andȱ death,ȱ toȱ exploreȱ theȱ destructiveȱ and reconstructiveȱnatureȱofȱpain,ȱandȱtoȱtransmitȱaȱfundamentallyȱinaccessibleȱpart ofȱ selfȱ throughȱ actsȱ ofȱ painȱ willedȱ orȱ gifted.ȱ ȱ Toȱ illustrateȱ thisȱ argument,ȱ the followingȱ isȱ anȱ examinationȱ ofȱ threeȱ aspectsȱ ofȱ Villon’sȱ poetry:ȱ theȱ Balladeȱ des pendus,ȱ theȱ prisonȱ atȱ Meung,ȱ andȱ finallyȱ painȱ asȱ itȱ isȱ furtherȱ manifestȱ inȱ the Testament.ȱThisȱwillȱbeȱprefacedȱby:ȱaȱshortȱdiscussionȱofȱVillonȱandȱhisȱauthorship ofȱ theȱ poems,ȱ painȱ andȱ itsȱ definition,ȱ andȱ aȱ briefȱ portraitȱ ofȱ pain,ȱ death,ȱ and punishmentȱinȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱParis.ȱ Beforeȱweȱturnȱtoȱourȱprincipalȱtopic,ȱitȱisȱnecessaryȱthatȱweȱclarifyȱsomeȱpoints ofȱscholarlyȱdisputeȱasȱtoȱtheȱautobiographicalȱnatureȱofȱtheȱcorpusȱofȱVillon’s work.ȱThereȱisȱaȱlengthyȱandȱcontinuedȱdebateȱsurroundingȱVillonȱpertainingȱto theȱactualȱidentityȱofȱ‘Villonȱtheȱauthor’ȱasȱopposedȱtoȱ‘Villonȱtheȱcharacter.’ȱLittle

1

Iȱ wouldȱ likeȱ toȱ expressȱ myȱ appreciationȱ toȱ Connieȱ Scarborough,ȱ Texasȱ Techȱ University,ȱ and AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱUniversityȱofȱArizona,ȱforȱhavingȱreadȱandȱeditedȱthisȱarticle.ȱAlso,ȱmyȱthanks toȱEvelynȱBirgeȱVitzȱandȱNancyȱFreemanȱRegalado,ȱNewȱYorkȱUniversity,ȱforȱtheirȱinvaluableȱand continuedȱsupportȱinȱtheȱrealizationȱofȱthisȱproject.ȱFinally,ȱmyȱgratitudeȱtoȱaȱlovingȱfamilyȱand beautifulȱwife,ȱTanya.

160

JohnȱP.ȱGough

isȱknownȱaboutȱtheȱmanȱwhoȱsignsȱhisȱnameȱFrançoisȱVillon;ȱtimeȱandȱlossȱofȱclear historicalȱdataȱhaveȱobscuredȱhisȱtrueȱidentity.ȱTheoriesȱrangeȱwidelyȱandȱhave investedȱtheȱnameȱ‘Villon’ȱwithȱaȱsenseȱofȱmystiqueȱandȱtoȱsomeȱdegreeȱanȱalmost cavalierȱqualityȱreminiscentȱofȱsomethingȱoneȱmightȱexpectȱfromȱaȱRobinȱHood.ȱ TheȱtrueȱidentityȱofȱVillonȱwillȱnotȱconcernȱusȱhere.ȱWhatȱfollowsȱwillȱnotȱdepend onȱtheȱaccuracyȱofȱanȱautobiographicalȱinterpretation,ȱbutȱwillȱratherȱfocusȱonȱthe poetryȱitself.ȱWhatȱisȱimportantȱtoȱunderstandȱbeforeȱproceedingȱisȱthatȱthereȱwas anȱauthorȱwhoȱcalledȱhimselfȱVillonȱwhoȱdevelopedȱthisȱ‘Villon’ȱintoȱtheȱcharacter thatȱweȱencounterȱthroughȱhisȱworks.ȱWeȱcanȱbeȱcertainȱthatȱtheȱauthorȱwasȱvery familiarȱ withȱ theȱ Parisȱ ofȱ theȱ fifteenthȬcentury,ȱ andȱ thatȱ thisȱ Parisȱ servedȱ asȱ a sourceȱofȱinspirationȱandȱasȱaȱplatformȱforȱhisȱpoems.ȱAutobiographicalȱorȱnot,ȱthe poemsȱ areȱ stillȱ deliberatelyȱ constructedȱ andȱ intentionallyȱ organizedȱ intoȱ a narrative,ȱrecountingȱeventsȱinȱtheȱlifeȱofȱthisȱ‘Villon.’ȱ Theȱdefinitionȱofȱpainȱasȱitȱwillȱbeȱusedȱinȱthisȱarticleȱincludes:ȱaffliction,ȱagony, anguish,ȱfear,ȱhumiliation,ȱhurt,ȱinjury,ȱpunishment,ȱsorrow,ȱandȱsuffering.ȱPain isȱanyȱnegativeȱaction,ȱemotion,ȱorȱsensationȱthatȱisȱimposedȱeitherȱvoluntarily,ȱor involuntaryȱ uponȱ anyȱ particularȱ individualȱ orȱ groupȱ ofȱ individualsȱ byȱ forces interiorȱorȱexterior,ȱwhichȱareȱoftenȱbeyondȱtheȱcapabilityȱofȱthoseȱexperiencing themȱtoȱcontrol.ȱȱPainȱisȱmostȱfrequentlyȱsomethingȱinflictedȱandȱwhichȱisȱendured. Granted,ȱthisȱisȱaȱbroadȱdefinition,ȱbutȱaȱdefinitionȱnonethelessȱthatȱwillȱprovide usȱwithȱtheȱnecessaryȱlatitudeȱtoȱexploreȱtheȱvariousȱtypesȱandȱinstancesȱofȱpain inȱtheȱworksȱofȱVillon.2ȱTheȱinabilityȱtoȱcontrolȱpersonalȱpain—painȱenduredȱby theȱindividual—willȱbeȱofȱparticularȱinterestȱtoȱusȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱtransformation whichȱoccursȱfromȱaȱpreȬȱtoȱpostȬpainȱstate. WhenȱoneȱthinksȱofȱpainȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱitȱisȱdifficultȱtoȱdisassociateȱthe notionsȱofȱdeath,ȱdisease,ȱandȱpunishment,ȱfromȱtheȱword.ȱOnlyȱseveralȱdecades afterȱtheȱconflictȱthatȱlaterȱcameȱtoȱbeȱknownȱasȱtheȱHundredȱYearsȱWar,ȱVillon wasȱ writingȱ inȱ aȱ timeȱ whenȱ manifestationsȱ ofȱ painȱ wereȱ veryȱ realȱ andȱ quite frequentlyȱacutelyȱpresentȱinȱeverydayȱlife.ȱȱHavingȱstatedȱthatȱParisȱservedȱasȱa backdropȱtoȱtheȱpoems,ȱletȱusȱexploreȱtheȱParisȱofȱtheȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱbyȱlooking atȱaȱsingularȱformȱofȱpunishmentȱknownȱasȱgibbetingȱ(orȱhanging)ȱwhichȱwillȱthen leadȱusȱtoȱoneȱofȱourȱprincipleȱpointsȱofȱinterest:ȱtheȱBalladeȱdesȱpendus.ȱ

2

ThisȱisȱnotȱaȱdefinitionȱofȱpainȱasȱitȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱunderstoodȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȬcentury,ȱbut ratherȱaȱdefinitionȱofȱtheȱwordȱasȱitȱwillȱbeȱusedȱinȱthisȱarticle.ȱForȱfurtherȱscholarshipȱonȱpainȱin theȱMiddleȱAges,ȱseeȱScottȱE.ȱPincikowski,ȱBodiesȱofȱPain:ȱSufferingȱinȱtheȱWorksȱofȱHartmannȱvon Aue.ȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱHistoryȱandȱCultureȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱLondon:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2002);ȱcf.ȱalso theȱcontributionsȱtoȱPiacereȱeȱdolore:ȱmaterialiȱperȱunaȱstoriaȱdelleȱpassioniȱnelȱMedioevo,ȱed.ȱCarla CasagrandeȱandȱSilvanaȱVecchio.ȱMicrologus’ȱLibrary,ȱ29ȱ(Florence:ȱSISMEL,ȱEd.ȱdelȱGalluzzo, 2009);ȱSchmerzȱinȱderȱLiteraturȱdesȱMittelaltersȱundȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeit,ȱed.ȱHansȬJochenȱSchiewer, StefanȱSeeber,ȱandȱMarkusȱStock.ȱTransatlantischeȱStudienȱzuȱMittelalterȱundȱFrüherȱNeuzeit,ȱ4ȱ (Göttingen:ȱVȱ&ȱRȱUnipress,ȱ2010).

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

161

Theȱ practiceȱ ofȱ gibbetingȱ wasȱ wellȱ establishedȱ inȱ theȱ Parisȱ ofȱ theȱ fifteenthȬ century.ȱThis,ȱalongȱwithȱotherȱformsȱofȱexecution,ȱwasȱdesignedȱtoȱdeterȱcriminal activity.ȱDeathȱbyȱhangingȱwasȱaȱpublicȱspectacleȱandȱanȱexceptionallyȱenduring oneȱatȱthat,ȱasȱtheȱcorpsesȱofȱtheȱmalefactorsȱwereȱgenerallyȱleftȱhangingȱonȱdisplay untilȱdecompositionȱhadȱrunȱitsȱcourse,ȱreducingȱtheȱbodiesȱtoȱbone.ȱHanging victimsȱ wereȱ notȱ theȱ onlyȱ bodiesȱ displayedȱ duringȱ thisȱ period,ȱ inȱ factȱ most executionsȱwereȱpublicȱwithȱtheȱremainsȱofȱtheȱexecutedȱexhibitedȱthroughoutȱthe city,ȱeitherȱatȱtheȱplaceȱofȱexecution,ȱorȱnearȱtheȱplaceȱwhereȱtheȱinitialȱcriminalȱact hadȱbeenȱcarriedȱout.ȱBecauseȱofȱthis,ȱtheȱParisȱofȱVillonȱcouldȱhaveȱhadȱatȱany givenȱtimeȱanyȱnumberȱofȱcorpsesȱatȱvariousȱstagesȱofȱdecompositionȱpublicly placedȱ inȱ theȱ squaresȱ andȱ quartiersȱ ofȱ theȱ city.ȱ Theȱ enduringȱ natureȱ ofȱ public displayȱ afterȱ executionȱ extendedȱ theȱ punishmentȱ beyondȱ theȱ initiallyȱ painful momentsȱofȱdeathȱtoȱtheȱindignityȱofȱpublicȱdecomposition.ȱTheȱdeadȱliterally coexistedȱwithȱtheȱlivingȱinȱanȱimmediateȱandȱdirectȱsense.ȱThisȱdirectnessȱcould onlyȱ haveȱ beenȱ forȱ theȱ benefitȱ ofȱ theȱ living;ȱ theȱ deadȱ beingȱ beyondȱ feeling.3 However,ȱtheȱlivingȱwouldȱbeȱremindedȱofȱtheȱpainfulȱdeathȱactȱeachȱtimeȱthey passedȱtheȱputridȱexemplarsȱofȱtheȱParisianȱcriminalȱjusticeȱsystem.ȱThisȱpainȱwas notȱtheȱpainȱofȱdirectȱexperience,ȱhowever,ȱbutȱsympatheticȱpainȱasȱexperienced byȱ theȱ spectator.ȱ Thoughȱ theȱ spectatorȱ doesȱ notȱ feelȱ pain,ȱ theȱ imaginedȱ and inherentȱpainȱasȱexercisedȱthroughȱtheȱbodyȱofȱanotherȱcouldȱhaveȱexertedȱjustȱas powerfulȱ (ifȱ notȱ greater)ȱ anȱ effectȱ asȱ havingȱ experiencedȱ theȱ actualȱ deathȱ act oneself. Inȱ1893,ȱAlbertȱHartshorneȱpublishedȱaȱworkȱentitledȱHangingȱinȱChains.ȱHisȱtext providesȱanȱexcellentȱstudyȱofȱtheȱpracticeȱandȱhistoryȱofȱgibbetingȱinȱEurope. Hartshorne’sȱdescriptionȱofȱthisȱmethodȱofȱexecutionȱinȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱParisȱis rivetingȱandȱinformative,ȱjustifyingȱitsȱreproductionȱhere:ȱ Itȱ isȱ certainȱ thatȱ thereȱ wasȱ alreadyȱ atȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ twelfthȱ centuryȱ aȱ great monumentalȱ gibbetȱ onȱ theȱ eminenceȱ ofȱ Montfaucon,ȱ betweenȱ theȱ faubourgsȱ ofȱ St. MartinȱandȱtheȱTemple,ȱinȱParis.ȱSauvalȱgivesȱaȱremarkableȱdescriptionȱofȱitȱasȱatȱthat period,ȱ and,ȱ althoughȱ heȱ doesȱ notȱ giveȱ hisȱ authoritiesȱ quiteȱ inȱ theȱ wayȱ English antiquariesȱmightȱwish,ȱthereȱcanȱbeȱnoȱdoubt,ȱfromȱtheȱdocumentsȱofȱtheȱthirteenth century,ȱthatȱtheȱmonumentȱwasȱasȱSauvalȱdescribesȱit.ȱȱItȱunderwentȱextensiveȱrepairs, ifȱnotȱpartialȱreȬbuildingȱinȱ1425,ȱwhenȱfortyȬeightȱoldȱbeamsȱwereȱreplacedȱbyȱnew ones.ȱItȱisȱalsoȱrecordedȱthatȱinȱ1466ȱ“atȱtheȱGreatȱJusticeȱofȱParisȱwereȱattachedȱand nailedȱfiftyȬtwoȱironȱchainsȱtoȱhangȱandȱstrangleȱtheȱmalefactorsȱwhoȱhaveȱbeenȱand shallȱbeȱsentȱhereȱbyȱorderȱofȱjustice.”ȱEightȱnewȱladdersȱwereȱsubsequentlyȱadded, andȱallȱtheseȱdetailsȱareȱcorroboratedȱbyȱaȱrepresentationȱinȱanȱoldȱtapestryȱatȱtheȱHotel deȱVilleȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱfourth,ȱorȱopenȱside,ȱallowedȱaccessȱtoȱtheȱinteriorȱbyȱaȱbroadȱflightȱof

3

HenriettaȱBenveniste,ȱ“DeadȱBody,ȱPublicȱBody:ȱNotesȱonȱDeathȱbyȱExecutionȱinȱtheȱMiddle Ages,”ȱLawȱandȱCritiqueȱ4.1ȱ(1993):ȱ21–42;ȱhereȱ26.

162

JohnȱP.ȱGough stepsȱleadingȱtoȱaȱwideȱplatformȱonȱwhatȱmayȱbeȱcalledȱtheȱfirstȱfloor,ȱrunningȱround theȱ sidesȱ ofȱ theȱ interior.ȱ Uponȱ thisȱ platformȱ theȱ executioner,ȱ withȱ hisȱ laddersȱ and assistants,ȱperformedȱhisȱoffice.ȱ Thisȱarrangementȱenabledȱtheȱdesignerȱofȱtheȱbuildingȱtoȱformȱaȱvaultȱinȱtheȱcenter, lightedȱbyȱaȱsmallȱloop.ȱItȱhadȱanȱentrance,ȱorȱ“eye,”ȱinȱtheȱcrown,ȱatȱtheȱcrossingȱofȱthe ribs,ȱthroughȱwhichȱwereȱsweptȱfromȱtimeȱtoȱtimeȱtheȱbonesȱandȱfragmentsȱthatȱfell fromȱabove,ȱtheȱossuarium,ȱorȱcharnelȬhouse,ȱbeingȱclearedȱout,ȱasȱnecessityȱdictated, throughȱaȱdoorwayȱlevelȱwithȱtheȱoutsideȱgroundȱonȱtheȱfurtherȱorȱsinisterȱsideȱofȱthe building.ȱItȱmustȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱthingȱquiteȱuniqueȱinȱtheȱworld,ȱsomewhatȱrecallingȱthe TowersȱofȱSilenceȱofȱtheȱParsees.ȱ Theȱmodeȱofȱoperationȱwasȱasȱfollows:ȱ Theȱexecutioner,ȱinȱhisȱrayedȱandȱpartyȬcoloredȱhabitȱofȱredȱandȱyellow,ȱmountedȱthe ladder,ȱplacedȱoppositeȱaȱconvenientȱspace,ȱbackwards,ȱholdingȱinȱhisȱhandȱtheȱslack endsȱ ofȱ theȱ threeȱ cordsȱ placedȱ roundȱ theȱ culprit’sȱ neck;ȱ twoȱ ofȱ theȱ cords,ȱ “les totouses,”ȱhadȱslipȬknots.ȱTheȱwretchȱunderȱtreatmentȱwasȱencouragedȱtoȱfollowȱ“le maistreȱ desȱ haultesȱ oeuvres,”ȱ drivenȱ upȱ afterȱ him—noȱ doubtȱ withȱ blowsȱ and execrations,ȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱGallicȱfashion—andȱdrawnȱforwardȱbyȱmeansȱofȱaȱthird cord,ȱ“leȱjet.”ȱArrivedȱatȱtheȱproperȱheight,ȱtheȱoperator,ȱtheȱmediaevalȱ“Monseiurȱde Paris,”ȱrapidlyȱattachedȱtheȱ“tortouses”ȱtoȱtheȱgallows,ȱorȱchainȱpendentȱfromȱit,ȱand, twistingȱtheȱ“jet”ȱfirmlyȱroundȱhisȱarm,ȱbyȱmeansȱofȱthis,ȱandȱtheȱactionȱofȱhisȱknee, threwȱtheȱculpritȱoffȱtheȱladderȱintoȱmidȬair;ȱtheȱknotsȱofȱtheȱ“tortouses”ȱranȱhome,ȱand theȱmanȱwasȱstrangled.ȱTheȱexecutionerȱthenȱgrippedȱtheȱcrossbeam,ȱand,ȱplacingȱhis feetȱinȱtheȱloopȱformedȱbyȱtheȱboundȱhandsȱofȱtheȱpatient,ȱbyȱdintȱofȱrepeatedȱvigorous shocksȱterminatedȱhisȱsufferings. Itȱmayȱnotȱbeȱquestionedȱthatȱdeathȱunderȱtheȱcircumstancesȱandȱtheȱcomplicated conditionsȱaboveȱdescribedȱcannotȱhaveȱbeenȱotherȱthanȱaȱveryȱshockingȱspectacle,ȱand particularlyȱ whenȱ itȱ isȱ noticedȱ fromȱ theȱ arrangementȱ ofȱ theȱ chainsȱ thatȱ manyȱ a malefactorȱmayȱinȱhisȱagonyȱhaveȱbrokenȱlooseȱfromȱhisȱbonds,ȱandȱclutchedȱand grappledȱinȱhisȱlastȱmomentsȱwithȱaȱdecayingȱcarcassȱatȱhisȱside.ȱ WeȱcanȱgatherȱaȱfurtherȱideaȱofȱtheȱstrangeȱandȱdismalȱappearanceȱofȱtheȱGibbetȱof Montfaucon,ȱifȱweȱconsiderȱthatȱtheȱquantityȱofȱbodiesȱattachedȱtoȱit,ȱandȱceaselessly renewed,ȱattractedȱthousandsȱofȱcarrionȱbirdsȱtoȱtheȱspot.ȱButȱthatȱitsȱhideousȱaspect ofȱpestilentialȱsurroundingsȱpreventedȱnotȱtheȱestablishment,ȱinȱitsȱimmediateȱvicinity, ofȱplacesȱofȱamusementȱandȱdebauch,ȱoneȱwouldȱalmostȱhaveȱbeenȱslowȱtoȱbelieve wereȱitȱnotȱforȱtheȱtestimonyȱofȱancientȱpoetry:ȱ Pourȱpasserȱtempsȱjoyeuesement, Raconterȱvueilȱuneȱrepeue Quiȱfutȱfaicteȱsubtillement PrèsȱMontfaulcon,ȱc’estȱchoseȱsceüe, Tantȱparlèrentȱduȱbasȱmestier, Quiȱfutȱconclud,ȱparȱleurȱfaçon, Qu’ilsȱyroyent,ȱceȱsoirȬlà,ȱcoucher

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

163

PrèsȱleȱgibetȱdeȱMontfaulcon, Etȱauroyentȱpourȱprovision, Ungȱpastéȱdeȱfaçonȱsubtile, Etȱȱmenroyent,ȱenȱconclusion, Avecȱeulxȱchascunȱuneȱfille.”4ȱ [Toȱpassȱtheȱtimeȱmerrily, Iȱwishȱtoȱtellȱyouȱofȱaȱmeal Whichȱwasȱsubtlyȱhad NearȱMontfaulcon,ȱ‘tisȱwellȱknown, Muchȱbespokeȱofȱtheȱlowȱlivelihood, Whichȱwasȱconducted,ȱbyȱtheirȱfashion, Theyȱwent,ȱthatȱnight,ȱtoȱlie NearȱtheȱgibbetȱofȱMontfaulcon, Andȱhadȱforȱprovision, Aȱpastryȱofȱsubtleȱfashion, Andȱbrought,ȱinȱtheȱend, Withȱthemȱeachȱoneȱaȱgirl.]

Hartshorneȱ continuesȱ byȱ attributingȱ theȱ aboveȱ poemȱ toȱ Villonȱ himself,ȱ while modernȱ scholarshipȱ hasȱ notȱ acceptedȱ itȱ asȱ partȱ ofȱ theȱ œuvreȱ thatȱ canȱ be authenticatedȱasȱhavingȱbeenȱtrulyȱcomposedȱbyȱthatȱpoet.ȱWhetherȱthisȱbeȱthe caseȱ orȱ not,ȱ itȱ isȱ clearȱ thatȱ Villonȱ wouldȱ haveȱ beenȱ familiarȱ withȱ theȱ gibbetȱ at Montfaucon.ȱ Itȱ isȱ anȱ intriguingȱ prospectȱ toȱ visualizeȱ Montfauconȱ inȱ theȱ midȬ fifteenthȬcentury;ȱtheȱdeadȱhangingȱasȱwatchmenȱoverȱtheȱplacesȱofȱamusement andȱdebauch;ȱitȱseemsȱaȱfittingȱambianceȱforȱmuchȱofȱwhatȱVillonȱdepictsȱinȱthe LaisȱandȱagainȱlaterȱinȱtheȱTestament.ȱ WithȱthisȱvisionȱofȱParisȱandȱthisȱformȱofȱexecutionȱfreshlyȱimprintedȱonȱour minds,ȱletȱusȱnowȱturnȱourȱattentionȱtoȱtheȱBalladeȱdesȱpendus.ȱPerhapsȱtheȱmost conventionalȱuseȱofȱpainȱisȱfoundȱinȱthisȱballad,ȱcombiningȱseveralȱformsȱofȱpain: physical,ȱpsychological,ȱandȱemotional,ȱtoȱcreateȱaȱwrenchingȱentreatyȱfromȱthe deadȱtoȱtheȱliving,ȱillustratingȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱlifeȱandȱdeathȱinȱaȱmoving mementoȱ mori.ȱ Theȱ centralȱ subjectsȱ areȱ presumablyȱ criminals,ȱ strungȱ upȱ as cautionaryȱsentinelsȱtoȱwarnȱtheȱpasserȱby:ȱ“Vousȱnousȱvoiezȱcyȱattachés,ȱcinq,ȱsix” (“Youȱseeȱusȱhereȱattached,ȱfive,ȱsix”).ȱVillonȱgraphicallyȱdescribesȱtheȱprocessȱof decompositionȱandȱdecayȱinȱtheȱcorpsesȱofȱtheȱhangedȱmenȱbyȱreferringȱtoȱthe flesh:ȱ

4

Theȱentireȱpassage,ȱincludingȱtheȱverses,ȱisȱcopiedȱfromȱAlbertȱHartshorne,ȱHangingȱinȱChains (NewȱYork:ȱTheȱCastleȱPublishingȱCompany,ȱ1893),ȱ32–38.ȱTheȱtranslationsȱareȱallȱmyȱown,ȱbut seeȱnowȱalsoȱFrançoisȱVillon,ȱCompleteȱPoems,ȱed.ȱwithȱEnglishȱtrans.ȱandȱcommentaryȱbyȱBarbara N.ȱSargentȬBaur.ȱTorontoȱMedievalȱTextsȱandȱTranslations,ȱ9ȱ(Toronto,ȱBuffalo,ȱandȱLondon: UniversityȱofȱTorontoȱPress,ȱ1994).

164

JohnȱP.ȱGough Quantȱdeȱlaȱchairȱqueȱtropȱavonsȱnourrie, Elleȱestȱpieçaȱdevoreeȱetȱpourrie, Etȱnous,ȱlesȱos,ȱdevenonsȱcendreȱetȱpouldreȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.5 [Asȱforȱtheȱfleshȱwhichȱweȱoverȱnourished,ȱ Itȱisȱeatenȱandȱrotted, Andȱwe,ȱtheȱbones,ȱhaveȱbecomeȱashesȱandȱdustȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.] Laȱpluyeȱnousȱaȱdebuezȱetȱlavez Etȱleȱsoleilȱdeceschezȱetȱnoriciz. Pies,ȱcorbeauxȱnousȱontȱlesȱyeulxȱcavez Etȱarrachéȱlaȱbarbeȱetȱlesȱsourcilzȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.6 [Theȱrainȱhasȱcleanedȱandȱwashedȱus Andȱtheȱsunȱdriedȱandȱturnedȱblack. Magpies,ȱravensȱhaveȱpeckedȱoutȱourȱeyes Andȱtornȱoutȱourȱbeardsȱandȱeyebrowsȱ.ȱ.ȱ.]

Theȱpoemȱisȱwrittenȱinȱtheȱfirstȱperson.ȱTheseȱareȱnotȱbodiesȬinanimate,ȱfreedȱof theirȱ consciousȱ selves,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ inhabitedȱ corpsesȱ withȱ cognizanceȱ andȱ selfȬ awareness,ȱ capableȱ ofȱ sayingȱ nousȱ andȱ interactingȱ withȱ thoseȱ stillȱ living. Understandingȱthatȱtheseȱmalefactorsȱareȱyetȱconscious,ȱitȱbecomesȱdifficultȱto removeȱtheȱconceptȱofȱpainȱfromȱtheȱdecayȱtheirȱbodiesȱareȱundergoing7;ȱitȱisȱasȱif theyȱareȱexperiencingȱtheirȱownȱdecay.ȱTheȱimploration,ȱ“Carȱseȱpitiéȱdeȱnous povresȱavez,”ȱ(“Haveȱpityȱforȱusȱwretches”)ȱstrikesȱhomeȱwithȱgreaterȱforceȱasȱone comprehendsȱthatȱtheseȱcorpsesȱareȱsufferingȱindividuals;ȱtheseȱareȱpeopleȱinȱpain. Theȱpresenceȱofȱphysicalȱpainȱinȱtheȱballadȱisȱaccompaniedȱbyȱtheȱunderpinnings ofȱemotionalȱpainȱcontainedȱwithinȱtheȱtext.ȱInȱtheȱscholarlyȱliteratureȱsurrounding Villonȱ muchȱ hasȱ beenȱ writtenȱ aboutȱ theȱ relationshipȱ betweenȱ theȱ physical sufferingȱportrayedȱandȱitsȱrelationȱtoȱtheȱreligiousȱmodelsȱofȱtheȱlateȱMiddleȱAges; theȱwordsȱpurgatoryȱandȱhellȱsurfaceȱconstantlyȱinȱtheȱdebateȱasȱthemesȱofȱgreat interest.ȱItȱisȱtrueȱthatȱthisȱballadȱisȱsteepedȱinȱreligiousȱsignificance.ȱItȱisȱaȱplea fromȱtheȱdead—whomȱweȱcanȱassumeȱfindȱthemselvesȱinȱaȱstateȱofȱpurgatory—to theȱliving.8ȱTheȱtermȱpurgatoryȱisȱfittingȱbecauseȱtheseȱindividualsȱareȱinȱanȱinȬ

5

6 7

8

FrançoisȱVillon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱed.ȱJeanȬClaudeȱMühlethalerȱ(Paris:ȱChampion, 2004),ȱ300.ȱAllȱcitationsȱfromȱtheȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱandȱBalladeȱdesȱpendusȱareȱfromȱthisȱedition.ȱ Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ300ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). Beveniste,ȱ“DeadȱBody,ȱPublicȱBody,”ȱexplains:ȱ“Itȱisȱremarkableȱthatȱtheȱpenalȱritualȱgoesȱbeyond theȱadministrationȱofȱdeath.ȱTheȱdeadȱbodyȱisȱbroughtȱtoȱtheȱgibbet.ȱ.ȱ.Death,ȱtheȱremovalȱofȱlife, seemsȱtoȱrecedeȱintoȱtheȱbackground.ȱTheȱdeadȱbodyȱisȱforegrounded.ȱTheȱenemyȱisȱreducedȱto hisȱdeadȱbody”ȱ(32;ȱseeȱnoteȱ3)ȱAsȱtheȱenemyȱisȱreducedȱtoȱhisȱdeadȱbody,ȱhisȱidentity,ȱorȱessence, becomesȱlockedȱwithinȱtheȱcorporalityȱofȱhisȱownȱdeadȱflesh.ȱWhateverȱtranspiresȱthenȱtoȱthe corpse,ȱcouldȱbeȱviewedȱasȱhavingȱtranspiredȱagainstȱtheȱindividual.ȱ Benveniste,ȱ“DeadȱBody,ȱPublicȱBody,”ȱ29–30ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱȱ

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

165

betweenȱ state.ȱ Theyȱ areȱ noȱ longerȱ “living”ȱ inȱ theȱ conventionalȱ senseȱ asȱ their bodiesȱareȱvisiblyȱdecayedȱbeforeȱtheȱspectator,ȱhowever,ȱitȱwouldȱseemȱthatȱthey haveȱ notȱ yetȱ achievedȱ theirȱ finalȱ stateȱ ofȱ existenceȱ inȱ thatȱ theyȱ pleadȱ for intercession,ȱ implyingȱ theȱ possibilityȱ ofȱ yetȱ anotherȱ transition.ȱ Itȱ isȱ aȱ warning againstȱgluttonyȱandȱavarice,ȱasȱwellȱasȱaȱpetitionȱforȱpityȱandȱprayer.ȱScenesȱof physicalȱpain,ȱpunishment,ȱandȱdegradationȱareȱjuxtaposedȱwithȱspiritualȱhopes andȱlongings.ȱ Thisȱ isȱ aȱ supplicationȱ forȱ theȱ cessationȱ ofȱ painȱ throughȱ intercessoryȱ prayer: “MaisȱpriezȱDieuȱqueȱtousȱnousȱveuilleȱabsouldre!”ȱ(“ButȱprayȱtoȱGodȱthatȱweȱall beȱ absolved!”)ȱ Thereȱ isȱ aȱ senseȱ ofȱ hopeȱ inȱ theȱ ballad,ȱ hopeȱ ofȱ aȱ releaseȱ from sufferingȱthroughȱtheȱimplorationȱandȱprayersȱofȱothers.ȱThisȱpoemȱisȱalsoȱdistilled intoȱaȱsimple,ȱunadornedȱadmonition.ȱTheȱjesterȱandȱtheȱsatiristȱdisappear,ȱandȱthe readerȱisȱintroducedȱtoȱaȱseeminglyȱcontemplativeȱVillon,ȱoneȱwhoȱisȱconcerned withȱtheȱafterlifeȱandȱitsȱpredeterminationȱinȱthisȱlife.ȱWhereȱtheȱreferencesȱtoȱpain inȱVillon’sȱworkȱareȱpredominantlyȱconcernedȱwithȱmortalityȱandȱtheȱtransition betweenȱlifeȱandȱdeath,ȱhere,ȱpainȱisȱdetailedȱasȱitȱisȱexperiencedȱbeyondȱdeathȱand broughtȱ fromȱ aȱ futureȱ nonȬcorporealȱ experienceȱ andȱ joinedȱ toȱ theȱ present corporeal.ȱ Thoughȱ speakingȱ throughȱ theȱ deadȱ isȱ notȱ uniqueȱ toȱ Villon,ȱ theȱ minimalist approachȱheȱtakesȱleavesȱtheȱreaderȱwithȱaȱsenseȱofȱimmediacy,ȱasȱifȱtheȱdead reallyȱ didȱ sufferȱ inȱ andȱ throughȱ theirȱ decomposedȱ corpses.ȱ Itȱ becomesȱ aȱ dual suffering,ȱtheȱsufferingȱofȱtheȱsoul9ȱ(whereverȱorȱwhateverȱthatȱsoulȱmayȱbe)ȱand theȱdestructionȱofȱtheȱphysicalȱremnantsȱleftȱbehind;ȱtheȱsoulȱstillȱconnectedȱtoȱthe bodyȱ whoseȱ dissipationȱ compoundsȱ andȱ magnifiesȱ theȱ torment,ȱ allowingȱ the suffererȱaȱsufficientȱfootholdȱinȱmortalityȱtoȱtransmitȱhisȱurgentȱmessage.ȱPain becomesȱaȱtimelessȱandȱuniversalȱmodeȱofȱcommunication,ȱitsȱelucidationȱand declarationȱtranscendingȱtheȱseeminglyȱfixedȱlimitsȱofȱlifeȱandȱdeath,ȱpastȱand present.10 Theȱ primaryȱ functionȱ ofȱ painȱ inȱ thisȱ balladȱ isȱ toȱ motivate.ȱ Justȱ asȱ theȱ actual hangingȱandȱpublicȱdisplayȱofȱ decompositionȱwasȱmeantȱbyȱtheȱauthoritiesȱto motivateȱaȱmoreȱlawȱabidingȱcitizenry,ȱpainȱbecomesȱaȱmotivationȱforȱtheȱreader; aȱmotivationȱtoȱabstainȱfromȱtheȱsinsȱofȱtheȱflesh,ȱmotivationȱtoȱlookȱtoȱaȱcontinued existenceȱ beyondȱ theȱ grave,ȱ andȱ finally,ȱ motivationȱ toȱ prayȱ forȱ thoseȱ already departedȱthatȱtheirȱpainȱmayȱbeȱalleviated.ȱ Theȱpainȱofȱaȱspiritualȱpurgatoryȱorȱcaptivityȱasȱaȱthemeȱisȱparalleledȱinȱthe Testamentȱ asȱ theȱ authorȱ describesȱ aȱ periodȱ ofȱ physicalȱ captivityȱ inȱ prison.ȱ The Testamentȱbeginsȱwithȱanȱassertionȱthatȱ‘Villon’ȱhasȱsuffered:ȱ

9

10

SeeȱEstherȱCohen,ȱ“TheȱAnimatedȱBodyȱofȱPain,”ȱTheȱAmericanȱHistoricalȱReviewȱ105.1ȱ(2000): 30–68,ȱforȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱrelationȱbetweenȱbody,ȱpain,ȱandȱsoul. RobertȱMills,ȱSuspendedȱAnimationȱ(London:ȱReaktionȱBooks,ȱ2005),ȱ31.ȱ

166

JohnȱP.ȱGough [E]nȱl’anȱdeȱmonȱtrentiesmeȱaage Queȱtoutesȱmesȱhontesȱj’euzȱbeues, Neȱdeȱtoutȱfolȱneȱduȱtoutȱsaige, Nonȱobstantȱmaintesȱpeinesȱeues, Lesquellesȱj’ayȱtoutesȱreceues SoubzȱlaȱmainȱThibaultȱd’Aucignyȱ.ȱ.ȱ.11ȱ [Inȱmyȱthirtiethȱyear Havingȱdrunkenȱallȱofȱmyȱshame, Neitherȱcompletelyȱfoolishȱnorȱcompletelyȱwise, Despiteȱhavingȱsufferedȱmanyȱpunishments, AllȱofȱwhichȱIȱreceived AtȱtheȱhandȱofȱThibaultȱd’Aucignyȱ.ȱ.ȱ.]

ThisȱovertureȱtoȱtheȱTestamentȱisȱstriking.ȱItȱisȱdifficultȱtoȱdismissȱtheȱsignificance ofȱtheȱproximityȱbetweenȱtheȱnameȱThibaultȱd’Aucignyȱandȱthisȱdeclarationȱof suffering.ȱItsȱimportanceȱisȱfurtherȱunderlinedȱbyȱitsȱprominentȱpositionȱatȱthe headȱofȱwhatȱisȱtoȱfollow.ȱItsȱintroductionȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱisȱanȱintentionalȱchoice. BecauseȱtheȱTestamentȱtakesȱtheȱformȱofȱaȱlegalȱwillȱandȱtestament,ȱthisȱisȱwhere oneȱwouldȱnaturallyȱexpectȱaȱdeclarationȱofȱintentȱorȱanȱassertionȱofȱidentity.ȱThe authorȱbeginsȱbyȱrecountingȱtheȱcharacter’sȱbiography;ȱoutȱofȱallȱofȱtheȱexperiences ofȱaȱlifetime,ȱthatȱwhichȱstandsȱout,ȱandȱthatȱwhichȱheȱchoosesȱtoȱopenȱwhatȱis presumablyȱ hisȱ lastȱ will—hisȱ lastȱ declarationȱ toȱ theȱ worldȱ ofȱ theȱ living—isȱ a descriptionȱofȱhisȱagonyȱinȱprison.ȱOtherȱthanȱtheȱgeneralȱstatementsȱreferringȱto theȱagoniesȱandȱtormentsȱsufferedȱunderȱtheȱhandȱofȱThibaultȱd’Aucigny,ȱweȱfind twoȱdistinctȱpassagesȱthatȱoutlineȱspecificsȱofȱtheȱprisonȱexperience:ȱ Peuȱm’aȱd’uneȱpetiteȱmiche Etȱdeȱfroideȱeau(e)ȱtoutȱungȱesté: Largeȱouȱestroit,ȱmoultȱmeȱfutȱchiche— TelȱluyȱsoitȱDieuȱqu’ilȱm’aȱesté!12 [Withȱnotȱbutȱaȱsmallȱloaf Andȱcoldȱwaterȱheȱfedȱmeȱforȱaȱsummer:ȱ Largeȱorȱnarrow,ȱheȱwasȱstingyȱwithȱme MayȱGodȱbeȱtoȱhimȱasȱheȱhasȱbeenȱtoȱme!] DieuȱmercyȱetȱTacqueȱThibault, Quiȱtantȱd’eaueȱfroideȱm’aȱfaitȱboire Enȱungȱbas,ȱnonȱpasȱenȱungȱhault,

11 12

Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

167

Mengierȱd’angoisseȱmainteȱpoire, EnferréȱQuantȱj’enȱayȱmemoire13 [GodȱbeȱthankedȱandȱTacqueȱThibault, Whoȱmadeȱmeȱdrinkȱmuchȱcoldȱwater Inȱaȱlowȱplace,ȱandȱnotȱaȱhighȱone, Toȱconsumeȱwithȱagonyȱmanyȱpears, ShackledȱsuchȱasȱIȱrememberȱit]

Theȱfirstȱexcerptȱisȱwhatȱoneȱmightȱexpectȱfromȱaȱconventionalȱprisonȱstay:ȱbad food,ȱstingyȱjailors,ȱandȱaȱsenseȱofȱlostȱtimeȱwithȱtheȱpassageȱofȱtheȱseasons.ȱThe second,ȱhowever,ȱisȱslightlyȱmoreȱsinister.ȱWeȱreadȱthatȱtheȱprisonerȱwasȱkeptȱin ‘aȱlowȱplace’;ȱthisȱmeansȱmostȱlikelyȱthatȱheȱwasȱkeptȱinȱaȱdungeonȱandȱnotȱgiven theȱquarters,ȱtower,ȱorȱprivilegesȱofȱnobler,ȱmoreȱimportantȱprisoners.ȱThereȱisȱa senseȱofȱinterment,ȱofȱbeingȱhidden,ȱorȱburied,ȱbelowȱgroundȱinȱaȱdeepȱplace.ȱThe repetitionȱofȱtheȱdrinkingȱofȱcoldȱwaterȱmarksȱaȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱtheȱwaterȱof alimentationȱandȱthisȱsecondȱwater;ȱwhichȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱservedȱaȱmoreȱsinister purposeȱinȱthatȱitȱwasȱforcedȱuponȱinȱhimȱinȱlargeȱquantities.ȱTheȱforcedȱdrinking ofȱ waterȱ isȱ aȱ methodȱ ofȱ tortureȱ stillȱ practicedȱ today.ȱ Asȱ withȱ theȱ gibbet,ȱ to understandȱVillonȱfullyȱoneȱmustȱunderstandȱtheȱgrimȱdetailsȱofȱthatȱwhichȱhe invokes.ȱThoughȱfewȱaccountsȱofȱtheȱpracticeȱhaveȱsurvivedȱfromȱtheȱfifteenthȬ century,ȱthereȱisȱaȱdetailedȱaccountȱdatingȱtoȱtheȱearlyȱseventeenthȬcentury.ȱInȱthe 1620’s,ȱ Scottishȱ travelerȱ andȱ adventurerȱ Williamȱ Lithgowȱ wasȱ capturedȱ and detainedȱinȱSpainȱwhereȱheȱunderwentȱvariousȱtorturesȱincludingȱthatȱofȱwater torture.ȱHeȱrecounts:ȱ ThenȱtheȱTormentorȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱwentȱtoȱanȱearthenȱJarreȱstandingȱfullȱofȱwater,ȱaȱlittleȱbeneath myȱhead:ȱfromȱwhenceȱcarryingȱaȱpotȱfullȱofȱwater;ȱinȱȱtheȱbottomeȱwhereof,ȱthereȱwas anȱincisedȱhole,ȱwhichȱbeingȱstopdȱbyȱhisȱthumb,ȱtillȱitȱcameȱtoȱmyȱmouth,ȱheeȱdid powerȱitȱinȱmyȱbellieȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.TheȱȱfirstȱandȱsecondȱservicesȱIȱgladlyȱreceived,ȱsuchȱwasȱthe scorchingȱdrouthȱofȱmyȱtormentingȱpayne,ȱandȱlikewiseȱIȱhadȱdrunkeȱnoneȱforȱthree daysȱbefore.ȱButȱafterward,ȱatȱtheȱthirdȱcharge,ȱperceivingȱtheseȱmeasuresȱofȱwaterȱto beȱinflictedȱuponȱmeȱasȱtortures,ȱOȱstranglingȱtortures!ȱIȱclosedȱmyȱlips,ȱgaineȬstanding thatȱeagerȱcrudelity.ȱWhereatȱtheȱAlcaldeȱinraging,ȱsetȱmyȱteethȱasunderȱwithȱaȱpayre ofȱ ironȱ cadges,ȱ detainingȱ themȱ there,ȱ atȱ everyȱ severallȱ turne,ȱ bothȱ mainelyȱ and manually;ȱ whereuponȱ myȱ hungerȬclungedȱ bellieȱ waxingȱ great,ȱ grewȱ DrumȬlike imbolstered:ȱ forȱ itȱ beingȱ aȱ suffocatingȱ payne,ȱ inȱ regardȱ ofȱ myȱ headȱ hanging downeward,ȱandȱtheȱwaterȱreingorgingȱitȱselfeȱinȱmyȱthroatȱwithȱtheȱstrugglingȱforce; itȱstrangledȱandȱswallowedȱupȱmyȱbreathȱfromȱyoulingȱandȱgroaning.14ȱȱ

13 14

Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ126ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). Williamȱ Lithgow,ȱ Theȱ Totallȱ Discourseȱ ofȱ Theȱ Rareȱ Adventuresȱ &ȱ Painefullȱ Peregrinationsȱ ofȱ long NineteeneȱYearesȱTravaylesȱfromȱScotlandȱtoȱtheȱmostȱfamousȱKingdomesȱinȱEurope,ȱAsisaȱandȱAfrica (Glasgow:ȱJamesȱMacLehouseȱ&ȱSons,ȱ1906),ȱ403–04.

168

JohnȱP.ȱGough

Thisȱtortureȱisȱalsoȱaccomplishedȱbyȱforcingȱtheȱvictimȱtoȱswallowȱaȱthinȱcloth,ȱor wrappingȱtheirȱfaceȱinȱclothȱtoȱavoidȱwaterȱescaping,ȱandȱslowlyȱadministering waterȱuntilȱitȱisȱsaturated,ȱforcingȱtheȱvictimȱtoȱswallowȱlargeȱquantitiesȱofȱliquid overȱaȱperiodȱofȱtimeȱsimulatingȱdrowning.ȱForȱtheȱprisoner—asȱisȱmadeȱobvious inȱLithgow’sȱaccount—thisȱisȱaȱhorrificȱexperience.ȱThoughȱweȱdoȱnotȱhaveȱsuch anȱexplicitȱaccountȱinȱwhatȱweȱreadȱinȱtheȱTestament,ȱitȱisȱclearȱthatȱthisȱexperience withȱwaterȱheldȱnoȱsmallȱsignificanceȱforȱtheȱsufferer.ȱ Aȱ secondȱ portionȱ ofȱ theȱ descriptionȱ ofȱ confinementȱ standsȱ outȱ asȱ oneȱ reads “Mengierȱd’angoisseȱmainteȱpoire”ȱ(“Toȱconsumeȱwithȱagonyȱmanyȱpears”).ȱThis canȱbeȱunderstoodȱinȱtwoȱdifferentȱways.ȱItȱcanȱfirstȱbeȱunderstoodȱasȱaȱfigureȱof speech.ȱ Inȱ oldȱ French,ȱ “toȱ eatȱ anȱ anguishȱ pear”ȱ [deȱ bienȱ mangerȱ desȱ poires d’angoisse]ȱmeantȱthatȱoneȱwasȱinȱaȱmiserableȱstateȱofȱsufferingȱorȱcaptivity.15ȱThe second,ȱmoreȱliteral,ȱreferenceȱisȱtoȱanȱactualȱpoireȱd’angoisseȱ [pearȱofȱanguish], whichȱwasȱaȱmedievalȱtortureȱdevice.ȱTheȱpoireȱd’angoisseȱisȱaȱpearȱshapedȱdevice whichȱfunctionsȱonȱaȱcorkscrewȱactionȱopeningȱgraduallyȱlikeȱaȱflowerȱblossom, theȱ edgesȱ ofȱ whichȱ areȱ sharpened,ȱ taperingȱ downȱ toȱ aȱ point.16ȱ Thisȱ wouldȱ be insertedȱintoȱanyȱnumberȱofȱorificesȱinȱtheȱvictim’sȱbodyȱandȱopenedȱgradually, tearingȱsoftȱtissueȱandȱmembrane,ȱuntilȱtheȱdesiredȱaffectȱhadȱbeenȱachieved.17ȱThis deviceȱ wasȱ generallyȱ reservedȱ forȱ witches,ȱ womenȱ accusedȱ ofȱ abortion, homosexuals,ȱandȱindividualsȱofȱwhomȱaȱconfessionȱwasȱrequiredȱbutȱnoȱoutward signsȱofȱcompulsionȱwereȱdesired.18ȱThatȱisȱnotȱtoȱinferȱthatȱVillonȱisȱtryingȱto makeȱaȱstatementȱaboutȱtheȱreasonȱforȱhisȱincarcerationȱ(whichȱisȱneverȱclearly explained)ȱbutȱratherȱthatȱtheȱprisonerȱportrayedȱinȱtheȱTestamentȱsufferedȱquite excruciatingly.ȱ Theȱ lifeȱ Villonȱ portraysȱ asȱ beingȱ hisȱ priorȱ toȱ theȱ creationȱ ofȱ hisȱ ‘will’ȱ (the Testament)ȱisȱthusȱrepresentedȱbyȱaȱcaptivity;ȱanȱexclusionȱfromȱlifeȱinȱaȱliving interment.ȱTheȱrepeatedȱreferencesȱtoȱhisȱtormentor,ȱThibaultȱd’Aucigny,ȱshowȱon theȱpartȱofȱVillonȱanȱimportantȱandȱperhapsȱcomplexȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱhimself andȱhisȱcaptor.ȱȱDuringȱthisȱperiodȱofȱconfinement,ȱpain,ȱandȱtortureȱaȱ‘new’ȱVillon willȱemergeȱwho—asȱweȱhaveȱstated—willȱhaveȱgainedȱtheȱnecessaryȱknowledge, discernment,ȱandȱvisionȱtoȱproceedȱwithȱtheȱrestȱofȱtheȱTestament.ȱTheȱideaȱofȱa

15

16

17

18

AntoineȱFuretiere,ȱDictionnaireȱUniversel,ȱPoireȱd’Angoisse,ȱTomeȱIIIȱ(LaȱHaye:ȱPierreȱHusson, 1727).ȱIȱhaveȱreliedȱonȱtheȱgoogleȱbookȱdigitizedȱversionȱwhichȱhasȱnoȱpagination. Philipȱ M.ȱ Parker,ȱ Chokes:ȱ Webster’sȱ Quotations,ȱ Facts,ȱ andȱ Phrasesȱ (Sanȱ Diego:ȱ ICONȱ Group International,ȱ2008),ȱ123. LaȱCurneȱdeȱSainteȬPalaye,ȱDictionnaireȱHistoriqueȱdeȱl’AncienȱLangueȱFrançois,ȱed.ȱL.ȱFavreȱNoirt, TomeȱXȱ(Paris:ȱH.ȱChampion,ȱ1882),ȱ334. PhilipȱM.ȱParker,ȱAnguishing:ȱWebster’sȱQuotations,ȱFacts,ȱandȱPhrasesȱ(SanȱDiego:ȱICONȱGroup International,ȱ2008),ȱ115.ȱSeeȱalsoȱM.ȱA.ȱdeȱChesnel,ȱDictionnaireȱdesȱSuperstitions,ȱErreurs,ȱPréjugés, etȱTraditionsȱPopulairesȱ(Paris:ȱM.ȱJ.ȬP.ȱMigne,ȱ1836),ȱ915;ȱJoaquinȱdeȱlaȱSierra,ȱTheȱPearȱofȱAnguish, http://www.medievality.com/pearȬofȬanguish.htmlȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱMarchȱ5,ȱ2012).ȱ

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

169

‘new’ȱVillonȱorȱtheȱreȬbirthȱofȱtheȱVillonȱcharacterȱthroughȱimprisonmentȱandȱpain isȱanȱinterestingȱone.ȱWeȱfindȱevidenceȱthatȱVillonȱthinksȱinȱtermsȱofȱdeathȱand rebirthȱwhenȱweȱread:ȱ Etȱescriptȱl’anȱsoixanteȱetȱung,ȱ Lorsȱqueȱleȱroyȱmeȱdelivra DeȱlaȱdureȱprisonȱdeȱMehun Etȱqueȱviëȱmeȱrecouvraȱ.ȱ.ȱ.19 [WrittenȱinȱtheȱyearȱsixtyȬandȬone, AfterȱtheȱKingȱhadȱmeȱdelivered FromȱtheȱhardȱprisonȱatȱMeung Andȱhadȱreturnedȱmeȱtoȱlifeȱ.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱ

TheȱKingȱfreesȱVillonȱfromȱprison,ȱwhichȱfreedomȱheȱdescribesȱasȱaȱreturnȱtoȱlife. Itȱisȱnotȱaȱfarȱstretchȱtoȱcallȱthisȱ‘returnȱtoȱlife’ȱaȱrebirth.ȱTheȱdescentȱtoȱprisonȱis thenȱakinȱtoȱphysicalȱdeath;ȱtheȱmanȱdisappearsȱfromȱtheȱlightȱofȱtheȱsurfaceȱand isȱlostȱtoȱtheȱdarknessȱofȱ‘aȱlowȱplace.’ȱThisȱ‘lowȱplace’ȱisȱaȱperiodȱofȱtransition,ȱa sortȱ ofȱ purgatoryȱ (ifȱ theȱ termȱ mayȱ beȱ borrowedȱ forȱ ourȱ purposes)ȱ inȱ whichȱ a transformationȱ isȱ enactedȱ uponȱ theȱ captiveȱ throughȱ painȱ beforeȱ heȱ isȱ again releasedȱandȱreintroducedȱintoȱtheȱlightȱofȱsocietyȱaȱ‘changed’ȱman:20 Orȱestȱvrayȱqu(e)’ȱaprésȱplainsȱetȱpleurs Etȱangoisseuxȱgemissemens, Aprésȱtristessesȱetȱdouleurs, Laboursȱetȱgrief[s]ȱcheminemens, Travailȱmesȱlubresȱsentemens, Esguisezȱcommeȱuneȱpelocte, M’ouvristȱplusȱqueȱtousȱlesȱcommens D’AverroÿsȱsurȱArristote.21 [It’sȱtrueȱthatȱafterȱlaments Andȱtearsȱandȱgroansȱofȱanguish Afterȱsadnessȱandȱsorrows Hardȱlaborȱandȱbitterȱdaysȱonȱtheȱroad Sufferingȱunlockedȱmyȱtangledȱfeelings

19 20

21

Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). GuyȱGeltner,ȱTheȱMedievalȱPrisonȱ(Princeton:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2008).ȱGeltnerȱwrites concerningȱ theȱ prisonȱ experience:ȱ “Putȱ differently,ȱ whenȱ Purgatoryȱ wasȱ imaginedȱ inȱ the thirteenthȱcentury,ȱtheȱprisonȱwasȱoneȱofȱitsȱobviousȱmodels;ȱbutȱifȱPurgatoryȱwasȱGod’sȱgreat prison,ȱcouldȱtheȱearthlyȱprisonȱbecomeȱanȱearthlyȱPurgatory?”ȱ(90).ȱPainȱisȱinherentȱinȱtheȱnotion ofȱPurgatoryȱasȱtheȱsoulsȱofȱmenȱareȱchastenedȱandȱrefined;ȱpurgedȱfromȱsin.ȱSoȱto,ȱinȱaȱway, prisonȱbecomesȱaȱplaceȱofȱpurging,ȱaȱplaceȱofȱreȬcreationȱthroughȱsuffering.ȱItȱisȱunclearȱifȱthis purgingȱconsistsȱofȱanȱexpiationȱofȱsinȱforȱtheȱ“Augustinian”ȱsoul,ȱorȱratherȱofȱaȱreȬcreationȱof personalȱidentityȱasȱFoucaultȱwillȱlaterȱdescribeȱit. Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).

170

JohnȱP.ȱGough Aboutȱasȱsharpȱasȱaȱballȱofȱwool MoreȱthanȱallȱtheȱCommentaries OfȱAverroësȱopenedȱAristotle.]22

Afterȱtheȱanguish,ȱsorrow,ȱpain,ȱlabor,ȱandȱgriefȱofȱprison,ȱVillonȱfoundȱhimself opened,ȱandȱhisȱunderstandingȱsharpened.ȱItȱisȱperhapsȱfromȱthisȱovertureȱthat Villonȱclaimsȱtheȱauthorityȱtoȱmakeȱtheȱassertionsȱandȱpassȱtheȱjudgmentsȱthat seemȱsoȱreadilyȱandȱsoȱeagerlyȱtoȱflowȱfromȱhisȱpen.ȱNowȱthatȱheȱcanȱsee,ȱnowȱthat hisȱsoulȱhasȱbeenȱshapedȱandȱdefined,ȱnowȱthatȱheȱhasȱbeenȱbornȱintoȱtheȱworld throughȱtheȱpainȱofȱhisȱownȱsuffering,ȱheȱcanȱlookȱuponȱParisȱwithȱtheȱdiscerning eyesȱofȱaȱmanȱ“neȱdeȱtoutȱfolȱneȱduȱtoutȱsaige”ȱ(“neitherȱcompletelyȱfoolishȱnor completelyȱwise”). ȱ Fromȱ theseȱ fewȱ versesȱ inȱ theȱ Testamentȱ weȱ learnȱ muchȱ aboutȱ theȱ Villon characterȱ andȱ theȱ roleȱ ofȱ painȱ inȱ theȱ formationȱ ofȱ hisȱ identity.ȱ Theȱ tortureȱ of Meungȱcouldȱbeȱviewedȱasȱaȱtransformationȱofȱsorts,ȱanȱinitiationȱfromȱanȱoldȱlife toȱaȱnew.ȱFreedȱbyȱtheȱking,ȱVillon’sȱemergenceȱfromȱtheȱprisonȱrepresentsȱtheȱreȬ birthȱofȱtheȱindividual;ȱhisȱreintroductionȱtoȱcivilizationȱwithȱhisȱnewlyȬforged soul.ȱ Thisȱ wouldȱ explainȱ theȱ emphasisȱ placedȱ onȱ theseȱ experiencesȱ andȱ their inclusionȱinȱtheȱTestament,ȱforȱtheyȱinȱlargeȱmeasureȱrepresentȱVillon’sȱidentity.ȱ Passingȱnowȱfromȱtheȱroleȱofȱpainȱinȱconfinement,ȱletȱusȱexamineȱtheȱpurpose ofȱpainȱasȱitȱisȱinflictedȱuponȱothers.ȱSeveralȱexceptionalȱinstancesȱofȱpainȱappear underȱ theȱ guiseȱ ofȱ objectsȱ willedȱ inȱ theȱ Testament.ȱ Anȱ exampleȱ thatȱ isȱ atȱ once humorousȱandȱpainfulȱisȱasȱfollows:ȱ Item,ȱaȱmaistreȱJehanȱLaurens, Quiȱaȱlesȱpovresȱyeulxȱsiȱrouges Pourȱleȱpechiéȱdeȱsesȱparens Quiȱboiventȱenȱbarisȱetȱcourges, Jeȱdonneȱl’enversȱdeȱmesȱbouges Pourȱtousȱlesȱmatinsȱlesȱtorcher. S’ilȱfu[s]tȱarcevesqueȱdeȱBourges, Duȱcendailȱeust,ȱmaisȱilȱestȱcher.23 [Item,ȱtoȱMasterȱJehanȱLaurens, Whoseȱpoorȱeyesȱareȱsoȱred Forȱtheȱsinȱofȱhisȱparents Whoȱdrinkȱfromȱbothȱbarrelsȱandȱgourds Iȱgiveȱtheȱinteriorȱofȱmyȱunderpants Forȱwithȱtoȱwipeȱthemȱeveryȱmorning,

22

23

GalwayȱKinnell,ȱTheȱPoemsȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱ(London:ȱUniversityȱPressȱofȱNewȱEngland,ȱ1977), 31–33.ȱ Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ154ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

171

IfȱonlyȱheȱhadȱbeenȱarchbishopȱofȱBourges, Heȱwouldȱhaveȱhadȱsilk,ȱbutȱitȱisȱtooȱexpensive.]ȱ

Thisȱ instanceȱ ofȱ anȱ objectȱ willedȱ isȱ almostȱ comic.ȱ Theȱ notionȱ ofȱ aȱ dyingȱ man bequeathingȱtheȱinteriorȱofȱhisȱunderpantsȱasȱaȱbandageȱforȱredȱandȱinflamedȱeyes hasȱanȱabsurdȱringȱtoȱit.ȱHowever,ȱthereȱisȱalsoȱaȱdeeplyȱpainfulȱandȱhumiliating sideȱ toȱ whatȱ Villonȱ requestsȱ beȱ doneȱ here.ȱ Itȱ isȱ possibleȱ thatȱ whatȱ weȱ are witnessingȱisȱaȱtongueȱinȱcheekȱjabȱatȱJehanȱasȱheȱcouldȱhaveȱbeenȱconnectedȱwith theȱinterrogationȱofȱaȱrobberyȱinȱ1458ȱinȱwhichȱitȱisȱbelievedȱseveralȱofȱVillon’s circleȱparticipated,ȱifȱnotȱVillonȱhimself.24ȱIfȱthisȱisȱtheȱcase,ȱthenȱitȱisȱquiteȱprobable thatȱVillonȱisȱtakingȱaȱcomicȱstandȱagainstȱtheȱinterrogatorȱofȱaȱfellowȱconspirator. Weȱcannot,ȱhowever,ȱverifyȱthisȱrelationship,ȱwhichȱleavesȱusȱlittleȱchoiceȱbutȱto takeȱtheȱtextȱatȱfaceȱvalue.ȱWhatȱweȱunderstandȱthenȱisȱthatȱthereȱisȱaȱman,ȱwho, dueȱtoȱtheȱfaultsȱofȱhisȱparentsȱ(beȱitȱhisȱactualȱparentsȱorȱaȱveiledȱreferenceȱto Adam,ȱEve,ȱandȱmortalityȱthroughȱtheȱfall)ȱhasȱaȱconditionȱofȱtheȱeyeȱcausing rednessȱ andȱ presumablyȱ inflammation.ȱ Villonȱ proposesȱ theȱ interiorȱ ofȱ his undergarmentȱasȱaȱremedy.ȱTheȱimageȱofȱanyoneȱwipingȱirritatedȱeyesȱonȱthe underpantsȱ ofȱ aȱ deadȱ manȱ isȱ aȱ painfulȱ oneȱ indeed.ȱ Beforeȱ attemptingȱ an explanationȱofȱthisȱuniqueȱbestowal,ȱletȱusȱexamineȱanotherȱapparitionȱofȱpainȱin theȱTestament.ȱ Thisȱ instanceȱ ofȱ painȱ isȱ foundȱ inȱ theȱ Balladeȱ desȱ languesȱ ennuyeusesȱ withȱ its graphicȱdescriptions;ȱweȱread:ȱ Enȱrïagal,ȱenȱalcenicȱrocher, Enȱorpiment,ȱ[en]ȱsalpestreȱetȱchaulxȱvive,ȱ Enȱplombȱboulant,ȱpourȱmieulxȱlesȱesmorcher, Enȱsuyeȱetȱpoixȱdestrempeeȱdeȱlessive Faicteȱd’estroncȱetȱdeȱpissatȱdeȱJuisve, Enȱlavaillesȱdeȱjambsȱaȱmeseaux, Enȱraclureȱdeȱpiezȱetȱvieulxȱhouzeaux, Enȱsangȱd’aspicȱetȱdrocquesȱvenimeuses, Enȱfielȱdeȱloups,ȱdeȱregnars,ȱdeȱblereaux, Soientȱfrictesȱcesȱlanguesȱennuyeuses!25 [Inȱsmokeȱofȱminerals,ȱinȱarsenic Inȱorpiment,ȱsaltpeter,ȱandȱquicklime Inȱboilingȱleadȱtheyȱshouldȱbeȱparboiled Inȱsootȱandȱpitchȱmarinatedȱinȱlye MadeȱfromȱtheȱturdsȱandȱpissȱofȱJews Inȱoldȱwashwaterȱfromȱlepers’ȱlegs Inȱitemsȱscrapedȱoffȱfeetȱandȱshoeȱsoles

24 25

Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ452ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). Villon,ȱLais,ȱTestament,ȱPoésiesȱDiverses,ȱ166ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).

172

JohnȱP.ȱGough Inȱbloodȱofȱaspsȱandȱpoisonousȱdrugs Inȱwolf,ȱfox,ȱandȱpolecatȱgall Theseȱevilȱtonguesȱshouldȱbeȱfried.]26ȱ

Whatȱaȱhorrificȱstrophe!ȱOftenȱwhenȱreadingȱthisȱballadȱtheȱtongueȱisȱvisualized asȱ beingȱ separateȱ fromȱ theȱ bodyȱ asȱ itȱ isȱ objectified.ȱ However,ȱ nowhereȱ inȱ the balladȱdoȱweȱfindȱanȱexplicitȱacknowledgmentȱthatȱtheseȱtonguesȱareȱseveredȱfrom theȱ bodiesȱ ofȱ theirȱ proprietors.ȱ Thatȱ beingȱ said,ȱ oneȱ cannotȱ excludeȱ thatȱ what Villonȱsuggestsȱinȱthisȱballadȱisȱnotȱonlyȱhappeningȱtoȱtheȱtonguesȱofȱhisȱvictims, butȱisȱalsoȱpresumablyȱlocalizedȱwithinȱtheirȱmouths.ȱTheȱpainfullyȱabhorrentȱacts describedȱinȱthisȱballadȱseemȱtoȱbeȱusedȱasȱaȱmeansȱofȱretributionȱforȱoffenses offeredȱbyȱtheȱtonguesȱofȱthoseȱsoȱtortured.ȱHowever,ȱthisȱballadȱandȱtheȱother instancesȱofȱgiftedȱpainȱseemȱtoȱextendȱbeyondȱthisȱsimpleȱexplanationȱandȱbeg furtherȱjustification.ȱ ItȱisȱveryȱdifficultȱtoȱattemptȱanȱoverȬarchingȱassimilationȱorȱinterpretationȱof painȱ withinȱ theȱ corpusȱ ofȱ Villon.ȱ Eachȱ occurrenceȱ standingȱ aloneȱ inȱ its individualityȱandȱpurpose;ȱhowever,ȱthereȱisȱperhapsȱoneȱcharacteristicȱofȱpain thatȱ runsȱ throughoutȱ theȱ workȱ thatȱ allowsȱ usȱ toȱ forgeȱ atȱ leastȱ aȱ partial interpretationȱ ofȱ theȱ existenceȱ ofȱ thisȱ almostȱ indefinableȱ aspectȱ ofȱ theȱ human experience.ȱPersonalȱphysicalȱpainȱcannotȱbeȱsharedȱandȱthusȱbecomesȱoneȱofȱthe mostȱintimateȱaspectsȱofȱindividualityȱinȱthatȱitȱcanȱneverȱbeȱfullyȱcommunicated orȱ expressedȱ toȱ thoseȱ otherȱ thanȱ theȱ sufferer.27ȱ Itȱ becomesȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ most influentialȱ shapingȱ agentsȱ ofȱ identityȱ andȱ possiblyȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ mostȱ difficultȱ to understandȱbecauseȱitȱcannotȱbeȱproperlyȱsharedȱwithȱothers. Theȱgiftingȱofȱpainȱthroughȱaȱwillȱseems,ȱthen,ȱtoȱremoveȱitȱfromȱtheȱ‘unsharable’ individualȱ instance,ȱ andȱ placeȱ itȱ withinȱ theȱ forgedȱ comraderyȱ ofȱ mutual experience.ȱInȱaȱsense,ȱoneȱcouldȱsayȱthatȱVillonȱisȱbequeathingȱthatȱwhichȱisȱat onceȱtheȱmostȱinnate,ȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱmostȱspecificallyȱpersonal,ȱpartȱofȱhimselfȱin theȱ Testament:ȱ personalȱ painȱ beingȱ amongstȱ theȱ mostȱ essentialȱ definingȱ and creativeȱelementsȱofȱtheȱindividualȱ(asȱseenȱinȱtheȱprisonȱexperience)ȱandȱalsoȱthe mostȱdifficultȱtoȱcommunicate.ȱInȱaȱwayȱreachingȱoutȱandȱsaying:ȱ“Iȱsuffered,ȱthis isȱwhatȱIȱbecameȱthroughȱsuffering,ȱthisȱisȱVillon.”ȱThoughȱtheȱcausesȱofȱpain differ,ȱtheȱessentialȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱthatȱpainȱisȱexperienced.ȱEvenȱifȱȱisȱtrueȱthatȱthese instances,ȱ asȱ theyȱ appearȱ inȱ theȱ Testament,ȱ mayȱ beȱ butȱ retributionsȱ forȱ past offences,ȱ oneȱ cannotȱ ignoreȱ theȱ overtureȱ ofȱ Villon’sȱ personalȱ experienceȱ and reformationȱwithȱhisȱownȱexperienceȱinȱpain.ȱIfȱtheseȱareȱsimpleȱactsȱofȱrevenge, thoughȱtheyȱbeȱmerited—asȱVillon’sȱimprisonmentȱmayȱwellȱhaveȱbeen—isȱitȱnot plausibleȱthatȱtheȱpainȱwilledȱuponȱtheseȱindividualsȱwasȱmeantȱtoȱserveȱtheȱsame

26 27

Kinnell,ȱTheȱPoemsȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19).ȱ ElaineȱScarry,ȱTheȱBodyȱinȱPainȱ(NewȱYork:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1985),ȱ4.

TheȱPoetryȱofȱFrançoisȱVillonȱandȱtheȱGiftȱofȱSelf

173

reformativeȱ functionȱ asȱ experiencedȱ byȱ Villon?ȱ Thusȱ theȱ perceptionȱ ofȱ the recipientȱ wouldȱ alignȱ withȱ thatȱ ofȱ theȱ giverȱ throughȱ thatȱ seemingly noncommunicableȱpartȱofȱself—pain.ȱPassingȱintoȱtheȱrealmȱofȱsharedȱexperience, theȱindividualȱexperienceȱwouldȱthusȱbeȱsharedȱandȱtheȱselfȱmultiplied.ȱItȱisȱa surprisinglyȱpositiveȱfunction,ȱtheȱpainȱ‘willed’ȱbecomingȱVillon’sȱgiftȱofȱselfȱto others.ȱ Weȱ haveȱ seenȱ thatȱ painȱ servesȱ variousȱ functionsȱ inȱ Villon’sȱ work,ȱ fromȱ the conventionalȱemotiveȱmementoȱmoriȱofȱtheȱBalladeȱdesȱpendus,ȱtoȱtheȱdestructiveȱand reconstructiveȱeffectȱuponȱtheȱidentityȱofȱtheȱindividualȱasȱdescribedȱinȱtheȱprison experience,ȱ toȱ theȱ originalityȱ ofȱ painȱ giftedȱ inȱ theȱ Testamentȱ asȱ aȱ profound transmission,ȱ indeedȱ gift,ȱ ofȱ self.ȱ Villonȱ usesȱ painȱ toȱ elucidateȱ theȱ contrast, transition,ȱandȱrelationshipȱ betweenȱlifeȱandȱdeath,ȱbothȱtheȱphysical,ȱandȱthe fracturedȱinternalȱexpirationsȱandȱreȬcreationsȱofȱtheȱsufferer.ȱTheȱpoemsȱareȱan expositionȱofȱtheȱdestructiveȱandȱreconstructiveȱnatureȱofȱpain,ȱleadingȱfinallyȱto theȱ extensionȱ ofȱ interiorȱ painȱ andȱ theȱ renewedȱ perceptionȱ gainedȱ throughȱ its experienceȱtoȱothers.ȱ

Chapterȱ8 JeanȱE.ȱJostȱ (BradleyȱUniversity,ȱPeoria,ȱIL)ȱȱ

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts ȱȱȱ

Fromȱtheȱtwelfthȱcenturyȱonwards,ȱEnglishȱcriminal lawȱ andȱ procedureȱ hadȱ divergedȱ fromȱ continental Europeȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱTheȱkeyȱdifferenceȱliesȱinȱtheȱreception andȱ influenceȱ ofȱ Romanȱ law:ȱ withoutȱ thisȱ asȱ an anchorȱ andȱ inspiration,ȱ Englishȱ lawȱ developedȱ its ownȱ categoriesȱ andȱ methods,ȱ whichȱ vestedȱ much moreȱinfluenceȱinȱjudgesȱandȱcustom,ȱandȱmuchȱless inȱ codifiedȱ legislationȱ orȱ learnedȱ lawyers.ȱ (Trevor Dean)1

ThisȱsummaryȱbyȱTrevorȱDeanȱreflectsȱoneȱlegalȱbasisȱonȱwhichȱtheȱtrialȱofȱSir GamelynȱandȱhisȱbrotherȱSirȱOteȱwasȱbased,ȱbutȱinȱfact,ȱgreatȱviolenceȱbetween localȱandȱmonarchicalȱauthorityȱisȱevidentȱthroughoutȱtheȱlatterȱpartȱofȱtheȱtale. TheȱfourteenthȬcenturyȱpopularȱepicȱGamelyn,ȱwhatȱLeeȱC.ȱRamseyȱhasȱcalledȱone ofȱ theȱ roughȱ andȱ readyȱ “rebelȱ romances,”2ȱ reliesȱ onȱ theȱ systemȱ ofȱ justice commonlyȱenactedȱatȱtheȱtime.ȱUntilȱtheȱlateȱtwelfthȱandȱthirteenthȱcenturiesȱin Europe,ȱ crimesȱ cameȱ toȱ courtȱ throughȱ privateȱ accusation,ȱ andȱ contestsȱ of prosecutionȱandȱdefenseȱbyȱtheȱadversarialȱpartiesȱwereȱplayedȱoutȱasȱaȱdebate.3 TheȱcourtȬappointedȱcompurgationȱorȱ“oathȬhelpers”ȱswearingȱtoȱtheȱaccused’s innocence,ȱorȱstipulatedȱanȱordealȱofȱfire,ȱwater,ȱorȱcombat.ȱAfterȱthatȱtime,ȱthree

1

2 3

TrevorȱDean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEuropeȱ1200–1550ȱ(Harlow,ȱLondon,ȱNewȱYork,ȱetȱal.:ȱLongman, 2001),ȱ5.ȱ LeeȱC.ȱRamsey,ȱChivalricȱRomancesȱ(Bloomington:ȱIndianaȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1983),ȱ93. SeeȱtheȱintroductionȱofȱConnieȱL.ȱScarborough’sȱarticleȱ“WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱthe SieteȱPartidas”ȱinȱthisȱvolumeȱforȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱAlfonsoȱX’sȱdevelopmentȱofȱlawȱinȱthirteenthȬ centuryȱSpain.

176

JeanȱE.ȱJost

substitutesȱ replacedȱ thisȱ methodȱ asȱ universityȬtrainedȱ lawyersȱ positedȱ “a procedureȱ basedȱ onȱ evidenceȱ andȱ argument;”ȱ secondly,ȱ “theȱ growthȱ ofȱ royal powerȱledȱtoȱtheȱemergenceȱofȱdenunciationȱasȱaȱmeansȱofȱprosecutingȱcriminals;” andȱthirdly,ȱtheȱinquisitorialȱmethodȱofȱtortureȱandȱprosecutionȱwasȱincludedȱin theȱjudicialȱarmory.4ȱEnglandȱsomewhatȱmodifiedȱthisȱEuropeanȱsystem,ȱusing juries,ȱasȱinȱGamelyn,ȱtoȱdenounceȱseriousȱcrimeȱratherȱthanȱemployingȱtheȱordeal, inquisitorialȱ methodsȱ orȱ compensationȱ payments.5ȱ Further,ȱ “thereȱ wasȱ an overlappingȱstructureȱofȱlocal,ȱcounty,ȱandȱcentralȱcourts,ȱandȱanȱevolvingȱpattern ofȱsupervisionȱandȱinterventionȱinȱtheȱshires,”6ȱalsoȱrevealedȱinȱtheȱromance,ȱas willȱbecomeȱevident.ȱInȱfact,ȱGamelynȱrevealsȱtheȱviolenceȱandȱcorruptionȱrampant atȱeveryȱlevelȱofȱjudicialȱgovernmentȱinȱthisȱmostȱvehementȱdepictionȱofȱlawȱand order Theȱ anonymousȱ Gamelynȱ poetȱ situatesȱ hisȱ fictitiousȱ taleȱ onȱ theȱ borderlands belongingȱtoȱoneȱwidowedȱknight,ȱonȱanȱEnglishȱmanorȱNorthȱofȱLondon,ȱwhere SirȱJohnȱBoundis,ȱonȱhisȱdeathbed,ȱattemptsȱtoȱdistributeȱhisȱlandsȱequitablyȱtoȱhis threeȱsons.ȱAccordingȱtoȱRobertȱC.ȱPalmer,ȱ“Primogenitureȱwasȱsensibleȱcustom beforeȱitȱwasȱaȱruleȱofȱlaw.ȱȱButȱasȱcustomȱitȱwasȱnotȱaȱrule:ȱanȱunacceptableȱeldest sonȱwouldȱbeȱrejectedȱinȱfavorȱofȱanother,ȱbutȱacceptableȱdescendent,ȱnowȱheirȱ. .ȱ.ȱ.ȱTheȱrightȱthusȱwasȱnotȱinȱaȱpersonȱdesignatedȱbyȱabstractȱlaw,ȱevenȱthough thereȱcertainlyȱwereȱcustomsȱforȱpreference.”7ȱAlthoughȱSirȱJohnȱBoundisȱdidȱnot followȱprimogenitureȱorȱadhereȱtoȱwhatȱC.ȱW.ȱDunnȱnotesȱisȱtheȱfolkloreȱmotifȱof maltreatmentȱofȱtheȱyoungestȱchildȱorȱfairȱunknown,8ȱȱhisȱeldestȱsonȱisȱdisposed toȱtreatȱhisȱyoungerȱbrotherȱpoorly.ȱInȱthisȱcase,ȱSirȱJohnȱBoundisȱchoseȱhisȱthree sonsȱasȱdescendants,ȱnotȱhisȱfirstborn.9ȱInȱthisȱendeavor, .ȱ.ȱ.ȱsentȱheȱintoȱcountréȱȱȱafterȱwiseȱknightes Toȱhelpeȱdelenȱhisȱlondesȱȱȱandȱdressedȱ[divided]ȱhemȱtoȱrightes.10

4 5 6 7

8

9

10

Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱchapterȱ1,ȱespeciallyȱ6ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ7ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ7ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). RobertȱC.ȱPalmer,ȱ“TheȱOriginsȱofȱPropertyȱinȱEngland,”ȱLawȱandȱHistoryȱReviewȱ3ȱ(1985):ȱ1–50; hereȱ6,ȱn.ȱ20. C.ȱW.ȱDunn,ȱ“RomancesȱDerivedȱfromȱEnglishȱLegend,”ȱManuelȱofȱWritingsȱinȱMiddleȱEnglish, 1050–1500.ȱVol.ȱI.ȱRomances,ȱed.ȱJ.ȱBurkeȱSeversȱ(NewȱHaven:ȱTheȱConnecticutȱAcademyȱofȱArts andȱSciences,ȱ1967),ȱ17–37. AlbrechtȱClassenȱpointsȱtoȱbloodȬfeuds,ȱinternecineȱstrife,ȱriots,ȱandȱrebellionȱinȱhisȱarticleȱinȱthis volumeȱentitledȱ“CrimeȱandȱViolenceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges:ȱTheȱCasesȱofȱHeinrichȱderȱGlichezare’s ReinhardȱFuchsȱandȱWernerȱderȱGartenære’sȱHelmbrecht.” DonaldȱB.ȱSands,ȱed.ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomancesȱ(NewȱYork,ȱChicago,ȱetȱal.:ȱRinehartȱand Winston,ȱInc,ȱ1966),ȱ154–81;ȱhereȱ157.

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts

177

Asȱ thoughȱ prescient,ȱ theȱ widelyȱ traveled,ȱ worldlyȱ wiseȱ Sirȱ Johnȱ anticipates hostilitiesȱ amongȱ hisȱ sonsȱ andȱ evenȱ whereȱ theseȱ hostilitiesȱ mayȱ lie.11ȱ Thusȱ he especiallyȱrequestsȱthatȱhisȱyoungestȱsonȱGamelynȱnotȱbeȱforgotten,ȱforȱ“Seldeȱye seeȱonyȱeirȱȱȱhelpenȱhisȱbrother”ȱ(40).ȱUnfortunately,ȱtheȱoldȱman’sȱpremonitions areȱprovenȱright.ȱInȱaȱsomewhatȱlawlessȱsocietyȱinȱwhichȱviolenceȱmayȱoverrule right,ȱorȱconfirmȱit,ȱbehaviorȱisȱoftenȱambiguous.ȱInȱtheȱmatterȱofȱtheȱlaw,ȱthe fatherȱknowsȱhisȱsons—SirȱJohnȱtheȱaggressor,ȱ“aȱmocheȱshewe”ȱ(6),ȱSirȱOteȱthe compassionate,ȱandȱtheȱyoungest,ȱfavoredȱsonȱSirȱGamelyn.ȱȱ Thisȱrollicking,ȱviolentȱMiddleȱEnglishȱverseȱromanceȱofȱca.ȱ1350ȱ(albeitȱwithȱa somewhatȱ earlierȱ setting)ȱ isȱ neitherȱ chivalricȱ norȱ amatory;ȱ ratherȱ itȱ disregards socialȱ authority,ȱ utilizesȱ brutality,ȱ criminality,ȱ andȱ physicalȱ force,ȱ thus foreshadowingȱtheȱhistoricȱandȱliteraryȱbreakdownȱofȱlawȱandȱorderȱmarkingȱthe fifteenthȱcentury.ȱInȱaȱprototypicalȱRobinȱHoodȱscenario,ȱGamelynȱsometimesȱeven retreatsȱtoȱtheȱgreenwood,ȱlivingȱasȱanȱoutlaw,ȱquiteȱunlikeȱtheȱmoreȱtraditionally romanticȱescapeȱofȱTristanȱtoȱtheȱwoodland.ȱButȱGamelyn’sȱcontextȱisȱnotȱchivalric, forȱhisȱknightedȱfatherȱdoesȱnotȱcomeȱfromȱnobilityȱorȱroyalty,ȱbutȱwonȱhisȱlands byȱpurchase,ȱnotȱinheritance.ȱNorȱisȱtheȱcharacterȱorȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱcharacters remotelyȱchivalric.ȱAlthoughȱGamelynȱofȱca.ȱ1350ȱisȱnotȱtheȱprototypeȱofȱRobinȱin theȱlaterȱRobinȱHoodȱBallads,ȱsinceȱGamelynȱoftenȱappearsȱasȱRobin’sȱequalȱor rival,ȱavengesȱRobin’sȱmurderȱinȱ“RobinȱandȱGamelyn,”ȱorȱjoinsȱhisȱbandȱasȱWill Scarlet,ȱsimilarȱlegalȱissuesȱappearȱinȱbothȱtheȱromanceȱandȱtheȱballads.12ȱ Asȱ Christineȱ Chismȱ indicates,ȱ theȱ Robinȱ Hoodȱ “outlawȱ balladsȱ critiqueȱ the exerciseȱofȱjudicialȱauthorityȱinȱaȱvarietyȱofȱwaysȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ[particularly]ȱtheȱlocalization ofȱlawȱenforcementȱthatȱaccompaniedȱtheȱcentralizationȱofȱmonarchicalȱauthority overȱtheȱlaw.”13ȱInȱsimilarȱfashion,ȱtheȱearlierȱGamelynȱromanceȱpresentsȱconflicting sourcesȱofȱauthorityȱtoȱresolveȱitsȱlegalȱconflicts.ȱForȱexample,ȱGamelynȱandȱAȱGest ofȱRobinȱHoodȱbothȱtakeȱissueȱwithȱwhatȱChismȱcallsȱ“theȱnetworksȱthatȱboundȱthe provincialȱeliteȱandȱwithȱtheȱforgedȱtiesȱbetweenȱlocalȱofficialsȱandȱroyalȱauthority .ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ[including]ȱtheȱlocalȱmonopolyȱformedȱbyȱtheȱabbot,ȱtheȱsheriff,ȱtheȱlocal lordings,ȱandȱtheȱking’sȱjustice.”14ȱTheȱlegalȱprovisionsȱofȱinheritance,ȱconfusion ofȱtheȱseatsȱofȱpower,ȱandȱanȱawarenessȱofȱtheȱviolentȱtimesȱperhapsȱmotivateȱSir

11

12 13

14

ThomasȱWillardȱdescribesȱtheȱcomparableȱpracticeȱofȱ“cozenage,”ȱrelatingȱtoȱtheȱdeliberateȱgreedȬ basedȱ fraudȱ perpetratedȱ betweenȱ closeȱ relativesȱ prevalentȱ inȱ theȱ lateȱ sixteenthȱ andȱ early seventeenthȱcenturyȱinȱhisȱarticleȱ“PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen:ȱSomeȱCozenersȱinȱShakespeare’s England”ȱinȱthisȱvolume. Sands,ȱed.ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ155ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Christineȱ Chism,ȱ “Robinȱ Hood:ȱ Thinkingȱ Globally,ȱ Actingȱ Locallyȱ inȱ theȱ FifteenthȬCentury Ballads,”ȱTheȱLetterȱofȱtheȱLaw:ȱLegalȱPracticeȱandȱLiteraryȱProductionȱinȱMedievalȱEngland,ȱed.ȱEmily SteinerȱandȱCandaceȱBarringtonȱ(Ithaca,ȱNY,ȱandȱLondon:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2002),ȱ12–39; hereȱ12–13. Chism,ȱ“RobinȱHood,”ȱ13ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ13).

178

JeanȱE.ȱJost

John’sȱownȱdesireȱtoȱensureȱtheȱlawsȱofȱinheritanceȱforȱhisȱsons.ȱȱInȱtheȱromance, behaviorȱisȱnotȱgenteelȱorȱrefined,ȱbutȱroughȱandȱbrutish.ȱȱAsȱRichardȱW.ȱKaeuper pointsȱout,ȱ Incidentsȱ ofȱ violenceȱ crowdȱ theȱ linesȱ ofȱ theȱ romanceȱ andȱ createȱ anȱ atmosphere punctuatedȱ byȱ theȱ soundȱ ofȱ oakenȱ stavesȱ thwackingȱ ribsȱ andȱ crackingȱ bonesȱ .ȱ .ȱ . [Violenceȱin]ȱthisȱtaleȱofȱrepeatedȱbeatings,ȱgraphicallyȱandȱevenȱgleefullyȱtoldȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱis peculiarȱ toȱ XIVȬcenturyȱ England.ȱ Itȱ seemsȱ toȱ beȱ characteristicȱ ofȱ oneȱ particularȱ (if broad)ȱstratumȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱactionȱtakesȱplaceȱonȱfoot,ȱ[and]ȱtheȱweaponȱisȱtheȱhumbleȱstaff inȱtheȱlateȱmediaevalȱEnglishȱcountrysideȱwhereȱtheȱcountryȱgentryȱandȱyeomanȱare theȱactors.15ȱȱ

ButȱSirȱJohn’sȱawarenessȱandȱforesightȱofȱtheȱsituationȱproveȱtoȱbeȱinȱvainȱasȱthe designatedȱ councilȱ ofȱ elders,ȱ ratherȱ unchivalricȱ knights,ȱ failȱ toȱ understandȱ his concern.ȱWhileȱpityingȱhisȱimminentȱdemise,ȱtheyȱmissȱhisȱmessage:ȱ“distribute myȱwealthȱtoȱ eachȱofȱmyȱsons.”ȱThinkingȱtheyȱunderstoodȱhisȱcomplaint,ȱand beingȱpowerȬhungryȱthemselves,ȱtheyȱareȱdeterminedȱtoȱusurpȱtheȱdyingȱman’s powerȱandȱignoreȱhisȱlastȱwishes;ȱtheyȱareȱasȱcravenȱasȱanyȱ“eir.”ȱNoȱoneȱrespects theȱlaw.ȱWhenȱtheseȱknightsȱwentȱintoȱcouncilȱtoȱapportionȱhisȱlands,ȱthen, Forȱtoȱdelenȱhemȱalleȱȱȱtoȱoonȱ,ȱthatȱwasȱherȱthought.ȱ AndȱforȱGamelynȱwasȱtheȱyongest,ȱȱȱheȱshouldȱhaveȱnoughtȱ Allȱtheȱlondȱthatȱtherȱwasȱȱȱtheyȱdaltenȱitȱinȱtwoȱ AndȱleetenȱGamelynȱtheȱyongeȱȱȱwithouteȱlondȱgo.16

TheȱfirstȱcrimeȱofȱtheȱromanceȱisȱthusȱmisapplyingȱSirȱJohn’sȱlastȬstatedȱwillȱand testamentȱbyȱnotȱequallyȱdistributingȱhisȱproperty.ȱWhenȱtheȱailingȱSirȱJohnȱlearns aboutȱtheȱimpendingȱdispositionȱofȱhisȱlands,ȱheȱswearsȱbyȱSt.ȱMartinȱthatȱtheȱland isȱstillȱhis,ȱbecomingȱfuriousȱandȱyellingȱȱ ForȱGodesȱloveȱneihebours,ȱȱȱstondethȱalleȱstille, AndȱIȱwillȱdeleȱmyȱlondȱȱȱafterȱmyȱwille. .ȱ.ȱ.ȱȱIȱbisekeȱyou,ȱȱȱgoodeȱmen,ȱȱȱthatȱlawȱconneȱofȱlonde, ForȱGamelynesȱloveȱȱȱThatȱmyȱquestȱstonde.17ȱ

Theȱtaleȱexaminesȱtheȱconsequencesȱofȱtheseȱfalseȱjudiciaries’ȱactions,ȱtooȱoftenȱthe stuffȱofȱactualȱlegalȱpractices,ȱandȱhowȱpunishmentȱfinallyȱredoundsȱuponȱthe violators. TheȱwilyȱeldestȱsonȱJohnȱneverthelessȱbeguilesȱhisȱyoungȱbrother,ȱkeepingȱhim onȱJohn’sȱland,ȱlettingȱGamelyn’sȱproperty,ȱparks,ȱandȱwoodsȱfallȱintoȱdisarray.ȱ

15

16 17

RichardȱW.ȱKaeuper,ȱ“AnȱHistorian’sȱReadingȱofȱTheȱTaleȱofȱGamelyn,”ȱMediumȱAevumȱ52ȱ(1983): 51–62;ȱhereȱ52. Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ43–46ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ55–56;ȱ63–64ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts

179

Hisȱ deer,ȱ hisȱ houses,ȱ hisȱ steedsȱ areȱ allȱ lostȱ orȱ ruined.ȱ Theȱ dismayedȱ Gamelyn standsȱfingeringȱhisȱbeard,ȱlamentingȱhisȱplight,ȱandȱrefusingȱtoȱcookȱJohn’sȱmeals. Heȱlistsȱallȱtheȱabusesȱheȱhasȱsufferedȱandȱcursesȱtheȱbrotherȱresponsibleȱforȱhis situation,ȱ eruptingȱ intoȱ righteousȱ anger.ȱ Perhapsȱ hisȱ laterȱ disdainȱ forȱ theȱ law occursȱbecauseȱhisȱownȱrightsȱwereȱconsistentlyȱtrampledȱon.ȱWithȱnoȱroleȱmodels whoȱrespectȱtheȱlaw,ȱisȱitȱanyȱwonderȱtheȱyoungȱmanȱdisdainsȱlegalȱauthority?ȱThe quickȬtemperedȱJohnȱcallsȱGamelynȱnamesȱandȱordersȱhisȱmenȱtoȱbeatȱtheȱyoung manȱsenseless.ȱThisȱkindȱofȱnegativeȱcamaraderieȱreinforcesȱcruelȱbehavior,ȱand ultimatelyȱ willȱ sendȱ Gamelynȱ toȱ theȱ outliers,ȱ theȱ outlaws,ȱ thoseȱ outȱ ofȱ the mainstream.ȱȱButȱhereȱtheȱyoung,ȱstrongȱGamelynȱfindsȱaȱpestleȱtoȱuseȱasȱdefense and,ȱ likeȱ aȱ wildȱ lion,ȱ leavesȱ theȱ menȱ inȱ aȱ heap.ȱ Whenȱ theȱ fearfulȱ Johnȱ asks Gamelynȱtoȱlayȱdownȱhisȱarms,ȱheȱremindsȱhisȱyoungerȱbrotherȱthatȱheȱcould breakȱGamelyn’sȱbones.ȱJohnȱdefendsȱhisȱownȱillegitimateȱbullyingȱasȱmerelyȱaȱtest ofȱGamelyn’sȱstrengthȱandȱacceptsȱGamelyn’sȱrequestȱforȱhisȱproperȱinheritance andȱtheȱbrothersȱappearȱreconciled.ȱȱButȱhisȱacceptanceȱisȱaȱsham,ȱfor: ThusȱsaideȱtheȱknightȱȱȱtoȱGamelynȱwithȱmouthe Andȱthoughtȱeekȱofȱfalsnesȱȱȱasȱheȱwellȱcouthe. TheȱknightȱthoughtȱonȱtresounȱȱȱandȱGamelynȱonȱnoon.18

Theȱ familyȱ disputeȱ endsȱ withȱ aȱ treasonousȱ kissȱ fromȱ John,ȱ leadingȱ toȱ further violence.ȱTheȱnaiveȱGamelynȱdoesȱnotȱrealizeȱtheȱextentȱofȱhisȱbrother’sȱmalice whichȱlaterȱcomesȱasȱaȱshockȱandȱinfluencesȱhisȱownȱbehaviorȱandȱattitudes. Whenȱaȱwrestlingȱmatchȱisȱannounced,ȱtheȱstrongȬmuscledȱGamelynȱdecidesȱto enterȱtheȱcompetitionȱbutȱJohnȱlocksȱtheȱgateȱafterȱGamelynȱhasȱriddenȱaway,ȱand praysȱthatȱhisȱbrotherȱwillȱbreakȱhisȱneck.ȱButȱGamelyn,ȱ“theȱ‘maleȱCinderella’ provesȱhisȱworthȱinȱanȱathleticȱcontest,”19ȱasȱSandsȱnotes,ȱovercomesȱtheȱwrestling champion,ȱandȱwinsȱtheȱprize.ȱWhenȱheȱandȱhisȱcompanionsȱreturnȱhome,ȱheȱfinds thatȱJohnȱhasȱmaliciouslyȱbarredȱandȱlockedȱtheȱgateȱagainstȱhim:ȱ“thanneȱwasȱit yshetȱȱȱfasteȱwithȱaȱpin.”20ȱWithȱemotional,ȱfamilialȱtiesȱsundered,ȱhisȱcomradesȱare theȱ firstȱ supportȱ systemȱ Gamelynȱ finds.ȱ Thoseȱ companions–“allȱ manner men”—admireȱhisȱanimalȱstrength.ȱInȱretributionȱforȱbeingȱlockedȱout,ȱtheȱangry Gamelynȱ“smoteȱtheȱwiketȱwithȱhisȱfootȱandȱbrakeȱawayȱtheȱpin”21ȱbeforeȱkilling theȱporter— .ȱ.ȱ.ȱgertȱhimȱinȱtheȱneckeȱȱȱthatȱtheȱbonȱtobrack Andȱtookȱhimȱbyȱthatȱoonȱarmȱȱȱandȱthrewȱhimȱinȱaȱwelle— Sevenȱfadmenȱitȱwasȱdeep.22ȱȱȱ

18 19 20 21 22

Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ163–65ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ154ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ292ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ298ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ304–06ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

180

JeanȱE.ȱJost

TheȱcoldȬbloodedȱmurder,ȱtheȱsecondȱmajorȱcrimeȱofȱtheȱromance,ȱcomplicatesȱthe taleȱandȱdoesȱnothingȱtoȱstirȱaudienceȱsympathyȱforȱtheȱexcessivelyȱstrongȱhero, despiteȱtheȱinjusticeȱdoneȱhim.ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱmainstreamȱcultureȱisȱrepresentedȱby hisȱbrotherȱJohn,ȱasȱlordȱofȱtheȱmanorȱhouse.ȱInȱoppositionȱtoȱtheȱoutlawsȱofȱthe forest,ȱJohnȱneverthelessȱrecallsȱtheȱlawlessȱviciousnessȱofȱforestsȱwhereȱbandits andȱ brigandsȱ ruthlesslyȱ murderedȱ victims.ȱ Andȱ Gamelyn’sȱ personalȱ familial cultureȱhasȱdoneȱnothingȱtoȱnurtureȱorȱsupportȱhim.ȱSurelyȱGamelynȱfindsȱgreater affinityȱwithȱtheȱforestȱoutlawsȱandȱbrigandsȱtoȱwhomȱheȱridesȱwhenȱheȱisȱbarred fromȱhisȱhomeȱthanȱwithȱthoseȱinȱtheȱsupposedȱnormȱofȱsocietyȱfromȱtheȱmanor andȱtown.ȱHowȱdoȱtheȱtwoȱcultures,ȱtheȱmainstreamȱinȱtheȱtown,ȱincludingȱhis brotherȱJohn,ȱȱandȱtheȱmarginalȱinȱtheȱforest,ȱcoexist?ȱȱWhatȱisȱtheȱsocialȱandȱlegal relationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱtwo?ȱThoseȱinȱtheȱmainstream,ȱsuchȱasȱJohn,ȱandȱthose marginalȱbeggarsȱoutsideȱofȱit,ȱsuchȱasȱGemelyn?ȱȱBarbaraȱHanawaltȱanswersȱthis way: Medievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱsocietyȱwasȱtolerantȱofȱthoseȱoutsideȱtheȱmainstreamȱuntil theyȱ cameȱ toȱ theȱ attentionȱ ofȱ authoritiesȱ orȱ untilȱ theȱ publicȱ becameȱ frightenedȱ of personalȱ violenceȱ orȱ beganȱ toȱ feelȱ thatȱ theirȱ spaceȱ wasȱ somehowȱ pollutedȱ byȱ the presenceȱofȱmarginals.ȱTheȱlocalȱneighborhoodȱbeggarȱwasȱaȱfigureȱofȱpityȱandȱcharity butȱwhenȱtheȱpopulationȱofȱEuropeȱbeganȱtoȱmoveȱaroundȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury,ȱand toȱ floodȱ theȱ cities,ȱ urbanȱ andȱ royalȱ authoritiesȱ beganȱ toȱ promulgateȱ lawsȱ against “sturdyȱbeggars”ȱwhoȱwereȱdisruptiveȱandȱunproductive.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱAȱtraditionalȱtolerance forȱthoseȱlivingȱdangerouslyȱandȱoutsideȱtheȱnormalȱconstraintsȱofȱsocietyȱbeganȱto changeȱinȱtheȱlaterȱMiddleȱAgesȱasȱtheȱpowerȱofȱtheȱcentralȱstateȱgrewȱstronger.23ȱȱ

Thus,ȱasȱtheȱcentralȱgovernmentȱstrengthened,ȱacceptanceȱofȱthatȱoutlawȱsociety improvedȱ becauseȱ thoseȱ withinȱ theȱ marginsȱ didȱ notȱ fearȱ theȱ powerȱ ofȱ the outsiders,ȱhavingȱaȱcentralizedȱgovernmentȱuponȱwhichȱtoȱrelyȱforȱprotection.ȱWill theȱ hero,ȱ “Gamelynȱ theȱ yonge,”ȱ beȱ punishedȱ forȱ hisȱ brazenȱ andȱ unwarranted crueltyȱtoȱtheȱporterȱinȱthisȱtimeȱofȱsocialȱunrest?ȱIsȱheȱpartȱofȱsociety,ȱasȱaȱmember ofȱhisȱaffluentȱfamily,ȱanȱoutsiderȱasȱaȱmemberȱofȱtheȱoutlaws,ȱorȱboth?ȱTolerated orȱpunished?ȱCuriously,ȱtheȱmetaphorȱforȱrepeatedȱbrutalityȱthroughoutȱtheȱpoem isȱ ironicallyȱ thatȱ ofȱ “play”:ȱ “.ȱ .ȱ .ȱ Gamelynȱ theȱ yongeȱ ȱ ȱ thusȱ haddeȱ plaidȱ his play”24—destructiveȱplayȱindeed.ȱInȱretributionȱagainstȱJohnȱforȱlockingȱhimȱoutȱofȱthe castle,ȱ Gamelynȱ invitesȱ allȱ hisȱ companyȱ toȱ partakeȱ ofȱ hisȱ brother’sȱ foodȱ andȱ drink.ȱ As Kaeuperȱ pointsȱ out,ȱ theseȱ charactersȱ areȱ fromȱ “theȱ amorphousȱ socialȱ levelȱ ofȱ minor landowners,ȱlesserȱknightsȱandȱretainers–thoseȱwhoȱmightȱatȱmostȱhobnobȱwithȱtheȱprior ofȱ aȱ nearbyȱ religiousȱ houseȱ andȱ knowȱ theȱ sheriff,ȱ butȱ whoseȱ horizonsȱ areȱ essentially

23

24

ȱ Barbaraȱ Hanawalt,ȱ “Introduction,”ȱ Livingȱ Dangerously:ȱ Onȱ theȱ Marginsȱ inȱ Medievalȱ andȱEarly Modernȱ Europe,ȱ ed.ȱ Barbaraȱ Hanawaltȱ andȱ Annaȱ Grotansȱ (Notreȱ Dame,ȱ IN:ȱ Notreȱ Dame UniversityȱPress,ȱ2007),ȱ2,ȱ3. Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ307ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts

181

local.”25ȱGamelyn’sȱcompanionsȱareȱnotȱtheȱsocialȱeliteȱorȱrepresentativesȱofȱthe

rulingȱelite.ȱGamelynȱchallengesȱJohnȱtoȱcomplain,ȱandȱcursesȱhimȱwhenȱheȱdoes. Heȱwhoȱgrumblesȱshallȱjoinȱtheȱporter!ȱ Aȱweekȱlater,ȱwhenȱtheȱsatedȱcompanionsȱleaveȱtheȱcastle,ȱ“Hisȱbrotherȱthought onȱ[Gamelyn]ȱbeȱwrekeȱȱȱWithȱhisȱtreccherie,”26ȱbutȱGamelynȱjustifiesȱhisȱactions byȱnotingȱthatȱtheȱfruitsȱofȱtheȱfeastȱcameȱfromȱlandsȱhisȱfatherȱhadȱbequeathed him—notȱ John.ȱ Therefore,ȱ hisȱ bountyȱ toȱ hisȱ friendsȱ wasȱ notȱ theft.ȱ Whenȱ John duplicitouslyȱpromisesȱtoȱmakeȱGamelynȱhisȱheir,ȱaȱtemporaryȱtruceȱisȱreached. ButȱsoonȱtheȱguilefulȱJohnȱliesȱtoȱGamelynȱclaimingȱthatȱheȱpreviouslyȱvowedȱto bindȱGamelynȱhandȱandȱfootȱforȱkillingȱtheȱporter,ȱandȱwishesȱnotȱbeȱforesworn.ȱ Respectingȱhisȱbrother’sȱputativeȱvow,ȱGamelynȱfoolishlyȱallowsȱhimselfȱtoȱbe bound.ȱToȱGamelyn’sȱshockedȱamazement,ȱJohnȱtellsȱtheȱcastleȱvisitorsȱGamelyn hasȱgoneȱinsaneȱandȱmustȱbeȱconfined.ȱȱBoundȱtoȱaȱhallȱpostȱwithoutȱfoodȱorȱdrink forȱtwoȱdaysȱandȱnights,ȱGamelynȱaccuses: ȱ ȱȱȱ

“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱthouȱartȱaȱpartyȱfals;ȱ HadȱIȱwistȱthatȱtresounȱȱȱthatȱthouȱhastȱfound, IȱwoldeȱhaveȱyeveȱtheeȱstrokesȱȱȱOrȱIȱhadȱbeȱbounde.”27ȱ

FinallyȱGamelynȱconvincesȱAdamȱSpencer,ȱhisȱfather’sȱandȱbrother’sȱservant,ȱto stealȱtheȱkeysȱandȱfreeȱhim,ȱdespiteȱAdam’sȱfearȱofȱbeingȱaccusedȱofȱtreasonȱby John.ȱ Hereȱ beginsȱ aȱ kindȱ ofȱ homosocialȱ bondingȱ andȱ secondȱ supportȱ system whereinȱGamelynȱandȱAdamȱshareȱtheirȱactions,ȱtheirȱplans,ȱtheirȱresistanceȱto authorityȱofȱtheȱlaw,ȱandȱtheirȱfearȱofȱitsȱconsequences.ȱOnceȱfreed,ȱGamelyn’s immediateȱresponseȱisȱvindictive.ȱȱHeȱvowsȱtoȱcutȱoffȱJohn’sȱhead,ȱbutȱtheȱwiser Adamȱrestrainsȱhimȱbyȱsuggestingȱaȱmilder,ȱsmarterȱmethodȱtoȱeffectȱtheirȱplan. AlthoughȱAdamȱhadȱunlockedȱhisȱchains,ȱtheȱyoungȱGamelynȱfeignsȱbondageȱand begsȱtheȱclergy,ȱ“abbotesȱandȱpriours”28ȱforȱfreedomȱwhenȱtheyȱcomeȱtoȱaȱbanquet. Theȱ clergyȱ willȱ eitherȱ freeȱ Gamelynȱ orȱ beȱ beatenȱ withȱ staffsȱ byȱ Adamȱ and Gamelynȱforȱtheirȱfailureȱtoȱdoȱso.ȱOfȱcourseȱtheȱviciousȱclergyȱdenyȱGamelyn help,ȱevenȱclaimingȱ“IȱwoldȱthinȱheedȱwereȱoffȱȱȱThoughȱthouȱwereȱmyȱbrother;”29 “Itȱisȱmocheȱskathe,ȱboy,ȱȱȱthatȱthouȱareȱonȱlive.”30ȱ Inȱretribution,ȱAdamȱandȱGamelynȱsoundlyȱbeatȱthemȱwithȱtheirȱstaffs,ȱ“For theyȱ hadȱ noȱ rewtheȱ ȱ ȱ ofȱ menȱ ofȱ holyȱ chercheȱ /ȱ Abbotȱ orȱ priour,ȱ ȱ ȱ monkȱ or

25 26 27 28 29 30

Kaeuper,ȱ“AnȱHistorian’sȱReading,”ȱ52ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).ȱ Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ346ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ392–94ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ435ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ484ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ488ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

182

JeanȱE.ȱJost

chanoun.“31ȱWhyȱshouldȱtheyȱbeȱpitied,ȱwhenȱtheyȱthemselvesȱexhibitedȱnoȱsuch pityȱ orȱ concernȱ forȱ Gamelyn,ȱ supposedlyȱ madȱ andȱ inȱ chains.ȱ ȱ Adamȱ suggests Gamelynȱ“brekȱbotheȱherȱleggesȱȱȱandȱsithenȱhereȱarmes,”32ȱfurtherȱescalatingȱthe levelȱofȱviolence.ȱThusȱretributiveȱjusticeȱultimatelyȱwins,ȱforȱtheȱclericsȱ“came thereȱridingȱjauntilyȱwithȱtheirȱservantsȱandȱwereȱbroughtȱbackȱ[unconscious]ȱin cartsȱandȱwagons.”33ȱ Gamelyn’sȱvengeanceȱagainstȱhisȱbrotherȱisȱequallyȱdamaging:ȱwithȱhisȱstaffȱhe “girtȱhimȱinȱtheȱneckeȱȱȱthatȱheȱoverthrewȱ(suchȱthatȱheȱfellȱdown).ȱȱAȱlitelȱabove theȱgirdelȱȱȱTheȱriggebonȱtobarstȱ(theȱbackboneȱbroke).”34ȱSittingȱJohnȱinȱfettersȱlike thoseȱinȱwhichȱheȱwasȱlockedȱ“Forȱtoȱcolinȱthyȱblod,ȱȱȱasȱIȱdidȱmin”35ȱtheȱyouth avengesȱhisȱbrother’sȱcruelty.ȱButȱsoonȱtwentyȬfourȱofȱtheȱsheriff’sȱhostileȱdeputies arriveȱtoȱswearȱvengeanceȱonȱGamelyn,ȱhavingȱheardȱofȱtheȱviolentȱmeleeȱatȱthe castle.ȱ Althoughȱ Adamȱ andȱ Gamelynȱ defeatȱ fiveȱ foesȱ andȱ theȱ othersȱ flee,ȱ the sheriffȱ himself,ȱ representingȱ theȱ localȱ legalȱ establishment,ȱ arrivesȱ withȱ aȱ large posseȱtoȱextractȱvengeance.ȱȱTheȱtwoȱmenȱareȱforcedȱtoȱescapeȱintoȱtheȱforestȱlest theyȱbeȱcaught.ȱȱThereȱtheyȱcomeȱuponȱaȱbandȱofȱoutlawsȱwithȱwhomȱtheyȱmake friendsȱandȱshareȱfood.ȱTheȱlocusȱofȱescape,ȱtheȱpersonaȱofȱtheȱchasingȱsheriff,ȱand theȱfriendlyȱoutlawsȱwhomȱGamelynȱcallsȱ“hisȱmerryȱmen”36areȱclearlyȱparallelȱto thoseȱelementsȱinȱtheȱRobinȱHoodȱstories.ȱEventuallyȱGamelynȱisȱ“Madeȱmaister outlaweȱȱȱandȱcrounedȱherȱking”37overȱthoseȱoutlawsȱwhoȱhaveȱbecomeȱhisȱthird sourceȱofȱcomfort–aȱkindȱofȱpersonalȱandȱantiȬestablishmentȱinstitution.ȱButȱJohn soonȱsupercedesȱGamelyn’sȱpower:ȱ Theȱfalsȱknightȱhisȱbrotherȱȱȱwasȱsherreveȱandȱsireȱ Andȱleetȱhisȱbrotherȱenditeȱȱȱforȱhateȱandȱforȱire.ȱ38ȱ

Hisȱ cohortsȱ warnȱ himȱ “Nowȱ isȱ thyȱ brotherȱ sherreveȱ ȱ andȱ hathȱ theȱ baillie”39 (709)—fromȱwhichȱofficeȱheȱindictsȱGamelyn.ȱThusȱformalȱlegalȱproceedingsȱare initiatedȱ andȱ tensionsȱ growȱ betweenȱ localȱ (John)ȱ andȱ monarchicalȱ authority. Ironically,ȱtheȱlegitimateȱking,ȱthroughȱhisȱlocalȱminions,ȱisȱindictingȱtheȱkingȱof theȱoutlaws.ȱHearingȱofȱhisȱindictmentȱbyȱthisȱlocalȱagent,ȱhisȱbrotherȱtheȱsheriff,

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ509–09ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ524ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

ȱ Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱnoteȱ527–28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ536–37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ540ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ774ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ694ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ697–98ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ709ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts

183

“Allas,”ȱsaideȱGamelyn,ȱȱȱ“thatȱeverȱIȱwasȱsoȱslak ThatȱIȱneȱhaddeȱbrokeȱhisȱneckeȱȱȱThoȱhisȱriggeȱbrak!”40ȱȱȱ [WhenȱIȱbrokeȱhisȱback]

Gamelyn’sȱaggressiveȱstanceȱmarksȱtheȱlatterȱsegmentȱofȱtheȱromance,ȱhisȱfraternal experiencesȱ generatingȱ hisȱ evolutionȱ fromȱ mildȬmannered,ȱ lightȬhearted, cooperativeȱbrotherȱtoȱvindictive,ȱcoldȬhearted,ȱcontrollingȱmachine.ȱMarching boldlyȱintoȱJohn’sȱassemblyȱhallȱtoȱwhichȱheȱhasȱbeenȱcalled,ȱGamelynȱcursesȱthe indignitiesȱheapedȱuponȱhimȱbyȱhisȱbrother,ȱtheȱlocalȱlawȱestablishment.ȱHeȱrails againstȱtheȱindictment,ȱasȱwellȱasȱJohn’sȱorderȱsettingȱhisȱlifeȱatȱtheȱvalueȱofȱaȱwolf, “Andȱallȱhisȱgoodȱrevedȱȱȱandȱhisȱmenȱshent”41ȱ(hisȱpropertyȱdespoiledȱandȱhis menȱpoorlyȱtreated).ȱFirstȱGamelynȱremovesȱhisȱhoodȱasȱaȱsymbolicȱgestureȱof respectȱtoȱtheȱlordsȱpresent,ȱexceptȱhisȱdeceitfulȱbrother,ȱgreetingȱthemȱwithȱ “Godȱsaveȱyouȱalle,ȱlordings,ȱthatȱnowȱhereȱbe,ȱȱ Butȱbrokebakȱsherreve—ȱȱȱevilȱmotȱthouȱthee!”42ȱ

Gamelyn’sȱangerȱpromptsȱJohnȱtoȱseizeȱhim,ȱandȱGamelynȱatȱlastȱvengefullyȱ“Was castȱintoȱprisounȱȱȱandȱfetteredȱfullȱfast.”43ȱTheȱnatureȱandȱdegreeȱofȱseriousness ofȱJohn’sȱviolentlyȱcriminalȱbehavior,ȱhisȱconformityȱtoȱlaw,ȱorȱtheȱlegitimacyȱof hisȱ vengeanceȱ isȱ notȱ alwaysȱ clear.ȱ Perhapsȱ Sirȱ Oteȱ representsȱ theȱ bestȱ balance betweenȱ civilȱ disobedienceȱ andȱ accommodationȱ withȱ hisȱ measured,ȱ reasoned manner.ȱHereȱtheȱgoodȱSirȱOte,ȱGamelyn’sȱappropriatelyȱ“ȱmiddle”ȱbrotherȱ(inȱage andȱrelationshipȱtoȱtheȱotherȱtwo),ȱintervenes,ȱsayingȱtoȱJohn: WeȱbeenȱbutȱthreeȱbrethrenȱȱȱShullȱweȱneverȱbeȱmo— Andȱthouȱhasȱyprisonedȱȱȱtheȱbestȱofȱusȱalleȱ Swicheȱanotherȱbrotherȱȱȱivilȱmotȱhimȱbifalle.ȱ44ȱ [evilȱtoȱanyȱbrotherȱsuchȱasȱyou]

TheȱvindictiveȱJohnȱclaimsȱ ByȱGodȱforȱthyȱwordes,ȱȱȱheȱshallȱfareȱtheȱwurs!ȱ ToȱtheȱkingesȱprisounȱȱȱanonȱisȱheȱyȬnome.ȱ45

BecauseȱofȱOte’sȱcurse,ȱGamelynȱisȱsummarilyȱtakenȱtoȱtheȱking’sȱprisonȱ“tillȱthe justiceȱcome.”46ȱTheȱpunishmentȱreflectsȱbothȱlocalȱandȱmonarchialȱauthorityȱsince heȱisȱimprisonedȱonȱordersȱofȱtheȱlocalȱsheriffȱandȱhousedȱinȱtheȱking’sȱprison.ȱIt

40 41 42 43 44 45 46

Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ711–12ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ604ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱȱ719–20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱȱ726ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱȱ736–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ740–41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ742ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

184

JeanȱE.ȱJost

isȱthusȱduallyȱinstituted.ȱFromȱthisȱpointȱon,ȱtheȱlegalȱdimensionȱofȱthisȱromance willȱshapeȱitsȱresolution.ȱAȱrepresentativeȱofȱtheȱmonarchyȱpossessesȱtheȱgreatest authorityȱandȱsubjugationȱoverȱGamelyn,ȱperhapsȱinȱconjunctionȱwithȱJohn,ȱthe newlyȱappointedȱsheriff.ȱAsȱDeanȱpointsȱout,ȱ“inȱtheȱlateȱtwelfthȱandȱthirteenth centuries,ȱroyalȱjudgesȱwereȱsentȱoutȱfromȱcentralȱcourtsȱinȱcircuitsȱofȱgroupsȱof countiesȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱAfterȱthisȱsystemȱbrokeȱdownȱthroughȱoverloadȱinȱtheȱyearsȱaround 1300,ȱaȱcombinationȱofȱcentralȱandȱlocalȱjudgesȱeventuallyȱtookȱitsȱplace:ȱcentral judgesȱonȱcircuitȱandȱlocalȱ‘JusticesȱofȱtheȱPeace’ȱinȱeachȱcountyȱheldȱregularȱcourt sessions.”47ȱThisȱromanceȱappearsȱtoȱdrawȱfromȱtheȱsecondȱtraditionȱasȱcentralȱand localȱauthorityȱcollude.ȱWaitingȱforȱtheȱarrivalȱofȱaȱcentralizedȱtravelingȱjudge wouldȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱregularȱoccurrence.ȱȱHowever,ȱinȱtheȱmeantimeȱOteȱdemands bailȱbeȱsetȱforȱGamelynȱ(“mainpris”48)ȱwithȱȱhimselfȱasȱcollateralȱuntilȱtheȱnext legalȱhearing,ȱwhenȱaȱtravelingȱjusticeȱarrivesȱfromȱtheȱKing’sȱretinue.ȱJohnȱgrants thisȱrequest,ȱremindingȱOte: “Brother,ȱinȱswichȱaȱforthward,ȱȱȱIȱtakeȱhimȱtoȱthee; Andȱbyȱthyȱfaderȱsouleȱȱȱthatȱtheeȱbegatȱandȱme ButȬifȱheȱbeȱredyȱȱȱwhanȱtheȱjusticeȱsitte, Thouȱshaltȱbereȱtheȱjuggementȱȱȱforȱalleȱthyȱgreteȱwitte.”ȱ49ȱ

OteȱfearsȱGamelynȱwillȱnotȱreturnȱwhenȱheȱvisitsȱhisȱoutlawȱband,ȱandȱOte,ȱhis surety,ȱwillȱbeȱpunished.ȱWhenȱheȱbegsȱ“Godȱshildeȱtheeȱfromȱshame;ȱ/ȱComȱwhan thouȱ seestȱ timeȱ ȱ ȱ andȱ bringȱ usȱ outȱ ofȱ blame,”50ȱ Gamelynȱ reassuresȱ himȱ ofȱ his fidelityȱandȱpromisesȱhisȱfaithful,ȱtimelyȱreturn.ȱ TheȱissueȱofȱtheȱgreenȱorȱtheȱforestȱtoȱwhichȱGamelynȱtemporarilyȱreturnsȱhadȱalso becomeȱaȱlegalȱconcernȱofȱdemarcatingȱsocialȱclassesȱbyȱnow.ȱTheȱforestȱisȱaȱplace ofȱ potentialȱ criminalȱ activityȱ involvingȱ thoseȱ belowȱ theȱ nobleȱ class,ȱ especially regardingȱhuntingȱregulations.ȱAsȱWilliamȱPerryȱMarvinȱnotes:ȱ Whereasȱhuntingȱreservesȱdelineatedȱtheȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱlicitȱandȱcriminalȱactivity accordingȱtoȱrealȱtopographicalȱcriteria,ȱtheȱgameȱlawȱdrawsȱaȱboundaryȱatȱpoints contrivedȱtoȱmarkȱaȱcleavageȱinȱtheȱsocialȱhierarchy,ȱdemarcatingȱaȱlevelȱofȱnominal orȱperformativeȱgentilityȱbelowȱwhichȱaȱlargeȱpartȱofȱtheȱhuntingȱpublicȱwasȱatȱbestȱto beȱdisenfranchisedȱandȱatȱworstȱcriminalized.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱTheȱgameȱlaw,ȱinȱthatȱitȱrevokedȱthe individualȱrightȱtoȱhuntȱfromȱpersonsȱwhoȱdidȱnotȱmeetȱtheȱpropertyȱqualificationsȱit

47 48 49 50

Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ7ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ744ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

ȱ Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ747–50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ767–68ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts

185

established,ȱ inȱ effectȱ legallyȱ closedȱ theȱ commonȱ chaseȱ toȱ theȱ majorityȱ ofȱ the population.51

ȱ Gamelynȱandȱcertainlyȱhisȱcomradesȱwouldȱhaveȱfallenȱbelowȱtheȱlevelȱofȱgentility neededȱtoȱfrequentȱtheȱgreen.ȱNevertheless,ȱGamelynȱretreatsȱtoȱtheȱforestȱtoȱjoin hisȱsupportiveȱcompanions,ȱignoringȱgameȱlawsȱinȱeffect.ȱ Meanwhile,ȱSheriffȱJohnȱisȱbusilyȱtryingȱtoȱbribeȱwitnesses: Forȱheȱwasȱfastȱaboutȱȱȱbotheȱdayȱandȱother Forȱtoȱhireȱtheȱquestȱȱȱtoȱhangenȱhisȱbrother.52ȱ

ȱ

Thisȱillegalȱbehaviorȱbyȱoneȱofȱtheȱlocalȱofficialsȱagainstȱhisȱownȱfleshȱandȱblood isȱhighlighted;ȱifȱtheȱaudienceȱdidȱnotȱknowȱalready,ȱtheyȱwouldȱnowȱbeȱfully awareȱofȱhisȱulteriorȱmotives. Gamelynȱtellsȱhisȱmenȱtheyȱwillȱnowȱreturnȱtoȱcourt,ȱforȱheȱhasȱpledgedȱthisȱto hisȱ brotherȱ Ote,ȱ havingȱ promisedȱ hisȱ returnȱ toȱ sitȱ inȱ judgmentȱ lestȱ Oteȱ be punished.ȱButȱJohn,ȱinȱhisȱcapacityȱofȱsheriff,ȱwouldȱpunishȱOteȱifȱnotȱGamelyn:

ȱȱȱ

TheȱfalsȱknightȱhisȱbrotherȱȱȱForyatȱheȱnatȱthat Toȱhuireȱmenȱtheȱmenȱonȱhisȱquestȱȱȱtoȱhangenȱhisȱbrother;ȱ [bribeȱmenȱonȱtheȱinquest] Thoughȱheȱhaddeȱnoughtȱthatȱoon,ȱȱȱheȱwoldeȱhaveȱthatȱother.53ȱ

ȱȱȱ Johnȱwillȱmakeȱtheȱbrotherȱwhoȱstandsȱsuretyȱforȱtheȱbailȱpayȱifȱtheȱother,ȱnamely Gamelyn,ȱisȱnotȱnearbyȱasȱsoonȱasȱtheȱjusticeȱarrives.ȱAsȱallȱreturnȱtoȱtheȱcourtȱwith theȱjustice’sȱarrival,ȱAdamȱentersȱtheȱhallȱandȱscopesȱoutȱtheȱsituation,ȱfeelingȱ“as heȱwereȱagast”54ȱatȱOte’sȱconfinementȱinȱfetters–theȱverdictȱwasȱgivenȱthatȱOte, Gamelyn’sȱ surety,ȱ beȱ hangedȱ inȱ Gamelyn’sȱ placeȱ becauseȱ Gamelynȱ hasȱ yetȱ to arrive.ȱGamelyn,ȱdiscoveringȱhisȱbrotherȱOteȱ“fetteredȱwellȱfast”55ȱinȱtheȱassembly hall,ȱvowsȱrevenge:ȱ“Heȱshallȱitȱabeggeȱȱȱthatȱbroughteȱthertoo.”56ȱAdamȱsuggests vengeance–inȱfactȱdecapitation—ofȱtheȱentireȱgroup,ȱbutȱGamelynȱwisely,ȱand legally,ȱsaysȱ “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱweȱwilneȱnoughtȱdonȱso Weȱwillȱsleeȱtheȱgiltifȱ[theȱbribed]ȱȱȱandȱletȱtheȱotherȱgo.

51

52 53 54 55 56

ȱ WilliamȱPerryȱMarvin,ȱ“SlaughterȱandȱRomance:ȱHuntingȱReservesȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱEngland,” MedievalȱCrimeȱandȱSocialȱControl,ȱed.ȱBarbaraȱA.ȱHanawaltȱandȱDavidȱWallaceȱ(Minneapolisȱand London:ȱUniversityȱofȱMinnesotaȱPress,ȱ1999),ȱ224–52;ȱhereȱ229. Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ785–86ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ800–02ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ810ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ809ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ816ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

186

JeanȱE.ȱJost Iȱwillȱintoȱtheȱhalleȱȱȱandȱwithȱtheȱjusticeȱspeke OnȱthemȱthatȱbeenȱgiltifȱȱȱIȱwillȱbeenȱawreke.”57

(821–24)

Heȱmoreȱmoderatelyȱconcludesȱ“Iȱwillȱbeȱjusticeȱthisȱdayȱȱȱdomesȱtoȱdeme./ȱGod spedeȱmeȱthisȱdayȱatȱmyȱneweȱwerk!”58ȱInȱthisȱrealmȱofȱphysicalȱviolence,ȱinȱa courtȱpresidedȱoverȱbyȱaȱvengefulȱsheriffȱwhoȱstoopsȱtoȱbribery,ȱaȱkindȱofȱrough justiceȱwillȱprevail.ȱGamelynȱentersȱtheȱassemblyȱhallȱwhereȱtheȱking’sȱjusticeȱsits, andȱ unfettersȱ hisȱ innocentȱ brotherȱ Oteȱ whenȱ learningȱ heȱ wasȱ scheduledȱ toȱ be hanged.ȱGamelynȱkeepsȱhisȱpromiseȱtoȱpunishȱtheȱbriberȱandȱtheȱbribed: “Thisȱdayȱtheyȱshulnȱbeenȱhangedȱȱȱthatȱbeenȱonȱthyȱquestȱȱ [inquest]; Andȱtheȱjusticeȱbothe,ȱȱȱthatȱisȱjuggeȬman, Andȱtheȱsherreveȱbothe—ȱȱȱthurghȱhimȱitȱbigan.”59ȱ

ȱ BoldlyȱGamelynȱchallengesȱtheȱmonarchicalȱjudgeȱforȱhisȱfalseȱdecisionȱbasedȱon bribery,ȱandȱsaysȱthatȱheȱwillȱsitȱasȱjusticeȱinȱtheȱjudge’sȱplace:ȱ “Nowȱisȱthyȱpowerȱydon;ȱȱȱthouȱmustȱnedesȱarise; Thouȱhasȱyevenȱdomesȱȱȱthatȱbenȱivelȱdight; Iȱwolȱsittenȱinȱthyȱseteȱȱȱandȱdressenȱhemȱaright.”60

Gettingȱnoȱresponse,ȱGamelynȱviolentlyȱoustsȱtheȱjudge,ȱ“clevedeȱhisȱcheekeȱboon .ȱ.ȱ.ȱ/ȱthrewȱhimȱoverȱtheȱbarreȱȱȱandȱhisȱarmȱtobrak,”61ȱfrighteningȱeveryoneȱelse inȱtheȱroom.ȱThenȱheȱsitsȱdownȱinȱtheȱjudge’sȱseatȱandȱproclaimsȱtheȱpunishments: heȱfettersȱtheȱking’sȱjusticeȱandȱtheȱlocalȱsheriff,ȱhisȱbrotherȱJohn,ȱusurpingȱboth kinglyȱandȱlocalȱpower.ȱHeȱthenȱinquiresȱaboutȱwhoȱwasȱonȱtheȱjury,ȱdeliberates longȱandȱhard,ȱfettersȱtheȱjurorsȱasȱwell,ȱandȱoffersȱjudgmentȱonȱthemȱall.ȱJustȱsuch aȱcaseȱofȱjurorsȱindictingȱtheȱaccusedȱandȱhangingȱhimȱisȱdescribedȱbyȱTrevorȱDean inȱaȱsimilarȱhistoricȱcase: [I]nȱLondon,ȱinȱJanuaryȱ1417,ȱ‘EdmundȱateȱChapell’ȱofȱFinsburyȱwasȱindictedȱbefore theȱsheriffsȱandȱcoronerȱofȱrobbingȱJohnȱStoweȱofȱNorwichȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱDecemberȱof aȱwhiteȱhorse,ȱfourȱboltsȱofȱcloth,ȱaȱknife,ȱaȱfurȱandȱotherȱgoods.ȱHeȱpleadedȱnotȱguilty, andȱoptedȱforȱjuryȱtrial.ȱAȱjuryȱwasȱsummonedȱandȱswornȱin.ȱTheyȱsaidȱonȱoathȱthat Edmundȱwasȱguilty,ȱsoȱheȱwasȱsentencedȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱhanging.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱInȱEngland,ȱaȱjury ofȱlocalȱmenȱsimplyȱgaveȱaȱverdict,ȱapparentlyȱwithoutȱmuchȱinȱtheȱwayȱofȱhearing evidenceȱorȱwitnesses,ȱandȱtheȱjudgeȱissuedȱtheȱsentence.62ȱȱ

57 58 59 60 61 62

Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ821–24(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ826–27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ842–44ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ846–48ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ850,ȱ852ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ2,ȱ3ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱOriginalȱsourceȱisȱinȱtheȱCalendarȱofȱPleaȱand MemorandaȱRollsȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱofȱtheȱCityȱofȱLondonȱADȱ1413–1437,ȱed.ȱA.ȱH.ȱThomasȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridge

RetributionȱinȱGamelyn:ȱAȱCaseȱinȱtheȱCourts

187

Gamelynȱrulesȱthatȱtheȱlocalȱsheriffȱisȱaȱrogue,ȱtheȱmonarch’sȱjusticeȱflawedȱand thatȱtheȱtwelveȱjurymenȱhadȱbeenȱbribed.ȱȱ ȱ

Theȱjusticeȱandȱsherreveȱȱȱbothȱhongedȱhieȱ Toȱwaivenȱwithȱropesȱȱȱandȱwithȱtheȱwindȱdrie Andȱtheȱtwelveȱsisours—ȱȱȱsorrowȱhaveȱthatȱrecke!— Alleȱtheyȱwereȱhangedȱȱȱfastȱbyȱtheȱnecke.ȱ63

Gamelyn’sȱ conclusion,ȱ however,ȱ contradictsȱ Sirȱ Johnȱ Fortescue’sȱ reasoning,ȱ as summarizedȱbyȱTrevorȱDean: Jurorsȱcanȱnotȱeasilyȱbeȱcorruptedȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱbecauseȱtheyȱareȱlocalȱpropertyȱholders,ȱnot greedyȱpaupers.ȱSuspectsȱcanȱobjectȱtoȱindividualȱjurorsȱwhoȱwillȱthenȱbeȱreplaced, thusȱinsuringȱimpartiality.ȱTheȱfactȱthatȱwitnessesȱhaveȱtoȱdeliverȱtheirȱstatements beforeȱaȱjuryȱofȱtwelveȱneighbours,ȱwhoȱknowȱthemȱandȱtheirȱcredibility,ȱensuresȱthat falseȱchargesȱcannotȱeasilyȱbeȱsustained.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱTheȱuseȱofȱneighbours,ȱ“soundȱinȱrepute andȱfairȬminded,”ȱisȱthusȱcontrastedȱtoȱtheȱuseȱofȱsubornedȱwitnesses,ȱ“unreliable hirelings,ȱpaupers,ȱandȱvagrants.”ȱȱ“WhoȱthenȱinȱEnglandȱcanȱdieȱunjustlyȱforȱaȱcrime, whenȱheȱcanȱhaveȱsoȱmanyȱaidsȱinȱfavorȱofȱhisȱlife,ȱandȱnoneȱsaveȱhisȱneighboursȱcan condemnȱhim?”64ȱ

TheȱlikelihoodȱthatȱOteȱhadȱtheȱopportunityȱtoȱrejectȱaȱpeerȱisȱslight;ȱthatȱhisȱpeers areȱimpartialȱneighbors,ȱnotȱbribedȱhirelingsȱisȱimpossible,ȱasȱtheȱtaleȱtells.ȱAfter anȱinquestȱintoȱJohn’sȱactivitiesȱbyȱaȱjuryȱofȱmenȱchosenȱbyȱGamelyn,ȱaboutȱas impartialȱasȱtheȱformerȱjuryȱhandȬpickedȱbyȱJohn,ȱretributiveȱjusticeȱwinsȱoutȱandȱ Thusȱendedȱtheȱfalsȱknightȱȱȱwithȱhisȱtreccherie ThatȱeverȱhadȱyȬladȱhisȱlifȱȱȱinȱfalsnesȱandȱfolie.65ȱ

Inȱtheȱcaseȱofȱbribingȱjurorsȱandȱlegalȱcorruption,ȱDonaldȱB.ȱSandsȱaffirmsȱthat,ȱ Inȱgovernmentȱrecordsȱofȱtheȱthirteenthȱcenturyȱinȱparticular,ȱthereȱareȱinstancesȱof corruptȱjudgesȱandȱbribedȱjuriesȱbeingȱcalledȱtoȱaccountȱandȱultimatelyȱsufferingȱfor theirȱmisdeeds.ȱAndȱtheȱfinalȱsceneȱinȱGamelynȱprobablyȱarises,ȱnotȱfromȱoneȱparticular legalȱscandal,ȱbutȱfromȱtheȱgeneralȱimpressionȱmanyȱsuchȱlegalȱcrisesȱwouldȱhaveȱhad onȱanyȱrightȬthinkingȱonlooker.ȱ66

Aȱconcordanceȱwithȱtheȱkingȱconcludesȱtheȱtale,ȱconfirmingȱtheȱharshȱjusticeȱofȱthe punishmentȱagainstȱbothȱlocalȱandȱmonarchicalȱrepresentativesȱwhichȱGamelyn

63 64

65 66

UniversityȱPress,ȱ1943),ȱ54–55. Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ879–82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Dean,ȱ Crimeȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Europe,ȱ 4ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1),ȱ quotingȱ Sirȱ Johnȱ Fortescue,ȱ Onȱ theȱ Lawsȱ and GovernanceȱofȱEngland,ȱed.ȱShelleyȱLockwoodȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1997), 30–47. Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ883–84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ155ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

188

JeanȱE.ȱJost

theȱjudgeȱmetedȱoutȱtoȱtheȱking’sȱjustice,ȱtheȱlocalȱjusticeȱ(hisȱbrotherȱJohn),ȱthe peers,ȱandȱtheȱporterȱheȱearlierȱkilled.ȱItȱexoneratesȱGamelynȱandȱhisȱcohortsȱof anyȱ otherȱ potentialȱ crimesȱ suchȱ asȱ usurpingȱ hisȱ brother’sȱ meatȱ andȱ drink;ȱ it rewardsȱ Oteȱ byȱ conferringȱ onȱ himȱ theȱ localȱ positionȱ andȱ titleȱ ofȱ “justice”ȱ and Gamelynȱtheȱmonarchical,ȱnationalȱpositionȱandȱtitleȱofȱ“chiefȱjusticeȱofȱtheȱland,” thusȱ replacingȱ bothȱ localȱ andȱ nationalȱ authorities.ȱ Further,ȱ itȱ acquitsȱ hisȱ loyal outlawsȱofȱwrongdoing: ȱ ThusȱwanȱGamelynȱȱȱhisȱlondȱandȱleedeȱ[tenants] Andȱwrackȱ[avenge]ȱhimȱofȱhisȱenemiesȱȱȱandȱquitȱhemȱofȱhereȱ meede.ȱ67

Theȱtaleȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱhasȱcomeȱfullȱcircle,ȱestablishingȱpunishmentȱfor theȱguiltyȱandȱexonerationȱofȱtheȱinnocent.ȱȱItȱrecognizesȱandȱdulyȱaccordsȱthe localȱandȱkinglyȱjudiciaryȱpositionsȱofȱlegalȱauthority.ȱGamelynȱandȱOteȱareȱnow metedȱoutȱrestorativeȱjusticeȱsufficientȱtoȱoffsetȱtheȱunwarrantedȱpunishmentȱthey underwentȱfromȱtheirȱbrotherȱJohn,ȱtheȱmalevolentȱlocalȱsheriff,ȱandȱtheȱequally corruptȱmonarchicalȱchiefȱjustice.ȱThisȱpattern,ȱlikeȱotherȱcorrespondencesȱnoted above,ȱcanȱlikewiseȱbeȱfoundȱinȱcertainȱRobinȱHoodȱtales.ȱForȱexample,ȱGamelyn, likeȱAȱGestȱofȱRobinȱHood,ȱasȱChismȱnotes, inȱeffectȱworksȱsimultaneouslyȱasȱanȱethicalȱandȱasȱanȱaffectiveȱcondemnationȱofȱlocal andȱmonarchicalȱlegalȱauthority,ȱandȱthisȱsuggestsȱthatȱitȱisȱpreciselyȱtheȱdeficiencyȱof theȱaffectiveȱthatȱrendersȱauthorityȱimpotentȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ[T]hisȱimpotenceȱresultsȱfromȱthe unchivalricȱneedȱtoȱplayȱthingsȱsafe,ȱtoȱanchorȱnetworksȱofȱassociationȱwithȱhardȱcash, ratherȱthanȱtoȱdistributeȱtheȱkindȱofȱcontinuallyȱnegotiatedȱlargesseȱthatȱanimatesȱthe economyȱofȱtheȱgreenwoodȱ(whereȱnoȱassociationȱisȱentirelyȱsafeȱbutȱwhereȱmany proveȱbeyondȱexpectationȱtoȱbeȱtrue).68

Whenȱlawȱandȱviolenceȱcollide,ȱhistoryȱandȱliteratureȱcolludeȱinȱtheȱexploration, andȱsometimesȱrestoration,ȱhere,ȱofȱsomeȱkindȱofȱEnglishȱjustice,ȱinȱthisȱfineȱtale ofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment.ȱRichardȱKaeuperȱconcludesȱthatȱthisȱpoetȱ“portrays violenceȱandȱrevengeȱonȱtheȱedgesȱofȱprivilegedȱsocietyȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ[he]ȱexpertlyȱconveys theȱ toneȱ ofȱ countryȱ societyȱ andȱ faithfullyȱ mirrorsȱ contemporaryȱ practicesȱ and attitudesȱ regardingȱ lawȱ andȱ order.”69ȱ Inȱ thisȱ taleȱ aȱ youngȱ unprivilegedȱ son achievesȱ victoryȱ throughȱ persistence,ȱ strengthȱ andȱ aȱ coterieȱ ofȱ supportive colleagues.ȱThisȱroughȬandȬtumbleȱexposéȱofȱjusticeȱinȱlateȱmedievalȱEnglandȱis poeticallyȱconveyedȱtoȱanȱaudienceȱappreciativeȱofȱvindictive,ȱpunitiveȱretribution inȱaȱbrutallyȱrealistic,ȱyetȱhistoricȱfashion.

67 68 69

Sands,ȱMiddleȱEnglishȱVerseȱRomances,ȱ“Gamelyn,”ȱ895–96.

ȱ Chism,ȱ“RobinȱHood,”ȱ13ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ13). Kaeuper,ȱ“AnȱHistorian’sȱReading,”ȱ53ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

Chapterȱ9 JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka (BostonȱUniversity)

ContraȱSignumȱNostrum:ȱTheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajesté underȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

TheȱumbrellaȱtermȱlèseȬmajestéȱwasȱcomingȱintoȱuseȱinȱFranceȱinȱtheȱlateȱthirteenth centuryȱtoȱdesignateȱallȱcrimesȱthatȱinfringedȱuponȱtheȱroyalȱmajesty.ȱNotȱaȱnew phrase,ȱitȱhadȱitsȱoriginsȱinȱthreeȱlegalȱsources.ȱFirst,ȱtheȱRomanȱlawȱofȱcrimenȱlaesae majestatis,ȱ codifiedȱ inȱ theȱ sixthȱ centuryȱ inȱ theȱ Digestȱ andȱ Codeȱ ofȱ theȱ Emperor Justinianȱandȱonlyȱrediscoveredȱinȱtheȱtwelfth,ȱidentifiedȱtreasonȱas,ȱonȱtheȱone hand,ȱcrimesȱcommittedȱagainstȱtheȱcommonȱgoodȱand,ȱonȱtheȱother,ȱcrimesȱthat harmedȱtheȱpersonȱorȱmajestasȱofȱtheȱruler.ȱSecond,ȱCarolingianȱlawȱandȱthatȱofȱthe Germanicȱtribesȱunderstoodȱtreasonȱasȱinfidelity,ȱaȱbreachȱofȱtheȱmostȱsacredȱtrust withinȱsociety.ȱFinally,ȱcanonȱlawyersȱhadȱreinterpretedȱtheȱlèseȬmajestéȱofȱRoman lawȱinȱorderȱtoȱadvanceȱpapalȱmajesty,ȱinȱtheȱprocessȱbindingȱitȱmoreȱcloselyȱtoȱthe Christianȱideasȱofȱsacrilegeȱandȱblasphemy.ȱ Theȱmultiplicityȱofȱperspectivesȱprovidedȱbyȱtheseȱthreeȱantecedentsȱresultedȱin lèseȬmajestéȱ developingȱ aȱ uniqueȱ characterȱ inȱ lateȱ medievalȱ France,ȱ oneȱ which addressedȱ aȱ broadȱ spectrumȱ ofȱ crimesȱ andȱ victims.ȱ Theȱ kingȱ ceasedȱ toȱ beȱ the primaryȱfocusȱofȱtheȱcriminalȱact.ȱByȱtheȱtimeȱPhilipȱVIȱassumedȱtheȱthroneȱinȱ1328 asȱtheȱfirstȱValoisȱking,ȱlèseȬmajestéȱservedȱasȱaȱrubricȱforȱcrimesȱthatȱcanȱappearȱto usȱasȱremoteȱandȱdisconnectedȱfromȱtheȱinterests,ȱnotȱtoȱmentionȱtheȱperson,ȱofȱthe monarch.ȱCrimesȱlikeȱkidnappingȱwereȱconsideredȱasȱseriousȱandȱinjuriousȱtoȱthe royalȱmajestyȱasȱrebellion.ȱSometimes,ȱtheȱcriminalȱregistersȱofȱtheȱParlementȱof ParisȱlabelȱtheseȱcrimesȱasȱtreasonȱorȱlèseȬmajesté,ȱbutȱmoreȱoftenȱtheyȱwereȱsimply identifiedȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheȱprincipalȱcriminalȱactivity.ȱ TheȱtwelfthȬcenturyȱjuristȱPhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoirȱstatesȱinȱhisȱcompilationȱof localȱlaws,ȱtheȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis,ȱthatȱ“asȱnotȱallȱcrimesȱareȱtheȱsame,ȱnotȱall

190

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

punishmentsȱareȱtheȱsame.”1ȱCrimesȱareȱunequalȱnotȱonlyȱinȱtheȱgravityȱofȱtheir offenseȱ andȱ attendantȱ punishment,ȱ butȱ alsoȱ inȱ theirȱ perpetratorsȱ andȱ victims. Beaumanoir’sȱdiscussionȱopensȱhisȱchapterȱonȱsevereȱcrimesȱinȱwhichȱheȱexamines treasonȱandȱotherȱoffenses.ȱBeaumanoirȱexaminesȱtheseȱcrimesȱfromȱaȱvarietyȱof anglesȱappropriateȱtoȱhisȱbackgroundȱasȱaȱjuristȱandȱbailiffȱofȱClermont:ȱtheȱsocial stationȱofȱoffenderȱandȱvictim,ȱtheȱintentionȱandȱmotiveȱbehindȱtheȱoffense,ȱand theȱdesignatedȱauthorityȱappropriateȱtoȱhandleȱtheȱcase.ȱThereȱisȱlittleȱsurprising inȱtheseȱattentions,ȱasȱBeaumanoirȱwroteȱaȱworkȱofȱreferenceȱforȱtheȱcustomary lawsȱofȱhisȱlocale.ȱ Nevertheless,ȱtheȱfactȱtheȱCoutumesȱwereȱintendedȱasȱmoreȱofȱaȱguideȱthanȱa workȱofȱlegalȱtheoryȱmeansȱthatȱotherȱelements,ȱjustȱasȱpertinentȱtoȱunderstanding crimeȱandȱcriminality,ȱwereȱleftȱout.ȱIȱbeginȱwithȱBeaumanoirȱbecause,ȱalthough heȱwroteȱinȱtheȱ1280sȱandȱwhatȱconcernsȱmeȱhereȱisȱtheȱsecondȱquarterȱofȱthe fourteenthȱcentury,ȱhisȱworkȱwasȱoneȱofȱonlyȱaȱhandfulȱusedȱbyȱtheȱParlementȱof Parisȱ inȱ makingsȱ itsȱ judgments.ȱ Likeȱ theseȱ otherȱ texts,ȱ Beaumanoirȱ paysȱ scant attentionȱtoȱtheȱsymbolismȱthatȱcoloredȱaȱgivenȱcrime,ȱyetȱsymbolismȱfeatures heavilyȱ inȱ anyȱ understandingȱ ofȱ lèseȬmajesté.ȱ Beaumanoir’sȱ chapterȱ onȱ severe crimesȱ encompassesȱ lèseȬmajesté,ȱ butȱ aȱ handbookȱ ofȱ theȱ lawȱ hadȱ noȱ roomȱ for discoursesȱonȱtheory.ȱTheȱcourtȱhadȱtoȱrelyȱuponȱmoreȱthanȱstrictȱdefinitionsȱof crimesȱtoȱequateȱkidnappingȱwithȱtreason.ȱ Thisȱpaperȱexploresȱthatȱequivalenceȱinȱhowȱtheȱcrimesȱwereȱtriedȱandȱpunished. Doingȱ soȱ willȱ showȱ howȱ theȱ analogiesȱ createdȱ betweenȱ typesȱ ofȱ crime strengthenedȱtheȱpowerȱofȱtheȱkingȱandȱhisȱcourt2ȱinȱtheȱshortȱterm,ȱandȱhow,ȱin theȱlongȱterm,ȱsuchȱanalogizingȱsowedȱtheȱseedsȱforȱunderstandingȱtheȱcrimeȱas moreȱimportantȱthanȱtheȱpersonȱbyȱorȱagainstȱwhomȱitȱwasȱcommitted.

I.ȱTheȱRubricȱofȱLèseȬMajesté Thoughȱthereȱexistedȱnoȱuniversalȱlistȱofȱcrimesȱthatȱeveryoneȱagreedȱconstituted lèseȬmajesté,ȱweȱcan,ȱhowever,ȱapproximateȱsuchȱaȱlistȱbyȱcompilingȱthoseȱfromȱthe variousȱlegalȱtextsȱusedȱmostȱcommonlyȱbyȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParis.ȱDoingȱsoȱgives usȱtheȱfollowingȱoffenses:ȱarmedȱrobbery,ȱanyȱcrimeȱcommittedȱonȱaȱroyalȱroad, betrayalȱofȱone’sȱlord,ȱbreachȱofȱanȱassurément,ȱcounterfeiting,ȱforgery,ȱtheȱillicit

1

2

“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱcarȱaussiȱcommeȱliȱmesfetȱneȱsontȱpasȱonni,ȱneȱsontȱpasȱlesȱvenjancesȱonnies.”ȱPhilippeȱde RemiȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis:ȱtexteȱcritiqueȱpubliéȱavecȱuneȱintroduction,ȱunȱglossaireȱet uneȱtableȱanalytique,ȱed.ȱAmédéeȱSalmon.ȱVol.ȱ1ȱ(Paris:ȱA.ȱPicardȱetȱfils,ȱ1899),ȱ428.ȱAllȱcitations fromȱthisȱtextȱareȱfromȱthisȱedition. Unlessȱotherwiseȱnoted,ȱallȱreferencesȱtoȱtheȱcourtȱorȱtheȱking’sȱcourtȱindicateȱtheȱParlementȱof Paris.

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

191

bearingȱofȱarms,ȱkidnapping,ȱmurderȱofȱaȱroyalȱofficer,ȱprivateȱwar,3ȱrebellion, treason,ȱ andȱ violationsȱ againstȱ royalȱ officers,ȱ royalȱ ordinances,ȱ andȱ theȱ royal safeguard.ȱByȱsortingȱtheȱcrimesȱintoȱtheȱcategoriesȱofȱFeudalȱandȱBreachȱofȱthe Peace,ȱwithȱtheȱsubȬheadingsȱViolentȱandȱNonȬViolent,ȱweȱgetȱtheȱdistribution seenȱinȱFigureȱ1ȱ(theseȱgroupsȱareȱartificialȱandȱtheȱrealityȱpresentsȱusȱwithȱaȱgreat dealȱofȱoverlap). Byȱ andȱ large,ȱ theȱ violentȱ crimesȱ underȱ theȱ headingȱ Feudal4ȱ requireȱ little imaginationȱtoȱunderstandȱwhyȱtheȱhighestȱcourtȱinȱtheȱlandȱwouldȱregardȱthem asȱdangerous.ȱTreason,ȱbeingȱaȱsynonymȱofȱlèseȬmajesté,ȱneedsȱlittleȱexplanation, butȱitȱisȱworthȱnotingȱthatȱitȱcouldȱbeȱappliedȱtoȱfamilialȱsettings,ȱreminiscentȱof treasonȱunderȱtheȱRomanȱlaw.ȱBetrayalȱofȱone’sȱlord,ȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱcanonist AlanusȱAnglicusȱ(ca.ȱ1200),ȱwasȱalsoȱequivalentȱtoȱtreasonȱunderȱtheȱRomanȱlaw.5 Rebellionȱ tookȱ someȱ timeȱ toȱ riseȱ toȱ theȱ levelȱ ofȱ treason,ȱ especiallyȱ whenȱ the uprisingȱ wasȱ notȱ againstȱ theȱ kingȱ directly.ȱ Overȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ theȱ thirteenth century,ȱ itȱ mostȱ oftenȱ appearedȱ asȱ anȱ aggressiveȱ formȱ ofȱ politics.6ȱ Asȱ theȱ last CapetianȱkingsȱandȱPhilipȱVIȱbeganȱtoȱmoreȱforcefullyȱassertȱtheirȱpositionȱasȱfully sovereignȱ(rexȱfranciaeȱestȱprincepsȱinȱregnoȱsuo),ȱrebellionȱceasedȱtoȱbeȱanȱacceptable meansȱofȱrenegotiatingȱtheȱdistributionȱofȱpowerȱinȱFrance.7ȱOnceȱjuristsȱbeganȱto glossȱ rebellionȱ asȱ treasonȱ inȱ theȱ fourteenthȱ century,ȱ theȱ primaryȱ material differenceȱbetweenȱtheȱtwoȱcrimes,ȱwhenȱbothȱwereȱexplicitlyȱdirectedȱagainstȱthe

3

4

5

6

7

Privateȱwarȱinȱsomeȱsourcesȱisȱalsoȱglossedȱasȱtheȱillicitȱcarryingȱofȱarmsȱ(portȱd’armes).ȱForȱthe sakeȱofȱclarity,ȱIȱhaveȱchosenȱtoȱuseȱtheȱEnglishȱ“privateȱwar”ȱforȱallȱmilitaryȱactionsȱbetweenȱtwo partiesȱofȱequalȱorȱnearȱequalȱstatus,ȱwhateverȱtheȱtermȱinȱtheȱLatinȱorȱFrench.ȱIȱhaveȱreserved “illicitȱbearingȱofȱarms”ȱtoȱreferȱtoȱthoseȱoffensesȱthatȱinvolvedȱcarryingȱmilitaryȱweaponsȱinȱan affrayȱorȱinȱtheȱcommissionȱofȱaȱcrime.ȱThisȱinȱturnȱoverlapsȱwithȱmainȱarmée,ȱwhichȱIȱhaveȱsplit betweenȱ“illicitȱcarryingȱofȱarms”ȱandȱ“armedȱrobbery.”ȱForȱmoreȱonȱtheȱoverlapȱbetweenȱthese terms,ȱseeȱErnestȱPerrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux:ȱOrigineȱetȱdéveloppementȱdeȱlaȱthéorieȱauxȱXIIIeȱetȱXIVeȱsiècles (1910;ȱGeneva:ȱSlatkineȬMegariotisȱReprints,ȱ1975),ȱ184ȱn.ȱ2.ȱAllȱcitationsȱfromȱthisȱtextȱareȱfrom thisȱedition. Iȱhaveȱchosenȱthisȱcategoryȱnameȱforȱtheseȱoffensesȱbecauseȱtheyȱallȱhingeȱonȱanȱattackȱagainst dulyȬconstitutedȱauthority.ȱSomeȱscholars,ȱsuchȱasȱClaudeȱGauvard,ȱdistinguishȱbetweenȱthe politicalȱ andȱ nonȬpoliticalȱ manifestationsȱ ofȱ lèseȬmajéste.ȱ Suchȱ aȱ division,ȱ however,ȱ doesȱ not accuratelyȱreflectȱtheȱpoliticalȱrealityȱofȱthoseȱoffensesȱdesignatedȱnonȬpolitical. InȱtheȱLexȱQuisquis,ȱtreasonȱagainstȱtheȱemperorȱderivedȱfromȱtheȱsameȱtypeȱofȱoffenseȱasȱanȱattack againstȱtheȱpaterȱfamilias,ȱthoughȱitȱwasȱofȱgreaterȱseverityȱdueȱtoȱtheȱemperor’sȱbeingȱtheȱfather ofȱallȱtheȱpeople.ȱOnȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱpatricideȱandȱtreasonȱinȱRomanȱlaw,ȱseeȱTheodor Mommsen,ȱRömischesȱStrafrechtȱ(Leipzig:ȱDunkerȱandȱHumbolt,ȱ1899),ȱ527.ȱByȱextension,ȱtreason couldȱariseȱatȱallȱlevelsȱofȱtheȱsocialȱandȱpoliticalȱhierarchy. JonathanȱSumption,ȱTheȱHundredȱYearsȱWar:ȱTrialȱbyȱBattle.ȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia: UniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1990),ȱ23. MargueriteȱBouletȬSautel,ȱ“JeanȱdeȱBlanotȱetȱlaȱconceptionȱduȱpouvoirȱroyalȱauȱtempsȱdeȱLouis XI,”ȱSeptièmeȱcentenaireȱdeȱlaȱmortȱdeȱSaintȱLouis:ȱactesȱdesȱcolloquesȱdeȱRoyaumontȱetȱdeȱParis,ȱ21–27 maiȱ1970ȱ(Paris:ȱBellesȱLettres,ȱ1976),ȱ57–68;ȱhereȱ64.

192

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

monarchy,8ȱwasȱoneȱofȱnumbersȱandȱviolentȱaction,ȱwithȱrebellionȱinvolvingȱmore peopleȱandȱmilitaryȱstratagems.ȱBothȱwereȱintimatelyȱboundȱtoȱideasȱsurrounding rightȱauthority,ȱbutȱtreasonȱemphasizedȱaȱbetrayalȱofȱtheȱrelationshipȱjoiningȱtwo partiesȱofȱmarkedlyȱunequalȱstatus,ȱwhileȱrebellionȱexistedȱasȱaȱwholesaleȱrejection ofȱthatȱrelationship.9ȱ Inȱcontrast,ȱprivateȱwarȱmostȱoftenȱinvolvedȱparticipantsȱofȱequivalentȱrank. Thoughȱfieldingȱindependentȱarmiesȱandȱrenderingȱroadsȱandȱregionsȱunsafeȱfor travelȱ presentedȱ realȱ andȱ practicalȱ problems,ȱ Iȱ wantȱ toȱ highlightȱ theȱ symbolic issues.ȱTheȱbreachȱofȱanȱassurémentȱ(aȱtruceȱorȱpeaceȱagreementȱmadeȱbetweenȱtwo partiesȱ andȱ identifiedȱ asȱ lèseȬmajestéȱ onȱ theȱ basisȱ ofȱ Romanȱ law10)ȱ often accompaniedȱprivateȱwar.ȱItsȱviolationȱofȱaȱfeudalȱcontractȱthreatenedȱnotȱonlyȱthe king’sȱpeace,ȱbutȱtheȱfabricȱofȱsocialȱrelations.ȱWithȱonlyȱaȱfewȱexceptions,ȱonlyȱthe kingȱwasȱsupposedȱtoȱbeȱableȱtoȱunfurlȱtheȱbannerȱofȱwar.11ȱWhenȱothersȱdidȱso, evenȱwhenȱclaimingȱtheȱtraditionalȱgrievanceȱofȱdeniȱdeȱjustice,ȱtheyȱinfringedȱupon theȱ royalȱ sovereignty,ȱ suggestingȱ theȱ kingȱ wasȱ littleȱ moreȱ thanȱ aȱ powerful provincialȱlordȱandȱnotȱtheȱdivinelyȱappointedȱrulerȱofȱtheȱentireȱrealmȱwithȱjustice overȱallȱdisputes.ȱTheȱideaȱthatȱnotȱallȱrightsȱwereȱprivateȱrightsȱwasȱaȱnewȱoneȱin fourteenthȬcenturyȱFrance.12ȱ Theȱking’sȱinsistenceȱonȱhisȱenlargedȱauthorityȱatȱtheȱexpenseȱofȱlongȬstanding custom,ȱespeciallyȱduringȱtheȱwarȱinȱFlandersȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱcenturyȱand theȱHundredȱYearsȱWarȱonlyȱaȱfewȱyearsȱlater,ȱcreatedȱaȱsoreȱpointȱbetweenȱthe kingȱandȱhisȱnobles.ȱYetȱhoweverȱdisruptiveȱandȱdestructiveȱprivateȱwarȱcouldȱbe, thatȱitȱhadȱitsȱfoundationsȱinȱcustomaryȱlawȱandȱinvolvedȱtheȱveryȱpeopleȱtheȱking reliedȱonȱmostȱforȱhisȱownȱmilitaryȱendeavorsȱmeantȱthatȱtheȱmatterȱhadȱtoȱbe handledȱmoreȱgingerly,ȱlestȱtheȱkingȱunnecessarilyȱalienateȱallies.ȱ Thisȱwasȱlessȱtrueȱinȱcasesȱwhereȱtheȱking’sȱofficers13ȱorȱhisȱordinancesȱwere attackedȱ outright.ȱ Theȱ kingȱ andȱ Parlementȱ viewedȱ theseȱ actsȱ asȱ inexcusable defiancesȱofȱroyalȱauthority.ȱBecauseȱtheȱsourceȱofȱanȱordinance’sȱpower,ȱasȱwell asȱthatȱofȱanȱofficer,ȱwasȱnoneȱotherȱthanȱtheȱking,ȱtoȱviolateȱeitherȱmeantȱaȱdirect

8

9

10

11

12

13

EvenȱunderȱPhilipȱVI,ȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱcasesȱinvolvingȱrebellionȱwereȱagainstȱtheȱlocalȱlordȱ(secular orȱecclesiastic)ȱorȱroyalȱofficers. ClaudeȱGauvard,ȱDeȱGraceȱEspecial:ȱCrime,ȱétatȱetȱsociétéȱenȱFranceȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyenȱÂgeȱ(Paris: PublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ1991),ȱ22. EstherȱCohen,ȱTheȱCrossroadsȱofȱJustice:ȱLawȱandȱCultureȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱFrance.ȱBrill’sȱStudiesȱin IntellectualȱHistory,ȱ36ȱ(LeidenȱandȱBoston:ȱE.J.ȱBrill,ȱ1993),ȱ36. SimonȱHirschȱCuttler,ȱTheȱLawȱofȱTreasonȱandȱTreasonȱTrialsȱinȱLaterȱMedievalȱFranceȱ(Cambridge: CambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1981),ȱ31;ȱPerrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux,ȱ150ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). MauriceȱHughȱKeen,ȱTheȱLawsȱofȱWarȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges.ȱStudiesȱinȱPoliticalȱHistoryȱ(London: RoutledgeȱandȱK.ȱPaul,ȱ1965),ȱ73. Forȱmoreȱonȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱtheȱoffenseȱagainstȱroyalȱofficers,ȱseeȱPerrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux,ȱ105 (seeȱnoteȱ3).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

193

affrontȱtoȱtheȱmonarch.14ȱViolenceȱagainstȱroyalȱofficersȱnaturallyȱincludedȱsuch severitiesȱasȱbeatingsȱandȱmurder,ȱbutȱalsoȱencompassedȱillȬtreatment,ȱlikeȱthat sufferedȱbyȱtheȱbailiffȱofȱSensȱandȱtheȱcourtȱcommissionersȱatȱtheȱhandsȱofȱthe knightȱ Huguesȱ deȱ Monéteau.ȱ Theȱ officersȱ wereȱ subjectedȱ toȱ theȱ tauntsȱ of hooligans,ȱshitheads,ȱthieves,ȱandȱtricksters,15ȱreceivedȱdeathȱthreats,ȱandȱwere besiegedȱ forȱ twoȱ daysȱ inȱ aȱ strongȱ houseȱ whereȱ theyȱ hadȱ soughtȱ refuge.ȱ The Parlement,ȱunamused,ȱquarteredȱsoldiersȱ(“eaters”)ȱinȱHugues’ȱhomeȱandȱsought hisȱarrest.ȱWhetherȱphysicallyȱattackedȱorȱsimplyȱmocked,ȱtheȱcourtȱtookȱallȱinsults toȱitsȱpersonnelȱandȱtheȱking’sȱofficersȱseriously. HowȱtheȱcrimesȱofȱBreachȱofȱtheȱPeaceȱfromȱFigureȱ1ȱconstitutedȱtreasonȱisȱless readilyȱapparent.ȱTheyȱaroseȱfromȱtheȱcasȱroyaux,ȱcasesȱwhichȱtheȱkingȱreservedȱfor hisȱsoleȱjurisdictionȱandȱthatȱofȱhisȱcourt.ȱTheȱcrimesȱofȱlèseȬmajestéȱthatȱhadȱtheir originsȱinȱcasȱroyauxȱshareȱaȱcommonȱfeature:ȱtheirȱpublicȱnature.ȱTheȱkingȱwasȱthe guardianȱofȱtheȱcommonȱgoodȱandȱtheȱpeaceȱofȱtheȱrealm.ȱTherefore,ȱtheȱking retainedȱjurisdictionȱinȱanyȱcaseȱthatȱthreatenedȱtheȱresȱpublica.16ȱNotȱallȱcasesȱof homicideȱ(manslaughter)ȱhadȱaȱpublicȱcomponent,ȱandȱthoseȱwithoutȱitȱtendedȱto remainȱunderȱtheȱpurviewȱofȱtheȱlocalȱjurisdictionȱunlessȱoneȱofȱtheȱpartiesȱsentȱan appealȱ toȱ theȱ Parlement.17ȱ Inȱ theȱ twelfthȱ century,ȱ however,ȱ murderȱ became incorporatedȱintoȱtreason,ȱ functioningȱlegallyȱasȱaȱpublicȱcrime.18ȱKidnapping, becauseȱitȱinvolvedȱstealthȱ(traïson),ȱnotȱinfrequentlyȱransomȱdemands,ȱandȱthe crossingȱofȱjurisdictionalȱboundariesȱalsoȱhadȱaȱpublicȱcomponentȱtoȱit.ȱTheȱpurest formȱofȱaȱpublicȱcrime,ȱhowever,ȱwasȱanyȱoffenseȱcommittedȱonȱaȱroyalȱroad.19 Travelȱ inȱ theȱ fourteenthȱ centuryȱ couldȱ beȱ anȱ arduousȱ task,ȱ andȱ dangerousȱ in troubleȬspotsȱlikeȱGasconyȱandȱBrittany.ȱTheȱmainȱthoroughfaresȱwereȱtheȱarteries ofȱtheȱkingdom—notȱjustȱforȱtrade,ȱbutȱallȱmannerȱofȱsocialȱcommerce—andȱfell underȱtheȱjurisdictionȱofȱtheȱking.20ȱBeaumanoirȱbelievedȱtheȱChurchȱshouldȱnever provideȱsanctuaryȱtoȱhighwayȱrobbersȱandȱjusticeȱagainstȱthemȱshouldȱbeȱswift,

14 15

16

17

18

19

20

Perrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux,ȱ183–84,ȱ247–48ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). “.ȱ .ȱ .ȱ ribaldi,ȱ stercosi,ȱ latrones,ȱ ganciones.”ȱ Registresȱ Criminelȱ duȱ Parlementȱ deȱ Parisȱ (Archives Nationales,ȱParis),ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ186. AdhémarȱEsmein,ȱCoursȱélémentaireȱd’histoireȱduȱdroitȱFrançais:ȱaȱl’usageȱdesȱétudiantsȱdeȱpremière année.ȱ3rdȱed.ȱ(1892;ȱParis:ȱLibraireȱdeȱlaȱsociétéȱduȱrecueilȱgénéralȱdesȱloisȱetȱdesȱarrêts,ȱ1898), 420–21.ȱ Inȱ1341,ȱtheȱParlementȱgrantedȱtheȱmunicipalȱcourtsȱjurisdictionȱoverȱhomicide,ȱthoughȱitȱstill heardȱcasesȱonȱappealȱorȱwithȱoutstandingȱcircumstances.ȱGauvard,ȱDeȱGrace,ȱ802–03ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9). PascalȱTexier,ȱ“Quiȱparleraȱpourȱleȱmort?ȱLesȱdroitsȱdeȱlaȱpatrieȱoffenséeȱdansȱlesȱactesȱdeȱgrâce pénaleȱ(XIIIe–XVeȱsiècles),”ȱProcéder:ȱPasȱd’action,ȱpasȱdeȱdroitȱouȱpasȱdeȱdroit,ȱpasȱd’action?ȱed.ȱby Jacquelineȱ HoareauȬDodinau,ȱ Guillaumeȱ Métairie,ȱ andȱ Pascalȱ Texierȱ (Limoges:ȱ Pulim,ȱ 2006), 139–53;ȱhereȱ142;ȱGauvard,ȱDeȱGrace,ȱ803ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9). Theȱroyalȱroadȱdenotesȱtheȱwidestȱofȱtheȱroads,ȱtermedȱcheminȱroyal,ȱbutȱcouldȱextendȱtoȱthe smallerȱcartȱandȱanimalȱroadsȱmeantȱforȱtravelȱbetweenȱvillages,ȱtowns,ȱmarketplaces,ȱandȱcastles. Perrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux,ȱ217,ȱ367ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

194

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

withoutȱtheȱusualȱproceduralȱdelays,ȱsoȱimportantȱandȱvaluableȱwasȱitȱthatȱtravel onȱtheȱroadsȱbeȱsafe.21ȱȱ Asȱjurisdictionȱoverȱtheȱroyalȱroadsȱfellȱtoȱtheȱking,ȱnoȱotherȱheldȱhighȱorȱlow justiceȱoverȱoffensesȱperpetratedȱalongȱtheȱhighwayȱandȱsoȱtheseȱcasesȱfoundȱtheir wayȱ toȱ theȱ Parlement.ȱ Anȱ attackȱ rightȱ underȱ theȱ king’sȱ nose,ȱ metaphorically speaking,ȱconstitutedȱaȱviolationȱofȱthatȱunspokenȱprotectionȱthatȱtheȱsovereign guaranteedȱtoȱhisȱpeopleȱasȱpartȱofȱtheȱfabricȱofȱtheȱlateȱmedievalȱstate,ȱwhich dovetailedȱ withȱ theȱ ideaȱ thatȱ theȱ kingȱ couldȱ not,ȱ withoutȱ consultationȱ or provocation,ȱdissolveȱaȱcontractȱwithȱhisȱvassals.22ȱAnyȱmisdeedȱalongȱtheȱroyal roadsȱimperiledȱtheȱabilityȱofȱtheȱkingȱtoȱgovern.ȱTheȱbureaucracyȱofȱtheȱFrench governmentȱgrewȱthroughoutȱtheȱcenturyȱasȱtheȱkingsȱinȱParisȱsoughtȱtoȱbring moreȱ andȱ moreȱ ofȱ theȱ kingdomȱ underȱ theirȱ directȱ control.ȱ Theȱ diverse travelers—pilgrims,ȱmessengers,ȱenvoys,ȱmerchantsȱofȱallȱstripes—wouldȱsuffer ifȱtheȱroadsȱwereȱpoorlyȱmaintainedȱorȱlawless.ȱAllȱcrimes,ȱtherefore,ȱifȱcommitted onȱaȱroyalȱroad,ȱfromȱpettyȱtheftȱtoȱmurder,ȱwereȱofȱequalȱmagnitudeȱinȱwhatȱthey meantȱforȱtheȱfunctioningȱofȱtheȱrealm.ȱWhetherȱtheȱreiȱpublicaȱhadȱitsȱownȱmajestas thatȱcouldȱbeȱviolated,ȱasȱinȱtheȱRomanȱlawȱofȱtheȱLexȱJuliaȱMajestatis,ȱorȱwhether theȱking’sȱmajesty,ȱinȱtheȱking’sȱroleȱasȱrepresentativeȱofȱtheȱstate,ȱencompassed theȱreiȱpublica,ȱtheȱbreachȱofȱtheȱpeaceȱonȱtheȱroadwaysȱcouldȱbeȱunderstoodȱas nothingȱotherȱthanȱlèseȬmajesté.ȱ Thisȱbringsȱusȱtoȱcounterfeiting.ȱTheȱcrimeȱofȱmakingȱorȱpassingȱfalseȱcurrency bothȱsymbolicallyȱandȱmateriallyȱinjuredȱtheȱking.ȱEntireȱtownsȱcouldȱbeȱinȱonȱthe scheme23ȱandȱaȱlackȱofȱbullionȱencouragedȱsomeȱenterprisingȱcounterfeitersȱtoȱlook forȱopportunitiesȱabroad.24ȱFalseȱmoneyȱandȱadulteratedȱcoinsȱcirculatingȱinȱan economyȱ stressedȱ byȱ war,ȱ famine,ȱ andȱ plagueȱ (allȱ ofȱ whichȱ tookȱ theirȱ tollȱ on Franceȱinȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury)ȱpresentedȱproblemsȱforȱeveryone, fromȱmerchants’ȱstrongboxesȱtoȱtheȱking’sȱtreasury.ȱCounterfeitingȱexacerbated theseȱ tensions,ȱ whichȱ wereȱ compoundedȱ byȱ Philipȱ VI’sȱ numerousȱ currency devaluationsȱandȱtheȱclosingȱofȱtheȱroyalȱmintsȱinȱ1335.25ȱPhilip’sȱactionsȱdidȱlittle

21 22

23 24 25

Beamanoir,ȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis,ȱ161ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Thomasȱ Aquinas,ȱ Onȱ Kingshipȱ toȱ theȱ Kingȱ ofȱ Cyprus,ȱ ed.ȱ Ignatiusȱ Theodoreȱ Eschmann,ȱ trans. GeraldȱB.ȱPhelan.ȱMediaevalȱSourcesȱinȱTranslationȱ(Toronto:ȱPontificalȱInstituteȱofȱMedieval Studies,ȱ1982),ȱ3–10.ȱSeeȱalsoȱKennethȱPennington,ȱ“PoliticsȱinȱWesternȱJurisprudence,”ȱTheȱJurist’s PhilosophyȱofȱLawȱfromȱRomeȱtoȱtheȱSeventeenthȱCentury,ȱed.ȱbyȱAndreaȱPadovaniȱandȱPeterȱG.ȱStein. AȱTreatiseȱofȱLegalȱPhilosophyȱandȱGeneralȱJurisprudenceȱ(Dordrecht:ȱSpringer,ȱ2007),ȱ157–211; hereȱ200–02.ȱJohnȱofȱParisȱdefinesȱkingshipȱasȱ“theȱruleȱoverȱaȱperfectȱmultitudeȱbyȱoneȱmanȱfor theȱsakeȱofȱtheȱcommonȱgood.”ȱJeanȱLeclercq,ȱJeanȱdeȱParisȱetȱl’ecclésiologieȱduȱXIIIeȱsiècleȱ(Paris:ȱJ. Vrin,ȱ1942),ȱ189. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ56vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ39vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Sumption,ȱTheȱHundredȱYearsȱWarȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6),ȱ160.ȱForȱmoreȱonȱdevaluations,ȱseeȱ ThomasȱJ. SargentȱandȱFrançoisȱR.ȱVelde,ȱTheȱBigȱProblemȱofȱSmallȱChange.ȱPrincetonȱEconomicȱHistoryȱofȱthe

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

195

toȱhelpȱmatters,ȱasȱtheȱscarcityȱofȱbullionȱforȱtheȱnineȱyearsȱbetweenȱ1328ȱandȱ1337 sawȱalmostȱhalfȱtheȱcounterfeitingȱcasesȱ(47%)ȱforȱtheȱtwentyȬtwoȱ yearsȱ ofȱhis reign.26ȱThatȱ47%,ȱthoughȱinȱactualȱnumbersȱisȱonlyȱnineȱoutȱofȱnineteenȱrecorded cases,ȱrepresentsȱaȱdramaticȱincreaseȱinȱtheȱParlement’sȱconcernȱwithȱcounterȬ feitingȱthanȱitȱhadȱshownȱunderȱpreviousȱkings.ȱFromȱ1226–1332,ȱtheȱcourtȱheard fiveȱ casesȱ ofȱ counterfeiting—fiveȱ casesȱ inȱ 106ȱ years,ȱ comparedȱ toȱ nineteenȱ in twentyȬtwo. Soȱwhy,ȱunderȱPhilipȱVI,ȱwasȱcounterfeitingȱmoreȱheavilyȱprosecutedȱandȱhow didȱitȱmoveȱfromȱtheȱperipheryȱofȱjudicialȱconcernȱtoȱbeingȱaȱcrimeȱofȱlèseȬmajesté? Aȱcasȱroyaux,ȱcounterfeiting,ȱlikeȱkidnapping,ȱbecameȱpartȱofȱlèseȬmajestéȱdueȱin partȱtoȱitsȱpublicȱnature,ȱbutȱalsoȱbecauseȱitȱhadȱanȱundeniableȱimpactȱonȱtheȱroyal domain.27ȱSymbolically,ȱhowever,ȱcounterfeitingȱstartedȱoffȱasȱlèseȬmajestéȱunder Romanȱlaw.ȱInȱtheȱLexȱCornelia,ȱactsȱofȱfabrication,ȱincludingȱcounterfeiting,ȱwere categorizedȱ asȱ partȱ ofȱ theȱ crimenȱ laesaeȱ majestatis.ȱ Similarly,ȱ inȱ theȱ Lesȱ Julia Majestatis,ȱ itȱ wasȱ treasonousȱ toȱ meltȱ downȱ anyȱ statuesȱ orȱ likenessesȱ ofȱ the emperor.28ȱTheȱdamageȱdoneȱtoȱtheȱemperor’sȱimageȱonȱaȱclippedȱorȱmeltedȬdown coinȱ andȱ theȱ forgingȱ ofȱ hisȱ imageȱ onȱ aȱ counterfeitȱ coinȱ wasȱ aȱ desecration.ȱ To defaceȱtheȱimageȱwasȱtoȱattackȱtheȱmanȱandȱtheȱoffice,ȱneitherȱofȱwhichȱRoman emperorsȱwereȱpreparedȱtoȱtolerate.ȱWithȱtheȱrediscoveryȱofȱtheȱRomanȱlawȱand itsȱsubsequentȱadoptionȱ inȱ FranceȱinȱtheȱHighȱMiddleȱAges,ȱthisȱideaȱcameȱto permeateȱroyalȱthoughtȱonȱcounterfeiting.29ȱForȱPhilipȱVIȱandȱhisȱParlement,ȱthe desireȱtoȱsaveȱface,ȱasȱitȱwere,ȱwasȱallȱtheȱstrongerȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱcontestedȱstatus ofȱhisȱcrown,ȱasȱEdwardȱIIIȱinȱEnglandȱgraduallyȱdefiedȱhisȱsovereignȱlordȱwith growingȱaudacity.ȱRomanȱlawȱprovidedȱtheȱprecedentȱforȱattachingȱcounterfeiting toȱlèseȬmajesté.ȱPoliticalȱandȱeconomicȱrealitiesȱmadeȱitȱaȱpressingȱconcern.

26 27

28

29

WesternȱWorldȱ(Princeton:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2002),ȱ88–89.ȱSeeȱalsoȱH.ȱR.ȱT.ȱSummerson, “TheȱStructureȱofȱLawȱEnforcementȱinȱThirteenthȬCenturyȱEngland,”ȱAmericanȱJournalȱofȱLegal Historyȱ23.4ȱ(1979):ȱ313–27,ȱonȱcounterfeitingȱandȱforgeryȱasȱdiscussedȱbyȱBracton. Forȱotherȱimpactsȱofȱtheȱshortage,ȱseeȱSargent,ȱTheȱBigȱProblem,ȱ135–36ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25). FélixȱAubert,ȱHistoireȱduȱParlementȱdeȱParisȱdeȱl’origineȱàȱFrançoisȱIer:ȱ1250–1515.ȱRpt.ȱMégariotis Reprintsȱ(1894;ȱGeneva:ȱMégariotisȱReprints,ȱ1978),ȱ266.ȱForȱmoreȱonȱtheȱideaȱthatȱoffensesȱagainst theȱroyalȱdomainȱorȱfiscȱwereȱglossedȱasȱlèseȬmajesté,ȱseeȱJacquesȱChiffoleau,ȱ“Surȱleȱcrimeȱde majestéȱmédiéval,”ȱGenèseȱdeȱl’étatȱmoderneȱenȱméditerranée:ȱApprochesȱhistoriqueȱetȱanthropologique desȱpratiquesȱetȱdesȱrepresentations.ȱActesȱdesȱtablesȱrondesȱinternationalsȱtenuesȱàȱParisȱlesȱ24,ȱ25 etȱ26ȱseptembreȱ1987ȱetȱlesȱ18ȱetȱ19ȱmarsȱ1988ȱ(Rome:ȱÉcoleȱFrançaiseȱdeȱRome,ȱ1993),ȱ183–213; hereȱ187. Digesta,ȱed.ȱbyȱTheodorȱMommsenȱandȱPaulȱKrueger,ȱtrans.ȱAlanȱWatsonȱ(1893;ȱPhiladelphia: UniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1985),ȱXLVIIIȱ4.6. Alfredȱ Hiatt,ȱ Theȱ Makingȱ ofȱ Medievalȱ Forgeries:ȱ Falseȱ Documentsȱ inȱ FifteenthȬCenturyȱ England (London:ȱBritishȱLibraryȱandȱUniversityȱofȱTorontoȱPress,ȱ2004),ȱ27;ȱNigelȱRamsay,ȱ“Forgeryȱand theȱRiseȱofȱtheȱLondonȱScrivener’sȱCompany,”ȱFakesȱandȱFrauds:ȱVarietiesȱofȱDeceptionȱinȱPrintȱand Manuscript,ȱed.ȱbyȱRobinȱMyersȱandȱMichaelȱHarrisȱ(Winchester:ȱSt.ȱPaul’sȱBibliographies,ȱ1989), 99–108;ȱhereȱ100.

196

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

Iȱhaveȱleftȱuntilȱlastȱtwoȱoffenses:ȱviolationȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguardȱandȱforgery. Theyȱ representȱ theȱ heightȱ ofȱ symbolicȱ crimesȱ andȱ itȱ isȱ withȱ themȱ thatȱ the remainderȱofȱtheȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱsymbolismȱofȱcrimeȱisȱconcerned.

II.ȱTheȱRoyalȱSafeguard Violationȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguardȱwasȱbyȱfarȱtheȱmostȱcommonȱcrime,ȱwithȱ138ȱcases ofȱitȱduringȱtheȱreignȱofȱPhilipȱVI.ȱToȱputȱthisȱnumberȱinȱperspective,ȱtheȱcriminal registersȱofȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParis,ȱwhenȱaȱcrimeȱisȱspecified,30ȱrecordȱ126ȱcasesȱof theftȱandȱfiftyȬeightȱcasesȱofȱtreason.ȱInȱlargeȱpart,ȱthisȱisȱbecauseȱviolationȱofȱthe royalȱsafeguardȱalmostȱneverȱappearsȱinȱtheȱregistersȱasȱaȱstandȬaloneȱcrime,ȱand whenȱitȱdoesȱtheȱcontextȱalwaysȱsuggestsȱthatȱanotherȱcrimeȱaccompaniedȱit.ȱThe royalȱsafeguardȱplacedȱparticularȱindividuals,ȱreligiousȱhouses,ȱtowns,ȱandȱothers underȱtheȱking’sȱprotection.31ȱItȱgaveȱpeopleȱfreedomȱtoȱtravelȱwithoutȱharassment byȱtheȱlocalȱlordsȱorȱbailiffs,ȱofferedȱprotectionȱagainstȱaȱrivalȱlitigantȱinȱcourt,ȱand informedȱ wouldȬbeȱ trespassersȱ thatȱ aȱ givenȱ propertyȱ satȱ underȱ theȱ eyeȱ ofȱ the king—royalȱreprisalȱforȱinfringementȱwasȱinevitable.ȱ Aȱbreachȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguardȱinȱtheȱcommissionȱofȱaȱcrimeȱmadeȱtheȱoffense committedȱmoreȱsevere.32ȱToȱattackȱanȱofficerȱasȱheȱwasȱcarryingȱoutȱhisȱduties, whileȱheȱwasȱunderȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguard,ȱwasȱmoreȱthanȱeitherȱinfractionȱonȱits own.ȱItȱwasȱtrueȱdisobedience,ȱevenȱrebellion,ȱandȱthereforeȱindisputablyȱanȱattack onȱtheȱkingȱandȱaȱcrimeȱofȱlèseȬmajesté.33ȱButȱtheȱaccompanyingȱoffenseȱdidȱnot haveȱtoȱbeȱaȱseriousȱcrimeȱinȱitselfȱforȱsafegaurdȱtoȱmagnifyȱtheȱiniquity.ȱTheft providesȱtheȱclearestȱexampleȱofȱthisȱphenomenon.ȱ Theȱhandfulȱofȱcasesȱofȱtheftȱthatȱareȱnotȱjoinedȱtoȱanyȱotherȱcrime,ȱincludingȱthe royalȱsafeguard,ȱalwaysȱhaveȱaȱmitigatingȱ circumstanceȱthatȱexplainsȱwhyȱthe Parlementȱtookȱtheȱtimeȱtoȱhearȱwhatȱwasȱotherwiseȱnotȱaȱcapitalȱcrimeȱ(exceptȱin howȱitȱwasȱpunished).ȱForȱinstance,ȱtheftȱappearedȱinȱtheȱcourtȱonȱitsȱownȱwhen thereȱwasȱaȱdisputeȱoverȱjurisdiction,34ȱanȱappealȱofȱaȱlocalȱcourt’sȱsentenceȱwas

30

31

32 33 34

DueȱtoȱtheȱdayȬbookȱnatureȱofȱtheseȱregisters,ȱnotȱallȱcasesȱhaveȱcrimesȱattachedȱtoȱthem,ȱorȱifȱthey do,ȱtheȱtypeȱofȱcrimeȱhasȱbeenȱleftȱunspecifiedȱbyȱtheȱscribe.ȱInȱaddition,ȱmanyȱsuchȱentriesȱareȱnot clearlyȱassociatedȱwithȱanyȱotherȱcases,ȱthusȱprovidingȱinformationȱonlyȱonȱmoreȱprocedural aspectsȱofȱtheȱcourtȱandȱnotȱonȱcriminality. Theȱsafeguardȱcouldȱbeȱawardedȱtoȱwhomeverȱtheȱkingȱdesired,ȱbutȱparticularȱgroupsȱofȱpeople frequentlyȱwereȱhabituallyȱunderȱtheȱsafeguardȱunlessȱitȱwasȱrevoked:ȱtheȱking’sȱarmy,ȱanyone goingȱtoȱorȱfromȱaȱfair,ȱorphans,ȱmonestaries,ȱuniversities,ȱtheȱcounselorsȱofȱtheȱParlement,ȱand litigantsȱbeforeȱtheȱParlement.ȱ Perrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux,ȱ261–62ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Perrot,ȱLesȱCasȱRoyaux,ȱ139–40ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ122ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

197

madeȱbyȱeitherȱparty,35ȱorȱtheȱtheftȱwasȱcommittedȱbyȱanȱofficerȱofȱtheȱcourt.36ȱAll otherȱcasesȱofȱtheftȱwereȱpartȱofȱotherȱcrimes,ȱmostȱoftenȱviolationsȱofȱtheȱroyal safeguard.ȱInȱtheȱfewȱcasesȱwhereȱthereȱareȱnoȱotherȱcrimesȱbutȱtheseȱtwo,ȱthe registryȱentriesȱmakeȱitȱclearȱthatȱtheȱtheftȱhasȱbecomeȱgraverȱdueȱtoȱtheȱattendant violation.ȱ Oneȱ youngȱ noblemanȱ wasȱ exiledȱ forȱ stealingȱ aȱ horseȱ fromȱ aȱ man protectedȱbyȱtheȱsafeguard.37ȱHeȱwasȱonlyȱpermittedȱreȬentryȱandȱaȱpardonȱafter theȱking’sȱconsiderationȱofȱtheȱyoungȱman’sȱwartimeȱservice.ȱ Inȱanotherȱcase,ȱfromȱ1349,ȱtheȱParlementȱmarshaledȱlocalȱofficersȱtoȱrespondȱto theȱclaimȱofȱaȱlocalȱprosecutor,ȱwhoȱwasȱattacked,ȱwhileȱunderȱsafeguard,ȱbecause heȱrefusedȱtoȱsurrenderȱhisȱhorseȱtoȱaȱthief.38ȱSimpleȱcasesȱofȱtheftȱorȱattempted robbery,ȱwhichȱwouldȱotherwiseȱhaveȱstayedȱinȱtheȱhandsȱofȱtheȱlocalȱlord,ȱbecame mattersȱforȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParisȱwhenȱtheȱsafeguardȱwasȱbreached,ȱthoughȱthe crimesȱbeȱasȱfarȱawayȱasȱCotentinȱinȱNormandy,39ȱMarmoutiersȱinȱBurgundy,40ȱand Poitiersȱ inȱ Poitou.41ȱ Whileȱ travelȱ forȱ judicialȱ purposesȱ wasȱ notȱ rareȱ inȱ the fourteenthȱcentury,ȱaȱjourneyȱofȱnearlyȱ250ȱmilesȱ(PoitiersȱtoȱParis)ȱisȱaȱlengthyȱone overȱtheȱmatterȱofȱaȱhorseȬthief.ȱNorȱwasȱitȱonlyȱtheȱculpritȱwhoȱmadeȱtheȱjourney. Courtȱofficials,ȱwitnesses,ȱandȱtheȱvictimȱcouldȱallȱfindȱthemselvesȱtravelingȱtoȱand fromȱParisȱoverȱaȱfewȱmissingȱanimals. Unlikeȱinȱtheȱprecedingȱcases,ȱwhereȱtheȱvictim’sȱpossessionȱofȱaȱsafeguardȱwas incidentalȱtoȱtheȱcrime,ȱinȱsomeȱcasesȱtheȱviolationȱwasȱaȱspecific,ȱviolent,ȱand intentionalȱpartȱofȱtheȱoffense.ȱThoseȱunderȱtheȱcareȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguardȱboreȱa signȱofȱthatȱspecialȱstatus—individualsȱcarriedȱlettersȱofȱsafeguardȱwhileȱplaces underȱtheȱking’sȱprotectionȱhadȱplacardsȱwithȱtheȱfleurȬdeȬlysȱposted.ȱOnȱtheȱone hand,ȱthisȱmeantȱthatȱaȱcriminalȱhadȱlittleȱchanceȱofȱclaimingȱheȱwasȱunawareȱof hisȱvictim’sȱstatusȱ(inȱfact,ȱIȱhaveȱcomeȱacrossȱnoȱmentionȱinȱanyȱofȱtheȱregisters ofȱaȱcriminalȱmaintainingȱhisȱignoranceȱonȱtheȱmatter).ȱOnȱtheȱother,ȱtheseȱsigns ofȱtheȱking’sȱfavorȱcouldȱthemselvesȱbecomeȱtheȱtarget,ȱcompoundingȱtheȱoffense. Inȱ1350,ȱanȱorderlyȱforȱtheȱViscountȱofȱCarlatȱoccupiedȱaȱprioryȱand,ȱthrowingȱthe placardȱ proclaimingȱ theȱ royalȱ safeguardȱ toȱ theȱ ground,ȱ brokeȱ itȱ inȱ twoȱ and trampledȱ itȱ beneathȱ hisȱ feet.42ȱ Theȱ orderly,ȱ Arnaudȱ Vigier,ȱ didȱ thisȱ (andȱ more besides)ȱasȱanȱactȱofȱrevengeȱagainstȱtheȱprior,ȱwhoȱhadȱbroughtȱsuitȱagainstȱhim inȱtheȱParlementȱforȱanȱearlierȱmatter.ȱTheȱbreachȱofȱtheȱsafeguardȱwasȱthusȱmuch

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ132ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ150vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱduȱTrésorȱdeȱChartesȱ(ArchivesȱNationales,ȱParis),ȱJJ72ȱfol.ȱ280v. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ164vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ62ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ158vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ164ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). “.ȱ .ȱ .ȱ .siguumȱ dicteȱ salueȱ gardieȱ patenterȱ existentesȱ admonerantȱ etȱ adȱ terramȱ proȱ reterantȱ ut dilaminantumȱetȱpedibusȱconculcarant.”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ205ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

198

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

moreȱ thanȱ theȱ brigandageȱ toȱ whichȱ Arnaudȱ subjectedȱ theȱ prioryȱ andȱ its inhabitants.ȱArnaudȱrejectedȱtheȱauthorityȱofȱtheȱParlementȱtoȱarbitrateȱtheȱonȬ goingȱdispute,ȱdemonstratedȱbothȱbyȱhisȱbreakingȱtheȱplacardȱandȱhisȱchasingȱout theȱ householdȱ fromȱ theȱ prioryȱ andȱ installingȱ thereinȱ aȱ garrisonȱ comprisedȱ of exiledȱcriminalsȱandȱEnglishmen.43ȱHisȱdeliberateȱdefianceȱofȱtheȱking’sȱprotection ofȱ theȱ prioryȱ challengedȱ theȱ kingȱ toȱ makeȱ goodȱ onȱ theȱ promiseȱ theȱ safeguard implied. Moreȱ commonȱ thanȱ actsȱ thatȱ directlyȱ targetedȱ theȱ safeguardȱ wereȱ cases concerningȱvariousȱcrimesȱinȱwhichȱitsȱviolationȱappearedȱasȱaȱmodifierȱforȱthe otherȱoffenses.ȱFrequently,ȱafterȱaȱlistȱofȱtransgressionsȱofȱvaryingȱseverity,ȱthe courtȱscribeȱappendedȱaȱphraseȱtoȱtheȱeffectȱofȱ“committedȱinȱspiteȱofȱtheȱroyal safeguard.”44ȱInȱaȱcaseȱfromȱtheȱ1340s,ȱtheȱphraseȱfollowsȱanȱindictmentȱofȱillicit assembly,ȱ conspiracy,ȱ monopoly,ȱ andȱ generalȱ offensesȱ committedȱ againstȱ the HospitalȱofȱSt.ȱJohnȱofȱJerusalemȱinȱAquitaine,ȱandȱwhichȱresultedȱinȱtheȱmortal woundingȱofȱoneȱofȱtheȱbrothers.45ȱThoughȱthisȱparticularȱentryȱopensȱwithȱthe affirmationȱthatȱtheȱhouseȱwasȱunderȱtheȱprotectionȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguard,ȱless thanȱtenȱlinesȱlaterȱtheȱscribeȱreinforcesȱtheȱmessageȱbyȱaffirmingȱthatȱtheȱattacks onȱtheȱHospitalȱbrokeȱ(frangendo)ȱthatȱprotection.ȱOnȱotherȱoccasions,ȱhowever,ȱthe recordȱmakesȱnoȱmentionȱasȱtoȱtheȱholdingȱofȱtheȱsafeguard,ȱsimplyȱappendingȱits violationȱ toȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ aȱ laundryȬlistȱ ofȱ crimes.ȱ Therefore,ȱ inȱ 1349,ȱ theȱ court recordedȱthatȱtheȱknightȱSarrasinȱd’Angleȱandȱhisȱaccomplicesȱperpetratedȱinsults, burglary,ȱdepredations,ȱincarcerationȱinȱaȱprivateȱprison,ȱhostilities,ȱandȱexcessive injuries,ȱ allȱ ofȱ whichȱ violatedȱ theȱ royalȱ safeguard.46ȱ Throughoutȱ theȱ criminal registers,ȱviolationȱofȱtheȱsafeguardȱisȱtheȱoneȱactȱmostȱlikelyȱtoȱbeȱreiterated,ȱboth withinȱaȱsingleȱentryȱandȱacrossȱmultipleȱinstallmentsȱofȱaȱcase.ȱTheȱpositionȱofȱthe termȱinȱtheȱtextȱgivesȱtheȱsafeguardȱanȱextraȱemphasis.ȱThus,ȱwhileȱitȱactedȱasȱan adverbȱtowardȱtheȱotherȱoffenses,ȱitȱcouldȱdominateȱtheȱregistryȱentry.ȱ WhyȱdidȱtheȱParlementȱfocusȱsoȱheavilyȱonȱtheȱsafeguard?ȱThoughȱgranting safeguardsȱwasȱnotȱaȱnewȱpracticeȱunderȱPhilipȱVI,ȱconcernȱoverȱitsȱviolationȱwas. InȱtheȱregistersȱofȱtheȱOlim—whichȱcontainȱtheȱsentencesȱrenderedȱbyȱtheȱking’s court47ȱinȱtheȱreignsȱofȱSaintȱLouis,ȱPhilipȱtheȱBold,ȱPhilipȱtheȱFair,ȱLouisȱX,ȱand PhilipȱVȱ(1226–1322)—thereȱappearȱonlyȱtwoȱcasesȱinvolvingȱtheȱsafeguard.ȱOne,

43 44

45 46

47

Forȱaȱsimilarȱcase,ȱseeȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). “.ȱ .ȱ .ȱ .dictamȱ gardiamȱ nostramȱ [nostraȱ gardiaȱ superiali]ȱ frangendoȱ inȱ dicteȱ gardie.”ȱ Registres Criminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.pluraȱmaleficia.ȱInsultus,ȱdomorumȱfractores,ȱdepredaciones,ȱcarceresȱprivatos,ȱhostilitates. Iniuriasȱexcessus.ȱAliosȱetȱceteriaȱsaluamȱgardiamȱnostramȱfrangendo.”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5 fol.ȱ162ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Thisȱcourt,ȱtheȱforerunnerȱofȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParis,ȱdidȱnotȱmeetȱindependently,ȱbeingȱmore closelyȱboundȱtoȱtheȱpersonalȱjusticeȱofȱtheȱking.

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

199

fromȱ1309,ȱinvolvedȱanȱattackȱonȱaȱprior,ȱtheȱotherȱtheȱkidnappingȱofȱaȱknight.48 Theȱemphasisȱonȱsafeguardȱinȱtheȱregistersȱmayȱthusȱbeȱaȱfeatureȱofȱaȱnewȱfocus onȱtheȱviolation.ȱWhenȱweȱexamineȱtheȱsafeguardȱinȱlightȱofȱtheȱlargeȱnumberȱof peopleȱ toȱ whomȱ itȱ wasȱ awardedȱ andȱ thatȱ thoseȱ groups—evenȱ ifȱ notȱ the individualsȱthemselves—heldȱaȱsymbolicȱrelationshipȱwithȱtheȱkingȱoutsideȱofȱthe safeguard,ȱtheȱinterestȱinȱitȱbecomesȱlessȱthatȱofȱaȱnoveltyȱandȱmoreȱaȱconcernȱover anȱitemȱofȱvalue.ȱTheȱcrimeȱthatȱmostȱembodiedȱtheȱideaȱofȱtheȱking’sȱenlarged authorityȱoverȱtheȱentireȱrealm,ȱwithȱeveryȱattackȱonȱroyalȱofficersȱandȱanyȱothers underȱ hisȱ protectionȱ interpretedȱ asȱ anȱ attackȱ onȱ theȱ kingȱ himself,ȱ naturally garneredȱincreasedȱscrutiny. Theȱrepetitionȱofȱtheȱsafeguard’sȱimportanceȱcanȱalsoȱbeȱreadȱasȱtheȱmenȱofȱthe Parlementȱassertingȱtheirȱauthorityȱoverȱaȱgivenȱaffair,ȱforȱnoȱotherȱcourt,ȱsaveȱthe kingȱhimself,ȱhadȱtheȱpowerȱtoȱtryȱsuchȱcases.ȱThisȱhadȱtoȱdoȱinȱlargeȱpartȱwithȱthe allegoricalȱreadingȱofȱsafeguardȱthatȱmadeȱanyȱslightȱagainstȱitsȱbearerȱaȱpersonal affrontȱagainstȱtheȱking.ȱItȱwasȱalsoȱgroundedȱinȱwhatȱtheȱking’sȱprotectionȱmeant; absentȱanȱarmedȱretinue,ȱtheȱsafeguardȱofferedȱdefenseȱbyȱplacingȱitsȱbearerȱunder royalȱjurisdiction.ȱAllȱjusticeȱinȱtheȱkingdom,ȱtheoretically,ȱflowedȱfromȱtheȱking.49 Atȱanyȱtimeȱtheȱkingȱcouldȱintercedeȱinȱanyȱaffair,ȱsaveȱthoseȱwhollyȱbelongingȱto theȱChurch.ȱTheȱrealityȱwasȱnotȱalwaysȱsoȱneat.ȱ TheȱgrantingȱofȱaȱsafeguardȱcircumventedȱtheȱneedȱforȱtheȱkingȱorȱtheȱParlement toȱclaimȱcognizanceȱinȱaȱparticularȱcase,ȱasȱitȱwasȱtheirsȱautomatically.ȱInȱthisȱway, theȱroyalȱsafeguardȱwasȱaȱprofoundlyȱjudicialȱmatter.ȱToȱdisregardȱitȱwasȱtoȱflout theȱ royalȱ justiceȱ itself,ȱ anȱ inalienableȱ partȱ ofȱ sovereigntyȱ inȱ theȱ fourteenth century.50ȱTheȱvillainyȱofȱJourdainȱdeȱl’Isle,ȱtheȱlordȱofȱCassaubon,ȱillustratesȱthe pointȱwell,ȱthoughȱtheȱrecordȱdatesȱfromȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱCharlesȱIV’sȱreign.ȱSince 1314,ȱJourdainȱappearedȱinȱtheȱregistersȱofȱtheȱParlementȱasȱaȱscourgeȱonȱtheȱland. Aȱmurderer,ȱthief,ȱrapist,ȱandȱallȬaroundȱbrigand,51ȱheȱwasȱaccusedȱofȱrebellionȱby theȱking’sȱmen.52ȱ Notȱuntilȱ1323,ȱsoonȱafterȱCharlesȱIVȱassumedȱtheȱthrone,ȱdidȱtheȱParlement condemnȱhimȱasȱharmingȱtheȱking’sȱjustice.ȱJourdainȱhadȱkidnappedȱtwoȱmenȱwho hadȱappealedȱtoȱtheȱkingȱagainstȱtheȱravagesȱofȱtheirȱtroublesomeȱlord.ȱTheȱking, byȱgrantingȱthemȱbothȱsafeguards,ȱremovedȱthemȱfromȱJourdain’sȱjurisdictionȱand

48

49

50 51 52

ArthurȱAugusteȱBeugnot,ȱed.,ȱLesȱOlim,ȱouȱregistresȱdesȱarrêtsȱrendusȱparȱlaȱCourȱduȱRoiȱsousȱlesȱrègnes deȱSaintȱLouis,ȱdeȱPhilippeȱleȱHardi,ȱdeȱPhilippeȱleȱBel,ȱdeȱLouisȱdeȱHutin,ȱetȱdeȱPhilippeȱleȱLong.ȱVol.ȱ3 (Paris:ȱImprimerieȱRoyale,ȱ1844),ȱ281–82,ȱ479–80. “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.etȱenȱaȱliȱroisȱlaȱconnaissance,ȱcarȱtouteȱlaȱlaieȱjuridicionȱduȱroiaumeȱestȱtenueȱduȱroiȱenȱfief ouȱenȱarriereȱfief.”ȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis,ȱ158ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). JosephȱHughȱShennan,ȱTheȱParlementȱofȱParisȱ(Ithaca,ȱNY:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1968),ȱ151. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a1ȱfol.ȱ58v,ȱX2a2ȱfol.ȱ18ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a2ȱfol.ȱ28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

200

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

placedȱthemȱunderȱȱhisȱown.53ȱJourdain’sȱsubsequentȱkidnappingȱoccurredȱdespite theȱking,ȱhisȱjurisdiction,ȱhisȱsovereignty,ȱandȱhisȱprotection.54ȱTheȱParlement’s recordȱofȱtheȱtrialȱencouragesȱtheȱreaderȱtoȱseeȱtheȱsafeguardȱasȱtheȱextensionȱof theȱking’sȱmajesty.ȱToȱviolateȱitȱwasȱnoneȱotherȱthanȱlèseȬmajesté. Givenȱtheȱabundanceȱofȱpeopleȱunderȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguardȱandȱtheȱhighȱnumber ofȱinfractions,ȱitȱmayȱbeȱtemptingȱtoȱsupposeȱthatȱtheȱkingȱandȱhisȱcourtȱwouldȱbe happyȱtoȱseeȱanyȱofficerȱofȱtheȱlawȱorȱlocalȱjudgeȱhandleȱtheȱcaseȱandȱpunishȱthe malefactor.ȱInȱfact,ȱtheȱkingȱjealouslyȱguardedȱhisȱright,ȱandȱthatȱofȱtheȱParlement, toȱbeȱtheȱsoleȱarbiterȱinȱcasesȱinvolvingȱbreachȱofȱtheȱsafeguard.ȱMultipleȱtimesȱthe criminalȱregistersȱmakeȱitȱclearȱthatȱonlyȱtheȱkingȱandȱhisȱcourtȱhadȱjurisdictionȱin suchȱcases.55ȱInȱ1346–1347,ȱtheȱcourtȱheardȱaȱcaseȱonȱtheȱhomicideȱofȱJeanȱBoquet, massierȱofȱtheȱbishopȱofȱNoyon,ȱroyalȱsergeantȱandȱpeerȱofȱFrance,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeen attackedȱbyȱthreeȱmen.ȱTheseȱmenȱthenȱproceededȱtoȱbreakȱJeanȱBoquet’sȱsymbol ofȱofficeȱandȱthreatenȱtheȱbishop,ȱhisȱmayor,ȱservantsȱandȱofficers.ȱByȱtheȱtimeȱthe bailiffȱofȱAmiensȱreceivedȱordersȱfromȱtheȱParlementȱtoȱlookȱintoȱtheȱmatter,ȱtwo ofȱtheȱmalefactorsȱwereȱbeingȱheldȱinȱecclesiasticalȱprison:ȱoneȱinȱtheȱprisonȱofȱthe monksȱofȱSaintȬEloiȱinȱNoyon,ȱoneȱinȱtheȱprisonȱofȱtheȱbishopȱofȱTherouanne.ȱ Theȱmenȱstoodȱaccused,ȱamongȱotherȱthings,ȱofȱbreachingȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguard, overȱwhichȱtheȱkingȱaloneȱhadȱcognizance.56ȱTheȱcourtȱforbadeȱtheȱmonksȱand bishopȱfromȱeitherȱfreeingȱorȱcondemningȱtheȱprisoners;ȱjudgmentȱwasȱtoȱbeȱmade onlyȱbyȱtheȱking’sȱrepresentatives.57ȱNorȱwasȱthisȱkindȱofȱinjunctionȱseenȱonlyȱin casesȱ involvingȱ aȱ peerȱ ofȱ theȱ realmȱ orȱ otherȱ individualsȱ ofȱ highȱ status,ȱ which wouldȱsuggestȱmoreȱofȱaȱconcernȱwithȱtheȱvictimȱthanȱtheȱcrime.ȱInȱ1335,ȱtheȱcourt sentȱaȱreminderȱthatȱknowledgeȱofȱtheȱcasesȱofȱbreachȱofȱtheȱsafeguardȱbelonged toȱ theȱ king.ȱ Becauseȱ theȱ localȱ courtȱ hadȱ begunȱ proceduresȱ againstȱ Ulfardȱ de Ghistellesȱandȱhisȱwifeȱoverȱtheȱhomicideȱofȱtheȱattorneyȱforȱtheȱcathedralȱchapter ofȱTournai,ȱwhoȱheldȱaȱroyalȱsafeguard,ȱtheȱParlementȱauthorizedȱtheȱbailiffȱof Lilleȱtoȱrevokeȱallȱactionsȱandȱdecisionsȱbyȱtheȱlowerȱcourt,ȱwhichȱhadȱbeenȱdone inȱprejudiceȱtoȱtheȱjusticeȱandȱrightsȱofȱtheȱking.58ȱ ThoughȱtheȱParlementȱfeltȱitȱnecessaryȱonȱoccasionȱtoȱremindȱpeopleȱwhoȱowned theȱrightsȱtoȱhighȱjusticeȱinȱtheseȱcases,ȱtheȱrecordsȱleaveȱlittleȱroomȱforȱdoubtȱthat

53

54

55 56

57 58

Theȱtwoȱmenȱappealedȱtoȱtheȱkingȱandȱ“parȱvertuȱdeȱladiteȱappellacion,ȱestoientȱexemptȱduȱtout deȱsaȱjuridictionȱetȱenȱl’especialȱgardeȱduȱroy.”ȱRegistresȱCriminelȱ(seeȱntoeȱ15),ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ177v. “.ȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ilȱ lesȱ avoitȱ faitȱ traynerȱ etȱ pendreȱ enȱ grantȱ despitȱ duȱ royȱ etȱ deȱ saȱ juridictionȱ etȱ deȱ sa souverainetéȱetȱdeȱsaȱgarde.”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ177vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ23v,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ170,ȱX2a5ȱfols.ȱ3,ȱ62v,ȱ179vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱdeȱfractureȱdicteȱgardeȱnostreȱcognoscereȱetȱpunieȱpertineat.”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ62v (seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ62vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). “EtȱcumȱGardieȱnostreȱfractorusȱarmorumqueȱportantonisȱcognitioȱetȱpunitoȱadȱnosȱetȱnonȱad aliumȱpertinent.”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ23vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

201

itȱwasȱwellȬknown.ȱApartȱfromȱinstancesȱsuchȱasȱtheȱvandalizingȱofȱtheȱsafeguard notices,ȱcriminalsȱwouldȱatȱtimesȱattemptȱtoȱcircumventȱtheȱking’sȱjusticeȱinȱaȱbid toȱsecureȱaȱmoreȱfavorableȱoutcome.ȱSoȱinȱaȱcaseȱfromȱ1350,ȱafterȱhavingȱinvited theȱabbotȱofȱEaucourtȬl’AbbayeȱtoȱArrasȱunderȱfalseȱpretensesȱandȱthereȱattacking himȱ inȱ spiteȱ ofȱ theȱ royalȱ safeguard,ȱ Andréȱ deȱ Monchy59ȱ forcedȱ hisȱ victimȱ to promiseȱthatȱheȱwouldȱnotȱaccuseȱAndréȱbeforeȱaȱlayȱtribunal,ȱwhichȱreportedȱto theȱParlementȱandȱking.ȱRather,ȱtheȱabbotȱwasȱforcedȱtoȱpromiseȱunderȱduressȱthat heȱwouldȱonlyȱbringȱsuitȱbeforeȱtheȱofficialȱofȱArras,ȱanȱecclesiastic,ȱinȱbreachȱof theȱroyalȱjustice,ȱwhich,ȱtheȱscribeȱremindsȱtheȱreader,ȱhadȱsoleȱcompetenceȱin mattersȱofȱtheȱviolationȱofȱtheȱsafeguard.60ȱTheȱabbot,ȱhowever,ȱonceȱfreeȱfrom ArrasȱandȱAndréȱdeȱMonchy,ȱswiftlyȱaccusedȱhisȱassailantȱbeforeȱtheȱParlement ofȱParis.ȱTheȱcourtȱannulledȱtheȱproceduresȱandȱjudgmentsȱofȱtheȱofficialȱofȱArras, inȱtheȱprocessȱseizingȱtheȱtemporalȱjusticeȱofȱtheȱofficialȱandȱhisȱbishop,ȱthereby preventingȱeitherȱfromȱhavingȱcognizanceȱoverȱsecularȱmatters.ȱ Althoughȱ violationsȱ ofȱ theȱ safeguardȱ wereȱ relativelyȱ common,ȱ holdingȱ a safeguardȱwasȱaȱnetȱbenefit.ȱEvenȱifȱitȱfailedȱinȱtheȱfirstȱinstance—protectingȱthe bearerȱfromȱharm—itȱguaranteedȱthatȱtheȱkingȱwouldȱtakeȱaȱkeenȱinterestȱinȱseeing thatȱtheȱattackersȱwereȱpunished.ȱWhileȱweȱcannotȱknowȱhowȱmanyȱcrimesȱthe safeguardȱprevented,ȱtheȱnumberȱofȱpeopleȱrequestingȱitsȱprotectionȱsuggestsȱthat theyȱtheyȱbelievedȱitȱtoȱbeȱeffectiveȱorȱotherwiseȱbeneficial.ȱHenceȱinȱ1334,ȱthe knightȱGuiȱGrimaut,ȱimprisonedȱinȱParis,ȱrequestedȱaȱsafegaurdȱfromȱtheȱcourt. Guiȱhadȱinȱ1328ȱparticipatedȱinȱaȱtwoȬpartȱconspiracy:ȱone,ȱtoȱcaptureȱtheȱCount ofȱFlanders,ȱLouisȱdeȱNevers,ȱandȱtwo,ȱtoȱturnȱCharlesȱofȱValois,ȱtheȱCountȱof Alençonȱandȱking’sȱbrother,ȱfromȱtheȱcauseȱofȱtheȱFrenchȱandȱconvinceȱhimȱtoȱally withȱEngland.ȱOnlyȱtheȱfirstȱpartȱsucceeded.ȱGuiȱwasȱheldȱinȱtheȱChateletȱwhileȱhis trialȱstalled,ȱasȱmanyȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱagainstȱhimȱwereȱinȱFlandersȱandȱcouldȱnot comeȱtoȱParis.ȱ TheȱParlementȱinvitedȱGuiȱtoȱsendȱanȱattorneyȱnorthȱtoȱgatherȱtheȱtestimony,ȱbut uponȱhisȱlawyer’sȱcounsel,ȱheȱrefused.ȱWhenȱtheȱcourtȱofferedȱtoȱpermitȱhimȱto travelȱtoȱFlandersȱhimselfȱforȱthisȱpurpose,ȱGuiȱagreedȱuponȱtheȱconditionȱthatȱhe beȱgrantedȱaȱsafeguardȱforȱtheȱjourney.61ȱTheȱcourtȱpermittedȱhimȱanȱescort,ȱwhich satisfiedȱ theȱ prisoner.62ȱ Inȱ theȱ contextȱ ofȱ theȱ uprisingsȱ inȱ Flandersȱ againstȱ the FrenchȱCrownȱandȱtheȱcount,ȱwhoȱspentȱmuchȱofȱhisȱtimeȱinȱexileȱatȱtheȱcourtȱof PhilipȱVI,ȱGui’sȱdesireȱtoȱbeȱunderȱtheȱking’sȱundisputedȱjurisdictionȱisȱsurprising unlessȱweȱassumeȱthatȱtheȱsafeguardȱhadȱaȱrealȱpowerȱasȱaȱdeterrent.

59 60 61 62

PossiblyȱtheȱformerȱreceveurȱgénéralȱofȱArtois. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ179vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ218ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ201ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

202

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

Theȱbearersȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguardȱwereȱnotȱtheȱonlyȱonesȱtoȱviewȱitsȱbestowal asȱadvantageous.ȱWithȱtheȱbreadthȱofȱpeopleȱwhoȱroutinelyȱheldȱaȱsafeguard,ȱa greaterȱnumberȱofȱindividualsȱcameȱunderȱtheȱking’sȱdirectȱjurisdiction.ȱMoreover, theȱinclusionȱofȱreligiousȱhousesȱmeantȱthatȱtheȱkingȱgainedȱaȱclaimȱoverȱreligious affairs.ȱAsȱtheȱrexȱchristianissimus,ȱanointedȱwithȱtheȱholyȱchrismȱatȱSaintȬDenis,ȱthe safeguardȱbolsteredȱtheȱking’sȱcontentionȱthatȱheȱwasȱtheȱdefenderȱofȱChristianity (evenȱifȱrealityȱmightȱproveȱtoȱbeȱmoreȱcomplicated).ȱ InȱcontrastȱtoȱPhilip’sȱCapetianȱpredecessorsȱ(exceptingȱperhapsȱCharlesȱIV)ȱand theȱParlement’sȱ fitfulȱstartȱasȱanȱadȱhocȱjudicialȱassembly,ȱtheȱuseȱtoȱwhichȱthe safeguardȱ wasȱ putȱ underȱ theȱ firstȱ Valoisȱ kingȱ suggestsȱ anȱ increasedȱ desireȱ to ensureȱthatȱtheȱmostȱvulnerableȱsegmentsȱofȱsocietyȱandȱtheȱmostȱimportantȱforȱits governmentȱ receivedȱ aȱ specialȱ status.ȱ Butȱ theȱ increasedȱ awareness,ȱ ifȱ notȱ use, indicatesȱthatȱtheȱParlementȱwasȱgrowingȱmoreȱandȱmoreȱinterestedȱinȱpreserving andȱextendingȱ theȱking’sȱauthority,ȱallȱtheȱwhileȱcentralizingȱitȱunderȱaȱsingle judicialȱbody.ȱTheȱsafeguardȱextendedȱtheȱzoneȱofȱcrimesȱanswerableȱtoȱtheȱking,63 alongȱwithȱtheȱpeopleȱwhoȱwereȱbothȱvictimȱandȱcriminal.ȱTheȱsymbolismȱinherent inȱtheȱsafeguardȱlegitimizedȱtheȱParlement’sȱincreaseȱofȱitsȱownȱauthorityȱover otherȱ jurisdictions,ȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ king’sȱ power.ȱ Theȱ king’sȱ abilityȱ toȱ dispense justiceȱandȱprotectȱtheȱrealmȱlayȱatȱtheȱheartȱofȱhisȱmajestas.ȱ Withȱtheȱextensionȱofȱtheȱsafeguardȱandȱtheȱcourt’sȱgreaterȱfocusȱonȱpreserving it,ȱ aȱ byȬproductȱ wasȱ thatȱ moreȱ crimesȱ roseȱ toȱ theȱ levelȱ ofȱ lèseȬmajesté,ȱ simply becauseȱinȱtheȱprocessȱofȱcommittingȱtheȱcrimeȱoneȱwasȱalsoȱviolatingȱtheȱroyal safeguard.ȱ Actsȱ ofȱ theftȱ becameȱ moreȱ serious.ȱ Breachingȱ theȱ safeguardȱ often appearedȱasȱaȱvitalȱmodifierȱforȱtheȱotherȱcrimesȱatȱtheȱcenterȱofȱaȱcase.ȱAtȱtimes, theȱ royalȱ safeguard’sȱ violationȱ emergedȱ fromȱ theȱ realmȱ ofȱ implicationȱ and metaphorȱ toȱ explicitlyȱ equalȱ lèseȬmajesté.ȱ Inȱ 1348–1350,ȱ theȱ Parlementȱ ofȱ Paris heardȱtheȱcaseȱagainstȱGuiȱd’Apremont.ȱGuiȱandȱhisȱmenȱcommittedȱaȱseriesȱof attacks,ȱincludingȱhomicide,ȱrape,ȱtheft,ȱtorture,ȱandȱarson,ȱagainstȱtheȱprioryȱof MoutiersȬlesȬMauxfaits.ȱ Terribleȱasȱtheseȱcrimesȱwere,ȱwhatȱearnedȱtheȱfullȱcondemnationȱofȱtheȱcourt wasȱ theȱ marauders’ȱ settingȱ fireȱ toȱ theȱ postȱ onȱ whichȱ theȱ royalȱ safeguardȱ was displayed.ȱInȱnoȱuncertainȱterms,ȱtheȱParlementȱbrandedȱthatȱspecificȱactȱaȱcrime againstȱtheȱroyalȱmajesty.64ȱButȱasȱwithȱtheȱcaseȱofȱJourdainȱdeȱl’Isleȱkidnapping theȱtwoȱappellantsȱofȱtheȱking,ȱspurningȱtheȱroyalȱmajestyȱneedȱnotȱbeȱasȱdirectȱas burningȱtheȱfleurȬdeȬlys.ȱInȱtheȱaffairȱofȱPierreȱdeȱTurlandeȱagainstȱtheȱlordȱof Pierrefort,ȱtheȱcourtȱrecordedȱaȱhostȱofȱcrimesȱcommittedȱagainstȱPierreȱbyȱtheȱlord ofȱPierrefortȱandȱhisȱmenȱwhileȱtheȱtwoȱwereȱinȱlitigationȱinȱtheȱParlement:ȱthe homicideȱofȱaȱsergeantȱofȱPierreȱdeȱTurlande;ȱtheȱattemptedȱmurderȱofȱPierre’s 63 64

Gauvard,ȱDeȱGrace,ȱ180–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9). “InȱfrangendoȱnostramqueȱmaestatemȱRegiam.”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ156ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

203

nephew;ȱactsȱofȱbrigandageȱcommittedȱonȱlandsȱPierreȱheldȱinȱfiefȱfromȱtheȱking asȱwellȱasȱonȱothers;ȱtheȱarmedȱassaultȱuponȱandȱcaptureȱofȱtheȱcastleȱofȱTurlande, doneȱinȱorderȱtoȱkillȱPierre,ȱhisȱchildren,ȱandȱmembersȱofȱhisȱhousehold,ȱwhich resultedȱ inȱ theȱ mortalȱ woundingȱ ofȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ latter;ȱ andȱ finallyȱ theȱ presence amongȱtheȱmenȱofȱtheȱlordȱofȱPierrefortȱofȱexiledȱcriminalsȱandȱknownȱmurderers. Theȱrecordȱdenouncesȱthisȱentireȱlistȱasȱhavingȱbeenȱdoneȱatȱtheȱexpenseȱofȱthe publicȱgoodȱandȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsovereignty.65ȱBeforeȱtheȱscribeȱcomesȱtoȱtheȱinjuries doneȱtoȱtheȱkingȱandȱpublic,ȱheȱcapsȱtheȱlistȱwithȱmentionȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguard. Theȱformulationȱofȱthisȱlistȱthereforeȱencouragesȱaȱreadingȱthatȱitȱwasȱnotȱthese actsȱaloneȱthatȱamountedȱtoȱanȱoffenseȱagainstȱtheȱroyalȱmajesty,ȱbutȱtheirȱtaking placeȱinȱcontraventionȱofȱaȱroyalȱsafeguardȱheldȱbyȱPierreȱdeȱTurlande.ȱ Violationȱofȱtheȱroyalȱsafeguard,ȱlikeȱtreason,ȱwasȱanotherȱwayȱofȱexpressing lèseȬmajesté—onlyȱtheȱmeansȱareȱdifferent,ȱnotȱtheȱresult.ȱButȱunlikeȱtreasonȱor rebellion,ȱsafeguardȱwasȱalmostȱentirelyȱaȱsymbolicȱcrime.ȱTheȱtheftȱofȱRaymond Bernard’sȱhorseȱwasȱaȱconcrete,ȱtangibleȱact,ȱbutȱnotȱoneȱdemandingȱtheȱtimeȱof anyoneȱ butȱ theȱ localȱ bailiffȱ orȱ seneschal;ȱ itȱ wasȱ Raymond’sȱ holdingȱ lettersȱ of safeguardȱ thatȱ broughtȱ itȱ toȱ theȱ attentionȱ ofȱ theȱ highestȱ courtȱ inȱ theȱ land—no matterȱRaymond’sȱrankȱasȱaȱclericȱorȱtheȱvalueȱofȱhisȱhorse.66ȱThoughȱtheȱpieceȱof paperȱorȱplacardȱhadȱnoȱinnateȱpowerȱtoȱprotect,ȱsuccumbingȱtoȱfireȱandȱother vandalisms,ȱ itȱ remainedȱ aȱ soughtȬafterȱ commodity.67ȱ Theȱ safeguard’sȱ effective powerȱ layȱ notȱ onlyȱ inȱ theȱ reprisalsȱ thatȱ followedȱ uponȱ itsȱ infringement,ȱ but dependedȱ uponȱ anȱ agreementȱ betweenȱ theȱ kingȱ andȱ hisȱ subjectsȱ thatȱ those proclaimedȱinviolableȱwould,ȱinȱfact,ȱremainȱinviolate.ȱ

III.ȱForgery Inȱ1339,ȱGastonȱII,ȱCountȱofȱFoix,ȱViscountȱofȱBéarnȱandȱofȱMarsan,ȱfoundȱoccasion toȱwriteȱtoȱtheȱmenȱofȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParis.ȱSometimeȱearlier,ȱthisȱpowerfulȱcourt hadȱimprisonedȱinȱParisȱtwoȱofȱGaston’sȱmenȱunderȱtheȱsuspicionȱthatȱtheyȱhad forgedȱandȱotherwiseȱfalsifiedȱtheȱsealȱofȱtheȱcount.ȱGastonȱassuredȱtheȱParlement thatȱinȱfactȱheȱhadȱsentȱtheseȱmenȱtoȱParisȱtoȱperformȱsundryȱtasks,ȱnotȱtheȱleast ofȱwhichȱwasȱobtainingȱaȱnewȱsealȱofȱhisȱarms.ȱTheȱcountȱnotȱonlyȱrequestedȱthat theȱcourtȱrectifyȱtheȱmatterȱandȱfreeȱhisȱmen,ȱbutȱthatȱtheyȱdoȱsoȱwithoutȱharassing orȱinȱanyȱotherȱmannerȱmistreatingȱthem.68

65 66 67

68

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ65ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistersȱduȱTrésor,ȱJJ72ȱfol.ȱ280vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ37). Forȱ example,ȱ theȱ criminalȱ registersȱ relateȱ theȱ forgingȱ ofȱ lettersȱ ofȱ safeguardȱ andȱ theirȱ theft. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ181v,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ174ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a2ȱfol.ȱ7vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

204

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

Theȱ Parlement’sȱ sensitivityȱ toȱ forgery,ȱ toȱ theȱ degreeȱ thatȱ itȱ wouldȱ arrest individualsȱcarryingȱoutȱtheȱlegitimateȱordersȱofȱtheirȱlord,ȱfollowsȱfromȱforgery’s being,ȱalongȱwithȱtheȱviolationȱofȱtheȱsafeguard,ȱtheȱquintessentialȱcrimeȱofȱlèseȬ majesté.ȱWhileȱmostȱofȱtheȱcrimesȱunderȱtheȱrubricȱofȱlèseȬmajestéȱ(seeȱFigureȱ1) wereȱtreasonousȱthroughȱanalogy,ȱforgeryȱwasȱaȱcrimeȱofȱanalogyȱandȱimpacted muchȱofȱsocietyȱtheȱwayȱthatȱonlyȱkingȱandȱChurchȱwereȱmeantȱto.ȱItȱcausedȱthe kingȱtoȱspeakȱbyȱpretendingȱtoȱbeȱhisȱownȱwordsȱandȱwishes,ȱinterferedȱwithȱthe administrationȱofȱtheȱrealmȱandȱinȱtheȱworkingsȱofȱtheȱcourt,ȱandȱbredȱdistrust.ȱIn thisȱway,ȱforgery,ȱthoughȱnotȱoriginallyȱaȱhighȱcrime,ȱsatȱatȱtheȱheartȱofȱlèseȬmajesté, threateningȱtheȱexpressionȱofȱtheȱroyalȱwillȱandȱtheȱperformanceȱofȱmajesty,ȱtoȱsay nothingȱ ofȱ theȱ abilityȱ ofȱ peopleȱ toȱ recognizeȱ thoseȱ performancesȱ asȱ authentic. Dependentȱuponȱphysicalȱobjectsȱandȱtheirȱconventionsȱofȱuse—specificallyȱthe sealȱandȱtheȱletter—forgeryȱwasȱaȱconcreteȱcrimeȱthatȱmanipulatedȱtheseȱobjects asȱsymbolsȱofȱroyalȱauthority.ȱ First,ȱthereȱisȱtheȱsymbolismȱofȱtheȱdocumentȱitself.ȱInȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury, theȱ“ceremonialȱroleȱofȱtheȱdocumentȱcontinue[d]ȱtoȱbeȱparamount”ȱasȱitȱcould enactȱandȱreȬenactȱtheȱeventsȱdescribedȱandȱembodiedȱinȱitself.69ȱForgeryȱusurped thisȱperformativityȱforȱtheȱforger’sȱownȱends.ȱTheȱforgerȱsimultaneouslyȱdeceived theȱ audienceȱ andȱ becameȱ aȱ puppeteerȱ controllingȱ thoseȱ enactments.ȱ Itȱ was preciselyȱ thisȱ combinationȱ ofȱ deceiverȱ andȱ puppeteerȱ thatȱ madeȱ forgeryȱ so representativeȱofȱlèseȬmajesté.ȱYet,ȱwhileȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParisȱtreatedȱforgeryȱas oneȱ ofȱ theseȱ highestȱ ofȱ highȱ crimes,ȱ writtenȱ lawȱ saidȱ nothingȱ aboutȱ it.ȱ The customaryȱlawsȱusedȱbyȱtheȱParlementȱmakeȱnoȱmentionȱofȱtheȱoffense;ȱonlyȱby extrapolatingȱfromȱtheȱlawsȱagainstȱcounterfeitingȱinȱtheȱRomanȱlawȱdidȱforgery riseȱ toȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ crimenȱ laesaeȱ majestatis:ȱ theȱ defacementȱ ofȱ theȱ emperor’sȱ (or king’s)ȱimageȱonȱaȱcoinȱbeingȱanalogousȱtoȱtheȱdefacementȱofȱtheȱroyalȱseal,ȱand fromȱthereȱtoȱtheȱdocumentȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱsealȱwasȱattached.ȱ LèseȬmajestéȱasȱaȱtheoryȱofȱcrimeȱandȱcriminalityȱisȱallȱaboutȱsymbolism.ȱThe offensesȱthatȱamountedȱtoȱtheȱviolationȱofȱmajestyȱinȱtheȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱdid soȱ primarilyȱ throughȱ metaphorȱ andȱ analogy.ȱ Forgeryȱ wasȱ notȱ simplyȱ aȱ crime withinȱthisȱsystemȱofȱanalogy,ȱitȱwas,ȱasȱIȱsaidȱearlier,ȱaȱcrimeȱofȱanalogy.ȱItȱtook theȱ markersȱ ofȱ kingshipȱ andȱ rightȱ governanceȱ andȱ pervertedȱ theirȱ meaning, therebyȱputtingȱatȱriskȱtheȱstructureȱonȱwhichȱtheȱmonarchyȱandȱitsȱadministration depended. Forgeriesȱinjuredȱtheȱroyalȱjustice,ȱasȱdisputantsȱprofferedȱfalseȱdocumentsȱin courtȱinȱanȱattemptȱtoȱdeceiveȱtheȱjudgesȱandȱwinȱtheirȱcases70ȱorȱtoȱchangeȱthe jurisdictionȱofȱtheirȱtrial.71ȱForgeriesȱlikeȱtheseȱdidȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱcauseȱtheȱkingȱor

69 70 71

Hiatt,ȱTheȱMakingȱofȱMedievalȱForgeries,ȱ12ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ29). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ56,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ219ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

205

hisȱcourtȱtoȱspeak,ȱbutȱsetȱupȱobstaclesȱinȱtheȱpathȱofȱjustice.ȱTheyȱmadeȱlifeȱharder forȱtheȱcourtȱandȱriskedȱelevatingȱtheȱlevelȱofȱdistrustȱinȱlegalȱbattles.ȱHarmfulȱas theseȱeffectsȱwere,ȱotherȱforgersȱtookȱtheȱinjuryȱtoȱtheȱheartȱofȱmajesty.ȱInȱ1328, HenriȱdeȱMareuil,ȱaȱclerkȱinȱtheȱPalaisȱdeȱlaȱCité,ȱconfessedȱtoȱforgingȱaȱletterȱof safeguardȱforȱaȱclientȱandȱfalselyȱsigningȱit.72ȱInȱlightȱofȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱtheȱroyal safeguard,ȱaȱpromiseȱofȱtheȱking’sȱprotection,ȱtoȱforgeȱoneȱmeantȱnoȱlessȱthanȱto unjustlyȱ bindȱ theȱ kingȱ toȱ anȱ agreementȱ heȱ neverȱ madeȱ andȱ giveȱ illegitimate instructionsȱtoȱroyalȱandȱlocalȱofficersȱalike.ȱForgingȱlettersȱofȱcommissionȱhadȱa similarȱeffect.ȱTheȱParlementȱregardedȱstealingȱaȱletterȱofȱcommissionȱasȱanȱoffense againstȱlèseȬmajesté.73ȱForgingȱoneȱwasȱjustȱasȱbad,ȱifȱnotȱworse.ȱInȱtheȱprocessȱofȱthe forgery,ȱoneȱnotȱonlyȱwroteȱforȱtheȱking,ȱbutȱcopiedȱhisȱgreatȱsealȱtoȱappendȱtoȱthe document.ȱ Theȱ instancesȱ ofȱ forgedȱ commissionsȱ wereȱ withoutȱ exceptionȱ treatedȱ as extremelyȱgrave,ȱevenȱwithinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱtheȱoverallȱseverityȱtoȱwhichȱcasesȱof forgeryȱinȱgeneralȱwereȱsubjectedȱ(seeȱSectionȱIVȱbelow).ȱTortureȱwasȱaȱcommon featureȱ ofȱ theȱ proceedings.ȱ Suchȱ forgeriesȱ notȱ onlyȱ assumedȱ theȱ rightȱ toȱ issue ordersȱinȱplaceȱofȱtheȱkingȱandȱparcelȱoutȱhisȱjusticeȱwithoutȱcauseȱorȱauthority, theyȱcouldȱalsoȱsowȱconfusionȱandȱdistrustȱofȱtheȱbureaucracyȱbyȱleveragingȱthe powerȱofȱclerks’ȱoffices.ȱPierreȱSamadet,ȱbelievingȱhimselfȱtoȱbeȱsergeantȱgeneral inȱtheȱseneschallyȱofȱPerigordȱandȱQuercy,ȱfellȱvictimȱtoȱaȱforgerȱinȱ1333.ȱHeȱbore aȱletterȱofȱhisȱappointmentȱtoȱtheȱoffice,ȱsealedȱwithȱtheȱgreatȱsealȱofȱtheȱking.ȱThe trouble,ȱheȱlearnedȱuponȱbeingȱarrestedȱandȱimprisoned,ȱwasȱthatȱtheȱletterȱwas aȱfake.ȱUnderȱoath,ȱPierreȱsworeȱheȱknewȱnothingȱofȱtheȱforgery;ȱheȱhadȱbought theȱcommission74ȱfromȱoneȱAymardȱJohanninȱofȱCahors.ȱAymardȱhadȱsuppliedȱa forgedȱletter,ȱpocketedȱtheȱsixtyȬtwoȱsoldi,ȱandȱleftȱPierreȱholdingȱtheȱbagȱwhenȱthe Parlementȱgotȱwindȱofȱtheȱdeceit.75ȱ Theȱtrickȱofȱforgery,ȱlikeȱthatȱofȱcounterfeiting,ȱisȱtoȱdisguiseȱeitherȱtheȱsubstance orȱtheȱprovenance:ȱ“Aȱcounterfeitȱcoinȱbeliesȱeitherȱitsȱcontentȱorȱitsȱorigin.ȱWith falseȱcontent,ȱtheȱcounterfeiterȱcheatsȱtheȱrecipientȱofȱtheȱcoin,ȱwhoȱreceivesȱless thanȱheȱthought.ȱWithȱfalseȱorigin,ȱtheȱcounterfeiterȱcheatsȱtheȱmonetaryȱauthority ofȱitsȱseigniorage.”76ȱSoȱtooȱwithȱforgery,ȱandȱoneȱcouldȱneverȱbeȱsureȱthatȱeither oneȱwasȱgenuine. Forgeryȱisȱfundamentallyȱaboutȱdeception.ȱSinceȱatȱleastȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱand earlierȱdependingȱonȱlocale,ȱwrittenȱcultureȱhadȱgainedȱaȱgrowingȱfootholdȱin Europeanȱ society.ȱ Notȱ onlyȱ wereȱ documentsȱ becomingȱ moreȱ common,ȱ slowly 72 73 74

75 76

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ181vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Thisȱwasȱnotȱanȱuncommonȱpracticeȱandȱoneȱwhichȱpassedȱwithoutȱcommentȱinȱtheȱcriminal register. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ199v,ȱ200vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Sargent,ȱTheȱBigȱProblem,ȱ64ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25).

206

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

permeatingȱmoreȱlevelsȱofȱsociety,ȱmedievalȱsocietyȱwritȱlargeȱhadȱbegunȱtoȱgive theȱwrittenȱwordȱgreaterȱweight,ȱparticularlyȱasȱcomparedȱtoȱmemory.77ȱKarlȱF. Wernerȱhasȱarguedȱthatȱtheȱ“numberȱofȱforgeriesȱinȱFranceȱ[inȱtheȱtwelfthȱand thirteenthȱcenturies]ȱreflectedȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱaȱnewȱconfidenceȱnotȱonlyȱinȱwrittenȱdocuments, especiallyȱroyalȱcharters,ȱbutȱalsoȱinȱtheȱmonarchyȱitself.”78ȱ Forȱ forgeryȱ toȱ beȱ profitableȱ thereȱ hadȱ toȱ beȱ aȱ marketȱ forȱ theseȱ royalȱ letters alreadyȱ inȱ place.ȱ Atȱ theȱ sameȱ time,ȱ anȱ overȬrelianceȱ onȱ thisȱ confidenceȱ inȱ the monarchyȱheldȱtheȱseedsȱofȱforgery’sȱownȱdestruction,ȱasȱtooȱmanyȱfakeȱroyal lettersȱ wouldȱ resultȱ inȱ theȱ collapseȱ ofȱ theȱ documents’ȱ symbolicȱ value.ȱ Forȱ the deceptionȱtoȱwork,ȱitȱhadȱtoȱrelyȱonȱtheȱsymbolicȱweightȱofȱtheȱthingȱforged.ȱThis wasȱparticularlyȱtrueȱforȱtheȱforgeriesȱtriedȱbyȱtheȱParlement.ȱInȱcontrastȱtoȱtexts suchȱ asȱ theȱ Donationȱ ofȱ Constantineȱ orȱ theȱ constructedȱ historiesȱ ofȱ monastic houses,ȱtheseȱdocumentsȱwereȱpredicatedȱonȱtheȱideaȱthatȱtheirȱaudienceȱwasȱnot complicitȱinȱtheȱdeceit,ȱasȱPierreȱSamadetȱdiscoveredȱtoȱhisȱdismay.ȱUnlikeȱthe moreȱfamousȱmedievalȱforgeriesȱthatȱhaveȱcomeȱdownȱtoȱus,ȱthoseȱtheȱParlement handledȱdidȱnotȱpossessȱaȱnaturalȱ“rightness”ȱinȱtheirȱpresentationȱofȱevents.ȱThere wasȱnoȱinherent,ȱevenȱifȱpreviouslyȱunwritten,ȱtruthȱtoȱPierreȱSamadet’sȱclaimȱthat heȱ wasȱ theȱ sergeantȱ generalȱ ofȱ Perigordȱ andȱ Quercy.ȱ Thus,ȱ theȱ fakeȱ letterȱ of commissionȱheȱboreȱhadȱtoȱsupplyȱaȱlevelȱofȱauthenticityȱandȱvalidityȱthroughȱits physicalȱpresentation:ȱtheȱgreatȱsealȱofȱPhilipȱVI.79ȱ Inȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱJohnȱofȱSalisburyȱcontemplatedȱforgeryȱandȱcameȱtoȱthe followingȱconclusion:ȱ“theȱfalsificationȱofȱ[theȱpapal]ȱsealȱisȱaȱperilȱtoȱtheȱuniversal Church,ȱsinceȱbyȱtheȱmarksȱofȱaȱsingleȱimpressȱtheȱmouthsȱofȱallȱtheȱpontiffsȱmay beȱopenedȱorȱclosed.”80ȱThoughȱJohnȱwasȱspecificallyȱconcernedȱwithȱtheȱevilsȱof clericalȱ forgery,ȱ hisȱ expressionȱ ofȱ theȱ dangerȱ inherentȱ inȱ permittingȱ forgersȱ to operateȱ uncheckedȱ isȱ aptȱ andȱ hisȱ worriesȱ wereȱ alsoȱ thoseȱ ofȱ theȱ Parlementȱ in regardȱtoȱtheȱking.ȱConsiderȱtheȱcaseȱofȱJacquesȱGalian.ȱWhileȱtheȱrecordȱgivesȱno indicationȱofȱtheȱmotive,ȱtheȱfactsȱofȱtheȱcaseȱareȱthatȱJacquesȱhadȱforgedȱsealed lettersȱinȱtheȱnameȱofȱtheȱkingȱofȱAragon,ȱwhichȱheȱaddressedȱtoȱkingȱPhilipȱof France.ȱ Heȱ wasȱ apprehendedȱ byȱ theȱ courtȱ afterȱ havingȱ engagedȱ theȱ helpȱ ofȱ a ParisianȱsealȬmakerȱtoȱforgeȱtheȱgreatȱsealȱofȱtheȱFrenchȱking.ȱInȱhisȱconfession, JacquesȱadmittedȱthatȱheȱdidȱsoȱbecauseȱheȱwasȱplanningȱtoȱforgeȱaȱletterȱbyȱPhilip toȱbeȱaddressedȱtoȱtheȱkingȱofȱAragon.81ȱ

77

78 79 80

81

GilesȱConstable,ȱ “ForgeryȱandȱPlagiarismȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱArchivȱfürȱDiplomatik,ȱSchriftȬ geschichte,ȱSiegelȬȱundȱWappenkundeȱ29ȱ(1983):ȱ1–41;ȱhereȱ22–23. Constable,ȱ“ForgeryȱandȱPlagiarism”,ȱ12–13ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ77). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ200vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). TheȱLettersȱofȱJohnȱofȱSalisbury.ȱVol.ȱ1,ȱed.ȱbyȱWilliamȱJ.ȱMillorȱandȱHaroldȱE.ȱButler.ȱMedievalȱTexts (London,ȱEdinburgh,ȱandȱParis:ȱT.ȱNelson,ȱ1955),ȱ95. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ211v–212ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

207

Jacques’sȱmisappropriationȱofȱrightȱauthorityȱthroughȱtheȱsealȱandȱtheȱletter meantȱthatȱheȱcouldȱmakeȱtheȱkingȱsayȱanythingȱatȱall.ȱUnfortunately,ȱIȱhaveȱbeen unableȱtoȱfindȱanyȱrecordȱofȱwhatȱJacques’sȱlettersȱcontained,ȱthoughȱgivenȱthe periodȱandȱtheȱfactȱthatȱhisȱmasterȱwasȱtheȱarchdeaconȱofȱLérida,ȱoneȱmayȱassume thatȱitȱconcernedȱtheȱHundredȱYearsȱWar.ȱTheȱpossibilityȱthatȱJacquesȱcould,ȱinȱthe wordsȱ ofȱ Johnȱ ofȱ Salisbury,ȱ openȱ orȱ closeȱ theȱ king’sȱ mouth,ȱ therebyȱ notȱ only desecratingȱ theȱ royalȱ majestyȱ butȱ throwingȱ theȱ entireȱ realmȱ intoȱ perdition, threatenedȱtheȱmonarchyȱandȱallȱitȱhopedȱtoȱrepresent. Notȱallȱthreatsȱtoȱtheȱking’sȱmajestyȱwereȱasȱobviousȱasȱpenningȱaȱletterȱinȱthe king’sȱ nameȱ duringȱ aȱ timeȱ ofȱ war.ȱ Someȱ moreȱ generallyȱ concernedȱ the administrationȱofȱtheȱrealm.ȱInȱtheȱ1330s,ȱtheȱlordsȱofȱFiennesȱandȱDossemerȱwere feudingȱ withȱ eachȱ otherȱ overȱ landȱ andȱ revenueȱ rights.ȱ Inȱ 1331,ȱ severalȱ men belongingȱtoȱtheȱlordȱofȱDossemer,ȱledȱbyȱRobertȱAmplumus,ȱwereȱoutȱcollecting theȱwagesȱofȱtheȱsoldiersȱofȱtheȱlordȱofȱFiennes,ȱtoȱbeȱusedȱbyȱDossemer,ȱasȱthey hadȱbeenȱauthorizedȱtoȱdoȱbyȱaȱroyalȱletter.ȱGuillemetȱBaillésȱandȱthreeȱothersȱof theȱlordȱofȱFiennesȱcameȱuponȱthemȱand,ȱclaimingȱtoȱpossessȱaȱletterȱrepealing Dossemer’s,ȱdemandedȱthatȱRobertȱshowȱhisȱletter.ȱ UnfortunatelyȱforȱGuillemet,ȱRobert’sȱwasȱtheȱmoreȱrecentȱandȱfinal,ȱasȱproved byȱtheȱdate.ȱTheȱroyalȱletterȱRobertȱcarriedȱwasȱdatedȱtheȱ26thȱofȱApril,ȱ1331,ȱwhile Guillemet’sȱwasȱforȱtheȱ17th.ȱSpottingȱtheȱproblem,ȱGuillemetȱproposedȱtoȱhisȱown partyȱthatȱheȱwouldȱputȱtheȱmatterȱrightȱ(asȱoneȱofȱhisȱpartyȱconfessed,ȱGuillemet “respondiȱqueȱilȱl’iȱmettroitȱbien”82).ȱTurningȱhisȱbackȱsoȱtheȱothersȱcouldȱnotȱsee, Guillemetȱ insertedȱ anȱ extraȱ Romanȱ numeralȱ Xȱ intoȱ hisȱ ownȱ letter,ȱ thereby changingȱtheȱprimacyȱofȱtheȱtwoȱdirectives.ȱThisȱactȱdidȱmoreȱthanȱopenȱandȱclose theȱking’sȱmouth,ȱforȱchangingȱtheȱorderȱofȱtheȱissuanceȱofȱtheȱlettersȱworked muchȱlikeȱtakingȱaȱsentenceȱoutȱofȱcontext,ȱdistortingȱtheȱmeaningȱandȱtheȱintent. Itȱchangedȱintoȱwhoseȱhandsȱtheȱsoldiers’ȱwagesȱfell,ȱaȱmatterȱofȱparticularȱconcern forȱtheȱking’sȱwarȱeffortȱbothȱgenerallyȱandȱinȱtheȱcontentiousȱregionȱofȱFlanders. Yetȱ theseȱ kindsȱ ofȱ forgeriesȱ didȱ notȱ causeȱ troubleȱ onlyȱ forȱ theȱ kingȱ inȱ his attemptsȱtoȱgovernȱtheȱrealm.ȱTheȱcourtȱitselfȱfoundȱitsȱjobȱmadeȱharderȱbyȱthe presenceȱofȱforgeries.ȱTheȱmodificationsȱmadeȱbyȱGuillemetȱwereȱusedȱbyȱhisȱparty toȱadvanceȱtheȱsuitȱofȱtheȱlordȱofȱFiennesȱagainstȱthatȱofȱtheȱlordȱofȱDossemer.ȱTo makeȱtheȱParlement’sȱtaskȱallȱtheȱmoreȱdifficult,ȱpriorȱtoȱappearingȱinȱcourtȱwith theȱletter,ȱGuillemetȱreceivedȱcoachingȱonȱhowȱtoȱmakeȱtheȱadditionȱlessȱmessy andȱconspicuous.ȱMoreȱgenerally,ȱtheȱcourt’sȱtroublesȱwithȱforgeryȱwereȱmade worseȱbyȱtheȱengagementȱofȱcourtȱofficersȱinȱtheȱcrime.ȱWheneverȱanȱaccusation toȱthisȱendȱwasȱmade,ȱtheȱParlementȱpursuedȱit.ȱInȱtheȱcaseȱofȱaȱclerkȱsuspectedȱof falsifyingȱaȱdepositionȱrecord,ȱheȱwasȱtorturedȱinȱorderȱtoȱlearnȱtheȱtruth,ȱand

82

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ209ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

208

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

ultimatelyȱexonerated.83ȱTheȱknightȱAdamȱd’Hordain,ȱinȱchargeȱofȱanȱinquest,ȱwas notȱsoȱlucky.ȱChargedȱwithȱconductingȱirregularȱprocedures,ȱcorruption,ȱandȱthe productionȱ ofȱ manyȱ forgeriesȱ andȱ falsificationsȱ inȱ theȱ caseȱ heȱ hadȱ been investigating,ȱheȱwasȱhangedȱbyȱtheȱParlement.84ȱ Inȱpart,ȱweȱcanȱreadȱtheȱParlement’sȱresponseȱtoȱforgeriesȱinȱitsȱownȱdomainȱas aȱ combinationȱ ofȱ aȱ concernȱ forȱ theȱ integrityȱ ofȱ theȱ court85ȱ andȱ simplyȱ a continuationȱofȱitsȱnormalȱpursuitȱofȱtheȱoffense.ȱYetȱtheȱproductionȱofȱforgeries thatȱtradedȱonȱtheȱtrustȱpeopleȱgaveȱtoȱtheȱsymbolsȱofȱstateȱpowerȱhadȱtheȱbyȬ productȱ ofȱ engenderingȱ distrustȱ ofȱ thoseȱ sameȱ symbols.ȱ Whileȱ theȱ criminal registersȱareȱsparingȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheȱmotivesȱandȱthoughtsȱofȱtheȱpeopleȱwhoȱplead beforeȱ theȱ court,ȱ oneȱ caseȱ fromȱ 1346ȱ betraysȱ distrustȱ towardȱ theseȱ markersȱ of power.ȱThreeȱmenȱbroughtȱaȱsuitȱbeforeȱtheȱParlementȱallegingȱthatȱtwoȱroyal sergeantsȱhadȱbeenȱmakingȱuseȱofȱaȱcounterfeitȱroyalȱseal;ȱtheyȱthereforeȱdeemed theirȱordersȱandȱactionsȱsuspect,ȱifȱnotȱillicit.86ȱ Regrettably,ȱtheȱregistersȱhavingȱnothingȱmoreȱtoȱsayȱonȱtheȱmatterȱandȱsoȱwe cannotȱ knowȱ ifȱ theȱ allegationȱ wasȱ trueȱ orȱ whatȱ personalȱ quarrelȱ mightȱ have promptedȱit.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱfactȱthatȱonȱvariousȱoccasionsȱlitigantsȱfeltȱtheȱneedȱto callȱintoȱquestionȱtheȱvalidityȱofȱofficialȱdocuments87ȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱconfidence inȱ theȱ monarchy,ȱ buoyedȱ byȱ theȱ documentȱ culture,ȱ wasȱ sufferingȱ fromȱ the advantageȱforgersȱhadȱtakenȱofȱit.ȱWithinȱaȱsocietyȱinȱwhichȱmanyȱofficesȱwere commonlyȱboughtȱandȱsold,ȱforgersȱhadȱcreatedȱaȱnicheȱforȱthemselves,ȱsettingȱup dispensariesȱthatȱproducedȱlettersȱofȱcommissionȱandȱdebtȱreliefȱforȱaȱfee.ȱSome wereȱmultiȬmemberȱoperations,ȱwithȱanȱinsideȱmanȱatȱtheȱking’sȱcourtȱbringingȱthe forgersȱletters,ȱwhoȱwouldȱthenȱcopyȱthemȱandȱaffixȱnewȱseals.88ȱ Othersȱ wereȱ conductedȱ byȱ aȱ loneȱ opportunist,ȱ suchȱ asȱ theȱ clerkȱ inȱ the chancelleryȱwho,ȱoverȱtheȱcourseȱofȱsixȱyears,ȱproducedȱmoreȱthanȱaȱhundred forgeries.89ȱTheseȱdispensariesȱnotȱonlyȱmarredȱtheȱimageȱandȱreputationȱofȱthe royalȱoffices,ȱtheyȱoftenȱcaughtȱupȱtheȱinnocent,ȱasȱnotȱaȱfewȱindividualsȱturnȱup inȱtheȱrecordsȱcompletelyȱunawareȱthatȱtheȱletterȱtheyȱheldȱhadȱbeenȱforgedȱand wasȱworthless.ȱ EvenȱtheȱParlementȱgrewȱmoreȱcautiousȱinȱtheȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱaboutȱthe provenanceȱofȱitsȱcorrespondence.ȱSometimeȱaroundȱ1345,ȱtheȱcourtȱadoptedȱa newȱpolicyȱwithȱregardȱtoȱtheȱinquiriesȱmadeȱonȱaȱgivenȱcase.ȱWhereasȱinȱtheȱpast theȱParlementȱhadȱbeenȱcontentȱtoȱorderȱtheȱlocalȱofficialȱtoȱsendȱbackȱinformation

83 84 85 86 87 88 89

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ146ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ288vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Shennan,ȱTheȱParlementȱofȱParis,ȱ28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ50). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ4ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ200vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ223ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ181ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

209

toȱtheȱcourtȱonceȱitȱhadȱbeenȱgathered,ȱnowȱtheȱofficialȱwasȱexpresslyȱtoȱsendȱit sealedȱwithȱhisȱownȱsealȱ(subȱsuoȱsigillo).ȱThisȱworryȱoverȱfalsificationsȱwithinȱthe bureaucraticȱsystemȱwasȱnotȱentirelyȱanecdotal.ȱUnderȱtheȱreignȱofȱPhilipȱVI,ȱ24% ofȱcasesȱofȱforgeryȱconcernedȱmisdeedsȱbyȱroyalȱofficers,ȱ14%ȱconcernedȱcourtȱor trialȱdocuments,ȱandȱ10%ȱinvolvedȱfalseȱlettersȱofȱcommissionȱgrantingȱtheȱbearer aȱ governmentȱ office.ȱ Norȱ wasȱ theȱ Parlementȱ solelyȱ animatedȱ byȱ falseȱ letters potentiallyȱwindingȱtheirȱwayȱupȱfromȱbelow;ȱtheȱcourtȱalsoȱbeganȱtoȱexpressly stateȱ thatȱ itȱ reviewedȱ theȱ royalȱ lettersȱ thatȱ cameȱ downȱ toȱ itȱ priorȱ toȱ granting approval.ȱ Thisȱevaluationȱofȱtheȱking’sȱcommandsȱgivesȱusȱaȱfascinatingȱglimpseȱatȱhow theȱParlementȱperceivedȱitselfȱtoȱbeȱtheȱdefenderȱofȱroyalȱauthority;ȱthereȱwere numerousȱtimesȱwhenȱtheȱcourtȱrejectedȱtheȱking’sȱlettersȱofȱpardonȱonȱtheȱbasis thatȱtheyȱhadȱbeenȱforgedȱorȱgainedȱthroughȱtrickery.90ȱToȱhaveȱpermittedȱthe wordsȱandȱjusticeȱofȱtheȱkingȱtoȱbeȱboughtȱandȱsoldȱonȱslipsȱofȱpaperȱwouldȱhave beenȱtoȱundermineȱtheȱmonarchyȱandȱtheȱrealmȱitself.ȱForgeryȱcouldȱbeȱnothing lessȱthanȱlèseȬmajesté.

IV.ȱPunishment Justȱasȱcrimesȱwereȱsymbolic,ȱsoȱtooȱwereȱtheirȱpunishments.ȱWhileȱtheȱlawȱcodes areȱ fairlyȱ unimaginativeȱ inȱ theirȱ corporalȱ punishments,ȱ prescribingȱ deathȱ by hangingȱforȱcapitalȱcrimesȱ(includingȱtheft)ȱandȱaȱfineȱforȱeverythingȱelse,ȱwithȱthe occasionalȱbranding,ȱchoppingȱoffȱofȱtheȱhand,ȱorȱbeingȱthrownȱintoȱboilingȱwater addedȱin,ȱtheȱParlement’sȱactualȱsentencingȱwasȱmoreȱrobustȱ(seeȱFigureȱ2).ȱThe fourteenthȱcenturyȱwasȱaȱtimeȱofȱincreasingȱharshnessȱinȱtheȱpenaltiesȱawarded, aȱdevelopmentȱcoupledȱtoȱaȱrisingȱconcernȱoverȱtheȱpublicȱgood.91ȱCriminalsȱsaw theirȱ fairȱ shareȱ ofȱ theȱ pillory,ȱ branding,ȱ mutilation,ȱ andȱ exile.ȱ Indeed,ȱ these additionalȱpunishmentsȱwereȱnotȱinfrequentlyȱjoinedȱtoȱanȱexecutionȱorȱaȱfine.ȱThe publicȱdisplayȱthatȱaccompaniedȱtheȱpunishmentȱservedȱtoȱinstructȱandȱwarnȱthe localȱ population,ȱ sometimesȱ evenȱ supplyingȱ aȱ catharticȱ momentȱ forȱ the community,92ȱ andȱ toȱ humiliateȱ theȱ offender.ȱ Beaumanoirȱ recommendedȱ that judgesȱ takeȱ aȱ firmȱ handȱ withȱ miscreants,ȱ punishingȱ themȱ accordingȱ toȱ their misdeedsȱandȱsoȱstrictlyȱthatȱothersȱwouldȱviewȱthemȱasȱanȱexampleȱandȱwould 90 91

92

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ65v,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). EdwardȱPeters,ȱ“‘Crimenȱexceptum’:ȱTheȱHistoryȱofȱanȱIdea,”ȱProceedingsȱofȱtheȱTenthȱInternational CongressȱofȱMedievalȱCanonȱLaw,ȱed.ȱKennethȱPennington,ȱStanleyȱChodorow,ȱKeithȱH.ȱKendall. MonumentaȱIurisȱCanonici,ȱSeriesȱC,ȱ11ȱ(Vatican:ȱBibliotecaȱapostolicaȱvaticana,ȱ2001),ȱ137–94; hereȱ186–87. Mitchellȱ B.ȱ Merback,ȱ Theȱ Thief,ȱ theȱ Crossȱ andȱ theȱ Wheel:ȱ Painȱ andȱ theȱ Spectacleȱ ofȱ Punishmentȱ in MedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱEuropeȱ(Chicago:ȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱ145–46.

210

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

themselvesȱnotȱoffend.93ȱYet,ȱhoweverȱmuchȱtheȱjudicialȱsystemȱmayȱhaveȱwished toȱcatchȱandȱmakeȱanȱexampleȱofȱanȱoffender,ȱthisȱwasȱnotȱalwaysȱpossible.ȱIn thoseȱinstancesȱwhenȱtheȱaccusedȱhadȱyetȱtoȱbeȱcaught,ȱbutȱhisȱorȱherȱguiltȱwas knownȱ(eitherȱthroughȱtheȱtrialȱprocessȱorȱtheȱimpliedȱconfessionȱofȱoneȱwhoȱfled justice),ȱaȱmedievalȱcourtȱwouldȱorderȱthatȱtheȱmalefactor,ȱifȱcaught,ȱshouldȱbe punishedȱinȱtheȱnormalȱway.94ȱForȱcrimesȱofȱlèseȬmajesté,ȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParis wouldȱinstructȱtheȱbailiffȱofȱseneschalȱtoȱpunishȱtheȱcontumaciousȱinȱanȱexemplary manner.95ȱSuchȱexemplaryȱpunishmentsȱincludedȱpublicȱexecution,ȱbranding,ȱthe pillory,ȱandȱtheȱdunceȱcap.ȱSometimes,ȱtheȱpunishmentȱreflectedȱanȱaspectȱofȱthe crime,ȱasȱwhenȱthievesȱwouldȱhaveȱaȱhandȱcutȱoff96ȱorȱwhenȱcounterfeiters,ȱin imitationȱofȱtheȱprocessȱofȱpreparingȱbullionȱforȱminting,ȱwouldȱbeȱboiledȱalive priorȱtoȱhanging.97 Bothȱtheȱcriminalȱregistersȱandȱtheȱchroniclesȱtellȱusȱthatȱaȱhangingȱcouldȱstirȱthe sentimentȱofȱtheȱcrowd,ȱevenȱifȱitȱwasȱnotȱalwaysȱinȱtheȱdesiredȱdirection.ȱRenaud deȱPressigny,ȱlordȱofȱMarans,ȱhangedȱtheȱprovostȱNicholasȱArnaudȱonȱtheȱbasis thatȱNicholasȱhadȱabusedȱhisȱauthorityȱandȱstolenȱfromȱtheȱpeopleȱofȱtheȱarea. Renaud,ȱafterȱaȱfarcicalȱtrial,ȱhadȱNicholasȱdraggedȱtoȱtheȱgallowsȱandȱhanged, withoutȱevenȱpermittingȱhimȱaȱfinalȱfarewellȱtoȱhisȱwifeȱandȱchildren.ȱHowever, asȱ Nicholasȱ hadȱ beenȱ belovedȱ byȱ theȱ peopleȱ andȱ hadȱ takenȱ onȱ theȱ dutiesȱ of provostȱwhenȱtheȱlordȱhadȱabandonedȱMaransȱ(whichȱsatȱuncomfortablyȱcloseȱto theȱborderȱwithȱtheȱking’sȱenemies),ȱtheȱdemonstrationȱdidȱlittleȱtoȱwarnȱtheȱonȬ lookersȱawayȱfromȱtheȱlifeȱledȱbyȱtheȱprovost—otherȱthanȱtoȱcautionȱthemȱagainst incurringȱtheȱwrathȱofȱtheirȱlord.ȱRather,ȱtheyȱmournedȱtheȱlossȱofȱthisȱ“saintly man”98ȱwhoȱhadȱcaredȱforȱtheȱpoor,ȱtheȱsickȱandȱinjured,ȱandȱorphansȱoutȱofȱhis ownȱpocket.ȱ TheȱexecutionȱofȱGuillaumeȱdeȱDeckenȱgarneredȱaȱdifferentȱresponse.ȱAtȱthe beginningȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury,ȱtheȱpeopleȱofȱFlandersȱunceasinglyȱrevolted againstȱtheȱnobility,ȱwhoȱoftenȱfoundȱsupportȱinȱtheȱcountȱofȱFlandersȱandȱtheȱking ofȱFrance.ȱAȱ peaceȱwasȱsignedȱinȱ1305ȱbetweenȱ FlandersȱandȱFrance,ȱwithȱthe formerȱ payingȱ aȱ considerableȱ fine,ȱ provokingȱ considerableȱ unrestȱ inȱ theȱ local population.ȱInȱ1322,ȱwhenȱLouisȱdeȱNeversȱbecameȱcount,ȱtheȱfinesȱstillȱhadȱnot

93

94

95 96 97 98

“Bonneȱchoseȱestȱqueȱl’enȱqueureȱauȱdevantȱdesȱmaufeteursȱetȱqu’ilȱsoientȱsiȱradementȱpuniȱet justiciéȱseloncȱlesȱmesfesȱque,ȱpourȱlaȱdouteȱdeȱlaȱjustice,ȱliȱautresȱenȱprengnentȱessampleȱsiȱqu’il seȱgardentȱdeȱmesfere.”ȱBeaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis,ȱ446ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). AdhémarȱEsmein,ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱContinenalȱCriminalȱProcedure:ȱWithȱSpecialȱReferenceȱtoȱFrance,ȱtrans. JohnȱSimpson.ȱTheȱContinentalȱLegalȱHistoryȱSeriesȱ(NewȱYork:ȱAugustusȱM.ȱKellyȱPublishers, 1968),ȱ75–76. “.ȱ.ȱ.ȱceditȱinȱexemplum,”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a2ȱfol.ȱ7v,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ115ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a3ȱfol.ȱ25vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ228ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). “Sanctum,”ȱRegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a6ȱfol.ȱ132ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

211

beenȱpaidȱandȱhisȱfavorableȱattitudeȱtowardȱFranceȱonlyȱfurtherȱriledȱtheȱFlemings. Guillaumeȱ deȱ Decken,ȱ bourgmestreȱ ofȱ Bruges,ȱ ledȱ aȱ violentȱ uprisingȱ against Franceȱandȱtheȱcount.ȱInȱ1328,ȱtheȱresistanceȱwasȱsoundlyȱdefeatedȱbyȱtheȱFrench andȱGuillaumeȱdeȱDeckenȱwasȱarrestedȱforȱhisȱcrimesȱofȱrebellion,ȱmurder,ȱand treason.ȱUnlikeȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱNicholasȱArnaud,ȱwhoȱhadȱcommittedȱnoȱrealȱcrime andȱwasȱhangedȱonȱtrumpedȬupȱcharges,99ȱnoneȱquestionedȱGuillaume’sȱguilt. Nevertheless,ȱcontemporariesȱdescribeȱhisȱexecutionȱasȱshameful100ȱandȱtheȱcruelty ofȱhisȱdeathȱresonatedȱwithȱtheȱchroniclers,ȱasȱmanyȱofȱthemȱtakeȱtheȱunusualȱstep ofȱdetailingȱhowȱheȱhadȱbothȱhisȱhandsȱchoppedȱoffȱbeforeȱbeingȱsentȱtoȱtheȱpillory forȱaȱday,ȱthenȱbeingȱdrawnȱandȱhangedȱfromȱtheȱgibbetȱinȱParis.101ȱTheȱParisian crowdȱreactedȱstronglyȱtoȱtheȱmessage,ȱthoughȱhowȱtheȱrebelsȱinȱFlandersȱfeltȱwe doȱnotȱknow. EvenȱtheȱnonȬcorporalȱandȱnonȬpublicȱpunishmentsȱcouldȱinvolveȱaȱsymbolic component.ȱWhileȱprisonȱclosedȱtheȱcondemnedȱawayȱfromȱsociety,ȱproclamations ofȱaȱperson’sȱguiltȱoftenȱincludedȱtheirȱsentence,ȱwhich,ȱevenȱifȱitȱdidȱnotȱinclude aȱ visualȱ display,ȱ couldȱ stillȱ serveȱ anȱ admonitoryȱ purpose.ȱ Moreover,ȱ the proclamationȱofȱbanishmentȱmeantȱthatȱwhileȱtheȱconvictȱwouldȱnotȱbeȱseenȱbyȱhis orȱ herȱ community,ȱ theȱ communityȱ wasȱ expectedȱ toȱ reportȱ toȱ theȱ localȱ bailiff shouldȱ theȱ exileȱ return.ȱ Theȱ largerȱ populationȱ thusȱ cameȱ toȱ playȱ aȱ partȱ inȱ the ostracizingȱandȱshamingȱofȱtheȱindividual,ȱinȱaȱmannerȱnotȱentirelyȱdissimilarȱto thatȱofȱtheȱpillory.ȱHoweverȱcloselyȱtiedȱtoȱtheȱbody,ȱphysicalȱpunishmentsȱdidȱnot haveȱtoȱinvolveȱphysicalȱsuffering.ȱÉtienneȱMontanierȱdefamedȱtheȱfirstȱpresident ofȱtheȱParlement,ȱSimonȱdeȱBucy.ȱHeȱclaimedȱthatȱSimonȱhadȱwronglyȱdecidedȱa caseȱagainstȱhimȱandȱloudlyȱdenouncedȱandȱslanderedȱ himȱ inȱtheȱstreets.ȱThe Parlementȱ sentencedȱ Étienneȱ toȱ askȱ pardonȱ ofȱ Simonȱ onȱ hisȱ knees,ȱ hisȱ hands claspedȱ inȱ supplication.ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ heȱ wasȱ toȱ promiseȱ toȱ obeyȱ theȱ sentence alreadyȱ issuedȱ inȱ hisȱ case.ȱ Onlyȱ uponȱ doingȱ soȱ wouldȱ Étienneȱ beȱ freedȱ from prison,ȱthoughȱshouldȱheȱfailȱtoȱkeepȱhisȱwordȱandȱreturnȱtoȱspeakingȱillȱofȱthe president,ȱtheȱsubsequentȱreprisalȱwouldȱbeȱnotȱmerelyȱincarceration,ȱbutȱcorporal punishmentȱ asȱ well.102ȱ Suchȱ publicȱ actsȱ ofȱ contritionȱ reliedȱ onȱ anȱ interior

99

100

101

102

Theȱ Parlementȱ laterȱ triedȱ andȱ executedȱ theȱ lordȱ ofȱ Maransȱ forȱ hisȱ handlingȱ ofȱ theȱ Nicholas Arnaudȱaffair,ȱamongȱotherȱcrimes. “.ȱ.ȱȱ.ȱmoultȱhonteusementȱcondamné.”ȱPaulinȱParis,ȱed.,ȱLeȱpremierȱvolumeȱdesȱgrandesȱchroniques deȱFrance:ȱselonȱqueȱellesȱsontȱconservéesȱenȱl’égliseȱdeȱSaintȬDenisȱenȱFranceȱ(Paris:ȱTechener,ȱ1836), 1290. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ180vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).ȱForȱcontemporaryȱdescriptions,ȱinȱadditionȱtoȱthe Grandesȱchroniquesȱ(seeȱnoteȱ100),ȱseeȱGuillaumeȱdeȱNangis,ȱChroniqueȱlatineȱdeȱGuillaumeȱdeȱNangis. Vol.ȱ2.ȱSociétéȱdeȱl’histoireȱdeȱFranceȱ(Paris:ȱRenouard,ȱ1843),ȱ103;ȱAugusteȱandȱÉmileȱMolinier, eds.,ȱChroniqueȱnormandeȱduȱXIVeȱsiècle.ȱSociétéȱdeȱl’HistoireȱdeȱFranceȱ(Paris:ȱRenouard,ȱ1882), 33–34. RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a5ȱfol.ȱ188vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

212

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

penitentialȱ spiritȱ thatȱ signifiedȱ theȱ criminal’sȱ turningȱ awayȱ fromȱ iniquityȱ and resultantȱpositiveȱparticipationȱinȱtheȱpeaceȱofȱtheȱrealm.103 Punishment,ȱ howeverȱ muchȱ itȱ couldȱ serveȱ toȱ educateȱ andȱ warnȱ theȱ general populace,ȱ ultimatelyȱ comesȱ backȱ toȱ theȱ criminalȱ andȱ crimeȱ committed. Punishmentsȱpossessedȱaȱcorrectiveȱfunctionȱforȱtheȱcriminalȱasȱmuchȱasȱforȱthe viewingȱaudience.ȱSufferingȱwasȱaȱdesirableȱcomponent,104ȱpartȱofȱtheȱmedieval ethos.ȱPainȱwasȱjustice105ȱandȱaȱcriminalȱcouldȱexpectȱitȱasȱpartȱofȱhisȱsentence,ȱbut itȱ wasȱ aȱ painȱ meantȱ equallyȱ toȱ serveȱ theȱ needsȱ ofȱ vengeanceȱ asȱ toȱ helpȱ the condemnedȱfindȱredemption.106ȱByȱtheȱopeningȱdecadesȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury, thisȱvengeanceȱcouldȱnoȱlongerȱbeȱadministeredȱbyȱtheȱaggrievedȱparty.ȱJustice belongedȱtoȱtheȱstate.ȱReprisalsȱnotȱsanctionedȱbyȱtheȱstateȱwereȱinherentlyȱunjust, uninstructive,ȱandȱaȱthreatȱtoȱtheȱrealm.107ȱNicholasȱArnaud,ȱinnocentȱtoȱallȱexcept hisȱ cruelȱ lord,ȱ sufferedȱ aȱ ChristȬlikeȱ deathȱ andȱ wasȱ praisedȱ forȱ it.ȱ Renaudȱ de Pressigny,ȱ forȱ hisȱ part,ȱ lostȱ hisȱ lifeȱ forȱ theȱ improprietyȱ ofȱ theȱ punishment. GuillaumeȱdeȱDecken,ȱinnocentȱinȱtheȱeyesȱofȱnoȱone,ȱunderwentȱexcruciating torment,ȱseenȱasȱharshȱbyȱhisȱcontemporaries,ȱbutȱnotȱunjustȱorȱcruel.108 Inȱmodernȱsociety,ȱweȱlikeȱtoȱthinkȱthatȱtheȱpunishmentȱshouldȱfitȱtheȱcrime. SuchȱanȱideaȱwasȱnotȱforeignȱtoȱlateȱmedievalȱFrance.ȱBeaumanoirȱtakesȱhisȱtime specifyingȱ theȱ variousȱ penaltiesȱ associatedȱ withȱ theȱ offensesȱ heȱ enumerates, providingȱharsherȱonesȱasȱtheȱcrimeȱincreasesȱinȱseverity.ȱTheȱpenaltyȱforȱaȱbeating wasȱfiveȱdeniersȱwhenȱnoȱbloodȱhadȱbeenȱshed,ȱunlessȱitȱoccurredȱonȱaȱmarketȱday whenȱtheȱfineȱroseȱtoȱsixtyȱsous.ȱIfȱbloodȱhadȱbeenȱspilled,ȱtheȱassailantȱwasȱtoȱbe arrestedȱuntilȱitȱcouldȱbeȱascertainedȱthatȱtheȱvictimȱwouldȱnotȱdieȱofȱhisȱwounds. Ifȱtheȱvictimȱrecovered,ȱtheȱfineȱwasȱsixtyȱsousȱ(moreȱonȱmarketȱdays),ȱandȱifȱhe diedȱtheȱassailantȱwasȱdrawnȱandȱhangedȱasȱaȱhomicideȱandȱallȱhisȱgoodsȱwere confiscated.109ȱ AccordingȱtoȱtheȱÉtablissementsȱdeȱSaintȬLouis,ȱregardingȱminorȱtheftsȱthatȱdidȱnot initiallyȱwarrantȱhanging,ȱtheȱculpritȱshouldȱloseȱhisȱearȱforȱtheȱfirstȱoffense,ȱupon theȱsecondȱhisȱfoot;ȱheȱshouldȱbeȱhangedȱonlyȱafterȱthreeȱinfractions,ȱ“becauseȱone

103

104 105

106

107 108

109

ClaudeȱGauvard,ȱ“L’Honneurȱduȱroi:ȱPeinesȱetȱrituelsȱjudiciairesȱauȱParlementȱdeȱParisȱàȱlaȱfin duȱMoyenȱÂge,”ȱLesȱritesȱdeȱlaȱjustice:ȱGestesȱetȱrituelsȱjudiciairesȱauȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱed.ȱClaudeȱGauvard andȱRobertȱJacobȱ(Paris:ȱLeȱLéopardȱd’Or,ȱ1999),ȱ99–123;ȱhereȱ111. ThomasȱAquinas,ȱSummaȱTheologica,ȱ2a2ae,ȱq.ȱ43,ȱa.ȱ7,ȱadȱ1;ȱq.ȱ66,ȱa.ȱ6,ȱad.ȱ2. EstherȱCohen,ȱ“TheȱAnimatedȱPainȱofȱtheȱBody,”ȱTheȱAmericanȱHistoricalȱReviewȱ105ȱ(2000):ȱ36–48; hereȱ47;ȱCohen,ȱTheȱCrossroads,ȱ151ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10). Gauvard,ȱ“L’Honneurȱduȱroi,”ȱ123ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ103);ȱMerback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ92);ȱRichardȱM. Fraher,ȱ“ConvictionȱAccordingȱtoȱConscience:ȱTheȱMedievalȱJurists’ȱDebateȱConcerningȱJudicial DiscretionȱandȱtheȱLawȱofȱProof,”ȱLawȱandȱHistoryȱReviewȱ7ȱ(1989):ȱ23–88,ȱhereȱ588. Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ134ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ92). Onȱtheȱmedievalȱideaȱofȱcruelty,ȱseeȱDanielȱBaraz,ȱ“Seneca,ȱEthics,ȱandȱtheȱBody:ȱTheȱTreatment ofȱCrueltyȱinȱMedievalȱThought,”ȱJournalȱofȱtheȱHistoryȱofȱIdeasȱ59ȱ(1998):ȱ195–215;ȱhereȱ199–202. Beaumanoir,ȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvasis,ȱ432–33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

213

shouldȱnotȱgoȱfromȱtheȱlargeȱlimbȱtoȱtheȱsmall,ȱbutȱfromȱtheȱsmallȱtoȱtheȱlarge.”110 WhenȱweȱcompareȱthoseȱcrimesȱofȱlèseȬmajestéȱtriedȱbyȱtheȱParlementȱagainstȱcases theȱcourtȱheardȱthatȱdidȱnotȱinvolveȱsuchȱoffenses,ȱthisȱgeneralȱprincipleȱholdsȱ(see Figureȱ3).ȱCasesȱthatȱhadȱnoȱlèseȬmajestéȱassociatedȱwithȱthemȱmakeȱupȱonlyȱ21% ofȱtheȱinstancesȱofȱbanishmentȱandȱlessȱthanȱ6%ȱofȱtheȱoffendersȱsufferedȱcapital punishment.ȱ Theseȱ sameȱ casesȱ seeȱ aȱ significantȱ numberȱ ofȱ finesȱ (aȱ monetary penalty)ȱandȱfeesȱ(damagesȱandȱexpensesȱpaidȱtoȱtheȱopposingȱparty):ȱ30%ȱand 34%ȱ respectively.ȱ Overall,ȱ theseȱ minorȱ offensesȱ favorȱ sentencesȱ focusedȱ on monetaryȱ andȱ generallyȱ lessȱ longȬtermȱ punishments.ȱ Theȱ harsherȱ andȱ more permanentȱ penaltiesȱ tendȱ toȱ beȱ reservedȱ forȱ seriousȱ crimes.ȱ Asideȱ fromȱ one instanceȱofȱmutilationȱandȱoneȱofȱwhipping,ȱbothȱinȱcasesȱofȱtheft,ȱthereȱareȱno brandings,ȱboilings,ȱorȱdrawingsȱpriorȱtoȱhanging.ȱAsȱlessȱseriousȱinfractions,ȱthey garnerȱlessȱseriousȱpenalties.ȱ Thusȱ far,ȱ theȱ criminalȱ registersȱ provideȱ nothingȱ surprisingȱ aboutȱ fourteenthȬ centuryȱ punishments.ȱ However,ȱ whenȱ theȱ dataȱ forȱ crimesȱ ofȱ lèseȬmajestéȱ is examinedȱinȱitself,ȱweȱfindȱdisparitiesȱinȱsentencingȱseverity,ȱandȱinȱsurprising waysȱ(seeȱFigureȱ4).ȱWhileȱweȱmightȱexpectȱinstancesȱofȱtreasonȱtoȱearnȱstrictȱand permanentȱ sentences,ȱ theyȱ accountȱ forȱ onlyȱ 23%ȱ ofȱ theȱ executions,ȱ theȱ same amountȱ asȱ forgery.ȱ Inȱ termsȱ ofȱ theȱ exemplaryȱ punishmentsȱ meantȱ forȱ public consumption,ȱtreasonȱcasesȱmakeȱupȱ26%ȱofȱtheȱtotal,111ȱcomparedȱtoȱforgery’s 42%.112ȱTheȱdistributionȱofȱpunishmentsȱsuggestsȱthatȱnotȱallȱcrimesȱofȱlèseȬmajesté areȱ createdȱ equal.ȱ Forgery,ȱ asȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ mostȱ highlyȱ symbolicȱ crimesȱ ofȱ lèseȬ majesté,ȱprovidesȱaȱtellingȱcaseȱstudy. LetȱusȱreturnȱtoȱtheȱCountȱofȱFoix,ȱGastonȱII,ȱandȱhisȱconcernȱthatȱhisȱtwoȱmen, apprehendedȱ byȱ theȱ Parlement,ȱ wouldȱ beȱ mistreated,ȱ evenȱ thoughȱ theyȱ had committedȱnoȱforgeriesȱandȱhadȱactedȱonȱhisȱorders.ȱInȱlightȱofȱtheȱParlement’s trackȱ recordȱ inȱ handlingȱ forgers,ȱ hisȱ concernȱ wouldȱ appearȱ toȱ beȱ wellȬplaced. Unlikeȱtreason,ȱwhichȱfavorsȱexile,ȱconfiscationȱofȱproperty,ȱandȱprisonȱterms, forgeryȱ promptsȱ moreȱ branding,ȱ pillorying,ȱ dunceȱ capping,ȱ andȱ executing.113 Comparedȱwithȱtreason,ȱtwiceȱasȱmanyȱcasesȱofȱforgeryȱresultedȱinȱtheȱParlement torturingȱtheȱaccusedȱtoȱelicitȱaȱconfession.ȱ

110

111

112

113

PaulȱViollet,ȱed.,ȱLesȱÉtablissementsȱdeȱSaintȱLouis:ȱaccompagnésȱdesȱtextesȱprimitifsȱetȱdeȱtextesȱdérivés, avecȱuneȱintroductionȱetȱdesȱnotes.ȱSociétéȱdeȱl’histoireȱdeȱFranceȱ(Paris:ȱRenouard,ȱ1881),ȱ14. Thisȱ percentȱ derivesȱ fromȱ allȱ crimesȱ thatȱ wereȱ consideredȱ treason:ȱ conspiracy,ȱ lèseȬmajesté, machinations,ȱandȱtreason—henceȱtheȱdisparityȱwithȱFigureȱ4. Theseȱ percentsȱ resultȱ fromȱ severalȱ individualȱ crimesȱ beingȱ groupedȱ togetherȱ asȱ exemplary punishment,ȱsuchȱasȱtheȱpillory,ȱtheȱdunceȱcap,ȱandȱpublicȱhanging. Theseȱ valuesȱ doȱ notȱ changeȱ significantlyȱ whenȱ weȱ controlȱ forȱ commonersȱ vsȱ noblesȱ as perpetrators.

214

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

Theȱpenaltiesȱforȱforgeryȱareȱweightedȱinȱfavorȱofȱmoreȱpermanentȱandȱshameful publicȱdisplays.ȱConsiderȱmyȱpersonalȱfavorite,ȱtheȱdunceȱcap.ȱMostȱcommonlyȱit wasȱwornȱwhenȱaȱpersonȱwasȱbeingȱpilloried,ȱthoughȱinȱoneȱcaseȱtheȱcapȱwas placedȱonȱtheȱheadȱofȱaȱhangingȱvictim.114ȱItȱisȱdescribedȱinȱtheȱregistersȱasȱaȱhat orȱcrownȱmadeȱofȱparchmentȱandȱforȱmostȱcasesȱtheȱcrimesȱareȱtoȱbeȱwrittenȱinȱbig redȱlettersȱuponȱit.115ȱInȱcasesȱofȱforgery,ȱtheȱredȬletteringȱwasȱusuallyȱreplacedȱby theȱcapȱbeingȱmadeȱoutȱofȱtheȱforgedȱlettersȱthemselves.ȱTheȱcrimeȱitself,ȱandȱnot justȱ theȱ criminal,ȱ wasȱ punishedȱ andȱ exposedȱ toȱ publicȱ ridicule.116ȱ Inȱ aȱ unique instance,ȱ theȱ capȱ isȱ absent,ȱ butȱ aȱ transcriptȱ ofȱ theȱ forgeryȱ wasȱ placedȱ onȱ the criminal’sȱforeheadȱduringȱhisȱstintȱinȱtheȱpillory.117ȱ TheȱsymbolicȱwayȱthatȱtheȱParlementȱpunishedȱnotȱjustȱforgers,ȱbutȱtheȱvery crimeȱ ofȱ forgeryȱ isȱ furtherȱ demonstratedȱ byȱ lookingȱ atȱ theȱ distributionȱ ofȱ the variousȱpenaltiesȱacrossȱtypesȱofȱforgeryȱ(Figureȱ5).ȱIȱhaveȱdividedȱforgeryȱinto fourȱcategories.ȱRoyalȱlettersȱandȱsealsȱincludeȱlettersȱofȱtheȱking,ȱhisȱsonȱtheȱduke ofȱ Normandy,ȱ andȱ allȱ forgedȱ lettersȱ ofȱ commission.ȱ Nextȱ areȱ theȱ forgeriesȱ of concernȱtoȱtheȱcourt.ȱNonȬcourtȱandȱnonȬroyalȱforgeries,ȱlabeledȱOther,ȱconcern allȱotherȱkindsȱofȱforgery.118ȱTheȱfinalȱcategoryȱdenotesȱtheȱpenaltiesȱgivenȱtoȱroyal officersȱwhoȱcommittedȱforgeriesȱofȱanyȱkind.ȱWhatȱisȱnotableȱwhenȱlookingȱatȱthe graphȱ isȱ thatȱ theȱ royalȱ forgeriesȱ dominateȱ allȱ punishments.ȱ Thisȱ distribution, keepingȱinȱmindȱtheȱveryȱsmallȱsampleȱsize,ȱimpliesȱthatȱthoseȱcasesȱthatȱinfringe mostȱ onȱ theȱ monarchyȱ andȱ royalȱ authorityȱ areȱ theȱ mostȱ severelyȱ punished, reinforcingȱtheȱideaȱthatȱforgeryȱisȱaboutȱrightȱauthorityȱandȱitsȱcommissionȱisȱan actȱofȱlèseȬmajesté,ȱespeciallyȱwhenȱtheȱcriminalȱattemptsȱtoȱspeakȱwithȱtheȱmouth ofȱtheȱking. ForgeryȱisȱanȱattackȱagainstȱtheȱCrown,ȱwhichȱisȱtoȱsayȱthatȱitȱinjuresȱtheȱentirety ofȱwhatȱtheȱkingȱandȱtheȱmonarchyȱrepresent:ȱtheȱpublicȱgood,ȱjustice,ȱtheȱpeople, theȱkingdom.ȱTherefore,ȱforgersȱreceiveȱparticularlyȱheavyȱsentences,ȱespecially whenȱ whatȱ theyȱ forgeȱ hasȱ directȱ bearingȱ onȱ theȱ Crown.ȱ Theȱ gradationȱ of punishmentȱspokenȱofȱinȱtheȱÉtablissementsȱandȱtheȱCoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisisȱholds. Butȱtheseȱlawȱbooksȱcontainȱaȱfurtherȱelementȱofȱȱgradation:ȱdistinctionȱbetween commonersȱandȱnobles.ȱTheȱpenaltyȱforȱstrikingȱandȱbeatingȱanotherȱmanȱwasȱfive deniersȱforȱaȱcommoner,ȱbutȱforȱaȱnoblemanȱtenȱsous.ȱWhenȱtheȱassailantȱinȱaȱcrime

114 115 116

117 118

RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ223ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ222vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). RegistresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ146ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).ȱForȱmedievalȱpunishmentȱmoreȱgenerally,ȱ“neither theȱcriminalȱnorȱtheȱdeedȱwasȱregardedȱasȱaȱmutuallyȱexclusiveȱtarget.”ȱMerback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱ135 (seeȱnoteȱ92). RegsitresȱCriminel,ȱX2a4ȱfol.ȱ50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Noneȱofȱtheȱpenaltiesȱareȱcountedȱdouble.ȱIfȱaȱcriminalȱforgedȱlettersȱofȱtheȱkingȱandȱofȱaȱcount, thenȱIȱhaveȱcountedȱtheȱpenaltyȱunderȱroyalȱletters.ȱTheȱprecedenceȱforȱtheseȱthreeȱcategoriesȱis Royal,ȱCourt,ȱOther.

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

215

wasȱaȱcommonerȱandȱhisȱvictimȱaȱnobleman,ȱhisȱtreatmentȱwasȱtoȱbeȱmarkedly worseȱthanȱinȱtheȱoppositeȱinstance.ȱWhileȱthisȱfitsȱtheȱcommonȱviewȱofȱtheȱMiddle Ages,ȱtheȱregistersȱagainȱpresentȱaȱdifferentȱpicture.ȱ Ofȱtheȱcasesȱforȱwhichȱtheȱcriminalȱregistersȱrecordȱaȱpunishment,ȱnoblesȱand commonersȱperpetratedȱcrimesȱagainstȱeachȱotherȱaȱsimilarȱnumberȱofȱtimes.ȱOn nineteenȱ occasionsȱ noblesȱ committedȱ anȱ offenseȱ againstȱ aȱ commoner,ȱ versus fifteenȱ theȱ otherȱ way.ȱ Commonersȱ sufferedȱ twentyȬsixȱ punishmentsȱ forȱ these attacks,ȱnoblesȱtwentyȬtree.ȱWhileȱnoblesȱpaidȱmoreȱfinesȱandȱdamagesȱtoȱtheir victims,ȱcommonersȱsufferedȱmoreȱhumiliatingȱpunishments:ȱdrawing,ȱmutilation, theȱ pillory.ȱ Nevertheless,ȱ noblesȱ wereȱ executedȱ slightlyȱ moreȱ oftenȱ forȱ crimes againstȱcommoners.ȱPutȱinȱtheȱlargerȱcontextȱofȱtheȱpunishmentsȱsufferedȱoverall, 40%ȱ ofȱ theȱ executionsȱ ofȱ noblesȱ cameȱ inȱ casesȱ whereȱ theȱ injuredȱ partyȱ wasȱ a commoner.ȱForȱcommoners,ȱonlyȱ8%ȱofȱexecutionsȱhappenedȱwhenȱtheirȱvictim wasȱnoble. Theȱregistersȱdoȱnotȱrevealȱanȱegalitarianȱorȱclasslessȱsociety—farȱfromȱit.ȱNobles wereȱawardedȱmoreȱabsolutionsȱandȱpardonsȱforȱtheirȱcrimesȱthanȱcommoners. Theȱdevelopingȱadministrativeȱstructureȱofȱtheȱmonarchy,ȱhowever,ȱandȱtheȱrole ofȱtheȱParlementȱofȱParisȱasȱroyalȱcourtȱandȱtheȱfinalȱplaceȱofȱappealȱcreatedȱa spaceȱwhereȱallȱlitigantsȱwereȱonȱmoreȱequalȱfooting.ȱClaudeȱGauvardȱhasȱargued thatȱtheȱcrimeȱisȱnotȱinterestingȱinȱitself:ȱ“theȱheartȱofȱtheȱdebateȱisȱtheȱcriminal.”119 Yetȱtheȱinclusionȱofȱcrimesȱlikeȱforgery,ȱsafeguard,ȱandȱanyȱoffenseȱcommittedȱon aȱ royalȱ roadȱ notȱ onlyȱ extendedȱ theȱ reachȱ ofȱ theȱ royalȱ governmentȱ andȱ pulled disparateȱcornersȱofȱtheȱrealmȱtowardȱaȱcentralȱpoint,ȱitȱmadeȱtheȱprimaryȱconcern theȱcrimeȱandȱnotȱtheȱstatusȱofȱtheȱcriminalȱorȱvictim.ȱ Althoughȱ medievalȱ formsȱ ofȱ punishmentȱ soughtȱ toȱ purgeȱ theȱ evilȱ fromȱ the criminalȱandȱreturnȱhim,ȱhumbledȱandȱsupplicating,ȱtoȱGod,ȱweȱshouldȱbeȱwary ofȱunderstandingȱmedievalsȱasȱdistinguishingȱbetweenȱtheȱpersonȱandȱhisȱstation inȱsociety.ȱTheȱtwoȱwereȱlargelyȱinseparable.ȱForȱtheȱheartȱofȱtheȱdebateȱtoȱbeȱthe criminal,ȱweȱmustȱplaceȱstatusȱinȱtheȱringȱasȱwell.ȱNevertheless,ȱtheȱactionsȱofȱthe ParlementȱofȱParisȱshowȱthatȱcriminalȱandȱstatusȱhadȱtoȱgiveȱwayȱtoȱtheȱcrime itself.ȱTheȱdecisionsȱofȱtheȱcourtȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱsetȱinȱmotionȱaȱslowȱandȱfitful process,ȱoneȱthatȱneverȱhadȱtheȱabridgementȱofȱstatusȱasȱitsȱgoal.ȱYetȱtoȱachieveȱa strongȱcentralȱmonarchyȱandȱanȱeffectiveȱjudicialȱbureaucracy,ȱaȱsideȬeffectȱwas aȱlessȱdeferentialȱattitudeȱtowardȱprivilegium.ȱWhatȱtheȱParlementȱrecordedȱwasȱa judicialȱcultureȱslowlyȱbeginningȱtoȱemphasizeȱcrimesȱoverȱperpetrators.

119

Gauvard’sȱargumentȱisȱmoreȱappropriateȱforȱunderstandingȱroyalȱpardons,ȱwhichȱareȱherȱmain concern.ȱGauvard,ȱDeȱGrace,ȱ235ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9).

216

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

BreachȱofȱtheȱPeace Violent

NonȬViolent

AnyȱCrimeȱonȱtheȱRoyalȱRoad ArmedȱRobbery Homicide Kidnapping Murder Counterfeiting Forgery

Feudal Violent

PrivateȱWar Rebellion Treason ViolenceȱvsȱRoyalȱOfficers

NonȬviolent

BetrayalȱofȱOne’sȱLord BreachȱofȱAssurément ViolationȱofȱRoyalȱOrdinances ViolationȱofȱtheȱRoyalȱSafeguard

Figureȱ1:ȱCrimesȱofȱLèseȬmajesté.

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois Punishment Type Monetaryȱ

217

Punishment

No.ȱof Cases

Percentȱof Cases

Confiscation Fee Fine PayingȱforȱMasses

38 19 39 1___ 97

21 11 22 1___ 55%

35 5 1 2

20 3 1 1

5 5 3 1 12 1 5 17 52 1 1 1___ 147

3 3 2 1 7 1 3 10 29 1 1 1___ 87%

1 2 1 7 24__ 35

1 1 1 4 14__ 21%

Total Monetary NonȬLethal Banishment Branding ConfiscationȱofȱSeals Corporal Punishment Drawing/Dragging* DunceȱCap HonorȬFine Ladder LossȱofȱOffice MilitaryȱService Mutilation Pillory Prison** RestrainingȱOrder Torture Whipping TotalȱNonȬ Lethal Capital Boiling Decapitation Drowning Execution Hanging Total Capital

218

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

Unknown Exemplary Punishment Unspecified Punishment Total Unknown

12

7

10__

6___

22

13%

Figureȱ2:ȱDistributionȱofȱpunishmentsȱasȱaȱpercentȱacrossȱallȱcasesȱbearingȱa recordedȱsentenceȱofȱtheȱParlement.ȱ

*Althoughȱdrawingȱandȱdraggingȱareȱcategorizedȱhereȱandȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱfigures asȱnonȬlethal,ȱtheyȱwereȱalwaysȱfollowedȱbyȱaȱsentenceȱofȱhanging.ȱȱ **Iȱhaveȱhereȱandȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱfiguresȱonlyȱcountedȱinstancesȱofȱimprisonment thatȱclearlyȱdenoteȱaȱpostȬsentencingȱincarceration.ȱPrisonȱwasȱusedȱatȱvarious stagesȱ ofȱ theȱ judicialȱ processȱ (e.g.,ȱ toȱ ensureȱ presenceȱ atȱ trial,ȱ toȱ coerceȱ a confession)ȱ andȱ couldȱ beȱ ofȱ varyingȱ severityȱ andȱ duration.ȱ Iȱ haveȱ limitedȱ the prisonȱtallyȱtoȱreflectȱonlyȱtheȱpunitiveȱdetentionȱofȱtheȱjudiciallyȱguilty.

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois Punishment Type

Punishment

219

NonȱLèseȬ Majesté No.ȱ %

LèseȬMajesté No.

%

Confiscation Fee Fine PayingȱforȱMasses

10 19 28 —

9 34 30 —

106 37 64 1

91 66 70 100

Banishment Branding Confiscationȱof Seals Corporal Punishment Drawing/Dragging DunceȱCap HonorȬFine Ladder LossȱofȱOffice Mutilation Pillory Prison RestrainingȱOrder Whipping

16 — —

21 — —

59 17 6

79 100 100

—

—

2

100

— — 1 — 13 1 8 19 — 1

— — 16 — 59 6 26 14 — 100

20 12 6 1 9 16 22 116 1 —

100 100 84 100 41 94 74 86 100 —

Boiling Decapitation Drowning Execution Hanging

— — — 1 6

— — — 4 8

1 13 11 25 74

100 100 100 96 92

Monetaryȱ

NonȬLethal

Capital

220

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

Unknown Exemplary Punishment Unspecified Punishment

2

5

36

95

5

21

19

79

Figureȱ3:ȱInstancesȱofȱpunishmentsȱasȱaȱpercentȱbetweenȱcrimesȱofȱlèseȬmajestéȱand not,ȱderivedȱfromȱsentencingȱdataȱofȱtheȱParlement.ȱȱThisȱandȱtheȱfollowingȱfigures areȱderivedȱfromȱtabulatingȱtheȱnumberȱofȱinstancesȱofȱaȱparticularȱpunishment againstȱaȱparticularȱcrime,ȱasȱopposedȱtoȱtheȱearlierȱvalues,ȱwhichȱrepresentȱthe percentȱofȱpunishmentsȱawardedȱacrossȱcases.ȱTheȱdifferenceȱisȱthat,ȱwhenȱlooking atȱhowȱparticularȱcrimesȱwereȱpunished,ȱwhileȱaȱcaseȱmayȱinvolveȱtwoȱindividuals andȱcrimesȱofȱtreasonȱandȱtheft,ȱoneȱpersonȱcouldȱbeȱhangedȱforȱtheȱtheftȱwhileȱthe otherȱwasȱbanishedȱforȱtheȱtreason.ȱInȱorderȱtoȱbeȱableȱtoȱaccuratelyȱshowȱthe relationship,ȱ therefore,ȱ theȱ followingȱ dataȱ isȱ brokenȱ downȱ byȱ punishmentsȱ of crimesȱawardedȱby,ȱnotȱbyȱcasesȱtriedȱbefore,ȱtheȱParlement.

ViolenceȱvsȱRoyalȱOfficers

221 ViolationȱofȱRoyalȱSafeguard

Viol.ȱofȱRoyalȱOrdinances

RoyalȱRoadȱ

Rebellion

PrivateȱWar

LèseȬmajesté

Kidnapping

IllicitȱCarryingȱofȱArms

Forgery

Counterfeiting

ArmedȱRobbery

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

Monetary Confiscation

17

—

7

24

21

29

33

19

—

20

18

20

Fee

17%

—

2%

6%

4%

4

33

6

8

—

9

—

Fine

17

33

—

24

4

17

33

19

—

13

21

13

Payingȱfor Masses

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

NonȬLethal Banishment

—

—

2

—

13

21

—

13

—

13

7

13

Branding

—

—

7

—

—

4

—

—

8

—

—

—

Confiscation ofȱSeals Drawing/ Dragging DunceȱCap

—

—

—

—

—

4

—

6

—

7

—

7

—

—

5

—

—

—

—

6

8

—

—

—

—

—

9

—

4

4

—

6

8

—

—

—

HonorȬFine

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4

—

Ladder

—

—

—

—

4

4

—

6

—

—

—

—

Lossȱof Office Mutilation

—

—

7

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

5

6

—

4

—

6

15

—

—

—

Pillory

—

—

11

6

4

21

—

13

8

—

2

—

Prison

33

—

9

18

29

25

—

19

—

20

28

20

ViolenceȱvsȱRoyalȱOfficers

ViolationȱofȱRoyalȱSafeguard

Viol.ȱofȱRoyalȱOrdinances

RoyalȱRoadȱ

Rebellion

PrivateȱWar

LèseȬmajesté

Kidnapping

IllicitȱCarryingȱofȱArms

Forgery

Counterfeiting

JolantaȱN.ȱKomornicka

ArmedȱRobbery

222

Capital Boiling Decapitation Drowning

— — —

33 — —

— — —

— — —

— — 4

— 8 —

ȬȬ — —

— — —

— 8 8

— — —

— — —

— — —

Execution

—

—

—

—

—

4

—

—

—

7

2

7

Hanging

—

33

18

—

4

21

—

6

31

—

—

—

—

—

—

12

17

8

—

—

—

13

5

13

17

—

—

6

8

—

—

—

—

7

5

7

Unknown Exemplary Punishment Unspecified Punishment

Figureȱ 4:ȱ Showingȱ whatȱ percentȱ ofȱ aȱ givenȱ crimeȱ ofȱ lèseȬmajestéȱ receivedȱ aȱ particular punishment.ȱ Breachȱofȱassurément,ȱHomicide,ȱandȱMurderȱhaveȱbeenȱomittedȱasȱtheȱdataȱforȱthemȱisȱless certain.

TheȱSymbolismȱofȱLèseȬmajestéȱunderȱPhilipȱVIȱValois

Confiscation DunceȱCap Execution Exile LossȱofȱOffice Pillory

Royal 50% 25% 50% 100% 33% 40%

Court 50% 25% 25% — 66% 60%

Other — 50% 25% — — —

223

Officers 100% — 13% 100% 66% 20

Figureȱ 5:ȱ Distributionȱ ofȱ penaltiesȱ asȱ percentsȱ inȱ crimesȱ ofȱ forgeryȱ acrossȱ the categoriesȱ Forgeriesȱ ofȱ Royalȱ Lettersȱ andȱ Lettersȱ ofȱ Commission,ȱ Forgeriesȱ of Courtȱ Documents,ȱ Allȱ Otherȱ Forgeries,ȱ andȱ Forgeriesȱ Committedȱ byȱ Royal Officers.

Chapterȱ10 ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough (TexasȱTechȱUniversity,ȱLubbock)

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

AccordingȱtoȱArminȱWolf,ȱtheȱlegislativeȱendeavorsȱofȱAlfonsoȱXȱinȱSpainȱwere partȱofȱaȱtrendȱthroughoutȱEuropeȱtoȱcodifyȱlawsȱduringȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury. Duringȱtheȱrelativelyȱbriefȱperiodȱbetweenȱ1231ȱandȱ1281ȱmajorȱlawȱcodesȱwere compiledȱfromȱSicilyȱtoȱIceland.1ȱAlfonso,ȱlikeȱotherȱrulersȱofȱtheȱtime,ȱmadeȱa significantȱbreakȱwithȱpreviousȱlegalȱtraditions.ȱLaws,ȱbeforeȱtheȱreignȱofȱAlfonso, wereȱbyȱandȱlargeȱaȱhodgepodgeȱcollectionȱofȱlocalȱcustomaryȱlaws,ȱmunicipal ordinancesȱ(someȱquiteȱextensive),ȱandȱlocalȱprivileges.2ȱAlfonsoȱXȱwasȱnotȱonly seekingȱ uniformityȱ ofȱ lawsȱ acrossȱ hisȱ kingdomsȱ butȱ alsoȱ wantedȱ toȱ useȱ his authorityȱ asȱ legislatorȱ toȱ strengthenȱ royalȱ powerȱ inȱ generalȱ andȱ provide subsequentȱrulersȱwithȱtoolsȱtoȱconfrontȱlegalȱissuesȱthatȱmightȱariseȱinȱtheȱfuture.3 Asȱ manyȱ criticsȱ haveȱ pointedȱ out,ȱ itȱ isȱ noȱ coincidenceȱ thatȱ Alfonsoȱ beganȱ his greatestȱlegislativeȱproject,ȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas,ȱinȱ1256—theȱyearȱinȱwhichȱheȱwas firstȱapproachedȱasȱaȱcandidateȱforȱtheȱpostȱofȱHolyȱRomanȱEmperor.ȱWeȱmay safelyȱconjectureȱthatȱAlfonsoȱwasȱthinkingȱofȱhisȱownȱandȱhisȱnation’sȱfutureȱas aȱ leaderȱ inȱ Europe.ȱ Spainȱ wouldȱ needȱ aȱ thoroughȱ lawȱ codeȱ whichȱ would potentiallyȱserveȱasȱaȱmodelȱforȱallȱlegislativeȱtreatisesȱthroughoutȱanȱempireȱin whichȱSpainȱwouldȱoccupyȱaȱleadershipȱrole.4ȱ DuringȱtheȱthirtyȬtwoȱyearsȱofȱAlfonso’sȱreignȱhisȱjudicialȱprojectȱevolvedȱin variousȱstages.ȱTheȱfirstȱgeneralȱlawȱcodeȱenactedȱbyȱAlfonsoȱwasȱtheȱFueroȱReal. 1

2

3 4

ArminȱWolf,ȱ“ElȱmovimientoȱdeȱlegislaciónȱyȱdeȱcodificaciónȱenȱEuropaȱenȱtiemposȱdeȱAlfonso Elȱ Sabio,”ȱ Alfonsoȱ Xȱ elȱ Sabio,ȱ vida,ȱ obraȱ yȱ épocaȱ I,ȱ ed.ȱ Juanȱ Carlosȱ deȱ Miguelȱ Rodríguez,ȱ et.ȱ al. (Madrid;ȱSociedadȱEspañolaȱdeȱEstudiosȱMedievales,ȱ1989),ȱ31–37;ȱhereȱ31. JuanȱManuelȱPérezȬPrendes,ȱ“LasȱleyesȱdeȱAlfonsoȱelȱSabio,”ȱRevistaȱdeȱOccidenteȱ43ȱ(1984):ȱ67–84; hereȱ67. PérezȬPrendes,ȱ“LasȱleyesȱdeȱAlfonsoȱelȱSabio,”ȱ68ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). PérezȬPrendes,ȱ“LasȱleyesȱdeȱAlfonsoȱelȱSabio,”ȱ83ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

226

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

Theȱfirstȱmanifestationȱofȱthisȱtreatiseȱinȱ1255ȱcontainedȱ550ȱlaws.ȱItsȱmainȱauthor wasȱprobablyȱJacoboȱdeȱlasȱLeyes,ȱtheȱmostȱimportantȱjuristȱresidingȱinȱAlfonso’s court.5ȱTheȱfourthȱsectionȱofȱtheȱFueroȱRealȱisȱaȱpenalȱcodeȱwhichȱdealsȱwithȱcrimes rangingȱ fromȱ theftȱ toȱ illegalȱ sexualȱ activitiesȱ toȱ practicingȱ medicineȱ withoutȱ a license.ȱItȱalsoȱlaysȱoutȱtheȱcorrespondingȱpunishmentsȱandȱcriminalȱproceedings forȱtheseȱandȱotherȱoffenses.ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱthatȱAlfonsoȱandȱhisȱjuristsȱwere compilingȱtheȱFueroȱReal,ȱtheȱcourtȱwasȱworkingȱonȱaȱsetȱofȱjudicialȱnormsȱfor judgesȱwithȱlegalȱjustificationsȱforȱtheȱpreceptsȱoutlined.ȱ TheȱfirstȱversionȱofȱthisȱprojectȱwasȱtheȱEspéculo.ȱThisȱworkȱdidȱnotȱlimitȱitselfȱto legalȱpreceptsȱasȱhadȱtheȱFueroȱReal.ȱTheȱEspéculoȱalsoȱcontainedȱphilosophicalȱand didacticȱ commentary,ȱ explanationsȱ ofȱ legalȱ terminologyȱ andȱ institutions,ȱ and moralȱconsiderations.6ȱButȱtheȱculminatingȱandȱmostȱcompleteȱofȱtheȱAlfonsine lawȱcodesȱwas,ȱwithoutȱdoubt,ȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas.ȱTheȱsevenȱdivisionsȱofȱthisȱtreatise dealȱ withȱ (1)ȱ theȱ Catholicȱ faithȱ andȱ Canonicalȱ Law,ȱ (2)ȱ theȱ organizationȱ ofȱ an Empire,ȱespeciallyȱtheȱdutiesȱandȱproperȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱkingȱandȱhisȱfamily,ȱ(3) lawyers,ȱtheȱcourts,ȱandȱtheȱlegalȱsystemȱinȱgeneral,ȱ(4)ȱfamilyȱlaw,ȱ(5)ȱcivilȱand mercantileȱobligationsȱandȱcontracts,ȱ(6)ȱwillsȱandȱtheȱrightsȱofȱinheritance,ȱandȱ(7) penalȱlawȱforȱcrimesȱandȱcorrespondingȱpunishmentsȱandȱtheȱproperȱmannersȱfor renderingȱjustice.7ȱ AccordingȱtoȱTheresaȱVann,ȱAlfonso’sȱSieteȱPartidasȱ“developedȱtheȱconceptȱof aȱpeacefulȱkingdomȱwhoseȱlawȬabidingȱmembersȱcoȬoperatedȱinȱtheȱdefenseȱofȱthe realmȱunderȱtheȱdirectionȱofȱitsȱhead.”8ȱToȱdevelopȱaȱlawȬabidingȱcitizenryȱmeant aȱclearȱenumerationȱofȱwhatȱactsȱwereȱdeemedȱcriminalȱandȱhowȱoffendersȱwould beȱprosecuted.ȱThisȱpaperȱwillȱdealȱprimarilyȱwithȱlawsȱfromȱtheȱSeventhȱPartida orȱPartȱsinceȱitȱdealsȱspecificallyȱwithȱcrimesȱandȱpunishmentsȱbutȱIȱwillȱalsoȱmake someȱreferencesȱtoȱlawsȱinȱtheȱotherȱPartidas.ȱWithinȱtheȱwideȱscopeȱofȱcrimes enumeratedȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidasȱIȱwantȱtoȱconfineȱmyȱremarksȱtoȱthoseȱinȱwhich womenȱareȱtheȱperpetratorsȱorȱvictimsȱofȱcrimes.ȱIȱwillȱalsoȱciteȱexamplesȱfrom literatureȱofȱtheȱperiodȱwhichȱdepictȱwomenȱinvolvedȱinȱlegalȱmattersȱorȱasȱvictims orȱaccusedȱcriminals. Womenȱareȱnotȱconsideredȱaȱhomogenousȱgroupȱwithȱregardȱtoȱcrimesȱorȱthe administrationȱofȱjustice.ȱItȱisȱnotȱsurprisingȱthatȱwomenȱareȱmentionedȱmostȱoften

5

6 7 8

AntonioȱPérezȱMartín,ȱ“HaciaȱunȱDerechoȱComúnȱEuropeo:ȱlaȱobraȱjurídicaȱdeȱAlfonsoȱX,”ȱAlfonso X:ȱAprotacionesȱdeȱunȱreyȱcastellanoȱaȱlaȱconstrucciónȱdeȱEuropa,ȱed.ȱCarlosȱEstepaȱDíez,ȱetȱal.ȱ(Murcia: RegiónȱdeȱMurcia,ȱConsejaríaȱdeȱCulturaȱyȱEducación,ȱ1997),ȱ109–34;ȱhereȱ120. PérezȱMartín,ȱ“HaciaȱunȱDerechoȱComúnȱEuropeo,”ȱ121ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). PérezȱMartín,ȱ“HaciaȱunȱDerechoȱComúnȱEurpeo,”ȱ122–24ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). TheresaȱM.ȱVann,ȱ“CriminalȱSettlementȱinȱMedievalȱCastilianȱTowns,”ȱTheȱFinalȱArgument:ȱThe ImprintȱofȱViolenceȱonȱSocietyȱandȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope,ȱed.ȱDonaldȱJ.ȱKagayȱandȱL. J.ȱAndrewȱVillalonȱ(Woodbridge,ȱSuffolk,ȱandȱRochester,ȱNY:ȱTheȱBoydellȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱ83–94; hereȱ87.ȱ

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

227

inȱlawsȱconcerningȱsexualȱrelationshipsȱandȱmarriage.ȱHowever,ȱwomenȱareȱalso specificallyȱnamedȱbothȱasȱdefendantsȱandȱaccusersȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱotherȱlegal matters.ȱAlfonsoȱXȱandȱhisȱlegalȱexpertsȱrecognizedȱwomenȱasȱaȱspecialȱcategory underȱtheȱlawȱevenȱthoughȱmostȱpunishmentsȱspecificallyȱnameȱmenȱasȱtheȱguilty party.9ȱJustȱasȱmenȱandȱwomenȱareȱnotȱalwaysȱtreatedȱequallyȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas, neitherȱareȱallȱwomenȱtreatedȱequally.ȱFemaleȱslavesȱareȱconsideredȱdifferently fromȱ freeȱ virgins.ȱ Andȱ virginsȱ areȱ treatedȱ differentlyȱ fromȱ marriedȱ womenȱ or widows.ȱFemaleȱreligiousȱformedȱanotherȱcategoryȱasȱdidȱwomenȱofȱtheȱJewishȱor Muslimȱfaith.ȱ Toȱaccomplishȱitsȱgoalȱofȱinclusivityȱandȱcomprehensiveness,ȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas dealsȱ withȱ womenȱ fromȱ allȱ socialȱ classesȱ andȱ faithsȱ and,ȱ inȱ manyȱ cases, differentiatesȱ consequencesȱ forȱ crimesȱ committedȱ byȱ orȱ againstȱ women.ȱ For example,ȱnoȱpunishmentȱwasȱinflictedȱonȱaȱpregnantȱwomanȱuntilȱafterȱtheȱbirth ofȱtheȱchildȱbecauseȱanȱunbornȱchildȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱpunishedȱforȱanȱoffenseȱfor whichȱ theȱ motherȱ isȱ guilty.10ȱ And,ȱ inȱ theȱ sameȱ law,ȱ weȱ learnȱ thatȱ ifȱ anyone knowinglyȱexecutesȱaȱpregnantȱwoman,ȱheȱwillȱsufferȱtheȱsameȱpenaltyȱasȱone whoȱwrongfullyȱcommitsȱmurder.ȱTheseȱprotectionsȱforȱpregnantȱwomenȱwere alsoȱpartȱofȱCanonȱLaw.ȱBut,ȱaccordingȱtoȱRichardȱSims,ȱ“Inȱtheȱmedievalȱworld. .ȱ..expectancyȱwouldȱdoȱnothingȱmoreȱthanȱdelayȱtheȱinevitableȱand,ȱasȱaȱresult, fewȱwomenȱwouldȱhaveȱfeignedȱpregnancy.”11ȱ ParticularlyȱpertinentȱtoȱourȱdiscussionȱofȱwomenȱandȱAlfonsineȱlawsȱareȱthe strictȱ provisionsȱ againstȱ abortion.ȱ Pregnantȱ womenȱ whoȱ successfullyȱ induce themselvesȱ toȱ abortȱ eitherȱ byȱ takingȱ drugsȱ orȱ byȱ strikingȱ theȱ abdomenȱ are condemnedȱtoȱdeath.12ȱAȱhusbandȱwhoȱstrikesȱhisȱpregnantȱwifeȱcausingȱherȱto abortȱtheȱchildȱsuffersȱtheȱsameȱpenalty.13ȱThisȱcriminalizationȱofȱabortionȱinȱthe Alfonsineȱlaws,ȱinterestingly,ȱdoesȱnotȱextendȱtoȱincludeȱactsȱofȱinfanticide.ȱBut, 9

10

11

12 13

AsenjoȱGonzález,ȱinȱstudyingȱtheȱFueroȱdeȱSoria,ȱexplainsȱthatȱsinceȱmenȱareȱmostȱoftenȱnamed inȱregardȱtoȱspecificȱpunishmentsȱweȱshouldȱassumeȱthatȱthereȱwasȱnoȱdifferenceȱforȱpenalties leviedȱonȱwomen,ȱexceptȱinȱtheȱspecialȱcasesȱofȱcrimesȱdealingȱwithȱsexualȱmattersȱinȱwhichȱthe womanȱisȱmostȱoftenȱtheȱvictimȱofȱtheȱcrime.ȱSeeȱMaríaȱAsenjoȱGonzález,ȱ“Laȱmujerȱyȱsuȱmedio socialȱenȱelȱFueroȱdeȱSoria,”ȱLasȱmujeresȱmedievalesȱyȱsuȱámbitoȱjurídico:ȱActasȱdeȱlasȱSegundasȱJornadas deȱ Investigaciónȱ Interdisciplinaria,ȱ (Madrid:ȱ Seminarioȱ deȱ Estudiosȱ deȱ laȱ Mujer,ȱ Universidad AutónomaȱdeȱMadrid,ȱ1983),ȱ45–57;ȱhereȱ48.ȱ ThisȱandȱallȱsubsequentȱcitationsȱfromȱtheȱSieteȱPartidasȱareȱfromȱtheȱfiveȬvolumeȱeditionȱbyȱBurns ofȱSamuelȱParsonsȱScott´sȱEnglishȱtranslation.ȱIȱfirstȱciteȱvolumeȱandȱpageȱnumberȱfollowedȱby theȱPartida,ȱTitleȱandȱLawȱreferenced.ȱRobertȱIȱBurns,ȱS.J.,ȱLasȱSieteȱPartidas,ȱtrans.ȱSamuelȱParsons Scott.ȱ5ȱvols.ȱTheȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ2001);ȱhere V:ȱ1468,ȱPartidaȱVII,ȱTitleȱ31,ȱLawȱ11. RichardȱJ.ȱSims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?ȱEnglishȱWomenȱandȱCrimeȱc.ȱ1220–1348,”ȱVictimsȱand Viragos?,ȱed.ȱChristineȱMeekȱandȱCatherineȱ Lawless.ȱStudiesȱonȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModern Women,ȱ4ȱ(Dublin:ȱFourȱCourtsȱPress,ȱ2005),ȱ69–88;ȱhereȱ71.ȱ V:ȱ1346–47,ȱPartidaȱVII,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ8.ȱ V:ȱ1347,ȱPartidaȱVII,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ8.ȱ

228

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

canonicalȱdecreesȱfromȱtheȱsameȱperiodȱimposeȱ“severeȱpenaltiesȱforȱinfanticide, forȱaccidentalȱsuffocationȱofȱinfantsȱbyȱparents,ȱandȱ evenȱforȱtheȱpossibilityȱof negligenceȱ whenȱ aȱ childȱ diesȱ andȱ theȱ parentsȱ mayȱ notȱ haveȱ doneȱ everything possibleȱtoȱpreventȱit.”14ȱ Inȱ theȱ twelfthȱ century,ȱ threeȱ papalȱ rulingsȱ wereȱ issuedȱ onȱ theȱ issueȱ of infanticide.15ȱHowever,ȱasȱBoswellȱnotes,ȱ“InȱtheȱlawȱofȱtheȱFrisians,ȱpromulgated underȱCharlemagneȱinȱtheȱninthȱcenturyȱ(butȱreflectingȱolderȱcustoms)ȱspecifically exemptedȱmothersȱwhoȱkilledȱtheirȱnewbornȱchildrenȱfromȱtheȱnormalȱfinesȱfor murderȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”16ȱAndȱSimsȱassertsȱthatȱ“Infanticideȱhasȱlongȱbeenȱperceivedȱas beingȱalmostȱexclusivelyȱinȱtheȱfemaleȱdomain.”17ȱButȱHanawalt,ȱinȱherȱstudiesȱof MedievalȱEngland,ȱconcludesȱthatȱinfanticideȱwasȱextremelyȱrare18ȱandȱBoswell assertsȱthatȱHanawalt’sȱfindingsȱareȱprobablyȱapplicableȱtoȱcontinentalȱEuropeȱas well.19ȱ Sims,ȱ onȱ theȱ otherȱ hand,ȱ disputesȱ bothȱ Hanawalt’sȱ methodologyȱ and conclusions.ȱHeȱclaimsȱthat,ȱwhenȱconsideringȱtheȱdeathȱofȱchildren,ȱweȱmustȱtake intoȱaccountȱtheȱdeathsȱofȱolderȱchildrenȱinȱadditionȱtoȱthoseȱofȱinfants.ȱHeȱstates thatȱ“Althoughȱ[children]ȱwereȱmoreȱlikelyȱthanȱadultsȱgenuinelyȱtoȱencounter accidentalȱdeath,ȱthroughȱfollyȱorȱcuriosity,ȱthisȱalsoȱmeantȱthatȱtheirȱkillingsȱwere potentiallyȱeasierȱtoȱdisguise.ȱIfȱwomenȱhadȱaȱgreaterȱabilityȱtoȱconcealȱcrimes,ȱas manyȱ haveȱ suggested,ȱ thenȱ infanticideȱ wasȱ anȱ idealȱ opportunityȱ forȱ themȱ to exerciseȱthisȱgift.”20ȱ AnȱexampleȱofȱinfanticideȱisȱfoundȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱCastigosȱeȱdocumentos delȱreyȱdonȱSancho.ȱChapterȱ82ȱofȱthisȱworkȱcontainsȱtheȱstoryȱofȱaȱwomanȱwho, afterȱsheȱisȱwidowed,ȱhasȱsexualȱrelationsȱwithȱherȱdeceasedȱhusband’ȱsȱbrother. Sheȱhasȱthreeȱchildrenȱbyȱhimȱandȱsheȱkillsȱeachȱoneȱshortlyȱafterȱbirthȱsoȱasȱto concealȱherȱongoingȱrelationshipȱwithȱherȱbrotherȬinȬlaw.ȱSheȱisȱsoȱdistraughtȱby herȱ actionsȱ thatȱ sheȱ eatsȱ aȱ poisonousȱ spiderȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ killȱ herself.ȱ Whenȱ she beginsȱtoȱsufferȱtheȱpainfulȱeffectsȱofȱtheȱspider’sȱpoison,ȱsheȱcallsȱoutȱtoȱtheȱVirgin toȱforgiveȱher.ȱHolyȱMaryȱreachesȱout,ȱtouchesȱtheȱwomanȱandȱcleansȱtheȱpoison fromȱherȱbody.ȱSheȱthereafterȱlivesȱaȱliveȱofȱpenanceȱandȱserviceȱtoȱtheȱVirgin.21 Partidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ12ȱdoesȱnotȱreferȱtoȱwomenȱkillingȱtheirȱchildren,ȱbutȱdoes addressȱ theȱ murderȱ ofȱ anyȱ familyȱ memberȱ byȱ another.ȱ Itȱ prescribesȱ the

14

15 16 17 18

19 20 21

JohnȱBoswell,ȱTheȱKindnessȱofȱStrangers:ȱTheȱAbandonmentȱofȱChildrenȱinȱWesternȱEuropeȱfromȱLate AntiquityȱtoȱtheȱRenaissanceȱ(NewȱYork:ȱPantheonȱBooks,ȱ1988),ȱ222. Boswell,ȱTheȱKindnessȱofȱStrangers,ȱ279–80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14). Boswell,ȱTheȱKindnessȱofȱStrangers,ȱ211ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?,”ȱ72ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). BarbaraȱA.ȱHanawalt,ȱ“OfȱGoodȱandȱIllȱRepute”:ȱGenderȱandȱSocialȱControlȱinȱMedievalȱEnglandȱ(New YorkȱandȱOxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱ168. Boswell,ȱTheȱKindnessȱofȱStrangers,ȱ411ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOfenders?,”ȱ73ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Thisȱsameȱstoryȱappearsȱasȱno.ȱ201ȱinȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria.

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

229

punishmentȱ(accreditedȱtoȱ“theȱemperorsȱandȱtheȱlearnedȱmenȱofȱtheȱancients”) thatȱ theȱ guiltyȱ partyȱ “shouldȱ beȱ publiclyȱ scourgedȱ inȱ theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ all,ȱ and besidesȱshouldȱbeȱenclosedȱinȱaȱleatherȱsack,ȱalongȱwithȱaȱdog,ȱaȱcock,ȱaȱserpent, andȱanȱape;ȱandȱafterȱheȱhadȱbeenȱplacedȱinȱitȱwithȱtheseȱfourȱanimalsȱtheȱmouth ofȱtheȱsackȱshouldȱbeȱsewedȱup,ȱandȱtheyȱshouldȱallȱbeȱthrownȱintoȱtheȱseaȱorȱinto theȱriverȱnearestȱtoȱtheȱplaceȱwhereȱthisȱoccurred.”22ȱRadinȱclaimsȱthatȱthisȱform ofȱexecution,ȱknownȱasȱtheȱpoenaȱcullei,ȱisȱancientȱinȱorigins.ȱItȱappearsȱinȱtheȱLex PompeiaȱdeȱParricidiisȱwhichȱextendedȱthisȱspecificȱpunishment,ȱearlierȱexclusively leviedȱforȱtheȱcrimeȱofȱpartricide,ȱtoȱtheȱkillingȱofȱanyȱotherȱmembersȱofȱone’s family.ȱBut,ȱasȱRadinȱnotes,ȱtheȱLexȱPompeiaȱincorporatedȱpartsȱofȱConstantine’s constitutionȱandȱheȱclaimsȱthatȱtheȱintroductionȱofȱtheȱfourȱspecificȱanimalsȱtoȱthe punishmentȱisȱactuallyȱConstantine’s.23ȱ TheȱpunishmentȱitselfȱasȱspelledȱoutȱinȱtheȱLexȱCorneliaȱdeȱSicarrissȱ(passedȱin B.C.E.ȱ82)ȱstatesȱthatȱtheȱguiltyȱpartyȱwasȱ“whippedȱtillȱheȱbled,ȱsewnȱupȱinȱaȱsack withȱaȱdog,ȱcock,ȱviper,ȱandȱape,ȱandȱthrownȱintoȱtheȱsea,ȱifȱtheȱseaȱwasȱatȱhand, andȱifȱnot,ȱbyȱaȱconstitutionȱofȱHadrian,ȱheȱwasȱexposedȱtoȱwildȱbeasts,ȱor,ȱinȱthe timeȱofȱPaulus,ȱtoȱbeȱburnt.”24ȱByȱtheȱtimeȱofȱConstantineȱthisȱlawȱwasȱobsoleteȱand itȱappearsȱthatȱitsȱrevivalȱcouldȱhaveȱbeenȱpartȱofȱConstantine’sȱeffortsȱtoȱdenigrate animalsȱthatȱhadȱbeenȱassociatedȱwithȱpaganȱcultsȱorȱhadȱritualȱsignificanceȱas instrumentsȱforȱcarryingȱoffȱtheȱsocietalȱpollutionȱassociatedȱwithȱmurder.25ȱEven thoughȱvariousȱtheoriesȱhaveȱbeenȱpostulatedȱregardingȱtheȱanimalsȱusedȱinȱthe poenaȱcullei,ȱRadinȱconcludesȱthatȱtheirȱsymbolicȱandȱritualȱmeaningsȱareȱtheȱmost probable.26ȱ WhetherȱtheȱoriginalȱpunishmentȱstipulatedȱinȱtheȱLexȱCorneliaȱdeȱSicarrisȱand repeatedȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidasȱwasȱeverȱcarriedȱoutȱinȱSpain,ȱweȱhaveȱnoȱrecordsȱone wayȱ orȱ theȱ other.ȱ Butȱ thisȱ extremeȱ formȱ ofȱ executionȱ isȱ gruesomeȱ enoughȱ to substantiateȱaȱclaimȱthatȱtheȱSieteȱPartidasȱconsideredȱanyȱmurderȱwithinȱone’sȱown

22 23

24

25

26

V:ȱ1349,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ12. MaxȱRadin,ȱ“TheȱLexȱPompeiaȱandȱtheȱPoenaȱCullei,”ȱTheȱJournalȱofȱRomanȱStudiesȱ10ȱ(1920): 119–30;ȱhereȱ126.ȱ http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Leges_Corneliae.ht ml#de_Sicariis.ȱMyȱthanksȱtoȱmyȱcolleague,ȱDr.ȱJasonȱBantaȱforȱthisȱreferenceȱ(lastȱaccessedȱon Mayȱ23,ȱ2010). Radin,ȱ“TheȱLexȱpompeia,”ȱ129ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23).ȱRadinȱfurtherȱexplains:ȱ“Thisȱabhorredȱthing,ȱthis prodigium,ȱbyȱwayȱofȱabundantȱcaution,ȱisȱtoȱhaveȱitsȱevilȱforcesȱstillȱfurtherȱneutralisedȱbyȱhaving themȱfirstȱtransferred,ȱtoȱcertainȱlivingȱanimalsȱcapableȱofȱbecomingȱvehiclesȱofȱsuchȱforces,ȱand thenȱbyȱhavingȱtheseȱanimalsȱpromptlyȱkilled”ȱ(130). Radinȱ discountsȱ otherȱ claimsȱ forȱ theȱ selectionȱ ofȱ theseȱ creaturesȱ forȱ theȱ punishmentȱ asȱ mere guessesȱorȱfancifulȱspeculation.ȱSeeȱespeciallyȱ121–23ȱofȱhisȱarticleȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23).ȱThisȱcriticȱseesȱa progressionȱinȱthisȱpunishmentȱfromȱtheȱmereȱtyingȱupȱinȱaȱsackȱandȱtheȱintroductionȱofȱthe animals:ȱ“ifȱweȱassumeȱthatȱtheȱsackȱandȱitsȱritualȱwereȱancient,ȱthatȱtheȱLexȱPompeiaȱintroduced theȱviper,ȱClaudiusȱtheȱape,ȱandȱConstantineȱtheȱdogȱandȱtheȱcock”ȱ(126).

230

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

familyȱasȱaȱmostȱgrievousȱcrime.ȱMurderȱofȱaȱfamilyȱmemberȱisȱalsoȱoneȱofȱthe veryȱfewȱinstancesȱwhenȱaȱwomanȱcanȱbringȱanȱaccusationȱofȱdeathȱagainstȱthe allegedȱmurderer.27ȱSlavesȱorȱservantsȱareȱalsoȱobligedȱtoȱgoȱtoȱtheȱhelpȱofȱanyone inȱtheȱhouseholdȱifȱhe/sheȱisȱbeingȱattackedȱbyȱanotherȱmemberȱofȱtheȱfamily.ȱIf theyȱfailȱtoȱtryȱtoȱprotectȱtheȱvictim,ȱeitherȱinterveningȱbyȱforceȱorȱseekingȱthe interventionȱofȱtheȱauthorities,ȱtheȱservantsȱorȱslavesȱmayȱbeȱputȱtoȱdeath28ȱ Anotherȱ matterȱ ofȱ seriousȱ concernȱ forȱ Alfonsineȱ legislationȱ isȱ prostitution. Interesting,ȱmanyȱofȱtheȱlawsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidasȱwhichȱdealȱwithȱprostitutionȱare aimedȱatȱtheȱmenȱ(procurers)ȱwhoȱforceȱwomenȱintoȱprostitution.ȱProcurersȱare dividedȱintoȱfiveȱcategories.ȱTheȱfirstȱareȱpimpsȱwhoȱsetȱupȱwomenȱinȱbrothelsȱand keepȱpartȱofȱtheirȱearningsȱforȱthemselves.ȱTheȱsecondȱareȱbrokersȱwho,ȱforȱaȱprice, provideȱclientsȱwithȱwomenȱwhoȱprostituteȱthemselvesȱinȱtheirȱ(theȱwomen’s) home.ȱTheȱthirdȱkindȱofȱprocurerȱkeepsȱcaptivesȱorȱotherȱgirlsȱinȱhisȱhomeȱforȱthe purposeȱofȱprostitutingȱthemȱandȱkeepingȱtheȱwages.ȱTheȱfourthȱisȱoneȱwhoȱisȱa procurerȱ forȱ hisȱ ownȱ wifeȱ andȱ theȱ fifthȱ isȱ oneȱ whoȱ consentsȱ toȱ aȱ married,ȱ or otherwiseȱhonorable,ȱwomanȱhavingȱsexualȱrelationshipsȱinȱhisȱhouseȱinȱreturnȱfor someȱgift.ȱTheȱlawsȱstateȱthatȱallȱtheseȱprocurersȱbringȱdishonorȱuponȱtheȱwomen whomȱ theyȱ prostituteȱ andȱ theseȱ menȱ areȱ alsoȱ responsibleȱ forȱ theȱ fightsȱ and quarrelsȱthatȱbreakȱoutȱamongȱtheȱwomen’sȱclients.29ȱ Ifȱaȱprocurerȱisȱconvicted,ȱheȱisȱdrivenȱoutȱofȱtownȱalongȱwithȱtheȱwomenȱwho hadȱbeenȱhisȱprostitutes.ȱAnyoneȱwhoȱknowinglyȱrentsȱoutȱhisȱhouseȱtoȱaȱwoman toȱserveȱasȱaȱbrothel,ȱlosesȱhisȱpropertyȱwhichȱisȱforfeitedȱtoȱtheȱroyalȱtreasury.ȱHe alsoȱmustȱpayȱaȱfineȱofȱtenȱpoundsȱofȱgold.ȱIfȱaȱmanȱforcesȱhisȱfemaleȱslaveȱto prostituteȱherselfȱforȱhisȱfinancialȱbenefit,ȱtheȱwomenȱshallȱbeȱsetȱfree.ȱBut,ȱifȱaȱman forcesȱaȱfreeȱwomanȱintoȱprostitution,ȱ heȱmustȱprovideȱherȱwithȱaȱdowryȱand arrangeȱaȱgoodȱmarriageȱforȱher.ȱIfȱheȱfailsȱtoȱdoȱso,ȱafterȱbeingȱfoundȱguiltyȱof procurement,ȱheȱisȱsentencedȱtoȱdeath.ȱAnyȱmanȱfoundȱguiltyȱofȱprostitutingȱhis wifeȱisȱputȱtoȱdeath.ȱDeathȱisȱalsoȱimposedȱonȱanyoneȱwhoȱactsȱisȱaȱprocurerȱfor anyȱmarriedȱwomen,ȱvirgin,ȱnunȱorȱwidowȱofȱgoodȱreputation.30ȱTheȱveryȱlast sentenceȱofȱthisȱTitleȱstatesȱthatȱwomenȱwhoȱserveȱasȱprocuressesȱareȱsubjectȱtoȱthe sameȱlawsȱandȱpunishmentsȱasȱestablishedȱforȱmaleȱprocurers.ȱ

27

28 29 30

V:ȱ 1350,Partidaȱ 7,ȱ Titleȱ 8,ȱ Lawȱ 14.ȱ Also,ȱ Patriciaȱ Orr,ȱ “Nonȱ Potestȱ Appellumȱ Facere:ȱ Criminal Chargesȱ Womenȱ couldȱ not—butȱ did—bringȱ inȱ ThirteenthȬCenturyȱ Englishȱ Royalȱ Courtsȱ of Justice,”ȱTheȱFinalȱArgument,ȱ141Ȭ60;ȱhereȱ142ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8).ȱOrrȱhasȱfoundȱthat,ȱalthoughȱwomen inȱMedievalȱEnglandȱbyȱlawȱcouldȱonlyȱmakeȱcriminalȱchargesȱforȱtheȱdeathȱofȱaȱhusbandȱor injuryȱtoȱherself,ȱthisȱrestrictionȱwasȱroutinelyȱignoredȱbyȱtheȱcourtsȱandȱwomen’sȱchargesȱwere mostȱoftenȱheardȱandȱadjudicated.ȱ V:ȱ1350,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ16. V:ȱ1429,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ22,ȱLawȱ1.ȱ V:ȱ1429,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ22,ȱLawȱ2.

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

231

AnȱentireȱTitle,ȱnumberȱ17,ȱisȱsetȱasideȱforȱlawsȱdealingȱwithȱadultery.ȱThisȱTitle containsȱsixteenȱindividualȱlawsȱaboutȱaccusationsȱofȱadultery,ȱpossibleȱdefenses, andȱpunishmentȱofȱtheȱguiltyȱparty,ȱalmostȱalwaysȱtheȱwife.ȱAdulteryȱisȱdefined asȱ“anȱoffenseȱwhichȱaȱmanȱknowinglyȱcommitsȱbyȱlyingȱwithȱaȱmarriedȱwoman, orȱoneȱbetrothedȱtoȱanother.”31ȱInȱtheȱsameȱlawȱwhereȱweȱfindȱthisȱdefinitionȱwe areȱinformedȱthatȱwomen,ȱofȱcourse,ȱmayȱalsoȱcommitȱadulteryȱand,ȱbyȱsoȱdoing, theyȱdishonorȱtheirȱhusbands.ȱButȱtheȱhusbandȱwhoȱhasȱsexȱwithȱanotherȱwoman isȱsaidȱtoȱdoȱnoȱdishonorȱtoȱhisȱwife.ȱ Theȱlawȱarguesȱthatȱaȱwomanȱwhoȱcommitsȱadulteryȱpotentiallyȱcouldȱgiveȱbirth toȱ aȱ childȱ whoȱ wouldȱ inheritȱ equallyȱ withȱ herȱ andȱ herȱ husband’sȱ legitimate offspring.ȱForȱthisȱreason,ȱamongȱothers,ȱtheȱlawȱstatesȱthatȱ“theȱhusbandȱshould haveȱtheȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱpowerȱtoȱaccuseȱhisȱwifeȱofȱadulteryȱifȱsheȱcommitsȱit,ȱandȱthatȱshe shouldȱ notȱ haveȱ theȱ rightȱ toȱ accuseȱ him.”32ȱ Aȱ womanȱ accusedȱ ofȱ adulteryȱ is acquittedȱ withoutȱ theȱ needȱ toȱ putȱ upȱ aȱ defenseȱ ifȱ itȱ isȱ discoveredȱ thatȱ she committedȱ adulteryȱ withȱ theȱ consentȱ ofȱ herȱ husbandȱ orȱ ifȱ heȱ hadȱ actedȱ asȱ a procurerȱ forȱ hisȱ wife.33ȱ Inȱ thisȱ instance,ȱ theȱ husbandȱ suffersȱ theȱ punishment usuallyȱleveledȱonȱtheȱadulterousȱwife,ȱi.e.ȱpublicȱscourgingȱandȱconfinementȱin aȱmonastery.ȱIfȱaȱmanȱsuspectsȱhisȱwifeȱisȱhavingȱanȱadulterousȱaffairȱheȱshould sendȱaȱwrittenȱstatementȱtoȱtheȱmanȱinȱquestion,ȱforbiddingȱhimȱtoȱenterȱhisȱhouse, beȱaloneȱwithȱhisȱwifeȱinȱanyȱotherȱhouse,ȱorȱtoȱspeakȱtoȱher.ȱHeȱisȱrequiredȱto warnȱtheȱsuspectedȱadultererȱthreeȱtimesȱinȱwriting.ȱIfȱtheȱmanȱdoesȱnotȱheedȱthe warningȱandȱstayȱawayȱfromȱtheȱwife,ȱtheȱhusbandȱ mayȱ killȱtheȱmanȱwithout penaltyȱifȱheȱlaterȱfindsȱhimȱaloneȱwithȱhisȱwife.34ȱ Aȱhusbandȱcanȱkillȱwithȱimmunityȱanyȱmanȱheȱfindsȱwithȱhisȱwifeȱinȱtheȱactȱof committingȱintercourse,ȱwhetherȱtheȱhusbandȱhadȱgivenȱhimȱpreviousȱwarningȱor not.ȱBut,ȱinȱthisȱcase,ȱtheȱhusbandȱcannotȱkillȱhisȱwife,ȱbutȱmustȱturnȱherȱoverȱto aȱjudgeȱtoȱpassȱsentenceȱonȱher.35ȱAlfonsineȱlegislationȱonȱthisȱpointȱdiffersȱfrom theȱolderȱcustomaryȱlaws,ȱorȱfueros,ȱinȱSpain.ȱForȱexampleȱinȱtheȱFueroȱdeȱCuenca andȱtheȱFueroȱdeȱSepúlveda,ȱ“theȱoffendedȱhusbandȱhasȱtheȱrightȱtoȱkillȱwithout penaltyȱbothȱhisȱwifeȱandȱtheȱmanȱifȱdiscoveredȱinȱflagranteȱdelicto.”36ȱAndȱthis rightȱ isȱ extendedȱ toȱ anyȱ ofȱ theȱ woman’sȱ kinsmenȱ inȱ theȱ Fueroȱ deȱ Sepúlveda.37

31 32 33 34 35 36

37

V:ȱ1411,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ1. V:ȱ1411,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ1.ȱ V:ȱ1414,ȱPartidaȱVII,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ7. V:ȱ1416,ȱPartidaȱVII,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ12.ȱ V:ȱ1417,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ13.ȱ ȱHeathȱDillard,ȱ“WomenȱinȱReconquestȱCastile:ȱTheȱFuerosȱofȱSepúlvedaȱandȱCuenca,”ȱWomen inȱMedievalȱSociety,ȱed.ȱSusanȱMosherȱStuard.ȱTheȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversity ofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1976),ȱ71–94;ȱhereȱ81. Dillard,ȱ“WomenȱinȱReconquestȱCastille,”ȱ81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ36).ȱAccordingȱtoȱDillard:ȱ“neitherȱfuero permitsȱkillingȱtheȱmanȱandȱnotȱtheȱwife,ȱthatȱis,ȱforgivingȱherȱafterȱtheȱfact.ȱItȱisȱtheȱdishonor

232

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

However,ȱwhenȱaȱfatherȱfindsȱhisȱmarriedȱdaughterȱinȱflagranteȱdelicto,ȱheȱhasȱthe rightȱtoȱkillȱherȱandȱtheȱman.ȱFurthermore,ȱtheȱlawȱstipulatesȱthatȱheȱshouldȱnot killȱoneȱandȱleaveȱtheȱotherȱalive.ȱ Theȱreasonȱgivenȱforȱthisȱdictateȱisȱthatȱaȱfatherȱmayȱwantȱtoȱspareȱhisȱdaughter but,ȱifȱheȱdoesȱso,ȱthisȱwouldȱleaveȱhisȱsonȬinȬlawȱtoȱsufferȱdishonor.38ȱWhenȱaȱman isȱfoundȱguiltyȱofȱhavingȱcommittedȱadulteryȱwithȱanotherȱman’sȱwife,ȱheȱmustȱbe putȱtoȱdeath.ȱButȱifȱtheȱwomanȱisȱconvictedȱsheȱisȱpunishedȱbyȱbeingȱpublically scourgedȱandȱshutȱupȱinȱaȱconvent.ȱSheȱalsoȱlosesȱherȱdowryȱandȱherȱmarriage giftsȱandȱtheseȱareȱforfeitedȱtoȱherȱhusband.ȱHusbandsȱalsoȱhaveȱtheȱoptionȱto pardonȱaȱwaywardȱwifeȱwithinȱtheȱfirstȱtwoȱyearsȱofȱherȱconfinement.39ȱInȱone aspectȱpunishmentsȱforȱmenȱandȱwomenȱinȱTitleȱ17ȱareȱtheȱsame.ȱIfȱaȱmanȱorȱa womanȱknowinglyȱmarriesȱwhileȱhisȱfirstȱwifeȱorȱherȱfirstȱhusbandȱisȱstillȱalive, theyȱareȱequallyȱguiltyȱofȱadulteryȱandȱbothȱareȱbanishedȱtoȱanȱislandȱforȱaȱperiod ofȱfiveȱyears.ȱTheyȱalsoȱloseȱallȱtheirȱproperty,ȱwithȱhalfȱgoingȱtoȱanyȱchildrenȱor grandchildrenȱ theyȱ mayȱ haveȱ andȱ theȱ otherȱ halfȱ toȱ theȱ royalȱ treasury.40 Punishmentȱ differs,ȱ however,ȱ ifȱ aȱ marriedȱ womanȱ isȱ convictedȱ ofȱ having committedȱadulteryȱwithȱherȱslave.ȱInȱthisȱcase,ȱbothȱtheȱslaveȱandȱtheȱwomanȱare sentencedȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱburning.41ȱ Anȱ exampleȱ ofȱ thisȱ situationȱ isȱ foundȱ inȱ theȱ Cantigasȱ deȱ Santaȱ Maria,ȱ also compiledȱatȱAlfonso’sȱcourt.42ȱInȱCantigaȱ186ȱaȱmotherȬinȬlawȱplansȱtheȱdeathȱofȱher daughterȬinȬlawȱbyȱorderingȱaȱMoorishȱservantȱtoȱlieȱdownȱnextȱtoȱherȱdaughterȬ inȬlawȱwhileȱsheȱisȱsleeping.ȱSheȱsummonsȱherȱsonȱtoȱseeȱthatȱhisȱwifeȱisȱinȱbed withȱtheȱMoor.ȱTheȱhusbandȱwantsȱtoȱkillȱhisȱwifeȱonȱtheȱspot,ȱbutȱhisȱmother persuadesȱhimȱtoȱaccuseȱherȱbeforeȱaȱmagistrate.ȱBothȱtheȱinnocentȱwifeȱandȱthe Moorȱareȱsentencedȱtoȱbeȱburnedȱinȱtheȱtownȱsquareȱbutȱtheȱwomanȱcriesȱoutȱto HolyȱMaryȱtoȱsaveȱherȱfromȱanȱunjustȱsentenceȱofȱdeath.ȱWhenȱtheȱfireȱisȱlit,ȱthe MoorȱperishesȱbutȱtheȱfalselyȬaccusedȱwifeȱisȱmiraculouslyȱprotectedȱfromȱthe flames.ȱInȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenlosȱporȱa.b.c.,ȱtheȱpunishmentȱassignedȱforȱadultery isȱgougingȱoutȱofȱtheȱperpetrators’ȱeyesȱand,ȱinȱtheȱcaseȱcitedȱinȱexenploȱ224,ȱtheȱson ofȱaȱkingȱisȱsentencedȱtoȱthisȱpunishment.43ȱ

38 39 40 41 42

43

broughtȱonȱtheȱwoman’sȱhusbandȱandȱkinsmenȱwhichȱmakesȱtheȱcrimes,ȱandȱbothȱoffenders,ȱmust beȱpunished.”ȱ V:ȱ1418,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ14.ȱ V:ȱ1418,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ15.ȱ V:ȱ1419–20,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ16.ȱ V:ȱ1418,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ17,ȱLawȱ15.ȱ AlfonsoȱXȱelȱSabio,ȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria,ȱed.ȱWalterȱMettmann.ȱ3ȱvols.ȱClásicosȱCastalia,ȱ134, 172,ȱ178ȱ(Madrid:ȱCastalia,ȱ1986–1989).ȱAllȱquotesȱfromȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMariaȱareȱfromȱthis edition.ȱ Clementeȱ Sánchezȱ deȱ Vercial,ȱ Libroȱ deȱ losȱ exenplosȱ porȱ a.b.c.,ȱ edȱ Johnȱ E.ȱ Kellerȱ andȱ Connieȱ L. Scarborough.ȱEdicionesȱAcadémicas,ȱSerieȱI.ȱVol.ȱ1ȱ(Madrid:ȱArsȱLibri,ȱ2000),ȱ191.ȱAllȱreferences toȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.ȱareȱtoȱthisȱedition.

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

233

Inȱ chapterȱ 77ȱ ofȱ theȱ Castigosȱ eȱ documentosȱ delȱ Reyȱ Donȱ Sanchoȱ adulteryȱ is condemnedȱasȱantitheticalȱtoȱnaturalȱinclinations,ȱevenȱinȱanimals.ȱItȱcitesȱsuch examplesȱofȱmonogamyȱasȱtheȱturtledove.ȱAsȱpunishmentȱforȱadultery,ȱitȱcitesȱthe caseȱofȱtheȱfemaleȱswanȱwhoȱcommittedȱadulteryȱandȱwhenȱherȱmateȱdiscovered theȱtruth,ȱheȱandȱallȱtheȱotherȱswansȱpeckedȱherȱtoȱdeath.ȱInȱanotherȱcase,ȱaȱfemale swanȱ hasȱ anȱ adulterousȱ relationshipȱ withȱ aȱ crow.ȱ Whenȱ sheȱ laysȱ eggsȱ inȱ her husband’sȱnestȱandȱheȱrealizesȱthatȱtheȱeggsȱareȱnotȱhis,ȱheȱthrowsȱthemȱoutȱofȱthe nestȱandȱheȱandȱtheȱotherȱswansȱpeckȱtheȱguiltyȱwifeȱtoȱdeath.ȱThisȱsameȱchapter ofȱtheȱCastigosȱeȱdocumentosȱlikensȱadulteryȱbyȱeitherȱtheȱhusbandȱorȱtheȱwifeȱto robberyȱsince,ȱinȱmatrimony,ȱtheȱcoupleȱhasȱexclusiveȱrightsȱtoȱeachȱother’sȱbody. Ifȱtheȱbodyȱisȱgivenȱtoȱanother,ȱitȱrobsȱtheȱoffendedȱpartnerȱofȱhisȱ“property.”44ȱ InȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.,ȱnumberȱ63,ȱaȱRomanȱkillsȱhisȱwifeȱforȱmerely lookingȱoutȱtheȱwindow,ȱevidenceȱtoȱhimȱthatȱsheȱhasȱnotȱbeenȱfaithful.ȱDonȱJuan Manuel,ȱinȱtheȱCrónicaȱabreviada,ȱrecountsȱtheȱtaleȱofȱaȱcountȱfromȱFranceȱwho, whileȱ onȱ pilgrimageȱ inȱ Spain,ȱ fallsȱ inȱ loveȱ withȱ aȱ Spanishȱ noblewoman,ȱ doña Argentina,ȱwhomȱheȱtakesȱbackȱwithȱhimȱtoȱFrance.ȱDoñaȱArgentina’sȱhusband, CountȱGarciȱFernandes,ȱenlistsȱtheȱaidȱofȱtheȱFrenchȱcount’sȱdaughterȱtoȱlocateȱhis wifeȱ andȱ herȱ lover.ȱ Whenȱ Garciȱ Fernandesȱ findsȱ theȱ coupleȱ heȱ beheadsȱ them both.45ȱ TheȱnextȱtitleȱinȱPartidaȱ7,ȱnumberȱ18,ȱconcernsȱtheȱpunishmentsȱforȱthoseȱwho haveȱintercourseȱwithȱtheirȱfemaleȱrelativesȱorȱwithȱwomenȱconnectedȱtoȱthemȱby affinity,ȱspecificallyȱwithinȱtheȱfourthȱdegree.ȱAnyoneȱ canȱbringȱanȱaccusation againstȱaȱmanȱforȱengagingȱinȱincestuousȱrelationships.ȱIfȱaȱmanȱisȱconvicted,ȱhe suffersȱtheȱsameȱpunishmentȱasȱthatȱforȱadultery.ȱ Likewiseȱanyȱwomanȱwhoȱknowinglyȱcommitsȱtheȱsameȱoffenceȱsuffersȱtheȱsame penaltyȱsheȱwouldȱhaveȱincurredȱforȱbeingȱanȱadultress.46ȱTheȱpunishmentsȱdiffer, however,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ rank.ȱ Althoughȱ thisȱ Titleȱ makesȱ noȱ mentionȱ ofȱ how punishmentȱisȱadjustedȱforȱwomenȱaccordingȱtoȱsocialȱrank,ȱitȱdoesȱspecifyȱthatȱa manȱofȱ“highȱposition”ȱwhoȱisȱconvictedȱofȱincestȱlosesȱhisȱrankȱandȱanyȱofficeȱhe holdsȱ andȱ isȱ banishedȱ toȱ anȱ island.ȱ Ifȱ heȱ hasȱ noȱ legitimateȱ children,ȱ allȱ his propertiesȱareȱforfeitedȱtoȱtheȱroyalȱtreasury.ȱIfȱtheȱmanȱconvictedȱisȱofȱlowȱsocial stature,ȱheȱisȱpublicallyȱscourgedȱ(asȱwouldȱbeȱaȱwoman)ȱandȱisȱbanishedȱforȱlife. Incestȱmeetsȱwithȱdifferentȱpunishmentsȱinȱliterature.ȱInȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱApolonio,ȱfor

44

45

46

CastigosȱéȱDocumentosȱdelȱReyȱDonȱSancho,ȱed.ȱPascualȱdeȱGayangosȱyȱArce.ȱBibliotecaȱdeȱAutores Españoles,ȱEscritoresȱenȱprosaȱanterioresȱalȱsigloȱXV.ȱVol.ȱ51ȱ(Madrid:ȱM.ȱRivadeneyra,ȱ1860): 79–228,ȱ hereȱ 208:ȱ “.ȱ .ȱ .laȱ mujerȱ haȱ poderíoȱ sobreȱ elȱ cuerpoȱ deȱ suȱ marido,ȱ segundȱ queȱ diceȱ el Apóstol,ȱéȱelȱmaridoȱsobreȱelȱcuerpoȱdeȱlaȱmujer,ȱéȱcualquierȱqueȱtomaȱloȱajenoȱéȱloȱdaȱáȱotro cometeȱfurtoȱéȱesȱladronȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱ DonȱJuanȱManuel,ȱObrasȱcompletas,ȱed.ȱJoséȱManuelȱBlecua.ȱ2ȱvols.ȱBibliotecaȱRománicaȱHispánica IV,ȱTextos,ȱ15ȱ(Madrid:ȱGredos,ȱ1983),ȱ2:279.ȱ V:ȱ1421,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ3.ȱ

234

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

example,ȱaȱmanȱandȱhisȱdaughterȱwhoȱengageȱinȱanȱincestuousȱrelationshipȱare bothȱkilledȱbyȱaȱboltȱofȱlightning.47ȱ AȱstoryȱinȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMariaȱandȱinȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c. recountsȱhowȱaȱgrievingȱwidowȱhasȱanȱincestuousȱrelationshipȱwithȱherȱson.ȱShe becomesȱpregnantȱbyȱherȱsonȱand,ȱevenȱthough,ȱsheȱkillsȱtheȱinfant,ȱHolyȱMary forgivesȱherȱbothȱtheȱsinȱofȱinfanticideȱandȱofȱincest.48ȱAȱmostȱunusualȱincident involvingȱaȱrumorȱofȱincestȱisȱfoundȱinȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria,ȱnumberȱ255.ȱIn thisȱtale,ȱthereȱareȱrumorsȱthatȱaȱwomanȱisȱhavingȱanȱillicitȱrelationshipȱwithȱher sonȬinȬlaw.ȱDespiteȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱrumorsȱareȱuntrue,ȱtheȱwomanȱhasȱherȱsonȬinȬ lawȱ murderedȱ toȱ putȱ anȱ endȱ toȱ theȱ gossip.ȱ Whenȱ accused,ȱ theȱ motherȬinȬlaw claimsȱthatȱsheȱhadȱbeenȱdrivenȱtoȱsuchȱaȱviolentȱactȱbecauseȱofȱherȱsonȬinȬlaw’s aggressiveȱpursuitȱofȱher.ȱAlthoughȱthisȱisȱaȱfabrication,ȱwhenȱtheȱaccusedȱwoman isȱbeingȱleadȱthroughȱtheȱtown,ȱclothedȱonlyȱinȱaȱshift,ȱtoȱtheȱoutskirtsȱwhereȱshe willȱburned,ȱsheȱstopsȱandȱpraysȱforȱdeliveranceȱbeforeȱaȱstatueȱofȱHolyȱMary.ȱThe Virginȱ miraculouslyȱ preservesȱ herȱ fromȱ beingȱ burnedȱ evenȱ thoughȱ her executionersȱlightȱtheȱflamesȱtwice.ȱThisȱstoryȱalsoȱappearsȱinȱchapterȱ272ȱofȱthe Libroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.ȱInȱthisȱversion,ȱtheȱwomanȱpaysȱherȱneighborsȱto drownȱherȱsonȬinȬlawȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱrumorsȱofȱherȱrelationshipȱwithȱhim.ȱShe confessesȱherȱsinȱtoȱaȱpriestȱbutȱtheȱpriestȱbetraysȱtheȱsecrecyȱofȱtheȱconfessional andȱdenouncesȱherȱtoȱtheȱjudge.ȱTheȱyoungȱman’sȱrelativesȱdemandȱthatȱsheȱbe burnedȱ toȱ death.ȱ Again,ȱ noȱ matterȱ howȱ muchȱ woodȱ theyȱ addȱ toȱ theȱ fireȱ the womanȱescapesȱunharmedȱbecauseȱsheȱhadȱpleadedȱthatȱHolyȱMaryȱdeliverȱher.ȱ Anotherȱtypeȱofȱincestuousȱrelationshipȱisȱrelatedȱinȱchapterȱ404ȱofȱtheȱLibroȱde losȱ exenplosȱ porȱ a.b.c.ȱ Inȱ thisȱ taleȱ aȱ priestȱ hasȱ aȱ sexualȱ relationshipȱ withȱ his goddaughter.ȱ Heȱ thinksȱ heȱ hasȱ gottenȱ awayȱ withȱ thisȱ sinȱ sinceȱ heȱ suffersȱ no punishmentȱforȱit.ȱButȱafterȱsevenȱdaysȱheȱsuddenlyȱdiesȱand,ȱwhenȱheȱisȱburied, smokeȱandȱfireȱcompletelyȱconsumeȱtheȱgraveȱandȱtheȱpriest’sȱcorpse.ȱ InȱEnxemploȱ36ȱofȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱaȱmerchantȱgoesȱonȱaȱjourney,ȱleavingȱhis pregnantȱwifeȱbehind.ȱHeȱspendsȱtwentyȱyearsȱawayȱfromȱhome,ȱand,ȱwhenȱhe returnsȱtoȱhisȱhouseȱclandestinely,ȱpeeksȱthroughȱtheȱwindow,ȱandȱseesȱhisȱwife withȱaȱyoungȱman.ȱTheȱwifeȱisȱstillȱpiningȱawayȱforȱherȱhusbandȱbutȱsheȱtakes greatȱ comfortȱ inȱ herȱ sonȱ withȱ whomȱ sheȱ eatsȱ andȱ sleepsȱ (chastely).ȱ Whenȱ the husbandȱseesȱtheȱpairȱinȱbedȱtogether,ȱhisȱfirstȱimpulseȱisȱtoȱkillȱthemȱboth.ȱButȱhe wiselyȱrefrainsȱandȱsoonȱhearsȱhisȱwifeȱtellingȱtheȱyoungȱmanȱtoȱgoȱdownȱtoȱthe portȱtheȱnextȱdayȱandȱseeȱifȱherȱhusband,ȱtheȱboy’sȱfather,ȱisȱonȱtheȱshipȱthatȱhad justȱarrived.ȱTheȱmerchantȱthenȱrealizesȱthatȱtheȱyoungȱmanȱisȱhisȱownȱson,ȱborn

47 48

LibroȱdeȱApolonio,ȱed.ȱPabloȱCabañas,ȱ3rdȱed.ȱOdresȱNuevosȱ(Madrid:ȱEditorialȱCastalia,ȱ1969),ȱ76. Cantigaȱ17ȱandȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.ȱchapterȱ274.ȱInȱtheȱlatterȱversion,ȱnoȱmentionȱisȱmade ofȱtheȱbirthȱofȱaȱchildȱtoȱtheȱincestuousȱpair.

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

235

afterȱhisȱdeparture,ȱandȱrejoicesȱthatȱheȱhadȱnotȱgivenȱinȱtoȱhisȱangerȱandȱkilledȱhis wifeȱandȱherȱcompanion. WomenȱasȱvictimsȱfallȱintoȱaȱnumberȱofȱdifferentȱcategoriesȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas withȱ punishmentsȱ metedȱ outȱ accordingȱ toȱ theȱ classȱ andȱ stationȱ ofȱ theȱ victim. Punishmentsȱalsoȱdifferedȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱstatusȱofȱtheȱperpetratorȱofȱtheȱcrime. Forȱexample,ȱifȱaȱmanȱofȱhighȱsocialȱstatusȱseducesȱaȱvirgin,ȱwidowȱorȱfemale memberȱofȱaȱreligiousȱorder,ȱheȱlosesȱhalfȱofȱhisȱpropertyȱwhichȱisȱforfeitedȱtoȱthe royalȱtreasury.49ȱIfȱtheȱperpetratorȱofȱtheȱseductionȱofȱtheseȱgroupsȱofȱwomenȱisȱof aȱlowerȱcaste,ȱheȱisȱpublicallyȱscourgedȱandȱbanishedȱtoȱanȱislandȱforȱfiveȱyears. And,ȱ ifȱ theȱ guiltyȱ manȱ isȱ aȱ slaveȱ orȱ householdȱ servantȱ heȱ isȱ burnedȱ forȱ the offense.50 AȱcompleteȱtitleȱofȱPartidaȱSevenȱ(Titleȱ20)ȱisȱdevotedȱtoȱtheȱcrimeȱofȱrape.ȱThis titleȱcoversȱactsȱofȱabductionȱ(raptus)ȱasȱwellȱasȱcasesȱofȱforcedȱsexualȱintercourse. Forȱanȱactȱofȱaggressionȱtoȱbeȱconsideredȱrapeȱthisȱtitleȱstipulatesȱthatȱitȱmustȱbe perpetratedȱ againstȱ aȱ virgin,ȱ aȱ marriedȱ woman,ȱ aȱ womanȱ whoȱ belongsȱ toȱ a religiousȱ orderȱ orȱ aȱ widowȱ livingȱ honorably.ȱ Itȱ wasȱ extremelyȱ difficultȱ forȱ a womanȱofȱbadȱreputationȱorȱaȱprostituteȱtoȱfileȱaȱchargeȱofȱrape.ȱWilliamsȱand Echolsȱstateȱthatȱ“Municipalitiesȱwereȱespeciallyȱunwillingȱtoȱpursueȱcomplaints againstȱmenȱwhoȱrapedȱladiesȱofȱtheȱevening,ȱsinceȱmostȱpeopleȱbelievedȱthatȱonly chasteȱwomenȱcouldȱbeȱraped.”51ȱ KimȱPhillipsȱhasȱpointedȱoutȱsomeȱofȱtheȱdifficultiesȱinȱstudyingȱrapeȱinȱthe medievalȱperiod.ȱInȱherȱstudiesȱofȱEnglishȱlawȱfromȱtheȱtwelfthȱtoȱtheȱfifteenth centuries,ȱ sheȱ notesȱ thatȱ rapeȱ wasȱ notȱ defined,ȱ asȱ inȱ modernȱ times,ȱ by unconsentingȱwillȱbutȱratherȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheȱwoman’sȱassaultedȱbody.52ȱVisible injuries,ȱ suchȱ asȱ bleedingȱ woundsȱ orȱ tornȱ clothing,ȱ wereȱ prerequisitesȱ toȱ an accusationȱofȱrape.ȱWhileȱsuchȱsignsȱseemȱtoȱimplyȱresistanceȱonȱtheȱvictim’sȱpart, itȱisȱinterestingȱthatȱlossȱofȱvirginityȱorȱevenȱtheȱsexualȱactȱitselfȱisȱnotȱmentioned inȱEnglishȱcommonȱlaw.53ȱInȱcontrast,ȱtheȱAlfonsineȱstatueȱclearlyȱmentionsȱhaving sexualȱintercourseȱwithȱaȱwomanȱbyȱforceȱinȱLawȱ3ȱofȱTitleȱ20.ȱRapeȱofȱhonorable womenȱisȱcalledȱ“anȱactȱofȱwickedness”ȱbecauseȱ“greatȱdishonorȱisȱinflictedȱupon theȱ relativesȱ ofȱ theȱ womanȱ whoȱ isȱ violated,ȱ andȱ greatȱ insolenceȱ isȱ displayed

49 50 51

52

53

V:ȱ1423,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ19,ȱLawȱ2.ȱ V:ȱ1423–24,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ19,ȱLawȱ2.ȱ MartyȱWilliamsȱandȱAnneȱEchols,ȱBetweenȱPitȱandȱPedestal:ȱWomenȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(Princeton, NJ:ȱMarkusȱWienerȱPublishers,ȱ1994),ȱ95. KimȱM.ȱPhllips,ȱ“WrittenȱonȱtheȱBody:ȱReadingȱRapeȱfromȱtheȱTwelfthȱtoȱFifteenthȱCenturies,” MedievalȱWomenȱandȱtheȱLaw,ȱed.ȱNoëlȱJamesȱMenugeȱ(Woodbridge,ȱSuffolk,ȱUK:ȱTheȱBoydell Press,ȱ2000),ȱ125–44;ȱhereȱ125. Phillips,ȱ“WrittenȱonȱtheȱBody,”ȱ129ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ52).

236

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

againstȱherȱlordȱbyȱviolatingȱherȱinȱcontemptȱofȱtheȱrulerȱofȱtheȱlandȱwhereȱthisȱis done.”54ȱ Sinceȱaȱwoman’sȱrelativesȱareȱespeciallyȱwrongedȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱrape,ȱanyȱofȱthe victim’sȱrelativesȱcanȱbringȱanȱaccusation.ȱIfȱtheȱrelativesȱareȱunwillingȱtoȱmakeȱthe accusationȱanyoneȱcanȱdenounceȱtheȱattackerȱbeforeȱtheȱjudgeȱofȱtheȱdistrictȱwhere theȱrapeȱoccurredȱorȱbeforeȱanyȱmagistrateȱwhoȱhasȱauthorityȱoverȱtheȱaccused.55 Notably,ȱ theȱ victimȱ ofȱ theȱ rapeȱ isȱ notȱ namedȱ amongȱ thoseȱ whoȱ canȱ makeȱ the accusation.ȱ Thisȱ wasȱ alsoȱ trueȱ inȱ medievalȱ England,ȱ asȱ Hanawaltȱ hasȱ shown. Hanawaltȱ statesȱ thatȱ aȱ rapeȱ victimȱ eitherȱ “toldȱ theȱ crimeȱ toȱ aȱ groupȱ of neighborhoodȱmenȱwhoȱbroughtȱtheȱindictmentȱagainstȱtheȱsuspectȱinȱtheȱking’s nameȱorȱherȱfather’sȱvoiceȱmayȱbeȱthatȱreportingȱhisȱdespoiledȱpropertyȱinȱtheȱloss ofȱhisȱdaughter’sȱvirginity.”56ȱ Hanawaltȱ foundȱ inȱ Englandȱ thatȱ manyȱ timesȱ malesȱ involvedȱ inȱ theȱ justice systemȱwereȱreluctantȱtoȱimposeȱtheȱdeathȱsentenceȱonȱaȱmanȱconvictedȱofȱrape. Furthermore,ȱtheȱlowȱrateȱofȱconvictionȱforȱrapeȱimpliesȱthatȱmaleȱjurorsȱdidȱnot perceiveȱtheȱdamagesȱdoneȱtoȱaȱwoman,ȱevenȱifȱitȱinvolvedȱlossȱofȱvirginity,ȱwere greatȱenoughȱtoȱimposeȱtheȱultimateȱpenalty.57ȱAlsoȱstudyingȱrapeȱinȱmedieval England,ȱ Simsȱ concludesȱ thatȱ theȱ legalȱ apparatusȱ treatedȱ casesȱ ofȱ rapeȱ with “apparentȱindifference.”58ȱHeȱcitesȱtheȱreluctanceȱofȱjuriesȱtoȱconvict,ȱtheȱnumber ofȱ appealsȱ withdrawnȱ andȱ outȬofȬcourtȱ settlementsȱ madeȱ asȱ evidenceȱ ofȱ this indifference.ȱHeȱalsoȱaddsȱthatȱ“Aȱfurtherȱimpedimentȱtoȱjusticeȱwasȱcreatedȱbyȱthe medievalȱorthodoxyȱofȱtheȱtime,ȱespeciallyȱtheȱideaȱthatȱifȱaȱchildȱwasȱconceived, theȱwomanȱmustȱhaveȱconsentedȱtoȱtheȱintercourse.”59ȱ GravdalȱexaminesȱrecordsȱfromȱtheȱRegistreȱdeȱl’OfficialitéȱdeȱCerisyȱbeginningȱin 1314,ȱtheȱoldestȱextantȱdocumentȱrecordingȱrapeȱtrialsȱinȱFrance.ȱDuringȱaȱperiod ofȱ85ȱyears,ȱtwelveȱcasesȱofȱrapeȱorȱreportedȱrapeȱareȱfoundȱinȱtheȱcourtȱrecords. Gravdalȱstatesȱthatȱ“Theȱfigureȱisȱlow,ȱpartlyȱbecauseȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱasȱat present,ȱmanyȱrapesȱwentȱunreportedȱandȱalsoȱbecauseȱonlyȱvirginsȱorȱhighȬstatus rapeȱvictimsȱactuallyȱhadȱtheirȱdayȱinȱcourt.”60ȱInterestingly,ȱinȱtenȱofȱtheseȱtwelve

54 55 56 57 58 59

60

V:ȱ1425,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ20,ȱLawȱ1.ȱ V:ȱ1425,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ20,ȱLawȱ1.ȱ Hanawalt,ȱ“OfȱGoodȱandȱIllȱRepute,”ȱ124ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Hanawalt,ȱ“OfȱGoodȱandȱIllȱRepute,”ȱ135–36ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?,”ȱ81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?,”ȱ81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱWilliamȱofȱConchesȱ(d.ȱca.ȱ1154)ȱhadȱwrittenȱthat evenȱifȱrapeȱwasȱinitiallyȱdispleasing,ȱfemaleȱfleshȱwasȱsoȱlibidinousnessȱthatȱsheȱwouldȱultimately giveȱintoȱtheȱpleasureȱofȱtheȱactȱandȱbecomeȱpregnant.ȱSeeȱDyanȱElliott,ȱFallenȱBodies:ȱPollution, Sexuality,ȱandȱDemonologyȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.ȱTheȱMiddleȱAgesȱSeriesȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱof PennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1999),ȱ37. Kathrynȱ Gravdal,ȱ Ravishingȱ Maidens:ȱ Writingȱ Rapeȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Frenchȱ Literatureȱ andȱ Law (Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPhiladelphiaȱPress,ȱ1991),ȱ125.ȱForȱaȱstudyȱofȱrapeȱasȱreflectedȱin MiddleȱHighȱGerman,ȱLatin,ȱandȱotherȱliteratures,ȱseeȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱSexualȱViolenceȱandȱRape

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

237

casesȱidentifiedȱbyȱGravdalȱtheȱaccusedȱrapistsȱwereȱchurchmenȱand,ȱinȱallȱthese cases,ȱtheȱfathersȱofȱtheȱaccusedȱpaidȱtheȱfinesȱleviedȱonȱtheirȱsons.ȱTheseȱfactsȱlead Gravdalȱtoȱconcludeȱthatȱ“theseȱcollectiveȱrapesȱmayȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱsexualȱriteȱof passage,ȱfairlyȱwellȱacceptedȱinȱtheȱcommunity.”61ȱ WilliamsȱandȱEcholsȱargueȱthatȱinȱsomeȱareas,ȱcommunitiesȱforcedȱpriestsȱto wedȱtoȱprotectȱwomenȱfromȱunmarriedȱclerics.ȱTheyȱconcludeȱthatȱsuchȱmeasures wereȱwarranted,ȱcitingȱtheȱcaseȱofȱtheȱvicarȱofȱBrent,ȱEleigh,ȱwhoȱrapedȱMargaret Webbe.ȱThisȱclergymanȱwasȱobviouslyȱnotȱaȱfirstȬtimeȱoffenderȱbecauseȱtheȱjudge whoȱheardȱtheȱcaseȱcalledȱhimȱaȱ“commonȱravisherȱofȱwivesȱandȱvirgins.”62ȱThe RegistreȱCriminelȱdeȱlaȱJusticeȱdeȱSaintȬMartinȬdesȱChampsȱàȱParis63ȱ(1332–1357)ȱis moreȱcompleteȱthanȱtheȱCerisyȱregisterȱbutȱitȱcontainsȱonlyȱsixȱrapeȱcasesȱinȱover 25ȱ yearsȱ ofȱ litigation.64ȱ Amongȱ theseȱ sixȱ accusationsȱ ofȱ rape,ȱ oneȱ resultedȱ in impositionȱofȱtheȱdeathȱpenalty,ȱtwoȱofȱtheȱaccusedȱdisappeared,ȱandȱthreeȱwere absolved.65ȱTheȱdeathȱpenaltyȱwasȱimposedȱforȱtheȱrapeȱofȱtwoȱtwelveȬyearȬold girlsȱbothȱofȱwhomȱwereȱapprenticesȱtoȱaȱtailorȱwhoȱwasȱaccusedȱofȱtheirȱrape. Thisȱpunishmentȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱimposedȱbecauseȱtheȱgirlsȱwereȱconsidered “property”ȱplacedȱinȱtheȱcareȱofȱtheȱrapist’sȱfamily.66ȱ Rapeȱ victimsȱ wereȱ oftenȱ requiredȱ toȱ produceȱ witnessesȱ inȱ courtȱ andȱ to demonstrateȱthatȱtheyȱhadȱforciblyȱresistedȱtheȱattack.ȱIfȱthereȱwereȱnoȱwitnesses, theȱnormalȱpracticeȱwasȱforȱtheȱaccusedȱtoȱbeȱabsolvedȱofȱanyȱguilt.67ȱInȱcustomary lawȱinȱSpain,ȱtheȱFueroȱdeȱSepúlveda,ȱforȱexample,ȱstatesȱthatȱifȱaȱwomanȱisȱraped, “sheȱmustȱwalkȱaroundȱtheȱwallsȱofȱtheȱtownȱandȱcallȱoutȱherȱcomplaintsȱandȱthe nameȱ ofȱ theȱ rapistȱ asȱ sheȱ makesȱ herȱ wayȱ upȱ toȱ theȱ gateȱ ofȱ theȱ castle,ȱ there summoningȱforthȱtheȱtown’sȱelectedȱofficialsȱtoȱhearȱherȱgrievances.ȱTheȱfollowing Sundayȱsheȱissuesȱaȱcomplaintȱagainstȱtheȱmanȱwithȱtwoȱkinsmenȱandȱtwoȱother

61

62 63

64 65 66 67

inȱtheȱMiddleȱAges:ȱAȱCriticalȱDiscourseȱinȱPremodernȱGermanȱandȱEuropeanȱLiterature.ȱFundamentals ofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture,ȱ7ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2011). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ125ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60)ȱassertsȱthatȱ“SinceȱtheȱmedievalȱChurchȱwasȱmore clementȱthanȱtheȱstateȱinȱitsȱdealingsȱwithȱrapists,ȱitȱisȱnotȱsurprisingȱtoȱdiscoverȱtheȱleniencyȱwith whichȱChurchȱcourtsȱtreatedȱtheirȱownȱclergymenȱinȱrapeȱcases.” WilliamsȱandȱEchols,ȱBetweenȱPitȱandȱPedestral,ȱ86ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ124ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60):ȱThisȱRegistreȱcontainsȱ“theȱcourtȱactaȱofȱaȱwealthy seignorialȱcourts,ȱindependentȱofȱtheȱjurisdictionȱofȱtheȱprovostȱofȱParisȱatȱChâtelet.ȱSaintȬMartin wasȱaȱBenedictineȱcommunityȱthatȱderivedȱenormousȱwealthȱfromȱitsȱpropertyȱandȱrentsȱinȱthe neighborhood.ȱ.ȱ..ȱTheȱcommunityȱhiredȱsecularȱjudges,ȱcalledȱmairesȱ(mayors)ȱtoȱmanȱitsȱcourtȱand administerȱjusticeȱinȱitsȱjurisdiction.ȱTheȱsecularȱjudgesȱappliedȱcriminalȱlaw.”ȱ Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ128ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ128ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ129ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens129–30ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60).ȱGravdalȱalsoȱstatesȱthatȱ“ifȱanyȱslurȱcouldȱbe madeȱonȱ[heȱrapeȱvictim’s]ȱcharacter,ȱorȱifȱsheȱfailedȱtoȱfollowȱcorrectȱlegalȱprocedureȱatȱanyȱpoint, theȱcaseȱwouldȱbeȱdismissed”ȱ(130).

238

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

citizens;ȱtheȱmanȱcanȱproveȱhisȱinnocenceȱwithȱtwelveȱwitnesses.”68ȱTheȱFueroȱof Cuencaȱgaveȱaȱwomanȱthreeȱdaysȱtoȱmakeȱaȱcomplaintȱofȱrape.ȱSheȱhadȱtoȱshowȱher injuriesȱtoȱtheȱtownȱofficialsȱandȱtheȱaccusedȱcouldȱbeȱabsolvedȱifȱheȱproduced twelveȱwitnessesȱtoȱsupportȱhisȱinnocence.69ȱ Byȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury,ȱpunishmentsȱforȱrapeȱinȱbothȱcivilȱandȱcanonicalȱlaw wereȱsevere.70ȱEcclesiasticalȱcourtsȱcouldȱimposeȱfinesȱorȱorderȱtheȱoffenderȱtoȱbe flogged,ȱ providingȱ theȱ whippingȱ didȱ notȱ drawȱ blood.71ȱ Secularȱ courtsȱ could imposeȱaȱvarietyȱofȱpenalties,ȱrangingȱfromȱdeath,ȱmutilationȱ(butȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas strictlyȱforbidȱcastration,ȱwhichȱwasȱallowedȱinȱotherȱpartsȱofȱEurope),72ȱexile,ȱloss ofȱproperty,ȱfines,ȱcompensationȱforȱtheȱvictimȱorȱherȱfamily,ȱimprisonment,ȱand flogging.73ȱInȱLawȱ3ȱofȱTitleȱ20ȱofȱtheȱSieteȱPartidaȱaȱmanȱconvictedȱofȱrapingȱa widowȱ ofȱ goodȱ reputation,ȱ aȱ virgin,ȱ aȱ marriedȱ woman,ȱ orȱ oneȱ belongingȱ toȱ a religiousȱorderȱisȱsentencedȱtoȱdeathȱandȱallȱhisȱpropertyȱgoesȱtoȱtheȱwomanȱwhom heȱviolated.74ȱ But,ȱasȱBrundageȱandȱothersȱhaveȱobserved,ȱrapeȱwasȱveryȱrarelyȱpunishedȱwith theȱseverityȱallowedȱbyȱcivicȱorȱcanonȱstatutes.75ȱTheȱmostȱcommonȱsentencesȱwere fines,ȱimprisonmentȱforȱaȱshortȱtimeȱorȱsomeȱcombinationȱofȱtheȱtwo.76ȱInȱtheȱFuero Real,ȱanotherȱAlfonsineȱlawȱcode,ȱtheȱfinesȱforȱrapeȱdependedȱonȱtheȱmaritalȱstatus onȱtheȱvictim.ȱRapeȱofȱwidowsȱwasȱpenalizedȱatȱ200ȱsueldos,ȱtheȱrapeȱofȱaȱvirginȱat 100ȱ sueldos,ȱ andȱ theȱ violationȱ ofȱ aȱ marriedȱ womanȱ atȱ 300ȱ sueldos.77ȱ Brundage

68 69 70

71

72

73 74 75 76 77

Dillard,ȱ“WomenȱinȱReconquestȱCastile,”ȱ80–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ36). Dillard,ȱ“WomenȱinȱReconquestȱCastile,”ȱ81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ36). Forȱanȱinterestingȱdiscussionȱofȱhowȱtheȱroyalȱandȱlegalȱconcernsȱaboutȱrapeȱchangedȱoverȱtime fromȱthatȱofȱimposingȱroyalȱauthorityȱtoȱthatȱofȱprotectionȱofȱmen’sȱ“property”ȱrightsȱvisȬàȬvis profitableȱmarriagesȱ(basedȱonȱtheȱdaughters’ȱvirginity),ȱseeȱPhillips,ȱ“WrittenȱonȱtheȱBody,” 138–42ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ52). JamesȱA.ȱBrundage,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱandȱChristianȱSocietyȱinȱMedievalȱEuropeȱ(Chicago:ȱTheȱUniversityȱof ChicagoȱPress,ȱ1987),ȱ471. PartidaȱVII,ȱTitleȱ8,ȱLawȱ8ȱstatesȱinȱpart:ȱ“Ifȱanyȱone.ȱ.ȱ.castratesȱaȱfreemanȱorȱdirectsȱhimȱtoȱbe castrated,ȱ weȱ orderȱ thatȱ punishmentȱ shallȱ beȱ inflictedȱ forȱ thisȱ notȱ onlyȱ uponȱ theȱ partyȱ who committedȱtheȱact,ȱbutȱalsoȱuponȱhimȱwhoȱorderedȱitȱtoȱbeȱcommitted.ȱ.ȱ..ȱIfȱtheȱcastratedȱperson isȱaȱslave,ȱandȱhisȱmasterȱcausedȱthisȱtoȱbeȱdone,ȱheȱshallȱloseȱhim,ȱbutȱshallȱreceiveȱnoȱother punishment,ȱandȱtheȱslaveȱshallȱbecomeȱtheȱpropertyȱofȱtheȱroyalȱtreasury.ȱTheȱ physicianȱor surgeonȱwhoȱcastratesȱanyȱoneȱshallȱsufferȱtheȱpenaltyȱforȱhomicide,ȱexceptȱwhereȱheȱperformed theȱoperationȱtoȱcureȱtheȱpersonȱofȱsomeȱdiseaseȱwhichȱheȱhad,ȱorȱwhichȱheȱfearedȱthatȱheȱwould contract”ȱ(V:ȱ1349). Brundage,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱandȱChristianȱSociety,ȱ471ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ71). V:ȱ1425. Brundage,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱandȱChristianȱSociety,ȱ472ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ71). Brundage,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱandȱChristianȱSociety,ȱ530ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ71). AsenjoȱGonazález,ȱ“Laȱmujerȱyȱsuȱmedioȱsocial,”ȱ56ȱattributesȱtheȱlargerȱfinesȱimposedȱforȱthe rapeȱofȱaȱwidowȱasȱopposedȱtoȱaȱvirginȱtoȱdignifyȱtheȱsocialȱpositionȱofȱtheȱwidowȱandȱpotentially deterȱphysicalȱaggressionȱtowardsȱherȱsinceȱsheȱdidȱnotȱenjoyȱtheȱprotectionȱofȱaȱhusbandȱ(see noteȱ9).

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

239

observesȱthatȱ“Whenȱcomparedȱwithȱtheȱsavageȱmutilationsȱandȱdeathȱsentences routinelyȱhandedȱdownȱforȱrobberyȱandȱotherȱkindsȱofȱassault,ȱtheseȱwereȱvery mildȱpunishmentsȱindeed.”78ȱHowever,ȱPhillipsȱfoundȱthatȱinȱmedievalȱEngland, aȱmanȱconvictedȱofȱtheȱrapeȱofȱaȱvirginȱcouldȱbeȱsentencedȱtoȱtheȱlossȱofȱeyesȱand testicles.ȱ Onȱ theȱ otherȱ hand,ȱ thisȱ criticȱ observesȱ thatȱ ifȱ theȱ victimȱ isȱ aȱ married woman,ȱ widow,ȱ nun,ȱ matron,ȱ concubine,ȱ orȱ prostituteȱ theȱ perpetratorȱ was punishedȱwithȱmuchȱlessȱseverity.79 Inȱsomeȱcasesȱtheȱwomanȱchose,ȱorȱherȱfamilyȱforcedȱher,ȱtoȱmarryȱherȱabductor orȱrapist.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas,ȱifȱsheȱmarriedȱtheȱaccused,ȱtheȱman’s propertyȱrevertsȱtoȱtheȱfatherȱorȱtheȱmotherȱofȱtheȱwomanȱwhoȱwasȱravishedȱif theyȱdidȱnotȱconsentȱtoȱtheȱviolationȱorȱtheȱmarriage.ȱIfȱitȱisȱprovedȱthatȱtheȱparents consentedȱtoȱtheirȱdaughter’sȱrapeȱorȱabduction,ȱallȱtheȱman’sȱpropertyȱisȱforfeited toȱtheȱroyalȱtreasury.ȱIfȱtheȱwomanȱwhoȱwasȱabductedȱorȱrapedȱisȱaȱmemberȱofȱa religiousȱorder,ȱallȱtheȱguiltyȱman’sȱpropertyȱshallȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱwoman’sȱconvent. Brundageȱnotesȱthatȱinȱmanyȱmunicipalȱstatutes,ȱrapeȱprosecutionsȱwereȱavoided altogetherȱ“ifȱbothȱpartiesȱwereȱunmarriedȱandȱwereȱwillingȱtoȱmarryȱeachȱother, providedȱthatȱtheȱwoman’sȱparentsȱapprovedȱtheȱmatch.”80ȱ Theȱlegalȱpunishmentsȱthatȱcouldȱbeȱinflictedȱuponȱmenȱguiltyȱofȱabductionȱor rapeȱareȱalsoȱvalidȱforȱthoseȱwhoȱknowinglyȱassistȱthem.ȱButȱifȱaȱman,ȱwithȱor withoutȱaccomplices,ȱabductsȱorȱrapesȱaȱwomanȱwhoȱisȱnotȱaȱvirgin,ȱaȱmarried woman,ȱaȱmemberȱofȱaȱreligiousȱorder,ȱorȱanȱhonorableȱwidow,ȱaccordingȱtoȱthe Sieteȱ Partidas,ȱ heȱ suffersȱ onlyȱ banishment.81ȱ Gravdalȱ foundȱ thatȱ inȱ medieval Normandy,ȱwomenȱwereȱoftenȱharshlyȱpunishedȱforȱbeingȱtheȱvictimsȱofȱrape.ȱFor example,ȱinȱ1391,ȱBertinȱQuenetȱwasȱfinedȱfiveȱsousȱforȱbreakingȱintoȱtheȱhouseȱof Alicia,ȱaȱwidow,ȱandȱrapingȱher.ȱDespiteȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱcourtȱrecognizedȱtheȱfact thatȱQuenetȱhadȱusedȱviolenceȱtoȱbreakȱintoȱAliciaȱhouse,ȱtheȱwidowȱwasȱfined fifteenȱsousȱforȱallowingȱherselfȱtoȱbeȱraped.82ȱInȱanotherȱcaseȱfromȱtheȱRegistre CriminelȱdeȱlaȱJusticeȱdeȱSaintȬMartinȬdesȱChampsȱàȱParisȱJacquelineȱlaȱCyrièreȱwas accusedȱofȱluringȱaȱtenȬyearȬoldȱgirlȱintoȱherȱhomeȱwhereȱsheȱhelpedȱaȱLombard soldierȱtoȱrapeȱtheȱchild.ȱJacquelineȱisȱsentencedȱtoȱbeȱburnedȱatȱtheȱstakeȱbutȱthere isȱnoȱmentionȱmadeȱofȱtheȱLombardȱsoldier,ȱwhoȱpossiblyȱhadȱescaped.83ȱ Rape,ȱinȱliteraryȱtextsȱfromȱSpain,ȱisȱtreatedȱquiteȱseriously.ȱForȱexample,ȱinȱthe Libroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.,ȱweȱfindȱtheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱrapeȱofȱtheȱnobleȱRoman woman,ȱLucrecia,ȱbyȱtheȱsonȱofȱtheȱemperor.84ȱHeȱsneaksȱintoȱherȱchamberȱwhen

78 79 80 81 82 83 84

Brundage,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱandȱChristianȱSociety,ȱ530ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ71). Phillips,ȱ“WrittenȱonȱtheȱBody,”ȱ132ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ52). Brundage,ȱLaw,ȱSex,ȱandȱChristianȱSociety,ȱ531ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ71). V:ȱ1439,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ25,ȱLawȱ3.ȱ Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ127ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ128ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). ClementeȱSánchezȱdeȱVercial,ȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c,ȱ73–75ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ44).ȱ

240

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

herȱhusbandȱisȱatȱwarȱandȱputsȱaȱknifeȱtoȱherȱthroat.ȱAfterȱheȱrapesȱher,ȱLucrecia sendsȱ lettersȱ toȱ herȱ father,ȱ brothers,ȱ andȱ husband,ȱ denouncingȱ theȱ crime,ȱ and tellingȱ themȱ that,ȱ althoughȱ sheȱ wasȱ forced,ȱ sheȱ cannotȱ liveȱ withȱ theȱ dishonor. Lucreciaȱkillsȱherself.ȱHerȱmaleȱrelativesȱvowȱrevengeȱandȱdriveȱtheȱemperorȱand hisȱguiltyȱsonȱoutȱofȱRome.ȱTheyȱcaptureȱtheȱsonȱandȱslitȱhisȱthroat,ȱjustȱasȱheȱhad threatenedȱLucreciaȱbeforeȱtheȱrape.ȱAnotherȱstoryȱofȱrape,ȱorȱattemptedȱrape,ȱis recountedȱinȱtheȱCantigaȱdeȱSantaȱMariaȱ5.ȱInȱthisȱmiracleȱnarrative,ȱtheȱemperorȱof Romeȱgoesȱoffȱonȱaȱcrusade,ȱleavingȱhisȱbelovedȱwifeȱbehind.ȱInȱtheȱemperor’s absence,ȱhisȱbrotherȱtriesȱtoȱseduceȱtheȱempressȱwhoȱrefusesȱhimȱandȱlocksȱhimȱin prison.ȱWhenȱtheȱemperorȱisȱaboutȱtoȱreturnȱhome,ȱsheȱreleasesȱtheȱbrotherȱwho goesȱimmediatelyȱtoȱtellȱtheȱemperorȱthatȱhisȱwifeȱhadȱhimȱlockedȱawayȱbecause heȱrefusedȱtoȱhaveȱsexȱwithȱher.ȱ Withoutȱ waitingȱtoȱfindȱoutȱtheȱvalidityȱofȱhis brother’sȱclaim,ȱtheȱemperorȱcondemnsȱhisȱwifeȱtoȱdeath.ȱHeȱordersȱtwoȱhunters toȱtakeȱherȱintoȱtheȱwoodsȱandȱkillȱher.ȱBeforeȱtheyȱdoȱso,ȱhowever,ȱtheyȱvowȱto rapeȱher.ȱBut,ȱuponȱcallingȱonȱtheȱVirginȱforȱhelp,ȱsheȱisȱrescuedȱbyȱaȱcountȱwho takesȱherȱtoȱhisȱhomeȱtoȱserveȱasȱaȱnannyȱtoȱhisȱson.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱcount’sȱbrother soonȱtriesȱtoȱseduceȱtheȱpoorȱempressȱand,ȱwhenȱsheȱrejectsȱhim,ȱheȱcutsȱtheȱchild’s throatȱandȱplantsȱtheȱmurderȱweaponȱonȱtheȱempress.ȱWhenȱtheȱchild’sȱbodyȱis discovered,ȱtheȱcourtȱdemandsȱherȱdeathȱandȱsomeȱadvocateȱburningȱherȱand othersȱbeheadingȱher.ȱHowever,ȱsheȱisȱsentencedȱtoȱbeȱhandedȱoverȱtoȱaȱsailorȱwho isȱtoȱtakeȱherȱtoȱseaȱandȱdrownȱher.ȱNotȱsurprisingly,ȱtheȱsailorȱtriesȱtoȱhaveȱhis wayȱwithȱherȱbutȱtheȱwomanȱagainȱcriesȱoutȱtoȱHolyȱMaryȱtoȱrescueȱher.ȱ Theȱsailorȱleavesȱoffȱtryingȱtoȱrapeȱherȱandȱdecidesȱtoȱabandonȱherȱonȱaȱdeserted, barrenȱisland.ȱFromȱthere,ȱsheȱisȱmiraculouslyȱrescuedȱbyȱaȱgroupȱofȱpilgrimsȱon theirȱwayȱtoȱRome.ȱWhenȱsheȱarrivesȱinȱRome,ȱtheȱempressȱpossessesȱtheȱpower toȱ cureȱ lepers.ȱ Amongȱ thoseȱ sheȱ curesȱ isȱ theȱ brotherȱ ofȱ theȱ emperorȱ whoȱ had falselyȱaccusedȱher.ȱSheȱagreesȱtoȱcureȱhisȱillnessȱonȱtheȱconditionȱthatȱheȱfirst confessesȱhisȱsins.ȱWhenȱtheȱemperorȱlearnsȱthatȱheȱhadȱwronglyȱaccusedȱhisȱwife, heȱ begsȱ herȱ toȱ takeȱ himȱ back.ȱ Butȱ sheȱ refuses,ȱ preferringȱ toȱ enterȱ aȱ lifeȱ of dedicationȱtoȱtheȱVirgin.ȱ InȱCantigaȱ291,ȱaȱstudentȱinȱSalamancaȱrapesȱaȱwomanȱandȱtriesȱtoȱavoidȱjustice byȱfleeingȱtoȱtheȱcityȱofȱToro.ȱButȱtheȱwoman’sȱparentsȱandȱanȱofficerȱofȱtheȱlaw trackȱ himȱ downȱ andȱ throwȱ himȱ intoȱ prison.ȱ Heȱ fearsȱ deathȱ inȱ theȱ prisonȱ and beseechesȱtheȱVirginȱtoȱsaveȱhim.ȱHeȱcomposesȱaȱbeautifulȱsongȱforȱHolyȱMary whoȱfreesȱhimȱfromȱhisȱcell,ȱremindingȱhimȱtoȱliveȱalwaysȱinȱserviceȱtoȱHer.ȱInȱthis tale,ȱaȱlifeȱofȱdedicationȱtoȱtheȱVirginȱisȱseenȱasȱdivineȱcompensationȱforȱhaving committedȱtheȱcrimeȱofȱrape.ȱInȱCantigaȱ317,ȱaȱmanȱtriesȱtoȱforceȱaȱwomanȱtoȱhave sexȱwithȱhimȱbutȱsheȱbreaksȱfreeȱfromȱhimȱandȱseeksȱsanctuaryȱinsideȱaȱnearby church.ȱSheȱcriesȱoutȱandȱpeopleȱcomeȱtoȱherȱdefense,ȱshuttingȱtheȱdoorsȱofȱthe churchȱtoȱprotectȱherȱfromȱtheȱwouldȬbeȱrapistȱwhoȱwasȱpursuingȱher.ȱInȱhisȱfury andȱfrustration,ȱtheȱmanȱtriesȱtoȱbreakȱdownȱtheȱdoorsȱofȱtheȱchurchȱbutȱbreaksȱhis

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

241

legȱinȱtheȱprocess.ȱHeȱfaintsȱfromȱtheȱpainȱand,ȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱhisȱsin,ȱheȱisȱstruck mute.ȱTheȱpoemȱconcludes,ȱ“maimedȱandȱcrazy,ȱheȱlivedȱaȱlongȱtimeȱandȱbegged fromȱdoorȱtoȱdoor.”85ȱThisȱisȱtheȱpunishmentȱdivinelyȬdeterminedȱforȱtryingȱto rapeȱaȱwoman.ȱ Cantigaȱ355ȱisȱtheȱtaleȱofȱmanȱsavedȱfromȱhangingȱafterȱbeingȱfalselyȱaccusedȱof rape.ȱTheȱpunishmentȱofȱhangingȱforȱrapeȱisȱinȱkeepingȱwithȱtheȱproscriptionȱin theȱ Sieteȱ Partidasȱ thatȱ aȱ manȱ foundȱ guiltyȱ ofȱ theȱ rapeȱ ofȱ “aȱ widowȱ ofȱ good reputation,ȱaȱvirgin,ȱaȱmarriedȱwoman,ȱorȱoneȱbelongingȱtoȱaȱreligiousȱorder”86 wouldȱbeȱexecuted.ȱInȱthisȱcantiga,ȱtheȱwomanȱisȱactuallyȱtheȱaggressor.ȱAȱyoung womanȱ isȱ madlyȱ inȱ loveȱ withȱ aȱ youth,ȱ whoȱ rejectsȱ her.ȱ Whenȱ heȱ setsȱ outȱ on pilgrimage,ȱsheȱfollowsȱhimȱandȱinsistsȱonȱaccompanyingȱhimȱdespiteȱhisȱefforts toȱdissuadeȱher.ȱHeȱcontinuesȱonȱtheȱpilgrimageȱwithȱtheȱsulkingȱgirlȱinȱtow.ȱOn theȱreturnȱjourney,ȱjustȱasȱtheyȱarriveȱatȱtheirȱhometown,ȱtheȱyoungȱwomanȱbegins toȱcryȱoutȱloudlyȱandȱscratchesȱherȱface.ȱSheȱclaimsȱthatȱtheȱyoungȱpilgrimȱhad rapedȱ herȱ onȱ theȱ roadȱ andȱ herȱ relativesȱ immediatelyȱ denounceȱ himȱ toȱ the authorities.ȱWithoutȱbeingȱallowedȱtoȱmountȱaȱdefense,ȱtheȱyoungȱmanȱisȱhanged. However,ȱheȱpraysȱtoȱHolyȱMaryȱwhoȱknowsȱthatȱheȱisȱinnocent.ȱSheȱplacesȱa stoneȱunderȱhisȱfeetȱsoȱthatȱheȱdoesȱnotȱdieȱfromȱtheȱhanging.ȱThereȱisȱnoȱmention madeȱofȱtheȱfateȱthatȱbefellȱtheȱwomanȱwhoȱhadȱfalselyȱaccusedȱhim.ȱ AnotherȱexampleȱofȱfalseȱaccusationȱisȱfoundȱinȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c. Inȱtaleȱno.ȱ172,ȱaȱyoungȱmanȱrefusesȱtoȱsleepȱwithȱhisȱmotherȱandȱtheȱmotherȱseeks revengeȱbyȱclaimingȱbeforeȱaȱjudgeȱthatȱherȱsonȱhadȱtriedȱtoȱrapeȱher.ȱTheȱyoung manȱdoesȱnotȱwantȱtoȱdefameȱhisȱmotherȱinȱpublicȱbyȱrefutingȱtheȱaccusationȱand tellingȱ theȱ truth.ȱ Sinceȱ theȱ sonȱ refusesȱ toȱ defendȱ himselfȱ againstȱ hisȱ mother’s charges,ȱtheȱjudgeȱordersȱhimȱsealedȱwithȱpitchȱintoȱaȱsackȱandȱthrownȱinȱthe river.87ȱEvenȱthoughȱnoȱlessȱprestigiousȱanȱadvocateȱthanȱSaintȱAndrewȱdefends theȱ boy,ȱ theȱ judgeȱ doesȱ notȱ believeȱ himȱ andȱ ordersȱ theȱ saintȱ thrownȱ inȱ jail. Imprisoned,ȱSaintȱAndrewȱpraysȱandȱaȱlightningȱboltȱstrikesȱdeadȱtheȱmotherȱwho hadȱfalselyȱaccusedȱherȱson.ȱ Rapeȱisȱalsoȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱchapterȱ246ȱofȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱenxienplosȱporȱa.b.c.ȱWhen herȱcityȱisȱbesiegedȱbyȱaȱhandsomeȱking,ȱtheȱduchessȱoffersȱtoȱgiveȱupȱtheȱcityȱand marryȱhim,ȱdespiteȱhavingȱsonsȱandȱdaughtersȱsheȱshouldȱbeȱprotecting.ȱWhenȱthe king’sȱmenȱenterȱtheȱcity,ȱtheyȱbeginȱtoȱravageȱbothȱmenȱandȱwomenȱalike.ȱThe

85

86 87

“Eȱdesȱenȱ/ȱtolleit’ȱeȱsenȱsenȱ/ȱviveuȱgranȱtemp’ȱeȱperȱportasȱpidia”ȱ(AlfonsoȱXȱelȱSabio,ȱCantigas deȱSantaȱMaria,ȱIII,ȱ137;ȱseeȱnoteȱ42).ȱEnglishȱtranslationsȱareȱfromȱKathleenȱKulpȬHill,ȱtrans.,ȱSongs ofȱHolyȱMaryȱofȱAlfonsoȱX,ȱtheȱWise.ȱAȱTranslationȱofȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria,ȱMedievalȱand RenaissanceȱTextsȱandȱStudies,ȱ173ȱ(Tempe,ȱAZ:ȱArizonaȱCenterȱforȱMedievalȱandȱRenaissance Studies,ȱ2000),ȱ385. V:ȱ1425,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ20,ȱLawȱ1. Thisȱisȱaȱvariationȱonȱtheȱpoenaȱculleiȱpreviouslyȱdiscussedȱasȱaȱpunishmentȱforȱkillingȱmembers ofȱone’sȱfamily.

242

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

duchess’sȱdaughtersȱescapeȱrapeȱbyȱaffixingȱrottenȱchickenȱmeatȱtoȱtheirȱbreasts soȱ thatȱ theȱ stenchȱ drivesȱ awayȱ theirȱ wouldȬbeȱ attackers.ȱ Theȱ kingȱ marriesȱ the duchessȱ(orȱatȱleastȱhasȱoneȱconjugalȱnightȱwithȱher),ȱbutȱtheȱnextȱdayȱheȱhandsȱher overȱtoȱtwelveȱofȱhisȱmenȱtoȱenjoyȱherȱasȱtheyȱplease.ȱOnȱtheȱthirdȱday,ȱheȱimpales herȱ withȱ aȱ lanceȱ throughȱ herȱ vaginaȱ upȱ toȱ herȱ throat.88ȱ Theȱ moralȱ isȱ thatȱ a licentiousȱwomanȱdeservesȱsuchȱaȱpunishment.ȱ SeparateȱlawsȱwereȱappliedȱtoȱsexualȱmisconductȱwhichȱwasȱinterȬracialȱorȱinterȬ ethnic,ȱi.e.,ȱbetweenȱaȱChristianȱandȱaȱJewȱorȱaȱMoor.ȱAnyȱJewȱorȱMoorȱwhoȱhas intercourseȱwithȱaȱChristianȱwomanȱisȱcondemnedȱtoȱdeath.89ȱTheȱdeathȱpenalty isȱimposedȱregardlessȱofȱtheȱstatusȱofȱtheȱwoman.ȱEvenȱifȱtheȱChristianȱwomanȱis aȱ prostitute,ȱ aȱ Jewȱ whoȱ engagesȱ inȱ intercourseȱ withȱ herȱ isȱ putȱ toȱ death.ȱ The ChristianȱwomanȱwhoȱengagesȱinȱsexualȱrelationsȱwithȱaȱJewȱsuffersȱtheȱsame punishmentȱasȱoneȱwhoȱhasȱintercourseȱwithȱaȱMoor.ȱIfȱtheȱChristianȱwomanȱisȱa virginȱorȱaȱwidow,ȱforȱtheȱfirstȱoffense,ȱsheȱforfeitsȱhalfȱherȱpropertyȱtoȱherȱparents orȱgrandparentsȱor,ȱifȱsheȱhasȱnoȱrelations,ȱhalfȱherȱpropertyȱbelongsȱtoȱtheȱking. Forȱaȱsecondȱoffense,ȱtheȱChristianȱwomanȱlosesȱallȱherȱpropertyȱtoȱherȱrelatives orȱtheȱking,ȱandȱsheȱisȱcondemnedȱtoȱdeath.ȱ Ifȱ aȱ Moorȱ hasȱ sexualȱ intercourseȱ withȱ aȱ marriedȱ Christianȱ woman,ȱ heȱ is sentencedȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱstoningȱandȱtheȱwomanȱisȱturnedȱoverȱtoȱherȱhusbandȱwho mayȱburnȱherȱtoȱdeathȱorȱreleaseȱherȱorȱdoȱwhateverȱheȱpleasesȱwithȱher.90ȱIfȱa Moorȱ hasȱ sexȱ withȱ aȱ Christianȱ prostituteȱ orȱ dishonorableȱ woman,ȱ forȱ theȱ first offense,ȱtheȱmanȱandȱwomanȱareȱscourgedȱtogetherȱand,ȱforȱtheȱsecondȱoffense, bothȱareȱputȱtoȱdeath.91ȱ Despiteȱtheseȱharshȱlawsȱregardingȱinterreligiousȱsexualȱcontact,ȱLouiseȱMirrer pointsȱoutȱthat,ȱinȱliterature,ȱtheȱbeautifulȱJewessȱisȱaȱpopularȱfigureȱandȱsheȱat timesȱisȱportrayedȱasȱcouplingȱwithȱaȱChristianȱmale.92ȱAccordingȱtoȱMirrer,ȱthe imageȱ ofȱ theȱ beautifulȱ Jewishȱ womanȱ wasȱ usedȱ “toȱ reiterateȱ theȱ weaknessȱ of Jewishȱmen,ȱmakingȱpublicȱtheȱsexualȱinitiativesȱtakenȱ byȱtheirȱwomen.”93ȱAn exampleȱofȱaȱJewessȱbeingȱpunishedȱforȱaȱcrime,ȱprobablyȱsexualȱinȱ nature,ȱ is foundȱinȱsongȱno.ȱ107ȱofȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria.ȱTheȱpoemȱstatesȱthatȱthe

88

89

90 91 92

93

ClementeȱSánchezȱdeȱVercial,ȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.,ȱ208:ȱ“fizoleȱponerȱunȱpaloȱporȱlaȱnatura fastaȱlaȱgarganta”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ44). Partidaȱ 7,ȱ Titleȱ 25,ȱ Lawȱ 10ȱ specifiesȱ thatȱ theȱ penaltyȱ forȱ aȱ Moorȱ willȱ beȱ deathȱ byȱ stoning.ȱ In Partida,ȱ7,ȱTitle,ȱ24,ȱLawȱ9ȱtheȱmethodȱofȱexecutionȱforȱaȱJewȱisȱnotȱspecified. V:ȱ1442,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ25,ȱLawȱ10.ȱ V:ȱ1442,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ25,ȱLawȱ10.ȱ LouiseȱMirrer,ȱWomen,ȱJews,ȱandȱMuslimsȱinȱtheȱTextsȱofȱReconquestȱCastile.ȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱand EarlyȱModernȱCivilizationsȱ(AnnȱArbor:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱMichiganȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ31–32. Mirrer,ȱWomen,ȱJews,ȱandȱMuslims,ȱ31–32ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ92).

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

243

Jewessȱ“wasȱcaughtȱinȱaȱcrimeȱandȱarrestedȱandȱtakenȱtoȱbeȱhurledȱfromȱaȱhigh andȱruggedȱcliff.”94ȱ Otherȱversionsȱofȱthisȱstoryȱclearlyȱalludeȱtoȱtheȱsexualȱnatureȱofȱherȱcrimeȱand toȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱJewessȱwasȱaccusedȱofȱhavingȱextramaritalȱrelationsȱwithȱa Christianȱman.95ȱTheȱtextȱspecifiesȱthatȱitȱisȱtheȱJewsȱwhoȱcondemnȱandȱattemptȱto executeȱher.ȱAlso,ȱasȱstipulatedȱinȱtheȱpoem,ȱsheȱisȱdressedȱonlyȱinȱaȱshift.ȱThis detailȱisȱaccuratelyȱportrayedȱinȱtheȱminiaturesȱaccompanyingȱtheȱsong.ȱMirrer findsȱthisȱfactȱparticularlyȱsignificantȱsinceȱ“maleȱJewsȱwouldȱneverȱhaveȱreally undressedȱtheirȱwomenȱinȱfrontȱofȱChristians—or,ȱforȱthatȱmatter,ȱinȱfrontȱofȱJews either.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱHerȱstereotypicalȱdepictionȱasȱaȱbeautiful,ȱsexuallyȱattractiveȱJewess placedȱonȱdisplayȱbyȱmaleȱ Jewsȱsymbolizes,ȱinȱaȱvarietyȱofȱways,ȱmaleȱJewish weaknessȱvisȬàȬvisȱtheȱChristianȱcommunity.”96ȱ Theȱaccusedȱwoman,ȱdubbedȱMarisaltos,ȱcallsȱonȱHolyȱMaryȱtoȱsaveȱherȱafterȱthe Jewsȱ pushȱ herȱ overȱ theȱ cliff.ȱ Sheȱ promisesȱ theȱ Virginȱ thatȱ sheȱ willȱ convertȱ to Christianityȱifȱsheȱsavesȱher.ȱOfȱcourse,ȱtheȱVirginȱdeliversȱherȱunharmedȱtoȱthe rockyȱgroundȱbelow.ȱMarisaltosȱgoesȱimmediatelyȱtoȱaȱchurchȱandȱisȱbaptized.ȱThe Jewishȱ menȱ whoȱ hadȱ attemptedȱ toȱ killȱ herȱ forȱ sexualȱ misconductȱ outsideȱ the Jewishȱcommunityȱareȱunsuccessful.ȱAȱpeculiarȱaspectȱofȱtheȱAlfonsineȱversionȱof thisȱtaleȱisȱthatȱtheȱJewessȱisȱsentencedȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱherȱcoreligionistsȱbut,ȱasȱBenaim deȱ Lasryȱ hasȱ pointedȱ out,ȱ theȱ deathȱ sentenceȱ couldȱ notȱ beȱ handedȱ outȱ by rabbinicalȱcourtsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.97ȱ Benaimȱ deȱ Lasryȱ assertsȱ thatȱ “Aȱ Spanishȱ courtȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ mightȱ haveȱ sentencedȱ a marriedȱJewessȱtoȱdeathȱforȱcommittingȱadultery,ȱwhetherȱherȱparamourȱwasȱa JewȱorȱaȱChristian,ȱmarriedȱorȱunmarried.”98ȱSinceȱtheȱcantigaȱdoesȱnotȱspecify whetherȱMarisaltosȱwasȱsingleȱorȱmarried,ȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱJewsȱsentenceȱherȱto executionȱisȱstrangeȱsince,ȱagainȱaccordingȱtoȱBenaimȱdeȱLasry,ȱ“noȱJewishȱcourt everȱsentencedȱanȱunmarriedȱJewessȱtoȱdeathȱforȱwhatȱJewishȱlawȱcallsȱ‘harlotry,’ i.e.,ȱhavingȱsexualȱrelationsȱwithȱaȱmarriedȱorȱunmarriedȱJewȱorȱGentile.”99ȱMirrer

94

95 96 97

98 99

AlfonsoȱelȱSabio,ȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria,ȱII,ȱ28:ȱ“achadaȱ/ȱqueȱfoiȱenȱerr’ȱeȱfilladaȱ/ȱeȱaȱesfalfar levadaȱ/ȱdËaȱpenaȱqu’ȱiȱestá”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ44). Mirrer,ȱWomen,ȱJews,ȱandȱMuslims,ȱ33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ92). Mirrer,ȱWomen,ȱJews,ȱandȱMuslims,ȱ39ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ92). AnitaȱBenaimȱdeȱLasry,ȱ“Marisaltos:ȱArtificialȱPurificationȱinȱAlfonsoȱelȱSabio’sȱCantigaȱ107,” Studiesȱ onȱ theȱ Cantigasȱ deȱ Santaȱ Maria:ȱ Art,ȱ Music,ȱ andȱ Poetry,ȱ Proceedingsȱ ofȱ theȱ International SymposiumȱonȱtheȱCantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMariaȱofȱAlfonsoȱX,ȱelȱSabioȱ(1221–1284)ȱinȱCommemorationȱof Itsȱ700thȱAnniversaryȱYear—1981ȱ(NewȱYork,ȱNovemberȱ19–21),ȱed.ȱIsraelȱJ.ȱKatzȱandȱJohnȱE.ȱKeller (Madison,ȱWI:ȱHispanicȱSeminaryȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱ1987),ȱ299–311;ȱhereȱ301. BenaimȱdeȱLasry,ȱ“Marisaltos,”ȱ302ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ97). BenaimȱdeȱLasry,ȱ“Marisaltos,”ȱ301ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ97).ȱBenaimȱdeȱLasryȱrelatesȱoneȱexampleȱofȱaȱsevere punishmentȱhandedȱdownȱbyȱaȱrabbinicalȱtribunalȱonȱanȱunmarriedȱJewessȱwhoȱconfessedȱto havingȱsexualȱrelationsȱwithȱaȱmarriedȱChristianȱman:ȱ“Whenȱsheȱbecameȱpregnant,ȱsheȱconfessed herȱillicitȱrelationship.ȱAfterȱtheȱbirthȱofȱherȱchildrenȱ(twins),ȱsheȱwasȱsentencedȱtoȱhaveȱherȱnose

244

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

concludesȱthatȱAlfonso’sȱversionȱofȱMarisaltos’sȱstoryȱhasȱpoliticalȱimplications becauseȱaȱguiltyȱJewishȱwomanȱwhoȱturnsȱtoȱChristianityȱisȱportrayedȱasȱimmune toȱJewishȱjustice.100ȱ ȱ Asȱweȱhaveȱseen,ȱtheȱdeathȱpenaltyȱisȱimposedȱforȱaȱvarietyȱofȱcrimesȱcommitted byȱmenȱorȱwomen.ȱLouisȱGernetȱmaintainsȱthatȱ“TheȱDeathȱPenaltyȱisȱaȱmeansȱof eliminatingȱpollutionȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱItȱpurifiesȱtheȱaffectedȱgroup,ȱwhoȱareȱoftenȱpartlyȱor whollyȱabsolvedȱofȱresponsibilityȱforȱtheȱnewlyȱspiltȱblood.”101ȱIfȱweȱacceptȱthis theory,ȱthenȱwomenȱcriminalsȱwereȱconsideredȱanȱespeciallyȱgrievousȱformȱof societalȱpollution.ȱGravdal’sȱexaminationȱofȱcourtȱrecordsȱinȱfourteenthȬcentury Franceȱrevealsȱthat,ȱalthoughȱwomenȱwereȱmuchȱlessȱfrequentlyȱaccusedȱofȱcrimes thanȱmen,ȱwomen’sȱcasesȱresultedȱinȱtheȱdeathȱpenaltyȱbeingȱimposedȱthreeȱtimes moreȱfrequentlyȱthanȱinȱcasesȱinvolvingȱmen.102ȱAlso,ȱinȱFrance,ȱtheȱmethodsȱof executionȱ differedȱ forȱ menȱ andȱ women.ȱ Sinceȱ hangingȱ wasȱ ruledȱ offensiveȱ to women’sȱmodesty,ȱwomenȱsentencedȱtoȱdeathȱwereȱkilledȱbyȱburialȱaliveȱforȱlesser offensesȱandȱbyȱburningȱatȱtheȱstakeȱforȱseriousȱoffenses.103ȱThisȱobservationȱabout theȱseverityȱofȱpunishmentȱforȱfemaleȱoffendersȱisȱreflectedȱinȱtheȱequallyȱharsh punishmentsȱmetedȱoutȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidasȱforȱcrimesȱcommittedȱbyȱMoorsȱand Jewsȱ againstȱ Christians.ȱ Evenȱ thoughȱ Alfonsoȱ Xȱ isȱ oftenȱ commendedȱ forȱ the equableȱtreatmentȱofȱhisȱsubjectsȱfromȱtheseȱminorityȱgroups,ȱhisȱlawsȱareȱquick toȱpunishȱthoseȱJewishȱorȱMoorishȱcitizensȱwhoȱhaveȱinappropriateȱcontactȱwith ChristiansȱorȱwhoȱleadȱChristiansȱastray. Althoughȱ imprisonmentȱ forȱ aȱ setȱ numberȱ ofȱ yearsȱ orȱ monthsȱ isȱ notȱ a punishmentȱoftenȱspecifiedȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas,ȱtheȱneedȱtoȱholdȱaccusedȱpersons inȱcustodyȱuntilȱtheyȱareȱtriedȱandȱconvicted,ȱorȱwhileȱtheyȱawaitȱaȱsentenceȱtoȱbe carriedȱout,ȱisȱregulatedȱbyȱtheȱlawsȱinȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ29.104ȱAmongȱtheȱseven kindsȱ ofȱ punishmentȱ listedȱ inȱ Partidaȱ 7,ȱ Titleȱ 31,ȱ Lawȱ 31,ȱ theȱ onlyȱ mentionȱ of imprisonmentȱisȱthatȱwhichȱcanȱbeȱimposedȱonȱaȱslave.ȱTheȱLawȱemphatically statesȱthatȱnoȱfreemanȱshallȱsufferȱimprisonmentȱasȱaȱformȱofȱpunishmentȱbecause “aȱprisonȱisȱnotȱforȱtheȱpurposeȱofȱpunishingȱoffenses,ȱbutȱonlyȱtoȱsecureȱpersons untilȱtheyȱareȱtried.”105ȱLawȱ5ȱofȱTitleȱ31ȱdealsȱexclusivelyȱwithȱwomenȱprisoners.

100 101

102 103 104

105

cutȱoff,ȱsoȱthatȱtheȱbeautyȱofȱherȱfaceȱwhichȱsheȱadornedȱforȱherȱadulterousȱwooerȱbeȱdisfigured, andȱthatȱsheȱbeȱmadeȱtoȱpayȱaȱfineȱtoȱtheȱlordsȱofȱtheȱcity”ȱ(302). Mirrer,ȱWomen,ȱJews,ȱandȱMuslims,ȱ44ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ92). QuotedȱinȱRenéȱGirard,ȱViolenceȱandȱtheȱSacred,ȱtrans.ȱPatrickȱGregoryȱ(BaltimoreȱandȱLondon:ȱThe JohnsȱHopkinsȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1977),ȱ298. Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ130ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). Gravdal,ȱRavishingȱMaidens,ȱ130ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ60). Althoughȱ aȱ penalȱ system,ȱ asȱ such,ȱ didȱ notȱ existȱ inȱ thirteenthȬcenturyȱ Spain,ȱ thereȱ were circumstancesȱwhereȱimprisonmentȱwasȱimposed.ȱForȱexample,ȱseeȱMichelȱFoucault,ȱTheȱFoucault Reader,ȱ ed.ȱ Paulȱ Pabinowȱ (Newȱ York:ȱ Pantheonȱ Books,ȱ 1984),ȱ 214:ȱ “Theȱ prisonȱ predatesȱ its systematicȱuseȱinȱtheȱpenalȱsystem.” V:ȱ1465,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ31,ȱLawȱ4.ȱ

WomenȱasȱVictimsȱandȱCriminalsȱinȱtheȱSieteȱPartidas

245

Femaleȱprisonersȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱputȱinȱprisonsȱwithȱmenȱbutȱratherȱconfinedȱtoȱa convent.ȱTheyȱareȱtoȱbeȱguardedȱbyȱ“goodȱwomenȱuntilȱtheȱjudgeȱmakesȱsuch dispositionȱofȱherȱasȱtheȱlawsȱdirect.”106ȱ TortureȱisȱconsideredȱunderȱTitleȱ30ȱofȱtheȱseventhȱPartida.ȱNoȱpregnantȱwoman canȱbeȱtorturedȱuntilȱsheȱgivesȱbirth.107ȱWivesȱcannotȱbeȱsubjectedȱtoȱcompulsion orȱtortureȱinȱorderȱtoȱtestifyȱagainstȱtheirȱhusbandsȱnorȱcanȱaȱhusbandȱbeȱtortured toȱtestifyȱagainstȱhisȱwife.108ȱ RichardȱSimsȱclaimsȱthat,ȱamongȱtheȱgeneralȱdefensesȱavailableȱforȱaȱwoman accusedȱ ofȱ aȱ felonyȱ wasȱ thatȱ ofȱ maritalȱ coercion.109ȱ Heȱ statesȱ thatȱ “itȱ wasȱ not necessaryȱtoȱtakeȱpartȱinȱwrongdoingȱtoȱproveȱ[marital]ȱobedienceȱbutȱtheȱlawȱwas sympatheticȱtoȱwomenȱwhoȱdidȱtakeȱtheirȱloyaltyȱtoȱfeloniousȱends.”110ȱWhileȱhe isȱdealingȱspecificallyȱwithȱlawȱinȱmedievalȱEngland,ȱitȱseemsȱlikelyȱthatȱthisȱwas theȱcaseȱinȱSpainȱasȱwellȱsinceȱtheȱinstitutionȱofȱmarriageȱandȱcontrolȱofȱwomen throughoutȱ Europeȱ putȱ aȱ veryȱ highȱ valueȱ onȱ wifelyȱ obedience.111ȱ Inȱ orderȱ to protectȱinnocentȱwomenȱfromȱsharingȱinȱtheirȱhusbands’ȱguilt,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ31, Lawȱ9ȱspecifiesȱthatȱaȱwifeȱorȱchildȱcouldȱnotȱbeȱpunishedȱbecauseȱofȱanyȱcrime committedȱbyȱherȱhusbandȱorȱtheȱchild’sȱfather.112ȱEvenȱifȱaȱwifeȱstoleȱfromȱher husband,ȱsheȱcannotȱbeȱchargedȱwithȱtheftȱbeforeȱtheȱcourts.113ȱHowever,ȱifȱitȱis determinedȱthatȱtheȱwifeȱhadȱtheȱassistanceȱorȱadviceȱofȱanotherȱinȱstealingȱfrom herȱhusband,ȱthisȱthirdȱpartyȱcanȱbeȱsuedȱforȱtheȱstolenȱproperty.114ȱ Foucaultȱ arguesȱ thatȱ weȱ mustȱ viewȱ systemsȱ ofȱ punishmentȱ asȱ “social phenomenaȱthatȱcannotȱbeȱaccountedȱforȱbyȱtheȱjuridicalȱstructureȱofȱsocietyȱalone, norȱbyȱitsȱfundamentalȱethicalȱchoices.”115ȱHeȱattributesȱtheȱhighȱratesȱofȱcorporeal punishmentsȱduringȱtheȱfeudalȱperiodȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱbodyȱwasȱinȱmanyȱcases theȱonlyȱpropertyȱaccessibleȱtoȱtheȱjudicialȱsystem.116ȱWhileȱthereȱareȱaȱnumberȱof corporealȱ penaltiesȱ inȱ theȱ Sieteȱ Partidasȱ andȱ inȱ theȱ literaryȱ piecesȱ weȱ have examined,ȱitȱisȱsignificantȱthatȱmonetaryȱcompensationȱinȱtermsȱofȱretribution, fines,ȱorȱlossȱofȱpropertiesȱwereȱalsoȱcommonȱmeansȱofȱpunishment.ȱAlfonsoȱX wasȱconcernedȱaboutȱtheȱfutureȱofȱhisȱkingdom,ȱhowȱpowerȱwouldȱbeȱexercised

106 107 108

109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116

V:ȱ1453,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ29,ȱLawȱ5.ȱ V:ȱ1458,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ30,ȱLawȱ2.ȱ V:ȱ1461,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ30,ȱLawȱ9.ȱThisȱprohibitionȱagainstȱtortureȱtoȱobtainȱtestimonyȱalsoȱapplies toȱtheȱfatherȬinȬlaw,ȱmotherȬinȬlaw,ȱstepfather,ȱstepmother,ȱstepchildren,ȱandȱemancipatedȱslaves orȱtheirȱchildrenȱofȱtheȱaccusedȱ(V:ȱ1461,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ30,ȱLawȱ9). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?,”ȱ71ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?,”ȱ71ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Sims,ȱ“SecondaryȱOffenders?,”ȱ71ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). V:ȱ1467,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ31,ȱLawȱ9. V:ȱ1380,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ14,ȱLawȱ4.ȱ V:ȱ1380,ȱPartidaȱ7,ȱTitleȱ14,ȱLawȱ4.ȱ Foucault,ȱTheȱFoucaultȱReader,ȱ171ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ104). Foucault,ȱTheȱFoucaultȱReader,ȱ172ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ104).

246

ConnieȱL.ȱScarborough

andȱhowȱkinglyȱauthorityȱandȱjusticeȱwouldȱbeȱwielded.ȱHeȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱbeen fullyȱawareȱofȱandȱinȱagreementȱwithȱFoucault’sȱanalysisȱofȱpunitiveȱmethodsȱas notȱmerelyȱconsequencesȱofȱlegislationȱbutȱ“asȱtechniquesȱpossessingȱtheirȱown specificityȱinȱtheȱmoreȱgeneralȱfieldȱofȱotherȱwaysȱofȱexercisingȱpower.”117ȱ AlfonsoȱXȱandȱhisȱlegalȱexpertsȱrecognizedȱwomenȱasȱaȱspecialȱcategoryȱunder theȱ law.ȱ Justȱ asȱ menȱ andȱ womenȱ areȱ notȱ treatedȱ equallyȱ inȱ theȱ Sieteȱ Partidas, neitherȱareȱallȱwomenȱtreatedȱequally,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱseen.ȱHonorableȱwomenȱsuch asȱvirgins,ȱmarriedȱwomen,ȱorȱwidowsȱwereȱconsideredȱaȱcategoryȱapartȱfrom womenȱofȱbadȱreputeȱorȱprostitutes.ȱFemaleȱslavesȱareȱconsideredȱdifferentlyȱfrom freeȱ women.ȱ Femaleȱ religiousȱ formedȱ anotherȱ categoryȱ asȱ didȱ womenȱ ofȱ the JewishȱorȱMuslimȱfaith.ȱWomenȱasȱvictimsȱofȱcrimesȱwereȱalsoȱconsideredȱunder variousȱcategoriesȱandȱtheȱseverityȱofȱpunishmentȱforȱtheȱperpetratorȱofȱaȱcrime variesȱwhenȱtheȱvictimȱisȱaȱvirgin,ȱaȱmarriedȱwoman,ȱaȱwidow,ȱaȱreligious,ȱorȱa prostitute.ȱDistinctionsȱforȱwomenȱasȱvictimsȱareȱalsoȱmadeȱbetweenȱfreeȱwomen andȱslaves,ȱandȱJewish,ȱChristian,ȱorȱMuslimȱwomen.ȱToȱaccomplishȱitsȱgoalȱof inclusivityȱ andȱ comprehensiveness,ȱ theȱ Sieteȱ Partidasȱ dealsȱ withȱ womenȱ from differentȱsocialȱclasses,ȱfaiths/ethnicities,ȱandȱmaritalȱstatus.ȱNotȱonlyȱinȱtheȱlaw codesȱbutȱinȱliterature,ȱaȱwideȱvarietyȱofȱwomenȱareȱseenȱbothȱasȱcriminalsȱandȱas victims.ȱWhileȱliteraryȱtextsȱdoȱnotȱalwaysȱfollowȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlawȱspelledȱout inȱ theȱ lawȱ code,ȱ thereȱ areȱ significantȱ examplesȱ ofȱ womenȱ involvedȱ inȱ crimes, punishments,ȱreprieves,ȱandȱpardonsȱinȱtheȱtextsȱweȱhaveȱseen.

117

Foucault,ȱTheȱFoucaultȱReader,ȱ170ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ104).ȱSimilarly,ȱbutȱinȱaȱdifferentȱcontext,ȱGirard, ViolenceȱandȱtheȱSacred,ȱ23,ȱstatesȱthatȱaȱjudicialȱsystemȱ“canȱonlyȱexistȱinȱconjunctionȱwithȱaȱfirmly establishedȱpoliticalȱpower”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ101).ȱ

Chapterȱ11 MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz (UniversityȱofȱSanȱDiego)

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

TheftȱtakesȱplaceȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱstoriesȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱ(1335).1 Whatȱisȱinterestingȱaboutȱtheseȱstories,ȱlookedȱatȱtogether,ȱisȱtheirȱvariety:ȱsome focusȱonȱtheȱthiefȱorȱthieves,ȱothersȱfocusȱonȱtheȱtargetsȱand/orȱvictims,ȱdepending onȱtheȱdidacticȱintent.ȱThereȱisȱinvariablyȱaȱpossessionȱorȱpossessionsȱthatȱtheȱthief orȱwouldȱbeȱthiefȱdesiresȱandȱthatȱisȱownedȱbyȱtheȱvictimȱorȱtarget.ȱObjectsȱofȱtheft are,ȱbesideȱsomethingȱmaterialȱorȱwealthȱofȱsomeȱkind,ȱtheȱbody,ȱlove,ȱhonorȱor evenȱidentity,ȱreputation,ȱcreditȱandȱopportunities.ȱTheȱthievesȱcarryȱoutȱdifferent strategiesȱforȱcarryingȱoutȱtheirȱthefts.ȱItȱisȱupȱtoȱtheȱtargetsȱ(potentialȱvictims)ȱto identifyȱtheseȱstrategiesȱforȱwhatȱtheyȱareȱ(seeȱthroughȱtheȱdeceit)ȱinȱorderȱtoȱnot fallȱvictim.2ȱSomeȱcharactersȱareȱsuccessfulȱandȱsomeȱareȱnot.ȱWhateverȱtheȱresult, Juanȱ Manuel’sȱ unwaveringȱ stanceȱ isȱ thatȱ thereȱ isȱ noȱ victimȱ ofȱ theftȱ whoȱ is completelyȱwithoutȱresponsibilityȱforȱfallingȱvictimȱ(exceptȱtheȱsickȱandȱtheȱdead, asȱweȱshallȱsee).ȱ

1

2

ForȱtheȱprevalenceȱofȱtheftȱinȱSpanishȱfolkȱnarrativesȱinȱgeneral,ȱseeȱHarrietȱGoldberg’sȱMotifȬindex ofȱMedievalȱSpanishȱFolkȱNarrativesȱ(Tempe,ȱAZ:ȱMedievalȱ&ȱRenaissanceȱTextsȱ&ȱStudies,ȱ1998). Pertainingȱtoȱtheȱstories’ȱsouces,ȱseeȱReynaldoȱAyerbeȬChaux,ȱElȱCondeȱLucanor.ȱMateriaȱtradicional yȱoriginalidadȱcreadoraȱ(Madrid:ȱJoséȱPorrúaȱTuranzas,ȱS.A.,1975). MartaȱAnaȱDiz’sȱbook,ȱCountȱLucanorȱyȱPatronio:ȱlaȱlecturaȱinteligenteȱenȱ“elȱtiempoȱqueȱesȱturbio” (Potomac,ȱMD:ȱScriptaȱHumanística,ȱ1984)ȱexplainsȱhowȱtheȱstoriesȱinȱtheȱcollectionȱareȱabout losingȱ(negativeȱexamples)ȱandȱnotȱlosingȱ(positiveȱexamples)ȱpossessions,ȱbeȱtheyȱmaterialistic, temporalȱ(likeȱhonorȱandȱfame),ȱand/orȱspiritualȱ(connectionȱwithȱGod,ȱtheȱsalvationȱofȱtheȱsoul, etc.).ȱTheseȱpossessionsȱareȱorganizedȱbyȱCatholicȱbeliefȱ(orȱbyȱcommonȱsense)ȱinȱaȱhierarchyȱof importance,ȱ theȱ salvationȱ ofȱ theȱ soulȱ beingȱ theȱ mostȱ important.ȱ Indeed,ȱ givingȱ tooȱ much importanceȱ toȱ oneȱ typeȱ ofȱ possessionȱ overȱ anotherȱ ofȱ lessȱ importance,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ material wealthȱoverȱone’sȱownȱlife,ȱleadsȱtoȱlossȱofȱeverything:ȱwealth,ȱlifeȱandȱsoul.ȱSeeȱalsoȱMartaȱAna Diz,ȱ “Cambio,ȱ especulaciónȱ eȱ imposturaȱ enȱ losȱ relatesȱ deȱ Patronio,”ȱ Homenajeȱ aȱ Anaȱ María Barrenechea,ȱeds.ȱIsaíasȱandȱLiaȱSchwartzȱdeȱLernerȱ(Madrid:ȱCastalia,ȱ1984),ȱ229–34.

248

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

Theȱstoriesȱthatȱdepictȱtheftȱareȱvariedȱalsoȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱtheirȱsourcesȱandȱtheir varyingȱdegreesȱofȱCatholicȱcontent.ȱForȱexample,ȱtheȱonlyȱCatholicȱcontentȱthat JuanȱManuelȱputȱinȱtheȱAesopicȱtaleȱofȱtheȱfoxȱwhoȱstealsȱtheȱcheeseȱfromȱtheȱcrow (“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱraposoȱconȱvnȱcueruoȱqueȱtenieȱunȱpedaçoȱdeȱquesoȱen elȱpico,”ȱ“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱtheȱfoxȱwithȱtheȱcrowȱthatȱhadȱaȱpieceȱofȱcheeseȱinȱhis beak”),ȱ isȱ thatȱ theȱ foxȱ mentionsȱ Godȱ toȱ theȱ crow.3ȱ Theȱ moral,ȱ toȱ seeȱ through flattery,ȱisȱtheȱsameȱinȱbothȱversions.ȱOnȱtheȱoppositeȱend,ȱtheȱCatholicȱcontentȱis paramountȱandȱtheftȱisȱassociatedȱwithȱsinȱandȱtheȱdevil,ȱasȱinȱtheȱtaleȱofȱtheȱthief whoȱbefriendedȱtheȱdevilȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱqueȱseȱfizoȱamigoȱet vasalloȱdelȱdiablo,”ȱ“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱmanȱwhoȱmadeȱfriendsȱwithȱtheȱdevil”). Catholicȱcontentȱisȱnotȱdevelopedȱinȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱconȱvnȱomne quelȱdixoȱquelȱfariaȱalquimia”ȱ(XX;ȱ“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱkingȱwithȱaȱmanȱwho saidȱheȱcouldȱdoȱalchemy”),ȱandȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱconȱlosȱburladores queȱfizieronȱvnȱpanno”ȱ(XXXII;ȱ“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱkingȱwithȱthreeȱtricksters whoȱmadeȱhimȱclothes”).ȱHowever,ȱbothȱtalesȱdepictȱgreedyȱkings.ȱThoughȱgreed isȱnotȱframedȱasȱaȱsinȱinȱeitherȱ(exampleȱXXXIIȱisȱofȱArabicȱorigin),ȱtheȱdepiction ofȱgreedȱneverthelessȱindirectlyȱreinforcesȱtheȱCatholicȱframeȱofȱtheȱcollectionȱin whichȱPatronioȱandȱLucanorȱareȱCatholicȱandȱdiscussȱwhatȱitȱmeansȱtoȱbeȱCatholic.ȱ TwoȱotherȱtalesȱthatȱportrayȱthievesȱandȱtheirȱvictimsȱareȱofȱArabicȱorigin;ȱone ofȱthemȱ(“DeȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱSaladinȱconȱvnaȱbuenaȱduennaȱmugerȱdeȱvnȱsu vasallo”;ȱ“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱSaladinȱwithȱaȱgoodȱwomanȱwhoȱwasȱtheȱwifeȱofȱa vassalȱofȱhis”)ȱhasȱCatholicȱcontent,ȱwhileȱtheȱotherȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvn moroȱconȱvnaȱsuȱhermanaȱqueȱdauaȱaȱentenderȱqueȱeraȱmuyȱmedrosa”;ȱ“What happenedȱtoȱaȱMoorȱwithȱhisȱsisterȱwhoȱactedȱveryȱfearful”)ȱdoesȱnot.4ȱThisȱlatter tale,ȱasȱIȱwillȱshow,ȱcontrastsȱremarkablyȱwithȱtheȱveryȱCatholicȱtaleȱofȱtheȱthief whoȱbefriendsȱtheȱdevil.ȱIȱlinkȱtheȱtwoȱexamplesȱtoȱtheȱtopicȱofȱpoverty.ȱ Bothȱ mainȱ charactersȱ areȱ poorȱ andȱ resortȱ toȱ stealingȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ getȱ outȱ of poverty.ȱInȱtheȱCatholicȱexampleȱtheȱthief’sȱgreedȱleadsȱtoȱhisȱfinalȱpunishment. TheȱArabicȱtale,ȱonȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱdoesȱnotȱportrayȱtheftȱasȱaȱsin.ȱInȱotherȱwords, JuanȱManuel’sȱtreatmentȱofȱtheftȱinȱthisȱtaleȱisȱworkedȱsoȱasȱtoȱfocusȱonȱsomething else,ȱhypocrisy.ȱAsȱtoȱtheȱtaleȱofȱSaladinȱ(L),ȱitȱisȱalsoȱaboutȱtheft,ȱtheȱintendedȱtheft ofȱaȱwoman’sȱloyaltyȱtoȱherȱhusbandȱ(Saladin’sȱvassal),ȱand/orȱtheȱintendedȱtheft ofȱtheȱvassal’sȱwoman.ȱAsȱhasȱbeenȱdiscussedȱbyȱmanyȱcritics,ȱthisȱexampleȱhasȱa CatholicȱmessageȱthatȱbindsȱandȱreinforcesȱtheȱCatholicȱcontentȱofȱallȱtheȱstories. Thisȱ exampleȱ isȱ closelyȱ relatedȱ toȱ anotherȱ exampleȱ aboutȱ theftȱ andȱ theȱ devil, XLVII,ȱ “Deȱ loȱ queȱ contesçioȱ aȱ unaȱ falsaȱ beguina”;ȱ “Whatȱ happenedȱ toȱ aȱ false

3 4

Allȱtranslationsȱareȱmine. SeeȱIanȱMacPherson,ȱ“Diosȱyȱelȱmundo:ȱtheȱDidacticismȱofȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱRomanceȱPhilology 29ȱ(1970):ȱ26–38.

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

249

beguine”).ȱInȱthisȱtaleȱaȱbeguineȱdoesȱtheȱdevil’sȱworkȱofȱplantingȱdistrustȱbetween aȱmarriedȱcouple.ȱSheȱstealsȱloveȱandȱtrustȱfromȱtheȱcouple.ȱ Bothȱtalesȱinȱtheȱcollectionȱthatȱhaveȱtheȱdevilȱasȱaȱcharacter,ȱXLIIȱandȱXLV,ȱare aboutȱtheȱdevilȱstealingȱsoulsȱfromȱGod.ȱYet,ȱJuanȱManuelȱisȱveryȱcarefulȱtoȱshow thatȱtheȱvictimsȱareȱtoȱblame,ȱeitherȱforȱaȱsinfulȱnature,ȱforȱaȱcharacterȱweakness orȱforȱlackȱofȱknowledgeȱandȱpreparation.ȱIȱalsoȱdiscussȱidentityȱtheftȱinȱexample LI,ȱ “Loȱ queȱ contesçioȱ aȱ vnȱ reyȱ christianoȱ queȱ eraȱ muyȱ poderosoȱ etȱ muy soberbioso”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱChristianȱkingȱwhoȱwasȱveryȱpowerfulȱand arrogant”).ȱInȱthisȱstoryȱanȱangel,ȱobeyingȱGod’sȱinstructions,ȱstealsȱtheȱidentity ofȱaȱtooȱproudȱandȱarrogantȱking.ȱTheȱagentsȱofȱtheȱtheftȱareȱGodȱandȱanȱangel. Obviously,ȱ theȱ Catholicȱ contentȱ inȱ Juanȱ Manuelȱ isȱ intenseȱ wheneverȱ weȱ have supernaturalȱbeingsȱofȱtheȱCatholicȱfaithȱintercedingȱinȱhumanȱaffairsȱ(asȱinȱthe taleȱofȱtheȱthiefȱandȱtheȱdevil).ȱ Allȱthreeȱelementsȱreceiveȱequalȱimportance:ȱtheȱangelȬthief,ȱwhoȱactsȱasȱGod’s agent,ȱtheȱvictim,ȱtheȱproudȱking,ȱandȱtheȱpossessions,ȱtheȱidentityȱasȱkingȱandȱthe soulȱ ofȱ theȱ man.ȱ Finally,ȱ asȱ kindsȱ ofȱ theft,ȱ Iȱ lookȱ atȱ characterȱ assassination, ingratitudeȱandȱstolenȱopportunitiesȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱstories.ȱTheȱpurposeȱofȱthis paperȱisȱpreciselyȱtoȱshowȱtheȱvarietyȱwithȱwhichȱtheȱtopicȱofȱtheftȱisȱdeveloped inȱ theȱ collection,ȱ andȱ toȱ showȱ howȱ theȱ threeȱ categories,ȱ thieves,ȱ victims,ȱ and possessions,ȱoperateȱtogetherȱinȱaȱdynamicȱandȱcomplexȱway.ȱ Iȱbeginȱwithȱtwoȱstoriesȱthatȱdoȱnotȱdepictȱtheftȱperȱse,ȱbutȱtheyȱareȱwhatȱIȱcall “almostȱtheft”ȱtales,ȱandȱtheyȱhelpȱusȱunderstandȱtheȱconceptsȱofȱpossessionsȱand victims.ȱTheseȱareȱexampleȱVIII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱqueȱavianȱde alimpiarȱ elȱ figado”ȱ (“Whatȱ happenedȱ toȱ aȱ manȱ whoȱ wasȱ havingȱ hisȱ liver cleansed”),ȱandȱexampleȱXXIX,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱraposoȱqueȱseȱechoȱenȱla calleȱetȱseȱfizoȱmuerto”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱfoxȱwhoȱthrewȱhimselfȱonȱtheȱstreet andȱplayedȱdead”).ȱ

BodyȱParts:ȱPossessionsȱandȱObjectsȱofȱDesire ExampleȱVIIIȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱqueȱavianȱdeȱalimpiarȱelȱfigado”), (“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱmanȱwhoȱwasȱhavingȱhisȱliverȱcleansed”),ȱdoesȱnotȱportray aȱtheftȱinȱtheȱproperȱsense,ȱbutȱbecauseȱtheȱtaleȱdoesȱpresentȱtheȱotherȱfactorsȱthat areȱinȱgeneralȱpresentȱinȱtheȱtalesȱaboutȱtheftȱandȱvictimization,ȱIȱamȱusingȱitȱasȱa pointȱofȱdeparture.ȱWhatȱtheȱtaleȱhasȱinȱcommonȱwithȱotherȱtalesȱaboutȱtheftȱare aȱ possessionȱ andȱ theȱ twoȱ agents,ȱ aȱ wouldȬbeȱ victimȱ whoȱ isȱ theȱ ownerȱ ofȱ the possessionȱandȱanotherȱpersonȱwhoȱdesiresȱtheȱotherȱperson’sȱpossession.ȱThe possessionȱinȱquestionȱisȱaȱbodyȱpart,ȱtheȱliverȱofȱaȱmanȱwhoȱisȱbeingȱoperatedȱon (hisȱliverȱisȱbeingȱcleansed).ȱTheȱphysicianȱhasȱtheȱliverȱinȱhisȱhandȱwhenȱaȱman, uponȱseeingȱtheȱliver,ȱasksȱforȱitȱsoȱheȱcouldȱfeedȱitȱtoȱhisȱcat:ȱ“Estandoȱelȱsufriendo

250

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

esteȱdolorȱetȱteniendoȱelȱfisicoȱelȱfigadoȱenȱlaȱmano,ȱotroȱomneȱqueȱestauaȱyȱçerca delȱcomençoȱdeȱrogarȱleȱquellȱdiesseȱdeȱaquelȱfigadoȱparaȱvnȱsuȱgato”5ȱ(“Suffering fromȱhisȱpainȱandȱwhileȱtheȱphsysicianȱhadȱhisȱliverȱinȱhisȱhand,ȱanotherȱmanȱwho wasȱcloseȱbyȱstartedȱaskingȱforȱtheȱliverȱsoȱheȱcouldȱfeedȱitȱtooȱhisȱcat”). Theȱmanȱwhoȱdesiresȱtoȱhaveȱandȱtoȱtakeȱtheȱliverȱofȱanotherȱmanȱisȱnotȱaȱthief inȱtheȱproperȱsense,ȱasȱweȱhaveȱsaid;ȱheȱseesȱtheȱliver,ȱheȱdesiresȱitȱandȱheȱasksȱfor it.ȱYetȱhisȱinterpretationȱofȱtheȱcircumstanceȱrevealsȱhisȱpotentialȱtoȱbeȱaȱthief;ȱhe seesȱonlyȱhowȱtheȱliverȱcanȱbeȱusefulȱtoȱhimȱandȱdisregardsȱtheȱconsequencesȱfor theȱwouldȬbeȱvictimȱifȱhisȱliverȱwereȱtakenȱaway.ȱSamuelȱG.ȱArmisteadȱbelieves thatȱJuanȱManuel’sȱsourceȱforȱtheȱstoryȱisȱaȱSpanishȬJewishȱproverbȱ(“Dameȱtus tripasȱparaȱmiȱgato”ȱ/ȱ“Giveȱmeȱyourȱintestinesȱforȱmyȱcat”)ȱthatȱindeedȱdepicts thisȱtypeȱofȱselfishness.ȱ InȱaȱfootnoteȱArmisteadȱquotesȱtwoȱalmostȱexactȱinterpretationsȱofȱtheȱproverb: 1)ȱ“Denotaȱelȱegoísmoȱdeȱquien,ȱparaȱsuȱpropiaȱsatisfacciónȱoȱprovecho,ȱpideȱaȱotro loȱqueȱaȱésteȱnoȱesȱmenosȱútilȱeȱindispensable.”ȱ2)ȱ“S’appliqueȱauxȱégocentriques quiȱneȱseȱferaientȱaucunȱscrupuleȱdeȱvousȱdemanderȱleȱmeilleurȱdeȱvousȬmeme.”6 Theȱmanȱwhoȱasksȱforȱtheȱliverȱforȱhisȱcatȱhasȱnoȱscruplesȱandȱis,ȱinȱeffect,ȱaȱquasiȬ thief;ȱhisȱpropensityȱisȱtoȱtakeȱselfishly. Onȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱtheȱliverȱinȱtheȱphysician’sȱhandsȱisȱinȱaȱsenseȱinȱaȱnoȱman’s land,ȱnotȱinȱtheȱ bodyȱ ofȱitsȱoriginalȱowner;ȱit’sȱinȱtransit.ȱThatȱtheȱsickȱmanȱis incapableȱ ofȱ protectingȱ hisȱ possessionȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ liverȱ underscoresȱ his vulnerabilityȱandȱhisȱhelplessness.ȱHeȱisȱoneȱofȱtwoȱvictimsȱinȱtheȱcollectionȱ(the otherȱoneȱisȱaȱcadaver)ȱwhoȱhasȱnoȱresponsibilityȱforȱhisȱsituation,ȱwhoȱcan’tȱreact toȱ theȱ dangerȱ heȱ isȱ in.ȱ Hisȱ lifeȱ isȱ outȱ ofȱ hisȱ controlȱ andȱ inȱ theȱ handsȱ ofȱ the physician.ȱThatȱtheȱmanȱasksȱforȱtheȱliverȱforȱhisȱcatȱisȱtheȱcomicȱelementȱ(based onȱtheȱcomicȱproverb)ȱinȱtheȱtaleȱthatȱconnectsȱtoȱtheȱmoralȱofȱtheȱstory,ȱwhichȱis notȱtoȱgiveȱawayȱwhatȱyouȱneedȱtoȱsomeoneȱwhoȱdoesȱnotȱneedȱit.ȱ(Inȱtheȱstoryȱit isȱtheȱphysicianȱwhoȱhasȱthisȱpower,ȱnotȱtheȱsickȱman.)ȱInȱaddition,ȱtheȱsituation betweenȱtheȱsickȱmanȱandȱtheȱhealthyȱoneȱwithȱaȱcatȱdemonstratesȱthatȱthereȱis

5

6

Juanȱ Manuel,ȱ Elȱ Condeȱ Lucanor,ȱ Obrasȱ completas,ȱ volumeȱ II,ȱ ed.ȱ Joseȱ Manuelȱ Blecua,ȱ (Madrid: Gredos,ȱ1982–1983),ȱ19–503;ȱhereȱ86:26–29. SamuelȱG.ȱArmistead,ȱ“UnȱcongèreȱparaȱelȱejemplumȱVIIȱdeȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱDicenda.ȱCuadernos deȱFilologíaȱHispánicaȱ6ȱ(1987):67–69;ȱhereȱ68,ȱn.ȱ5.ȱArmisteadȱaddsȱinȱthisȱarticleȱthatȱheȱdidȱnotȱfind theȱsayingȱinȱanyȱcollectionȱofȱsayingsȱorȱproverbs.ȱJoséȱMohedamoȱBarceló,ȱcitingȱArmistead, pointsȱoutȱthatȱtheȱsayingȱisȱAndalusianȱ(whichȱdoesȱnotȱmeanȱitȱcouldȱnotȱhaveȱaȱJewishȱorigin) andȱisȱinȱIbnȱAsimȱalȬGarnati’sȱcollectionȱofȱsayings.ȱTheȱSpanishȱtranslationȱthatȱMohedano Barcelóȱprovidesȱisȱ“Unoȱconȱlasȱtripasȱenȱelȱbrazo,ȱyȱelȱotroȱleȱdice:ȱ‘Dameȱpitrafillaȱparaȱelȱgato,’” “Paremiologíaȱyȱmaterialȱliteraria:ȱelȱrefraneroȱandalusíȱenȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱAnaquelȱdeȱestudios árabesȱXȱ(1999):ȱ49–77;ȱhereȱ72.ȱOnȱtheȱquestionȱofȱthisȱsayingȱ(proverb),ȱArmisteadȱisȱalsoȱcited byȱHarrietȱGoldbergȱinȱ“TheȱJudeoȬSpanishȱProverbȱinȱitsȱNarrativeȱContext,”ȱPMLAȱ108.1ȱ(1993): 106–20;ȱhereȱ108.

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

251

alwaysȱtheȱdangerȱofȱsomeoneȱelseȱseeingȱwhatȱyouȱhaveȱ(theȱexposedȱliverȱinȱthe handsȱofȱtheȱphysician)ȱandȱwantingȱitȱforȱwhateverȱuseȱitȱmayȱbe. StoryȱVIIIȱallowsȱusȱtoȱidentifyȱtwoȱotherȱelementsȱthatȱareȱpresentȱinȱtheȱstories aboutȱ theftȱ andȱ victimsȱ ofȱ theft,ȱ appreciationȱ andȱ protection.ȱ Theȱ ownerȱ ofȱ a possessionȱneedsȱtoȱappreciateȱitsȱvalueȱandȱhaveȱtheȱdesire,ȱtheȱresourcesȱandȱthe skillsȱtoȱprotectȱit.ȱPatronioȱscoldsȱtheȱCountȱLucanorȱinȱtheȱframeȱofȱtheȱstoryȱfor evenȱentertainingȱtheȱideaȱofȱgivingȱmoneyȱawayȱthatȱheȱneeds:ȱ“Etȱvos,ȱsennor condeȱLucanor,ȱsiȱqueredesȱfazerȱmuyȱgrandȱvuestroȱdannoȱporȱauerȱdinerosȱet darȱlosȱdoȱseȱdeuenȱescudar,ȱdigoȱvosȱqueȱloȱpodiedesȱfazerȱporȱvuestraȱvoluntad, masȱnuncaȱlaȱfaredesȱporȱelȱmiȱconseio”7ȱ(“Andȱyou,ȱmyȱlordȱCountȱLucanor,ȱif youȱwantȱtoȱdoȱyourselfȱharmȱbyȱgivingȱmoneyȱawayȱtoȱpeopleȱwhoȱdon’tȱneed it,ȱdoȱsoȱifȱyouȱwantȱto,ȱbutȱdon’tȱdoȱitȱsayingȱIȱadvisedȱyou”).ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱthe CountȱLucanorȱ(andȱtheȱreader)ȱneedsȱtoȱappreciateȱandȱprotectȱwhatȱheȱhas.ȱIf not,ȱheȱhasȱonlyȱhimselfȱtoȱblameȱforȱtheȱharmȱthatȱhisȱcarelessnessȱcouldȱbring: “Seȱnonȱsabedesȱqueȱdeuedesȱdar,ȱ/ȱaȱgrandȱdannoȱseȱvosȱpodriaȱtornar”8ȱ(“Ifȱyou don’tȱknowȱwhatȱisȱrightȱtoȱgive,ȱaȱlotȱofȱharmȱcanȱcomeȱtoȱyou”).ȱTheȱlackȱof responsibilityȱ (appreciationȱ andȱ protection)ȱ onȱ theȱ partȱ ofȱ anȱ ownerȱ towardȱ a possession,ȱasȱweȱshallȱseeȱfurtherȱalongȱinȱtheȱdiscussion,ȱisȱanȱinvitationȱforȱtheft toȱtakeȱplaceȱsuccessfully. StoryȱXXIX,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱraposoȱqueȱseȱechoȱenȱlaȱcalleȱetȱseȱfizo muerto”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱfoxȱwhoȱthrewȱhimselfȱonȱtheȱstreetȱandȱpretended toȱbeȱdead”)ȱdevelopsȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱresponsibility,ȱappreciationȱandȱprotectionȱof aȱpossession,ȱinȱthisȱcase,ȱagain,ȱbodyȱparts,ȱandȱlifeȱitself.9ȱAȱfoxȱspendsȱtheȱnight inȱaȱchicken’sȱcoopȱandȱisȱsurprisedȱbyȱdaylightȱandȱpeopleȱcomingȱoutȱtoȱwalkȱthe streets.ȱTheȱonlyȱwayȱtoȱhideȱisȱtoȱlieȱonȱtheȱstreetȱandȱpretendȱtoȱbeȱdead.ȱFor differentȱmedicinalȱpurposes,ȱoneȱbyȱoneȱvillagersȱtearȱoffȱbodyȱparts:ȱhairȱfrom theȱfront,ȱhairȱfromȱtheȱback,ȱtheȱindexȱfinger,ȱandȱaȱtooth,ȱandȱthroughoutȱthe painfulȱordealȱtheȱfoxȱdoesȱnotȱmove.ȱWhenȱaȱvillagerȱisȱaboutȱtoȱtakeȱoutȱhisȱheart withȱaȱknife,ȱtheȱfoxȱrealizesȱheȱwillȱnotȱsurviveȱthisȱassault,ȱsoȱheȱrisksȱallȱand runsȱ away,ȱ successfully.ȱ Patronioȱ tellsȱ theȱ storyȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ adviseȱ theȱ Count Lucanorȱtoȱputȱupȱwithȱandȱignoreȱminorȱdisturbancesȱfromȱaȱpowerfulȱrelative.

7 8 9

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ86:ȱ30–34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).ȱ ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ86:ȱ39–40ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). AccordingȱtoȱHarrietȱGoldbergȱinȱMotifȬIndexȱofȱMedievalȱSpanishȱFolkȱNarrativesȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱthe taleȱofȱtheȱfoxȱwhoȱplaysȱdeadȱandȱhasȱhisȱbodiesȱpartsȱremovedȱbyȱpassersbyȱalsoȱappearsȱin Libroȱ deȱ Buenȱ Amorȱ (linesȱ 1412–21)ȱ andȱ inȱ aȱ sermonȱ compiledȱ byȱ Fredericȱ Tubachȱ inȱ Index Exemplorum:ȱAȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱReligiousȱTales,ȱ(Helsinki:ȱSuomalainenȱTiedeakatemia,ȱ1969): J351.2.ȱFox,ȱinȱdangerȱofȱbeingȱcaught,ȱplaysȱdead.ȱAllowsȱtailȱtoȱbeȱcutȱoff,ȱteethȱtoȱbeȱpulled,ȱears toȱbeȱcutȱoff,ȱbutȱwillȱnotȱpermitȱheartȱtoȱbeȱremoved.ȱLBAȱcc.ȱ1412–21;ȱLucanorȱEx.ȱ29;ȱTubach 2176,”ȱ65.ȱReynaldoȱAyerbeȬChauxȱdiscussesȱthoroughlyȱtheȱsourcesȱofȱtheȱstoryȱinȱElȱConde Lucanor:ȱmaterialȱtradicionalȱyȱoriginalidadȱcreadoraȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱ66–69.

252

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

Ifȱtheȱrelativeȱstrivesȱtoȱseriouslyȱhurtȱhim,ȱhowever,ȱheȱshouldȱdefendȱandȱprotect hisȱrights,ȱriskingȱhisȱlife: Eȱporȱende,ȱaȱlasȱcosasȱpassaderas,ȱpuesȱnonȱseȱpuedenȱestrannarȱcommoȱdeuen,ȱes mejorȱdeȱlesȱdarȱpassada,ȱmasȱsiȱllegareȱelȱfechoȱaȱalgunaȱcosaȱqueȱseaȱgrandȱdannoȱo grandȱmengua,ȱentonçeȱseȱaventureȱetȱnonȱleȱsufra,ȱcaȱmejorȱesȱlaȱperdidaȱoȱlaȱmuerte, defendiendoȱomneȱsuȱderechoȱetȱsuȱonraȱetȱsuȱestado,ȱqueȱbevirȱpassandoȱenȱestas cosasȱmalȱetȱdesonradaȱmente.10 [Thatȱbeingȱsaid,ȱaboutȱthingsȱthatȱhappenȱoutȱofȱourȱcontrolȱandȱthatȱwillȱeventually pass,ȱitȱisȱbestȱtoȱputȱupȱwithȱthem;ȱhoweverȱifȱanythingȱcausesȱgreatȱdamageȱorȱhurt, itȱisȱbestȱtoȱriskȱeverything,ȱevenȱgreaterȱlossȱorȱdeath,ȱdefendingȱaȱman’sȱrights,ȱhonor andȱstationȱinȱlifeȱthanȱtoȱliveȱsubjectedȱtoȱdishonorȱandȱbadȱsituations.]

Thereȱisȱnoȱtheftȱhereȱinȱtheȱproperȱsenseȱeither,ȱbutȱthisȱstory,ȱlikeȱstoryȱVIII,ȱalso hasȱelementsȱinȱcommonȱwithȱtheȱstoriesȱaboutȱtheftȱthatȱIȱdiscussȱlater,ȱmainlyȱa possession,ȱ theȱ bodyȱ (live)ȱ andȱ itsȱ parts,ȱ anȱ ownerȱ andȱ peopleȱ whoȱ seeȱ the supposedlyȱdeadȱbodyȱofȱtheȱfoxȱandȱwhoȱdesireȱandȱtakeȱdifferentȱpartsȱofȱhis bodyȱ forȱ differentȱ medicinalȱ uses.ȱ Theȱ anonymousȱ passersȬbyȱ areȱ takersȱ and opportunistsȱ(inȱtheȱpositiveȱsense)ȱwhoȱfindȱaȱtraditionalȱmedicinalȱuseȱforȱmost everything,ȱ inȱ thisȱ case,ȱ theȱ fox’sȱ bodyȱ parts.11ȱ Theȱ storyȱ illustratesȱ the responsibilityȱofȱtheȱwouldȬbeȱvictim,ȱtheȱfox,ȱtoȱsaveȱhimself.ȱHisȱfirstȱstrategy, playingȱdead,ȱworksȱonlyȱupȱtoȱaȱcertainȱpoint;ȱheȱlosesȱhisȱfur,ȱhisȱteethȱandȱhis indexȱfinger.ȱHisȱsecondȱstrategy,ȱtoȱsaveȱhisȱlife,ȱisȱtoȱstopȱtheȱpretenseȱandȱrun away.ȱ StoriesȱVIIIȱandȱXXIXȱbothȱillustrateȱthreeȱfactsȱaboutȱtheftȱandȱvictimhoodȱthat areȱimplicitȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor:ȱ1)ȱpossessionsȱcanȱbeȱreducedȱtoȱtheȱbody,ȱyet evenȱtheȱbodyȱandȱitsȱpartsȱcanȱandȱoftenȱdoȱbecomeȱsomeoneȱelse’sȱobjectsȱof desireȱforȱintendedȱappropriation;ȱ2)ȱwouldȱbeȱvictimsȱareȱinȱvaryingȱdegreesȱof vulnerability;ȱ3)ȱthievesȱ(or,ȱinȱtheseȱtwoȱstories,ȱtakers)ȱareȱeverywhere,ȱifȱthe rightȱoccasionȱpresentsȱitself,ȱifȱthereȱisȱaȱreadyȱjustificationȱorȱdesireȱatȱhandȱ(to feedȱaȱcatȱorȱforȱmedicineȱforȱaȱsickȱson),ȱandȱifȱthereȱisȱnoȱfearȱofȱsinȱandȱGodȱ(this isȱtheȱcaseȱinȱtheȱmoreȱfullyȱdevelopedȱstoriesȱthatȱhaveȱmoreȱCatholicȱcontent). Inȱeffect,ȱtheȱstoriesȱonȱtheftȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱtransmitȱtheȱmessageȱthatȱbecause thereȱareȱalwaysȱpossessionsȱinȱtheȱworldȱthereȱareȱalwaysȱthievesȱ(orȱpotential thieves)ȱandȱvictimsȱ(orȱpotentialȱvictims)ȱofȱtheft.ȱInȱaddition,ȱweȱseeȱinȱtheȱtwo stories,ȱinȱdifferentȱways,ȱhowȱtheȱrolesȱareȱreversedȱorȱcouldȱbeȱreversed.ȱThe thiefȱcanȱbecomeȱtheȱvictim,ȱasȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱtheȱfoxȱwhoȱatȱtheȱstartȱofȱtheȱstory

10 11

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ253:ȱ58–64ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). SeeȱHansȬJörgȱUther,ȱ“TheȱFoxȱinȱWorldȱLiterature:ȱReflectionsȱonȱaȱ“FictionalȱAnimal,”ȱAsian FolkloreȱStudiesȱ65.2ȱ(2006):ȱ133–60.ȱ“Theȱintestinesȱofȱtheȱfoxȱ(especiallyȱtheȱlungȱandȱliver)ȱwere accordedȱgreatȱsignificanceȱasȱmedicineȱforȱaȱvarietyȱofȱdiseases;”ȱhereȱ135.ȱ

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

253

isȱ stealingȱ chickensȱ inȱ theȱ chickenȱ coopȱ andȱ whoȱ himselfȱ laterȱ almostȱ gets quarteredȱbyȱtheȱvillagers.ȱIfȱtheȱhealthyȱmanȱwithȱtheȱcatȱwereȱtheȱsickȱoneȱonȱthe operatingȱ table,ȱ heȱ wouldȱ alsoȱ beȱ vulnerableȱ toȱ theȱ potentialȱ insensitivityȱ of anybodyȱhealthy,ȱforȱtheȱmessageȱofȱtheȱAndalusianȱproverbȱonȱwhichȱtheȱstory isȱlikelyȱbasedȱisȱthatȱpersonalȱmisfortuneȱisȱoftenȱmetȱwithȱopportunism.ȱ

GullibleȱVictims:ȱVanity,ȱStupidity,ȱandȱGreed TheȱfoxȱinȱstoryȱVȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱraposoȱconȱvnȱcueruoȱqueȱtenieȱun pedaçoȱdeȱquesoȱenȱelȱpico”),ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱtheȱfoxȱwithȱtheȱcrowȱthatȱhad aȱpieceȱofȱcheeseȱinȱhisȱbeak”),ȱtheȱfalseȱalchemistȱinȱstoryȱXXȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçio aȱvnȱreyȱconȱvnȱomneȱquellȱdixoȱqueȱfaríaȱalquimia”),ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱking withȱaȱmanȱwhoȱsaidȱheȱcouldȱdoȱalchemy”),ȱandȱtheȱtrickstersȱ(“burladores”)ȱin storyȱXXXIIȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱconȱlosȱburladoresȱqueȱfizieronȱvn panno”),ȱ (“Whatȱ happenedȱ toȱ aȱ kingȱ withȱ threeȱ trickstersȱ whoȱ madeȱ aȱ him clothes”)ȱareȱthievesȱwhoȱlieȱtoȱtheirȱtargetsȱinȱorderȱtoȱcarryȱoutȱtheirȱthefts.ȱThey wantȱsomethingȱmaterial,ȱtheȱfox,ȱtheȱcheeseȱtheȱcrowȱhasȱinȱhisȱbeak,ȱtheȱfalse alchemist,ȱtheȱking’sȱmoney,ȱandȱtheȱthreeȱtricksters,ȱtheȱkings’ȱgold,ȱsilverȱand silkȱ(theȱmaterialȱforȱtheȱphantomȱclothes,ȱwhichȱtheyȱrunȱawayȱwith).ȱTheȱthieves areȱnotȱpunishedȱinȱeitherȱoneȱofȱtheȱthreeȱstories,ȱbecauseȱtheȱfocusȱisȱonȱthe gullibilityȱofȱtheȱvictims.ȱBehindȱtheirȱgullibilityȱareȱtheirȱcharacterȱflawsȱorȱtheir sinfulȱnature.ȱTheȱcrowȱisȱvain;ȱtheȱkingȱinȱstoryȱXXȱisȱgreedy,ȱandȱtheȱkingȱin storyȱXXXIIȱisȱbothȱstupidȱandȱgreedy. JuanȱManuel’sȱadaptationȱofȱtheȱwellȬknownȱfableȱofȱtheȱfoxȱandȱtheȱcrowȱis perhapsȱtheȱmostȱsimple,ȱstraightforwardȱandȱtraditionalȱrepresentationȱofȱaȱthief andȱhisȱvictimȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor.12ȱWantingȱtheȱpieceȱofȱcheeseȱthatȱtheȱcrowȱhas inȱ hisȱ beak,ȱ theȱ foxȱ liesȱ toȱ theȱ crowȱ byȱ tellingȱ himȱ thatȱ allȱ hisȱ bodyȱ partsȱ are beautifulȱbecauseȱtheyȱareȱblack,ȱcontraryȱtoȱpopularȱopinion.ȱHeȱalsoȱsaysȱthatȱhe believesȱthatȱGodȱmadeȱhimȱalsoȱaȱgoodȱsingerȱandȱthatȱheȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱhearȱhim sing.ȱTheȱcrowȱopensȱhisȱmouthȱtoȱsingȱandȱletsȱfallȱtheȱpieceȱofȱcheese,ȱwhichȱthe foxȱrunsȱawayȱwith.ȱTheȱresponsibilityȱforȱtheȱtheftȱisȱplacedȱnotȱonȱtheȱfoxȱ(after all,ȱaȱfoxȱwillȱbeȱaȱfox,ȱcunning)ȱbutȱonȱtheȱcrowȱwhoȱletȱvanityȱblindȱhimȱtoȱthe truth,ȱthatȱheȱisȱnotȱbeautifulȱnorȱaȱgoodȱsingerȱandȱthatȱtheȱfoxȱwantedȱtoȱsteal somethingȱfromȱhim.13ȱTheȱmoralȱofȱtheȱstoryȱis:ȱ“Quiȱteȱalabaȱconȱloȱqueȱnonȱes

12

13

AccordingȱtoȱHarriettȱGoldberg,ȱtheȱfableȱisȱfoundȱinȱfourȱotherȱSpanishȱmedievalȱtexts:ȱJuan Ruiz’sȱLibroȱdeȱbuenȱamorȱ(linesȱ1437–43),ȱEsopete,ȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.c.,ȱandȱinȱaȱreligious taleȱusedȱforȱsermonsȱ(FrederickȱTubach,ȱIndexȱExemplorum:ȱAȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱReligiousȱTales (seeȱnoteȱ6);ȱcf.ȱMotifȬIndexȱofȱSpanishȱMedievalȱNarrativesȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱ95.ȱ SeeȱCarmenȱHernándezȱValcárcel,ȱElȱcuentoȱmedievalȱespañol:ȱRevisiónȱcríticaȱyȱantologíaȱ(Murcia:

254

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

enȱti,ȱsabeȱqueȱquiereȱleuarȱloȱqueȱasȱdeȱti”ȱ(“Theȱpersonȱwhoȱpraisesȱyouȱfalsely onlyȱwantsȱtoȱtakeȱadvantageȱofȱyouȱandȱstealȱsomethingȱfromȱyou”).ȱ OneȱofȱtheȱmainȱobjectivesȱofȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱisȱtoȱeducateȱtheȱreceptorȱabout theȱ evilȱ waysȱ ofȱ theȱ world.ȱ Theȱ dictumsȱ are:ȱ beȱ goodȱ butȱ notȱ stupid;ȱ be trustworthyȱbutȱdistrustful;ȱtakeȱtimeȱtoȱinvestigateȱtheȱtruth,ȱwhichȱmanyȱtimes isȱhidingȱbehindȱappearances;ȱtreadȱcarefully,ȱdon’tȱfallȱvictim.ȱTheȱcrowȱisȱstupid andȱvain.ȱHeȱfallsȱvictimȱtoȱtheȱfox’sȱliesȱandȱtheftȱnotȱonlyȱbecauseȱheȱcan’tȱseeȱthe fox’sȱtrueȱnatureȱandȱintentions,ȱbutȱalsoȱbecauseȱheȱhasȱnotȱcomeȱtoȱtermsȱwith hisȱ ownȱ nature,ȱ thatȱ heȱ isȱ uglyȱ andȱ notȱ tooȱ smart.ȱ Heȱ hasȱ notȱ measuredȱ his attributesȱandȱdeficienciesȱcorrectly.ȱHeȱdoesȱnotȱknowȱhimself.ȱForȱJuanȱManuel, developingȱknowledgeȱofȱoneselfȱisȱoneȱofȱtheȱprimaryȱgoalsȱofȱeducation,ȱandȱone ofȱtheȱmainȱdictumsȱofȱtheȱcollectionȱofȱstories.ȱItȱisȱneededȱinȱorderȱtoȱmakeȱupȱfor one’sȱweaknessesȱandȱtoȱcapitalizeȱonȱone’sȱstrengthsȱandȱgifts.ȱItȱisȱnecessaryȱso asȱtoȱcombatȱtheȱevilȱwithin,ȱinȱoneself,ȱandȱwithout,ȱinȱtheȱworld,ȱsoȱasȱtoȱnotȱfall victimȱofȱeither.ȱWithoutȱknowledgeȱofȱoneself,ȱevilȱwillȱhaveȱtheȱupperȱhandȱin theȱbattleȱbetweenȱgoodȱandȱevil.ȱIfȱtheȱcrowȱknewȱhimself,ȱheȱwouldȱrecognize theȱliesȱofȱtheȱfoxȱforȱwhatȱtheyȱare.14ȱ

14

UniversidadȱdeȱMurcia,ȱ1997),ȱ68.ȱHernándezȱValcárcelȱechoesȱMenéndezȱPidal’sȱcomparisonȱof JuanȱManuel’sȱversionȱofȱtheȱfableȱwithȱJuanȱRuiz’sȱinȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱbuenȱamor,ȱconcludingȱthatȱJuan Manuel’sȱfoxȱliesȱinȱaȱmoreȱcerebralȱfashion,ȱmanipulatingȱtruthȱinȱorderȱtoȱdeceiveȱtheȱcrow, whereasȱtheȱfoxȱinȱJuanȱRuiz’sȱversionȱusesȱblatantȱliesȱtoȱappealȱtoȱtheȱcrow’sȱemotions,ȱhis vanity.ȱNevertheless,ȱitȱisȱstillȱtheȱcrow’sȱvanityȱthatȱJuanȱManuel’sȱfox,ȱthoughȱmoreȱcerebralȱhis method,ȱappealsȱto.ȱForȱaȱthoroughȱcomparisonȱofȱtheȱfableȱinȱLibroȱdeȱbuenȱamorȱwithȱitsȱsource, seeȱMargheritaȱMorreale’sȱarticle,ȱ‘”Enxiemploȱdeȱlaȱraposaȱeȱdelȱcuervo’ȱoȱ‘Laȱzorraȱyȱlaȱcorneja’ enȱLibroȱdelȱArcipestreȱdeȱHitaȱ(1437–43),”ȱRevistaȱdeȱLiteraturaȱMedievalȱ2ȱ(1990):ȱ49–83.ȱMorreale’s articleȱalsoȱexplainsȱwhyȱtheȱtwoȱversions,ȱtheȱversionȱinȱLibroȱdeȱBuenȱAmorȱandȱtheȱversionȱinȱEl CondeȱLucanor,ȱareȱdifferent:ȱtheȱsourcesȱusedȱareȱdifferent.ȱJuanȱManuelȱusedȱtheȱLBGȱ(London, Brussels,ȱGöttingen)ȱofȱtheȱRȱ(Romuli)ȱandȱJuanȱRuizȱusedȱtheȱGIȱ(GualterioȱelȱInglés)ȱofȱtheȱRomuli. ThereȱareȱmoreȱamplificationsȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱversion,ȱmainlyȱemphasisȱonȱtheȱpremeditation ofȱtheȱtheft,ȱtheȱelaborationȱofȱtheȱlie,ȱandȱtheȱthoughtȱprocessȱofȱtheȱcrow.ȱSeeȱalsoȱReynaldo AyerbeȬChaux,ȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱMateriaȱtradicionalȱyȱoriginalidadȱcreadoraȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱ56–59. Likewise,ȱitȱisȱtheȱabilityȱtoȱbeȱanȱindependentȱthinkerȱthatȱisȱrequiredȱinȱorderȱnotȱtoȱfallȱvictim. Obviously,ȱtheȱcrowȱisȱnotȱanȱindependentȱthinker.ȱInȱtheȱsecondȱexampleȱofȱtheȱcollectionȱof stories,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱbuenoȱconȱsuȱfijo,”ȱ(Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱgoodȱmanȱwith hisȱson”),ȱaȱfatherȱteachesȱhisȱsonȱthatȱheȱcannotȱpleaseȱeverybody,ȱforȱeverybodyȱwillȱhaveȱa differentȱopinionȱasȱtoȱhowȱtoȱproceed.ȱHeȱmustȱuseȱhisȱownȱjudgment.ȱWithoutȱtheȱabilityȱto makeȱindependentȱvalueȱjudgmentsȱandȱdecisions—theyȱneedȱtoȱhaveȱaȱfoundationȱinȱChristian education—itȱisȱeasyȱtoȱbeȱledȱastray.ȱWithoutȱindependentȱthinkingȱthereȱisȱnoȱdefenseȱagainst lies,ȱ andȱ fallingȱ victimȱ toȱ themȱ isȱ aȱ guarantee.ȱ Asȱ isȱ wellȱ known,ȱ thisȱ valueȱ ofȱ independent thinkingȱ basedȱ onȱ experienceȱ andȱ intelligenceȱ providesȱ aȱ markedȱ contrastȱ withȱ the submissivenessȱofȱtheȱcharacterȱdonnaȱVascunnanaȱinȱexampleȱXXVII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱun enperadorȱetȱaȱdonȱAluarȱHannezȱMinayaȱconȱsusȱmugeres.”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱanȱemperorȱand toȱAlvarȱHannezȱMinayaȱwithȱtheirȱwives.)”ȱSheȱgivesȱupȱoneȱgood,ȱtoȱexpressȱherȱownȱopinion basedȱonȱherȱownȱexperience,ȱinȱfavorȱofȱwhatȱforȱherȱisȱaȱhigherȱgood,ȱtoȱshowȱherȱloyaltyȱtoȱher husband,ȱAlvarȱHannez.ȱWeȱcouldȱeasilyȱexpandȱonȱthisȱwithȱreferenceȱtoȱcountlessȱotherȱdidactic

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

255

ThisȱisȱtheȱcaseȱofȱtheȱkingȱinȱexampleȱXXXII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱcon losȱ burladoresȱ queȱ fizieronȱ unȱ panno,”ȱ whoȱ insteadȱ ofȱ believingȱ hisȱ own perceptionȱ ofȱ reality,ȱ thatȱ heȱ isȱ nakedȱ inȱ public,ȱ choosesȱ toȱ believeȱ whatȱ his deceiversȱandȱtheirȱdupedȱfollowersȱwantȱhimȱtoȱbelieve—thatȱheȱisȱwearingȱthe mostȱ lavishȱ andȱ beautifulȱ clothingȱ everȱ made.15ȱ Itȱ isȱ notȱ thatȱ theȱ kingȱ really believesȱthatȱheȱisȱdressedȱinȱclothing.ȱHeȱcanȱseeȱthatȱheȱisȱnaked.ȱHeȱbelievesȱthe storyȱ ofȱ theȱ deceivers,ȱ thatȱ ifȱ heȱ can’tȱ seeȱ theȱ clothing,ȱ itȱ isȱ becauseȱ heȱ is illegitimate.ȱThisȱisȱwhyȱtheȱpeopleȱinȱtheȱcrowd,ȱfearingȱtheirȱownȱillegitimacy, don’tȱwantȱtoȱtellȱtheȱtruthȱeither.ȱItȱisȱanȱorphanȱboyȱinȱtheȱcrowdȱwhoȱhasȱthe courageȱtoȱtellȱtheȱtruth,ȱbecauseȱheȱalreadyȱknowsȱheȱisȱillegitimate.ȱHeȱsaysȱtoȱthe king,ȱ“Sennor,ȱaȱmiȱnonȱmeȱenpeçeȱqueȱmeȱtengadesȱporȱfijoȱdeȱaquelȱpadreȱque yoȱdigo,ȱninȱdeȱotro,ȱetȱporȱende,ȱdigoȱvosȱqueȱsoȱçiego,ȱoȱvosȱdesnudoȱydes.”16 (“Lord,ȱIȱdoȱnotȱcareȱifȱyouȱbelieveȱwhoȱIȱsayȱmyȱfatherȱis,ȱwhetherȱthisȱmanȱor thatȱman,ȱandȱsoȱIȱamȱtellingȱyou,ȱeitherȱIȱamȱblindȱorȱyouȱareȱnaked.”)ȱByȱtheȱtime theȱkingȱandȱtheȱrestȱofȱtheȱpeopleȱunderstandȱtheȱdeception,ȱtheȱthievesȱhave madeȱoffȱwithȱtheȱmoneyȱthatȱtheȱkingȱhasȱpaidȱthemȱforȱtheȱclothing.ȱTheȱthieves escapeȱapprehensionȱandȱpunishment.ȱ Thievesȱdoȱgetȱawayȱwithȱtheirȱcrimes.ȱTheseȱthievesȱinȱexampleȱXXXIIȱescape punishmentȱ fromȱ theȱ systemȱ ofȱ humanȱ justiceȱ forȱ aȱ reasonȱ weȱ canȱ easily understand.ȱJuanȱManuelȱwantsȱtoȱkeepȱtheȱfocusȱonȱtheȱpunishmentȱthatȱtheȱking deserves,ȱforȱhisȱlackȱofȱcourage,ȱhisȱfearȱofȱillegitimacy,ȱandȱhisȱgullibility.ȱCould heȱhaveȱfallenȱinȱaȱmoreȱembarrassingȱsituation,ȱstupidȱandȱnakedȱinȱpublicȱamong hisȱsubjects?ȱTheȱoneȱthingȱaȱkingȱneedsȱisȱtheȱabilityȱtoȱdiscriminateȱbetweenȱwhat isȱ trueȱ andȱ whatȱ isȱ aȱ lie,ȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ governȱ withȱ justice.ȱ Theȱ thievesȱ are “burladores”ȱ(“burlar,”ȱtoȱdeceive).ȱTheyȱhaveȱnoȱfearȱthemselves.ȱOnȱtheȱother hand,ȱtheyȱuseȱtheirȱvictim’sȱfears,ȱtheȱking’s,ȱtoȱcommitȱtheirȱcrime.ȱTheȱstoryȱalso illustratesȱthatȱeverybody,ȱnoȱmatterȱwhatȱpositionȱtheyȱoccupyȱinȱsociety,ȱisȱa potentialȱvictim.ȱTheȱking’sȱpositionȱdoesȱnotȱprotectȱhim.ȱOnlyȱhisȱcapacityȱto discriminateȱ andȱ theȱ integrityȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ moralȱ characterȱ could,ȱ andȱ bothȱ are lacking.

15

16

textsȱfromȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱencouragingȱtheȱreaders/listenersȱtoȱthinkȱforȱthemselvesȱandȱtoȱavoid lies.ȱSee,ȱforȱinstance,ȱtheȱcontributionsȱtoȱWhatȱNatureȱDoesȱnotȱTeach:ȱDidacticȱLiteratureȱinȱthe MedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱPeriods,ȱed.ȱJuanitaȱFerosȱRuys.ȱDisputatio,ȱ15ȱ(Turnhout:ȱBrepols,ȱ2008). AccordingȱtoȱArcherȱTaylorȱinȱ“TheȱEmperor’sȱNewȱClothes,”ȱModernȱPhilology,ȱ25.1ȱ(1927):ȱ17–27, theȱstoryȱofȱaȱweaverȱ(orȱweavers)ȱwhoȱdeceivesȱaȱkingȱhasȱitsȱoriginȱinȱanȱArabicȱstoryȱthatȱisȱalso theȱsourceȱofȱtheȱstoryȱinȱtheȱTurkishȱcollection,ȱTheȱFortyȱVezirs.ȱOfȱJuanȱManuel’sȱoriginality, ArcherȱTaylorȱwrites,ȱ“TheȱmeritȱofȱJuanȱManuel’sȱinventionȱliesȱinȱtheȱdrasticȱutilizationȱofȱthe King’sȱcredulityȱtoȱbringȱaboutȱtheȱcatastrophe;ȱonlyȱinȱJuanȱManuelȱandȱinȱtheȱliteraryȱtradition dependentȱonȱhimȱisȱthisȱsoȱcleverlyȱbroughtȱabout;”ȱhereȱ24.ȱ Pleaseȱ seeȱalsoȱPleaseȱseeȱalso ReynaldoȱAyerbeȬChaux,ȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱMateriaȱtradicionalȱyȱoriginalidadȱcreadoraȱ,ȱ140–49ȱ(see noteȱ1). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ269:109–11ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

256

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

TheȱkingȱinȱstoryȱXX,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱconȱvnȱomneȱquelȱdixoȱquel fariaȱalquimia,”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱkingȱwithȱaȱmanȱwhoȱsaidȱheȱcouldȱdo alchemy”)ȱisȱlikewiseȱgullibleȱandȱgreedy.17ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱ“golfín”ȱchosesȱhisȱtarget, theȱking,ȱbecauseȱofȱhisȱtwoȱwellȬknownȱcharacterȱflaws,ȱthatȱheȱisȱnotȱtooȱbright andȱthatȱheȱisȱobsessedȱwithȱalchemy:ȱ“Etȱaquelȱomneȱsopoȱqueȱvnȱreyȱqueȱnonȱera deȱmuyȱbuenȱrecadoȱseȱtrabaiauaȱdeȱfazerȱalquimia”18ȱ(“Andȱthatȱmanȱfoundȱout aboutȱaȱkingȱwhoȱwasȱnotȱtooȱbrightȱandȱwantedȱtoȱdoȱalchemy”).ȱInȱotherȱwords, theȱ king’sȱ obsessionȱ withȱ theȱ fantasyȱ ofȱ gettingȱ richȱ viaȱ alchemyȱ revealsȱ his gullibleȱandȱgreedyȱnature.ȱTheȱ“golfín”ȱusesȱhisȱknowledgeȱofȱtheȱking’sȱcharacter weaknessesȱtoȱdeceiveȱhimȱandȱgetȱrichȱoffȱofȱhim.19ȱ Theȱployȱisȱdetailed,ȱelaborate,ȱandȱveryȱwellȱplannedȱout:ȱtheȱcounterfeitȱcoins, theȱdisguiseȱasȱanȱalchemist,ȱtheȱ“ingredient”ȱ(“tabardie”)ȱheȱsellsȱtoȱtheȱgrocer thatȱheȱsaysȱisȱrequiredȱtoȱpracticeȱalchemy,ȱtheȱsecretiveȱconversationȱwithȱthe king,ȱtheȱdemonstrationȱofȱalchemyȱ(afterȱbuyingȱtheȱkeyȱscarceȱingredient),ȱthe king’sȱownȱexperienceȱmakingȱgoldȱcoinsȱwithȱtheȱsecretȱingredient,ȱandȱfinally theȱcrisisȱ(theȱsecretȱingredientȱrunsȱout)ȱandȱtheȱsuccessȱofȱtheȱtheft,ȱtheȱalchemist runsȱoffȱwithȱtheȱgreatȱamountȱofȱmoneyȱthatȱtheȱkingȱhasȱgivenȱhimȱtoȱbuyȱmore ofȱtheȱpreciousȱsecretȱingredient:ȱ“Eȱdesqueȱelȱgolfinȱloȱtouoȱenȱsuȱpoder,ȱfuesse suȱ carreraȱ etȱ nuncaȱ seȱ tornoȱ alȱ rey.ȱ Etȱ assiȱ fincoȱ elȱ reyȱ engannadoȱ porȱ suȱ mal

17

18 19

Inȱ“Tresȱnuevosȱanálogosȱespañolesȱparaȱunȱcuentoȱinglés,”ȱJesúsȱL.ȱSerranoȱReyesȱexplainsȱthat theȱtopicȱofȱalchemyȱinȱaȱstoryȱformatȱisȱfoundȱinȱfourȱmedievalȱtexts,ȱandȱinȱchronologicalȱorder theyȱ are:ȱ Llibreȱ desȱ merevallesȱ byȱ Ramonȱ Lull,ȱ Libroȱ delȱ caballeroȱ Zifar,ȱ Elȱ Condeȱ Lucanorȱ and Chaucer’sȱ Theȱ Canterburyȱ Tales.ȱ Heȱ explainsȱ thatȱ Lidaȱ deȱ Malkiel,ȱ Marínȱ andȱ AyerbeȬChaux believeȱ thatȱ theȱ Spanishȱ versionsȱ mostȱ probablyȱ hadȱ aȱ commonȱ Arabȱ source.ȱ AyerbeȬChaux believesȱ inȱ additionȱ thatȱ Ramónȱ Lull’sȱ textȱ isȱ theȱ directȱ sourceȱ forȱ Elȱ caballeroȱ Zifarȱ andȱ Juan Manuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor.ȱDidactismoȱyȱMoralismoȱenȱGeoffreyȱChaucerȱyȱDonȱJuanȱManuel:ȱUn estudioȱcomparativoȱtextualȱ(Córdoba:ȱServicioȱdeȱPublicacionesȱdeȱlaȱUniversidadȱdeȱCórdoba, 1996),ȱ 252–73.ȱ Reproducedȱ inȱ http://www.ucm.es/info/especulo/numero9/canon1.htmlȱ (last accessedȱonȱDec.ȱ29,ȱ2011). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ151:18–20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). JohnȱBurkeȱinȱ“JuanȱManuel’sȱTabardieȱandȱGolfín,”ȱHispanicȱReviewȱ44ȱ(1976):ȱ171–78,ȱpresentsȱa thoroughȱstudyȱofȱtheȱwordsȱ“tabardíe”ȱandȱ“golfín,”ȱwhichȱare,ȱaccordingȱtoȱhim,ȱofȱArabic origin.ȱ“Tabardíe”ȱcomesȱfromȱ“barada”ȱinȱArabic,ȱwhichȱBurkeȱexplains,ȱhasȱdoubleȱmeaning, “toȱfile”ȱ(theȱcoinsȱareȱfiled)ȱandȱ“toȱbecomeȱcold.”ȱTheȱcoldnessȱrefersȱtoȱtheȱking’sȱstupidity: “‘Barada,’ȱmeaningȱ‘toȱfile,’ȱisȱaȱlinguisticȱdoubleȱofȱaȱmuchȱmoreȱcommonȱArabicȱverbȱwhich meansȱ ‘toȱ beȱ orȱ becomeȱ cold.’ȱ Fromȱ thisȱ basicȱ ideaȱ inȱ Arabicȱ ofȱ ‘coldness’ȱ thereȱ derivesȱ a secondaryȱmeaningȱofȱslowness,ȱsillinessȱandȱstupidity.ȱBlanchereȱinterpretsȱtheȱtenthȱformȱof baradaȱasȱ‘toȱthinkȱsomeoneȱtiresome,ȱgross,ȱstupid’”ȱ(hereȱ173).ȱTheȱ“tabardíe”ȱwouldȱreflectȱthe king’sȱ stupidity.ȱ “Golfín,”ȱ writesȱ Burke,ȱ mightȱ deriveȱ fromȱ theȱ Arabicȱ verbȱ “ghalafa,”ȱ which “meansȱtoȱcoverȱorȱenvelop”ȱ(hereȱ175).ȱBurkeȱcomesȱtoȱtheseȱconclusionsȱaboutȱtheȱmeaningȱof theȱwordȱ“golfín”:ȱ“Theȱtranslationȱwhichȱisȱnormallyȱgivenȱforȱgolfín,ȱ“maleante,ȱmalhechor,” parallelsȱoneȱsenseȱofȱtheȱwordȱburlador,ȱ“heȱwhoȱdoesȱevilȱbyȱdeceitȱorȱtrickery.”ȱTheȱpossibility, then,ȱexistsȱthatȱsemanticallyȱgolfínȱisȱaȱkindȱofȱbackȬformationȱfromȱaȱstem,ȱwhichȱbasicallyȱmeans “toȱconceal.”ȱHeȱwhoȱconcealsȱveryȱoftenȱdoesȱitȱinȱorderȱtoȱcommitȱevil”ȱ(hereȱ176).ȱ

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

257

recabdo”20ȱ(“Andȱasȱsoonȱasȱtheȱscoundrelȱhadȱitȱinȱhisȱpower,ȱheȱskippedȱtown andȱheȱneverȱreturnedȱtoȱtheȱking.ȱAndȱthatȱisȱhowȱtheȱkingȱwasȱdeceivedȱbecause ofȱhisȱlackȱofȱcommonȱsense”).ȱ Inȱeffect,ȱtheȱblameȱforȱtheȱsuccessȱofȱtheȱtheftȱisȱplacedȱonȱtheȱking’sȱgullibility, hisȱ“malȱrecabdo.”ȱTheȱthiefȱrubsȱitȱinȱbyȱleavingȱtheȱkingȱaȱwrittenȱnoteȱattesting toȱbothȱhisȱownȱaudacityȱandȱtheȱking’sȱgullibility:ȱ“Bienȱcredȱqueȱnonȱaȱenȱel mundoȱtabardie;ȱmasȱabetȱqueȱvosȱheȱengannado,ȱetȱquandoȱyoȱvosȱdiziaȱqueȱvos fariaȱrico,ȱdeuieradesȱmeȱdezirȱqueȱloȱfeziesseȱprimeroȱaȱmiȱetȱqueȱmeȱcreeriedes”21 (“Iȱwantȱyouȱtoȱknowȱthatȱthereȱisȱnoȱsuchȱthingȱasȱ‘tabardie’ȱinȱthisȱworldȱandȱthat Iȱdeceivedȱyou,ȱandȱwhenȱIȱsaidȱthatȱIȱcouldȱmakeȱyouȱaȱrichȱman,ȱyouȱshould haveȱaskedȱmeȱtoȱmakeȱmyselfȱrichȱfirst”). InȱstoriesȱXXXIIȱandȱXXȱtheȱthievesȱmakeȱoffȱwithȱtheȱkings’ȱmoney.ȱMoneyȱ(and silverȱandȱgold)ȱisȱtheȱpossessionȱtheyȱtargetȱforȱtheft.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱkingsȱalsoȱlose otherȱvaluableȱpossessionsȱinȱtheȱtransaction.ȱTheȱkingȱinȱstoryȱXXXIIȱisȱhumiliated beforeȱhisȱpeopleȱandȱtheȱkingȱinȱstoryȱXXȱisȱmadeȱfunȱofȱbyȱhisȱpeople.ȱTheyȱlose respectȱandȱcredibility.ȱThisȱlossȱofȱrespectȱandȱcredibilityȱisȱespeciallyȱdeveloped inȱstoryȱXXȱwithȱJuanȱManuel’sȱcharacteristicȱhumor.ȱTheȱkingȱfindsȱoutȱthatȱtwo menȱhaveȱmadeȱlistsȱofȱtheȱsmartȱmen,ȱtheȱrichȱmenȱandȱtheȱstupidȱmenȱinȱthe kingdom,ȱandȱthatȱtheyȱhaveȱputȱhimȱfirstȱonȱtheȱlistȱofȱstupidȱmen.ȱHeȱsummons theȱmenȱandȱasksȱthemȱwhyȱtheyȱhaveȱplacedȱhimȱonȱthisȱlist,ȱandȱtheirȱcandid answerȱisȱbecauseȱheȱgaveȱaȱlotȱofȱhisȱmoneyȱtoȱaȱstrangerȱheȱhadȱnoȱreferencesȱfor. Itȱisȱhumorousȱthatȱtheȱkingȱconfirmsȱhisȱgullibilityȱwhenȱheȱrespondsȱthatȱifȱthe thiefȱreturnsȱheȱwillȱnoȱlongerȱbeȱaȱstupidȱman.ȱ Theȱtwoȱmen,ȱwithȱtongueȱinȱcheek,ȱreplyȱthatȱwhenȱtheȱthiefȱreturnsȱtheyȱwill takeȱtheȱkingȱoffȱfirstȱplaceȱonȱtheȱlistȱofȱstupidȱpeopleȱandȱputȱinsteadȱtheȱthief firstȱonȱtheȱlist:22ȱ“Etȱellosȱleȱdixieronȱqueȱellosȱnonȱperdianȱnadaȱdeȱsuȱcuenta,ȱca siȱelȱotroȱviniesse,ȱqueȱsacarianȱalȱreyȱdelȱescriptoȱetȱqueȱpornianȱaȱel”23ȱ(“Andȱthey toldȱhimȱthatȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱcareȱoneȱwayȱorȱanother,ȱbutȱifȱtheȱthiefȱreturnedȱthey willȱtakeȱtheȱkingȱoffȱtheȱlistȱandȱtheyȱwillȱputȱhimȱonȱit”). Theseȱareȱstoriesȱthatȱprovideȱnegativeȱexamplesȱofȱconductȱ(theȱcharactersȱfall victimsȱofȱtheft).ȱAtȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱstoriesȱPatronioȱgivesȱadviceȱtoȱLucanorȱonȱhow

20 21 22

23

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ153:ȱ85–87ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ153:ȱ91–93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). GracielaȱCándanoȱstudiesȱwhatȱmakesȱtheȱtwoȱkingsȱinȱtheseȱtwoȱstoriesȱcomicalȱinȱherȱarticle “PersonajesȱcómicosȱenȱlaȱDisciplinaȱclericalesȱyȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱActaȱPoéticaȱ30.1ȱ(2009):ȱ29–59. AsȱtoȱtheȱkingȱinȱstoryȱXXXII,ȱitȱisȱhisȱnakednessȱthatȱmakesȱhimȱanȱ“hazmerreir,”ȱaȱlaughingȱstock forȱhisȱpeopleȱ(hereȱ55).ȱAsȱtoȱtheȱkingȱinȱexampleȱXX,ȱheȱisȱcomicalȱbecauseȱheȱisȱmadeȱfunȱofȱby theȱfalseȱalchemistȱinȱtheȱnoteȱheȱleavesȱinȱtheȱtrunkȱandȱbyȱtheȱtwoȱmenȱwhoȱputȱhimȱonȱtheȱlist ofȱstupidȱpeopleȱ(hereȱ52).ȱhttp://www.revistas.unam.mx/index.php/rap/article/view/23130ȱ(last accessedȱonȱDec.ȱ29,ȱ2011). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ154:ȱ107–09ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

258

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

toȱnotȱfallȱinȱtheȱtrapsȱthatȱtheȱcharactersȱfallȱin.ȱAsȱweȱknow,ȱtheseȱelaborations areȱreinforcedȱbyȱtheȱmoralȱinȱtheȱtwoȱversesȱthatȱtheȱauthorȱsaysȱ(referringȱto himselfȱinȱthirdȱperson)ȱheȱhasȱaddedȱtoȱsummarizeȱtheȱlesson.ȱInȱstoryȱVȱ(theȱfox andȱtheȱcrow)ȱPatronioȱadvisesȱLucanorȱtoȱbewareȱofȱflattery,ȱforȱtheȱintentionȱof theȱflattererȱisȱtoȱdeceive.ȱAsȱmentionedȱabove,ȱtheȱtwoȱversesȱthatȱsummarizeȱthe moralȱ(“Quiȱteȱalabaȱconȱloȱqueȱnonȱesȱenȱit,ȱ/ȱsabeȱqueȱquiereȱleuarȱloȱqueȱasȱde ti”;ȱ“Theȱpersonȱwhoȱpraisesȱyouȱfalselyȱonlyȱwantsȱtoȱtakeȱadvantageȱofȱyouȱand stealȱsomethingȱfromȱyou”)ȱclarifyȱthatȱtheȱflattererȱwantsȱtoȱdeceiveȱinȱorderȱto stealȱ somethingȱ fromȱ you.ȱ Patronio’sȱ adviceȱ inȱ storyȱ XXȱ (theȱ fakeȱ alchemist) focusesȱ onȱ Lucanor’sȱ responsibilityȱ toȱ beȱ smartȱ enoughȱ toȱ protectȱ hisȱ own propertyȱandȱwealthȱfromȱswindlersȱwhoȱpromiseȱbigȱreturnsȱonȱhisȱmoney.ȱ Theȱtwoȱversesȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱstoryȱechoȱwhatȱtheȱ“golfín”ȱwroteȱinȱhisȱnote toȱtheȱking:ȱseeȱifȱtheȱpersonȱwhoȱpromisesȱyouȱaȱgoodȱreturnȱonȱyourȱmoneyȱis wealthyȱ himself,ȱ ifȱ not,ȱ don’tȱ believeȱ him:ȱ “Nonȱ aventuradesȱ muchoȱ deȱ tu riqueza,/ȱporȱconsejoȱdelȱqueȱaȱgrandȱpobreza.”24ȱ(“Don’tȱriskȱaȱlotȱofȱyourȱwealth onȱ theȱ adviceȱ ofȱ someoneȱ whoȱ isȱ poor”).ȱ Inȱ storyȱ XXXIIȱ (theȱ “burladores”) PatronioȱadvisesȱLucanorȱtoȱbewareȱofȱstrangersȱwhoȱaskȱhimȱtoȱkeepȱaȱprofitable negotiationȱsecretȱfromȱhisȱfriends,ȱforȱtheirȱintentionȱisȱtoȱtakeȱadvantageȱofȱhim. Theyȱ wouldȱ notȱ askȱ forȱ secrecyȱ ifȱ theyȱ wereȱ honest:ȱ “Etȱ vos,ȱ sennorȱ conde Lucanor,ȱpuesȱaquelȱomneȱvosȱdizeȱqueȱnonȱsepaȱningunoȱdeȱlosȱenȱqueȱvosȱfiades nadaȱdeȱloȱqueȱelȱvosȱdize,ȱçiertoȱseedȱqueȱvosȱcuydaȱengannar,ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”25ȱ(“Andȱyou, myȱ lordȱ Countȱ Lucanor,ȱ bewareȱ thatȱ thatȱ manȱ whoȱ tellsȱ youȱ thatȱ noȱ oneȱ else shouldȱknowȱaboutȱtheȱdealȱbetweenȱtheȱtwoȱofȱyouȱisȱtryingȱtoȱdeceiveȱyou”).ȱ Theȱtwoȱversesȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱstory,ȱcapturingȱtheȱmoralȱwithȱhumor,ȱalso emphasizeȱthatȱimposedȱsecrecyȱisȱaȱsignȱofȱdanger:ȱ“Quienȱteȱconseiaȱencobrirȱde tusȱamigos,ȱ/ȱsabeȱqueȱmasȱteȱquiereȱengannarȱqueȱdosȱfigos.”26ȱTheȱthreeȱstories illustrateȱthatȱitȱisȱupȱtoȱtheȱtargetsȱofȱtheȱthievesȱtoȱseeȱtheȱwarningȱsignalsȱ(the redȱflags)ȱinȱorderȱtoȱprotectȱthemselvesȱandȱnotȱfallȱvictim:ȱflattery,ȱaȱdiscrepancy (likeȱaȱlackȱofȱproof),ȱandȱswornȱsecrecy,ȱareȱallȱwarningȱsignalsȱthatȱtheȱagentȱis aȱthiefȱandȱyouȱareȱhisȱtarget.

24 25 26

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ154:ȱ118–19ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucano,ȱ269:ȱ121–23ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). LaurenceȱdeȱLoozeȱexplainsȱthatȱ“dosȱfigos”ȱ(twoȱfigs)ȱonlyȱappearsȱinȱoneȱmanuscript.ȱInȱother manuscriptsȱitȱisȱ“dosȱfijos”ȱ(twoȱsons)ȱorȱ“dosȱenemigos”ȱ(twoȱenemies),ȱorȱ“dosȱtestigos”ȱ(two witnesses).ȱManuscriptȱDiversity,ȱMeaning,ȱandȱVarianceȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱ(Toronto andȱBuffalo:ȱUniversityȱofȱTorontoȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱ18–21.ȱAsȱisȱevident,ȱtheȱverseȱisȱonlyȱhumorous withȱtheȱtwoȱfigs.

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

259

StealingȱToȱGetȱOutȱofȱPovertyȱ FiveȱstoriesȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱpresentȱcharactersȱthatȱareȱpoorȱwhoȱwantȱtoȱfind aȱwayȱtoȱgetȱoutȱofȱtheirȱpoverty.27ȱInȱtwoȱofȱtheseȱstories,ȱstoryȱX,ȱ“Deȱloȱque contesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱqueȱporȱpobrezaȱetȱmenguaȱdeȱotraȱviandaȱcomiaȱatramuzes” (“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱmanȱwhoȱbecauseȱheȱwasȱsoȱpoorȱandȱinȱneedȱhadȱnothing toȱeatȱbutȱlupinȱbeans”)ȱandȱstoryȱXVII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱhomneȱqueȱavia muyȱgrantȱfanbreȱquellȱcomidaronȱmuyȱfloxaȱmenteȱaȱcomer”ȱ(“Whatȱhappened toȱaȱmanȱwhoȱwasȱveryȱhungryȱandȱwhoȱgotȱaȱhalfȬheartedȱinvitationȱtoȱeat”),ȱthe charactersȱchangeȱtheirȱattitudeȱfromȱnegativeȱtoȱpositive,ȱfromȱhopelessnessȱto faithȱinȱGodȱandȱindustry.ȱ Theseȱstoriesȱareȱpresentedȱasȱpositiveȱexamples:ȱtheȱrightȱwayȱtoȱovercome poverty.ȱStoryȱVII,ȱ“DeȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnaȱmugerȱquellȱdizanȱdonnaȱTruana” (“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱwomanȱwhoȱwasȱknownȱasȱdonnaȱTruana”),ȱisȱaȱnegative example.ȱEvenȱthoughȱtheȱcharacterȱ(donnaȱTruana)ȱhasȱaȱpositiveȱattitudeȱandȱis industriousȱ(sheȱwantsȱtoȱsellȱherȱhoneyȱinȱtheȱmarket),ȱsheȱletsȱherselfȱbeȱcarried awayȱbyȱfantasyȱ(unrealisticȱexpectations)ȱandȱtherebyȱlosesȱtheȱlittleȱwealthȱ(the

27

ThatȱIȱamȱawareȱofȱthereȱisȱnoȱstudyȱonȱtheȱtopicȱofȱpovertyȱinȱJuanȱManuelȱlikeȱthereȱisȱfor Gonzaloȱ deȱ Berceo,ȱ “Pobresȱ yȱ pobrezaȱ enȱ laȱ obraȱ deȱ Gonzaloȱ deȱ Berceo,”ȱ byȱ Carmenȱ López Alonso,ȱ Cuadernosȱ hispanoamericanosȱ 320–21ȱ (1977):ȱ 360–82.ȱ (Thereȱ isȱ aȱ studyȱ onȱ theȱ topicȱ of money,ȱwhichȱisȱrelated.ȱPleaseȱseeȱnoteȱ18.)ȱInȱtruth,ȱifȱweȱwantedȱtoȱlearnȱaboutȱtheȱpoorȱin Castileȱinȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury,ȱweȱwouldȱnotȱthinkȱofȱturningȱtoȱJuanȱManuel. Heȱwasȱnotȱveryȱconcernedȱwithȱtheȱpoorȱasȱaȱsocialȱclass,ȱjudgingȱfromȱhisȱbooksȱoverall.ȱAsȱwe know,ȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱtheȱpopulationȱinȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱinȱCastillaȱwas poor.ȱTheȱauthorȱbelongedȱtoȱtheȱaristocraticȱminority.ȱHeȱhimselfȱwasȱamongȱtheȱwealthiestȱof theȱnoblesȱofȱhisȱtime.ȱAsȱexpected,ȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱpovertyȱisȱnotȱunderstoodȱasȱaȱsocial problemȱ butȱ ratherȱ asȱ anȱ individualȱ problem.ȱ Theȱ charactersȱ inȱ theȱ fiveȱ stories,ȱ ratherȱ than representativesȱofȱaȱsocialȱclass,ȱareȱindividualsȱwhoȱareȱresponsibleȱforȱtheirȱsituation.ȱTheyȱhave theȱpowerȱtoȱovercomeȱtheirȱpovertyȱwithoutȱresortingȱtoȱstealing;ȱtheyȱneedȱonlyȱhaveȱtheȱright attitudeȱandȱputȱtheirȱfaithȱinȱGod.ȱPoorȱforȱJuanȱManuelȱ(inȱtheȱCoundeȱLucanor)ȱmeansȱ not havingȱmoneyȱforȱsustainingȱone’sȱstationȱinȱlife.ȱThisȱmeansȱthatȱaȱnoblemanȱcanȱbeȱpoor.ȱPoverty inȱthisȱsenseȱisȱaȱtopicȱofȱpersonalȱinterestȱtoȱtheȱaristocrat.ȱ“Labradores”ȱ(workers)ȱcanȱbeȱwell offȱorȱpoor,ȱdependingȱonȱtheirȱattitudeȱandȱhonestȱhardȱwork.ȱTheȱauthorȱdoesȱnotȱsupport upwardȱmobility,ȱ“labradores,”ȱforȱexample,ȱworkingȱtheirȱwayȱupȱtoȱaȱhigherȱsocialȱrank.ȱHe advocatesȱindustryȱinȱorderȱtoȱmaintainȱtheȱstandardȱofȱlivingȱpermittedȱforȱeachȱclass.ȱNorȱdoes theȱauthorȱbelieveȱthatȱtheȱaristocraticȱclassȱshouldȱfeelȱguiltyȱforȱtheirȱprivilegedȱpositionȱin society.ȱEachȱindividualȱisȱbornȱinȱtheȱsocialȱclassȱthatȱGodȱchoseȱforȱhim/ȱher.ȱIndeed,ȱinȱJuan Manuel’sȱworldȬviewȱbeingȱrichȱandȱpowerfulȱisȱnotȱanȱobstacleȱtoȱtheȱsalvationȱofȱtheȱsoul.ȱIn fact,ȱGodȱwantsȱeachȱpersonȱtoȱsaveȱhisȱsoulȱinȱtheȱestateȱinȱwhichȱheȱwasȱborn.ȱTheȱrichȱand powerfulȱshouldȱnotȱbelieveȱthatȱtheyȱhaveȱaȱbetterȱchanceȱatȱsavingȱtheirȱsoulȱifȱtheyȱrenounce theirȱrichesȱandȱdedicateȱthemselvesȱtoȱaȱlifeȱofȱprayerȱandȱrepentance.ȱThisȱisȱillustratedȱinȱthe thirdȱstoryȱofȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ“DelȱsaltoȱqueȱfizoȱelȱreyȱRichalteȱdeȱInglaȱterraȱenȱlaȱmarȱcontra losȱmoros”ȱ(“TheȱjumpȱthatȱtheȱkingȱRichardȱofȱEnglandȱperformedȱatȱseaȱwhileȱfightingȱagainst theȱMoors”).

260

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

potȱofȱhoney)ȱsheȱhas.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱinȱtheȱtwoȱstoriesȱIȱdiscussȱbelow,ȱthe charactersȱresortȱtoȱstealingȱinȱorderȱtoȱovercomeȱtheirȱpoverty.ȱInȱtheȱCatholic storyȱtheȱthiefȱreceivesȱpunishmentȱfromȱbothȱhumanȱandȱdivineȱjustice,ȱyetȱinȱthe storyȱofȱArabicȱoriginȱtheȱthieves,ȱaȱsisterȱandȱaȱbrother,ȱareȱnotȱpunished.ȱThe storyȱratherȱcontrastsȱtheȱcharactersȱofȱtheȱsisterȱandȱbrotherȱasȱrevealedȱbyȱtheir differentȱstylesȱofȱstealing.ȱ InȱstoryȱXLV,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱqueȱseȱfizoȱamigoȱetȱvasalloȱdel diablo”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱmanȱwhoȱmadeȱfriendsȱwithȱtheȱdevil”),ȱtheȱdevil promisesȱanȱimpoverishedȱmanȱthatȱheȱcanȱhelpȱhimȱbecomeȱaȱsuccessfulȱthiefȱin orderȱtoȱbecomeȱrichȱagain.28ȱTheȱmanȱagrees.ȱTheȱdevilȱinstructsȱhimȱthatȱifȱand whenȱ heȱ isȱ apprehendedȱ toȱ callȱ outȱ toȱ himȱ forȱ helpȱ withȱ theseȱ exactȱ words, “Acorredȱ me,ȱ donȱ Martin”ȱ (“Rescueȱ me,ȱ donȱ Martin”).ȱ Heȱ willȱ saveȱ him,ȱ he promises,ȱfromȱanyȱdangerȱheȱisȱin.ȱFollowingȱtheȱdirectivesȱofȱtheȱdevil,ȱtheȱman robsȱestablishmentsȱandȱhouses,ȱbecomingȱrich.ȱHisȱgreedȱmotivatesȱhimȱtoȱrob evenȱmore,ȱandȱbecomingȱfearlessȱandȱcareless,ȱheȱgetsȱcaughtȱbyȱtheȱauthorities. Heȱcallsȱoutȱtoȱtheȱdevilȱtoȱcomeȱrescueȱhim,ȱandȱtheȱdevilȱdoes.ȱ Theȱthiefȱbecomesȱmoreȱrecklessȱwithȱeveryȱrobberyȱandȱeveryȱrescue.ȱAtȱthe sameȱtimeȱtheȱdevilȱtakesȱmoreȱtimeȱeachȱtimeȱtoȱrescueȱhim.ȱAtȱoneȱtimeȱtheȱthief hasȱalreadyȱbeenȱsentencedȱtoȱdieȱbyȱtheȱtimeȱtheȱdevilȱappears.ȱTheȱnextȱtimeȱthe devilȱ doesȱ notȱ comeȱ toȱ hisȱ rescueȱ untilȱ heȱ isȱ aboutȱ toȱ beȱ hanged.ȱ Itȱ turnsȱ out, however,ȱthatȱheȱhasȱnotȱcomeȱtoȱrescueȱhim,ȱbutȱtoȱprovideȱtheȱnooseȱtoȱhangȱhim thatȱcouldȱnotȱbeȱfound.ȱTheȱdevil,ȱtheȱmasterȱdeceiver,ȱliedȱtoȱhimȱandȱbrokeȱhis promiseȱtoȱrescueȱhimȱfromȱeveryȱdanger.ȱPatronioȱexplainsȱthatȱtheȱmanȱlostȱhis lifeȱandȱhisȱsoul,ȱbecauseȱheȱtrustedȱinȱtheȱdevil,ȱbelievingȱhisȱlies:ȱ“Etȱasiȱperdio

28

Thirteenthȱcenturyȱ(secondȱhalf)ȱSpanishȱversionsȱofȱtheȱstoryȱ(featuringȱTeophilusȱandȱtheȱVirgin) areȱMilagroȱXIVȱinȱBerceo’sȱMilagrosȱdeȱNuestraȱSeñoraȱandȱCantigaȱIIIȱinȱAlfonsoȱX’sȱCantigasȱde laȱVirgenȱMaría.ȱVersionsȱ(withoutȱTeophilusȱandȱtheȱVirgin)ȱfromȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱFourteenth centuryȱareȱJuanȱManuel’sȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱandȱJuanȱRuiz’sȱinȱLibroȱdeȱbuenȱamor,ȱ“Enxiemplo delȱ ladrónȱ queȱ fizoȱ cartaȱ alȱ Diablo.”ȱ Bothȱ ofȱ theseȱ versionsȱ featureȱ thievesȱ whoȱ abuseȱ their connectionȱwithȱtheȱdevilȱandȱwhoȱareȱhanged.ȱAccordingȱtoȱJoaquimȱVentura,ȱinȱ“Laȱtradición delȱpactoȱdiabólicoȱenȱelȱLibroȱdeȱbuenȱamor:ȱelȱ“enxienploȱdelȱladrónȱqueȱfizoȱcartaȱalȱDiablo,” thereȱisȱnoȱknownȱsourceȱforȱRuiz’sȱversionȱ(andȱthereforeȱJuanȱManuel’sȱversion):ȱ“Noȱhayȱfuente conocidaȱparaȱesteȱejemplo,ȱporȱloȱcualȱcabeȱdeducirȱqueȱelȱArcipresteȱdeȱHitaȱhabríaȱtomadoȱla figuraȱdelȱpactoȱconȱelȱdemonioȱmásȱporȱelȱtratoȱconȱésteȱqueȱporȱelȱdocumentoȱyȱlaȱabjuración deȱDiosȱ(queȱnoȱseȱlaȱexige.)”ȱPaperȱdeliveredȱinȱAlcalaȱdeȱHenares,ȱMayȱ9–11,ȱ2002,ȱatȱtheȱFirst Internationalȱ Conferenceȱ onȱ theȱ Libroȱ deȱ buenȱ amor.ȱ Reproducedȱ byȱ Cervantesȱ Virtual, http://cvc.cervantes.es/literatura/arcipreste_hita/01/ventura.htmȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱDec.ȱ29,ȱ2011). ThereȱmightȱnotȱbeȱonlyȱoneȱknownȱsourceȱforȱtheȱversionsȱsuchȱasȱtheyȱappearȱinȱJuanȱRuizȱand Juanȱ Manuel;ȱ onȱ theȱ otherȱ handȱ inȱ Harrietȱ Goldberg’sȱ Motifȱ Indexȱ ofȱ Medievalȱ Spanishȱ Folk NarrativesȱweȱcanȱidentifyȱaȱversionȱinȱtheȱEspéculoȱdeȱlosȱlegosȱ(n.ȱ185)ȱwithȱcommonȱmotifs:ȱthe manȱisȱpoor,ȱtheȱdevilȱpromisesȱtoȱmakeȱhimȱrich,ȱtheȱdevilȱvisitsȱhimȱthreeȱtimes,ȱtheȱdevilȱexacts paymentȱofȱhisȱsoul.ȱ(Theȱdevil,ȱinterestingly,ȱisȱdisguisedȱasȱaȱpoorȱman.)ȱMissingȱareȱtheȱtheft andȱtheȱhanging.ȱMotifȱIndex,ȱ118ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

261

aquelȱomneȱelȱcuerpoȱetȱelȱalma,ȱcreyendoȱalȱdiabloȱetȱfiandoȱdel”29ȱ(“Andȱthatȱis howȱtheȱmanȱlostȱhisȱbodyȱandȱhisȱsoul,ȱbelievingȱandȱtrustingȱhim”). TheȱstoryȱillustratesȱwhatȱdonȱJuanȱManuelȱbelievesȱasȱaȱCatholic,ȱthatȱtheȱdevil isȱindeedȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱcrimesȱinȱthisȱworld.ȱWithoutȱhisȱintervention,ȱthere wouldȱbeȱnoȱcriminalsȱandȱnoȱcrimes.ȱHereȱinȱthisȱexampleȱtheȱdevilȱmakesȱa criminalȱoutȱofȱaȱmanȱwhoȱhadȱnotȱbeenȱoneȱbefore.ȱTheȱthiefȱcommitsȱaȱstringȱof robberies.ȱNevertheless,ȱtheȱmanȱisȱneverȱforcedȱintoȱaȱlifeȱofȱcrimeȱbyȱtheȱdevil. Heȱmakesȱtheȱchoiceȱtoȱacceptȱtheȱdevil’sȱofferȱandȱterms.ȱTheȱdevilȱwaitsȱtoȱmake hisȱmoveȱwhenȱtheȱmanȱisȱatȱhisȱweakestȱandȱmostȱlikelyȱtoȱbeȱtemptedȱbyȱhis offer:ȱ“EtȱbienȱcredȱqueȱelȱDiabloȱsienpreȱcataȱtienpoȱparaȱengannarȱaȱlosȱomnes. Quandoȱveeȱqueȱestanȱenȱalgunaȱquexa,ȱoȱdeȱmengua,ȱoȱdeȱmiedo,ȱoȱdeȱquerer conplirȱsuȱtalante,ȱentonçeȱlibraȱconȱellosȱtodoȱloȱqueȱquiere”ȱ(Andȱbelieveȱthatȱthe Devilȱalwaysȱfindsȱtheȱrightȱtimeȱtoȱdeceiveȱpeople.ȱWhenȱheȱseesȱthatȱtheyȱareȱin distressȱorȱinȱneedȱorȱfearfulȱorȱbentȱonȱgettingȱtheirȱway,ȱthenȱheȱgetsȱfromȱthem everythingȱthatȱheȱwantsȱto”).30ȱTheȱmanȱisȱdistressedȱbecauseȱheȱhasȱjustȱlostȱhis moneyȱandȱisȱnowȱimpoverished.ȱHeȱhasȱnoȱmoralȱstrength,ȱorȱloveȱforȱGod,ȱto resistȱtheȱdevil’sȱoffer.ȱHeȱonlyȱwantsȱtoȱbeȱrichȱagain.31ȱ Onceȱrichȱagainȱafterȱaȱstringȱofȱsuccessfulȱrobberies,ȱhisȱsinȱofȱavariceȱprompts himȱtoȱcommitȱmoreȱrobberies:ȱ“Etȱelȱmalȱandante,ȱnonȱseȱteniendoȱporȱpagadoȱde commoȱeraȱfueraȱdeȱlazeria,ȱcomençoȱaȱfurtarȱavnȱmas”32ȱ(“Theȱunfortunateȱsoul, notȱunderstandingȱthatȱheȱwasȱluckyȱenoughȱalreadyȱforȱgettingȱaway,ȱstartedȱto robȱevenȱmore”).ȱHeȱdoesȱnotȱstopȱrobbingȱonceȱhavingȱmetȱhisȱinitialȱgoal,ȱbut insteadȱheȱchoosesȱtoȱcontinue,ȱabusingȱhisȱconnectionȱwithȱtheȱdevil.ȱTheȱdevil doesȱnotȱpunishȱhimȱforȱbeingȱaȱthief,ȱthoughȱtheȱhumanȱsystemȱofȱjusticeȱdoes. Theȱdevilȱpunishesȱhimȱforȱabusingȱhisȱconnectionȱwithȱhim,ȱforȱhisȱarrogance. Aboutȱtoȱbeȱhanged,ȱtheȱthiefȱcallsȱoutȱtoȱdonȱMartin,ȱtheȱdevil,ȱtoȱrescueȱhim.ȱThe devilȱanswersȱthatȱwhenȱhisȱfriendsȱgetȱtoȱthisȱplaceȱwhereȱheȱisȱatȱnow,ȱaboutȱto beȱhanged,ȱheȱdoesȱnotȱrescueȱthem.ȱ Theȱmessageȱisȱthatȱtheȱdevilȱtemptsȱpeopleȱtoȱbecomeȱcriminals,ȱbutȱheȱisȱnot responsibleȱforȱtheirȱsinfulȱnature,ȱwhichȱisȱtheȱprimaryȱmotivatingȱforceȱbehind theirȱ criminalȱ behavior.ȱ Theȱ devilȱ doesȱ notȱ putȱ theȱ thiefȱ atȱ theȱ scaffold.ȱ The arrogantȱ thiefȱ whoȱ believesȱ heȱ couldȱ escapeȱ justiceȱ foreverȱ becauseȱ ofȱ his connectionsȱ putsȱ himselfȱ there.ȱ Theȱ manȱ fallsȱ victimȱ toȱ theȱ devil’sȱ influence

29 30 31

32

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ371:ȱ111–12ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ369:ȱ41–44ȱ(seȱnoteȱ4). JohnȱEngland’sȱarticle,ȱ“Elȱomneȱconȱbondad…acreçentaȱlasȱriquezas:ȱJuanȱManuelȱandȱmoney,” Theȱ Placeȱ ofȱ Argument:ȱ Essaysȱ inȱ Honourȱ ofȱ Nicholasȱ G.ȱ Round,ȱ eds.ȱ Rhianȱ Daviesȱ andȱ Anny BrooksbankȱJonesȱ(London:ȱTamesisȱBooks,ȱ2007,ȱ43–56),ȱprovidesȱaȱthoroughȱdiscussionȱonȱthe topicȱofȱmoneyȱasȱitȱisȱdevelopedȱinȱJuanȱManuel,ȱthatȱis,ȱinȱassociationȱwithȱgreed,ȱgoodȱdeeds, productivity,ȱclass,ȱsalvation,ȱetc.ȱPovertyȱisȱalsoȱdiscussed. ElȱCondeȱLucanorȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4),ȱ370:ȱ61–62.

262

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

becauseȱheȱdoesȱnotȱdoȱhisȱmoralȱhomework.ȱHeȱdoesȱnotȱmakeȱtheȱnecessary preparationsȱforȱwhenȱtheȱdevilȱcrossesȱhisȱpathȱandȱtemptsȱhim.ȱHeȱdoesȱnot educateȱhimselfȱaboutȱhisȱsinfulȱnatureȱandȱhowȱtoȱovercomeȱit.ȱHeȱbecomesȱa victimȱ ofȱ theȱ devilȱ becauseȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ natureȱ andȱ actions.ȱ Heȱ hasȱ noȱ moral fortitudeȱandȱnoȱconscience. InȱexampleȱXLVII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱmoroȱconȱvnaȱsuȱhermanaȱqueȱdaua aȱentenderȱqueȱeraȱmuyȱmedrosa”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱMoorȱwithȱhisȱsisterȱwho actedȱveryȱfearful”),ȱtwoȱcriminalsȱrobȱgraves.ȱTheyȱareȱaȱbrotherȱandȱsisterȱteam. Theȱvictims,ȱcadavers,ȱareȱobviouslyȱcompletelyȱpowerlessȱtoȱprotectȱthemselves. AsȱIȱmentionedȱabove,ȱtheseȱcadaversȱinȱstoryȱXLVIIȱandȱtheȱsickȱmanȱinȱstory VIII,ȱ(“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱomneȱqueȱavianȱdeȱalimpiarȱelȱfigado”)ȱ(“What happenedȱtoȱaȱmanȱwhoȱwasȱhavingȱhisȱliverȱcleansed”)ȱareȱtheȱonlyȱvictimsȱof theftȱ whoȱ areȱ notȱ heldȱ responsibleȱ forȱ fallingȱ victim.ȱ (Theȱ sickȱ manȱ andȱ the cadaversȱareȱpowerlessȱbutȱeverybodyȱelseȱisȱnot).ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱfocusȱofȱtheȱstory isȱanotherȱvictim,ȱtheȱbrother,ȱwhoseȱsisterȱisȱaȱhypocrite.ȱLikeȱherȱbrother,ȱthe sisterȱhasȱnoȱproblemȱstealing,ȱyetȱsheȱisȱevenȱmoreȱfearlessȱthanȱherȱbrother.ȱIn orderȱtoȱnotȱdestroyȱtheȱvaluableȱclothingȱofȱaȱman’sȱcadaver,ȱsheȱdoesȱnotȱhesitate toȱtwistȱhisȱneckȱoffȱwithoutȱpity:ȱ“fueȱtomarȱconȱlasȱmanos,ȱmuyȱsinȱdueloȱetȱsin piedatȱdeȱlaȱcabeçaȱdelȱmuertoȱetȱdescoiuntoloȱtodo”ȱ(“withoutȱfeelingȱandȱpity, sheȱtookȱhisȱheadȱinȱherȱhandsȱandȱsheȱtwistedȱitȱoff”).ȱ Backȱatȱhome,ȱtheȱsister,ȱ“muyȱmedrosa”ȱ(“veryȱscaredyȬcat”),ȱrevertsȱtoȱher normalȱ behaviorȱ ofȱ takingȱ frightȱ atȱ theȱ smallestȱ things.ȱ Whenȱ herȱ cupȱ shakes makingȱ aȱ sound,ȱ herȱ brotherȱ inȱ hisȱ nativeȱ Arabic,ȱ whichȱ donȱ Juanȱ Manuel translates,ȱsays,ȱ“Aha,ȱhermana,ȱdespantadesȱvosȱdelȱsuenoȱdeȱlaȱtarrazuelaȱque fazeȱbocȱboc,ȱetȱnonȱvoȱespantauadesȱdelȱdesconjuntamientoȱdelȱpescueço”33ȱ(“Ah, Sister,ȱyouȱtakeȱfrightȱatȱtheȱsoundȱofȱaȱcupȱshakingȱbutȱyouȱareȱnotȱscaredȱtoȱtwist offȱtheȱheadȱofȱaȱdeadȱman”).34 Patronioȱtellsȱtheȱstoryȱpreciselyȱinȱorderȱtoȱillustrateȱhypocrisy.ȱWhenȱtheȱsister wantsȱsomethingȱbadȱenough,ȱsheȱeasilyȱovercomesȱherȱnervousȱnatureȱtoȱgetȱit. Whatȱisȱherȱtrueȱnature?ȱIsȱsheȱtheȱtimidȱandȱfearfulȱwomanȱorȱisȱsheȱtheȱgreedy andȱheartlessȱgraveȱrobber?ȱIsȱoneȱofȱthemȱanȱact?ȱIsȱitȱthatȱpeople’sȱtrueȱnatures areȱ revealedȱ completelyȱ onlyȱ whenȱ theyȱ areȱ placedȱ inȱ extremeȱ circumstances, whenȱtheyȱareȱputȱtoȱtheȱtest?ȱTheȱbrother’sȱwordsȱnotȱonlyȱscoldȱhisȱsisterȱforȱher

33 34

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ390:ȱ62–64ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Inȱ1942ȱAloisȱRichardȱNykilȱwrote,ȱ“ThusȱfarȱIȱcouldȱnotȱfindȱanȱArabicȱcounterpartȱofȱtheȱstory, norȱcouldȱIȱlocateȱaȱproverbȱcloselyȱresemblingȱtheȱArabicȱphrase,”ȱ“ArabicȱPhrasesȱinȱElȱConde Lucanor,”ȱHispanicȱReviewȱ10.1ȱ(1942),ȱ12–17;ȱhereȱ16.ȱInȱ1983ȱRichardȱHitchcockȱwrote,ȱ“Iȱhave nothingȱtoȱaddȱtoȱNykil’sȱpithyȱconclusion,”ȱ“DonȱJuanȱManuel’sȱKnowledgeȱofȱArabic,”ȱThe ModernȱLanguageȱReviewȱ80.3ȱ(1985):ȱ594–603.ȱRichardȱHitchcock’sȱarticleȱsummarizesȱtheȱhistory ofȱ criticismȱ onȱ theȱ subjectȱ ofȱ theȱ degreeȱ ofȱ Juanȱ Manuel’sȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ Arabicȱ whileȱ itȱ also providesȱvaluableȱnewȱinformationȱandȱinsights.ȱ

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

263

hypocrisy;ȱtheyȱexpressȱhisȱdiscomfort.ȱHisȱsister’sȱactions,ȱandȱtheȱcharacterȱthat theyȱrevealed,ȱareȱaȱsurpriseȱtoȱhim.ȱHeȱdidȱnotȱknowȱherȱorȱthatȱpartȱofȱherȱuntil thatȱnight. Theȱstoryȱalsoȱweighsȱtheȱfactorsȱthatȱmakeȱaȱthief:ȱcircumstances,ȱinfluence fromȱpeersȱandȱfamily,ȱmoralȱcharacterȱandȱopportunity.ȱAtȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱthe storyȱtheȱbrotherȱisȱtheȱthief,ȱnotȱtheȱsister.ȱOneȱnightȱheȱneedsȱherȱhelpȱandȱthat isȱwhyȱsheȱgoesȱalongȱandȱbecomesȱaȱthiefȱherself,ȱatȱleastȱforȱthatȱnight.ȱAsȱwe haveȱ seen,ȱ sheȱ turnsȱ outȱ toȱ beȱ moreȱ naturalȱ aȱ criminalȱ thanȱ herȱ brother. Opportunityȱandȱherȱbrother’sȱinfluenceȱonȱherȱareȱnotȱstrongerȱfactorsȱinȱher criminalȱbehaviorȱthanȱtheȱfactorȱofȱherȱownȱmoralȱdeficiency.ȱSheȱisȱgreedyȱand heartless.ȱSheȱhasȱnoȱconscience.ȱJuanȱManuelȱmakesȱaȱpointȱofȱcontrastingȱthe brotherȱ andȱ theȱ sisterȱ fromȱ theȱ veryȱ beginningȱ ofȱ theȱ story.ȱ Itȱ seemsȱ heȱ even excusesȱtheȱyoungȱman’sȱcriminalȱlife.ȱHeȱisȱveryȱpoorȱand,ȱneedingȱtoȱprovideȱfor hisȱfamily,ȱheȱresortedȱtoȱrobbingȱgraves.ȱ DonȱJuanȱManuel’sȱtoneȱisȱsympathetic:ȱ“Etȱaquelȱsuȱhermanoȱeraȱmuyȱbuen mancebo,ȱmasȱeraȱmuyȱpobre,ȱetȱporȱqueȱlaȱgrantȱpobrezaȱfazȱaȱomneȱfazerȱloȱque nonȱquerria,ȱnonȱpodiaȱescusarȱaquelȱmançeboȱdeȱbuscarȱlaȱvidaȱmuyȱvergonçosa mente”35ȱ(“Andȱherȱbrotherȱwasȱgoodȱyoungȱman,ȱbutȱheȱwasȱveryȱ poor,ȱ and becauseȱextremeȱpovertyȱmakesȱmanȱoftenȱdoȱthingsȱthatȱheȱdoesȱnotȱwantȱto,ȱthe youngȱmanȱhadȱnoȱotherȱoptionȱbutȱtoȱmakeȱaȱlivngȱinȱaȱshamefulȱway”).ȱThe youngȱ man,ȱ otherwiseȱ havingȱ goodȱ character,ȱ resortsȱ toȱ stealingȱ becauseȱ of poverty.ȱThoughȱtheȱauthorȱdoesȱnotȱrecommendȱstealingȱasȱaȱwayȱtoȱgetȱoutȱof poverty,ȱthisȱstoryȱframesȱpovertyȱasȱaȱcircumstanceȱthatȱcanȱmakeȱgoodȱpeople resortȱtoȱthievery. ȱ

TheftȱandȱPowerȱStruggles Asȱweȱmentionedȱabove,ȱanyȱpossessionȱcanȱbecomeȱanȱobjectȱofȱdesireȱandȱtheft. InȱexampleȱXLII:ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱunaȱfalsaȱbeguina”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱto aȱfalseȱbeguine”),ȱaȱbeguineȱstealsȱaȱcouple’sȱtrustȱandȱloveȱforȱeachȱother,ȱandȱin exampleȱ L,ȱ “Deȱ loȱ queȱ contesçioȱ aȱ Saladinȱ conȱ vnaȱ duenna,ȱ mugerȱ deȱ vnȱ su vasallo”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱSaladinȱwithȱaȱwoman,ȱwifeȱofȱaȱvassalȱofȱhis”), Saladinȱwantsȱtoȱhaveȱsexȱwithȱhisȱvassal’sȱwife.ȱHeȱwantsȱtoȱstealȱwhatȱbelongs toȱanotherȱmanȱ(aȱwife’sȱbody)ȱandȱheȱwantsȱtoȱstealȱwhatȱbelongsȱtoȱherȱ(her modestyȱandȱherȱloyaltyȱtoȱherȱhusband).ȱWhereasȱtheȱcoupleȱisȱnotȱsuccessfulȱin protectingȱ theirȱ sharedȱ immaterialȱ possessions,ȱ trustȱ andȱ loveȱ forȱ eachȱ other, fallingȱvictimȱtoȱtheȱbeguine,ȱtheȱwomanȱinȱexampleȱLȱartfullyȱprotectsȱherȱandȱher

35

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ390:ȱ32–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

264

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

husband’sȱpossessionsȱfromȱtheȱwouldȱbeȱthief/ȱadulterer,ȱSaladin,ȱbyȱputtingȱon aȱgoodȱact.ȱBothȱstoriesȱdepictȱpowerȱstruggles,ȱexampleȱXLII,ȱnotȱonlyȱbetween theȱ beguineȱ andȱ theȱ couple,ȱ andȱ betweenȱ theȱ husbandȱ andȱ theȱ wife,ȱ butȱ also betweenȱtheȱdevilȱandȱtheȱbeguine;ȱandȱexampleȱLȱdevelopsȱaȱpowerȱstruggle betweenȱtheȱpowerfulȱleaderȱandȱhisȱvassal’sȱwife. Theȱdevilȱisȱtheȱmasterȱdeceiverȱandȱtheȱmasterȱthief.ȱWhatȱdoesȱheȱactuallyȱsteal inȱexampleȱXLII?ȱItȱisȱinterestingȱthatȱtheȱdevilȱisȱrepresentedȱonlyȱthreeȱtimesȱin ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱinȱexamplesȱXLII,ȱXLV,ȱandȱL.ȱJuanȱManuelȱdoesȱnotȱgoȱtoȱthe extremeȱinȱpaintingȱtheȱsupernatural;ȱinȱfact,ȱheȱisȱsomewhatȱconstrainedȱinȱthis respect.ȱInȱexampleȱXLIIȱtheȱdevilȱhatesȱallȱgoodȱthings,ȱandȱheȱwantsȱtoȱdestroy themȱandȱputȱevilȱinȱtheirȱplace.ȱTheȱdevil’sȱprojectȱisȱtoȱdestroyȱtheȱhappinessȱand loveȱbetweenȱaȱhusbandȱandȱhisȱwife.ȱTheirȱloveȱforȱeachȱotherȱandȱtheȱhappiness derivedȱfromȱtheirȱloveȱareȱheavilyȱemphasizedȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱstoryȱas theirȱmostȱprizedȱpossessions.ȱTheȱdevilȱhasȱbeenȱtryingȱforȱaȱlongȱtimeȱtoȱplant evilȱ betweenȱ them,ȱ andȱ hasȱ hadȱ noȱ success,ȱ forȱ whichȱ heȱ isȱ actuallyȱ sadȱ and disheartened:ȱ“EtȱporȱqueȱelȱDiabloȱseȱdespagaȱsienpreȱdeȱlasȱbuenasȱcosas,ȱovo destoȱmuyȱgrandȱpesar,ȱetȱperoȱqueȱandidoȱmuyȱgrandȱtienpoȱporȱmeterȱmalȱentre ellos,ȱnuncaȱloȱpudoȱquisar”36ȱ(“AndȱbecauseȱtheȱDevilȱhatesȱallȱthatȱisȱgood,ȱhe wasȱangry;ȱheȱhadȱbeenȱplottingȱagainstȱtheȱcoupleȱforȱaȱlongȱtime,ȱbutȱheȱhad beenȱtillȱthenȱunsuccessfulȱatȱseparatingȱthem”).ȱ Ifȱ weȱ lookȱ moreȱ closelyȱ atȱ thisȱ statement,ȱ weȱ canȱ seeȱ thatȱ theȱ devilȱ always (“sienpre”)ȱhatesȱgoodȱwhereȱitȱexists;ȱandȱthereforeȱtheȱparticularȱ(thisȱloveȱand thisȱhappinessȱbetweenȱthisȱmanȱandȱthisȱwoman)ȱrepresentsȱtheȱuniversalȱ(all happinessȱandȱallȱlove,ȱwhereverȱitȱisȱfoundȱinȱthisȱworld).ȱWeȱcanȱseeȱthatȱthe devilȱisȱworkingȱonȱthisȱparticularȱproject,ȱyetȱweȱinferȱthatȱtheȱdevilȱisȱdoingȱhis dirtyȱworkȱeverywhereȱthereȱisȱgood.ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱallȱcouplesȱareȱstalkedȱbyȱthe devil,ȱwhoȱwaitsȱforȱhisȱopportunityȱtoȱdestroyȱtheirȱbond.ȱ Theȱencounterȱbetweenȱtheȱdevilȱandȱtheȱbeguineȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱstory revealsȱthatȱsheȱwantsȱtoȱhelpȱtheȱdevilȱinȱhisȱtaskȱforȱherȱownȱselfishȱreasons.ȱShe wantsȱhimȱtoȱserveȱherȱandȱnotȱtheȱotherȱwayȱaround.ȱSheȱwantsȱpowerȱoverȱhim, asȱcanȱbeȱunderstoodȱbyȱtheȱdetailsȱinȱtheȱstory.37ȱTheȱdevilȱandȱtheȱbeguineȱcross pathsȱ whenȱ heȱ isȱ returningȱ fromȱ anȱ unsuccessfulȱ attemptȱ atȱ destroyingȱ the couple’sȱbond.ȱHeȱisȱsad.ȱTheȱdevilȱisȱinȱaȱhumanȱbodyȱthatȱexpressesȱthisȱsadness. Sheȱalsoȱrecognizesȱhimȱasȱtheȱdevil:ȱ“Etȱdesqueȱseȱconoscieron,ȱpreguntolȱqueȱpor

36 37

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ331:ȱ23–25ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). AnȱessentialȱstudyȱonȱthisȱstoryȱisȱMikeȱHammer’sȱarticle,ȱ“AȱMarginalȱWomanȱonȱtheȱLoose: RevisitingȱDonȱJuanȱManuel’sȱBeguine,”ȱeHumanistaȱ11ȱ(2008):ȱ171–82 (http://www.ehumanista.ucsb.edu/volumes/volume_11/Articles/8%20Hammer.pdfȱ(lastȱaccessed onȱDec.ȱ29,ȱ2011).

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

265

queȱviniaȱtriste”38ȱ(“Andȱafterȱintroducingȱthemselves,ȱsheȱaskedȱhimȱwhyȱheȱwas sad”).ȱ Juanȱ Manuelȱ doesȱ notȱ describeȱ theȱ appearanceȱ ofȱ theȱ devilȱ orȱ ofȱ the beguine.)ȱHeȱexplainsȱtoȱherȱwhyȱheȱisȱsadȱandȱsheȱputsȱhimȱdownȱbyȱrubbingȱit inȱthatȱhe,ȱbeingȱsoȱknowledgeable,ȱhasȱfailed.ȱSheȱtellsȱhimȱifȱheȱdoesȱwhatȱshe wantsȱhimȱtoȱdo,ȱsheȱwillȱdoȱtheȱjobȱforȱhim.ȱ Theȱ transactionȱ betweenȱ theȱ beguineȱ andȱ theȱ devilȱ isȱ theȱ reverseȱ fromȱ the transactionȱbetweenȱtheȱdevilȱandȱtheȱmanȱinȱstoryȱXLV.ȱInȱstoryȱXLV,ȱtheȱdevil offersȱtoȱhelpȱtheȱimpoverishedȱmanȱgetȱoutȱofȱhisȱpovertyȱifȱheȱpromisesȱtoȱdo everythingȱheȱasks.ȱHereȱtheȱbeguineȱoffersȱtoȱhelpȱtheȱdevilȱifȱheȱpromisesȱtoȱdo everythingȱsheȱasksȱhimȱtoȱdo.ȱSheȱwantsȱtoȱshowȱhimȱthatȱsheȱcanȱsucceedȱwhere heȱhasȱfailed,ȱthatȱsheȱisȱbetterȱatȱhisȱjobȱthanȱheȱis.ȱTheȱdynamicȱisȱthatȱtheȱdevil desiresȱtoȱdestroyȱgoodȱandȱspreadȱevil,ȱandȱtheȱbeguineȱwantsȱtheȱdevilȱtoȱdoȱher bidding.ȱItȱisȱneverȱclearȱwhatȱthisȱbiddingȱentailsȱexactly,ȱbutȱitȱisȱclearȱthatȱshe demandsȱfromȱtheȱdevilȱfavorsȱinȱexchangeȱforȱtheȱfavorȱthatȱsheȱwillȱdoȱforȱhim.39 Theȱtrustȱandȱloveȱbetweenȱtheȱcoupleȱthatȱsheȱdestroysȱareȱnotȱherȱobjectsȱof desire.ȱWhatȱsheȱdesiresȱisȱtoȱdemonstrateȱherȱsuperiorȱpowersȱtoȱtheȱdevilȱandȱto haveȱhimȱunderȱherȱthumb:ȱ“Etȱellaȱdixolȱqueȱseȱmarabillaua,ȱpuesȱtantoȱsabia, commoȱnonȱloȱpodiaȱfazer,ȱmasȱqueȱsiȱfiziesseȱloȱqueȱellaȱquerie,ȱqueȱellaȱleȱpornia recabdoȱenȱesto”40ȱ(“Andȱsheȱtoldȱhimȱthatȱitȱamazedȱherȱthatȱheȱknowingȱsoȱmuch couldȱnotȱdoȱit,ȱbutȱthatȱifȱheȱdidȱwhatȱsheȱwantedȱsheȱwouldȱdoȱtheȱjobȱforȱhim”).ȱ Theȱ beguine’sȱployȱisȱtoȱbecome,ȱthoughȱvirtuallyȱaȱstranger,ȱmoreȱfamiliar, pretendingȱtoȱhaveȱaȱpreviousȱconnectionȱtoȱtheȱyoungȱwoman.ȱSheȱintroduces herselfȱasȱaȱformerȱservantȱofȱherȱmother,ȱandȱexpressesȱherȱdesireȱtoȱserveȱthe coupleȱinȱtheirȱhousehold.ȱTheȱbeguineȱthenȱproceedsȱtoȱmakeȱtimeȱherȱweapon, takingȱaȱlotȱofȱitȱtoȱgainȱtheȱtrustȱfirstȱofȱtheȱwomanȱandȱthenȱofȱtheȱhusband:ȱ“Et desqueȱellaȱovoȱmoradoȱmuyȱgrandȱtienpoȱetȱeraȱpriuadaȱdeȱentramosȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”41ȱ(“And 38 39

40 41

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ331:ȱ28–29ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Inȱ “Unaȱ aproximaciónȱ alȱ diabloȱ enȱ laȱ literaturaȱ medievalȱ española:ȱ desdeȱ Dominusȱ a Dummteufel”ȱAnthonyȱCárdenasȬRotunnoȱwritesȱthatȱtheȱtopicȱofȱaȱpowerfulȱoldȱwomanȱvisȱa visȱanȱimpotentȱdevilȱisȱveryȱancient.ȱHeȱrefersȱtoȱwhatȱBlecuaȱhasȱwrittenȱonȱtheȱsubject,ȱthatȱboth JuanȱManuel’sȱversionȱandȱtheȱversionȱinȱtheȱEsopeteȱYstoriadoȱ(1488)ȱhaveȱaȱcommonȱLatinȱsource fromȱtheȱninthȱcentury:ȱ“Ofrecenȱdosȱversionesȱdelȱmismoȱcuentoȱque,ȱsegúnȱlasȱnotasȱdeȱJose ManuelȱBlecua,ȱeditorȱdelȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱencuentranȱsuȱorigenȱenȱelȱsigloȱnueveȱenȱunȱcuento, ‘Devetulaȱqueȱfecitȱquodȱdyabolusȱnonȱpoteratȱfacere’,”ȱHispaniaȱ82ȱ(1999):ȱ202–12;ȱhereȱ204.ȱMike Hammer,ȱonȱtheȱtopicȱofȱtheȱoldȱwomanȱandȱtheȱdevilȱinȱotherȱversions,ȱwrites,ȱ“Inȱitsȱgeneral formȱthisȱtaleȱresemblesȱseveralȱparallelȱversionsȱthatȱantedate,ȱcoȬexistȱwithȱorȱpostȱdateȱthe CondeȱLucanor.ȱTheseȱinclude,ȱamongȱothers,ȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱlasȱdelicias,ȱbyȱJosephȱBenȱMeirȱIbnȱSabara (Chapterȱ 11),ȱ Etienneȱ deȱ Bourbonȱ (no.ȱ 245),ȱ theȱ Speculumȱ Laicorumȱ (no.ȱ 463),ȱ theȱ ‘Poemaȱ de Adolfo,’ȱandȱtheȱScalaȱCoeliȱ(no.ȱ610).ȱInȱeachȱofȱtheseȱversions,ȱtheȱprotagonistȱisȱaȱrepugnantȱold womanȱwhoȱnotȱonlyȱconsortsȱwithȱbutȱbestsȱtheȱDevilȱatȱhisȱownȱgame”ȱ(AȱMarginalȱWoman,ȱ175, seeȱnoteȱ20). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ332:ȱ36–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).ȱ ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ332:ȱ49–50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

266

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

afterȱsheȱhadȱlivedȱaȱlongȱtimeȱwithȱthemȱandȱwasȱtrustedȱbyȱbothȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”).ȱWhenȱshe hasȱtheirȱfullȱconfidence,ȱandȱmanagesȱtheirȱhouseholdȱ(“etȱfiauaȱdellaȱtodaȱsu fazienda”;ȱ“andȱsheȱtrustedȱherȱwithȱherȱallȱherȱaffairs”),ȱsheȱcarefullyȱgoesȱback andȱ forthȱ betweenȱ theȱ wifeȱ andȱ theȱ husbandȱ withȱ falseȱ informationȱ aboutȱ the disloyaltyȱofȱtheȱother,ȱthatȱultimatelyȱcreatesȱextremeȱtensionȱandȱdistrust.ȱShe convincesȱtheȱhusbandȱthatȱhisȱwifeȱwantsȱtoȱkillȱhim,ȱandȱarrangesȱitȱsoȱthatȱthe wifeȱdoesȱappearȱtoȱwantȱtoȱkillȱhim,ȱevenȱthoughȱallȱsheȱisȱdoingȱisȱcuttingȱoffȱa lockȱofȱhisȱhairȱwhileȱsheȱthinksȱheȱisȱasleep.ȱHeȱreactsȱandȱkillsȱher.ȱThenȱthe townspeopleȱ seekȱ justiceȱ andȱ killȱ him.ȱ Hisȱ relativesȱ killȱ herȱ relatives,ȱ andȱ her relativesȱkillȱhisȱrelatives,ȱsoȱthatȱafterȱtheȱturmoilȱveryȱfewȱpeopleȱareȱleftȱaliveȱin theȱvillage.ȱ PatronioȱwantsȱtheȱCountȱLucanorȱtoȱunderstandȱthatȱtheȱworstȱpeopleȱinȱthe worldȱareȱtheȱhypocritesȱthatȱtheȱbeguineȱrepresents,ȱpeopleȱwhoȱlookȱandȱactȱlike goodȱChristiansȱbutȱwhoseȱtrueȱintentionsȱareȱtoȱhurtȱothers:ȱ Etȱvos,ȱsennorȱcondeȱLucanor,ȱsiȱqueredesȱsaberȱqualȱesȱelȱpiorȱomneȱdelȱmundoȱetȱde queȱ masȱ malȱ puedeȱ venirȱ aȱ lasȱ gentes,ȱ sabetȱ queȱ esȱ elȱ queȱ seȱ muestraȱ porȱ bien christianoȱ etȱ porȱ omneȱ buenoȱ etȱ leal,ȱ etȱ laȱ suȱ entençionȱ esȱ falsa,ȱ etȱ andaȱ asacando falsedadesȱetȱmentirasȱporȱmeterȱmalȱentreȱlasȱgentes.42ȱ [Andȱyou,ȱlordȱCountȱLucanor,ȱifȱyouȱreallyȱwantȱtoȱknowȱwhoȱisȱtheȱworstȱkindȱof personȱinȱtheȱworldȱandȱwhoȱcanȱdoȱtheȱmostȱharmȱtoȱinnocentȱpeople,ȱknowȱthatȱit isȱtheȱpersonȱwhoȱpretendsȱtoȱbeȱaȱgoodȱChristianȱandȱaȱgoodȱandȱloyalȱman,ȱandȱhis realȱintentionȱisȱfalse,ȱandȱheȱgoesȱaroundȱspreadingȱfalsehoodsȱandȱliesȱinȱorderȱto alienateȱpeopleȱfromȱoneȱanother.]

ThisȱveryȱCatholicȱstoryȱillustratesȱatȱtheȱendȱthatȱevilȱ(theȱdevilȱandȱtheȱbeguine) doesȱ notȱ triumph.ȱ Afterȱ theȱ firstȱ encounterȱ withȱ theȱ beguine,ȱ theȱ devilȱ has disappearedȱfromȱtheȱstory.ȱTheȱbeguineȱactsȱwithoutȱhelpȱfromȱtheȱdevil.ȱAfter succeedingȱwhereȱtheȱdevilȱhasȱfailed,ȱtheȱbeguineȱisȱpunishedȱbyȱGod.ȱPatronio emphasizesȱ hereȱ thatȱ Godȱ neverȱ allowsȱ evilȱ deedsȱ toȱ goȱ unmaskedȱ and unpunished.ȱ Godȱ willsȱ thatȱ theȱ falseȱ beguineȱ beȱ punishedȱ forȱ herȱ evil,ȱ says Patronio,ȱbyȱmakingȱitȱknownȱtoȱtheȱvillagersȱthatȱsheȱisȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱblood bathȱandȱdestruction,ȱforȱwhichȱtheȱvillagersȱdealȱherȱaȱcruelȱdeath:ȱ Etȱtodoȱestoȱvinoȱporȱlasȱfalsasȱpalabrasȱqueȱsopoȱdezirȱaquellaȱfalsaȱbeguina.ȱPeroȱpor queȱDiosȱnuncaȱquiereȱqueȱelȱmalȱfechoȱfazeȱfinqueȱsinȱpena,ȱninȱavn,ȱqueȱelȱmalȱfecho seaȱencubierto,ȱguisoȱqueȱfuesseȱsabidoȱqueȱtodoȱaquelȱmalȱvinieraȱporȱaquellaȱfalsa beguina,ȱetȱfizieronȱdellaȱmuchasȱmalasȱiusticias,ȱetȱdieronȱleȱmuyȱmalaȱmuerteȱetȱmuy cruel.43

42 43

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ334:ȱ139–43ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ334:ȱ133–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

267

[Andȱallȱthisȱhappenedȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱfalseȱwordsȱthatȱtheȱfalseȱbeguineȱknewȱhowȱto say.ȱButȱGodȱneverȱwantsȱaȱbadȱdeedȱtoȱgoȱunpunished,ȱnorȱthatȱaȱbadȱdeedȱremain inȱtheȱdark,ȱsoȱheȱarrangedȱitȱsoȱthatȱitȱwouldȱbeȱknownȱthatȱallȱthatȱevilȱwasȱcaused byȱthatȱfalseȱbeguine.ȱTheȱpeopleȱavengedȱthemselvesȱbyȱtorturingȱherȱandȱmetingȱout toȱherȱaȱveryȱbadȱanȱcruelȱdeath.]

ThoughȱPatronio’sȱstoryȱzeroesȱinȱonȱtheȱevilȱnatureȱandȱdeedsȱofȱtheȱbeguine,ȱthe husbandȱandȱwifeȱneverthelessȱhaveȱonlyȱthemselvesȱtoȱblameȱforȱfallingȱvictims toȱher.ȱTheȱstoryȱisȱindeedȱanotherȱillustrationȱofȱgullibilityȱandȱmoralȱweakness. Theȱ gullibilityȱ involvesȱ aȱ seriesȱ ofȱ mistakesȱ thatȱ leaveȱ themȱ vulnerableȱ toȱ a stranger’sȱevilȱdesigns:ȱ1)ȱnotȱcheckingȱtheȱveracityȱofȱtheȱconnectionȱwithȱwhich theȱbeguineȱintroducesȱherself;ȱ2)ȱconfidingȱprivateȱinformationȱtoȱher;ȱ3)ȱgiving herȱtooȱmuchȱpowerȱinȱtheȱmanagementȱofȱtheȱhousehold;ȱ4)ȱgivingȱcredence, thoughȱreluctantlyȱatȱtheȱstart,ȱtoȱherȱdestructiveȱgossip.ȱ Theȱ couple’sȱ moralȱ weaknessȱ consistsȱ inȱ givingȱ roomȱ toȱ doubtȱ aboutȱ each other’sȱlove.ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱtheyȱareȱlittleȱpreparedȱtoȱprotectȱtheirȱmostȱvaluable possessionȱagainstȱtheȱevilȱinȱtheȱworld,ȱwhichȱitȱisȱinȱtheirȱpowerȱtoȱdo.ȱLackȱof suspicionȱallowsȱtheȱbeguineȱtoȱcomeȱintoȱtheirȱlives,ȱbutȱitȱisȱdoubtȱofȱtheirȱlove forȱeachȱotherȱthatȱisȱtheȱthiefȱthatȱstealsȱtheirȱlove.ȱOnceȱdoubtȱentersȱtheirȱhearts suspicionȱandȱdestructionȱtakeȱover.ȱTheyȱchangeȱtheirȱrealityȱdespiteȱthemselves: theyȱareȱnoȱlongerȱtheȱlovingȱandȱsupportiveȱcouple.ȱTheȱstoryȱillustratesȱthat goodȱcommunicationȱbetweenȱaȱmarriedȱcoupleȱisȱnecessaryȱinȱorderȱtoȱbeȱableȱto defendȱitsȱsurvivalȱagainstȱtheȱevilȱforcesȱ(theȱdevilȱandȱallȱwhoȱserveȱhim)ȱinȱthe worldȱthatȱseekȱtoȱdestroyȱit.ȱThisȱCatholicȱstoryȱpresentsȱtheȱdevilȱasȱtheȱthiefȱof goodȱinȱtheȱworld,ȱandȱevilȱpeopleȱinȱtheȱworldȱwhoȱhaveȱdealingsȱwithȱhimȱare theȱthievesȱofȱgoodȱalso.ȱGoodȱpeopleȱfallȱvictimȱtoȱevilȱpeopleȱbecauseȱtheyȱhave notȱ putȱ upȱ strongȱ enoughȱ fortifications,ȱ lettingȱ theirȱ guardsȱ downȱ whenȱ they shouldȱkeepȱthemȱup. Asȱweȱhaveȱseenȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱtheȱstories,ȱaȱlackȱofȱconscienceȱisȱaȱstrongȱfactor inȱtheȱmakingȱofȱaȱthief.ȱStoryȱL,ȱ”DeȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱSaladinȱconȱvnaȱduenna, mugerȱdeȱvnȱsuȱvasallo”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱSaladinȱwithȱaȱwoman,ȱwifeȱofȱa vassalȱofȱhis”),ȱisȱaboutȱconscience,ȱshameȱ(“vergüença”),ȱwhich,ȱaccordingȱtoȱJuan Manuelȱisȱtheȱmostȱimportantȱvirtueȱtoȱhave,ȱbecauseȱitȱisȱwhatȱstopsȱhumansȱfrom doingȱevil.ȱSaladinȱcovetsȱhisȱvassal’sȱwife.ȱHeȱsendsȱhisȱvassalȱoffȱtoȱfight,ȱleaving himȱfreeȱtoȱmakeȱhisȱadvances.ȱTheȱwomanȱpromisesȱtoȱdoȱwhatȱheȱbidsȱifȱheȱfinds theȱanswerȱtoȱherȱquestion.ȱThisȱsendsȱhimȱonȱaȱlongȱtripȱinȱsearchȱofȱtheȱanswer, atȱtheȱendȱofȱwhichȱaȱhermitȱgivesȱitȱtoȱhim:ȱ“verguença.”ȱWhenȱSaladinȱreturns toȱhisȱvassal’sȱwifeȱwithȱtheȱanswer,ȱhopingȱtoȱhaveȱnowȱwonȱtheȱrightȱtoȱhaveȱsex

268

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

withȱher,ȱsheȱpatientlyȱdemonstratesȱtoȱhimȱthatȱheȱnowȱhasȱtheȱanswerȱtoȱhis proposal,ȱthatȱitȱisȱshameful.44 Asȱinȱtheȱotherȱstoriesȱaboutȱtheft,ȱweȱhaveȱaȱproprietor,ȱaȱhusband,ȱaȱpossession orȱobjectȱofȱdesire,ȱtheȱwife,ȱandȱaȱwouldȬbeȱthiefȱofȱtheȱpossessionȱofȱanother, Saladin.ȱWhenȱSaladinȱfirstȱseesȱhisȱvassal’sȱwifeȱheȱdesiresȱherȱforȱhimself.ȱInȱthe storyȱitȱisȱmadeȱclearȱthatȱitȱisȱtheȱdevilȱwhoȱputȱtheȱtemptationȱinȱhim;ȱheȱisȱthe oneȱwhoȱisȱalwaysȱatȱworkȱatȱinfluencingȱpeopleȱtoȱdoȱevil:ȱ“EtȱelȱDiablo,ȱque sienpreȱseȱtrabajaȱenȱqueȱfagaȱelȱomneȱloȱmasȱdesaguisado,ȱpusoȱenȱelȱtalanteȱde Saladinȱqueȱolbidasseȱtodoȱloȱqueȱdeuiaȱguardarȱetȱqueȱamasseȱaquellaȱduenna nonȱcommoȱdeuia”45ȱ(“AndȱtheȱDevil,ȱwhoȱisȱalwaysȱatȱworkȱtryingȱtoȱtemptȱman toȱdoȱbadȱdeeds,ȱplacedȱinȱSaladin’sȱwillȱtoȱforgetȱhisȱprinciplesȱandȱtoȱloveȱthat womanȱinȱtheȱmannerȱheȱshouldȱnot”).ȱ“Nonȱcommoȱdeuia”ȱareȱtheȱkeyȱwords: Saladinȱlovesȱherȱnotȱasȱheȱshould,ȱbecauseȱsheȱisȱanotherȱman’sȱwife.ȱ AȱbadȱadviserȱtellsȱSaladinȱhowȱtoȱgoȱaboutȱgettingȱwhatȱheȱwants—sendȱoffȱthe husband,ȱ whoȱ isȱ aȱ knight,ȱ toȱ workȱ farȱ away.ȱ Saladinȱ believesȱ heȱ nowȱ hasȱ no obstacles,ȱyetȱtheȱwifeȱturnsȱoutȱtoȱbeȱtheȱformidableȱobstacle,ȱasȱsheȱusesȱherȱwit toȱprotectȱherȱhonorȱandȱherȱloyaltyȱtoȱherȱhusband.ȱIndeed,ȱwhatȱisȱatȱstakeȱ(the prizedȱ possession)ȱ isȱ theȱ honorȱ ofȱ bothȱ theȱ husbandȱ andȱ theȱ wife.ȱ Aȱ power struggleȱbetweenȱSaladinȱandȱtheȱwomanȱensues,ȱinȱwhichȱshe,ȱusingȱherȱacting abilities,ȱ gainsȱ theȱ upperȱ hand.ȱ Thisȱ isȱ primarilyȱ becauseȱ sheȱ hasȱ bothȱ moral fortitudeȱ andȱ enoughȱ craftinessȱ (sheȱ isȱ notȱ tooȱ innocent)ȱ toȱ knowȱ howȱ to manipulateȱaȱpowerfulȱman.ȱTheȱwomanȱnotȱonlyȱunderstandsȱtheȱsituationȱand resolvesȱ toȱ remainȱ faithfulȱ toȱ herȱ husband,ȱ butȱ sheȱ alsoȱ hasȱ veryȱ goodȱ acting abilities,ȱwhichȱsaveȱher.46ȱ

44

45 46

HarriettȱGoldbergȱidentifiesȱtheȱwomanȱinȱtheȱstoryȱasȱaȱriddler,ȱaȱtraditionalȱfunctionȱofȱwomen inȱ theȱ folktale.ȱ Sheȱ writes,ȱ “Despiteȱ thisȱ handfulȱ ofȱ masculineȱ riddlers,ȱ itȱ seemsȱ thatȱ women appearȱwithȱgreaterȱfrequencyȱasȱtheȱposersȱorȱsolversȱofȱriddles,ȱperhapsȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱsexual tensionȱgeneratedȱbyȱtheirȱdramaticȱconfrontationȱwithȱpower.”ȱ“WomenȱRiddlersȱinȱHispanic FolkloreȱandȱLiterature,”ȱHispanicȱReviewȱ59ȱ(1991):ȱ57–75;ȱhereȱ62.ȱThisȱisȱindeedȱtheȱcaseȱofȱthis womanȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor;ȱsheȱrespondsȱtoȱSaladin’sȱpowerȱandȱsexualȱadvancesȱbyȱstallingȱhim withȱaȱriddle.ȱHarriettȱGoldbergȱexplains,ȱ“InȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱforȱexample,ȱSaladinȱisȱsentȱonȱa riddleȱquestȱtoȱfindȱtheȱanswerȱtoȱ‘qualȱesȱlaȱmejorȱcosaȱqueȱomeȱpuedeȱaverȱenȱsi.’ȱHeȱrejects severalȱanswersȱprofferedȱhimȱuntilȱheȱfinallyȱcomesȱuponȱ‘verguenza,’ȱwhichȱheȱacceptsȱasȱthe bestȱpossibleȱanswer.ȱAsȱitȱhappens,ȱconscienceȱisȱjustȱtheȱanswerȱhisȱinquisitorȱhadȱexpected”; hereȱ59. ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ415:ȱ71–74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). MarianaȱOrtizȱdeȱlaȱRosaȱanalyzesȱbothȱstoriesȱ(XXVȱandȱL)ȱinȱwhichȱSaladinȱappearsȱinȱthe collection,ȱinȱ“ElȱpersonajeȱdeȱSaladinoȱenȱlaȱliteraturaȱhispánica:ȱLosȱejemplosȱXXVȱyȱLȱdeȱEl Condeȱ Lucanorȱ deȱ donȱ Juanȱ Manuel,”ȱ Ensayos:ȱ Revistaȱ deȱ laȱ educaciónȱ deȱ Albacete. http://www.uclm.es/ab/educacion/ensayos/pdf/revista13/13_9.pdfȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱDec.ȱ29,ȱ2011). Unfortunately,ȱtheȱnumberȱofȱtheȱjournalȱisȱnotȱprovidedȱonȱtheȱwebsite.ȱInȱ“Laȱvergüenzaȱcomo constanteȱsocialȱyȱnarrativaȱenȱdonȱJuanȱManuel:ȱelȱejemploȱLȱdeȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱAntonio CarreñoȱexplainsȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱtheȱCatholicȱconceptȱ“vergüença”ȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱwriting

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

269

Sheȱpretendsȱfirstȱthatȱsheȱdoesȱnotȱreallyȱunderstandȱwhatȱheȱwantsȱfromȱher: “PeroȱdioȱaȱentenderȱqueȱnonȱentendiaȱaquellaȱrazonȱetȱdixolȱquelȱdiesseȱDios buenaȱvidaȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”47ȱ(“Butȱsheȱpretendedȱthatȱsheȱdidȱnotȱunderstandȱwhatȱheȱwas sayingȱandȱsheȱtoldȱhimȱsheȱwishedȱGodȱwouldȱblessȱhimȱwithȱaȱgoodȱlifeȱ…”) Whenȱheȱinsists,ȱsheȱresortsȱtoȱmoreȱacting.ȱSheȱpretendsȱthatȱsheȱisȱnotȱintelligent, “commoȱquierȱqueȱyoȱsoȱassazȱmugerȱdeȱpequennaȱguisaȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱ(“understandȱthat Iȱ amȱaȱwomanȱwithȱlittleȱintelligence”),ȱbutȱsheȱisȱdevisingȱherȱplanȱofȱaction, whichȱinvolvesȱmoreȱacting.ȱSheȱactsȱasȱifȱsheȱisȱwillingȱtoȱcomplyȱwithȱhisȱwishes. Sheȱpromisesȱtoȱdoȱwhateverȱheȱasks,ȱonlyȱifȱheȱfirstȱpromisesȱtoȱdoȱwhatȱsheȱasks ofȱhim.ȱThisȱisȱnecessary,ȱsheȱsays,ȱbecauseȱmen,ȱespeciallyȱpowerfulȱmenȱlikeȱhim, makeȱmanyȱpromisesȱtoȱgetȱwhatȱtheyȱwant,ȱbutȱonceȱtheyȱgetȱitȱtheyȱdon’tȱkeep theirȱpromises.ȱSheȱasksȱhimȱtoȱtellȱherȱwhichȱvirtueȱisȱtheȱmotherȱofȱthemȱall.ȱShe actsȱasȱifȱsheȱdoesȱnotȱknowȱtheȱanswerȱwhenȱsheȱdoes.ȱHeȱdoesȱnotȱknowȱthe answer,ȱsoȱinȱorderȱtoȱkeepȱhisȱpromiseȱheȱisȱobligatedȱtoȱgoȱinȱsearchȱofȱit.ȱ(Why can’tȱsheȱtellȱhimȱherself?).ȱSheȱknowsȱtheȱanswer,ȱofȱcourse.ȱTheȱanswer,ȱshame, willȱmakeȱSaladinȱfeelȱshameȱforȱproposingȱtoȱcommitȱadultery.ȱ WhyȱcouldȱtheȱwomanȱnotȱtellȱSaladinȱtheȱanswerȱfromȱtheȱbeginning,ȱwith somethingȱ like,ȱ “¿Noȱ tienesȱ verguenza?”ȱ (“Aren’tȱ youȱ ashamed”?).ȱ Ofȱ course, thereȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱnoȱstory,ȱasȱweȱknow.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱthereȱareȱother factorsȱweȱcanȱconsider:ȱbecauseȱsheȱisȱaȱwoman,ȱsheȱ doesȱnotȱhaveȱsufficient authorityȱtoȱsayȱtheȱtruth.ȱSheȱnotȱonlyȱhasȱtoȱputȱonȱanȱactȱofȱignorance,ȱsheȱhas toȱsendȱherȱwouldȱbeȱaggressorȱonȱaȱtripȱtoȱobtainȱtheȱanswerȱelsewhere.ȱThis personȱ whoȱ doesȱ provideȱ theȱ answerȱ toȱ Saladinȱ isȱ indeedȱ anȱ authorityȱ toȱ be believed,ȱaȱwiseȱoldȱknight:ȱ Etȱelȱescuderoȱcasaraȱpocoȱtienpoȱavia,ȱetȱabiaȱvnȱpadreȱmuyȱviejoȱqueȱfueraȱelȱmejor caualleroȱqueȱovieraȱenȱtodaȱaquellaȱtierra.ȱEtȱporȱlaȱgrantȱvejez,ȱnonȱveyaȱetȱnonȱpodia salirȱdeȱsuȱcasa,ȱperoȱaviaȱelȱentendimientoȱtanȱbuenoȱ etȱ tanȱconplido,ȱqueȱnonȱle menguauaȱningunaȱcosaȱporȱlaȱvejez.48ȱ [Andȱtheȱsquireȱhadȱrecentlyȱgottenȱmarried,ȱandȱheȱhadȱanȱoldȱfatherȱwhoȱwasȱthe bestȱknightȱinȱthatȱcountry.ȱBecauseȱofȱhisȱoldȱage,ȱheȱwasȱblindȱandȱheȱdidȱnotȱleave hisȱhouse,ȱbutȱheȱstillȱhadȱaȱveryȱgoodȱandȱsoundȱmind,ȱandȱheȱwasȱnotȱinȱanyȱway hinderedȱbyȱhisȱoldȱage.]

Atȱoppositeȱends,ȱthen,ȱweȱhaveȱtwoȱpeopleȱwhoȱknowȱtheȱanswerȱtoȱtheȱquestion, aȱyoungȱwoman,ȱonȱoneȱend,ȱandȱanȱoldȱknight,ȱonȱtheȱother,ȱbutȱonlyȱoneȱofȱthem canȱbeȱdirectȱandȱforthrightȱwithȱtheȱtruth.ȱTheȱwomanȱisȱforcedȱintoȱactingȱin orderȱtoȱsaveȱherself.ȱ

47 48

andȱheȱalsoȱprovidesȱandȱanalysisȱofȱstoryȱL,ȱThesaurusȱ23.1ȱ(1977):ȱ54–74. ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ415–16:ȱ97–98ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ417:ȱ168–72ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

270

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

WhatȱisȱinterestingȱisȱthatȱSaladin,ȱevenȱthoughȱheȱhasȱtheȱanswer,ȱdoesȱnotȱgive theȱwomanȱtheȱrespectȱthatȱsheȱdeservesȱimmediatelyȱuponȱhisȱreturn.ȱFirstȱshe hasȱtoȱrecognizeȱhisȱsupremeȱauthorityȱasȱaȱkingȱandȱstrokeȱhisȱmasculineȱegoȱby askingȱhimȱifȱheȱisȱnotȱtheȱgreatestȱmanȱinȱtheȱwholeȱworld:ȱ“Etȱpidoȱvosȱpor merçedȱqueȱmeȱdigades,ȱassiȱcommoȱreyȱdeueȱdezirȱverdat,ȱsiȱcuydadesȱqueȱhaȱen elȱmundoȱmejorȱomneȱqueȱvos”49ȱ(“AndȱIȱaskȱfromȱyouȱasȱaȱfavorȱthatȱyouȱtellȱme asȱtheȱkingȱthatȱyouȱareȱwhoȱmustȱspeakȱtheȱtruth,ȱifȱyouȱdoȱnotȱagreeȱthatȱthere isȱnoȱbetterȱmanȱnȱtheȱworldȱthanȱyou”).ȱSaladinȱdoesȱnotȱhesitateȱtoȱrecognizeȱthat toȱbeȱtheȱtruth.ȱIt’sȱalmostȱfunnyȱthatȱheȱsaysȱthatȱheȱisȱashamedȱtoȱadmitȱit.”ȱ“Et Saladínȱleȱdixoȱqueȱcommoȱquierȱqueȱseȱleȱfaziaȱvergüençaȱdeȱdezir,ȱperoȱpuesȱla aviaȱaȱdezirȱverdatȱcommoȱrey,ȱquellȱdiziaȱqueȱmasȱcuydauaȱqueȱeraȱmejorȱqueȱlos otros,ȱqueȱnonȱqueȱaviaȱotroȱmeiorȱ queȱ el”50ȱ(“AndȱSaladinȱtoldȱherȱthatȱeven thoughȱitȱwasȱembarrassingȱtoȱsayȱso,ȱheȱhadȱtoȱsayȱtheȱtruthȱbecasueȱheȱwasȱthe king,ȱand,ȱyes,ȱheȱdidȱbelieveȱthatȱheȱwasȱbetterȱthanȱotherȱmen,ȱandȱthatȱthereȱwas noȱbetterȱmanȱthanȱhe”). Weȱdon’tȱknowȱifȱtheȱwoman’sȱglorificationȱofȱSaladinȱisȱaȱcontinuationȱofȱher actingȱorȱnot.ȱWhenȱheȱadmitsȱthatȱsheȱisȱtellingȱtheȱtruthȱaboutȱhisȱsuperiority,ȱshe fallsȱonȱherȱkneesȱtoȱtheȱfloorȱcrying.ȱHerȱbehaviorȱisȱemotionalȱandȱsubmissive. Isȱthisȱpartȱofȱtheȱactȱalso?ȱOrȱisȱsheȱbeingȱherself?ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱwhereȱdoesȱthe actingȱend?ȱInȱanyȱevent,ȱsheȱhasȱhadȱtoȱputȱtogetherȱtwoȱtruths,ȱthatȱshameȱisȱthe highestȱvirtueȱandȱthatȱSaladinȱisȱtheȱgreatestȱmanȱonȱearthȱandȱthereforeȱshould beȱtheȱmostȱvirtuousȱman,ȱinȱorderȱtoȱescapeȱfromȱharm.ȱHerȱcunningȱandȱher goodȱ actingȱ abilitiesȱ saveȱ threeȱ people’sȱ honor:ȱ herȱ husband’s,ȱ herȱ ownȱ and Saladin’s.ȱ

IdentityȱTheft,ȱCharacterȱAssassination,ȱIngratitudeȱandȱ StolenȱOpportunities ThereȱisȱaȱhumorousȱcaseȱofȱidentityȱtheftȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱinȱstoryȱLI,ȱ“Loȱque contesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱchristanoȱqueȱeraȱmuyȱpoderosoȱetȱmuyȱsoberbioso”ȱ(“What happenedȱtoȱaȱChristianȱkingȱwhoȱwasȱveryȱpowerfulȱandȱarrogant”).51ȱ(Inȱthis story,ȱ Godȱ sendsȱ anȱ angelȱ toȱ stealȱ theȱ identityȱ ofȱ aȱ proudȱ andȱ arrogantȱ king,

49 50 51

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ420:ȱ266–69ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ420:ȱ270–73ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Thisȱ storyȱ isȱ problematicȱ onȱ twoȱ fronts,ȱ itsȱ locationȱ inȱ theȱ collection,ȱ whetherȱ orȱ notȱ itȱ was intendedȱtoȱbeȱpartȱofȱtheȱcollection.ȱJoséȱManuelȱBlecuaȱpositionsȱitȱnotȱafterȱstoryȱLȱbutȱinȱan appendixȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱthatȱis,ȱafterȱpartsȱII,ȱIII,ȱIV,ȱandȱV,ȱandȱthusȱputsȱits authorshipȱinȱquestion.ȱAlbertoȱBlecuaȱaddressesȱtheȱproblemȱofȱtheȱstoryȱinȱLaȱtransmisiónȱtextual deȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱ(Barcelona:ȱUniversidadȱAutónomaȱdeȱBarcelona,ȱ1982),ȱ113–20.

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

271

preciselyȱasȱpunishmentȱforȱhisȱarrogance.ȱTheȱangelȱlivesȱinȱtheȱking’sȱbodyȱfor manyȱyears,ȱwhileȱtheȱkingȱisȱforcedȱtoȱliveȱasȱaȱpauper.ȱTheȱidentityȱtheftȱisȱaȱform ofȱdivineȱpunishmentȱinȱorderȱtoȱbringȱaboutȱaȱtransformation,ȱaȱsoul’sȱsalvation. Weȱhaveȱaȱkingȱwhoȱhasȱaȱpossession,ȱhisȱpositionȱofȱpowerȱonȱwhichȱheȱplaces inappropriatelyȱtooȱmuchȱvalue.ȱThereȱare,ȱinȱeffect,ȱtwoȱpossessions,ȱtheȱeternal, whichȱheȱneglects,ȱandȱtheȱtemporal,ȱwhichȱheȱabuses.ȱIndeed,ȱheȱplacesȱmore importanceȱonȱhisȱpositionȱasȱkingȱthanȱonȱtheȱsalvationȱofȱhisȱsoul.ȱTheȱking’s arroganceȱisȱillustratedȱwithȱaȱhumorousȱanecdote;ȱheȱdoesȱnotȱagreeȱwithȱthe messageȱ inȱ aȱ coupleȱ ofȱ versesȱ inȱ aȱ Canticleȱ toȱ theȱ Virgin.ȱ Theȱ canticleȱ is “Maginificatȱanimaȱmeaȱdominum.”ȱ Theȱverseȱtheȱkingȱdoesȱnotȱlikeȱisȱ“NuestroȱsennorȱDiosȱtiroȱetȱabaxolosȱpoderosos soberuiosȱ delȱ suȱ poderioȱ etȱ ensalçoȱ losȱ omildosos”52ȱ (“Ourȱ lordȱ Godȱ toppledȱ the powerfulȱandȱarrogantȱfromȱtheirȱpositionsȱandȱraisedȱtheȱpositionȱofȱtheȱhumble people”).ȱHeȱreplacesȱitȱwithȱaȱverseȱthatȱstatesȱtheȱcontrary,ȱthatȱGodȱwillȱelevate theȱpowerfulȱandȱknockȱdownȱtheȱhumbleȱpeople.ȱTheȱidentityȱtheftȱthatȱGod arrangesȱhasȱaȱpositiveȱandȱsuccessfulȱoutcome.ȱTheȱangelȱstaysȱonȱearthȱforȱmany yearsȱactingȱasȱtheȱkingȱwhileȱtheȱking’sȱmisfortuneȱandȱsufferingȱasȱaȱpauper openȱtheȱwayȱforȱsincereȱrepentance.ȱWhenȱtheȱangelȱrestoresȱtheȱthroneȱtoȱthe repentantȱking,ȱtheȱangelȱactsȱasȱaȱmessengerȱofȱGod’sȱforgiveness.ȱ TheȱangelȱtalksȱtoȱtheȱrepentantȱkingȱatȱlengthȱaboutȱGod’sȱwillȱthatȱallȱsinners repentȱforȱtheirȱsinsȱsincerelyȱfromȱtheȱheart.ȱTheȱangelȱtellsȱtheȱkingȱthatȱheȱis indeedȱanȱangel:ȱ“etȱnuestroȱsennorȱDiosȱtiroȱvosȱloȱporȱestasȱrazonesȱmismasȱque vosȱ dezides,ȱ etȱ envioȱ aȱ mi,ȱ queȱ soȱ suȱ angel,ȱ queȱ tomasseȱ vuestraȱ figuraȱ et estudiesseȱenȱvuestroȱlugar”53ȱ(“AndȱourȱlordȱGodȱtookȱyouȱoutȱofȱyourȱposition forȱtheȱreasonsȱthatȱyouȱnowȱunderstand,ȱandȱheȱsentȱme,ȱhisȱangel,ȱtoȱoccupy yourȱbodyȱandȱtakeȱyourȱplace”).ȱTheȱangelȱalsoȱrevealsȱthatȱheȱisȱanȱangelȱtoȱthe king’sȱ people,ȱ soȱ theyȱ mayȱ alsoȱ beȱ witnessesȱ toȱ theȱ miracle:ȱ “Etȱ desqueȱ todos fueronȱ ayuntados,ȱ elȱ reyȱ predicoȱ etȱ contoȱ todoȱ elȱ pleitoȱ commoȱ passara.ȱ Etȱ el angel,ȱporȱvoluntadȱdeȱDios,ȱparesçioȱaȱtodosȱmanifiestaȱmenteȱetȱcontolesȱesso mismo”54ȱ(“Andȱwhenȱallȱtheȱpeopleȱwereȱconvened,ȱtheȱkingȱmadeȱaȱspeechȱand toldȱthemȱwhatȱhadȱhappened.ȱAndȱtheȱangel,ȱdoingȱGod’sȱwill,ȱappearedȱtoȱall andȱalsoȱtoldȱthemȱthatȱthatȱisȱindeedȱwhatȱhappened”).ȱTheȱnowȱhumbledȱking livesȱ manyȱ yearsȱ servingȱ hisȱ kingdomȱ andȱ Godȱ andȱ whenȱ heȱ diesȱ heȱ gains entranceȱintoȱheavenȱ(“meresçioȱauerȱlaȱGloriaȱdelȱParayso”). Weȱmayȱthinkȱofȱcharacterȱassassinationȱasȱaȱformȱofȱtheft,ȱinsofarȱthatȱaȱgood reputationȱ(theȱpossession)ȱisȱtakenȱfromȱoneȱpersonȱbyȱanotherȱperson.ȱTheȱthief mayȱseekȱtoȱdestroyȱtheȱgoodȱreputationȱofȱtheȱvictimȱinȱorderȱtoȱtherebyȱhave

52 53 54

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ495:ȱ26–27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ501:ȱ224–26ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ502:ȱ248–50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

272

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

accessȱtoȱhisȱpositionȱandȱwealth,ȱwhichȱtheȱvictimȱhasȱlostȱasȱaȱconsequenceȱof losingȱhisȱgoodȱreputation.ȱAȱthirdȱpossessionȱisȱoftenȱonȱtheȱline,ȱtheȱtrustȱand esteemȱofȱaȱthirdȱparty.ȱWeȱseeȱallȱtheseȱelementsȱinȱtheȱfirstȱstoryȱofȱtheȱcollection, “Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱreyȱconȱvnȱsuȱpriuado”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱaȱkingȱwith hisȱ trustedȱ courtier”).ȱ Aȱ king’sȱ favoriteȱ courtierȱ isȱ enviedȱ byȱ theȱ lessȱ favorite courtiers.ȱTheyȱenvyȱtheȱesteemȱandȱtheȱmaterialȱbenefitsȱthatȱtheȱkingȱlavishesȱon hisȱ favorite.ȱ Patronioȱ explainsȱ thatȱ envyȱ isȱ foundȱ everywhereȱ thereȱ isȱ good fortune: Etȱporȱqueȱnonȱpuedeȱseerȱqueȱlosȱomnesȱqueȱalgunaȱbuenaȱandançaȱan,ȱqueȱalgunos otrosȱnonȱayanȱenvidiaȱdellos,ȱporȱlaȱprivançaȱetȱbienȱandançaȱqueȱaquelȱsuȱprivado avia,ȱotrosȱprivadosȱdaquelȱreyȱavianȱmuyȱgrantȱenvidiaȱetȱtrabaiauanȱseȱdelȱbuscar malȱconȱelȱrey,ȱsuȱsennor.55 [Andȱitȱisȱjustȱnotȱpossibleȱthatȱpeopleȱwhoȱareȱsuccessfulȱnotȱbeȱenviedȱbyȱothers,ȱand becauseȱthisȱcourtierȱwasȱbenefitingȱfromȱbeingȱtheȱkingsȱfavorite,ȱotherȱcourtiersȱof theȱkingȱwereȱveryȱenviousȱandȱwereȱplottingȱtoȱestrangeȱhimȱfromȱtheȱking.] ȱ

Theȱ enviousȱ courtiersȱ workȱ atȱ destroyingȱ theȱ favorite’sȱ goodȱ reputation,ȱ all withoutȱsuccess,ȱuntilȱtheyȱhitȱonȱtheȱrightȱthreatȱtoȱtheȱking’sȱwellȬbeing.ȱTheyȱtell theȱkingȱthatȱhisȱfavoriteȱsubjectȱisȱplanningȱonȱhavingȱhimȱmurderedȱwherebyȱhe willȱ usurpȱ powerȱ andȱ eventuallyȱ killȱ theȱ king’sȱ youngȱ son.ȱ Thoughȱ weȱ are focusingȱonȱtheȱcharacterȱassassinationȱofȱtheȱcourtier,ȱtheȱkingȱhimselfȱisȱbyȱall accountsȱinȱdangerȱofȱbeingȱaȱtargetȱofȱhavingȱallȱthatȱheȱpossessesȱstolenȱfrom him,ȱhisȱlife,ȱhisȱkingdomȱandȱhisȱson.ȱThoughȱheȱtrustsȱhisȱfavorite,ȱinȱorderȱto protectȱhimself,ȱheȱnecessarilyȱhasȱtoȱtestȱhisȱfavorite’sȱloyalty,ȱforȱwhatȱisȱatȱstake isȱtooȱvaluable:ȱ Etȱcommoȱquierȱqueȱfastaȱentonceȱnonȱpudieranȱponerȱenȱningunaȱdubdaȱalȱreyȱcontra aquelȱ suȱ priuado,ȱ deȱ queȱ estoȱ loȱ dixieron,ȱ nonȱ loȱ pudoȱ sofrirȱ elȱ coraçonȱ queȱ non tomaseȱdelȱreçelo.ȱCaȱenȱlasȱcosasȱenȱqueȱtanȱgrantȱmalȱha,ȱqueȱseȱnonȱpuedenȱcobrar siȱseȱfazen,ȱningunȱomneȱcuerdoȱnonȱdeueȱesperarȱendeȱlaȱprueua.56 [Andȱevenȱthoughȱuoȱtoȱtheȱpottersȱhadȱnotȱbeenȱableȱtoȱmakeȱtheȱkingȱdoubtȱhis favorite’sȱloyalty,ȱwhenȱtheyȱtoldȱhimȱthis,ȱhisȱheartȱcouldȱnotȱbeȱbutȱanxiousȱand distrustful.ȱNobodyȱwhoȱisȱsmartȱandȱhasȱcommonȱsenseȱshouldȱwaitȱforȱmoreȱproof inȱsituationsȱthatȱcanȱbringȱusȱgreatȱharm.]

Theȱkingȱtestsȱhisȱfavorite’sȱloyaltyȱbyȱdressingȱasȱaȱhermitȱandȱconfidingȱtoȱhim thatȱbecauseȱheȱisȱtiredȱofȱthisȱlifeȱheȱwantsȱtoȱretireȱasȱaȱhermit.ȱHeȱisȱentrusting hisȱkingdom,ȱhisȱwifeȱandȱhisȱsonȱtoȱhisȱcareȱuntilȱhisȱreturn.ȱForȱtheȱmostȱpartȱthe subject’sȱheartȱisȱloyal;ȱonȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱheȱsecretlyȱrejoicesȱatȱtheȱthoughtȱof

55 56

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ33:ȱ24–27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ34:ȱ36–41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

273

havingȱallȱtheȱpower:ȱ“plogolȱmuchoȱenȱsuȱcoraçon,ȱentendiendoȱqueȱpuesȱtodo fincauaȱenȱsuȱpoder,ȱqueȱpodriaȱobrarȱenȱelloȱcommoȱquisiese”57ȱ(“Thisȱpleases himȱinȱhisȱheartȱaȱlot,ȱthinkingȱthatȱnowȱthatȱheȱwouldȱhaveȱtheȱpower,ȱheȱcould doȱwhateverȱheȱdesired”).ȱAsȱweȱknow,ȱitȱisȱaȱservantȬadvisorȱthatȱtheȱcourtierȱhas inȱhisȱownȱhouseȱwhoȱsavesȱhimȱfromȱfallingȱinȱtheȱtrapȱofȱtheȱtest,ȱbyȱreadingȱinto theȱintentionsȱofȱtheȱking,ȱandȱtherebyȱtheȱcourtierȱisȱableȱtoȱrespondȱwithȱanȱact ofȱhisȱownȱ(heȱwantsȱtoȱaccompanyȱtheȱkingȱintoȱexile)ȱthatȱrestoresȱtheȱking’sȱtrust inȱhim.ȱInȱthisȱstory,ȱtheȱtheftȱisȱnotȱsuccessful.58ȱTheȱwouldȬbeȱvictimȱofȱcharacter assassination,ȱ thoughȱ notȱ ableȱ himselfȱ toȱ readȱ theȱ situationȱ correctly,ȱ hasȱ his advisorȱreadȱitȱforȱhim,ȱwherebyȱheȱisȱableȱtoȱcounteractȱinȱtimeȱandȱkeepȱhisȱgood reputation.59 Characterȱassassinationȱalsoȱtakesȱplaceȱinȱtheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱbeguine,ȱstoryȱXLII, thatȱweȱdiscussedȱabove.ȱTheȱbeguineȱdestroysȱtheȱcharacterȱofȱtheȱwifeȱandȱthe husbandȱ inȱ eachȱ other’sȱ eyes,ȱ dividingȱ andȱ conqueringȱ them.ȱ Aȱ veryȱ similar scenarioȱdevelopsȱinȱstoryȱXX,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱalȱleonȱetȱalȱtoro”ȱ(“What happenedȱtoȱtheȱlionȱandȱtheȱbull”),ȱinȱwhichȱtheȱotherȱanimals,ȱespeciallyȱthe trustedȱadvisors,ȱtheȱbearȱandȱtheȱhorse,ȱareȱsuccessfulȱatȱdestroyingȱtheȱstrong allianceȱ betweenȱ theȱ lionȱ andȱ theȱ bullȱ whoȱ ruleȱ overȱ them.ȱ Theyȱ doȱ thisȱ with characterȱassassination,ȱtellingȱeachȱoneȱliesȱaboutȱtheȱotherȱthatȱresultsȱinȱdistrust thatȱeventuallyȱbreaksȱtheirȱfriendship.ȱTheȱpossessionsȱthatȱtheyȱloseȱareȱtheir friendshipȱandȱtheirȱpowerȱoverȱtheȱotherȱanimals.ȱPatronioȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱthe lionȱandȱtheȱbullȱareȱatȱfaultȱforȱnotȱvaluingȱandȱprotectingȱtheirȱfriendship: Etȱassi,ȱporȱqueȱelȱleonȱetȱelȱtoroȱnonȱentendieronȱqueȱporȱelȱamorȱetȱlaȱayudaȱqueȱel unoȱtomauaȱdelȱotro,ȱeranȱellosȱonradosȱetȱapoderadosȱdeȱtodasȱlasȱotrasȱanimalias,ȱet nonȱguardaronȱelȱamorȱaprouechosoȱqueȱavianȱentreȱssi,ȱetȱnonȱseȱsopieronȱguardar deȱ losȱ malosȱ consejosȱ queȱ lesȱ dieronȱ paraȱ sallirȱ deȱ suȱ premiaȱ etȱ apremiaraȱ ellos, fincaronȱelȱleonȱetȱelȱtoroȱtanȱmalȱdeȱaquelȱpleito,ȱ queȱ assiȱcommoȱellosȱeranȱante apoderadosȱdeȱtodos,ȱasiȱfueronȱdespuesȱtodosȱapoderadosȱdellos.60ȱ [Andȱthatȱisȱwhy,ȱbecauseȱtheȱlionȱandȱtheȱbullȱdidȱnotȱunderstandȱthatȱitȱwasȱtheir friendshipȱandȱtheȱhelpȱthatȱtheyȱgaveȱoneȱanotherȱthatȱgaveȱthemȱrespectȱandȱpower

57 58

59

60

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ35:ȱ102–03ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). AȱveryȱusefulȱandȱinsightfulȱdiscussionȱofȱthisȱstoryȱisȱprovidedȱbyȱJamesȱA.ȱGrabowskaȱinȱThe ChallengeȱtoȱSpanishȱNobilityȱinȱtheȱFourteenthȱCentury:ȱtheȱStruggleȱforȱPowerȱinȱDonȱJuanȱManuel’s CondeȱLucanor,ȱ1335,ȱ(Lewiston:ȱTheȱEdwinȱMellenȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱinȱchapterȱ4,ȱ“Theȱmoralȱofȱthe story:ȱpoliticsȱandȱmoralityȱinȱexemplaryȱtales,”ȱ106–16.ȱ JonathanȱBurgoyneȱdiscussesȱtheȱethicalȱambiguityȱofȱthisȱstoryȱ(thatȱtheȱadvisorȱadvisesȱthe courtierȱ toȱ lieȱ toȱ theȱ kingȱ andȱ Patronioȱ advisesȱ Lucanorȱ toȱ lieȱ also)ȱ andȱ otherȱ storiesȱ inȱ the collectionȱinȱchapterȱ1,ȱ“EthicalȱambiguityȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱid.,ȱReadingȱtheȱExemplumȱRight: FixingȱtheȱMeaningȱofȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱNorthȱCarolinaȱStudiesȱinȱtheȱRomanceȱLanguagesȱand Literatures,ȱ289ȱ(ChapelȱHill:ȱUniversityȱofȱNorthȱCarolinaȱPress,ȱ2007). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ169:ȱ81–88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

274

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz overȱtheȱotherȱanimals,ȱandȱbecauseȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱvalueȱandȱcareȱforȱtheirȱbeneficial friendship,ȱandȱbecauseȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱknowȱhowȱtoȱprotectȱthemselvesȱfromȱtheȱbad adviceȱfromȱtheȱotherȱanimalsȱthatȱsoughtȱtoȱdivideȱthem,ȱtheyȱlostȱallȱtheȱpowerȱthey onceȱhadandȱnowȱotherȱanimalsȱhadȱpowerȱoverȱthem.]

IngratitudeȱisȱaȱtopicȱthatȱisȱdevelopedȱinȱaȱnumberȱofȱstoriesȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor, andȱitȱcanȱalsoȱbeȱviewedȱasȱaȱtypeȱofȱtheftȱwherebyȱaȱpersonȱacceptsȱaȱgiftȱorȱa favorȱ butȱ doesȱ notȱ giveȱ theȱ giverȱ creditȱ forȱ theȱ favorȱ orȱ theȱ gift.ȱ Weȱ saw ingratitudeȱinȱstoryȱLI.ȱTheȱkingȱdoesȱnotȱgiveȱGodȱtheȱcreditȱdeservedȱforȱthe positionȱofȱpowerȱthatȱheȱenjoysȱinȱtheȱtemporalȱworld.ȱTheȱkingȱisȱwithholding aȱgoodȱthatȱbelongsȱtoȱanother.ȱByȱnotȱgivingȱitȱtoȱtheȱpersonȱtoȱwhomȱitȱbelongs itȱisȱaȱstolenȱgood.ȱOnceȱtheȱkingȱrepentsȱforȱhisȱprideȱandȱarrogance,ȱheȱplaces creditȱforȱhisȱpositionȱinȱlifeȱwhereȱitȱbelongs.ȱHeȱnowȱvaluesȱmoreȱtheȱsalvation ofȱhisȱsoulȱthanȱanyȱwealthȱorȱpowerȱonȱearth:ȱ“caȱtodoȱestoȱpreçiauaȱelȱnada,ȱet nonȱcobdiçiauaȱotraȱcosaȱsinonȱauerȱperdonȱdeȱsusȱpecadosȱetȱpoderȱsaluarȱel alma”61ȱ(“ȱNoneȱofȱthisȱdidȱheȱvalueȱanymore,ȱandȱheȱdidȱnotȱdesireȱanythingȱbut toȱbeȱpardonedȱforȱhisȱsinsȱandȱtoȱsaveȱhisȱsoul”).ȱ Whenȱtheȱangelȱrestoresȱhisȱpositionȱasȱking,ȱtheȱfirstȱthingȱheȱdoesȱisȱmake amendsȱtoȱGodȱbyȱinscribingȱinȱgoldȱallȱoverȱhisȱkingdomȱtheȱoriginalȱverseȱinȱthe canticleȱtoȱtheȱVirginȱthatȱheȱhadȱdisrespectfullyȱbutchered,ȱgivingȱtheȱVirginȱnow herȱdueȱcredit:ȱ“EntonçeȱelȱreyȱfizoȱquantasȱemiendasȱpudoȱaȱnuestroȱsennorȱDios; etȱentreȱlasȱcosas,ȱmandoȱque,ȱporȱremembrançaȱdesto,ȱqueȱenȱtodoȱsuȱregnoȱpara siempreȱfuesseȱescriptoȱaquelȱviessoȱqueȱelȱreuesaraȱconȱletrasȱdeȱoro”62ȱ(“Thenȱthe kingȱdidȱasȱmanyȱreparationsȱasȱheȱcouldȱtoȱourȱlordȱGod,ȱandȱamongȱthemȱhe orderedȱthis,ȱthatȱthroughoutȱhisȱkingdomȱtheȱverseȱthatȱheȱdesecratedȱbeȱshown inȱgoldȱletters”). AȱhumorousȱtreatmentȱofȱingratitudeȱisȱfoundȱinȱstoryȱIIII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱdixoȱvn genovesȱaȱsuȱalmaȱquandoȱseȱovoȱdeȱmorir”ȱ(“WhatȱaȱGenoeseȱsaidȱtoȱhisȱsoul whenȱheȱwasȱdying”).ȱAȱdyingȱrichȱmanȱfromȱGenoaȱscoldsȱhisȱsoulȱforȱbeing ungratefulȱforȱleavingȱallȱtheȱpleasuresȱandȱpossessionsȱthatȱheȱcouldȱstillȱenjoyȱin thisȱtemporalȱworld.ȱAfterȱaȱdetailedȱdescriptionȱofȱhisȱpossessionȱthatȱareȱindeed marvelousȱheȱtellsȱhisȱsoulȱtoȱleaveȱhimȱwithȱtheȱwrathȱofȱGod.ȱAccordingȱtoȱthe dyingȱman,ȱhisȱsoulȱisȱmakingȱaȱmistakeȱinȱchoosingȱtheȱunknownȱoverȱtheȱgood lifeȱonȱearthȱthatȱisȱpeacefulȱandȱsafe.ȱPatronioȱusesȱthisȱstoryȱtoȱillustrateȱforȱthe CountȱLucanorȱthatȱheȱshouldȱnotȱriskȱwhatȱworldlyȱgainsȱheȱhasȱworkedȱhardȱfor overȱtheȱyearsȱforȱanȱunreliableȱpropositionȱhisȱenviousȱadvisorsȱareȱencouraging himȱtoȱgoȱafter.ȱTheseȱenviousȱadvisorsȱwantȱtoȱtoppleȱhisȱsecurityȱandȱhaveȱhim fallȱunderȱtheirȱcontrol:ȱ“caȱporȱaventuraȱestosȱvuestrosȱconsejerosȱvosȱloȱdizenȱpor queȱsabenȱqueȱdesqueȱenȱtalȱfechoȱvosȱovierenȱmetido,ȱqueȱporȱfuerçaȱabradesȱa 61 62

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ499:ȱ154–56ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).ȱ ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ502:ȱ251–54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

275

fazerȱloȱqueȱellosȱquisierenȱetȱqueȱavredesȱaȱseguirȱsuȱvoluntadȱdesqueȱfueredes enȱelȱgrantȱmesterȱ .ȱ.ȱ.”63ȱ(“forȱitȱisȱpossibleȱthatȱtheseȱadvisorsȱtellȱthisȱtoȱyou becauseȱifȱyouȱgetȱinȱtroubleȱwithȱtheȱkingȱyouȱwillȱaskȱthemȱforȱhelpȱandȱbeȱin theirȱpowerȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”).ȱ Whatȱ weȱ haveȱ inȱ theȱ storyȱ thatȱ Patronioȱ tellsȱ isȱ aȱ doubling,ȱ aȱ manȱ andȱ his ungratefulȱ soul.ȱ Theȱ soulȱ doesȱ notȱ giveȱ creditȱ toȱ theȱ richȱ manȱ forȱ allȱ heȱ has accomplishedȱinȱlife.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱitȱisȱaȱlittleȱdifferentȱinȱtheȱexplanationȱof theȱstoryȱthatȱPatronioȱdevelops.ȱWeȱcanȱseeȱaȱtargetȱofȱtheftȱ(Lucanor)ȱwhoȱneeds toȱbeȱgratefulȱforȱwhatȱheȱalreadyȱhasȱandȱnotȱbeȱgreedyȱsoȱasȱnotȱtoȱavoidȱfalling victimȱtoȱriskyȱpropositions.ȱHeȱneedsȱtoȱgiveȱhimselfȱcreditȱforȱwhatȱheȱalready hasȱ accomplished:ȱ “mas,ȱ porȱ elȱ miȱ conseio,ȱ enȱ quantoȱ pudierdesȱ auerȱ pazȱ et assossiegoȱaȱvuestraȱonra,ȱetȱsinȱvuestraȱmengua,ȱnonȱvosȱmetadesȱenȱcosaȱqueȱlo ayadesȱtodoȱaventurar”64ȱ(“Myȱadviceȱisȱthat,ȱasȱlongȱasȱyouȱcanȱenjoyȱpeaceȱand calmȱinȱanȱhonorableȱfashion,ȱandȱwithoutȱanyȱharmȱcomingȱtoȱyouȱforȱdoingȱso, don’tȱgetȱinvolvedȱinȱanythingȱthatȱasksȱyouȱtoȱriskȱeverything”). AnotherȱungratefulȱcharacterȱinȱtheȱcollectionȱisȱtheȱdeaconȱofȱSantiagoȱinȱstory XI,ȱ“DeȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱdeanȱdeȱSanctiagoȱconȱdonȱYllan,ȱelȱgrandȱmaestro deȱ Toledo”ȱ (“Whatȱ happenedȱ toȱ theȱ deaconȱ ofȱ Santiagoȱ andȱ donȱ Yllan,ȱ the magicianȱfromȱToledo”).ȱTheȱdeaconȱpromisesȱtheȱmagicianȱthatȱheȱwillȱnotȱforget theȱfavorȱthatȱheȱhasȱdoneȱforȱhimȱbyȱteachingȱhimȱhisȱsecretȱknowledgeȱofȱblack magic.ȱHeȱdoes,ȱhowever.ȱAsȱheȱrisesȱinȱfortuneȱandȱrankȱinȱtheȱchurchȱ(upȱuntil heȱisȱelectedȱPope),ȱheȱcontinuouslyȱpushesȱasideȱtheȱmagician’sȱentreatiesȱtoȱbe remembered,ȱgoingȱsoȱfarȱasȱtoȱthreatenȱtoȱputȱhimȱinȱjailȱforȱdisturbingȱtheȱpeace. Theȱdeaconȱnotȱonlyȱrefusesȱtoȱgiveȱtheȱmagicianȱcreditȱforȱhisȱsuccess,ȱheȱalso withholdsȱtheȱfavorȱinȱkindȱthatȱheȱowesȱhim,ȱandȱbothȱareȱthefts,ȱkeepingȱwhat doesȱ notȱ rightfullyȱ belongȱ toȱ him.ȱ Theȱ readerȱ (orȱ interlocutor)ȱ isȱ wonderfully surprisedȱwhenȱs/heȱlearnsȱthatȱallȱalongȱtheȱmagicianȱhadȱbeenȱapplyingȱhisȱblack magic,ȱbyȱhavingȱtheȱdeaconȱbelieveȱheȱwasȱactuallyȱlivingȱallȱthoseȱexperiences overȱmanyȱyearsȱwhenȱheȱallȱalongȱ(forȱaȱfewȱhours)ȱheȱhadȱbeenȱinȱtheȱmagician’s basement.65ȱ Theȱmagicianȱsuspectedȱthatȱtheȱdeaconȱwasȱnotȱhonestȱandȱthatȱheȱwouldȱturn ungrateful.ȱWhenȱtheȱdeaconȱrealizesȱtheȱtrick,ȱheȱfeelsȱembarrassed:ȱ“Quando estoȱdixoȱdonȱYllan,ȱfalloseȱelȱpapaȱenȱToledoȱdeanȱdeȱSanctiago,ȱcommoȱloȱera quandoȱyȱbino,ȱetȱtanȱgrandȱfueȱlaȱvergüençaȱqueȱovo,ȱqueȱnonȱsopoȱquellȱdexir”66

63 64 65

66

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ68:ȱ48–51ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ68:ȱ55–58ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Seeȱ Franciscoȱ Miranda,ȱ “Unȱ Deanȱ deȱ Sanctiagoȱ yȱ Donȱ Illan,ȱ elȱ grandȱ maestroȱ deȱ Toledo: nigromanciaȱeȱhistoriaȱenȱElȱCondeȱLucanor,”ȱRevistaȱCanadienseȱdeȱEstudiosȱHispánicosȱ23.2ȱ(1999): 329–40;ȱalsoȱDavidȱA.ȱWacks,ȱ“DonȱYllánȱandȱtheȱEgyptianȱsorcerer:ȱVernacularȱcommonalityȱand literaryȱdiversityȱinȱMedievalȱCastile,”ȱSefaradȱ65ȱ(2005):ȱ413–33. ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ102:ȱ141–43ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

276

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

(“WhenȱdonȱYllanȱsaidȱthis,ȱtheȱPopeȱfoundȱhimselfȱagainȱinȱToledoȱasȱdeaconȱof Santiagoȱasȱwhenȱheȱhadȱarrived,ȱandȱheȱwasȱsoȱembarrassedȱthatȱheȱdidȱnotȱknow whatȱtoȱsay”).ȱWithȱregardȱtoȱbeingȱvictimized,ȱtheȱmagicianȱisȱcarefulȱnotȱtoȱbe; heȱsetsȱupȱaȱsituationȱthatȱwillȱguaranteeȱthatȱheȱwon’tȱbe. Itȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱsurprisingȱtoȱfindȱthatȱthreeȱwomenȱcharactersȱinȱtheȱcollection areȱframedȱasȱungrateful,ȱnotȱgivingȱtheirȱhusbandsȱtheirȱdueȱcreditȱandȱrespect byȱbehavingȱobediently.ȱTheseȱcharactersȱareȱtheȱemperor’sȱwifeȱinȱstoryȱXXVII, “Deȱ loȱ queȱ contesçioȱ aȱ vnȱ emperadorȱ etȱ aȱ donȱ Alvarȱ Hannezȱ Minayaȱ conȱ sus mugeres”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱanȱemperorȱandȱdonȱAlvarȱHannezȱMinayaȱwith theirȱwomen”),ȱandȱRamayquiaȱinȱstoryȱXXX,ȱ“DeȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱalȱreyȱAbenabet deȱSeuillaȱconȱRamayquia,ȱsuȱmugger”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱkingȱAbenabetȱof SevillaȱwithȱhisȱwifeȱRamayquia”),ȱandȱtheȱnewlywedȱwomanȱinȱtheȱfamousȱstory XXXV,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱaȱvnȱmançeboȱqueȱcasoȱconȱvnaȱmugerȱmuyȱfuerteȱet muyȱbraua”ȱ(“Whatȱhappenedȱtoȱtheȱyoungȱmanȱwhoȱmarriedȱaȱveryȱstrongȱand fierceȱwoman”).ȱTwoȱofȱtheȱwomenȱwomenȱareȱ“bravas”ȱ(“fierce”).ȱTheȱemperor’s wifeȱisȱ“laȱmasȱbrauaȱetȱlaȱmasȱfuerteȱetȱlaȱmasȱrebassadaȱcosaȱdelȱmundo,”ȱ(“the strongestȱ andȱ mostȱ contraryȱ personȱ inȱ thisȱ world.”)ȱ Sheȱ neverȱ doesȱ whatȱ her husbandȱtheȱemperorȱwantsȱherȱtoȱdo.ȱTheȱwomanȱinȱstoryȱXXXVȱisȱalsoȱdescribed asȱ“fuerte”ȱandȱ“brava.”ȱSheȱisȱevenȱlikenedȱtoȱtheȱdevil:ȱ“etȱporȱende,ȱomneȱdel mundoȱnonȱqueriaȱcasarȱconȱaquelȱdiablo”ȱ(“andȱtherefore,ȱnoȱmanȱinȱtheȱworld wantedȱtoȱmarryȱthatȱdevil”).67ȱ Sheȱ isȱ notȱ marriageȱ materialȱ becauseȱ sheȱ isȱ tooȱ rebellious.ȱ Inȱ fact,ȱ bothȱ the emperor’sȱwifeȱandȱtheȱstrongȱandȱfierceȱsingleȱwomanȱhaveȱrebelliousȱcharacters. Theyȱareȱnotȱinȱtheȱleastȱsubmissive.ȱRamayquiaȱinȱstoryȱXXXȱisȱaȱcrybaby;ȱshe criesȱallȱtheȱtimeȱuntilȱsheȱgetsȱherȱway,ȱandȱthenȱtheȱcycleȱrepeatsȱitselfȱagain. Ramayquiaȱisȱanȱexcellentȱexampleȱofȱanȱungratefulȱwoman.ȱSheȱneverȱisȱsatisfied andȱhappyȱwithȱwhatȱherȱhusbandȱgivesȱher.ȱHeȱspoilsȱherȱandȱyetȱsheȱnever thanksȱhimȱforȱhisȱgiftsȱandȱhisȱdedication.ȱInȱtheȱstoryȱweȱseeȱhimȱstriveȱtoȱfulfill herȱwhims,ȱforȱexample,ȱplantingȱalmondȱtreesȱsoȱsheȱcouldȱfeelȱlikeȱitȱisȱwinter. Sheȱisȱsoȱimpressionableȱthatȱwhenȱsheȱseesȱthroughȱherȱwindowȱaȱpoorȱwoman makingȱmudȱbricksȱbyȱtheȱriverȱsheȱstartsȱtoȱcryȱtoȱherȱhusband,ȱbecauseȱsheȱalso wantsȱ toȱ makeȱ themȱ herself.ȱ Herȱ husbandȱ thenȱ createsȱ forȱ herȱ aȱ fantasy playgroundȱofȱroseȱwater,ȱgoodȱsmellingȱspicesȱandȱsugarȬcanesȱtoȱsimulateȱa river,ȱmudȱandȱhay.68ȱ

67 68

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ286:ȱ26–27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ItȱisȱhardȱtoȱnotȱreadȱmoreȱintoȱRamayquia’sȱsituationȱandȱjustȱwonderȱifȱherȱunhappinessȱmight stemȱfromȱbeingȱenclosedȱinȱtheȱcastleȱandȱnotȱenjoyingȱfreedom,ȱlikeȱtheȱpoorȱwomanȱbyȱtheȱriver does.ȱAfterȱall,ȱtheȱriverȱsheȱisȱgivenȱtoȱplayȱinȱ isȱ fake,ȱ asȱ wellȱasȱtheȱmudȱandȱtheȱhay.ȱHer husbandȱdidȱnotȱgiveȱherȱwhatȱsheȱaskedȱfor,ȱtheȱrealȱthing.ȱ

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

277

Allȱ threeȱ womenȱ areȱ punishedȱ toȱ varyingȱ degreesȱ forȱ theirȱ character.ȱ The punishmentȱisȱmeantȱtoȱtameȱtheȱwomenȱintoȱsubmission.ȱTheȱemperor’sȱwife takesȱaȱbottleȱofȱpoisonȱandȱingestsȱit,ȱjustȱasȱherȱhusbandȱthoughtȱsheȱwouldȱifȱhe toldȱherȱexpresslyȱnotȱto.ȱYes,ȱsheȱisȱsubmissiveȱnow,ȱdead,ȱwellȱunderȱcontrol. Ramayquiaȱisȱscoldedȱwithȱaȱreprimand.ȱWhenȱsheȱstartsȱtoȱcryȱagain,ȱherȱhusband retortsȱ withȱ “¿Etȱ nonȱ elȱ díaȱ delȱ lodo?”ȱ Patronioȱ clarifiesȱ thatȱ theȱ reprimand consistsȱinȱherȱhusbandȱaskingȱherȱifȱsheȱhasȱevenȱforgottenȱtheȱdayȱheȱarranged mudȱtoȱbeȱprovidedȱforȱher:ȱ“Commoȱdiziendoȱqueȱpuesȱlasȱotrasȱcosasȱoluidaua, queȱnonȱdeuiaȱoluidarȱelȱlodoȱqueȱfiizieraȱporȱleȱfazerȱplazer”69ȱ(“Asȱifȱtellingȱher thatȱsinceȱsheȱhasȱforgottenȱallȱtheȱotherȱthingsȱheȱhasȱdoneȱforȱher,ȱsheȱshouldȱnot forgetȱtheȱmudȱthatȱheȱhadȱmadeȱtoȱpleaseȱher”).ȱ Theȱreprimandȱisȱmeantȱtoȱchastiseȱherȱandȱchangeȱher.ȱTheȱhusbandȱisȱfedȱup withȱher.ȱTheȱyoungȱnewlywedȱinȱstoryȱXXXVȱisȱnotȱgivenȱaȱchanceȱtoȱbeȱ“brava” andȱdisrespectfulȱtoȱherȱhusband.ȱRightȱawayȱheȱintimidatesȱandȱsubjugatesȱher (withȱviolenceȱandȱbloodshedȱasȱheȱkillsȱtheȱanimals)ȱintoȱobedience.ȱAtȱtheȱend ofȱtheȱviolentȱordealȱofȱherȱhoneymoonȱsheȱindeedȱgoesȱfromȱbeingȱungratefulȱto gratefulȱtoȱbeȱalive.ȱTheȱhusbandsȱtakeȱmattersȱintoȱtheirȱownȱhands.ȱAsȱvictims orȱpotentialȱvictimsȱofȱdisobedience,ȱdisrespect,ȱingratitude,ȱallȱformsȱofȱtheftȱof masculineȱ honor,ȱ theyȱ deviseȱ waysȱ toȱ getȱ theȱ upperȱ handȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ liveȱ a peaceful,ȱsafeȱandȱorderlyȱlife.ȱ Twoȱofȱtheȱstoriesȱprovideȱreversedȱsituations.ȱInȱstoryȱXXVIIȱtheȱemperor’s wife’sȱrebelliousȱcharacterȱbringsȱonȱherȱdeathȱbyȱselfȬpoisoning,ȱbutȱinȱtheȱsecond partȱ ofȱ theȱ storyȱ Alvarȱ Hannez’sȱ wife,ȱ doñaȱ Vascunnana,ȱ isȱ aȱ paragonȱ ofȱ the virtuesȱofȱobedience,ȱgratitudeȱandȱsubmissiveness.70ȱInȱstoryȱXXXV,ȱtheȱgroom’s fatherȬinȬlawȱwantsȱtoȱsubjugateȱhisȱwifeȱwithȱintimidation,ȱbutȱtheȱwifeȱisȱnot intimidated;ȱsheȱknowsȱitȱisȱjustȱanȱact.ȱGoodȱtimingȱisȱessential.ȱTheyȱhaveȱbeen marriedȱtooȱlong.71 TheȱlastȱcategoryȱofȱtheftȱthatȱIȱdiscussȱinȱthisȱarticleȱisȱstolenȱopportunities.ȱThe exampleȱthatȱfirstȱcomesȱtoȱmindȱisȱtheȱopportunityȱtoȱconfessȱthatȱtheȱsonsȱtake awayȱ fromȱ theirȱ fatherȱ inȱ storyȱ XIIII,ȱ “Delȱ miragloȱ queȱ fizoȱ sanctoȱ Domingo quandoȱpredicoȱsobreȱelȱlogrero”ȱ(“TheȱmiracleȱthatȱSt.ȱDominicȱperformedȱonȱthe greedyȱman”).ȱSaintȱDominicȱcan’tȱcomeȱinȱpersonȱtoȱconfessȱaȱrichȱLombardȱwho isȱonȱhisȱdeathbed,ȱbutȱsendsȱinȱhisȱplaceȱaȱfriarȱofȱhisȱorder.ȱTheȱsons,ȱgreedyȱfor theirȱfather’sȱmoney,ȱfearȱthatȱheȱwillȱgiveȱitȱawayȱtoȱtheȱDominicanȱorder.ȱWhen theȱfriarȱarrives,ȱtheȱsonsȱsendȱhimȱaway.ȱTheȱfatherȱdiesȱwithoutȱconfession.ȱSt.

69 70 71

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ258:ȱ53–55ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Seeȱnoteȱ10. SeeȱEukeneȱLacarraȱLanz’sȱarticle,ȱ“Elȱpeorȱenemigoȱesȱelȱenemigoȱenȱcasa:ȱViolenciaȱdeȱgénero enȱlaȱliteraturaȱmedieval,”ȱClioȱ&ȱCrimenȱ5ȱ(2008):ȱ228–66,ȱforȱaȱthoroughȱdiscussionȱofȱstories XXVIIȱandȱXXXV.

278

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

Dominicȱpresidesȱatȱtheȱfuneralȱandȱcitesȱtheȱbible,ȱ“Ubiȱsuntȱteasurusȱtuus,ȱubiȱest corȱtuum.”ȱInȱtheȱdeadȱman’sȱtrunkȱ(theȱmiracleȱthatȱSt.ȱDominicȱperforms)ȱfriends andȱfamilyȱfindȱinsteadȱtheȱman’sȱheartȱcoveredȱinȱwormsȱinȱplaceȱofȱhisȱmoney. Theȱfatherȱwasȱgreedyȱasȱwell.ȱ Theȱmessageȱisȱthatȱgreedȱforȱmoneyȱcorrupts.ȱToȱhaveȱbothȱaȱgreedyȱheartȱand aȱgivingȱheartȱisȱnotȱpossible.ȱGreedȱtakesȱawayȱopportunityȱtoȱ performȱgood deedsȱandȱearnȱtheȱsalvationȱofȱtheȱsoul.ȱTheȱcapitalȱsins,ȱallȱveryȱwellȱrepresented inȱtheȱcollectionȱofȱ storiesȱ(butȱgreedȱmoreȱextensivelyȱthanȱ theȱotherȱsix),ȱare thievesȱofȱopportunityȱtoȱliveȱtheȱChristianȱlife.ȱTheȱsacramentȱofȱconfessionȱcan restoreȱ theȱ opportunityȱ toȱ beȱ saved,ȱ butȱ onlyȱ ifȱ thereȱ isȱ trueȱ repentance,ȱ asȱ is illustratedȱ inȱ storyȱ XL,ȱ “Deȱ lasȱ razonesȱ porȱ queȱ perdioȱ elȱ almaȱ unȱ siniscalȱ de Carcassona”ȱ(“TheȱreasonsȱwhyȱaȱSeneschalȱfromȱCarcassonneȱlostȱhisȱsoul”).ȱ Twoȱ otherȱ storiesȱ inȱ theȱ collectionȱ areȱ especiallyȱ goodȱ examplesȱ ofȱ stolen opportunities,ȱstoryȱXXVI,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱconteçioȱalȱaruolȱdeȱlaȱmentira”ȱ(“What happenedȱtoȱtheȱtreeȱofȱDeceit”),ȱandȱstoryȱXLIII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱalȱbienȱet alȱmalȱetȱalȱcuerdoȱconȱelȱloco”ȱ(“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱGoodȱandȱEvilȱandȱtoȱtheȱsane manȱandȱtheȱcrazyȱman”).ȱInȱstoryȱXXVI,ȱtruthȱandȱdeceitȱareȱpersonified.ȱBeing companions,ȱtheyȱdecideȱtoȱresideȱinȱaȱtree.ȱDeceitȱdeceivesȱTruthȱwhoȱinnocently believesȱwhatȱDeceitȱtellsȱher,ȱthatȱtheȱrootsȱareȱtheȱbestȱpartȱofȱtheȱtree.ȱThisȱis whereȱTruthȱtakesȱupȱresidence.ȱ Deceitȱoccupiesȱtheȱvisibleȱpart,ȱtheȱbranchesȱandȱleaves,ȱgrowingȱstrongȱand beautiful.ȱPeopleȱgatherȱunderȱtheȱtreeȱtoȱtakeȱshadeȱandȱtoȱlearnȱfromȱitsȱartȱof deception.ȱWhatȱIȱwantȱtoȱpointȱoutȱhereȱisȱthatȱDeceitȱisȱaȱtaker;ȱsheȱtakesȱallȱthe bestȱofȱeverything,ȱmaterialȱgoodsȱandȱopportunities.ȱSheȱpushesȱTruthȱaside,ȱor rather,ȱunderground,ȱjustȱlikeȱaȱtakerȱofȱopportunities.ȱDeceitȱbasksȱinȱtheȱlight andȱinȱtheȱlimelight.ȱSheȱstealsȱallȱtheȱattentionȱandȱtakesȱupȱasȱmuchȱspaceȱas possible.ȱTruth,ȱlivingȱunderneathȱinȱtheȱrootsȱofȱtheȱtree,ȱstarving,ȱgnawsȱatȱthe roots.ȱHowever,ȱinȱtheȱCatholicȱworldviewȱtheȱtruthȱeventuallyȱrevealsȱitselfȱand unmasksȱlies.ȱAsȱGodȱwillȱtriumphȱoverȱtheȱdevilȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱtime,ȱtheȱtruth eventuallyȱwillȱwinȱtheȱwarȱagainstȱdeceit,ȱdespiteȱitsȱarmiesȱofȱfollowers.ȱInȱthe storyȱtheȱtreeȱofȱliesȱfallsȱwhenȱitȱisȱhitȱbyȱaȱstrongȱwind.ȱ(Deceitȱisȱnotȱsoȱpowerful andȱstrongȱafterȱall.)ȱTheȱpeopleȱwhoȱhadȱtakenȱshadeȱunderneathȱtheȱtreeȱare eitherȱinjuredȱorȱkilled.ȱ Truthȱcomesȱoutȱofȱhidingȱandȱseesȱtheȱevilȱdeedsȱofȱdeceit.ȱPatronioȱexplainsȱto theȱCountȱLucanorȱthatȱ“laȱmentira”ȱ(“theȱlie”)ȱhasȱmanyȱbranchesȱandȱflowers, andȱ manyȱ peopleȱ areȱ charmedȱ andȱ takenȱ inȱ byȱ itsȱ manyȱ deceitfulȱ ways.ȱ “La mentira,”ȱhowever,ȱisȱallȱshadowȱ(“sonbra”ȱinȱSpanishȱisȱbothȱshadeȱandȱshadow) andȱneverȱbearsȱgoodȱfruit.ȱPatronioȱtellsȱtheȱcountȱtoȱnotȱfollowȱtheȱexampleȱof theȱ majorityȱ whoȱ areȱ deceitful,ȱ andȱ whoȱ areȱ ultimatelyȱ punished,ȱ butȱ rather embraceȱandȱfollowȱtheȱtruth,ȱwhichȱisȱtheȱroadȱtoȱsalvation.ȱTheȱmoralȱattached atȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱstoryȱis:ȱ“Seguidȱverdad,ȱporȱlaȱmentiraȱfoyr,ȱcaȱsuȱmalȱcresçe

TheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanor

279

quienȱvsaȱdeȱmentir”ȱ(“Followȱtheȱtruthȱandȱrunȱawayȱfromȱlies.ȱWhoeverȱliesȱwill beȱpunished”).ȱ InȱexampleȱXLIII,ȱ“Deȱloȱqueȱcontesçioȱalȱbienȱetȱalȱmalȱetȱalȱcuerdoȱconȱelȱloco” (“WhatȱhappenedȱtoȱGoodȱandȱEvilȱandȱtoȱtheȱsaneȱmanȱandȱtheȱcrazyȱman”), GoodȱandȱEvilȱareȱpersonified.ȱEvilȱisȱtheȱtaker;ȱheȱtakesȱtheȱbiggestȱshareȱandȱthe bestȱpartsȱofȱeverythingȱheȱdividesȱbetweenȱhimselfȱandȱGood.ȱEvilȱlaysȱclaimȱto theȱwoolȱandȱtheȱmilkȱofȱtheȱsheepȱtheyȱshareȱwhileȱGoodȱisȱleftȱwithȱtheȱbaby lambs.ȱEvilȱgetsȱgreedierȱwithȱtheȱpigs.ȱHeȱtellsȱGoodȱthatȱthisȱtimeȱheȱcanȱhaveȱthe hideȱandȱtheȱmilkȱofȱtheȱpigs,ȱandȱthatȱheȱwillȱhaveȱtheȱpiglets.ȱGoodȱisȱassigned theȱvisibleȱleavesȱofȱtheȱturnipsȱthatȱgrowȱinȱtheirȱvegetableȱgarden,ȱwhileȱEvilȱlays claimsȱtoȱtheȱturnipsȱthemselves.ȱWithȱtheȱcabbages,ȱEvilȱgivesȱGoodȱtheȱrootsȱand heȱtakesȱtheȱleaves,ȱthatȱis,ȱtheȱcabbages.ȱWhenȱitȱisȱtimeȱtoȱshareȱaȱwoman,ȱEvil prefersȱtheȱlowerȱhalfȱofȱtheȱwomanȱ(andȱgetsȱtoȱbeȱherȱhusbandȱandȱsleepȱwith her)ȱleavingȱGoodȱwithȱtheȱupperȱhalf.ȱ(Theȱtwoȱpartsȱofȱtheȱbodyȱofȱtheȱwoman representȱtwoȱdifferentȱuses,ȱoneȱsexualȱandȱtheȱotherȱdomestic:ȱ“Etȱfueȱassi:ȱque laȱparteȱdelȱBienȱfaziaȱloȱqueȱcunpliaȱenȱcasa,ȱetȱlaȱparteȱdelȱMalȱeraȱcasadaȱconȱel etȱaviaȱdeȱdormirȱconȱsuȱmarido.”72)ȱ Evil,ȱhowever,ȱdoesȱnotȱgetȱawayȱwithȱallȱhisȱtakingȱandȱheȱfallsȱintoȱaȱtrapȱofȱhis ownȱmaking.ȱWhenȱaȱsonȱisȱbornȱtoȱtheȱwomanȱandȱEvil,ȱGoodȱrefusesȱtoȱgive permissionȱtoȱtheȱwomanȱtoȱnurseȱtheȱnewborn,ȱbecauseȱthatȱpartȱofȱherȱbodyȱis his.ȱForȱtheȱfavorȱofȱallowingȱtheȱbabyȱtoȱbeȱnursed,ȱGoodȱmakesȱEvilȱwalkȱin publicȱannouncingȱthatȱGoodȱtriumphsȱoverȱEvilȱwithȱgoodȱdeeds:ȱ“Amigos,ȱsabet queȱconȱbienȱvençeȱelȱVienȱalȱMal.”73 ThereȱisȱanȱimportantȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱTruthȱandȱGood,ȱasȱtheyȱareȱportrayed inȱeachȱofȱtheseȱstories.ȱTruthȱisȱinnocentȱandȱgullibleȱtoȱaȱfault:ȱ“nonȱayȱenȱella muchasȱmaestriasȱetȱesȱcosaȱdeȱgrandȱfiançaȱetȱdeȱgrandȱcreençia”74ȱ(“ȱThereȱisȱnot anyȱmaliceȱinȱherȱandȱsheȱisȱtrustingȱandȱgullible”).ȱThatȱsheȱeventuallyȱescapes herȱbadȱsituationȱisȱmoreȱdueȱtoȱherȱhungerȱratherȱthanȱtoȱherȱastuteness,ȱforȱshe hasȱnone.ȱSheȱisȱtheȱperfectȱvictim.ȱItȱisȱbadȱtoȱbeȱthatȱgood.ȱInȱfact,ȱnoȱhuman beingȱisȱthatȱgoodȱ(notȱevenȱGood)ȱbecauseȱitȱisȱthatȱamountȱofȱ“maestría”ȱ(evil) thereȱisȱinȱeverybodyȱ(evenȱifȱitȱbeȱsmallȱamount)ȱthatȱallowsȱeverybodyȱtoȱprotect themselvesȱfromȱevil.ȱAsȱweȱseeȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱGoodȱinȱstoryȱXLIII,ȱsheȱwisesȱup. Sheȱstopsȱbeingȱgullible,ȱstopsȱlettingȱEvilȱtakeȱtheȱbest,ȱandȱstopsȱallowingȱEvilȱto stealȱherȱopportunities.ȱEvenȱthoughȱsheȱmakesȱEvilȱparadeȱinȱpublicȱannouncing thatȱsheȱtriumphsȱoverȱherȱbyȱdoingȱgood,ȱlettingȱtheȱnewbornȱnurse,ȱitȱisȱtheȱlittle evilȱinȱherselfȱthatȱsheȱresortsȱtoȱthatȱputsȱaȱstopȱtoȱtheȱabuse.ȱInsteadȱofȱturning theȱotherȱcheekȱandȱbeingȱgenerous,ȱsheȱsaysȱno,ȱthatȱpartȱofȱtheȱwomanȱbelongs

72 73 74

ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ345:ȱ59–61ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ346:ȱ95ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).ȱ ElȱCondeȱLucanor,ȱ210:ȱ42ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

280

MariaȱCeciliaȱRuiz

toȱme.ȱSoȱsheȱusesȱwhatȱlittleȱsheȱhasȱtoȱbargainȱwith,ȱtakingȱadvantageȱofȱthe opportunityȱ thatȱ hasȱ luckilyȱ comeȱ herȱ wayȱ (notȱ anȱ eventȱ forseenȱ byȱ Evil),ȱ to manipulateȱ(“maestría”)ȱtheȱsituationȱtoȱherȱadvantage.ȱ Inȱconclusion,ȱIȱhaveȱshownȱhowȱtheftȱinȱJuanȱManuel’sȱElȱCondeȱLucanorȱcanȱrun theȱ gamutȱ fromȱ beingȱ aȱ simpleȱ motifȱ inȱ aȱ taleȱ ofȱ Aesopicȱ origin,ȱ aȱ morally ambivalentȱ situationȱ inȱ aȱ taleȱ ofȱ Arabicȱ origin,ȱ aȱ dynamicȱ complexȱ topicȱ that reinforcesȱ theȱ collection’sȱ Catholicȱ identity,ȱ toȱ aȱ portrayalȱ ofȱ theȱ worldȱ where thievesȱandȱvictimsȱareȱalwaysȱbusyȱinȱpowerȱstrugglesȱwithȱeachȱotherȱoverȱtheir possessionsȱandȱobjectsȱofȱdesire.ȱByȱnoȱmeansȱdoȱIȱconsiderȱthatȱIȱhaveȱstudied theȱtopicȱcompletely,ȱforȱgreedȱandȱtheftȱinȱtheȱcollectionȱhaveȱasȱcounterparts doingȱgoodȱdeedsȱandȱcharity.ȱAnalyzingȱtheseȱ(asȱtheyȱareȱpresentedȱinȱJuan Manuel’sȱotherȱbooksȱasȱwellȱasȱinȱElȱCondeȱLucanor)ȱcouldȱroundȱoutȱtheȱtopicȱof theft.ȱ

Chapterȱ12 PatriciaȱTurning (ArizonaȱStateȱUniversity,ȱTempe)

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody:ȱ WardensȱandȱJailersȱinȱFourteenthȬCenturyȱ SouthernȱFrance

Forȱdecades,ȱitȱseemedȱasȱthoughȱhistoriansȱofȱmedievalȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment describedȱinstitutionsȱthatȱlookedȱlikeȱaȱprisonȱandȱfunctionedȱlikeȱaȱprison,ȱbut refrainedȱ fromȱ usingȱ theȱ wordȱ becauseȱ ofȱ theȱ influenceȱ ofȱ Michelȱ Foucault’s DisciplineȱandȱPunishȱ(1975).ȱAnyoneȱfamiliarȱwithȱFoucault’sȱtheoryȱheldȱonȱtoȱthe fundamentalȱpremiseȱthatȱprisonsȱasȱaȱpunitiveȱinstitutionȱonlyȱemergedȱatȱtheȱend ofȱtheȱeighteenthȱcentury,ȱasȱaȱproductȱofȱtheȱEnlightenment’sȱnotionȱthatȱtheȱState couldȱserveȱaȱroleȱinȱreformingȱtheȱsoulȱofȱtheȱoffender.1ȱInȱbroadȱoverviewsȱof medievalȱjustice,ȱscholarsȱwereȱveryȱconsciousȱinȱtheirȱdiscussionsȱofȱmedieval prisonsȱtoȱexplainȱtheirȱexistenceȱasȱsimplyȱholdingȱcentersȱforȱcriminalsȱawaiting theirȱ trialsȱ orȱ ifȱ administratorsȱ didȱ useȱ themȱ asȱ aȱ locationȱ ofȱ coercion,ȱ itȱ was primarilyȱforȱdelinquentȱdebtors.ȱ Inȱ theseȱ worksȱ thereȱ areȱ concessions,ȱ however,ȱ ofȱ undisputedȱ variationsȱ of disciplinaryȱincarcerationȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱfromȱtheȱisolationȱandȱsegregation ofȱerroneousȱmonksȱtoȱroyalȱprisonsȱlikeȱtheȱChâteletȱinȱParis,ȱbut,ȱasȱtheȱtitleȱof EdwardȱPeters’sȱchapterȱinȱTheȱOxfordȱHistoryȱofȱtheȱPrisonȱsuggests,ȱthisȱisȱstill seeminglyȱaȱdiscourseȱofȱtheȱ“PrisonȱbeforeȱtheȱPrison.”2ȱFoucault’sȱchronological

1

2

MichelȱFoucault,ȱDisciplineȱandȱPunish:ȱTheȱBirthȱofȱtheȱPrison,ȱtrans.ȱAlanȱSheridanȱ(1975;ȱNew York:ȱVintageȱBooks,ȱ1979). EdwardȱPeters,ȱ“PrisonsȱbeforeȱtheȱPrison:ȱTheȱAncientȱandȱMedievalȱWorlds,”ȱTheȱOxfordȱHistory ofȱtheȱPrison:ȱTheȱPracticeȱofȱPunishmentȱinȱWesternȱSociety,ȱed.ȱNorvalȱMorrisȱ(Oxford:ȱOxford UniversityȱPress,ȱ1995),ȱ3–47.

282

PatriciaȱTurning

andȱperspectiveȱ“birthȱofȱtheȱprison”ȱhelpedȱshapeȱtheȱgeneralȱunderstandingȱ(or dismissal)ȱofȱprisonsȱinȱtheȱmedievalȱworld:ȱnamely,ȱthatȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱhadȱno conceptȱofȱpunitiveȱimprisonment. Thereȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱhandfulȱofȱregionalȱstudies,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱhaveȱmaintained thatȱ inȱ conceptȱ andȱ inȱ reality,ȱ prisonsȱ didȱ serveȱ anȱ explicitȱ roleȱ inȱ theȱ judicial administrationsȱ ofȱ theȱ laterȱ Middleȱ Ages,ȱ muchȱ likeȱ today’sȱ counterparts. Althoughȱ itȱ predatesȱ Foucault,ȱ inȱ England,ȱ thisȱ notionȱ extendsȱ backȱ toȱ the definitiveȱworkȱofȱR.ȱB.ȱPugh’sȱImprisonmentȱinȱMedievalȱEnglandȱ(1968),ȱwhich arguedȱthatȱprisonsȱwereȱveryȱmuchȱaȱpartȱofȱofficialȱpracticesȱofȱchastisement, andȱwereȱnotȱsimplyȱtemporaryȱholdingȱcells.3ȱEnglandȱalsoȱprovidesȱscholars withȱsomeȱofȱtheȱmostȱfamousȱofȱtheȱmedievalȱprisons,ȱtheȱnotoriousȱNewgateȱand Fleet,ȱbutȱforȱsomeȱreason,ȱliteratureȱonȱtheseȱinstitutionsȱisȱratherȱscarce.4ȱOnȱthe continent,ȱ twoȱ ofȱ theȱ mostȱ recentȱ influentialȱ worksȱ toȱ seriouslyȱ challenge Foucault’sȱtheoryȱhaveȱbeenȱJamesȱGiven’sȱInquisitionȱandȱMedievalȱSocietyȱandȱGuy Geltner’sȱTheȱMedievalȱPrison.ȱGivenȱconvincinglyȱelucidatesȱtheȱimportanceȱof sequesteredȱ containmentȱ inȱ theȱ inquisition’sȱ successȱ inȱ thirteenthȬcentury SouthernȱFrance,ȱasȱtheȱprisonȱbecameȱaȱwayȱtoȱisolateȱaȱsuspectedȱhereticȱfrom socialȱorȱfamilialȱties,ȱandȱthusȱexpediteȱaȱconfessionȱofȱguilt.5ȱSomeȱinmatesȱhad noȱ ideaȱ howȱ longȱ theyȱ wouldȱ beȱ detained,ȱ andȱ inquisitorsȱ prayedȱ uponȱ this ignoranceȱtoȱintimidateȱbothȱtheȱsuspectȱandȱtheȱsurroundingȱcommunity.ȱInȱhis work,ȱGeltnerȱpresentsȱItalianȱmunicipalȱprisonsȱasȱveryȱrecognizablyȱmodern institutions.6ȱGeltnerȱinsistsȱthatȱbyȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury,ȱmunicipal prisonsȱ wereȱ visibleȱ andȱ centrallyȱ locatedȱ buildings,ȱ staffedȱ withȱ aȱ complex administrationȱthatȱmadeȱtheȱexperienceȱofȱincarcerationȱifȱnotȱpleasant,ȱcertainly notȱ asȱ horrificȱ asȱ oneȱ mightȱ imagine.ȱ Hisȱ researchȱ revealsȱ thatȱ timeȱ inȱ Italian medievalȱjailȱwasȱbyȱnoȱmeansȱcomfortable,ȱbutȱifȱanȱinmateȱcouldȱaffordȱit,ȱitȱwas certainlyȱtolerable. Itȱisȱnotȱsurprising,ȱthough,ȱthatȱFoucaultȱopenedȱDisciplineȱandȱPunishȱwithȱa dramaticȱaccountȱofȱtheȱhorrificȱandȱpublicȱexecutionȱofȱanȱoffenderȱasȱanȱexample ofȱpreȬmodernȱjustice.ȱȱManyȱmedievalȱchroniclesȱalsoȱgiveȱtheȱimpressionȱthat criminalȱ punishmentȱ wasȱ swift,ȱ brutal,ȱ andȱ alwaysȱ corporal.ȱ Butȱ inȱ actuality, municipalȱandȱroyalȱofficialsȱprovedȱtoȱbeȱfairlyȱrestrainedȱandȱveryȱcalculatedȱin theirȱ punitiveȱ sentences.ȱ Fromȱ aȱ statisticalȱ perspective,ȱ theȱ numberȱ ofȱ people executedȱinȱFranceȱduringȱtheȱlaterȱMiddleȱAgesȱwasȱrelativelyȱlowȱinȱrelationship

3 4

5

6

RalphȱPugh,ȱImprisonmentȱinȱMedievalȱEnglandȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1968). MargeryȱBassett,ȱ“NewgateȱPrisonȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱSpeculumȱ18ȱ(1943):ȱ233–46;ȱMargery Bassett,ȱ“TheȱFleetȱPrisonȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱTorontoȱLawȱJournalȱ5ȱ(1944): 383–402. JamesȱGiven,ȱInquisitionȱandȱMedievalȱSociety:ȱPower,ȱDisciplineȱandȱResistanceȱinȱLanguedocȱ(Ithaca, NY:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1997). GuyȱGeltner,ȱTheȱMedievalȱPrison:ȱAȱSocialȱHistoryȱ(Princeton,ȱNJ:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2008).

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

283

toȱtheȱnumberȱofȱpeopleȱchargedȱwithȱcrimes.7ȱBetweenȱ1387ȱandȱ1400,ȱtheȱParisian Parlementȱ heardȱ moreȱ thanȱ twoȱ hundredȱ cases,ȱ ofȱ whichȱ onlyȱ fourȱ endedȱ in capitalȱpunishment.8ȱRecentȱhistoriansȱhaveȱarguedȱthatȱtheȱrealȱimportanceȱof executionsȱandȱphysicalȱpunishmentsȱinȱtheȱmedievalȱurbanȱmilieuȱresidesȱnotȱin theȱfrequency,ȱbutȱinȱtheȱritualȱnatureȱbehindȱtheȱevents.ȱEstherȱCohenȱbelieves thatȱ medievalȱ authoritiesȱ createdȱ aȱ visualȱ trickȱ throughȱ theirȱ spectacular executionsȱ inȱ medievalȱ cities.ȱ Evenȱ thoughȱ theȱ deathȱ sentencesȱ mayȱ notȱ have occurredȱregularly,ȱsheȱargues,ȱtheȱpainstakingȱprocessionsȱtoȱtheȱgallowsȱand bloodȬshedȱofȱtheȱprisonerȱleftȱaȱlastingȱimpressionȱuponȱspectators,ȱleadingȱthem toȱrecallȱtheȱparticularityȱandȱindividualityȱofȱeachȱexecution.9ȱIfȱweȱtakeȱthisȱinto consideration,ȱ secularȱ judicialȱ administratorsȱ hadȱ toȱ beȱ sureȱ thatȱ theȱ public regardedȱprisonsȱasȱaȱlegitimateȱandȱvalidȱmeansȱofȱestablishingȱjusticeȱtoȱvictims andȱtoȱtheirȱfamilies,ȱandȱecclesiasticalȱofficialsȱneededȱtoȱproveȱtheȱinstitutionȱwas successfulȱinȱeradicatingȱheresyȱinȱaȱparticularȱregion.ȱCarefulȱattentionȱhadȱtoȱbe paid,ȱthen,ȱtoȱtheȱmenȱassignedȱtheȱtaskȱofȱservingȱasȱprisonȱwardensȱandȱtheir guards,ȱallȱofȱwhomȱbecameȱtheȱpublicȱfiguresȱperformingȱjusticeȱonȱaȱmundane dailyȱ basis,ȱ ratherȱ thanȱ throughȱ anȱ affiliationȱ withȱ aȱ dramaticȱ corporal punishment.ȱȱ WhatȱIȱwantȱtoȱproposeȱinȱthisȱarticle,ȱisȱthatȱifȱweȱacceptȱprisonsȱasȱaȱrecognizable punitiveȱinstitutionȱbyȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury,ȱthenȱweȱmustȱconsider thatȱtheȱwardensȱandȱofficersȱheldȱaȱtremendousȱamountȱofȱresponsibilityȱinȱnot onlyȱcodifyingȱtheȱnatureȱandȱfunctionȱofȱtheȱprisonȱinȱmedievalȱsociety,ȱbutȱalso inȱdelineatingȱjudicialȱhierarchiesȱatȱbothȱaȱlocalȱandȱroyalȱlevel.ȱInȱthisȱrespect,ȱthe wardenȱorȱtheȱjailerȱcouldȱbecomeȱtheȱfocalȱpointȱofȱaȱjurisdictionalȱdisputeȱand aȱsymbolȱofȱcorruption.ȱBecause,ȱtoȱcomplicateȱmattersȱevenȱfurther,ȱanyȱgivenȱcity hadȱoverlappingȱjurisdictions.ȱSoȱpotentially,ȱroyalȱprisonsȱcouldȱcompeteȱwith municipalȱprisons,ȱmunicipalȱprisonsȱwithȱecclesiasticalȱprisons,ȱallȱoverȱtheȱright toȱholdȱandȱpunishȱaȱparticularȱcriminal.ȱAndȱagain,ȱtheȱconductȱandȱreputation ofȱtheȱwardenȱandȱguardsȱofȱeachȱparticularȱprisonȱbecameȱtheȱimpetusȱofȱmany ofȱtheseȱjurisdictionalȱconflicts.ȱ Inȱ France,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ theȱ monarchyȱ hadȱ littleȱ troubleȱ ensuringȱ thatȱ royal justiceȱtrumpedȱallȱofȱtheȱlesserȱcourtsȱinȱParisȱbyȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury.ȱButȱas

7

8

9

JacquesȱChiffoleau,ȱLesȱJusticesȱduȱpape:ȱdélinquanceȱetȱcriminalitéȱdansȱlaȱrégionȱd’AvignonȱauȱXIVe siècle.ȱHistoireȱancienneȱetȱmédiéval,ȱ14ȱ(Paris:ȱPublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ1984),ȱ211–42. ClaudeȱGauvard,ȱ“Deȱgraceȱespecial:”ȱcrime,ȱétatȱetȱsociétéȱenȱFranceȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyenȱÂgeȱ(Paris: PublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ1991),ȱ897.ȱ EstherȱCohen,ȱ“‘ToȱDieȱaȱCriminalȱforȱPublicȱGood:’ȱTheȱExecutionȱRitualȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱParis,” Law,ȱ Customs,ȱ andȱ Socialȱ Fabricȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Europe:ȱ Essaysȱ inȱ Honorȱ ofȱ Bryceȱ Lyon,ȱ ed.ȱ Bernard Bacharach.ȱ Studiesȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Cultureȱ (Kalamazoo:ȱ Westernȱ Michiganȱ University,ȱ 1990), 280–304.

284

PatriciaȱTurning

Capetianȱ ambitionsȱ spreadȱ toȱ otherȱ territories,ȱ theȱ king’sȱ lawyersȱ andȱ officers encounteredȱsomeȱoppositionȱinȱtheirȱeffortsȱtoȱcreateȱaȱcentralizedȱjudicialȱsystem. InȱcitiesȱlikeȱLyon,ȱNicoleȱGonthierȱhasȱfoundȱaȱpronouncedȱtensionȱbetweenȱthe royalȱprisonȱandȱthatȱofȱtheȱarchbishopȱinȱtheȱfourteenthȱandȱfifteenthȱcenturies, asȱbothȱsidesȱcomplainedȱaboutȱtheȱconditionsȱofȱtheirȱrivalȱjailsȱinȱjurisdictional arguments.10ȱ Theseȱ criticismsȱ aboutȱ theȱ conductȱ ofȱ jailersȱ orȱ theȱ treatmentȱ of inmatesȱcouldȱalsoȱbecameȱaȱveryȱpracticalȱwayȱforȱsurroundingȱcitizensȱcouldȱcall uponȱeitherȱroyalȱorȱpapalȱinterventionȱintoȱlocalȱjudicialȱaffairs,ȱandȱtoȱensure someȱsenseȱofȱregulationȱandȱstandardizationȱofȱtheȱorganizationȱofȱtheseȱvarious prisons. ThisȱcontentionȱoverȱimprisonmentȱisȱevenȱmoreȱpronouncedȱinȱSouthernȱFrance inȱtheȱlaterȱMiddleȱAges,ȱasȱtheȱcityȱofȱToulouseȱmadeȱtheȱtransitionȱfromȱaȱfairly autonomousȱmunicipalȱgovernmentȱrunȱbyȱtwelveȱelectedȱcapitols,ȱtoȱpartȱofȱthe CapetianȱkingdomȱandȱtheȱheadquartersȱofȱtheȱDominicanȱinquisition.ȱInȱ1229,ȱthe cityȱandȱtheȱsurroundingȱregionȱofȱLanguedocȱsurrenderedȱtoȱtheȱCapetianȱkings, thusȱendingȱtheȱdecadesȱlongȱandȱarduouslyȱfoughtȱAlbigensianȱCrusadeȱagainst theȱCatharȱheretics.ȱTheȱpeaceȱtreatyȱorderedȱtheȱcapitolsȱtoȱdestroyȱtheȱcityȱwalls andȱdefensiveȱgarrisons,ȱandȱalsoȱstipulatedȱthatȱtheȱcitizensȱwouldȱfinancially supportȱtheȱfoundationȱofȱaȱnewȱuniversity,ȱandȱwouldȱprotectȱuniversityȱscholars soȱasȱtoȱensureȱthatȱheresyȱwouldȱnotȱreturnȱtoȱtheȱregion.ȱInȱaddition,ȱtheȱFrench monarchyȱestablishedȱaȱnewȱjudicialȱhierarchyȱoverȱtheȱlocalȱcourtȱsystemȱasȱa meansȱ ofȱ stateȱ building,ȱ andȱ sentȱ royalȱ officialsȱ toȱ resideȱ andȱ administerȱ in Toulouse.ȱ Theȱonceȱautonomousȱcapitolsȱnowȱansweredȱtoȱandȱwereȱregulatedȱbyȱaȱroyal vicarȱandȱseneschalȱinȱallȱthingsȱlegal.ȱTheȱpapacyȱsentȱDominicanȱinquisitorsȱinto theȱcity,ȱwhereȱtheyȱestablishedȱtheirȱtribunalȱheadquartersȱforȱtheȱpersecutionȱof theȱlingeringȱnumbersȱofȱsuspectedȱCatharsȱinȱtheȱarea.ȱAsȱaȱresult,ȱtheȱCatholic Churchȱintensifiedȱitsȱdemandsȱforȱtheȱlegalȱprivilegesȱofȱtheȱclergyȱandȱuniversity students,ȱandȱtheȱlocalȱbishopȱsoughtȱtoȱreinforceȱhisȱpoliticalȱpowerȱinȱtheȱjudicial realm.ȱ Eachȱ authorityȱ (royal,ȱ municipal,ȱ bishopric,ȱ andȱ inquisitorial)ȱ allȱ had representativesȱ whoȱ oversawȱ theirȱ respectiveȱ prisonsȱ inȱ Toulouseȱ andȱ in Languedoc.ȱAndȱnotȱsurprisingly,ȱthisȱgeneratedȱgreatȱdebatesȱaboutȱwhoȱhadȱthe rightȱtoȱdetainȱwho,ȱandȱwhatȱwereȱacceptableȱconditionsȱofȱtheȱinstitutions.ȱAs royalȱrepresentativesȱbecameȱmoreȱintrusiveȱinȱtheȱjudicialȱsystemȱandȱpolicingȱof Toulouse,ȱasȱDominicanȱinquisitorsȱpursuedȱandȱimprisonedȱsuspects,ȱandȱasȱthe universityȱbecameȱaȱbetterȱdefinedȱinstitution,ȱtheȱmunicipalȱcapitolsȱstruggledȱto maintainȱrelevancyȱinȱtheȱlegalȱarena.ȱInȱeachȱofȱtheseȱcapacities,ȱtheȱconductȱand

10

NicoleȱGonthier,ȱ“PrisonsȱetȱprisonniersȱàȱLyonȱauxȱXIVeȱetȱXVeȱsiècles,”ȱMémoiresȱdeȱlaȱsociété pourȱlȇhistoireȱduȱdroitȱetȱdesȱinstitutionsȱdesȱanciensȱpaysȱbourguignons,ȱcomtois,ȱetȱromandsȱ39ȱ(1982): 15–30.

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

285

reputationȱofȱtheȱjailerȱandȱhisȱguardsȱbecameȱpivotalȱfactorsȱinȱestablishingȱthe hierarchyȱofȱauthority,ȱandȱinȱjustifyingȱtheȱfunctionȱorȱpurposeȱofȱtheȱvarious prisons. Fromȱ aȱ practicalȱ andȱ theoreticalȱ perspective,ȱ then,ȱ theȱ rightȱ toȱ imprison criminalsȱbyȱtheȱthirteenthȱcenturyȱgaveȱaȱcertainȱamountȱofȱlegitimacyȱtoȱpolitical administrations,ȱ fromȱ theȱ kingȱ toȱ regionalȱ countsȱ toȱ cityȱ councils.11ȱ Weȱ may assumeȱthatȱthisȱconnectionȱbetweenȱauthorityȱandȱprisonsȱwasȱinternalizedȱto someȱextentȱbyȱtheȱlateȱmedievalȱpopulation:ȱinȱtheȱEnglishȱuprisingsȱofȱ1381,ȱfor example,ȱprotestorsȱtargetedȱbothȱroyalȱandȱprivatelyȱownedȱgaolsȱasȱpartȱofȱtheir agenda.ȱTheirȱreleaseȱofȱprisonersȱwasȱaȱsymbolicȱmeansȱofȱdestroyingȱtheȱold worldȱorderȱandȱcreatingȱaȱnewȱone.12ȱIȱhaveȱwrittenȱelsewhereȱaboutȱhowȱrulers inȱ eachȱ capacityȱ aspiredȱ toȱ demonstrateȱ theirȱ ownȱ respectiveȱ authorityȱ and understandingȱofȱlawȱandȱorderȱoverȱtheȱpublicȱatȱlargeȱbyȱmaintainingȱcontrolȱof theȱpunitiveȱspectaclesȱ(likeȱtheȱdramaticȱpublicȱexecutions),ȱandȱhowȱtheȱcapitols ofȱToulouseȱfoughtȱardentlyȱwithȱtheȱFrenchȱmonarchyȱinȱorderȱtoȱsecureȱcontrol overȱtheirȱlocalȱjudicialȱpractices,ȱbelievingȱthatȱthisȱauthorityȱtoȱpassȱjudgment overȱitsȱinhabitantsȱwasȱoneȱofȱtheirȱmostȱvaluableȱprivileges.13ȱ Forȱthisȱpaper,ȱIȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱconsiderȱbrieflyȱtheȱroleȱtheȱdifferentȱjailersȱand theirȱ guardsȱ playedȱ inȱ shapingȱ theȱ judicialȱ atmosphereȱ ofȱ lateȱ medieval Languedoc,ȱinȱorderȱtoȱargueȱthatȱtheyȱtooȱwereȱcrucialȱfiguresȱinȱformingȱand legitimizingȱnotionsȱofȱjusticeȱandȱsovereigntyȱbyȱtheirȱdailyȱactionsȱinȱtheȱprison. Inȱorderȱtoȱteaseȱoutȱthisȱpremise,ȱIȱhaveȱdividedȱtheȱrestȱofȱtheȱpaperȱintoȱtwo parts.ȱ Theȱ firstȱ portionȱ willȱ serveȱ asȱ aȱ synthesisȱ ofȱ someȱ ofȱ theȱ available scholarshipȱ concerningȱ theȱ responsibilitiesȱ andȱ dangersȱ ofȱ aȱ medievalȱ jailer workingȱinȱaȱmunicipalȱorȱroyalȱprison.ȱThisȱisȱanȱopportunityȱtoȱconsiderȱhow bothȱ internalȱ andȱ externalȱ officialsȱ regulatedȱ theȱ prisons,ȱ andȱ toȱ searchȱ for differencesȱorȱcommonalitiesȱofȱtheseȱpunitiveȱmanifestationsȱinȱFrance,ȱEngland andȱItaly.ȱTheȱsecondȱportionȱofȱtheȱpaperȱwillȱnarrowȱinȱonȱtheȱexperiencesȱofȱthe wardensȱandȱjailersȱinȱLanguedocȱduringȱtheȱthirteenthȱandȱfourteenthȱcenturies. Theȱfundamentalȱpurposeȱofȱthisȱdiscussionȱisȱtoȱreinforceȱmyȱpreviousȱnotionȱthat thereȱ wasȱ aȱ pronouncedȱ competitionȱ betweenȱ differentȱ jails,ȱ andȱ these jurisdictionalȱdisputesȱ(oftenȱinvolvingȱtheȱjailers)ȱcodifiedȱconceptsȱandȱrealities ofȱtheȱjudicialȱhierarchyȱandȱpunitiveȱimprisonmentȱinȱmedievalȱFrance.ȱȱ

11

12

13

JeanȱDunbabin,ȱCaptivityȱandȱImprisonmentȱinȱMedievalȱEurope,ȱ1000–1300.ȱMedievalȱCultureȱand Societyȱ(Houndmills,ȱBasingstoke,ȱHampshire,ȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱPalgraveȱMacmillan,ȱ2002),ȱ46–47. AnthonyȱMusson,ȱtrans.ȱandȱed.,ȱCrime,ȱLawȱandȱSocietyȱinȱtheȱLaterȱMiddleȱAges.ȱMedievalȱSources Seriesȱ(ManchesterȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱManchesterȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2009),ȱ53. PatriciaȱTurning,ȱ“TheȱRightȱtoȱPunish:ȱJurisdictionalȱDisputesȱbetweenȱRoyalȱandȱMunicipal OfficialsȱinȱMedievalȱToulouse,”ȱFrenchȱHistoryȱ24ȱ(2010):ȱ1–19.

286

PatriciaȱTurning

*** Byȱtheȱveryȱnatureȱofȱtheirȱoffice,ȱwardens,ȱjailers,ȱandȱguardsȱwereȱplacedȱinȱa fairlyȱ multiȬfacetedȱ role:ȱ theyȱ wereȱ theȱ pointsȱ ofȱ contactȱ betweenȱ the administratorsȱandȱtheȱinmate,ȱsoȱtheyȱhadȱtoȱmakeȱsureȱtheyȱcompliedȱwithȱthe officialȱstipulationsȱandȱregulationsȱwhileȱalsoȱprotectingȱthemselvesȱinȱtheirȱdaily interactionsȱwithȱtheȱprisonȱpopulation;ȱtheyȱstoodȱbetweenȱtheȱpublicȱandȱthose incarcerated,ȱ andȱ hadȱ toȱ presentȱ themselvesȱ asȱ bothȱ disciplinarianȱ and humanitarian.ȱUnlikeȱtoday’sȱprisons,ȱwhichȱareȱforȱtheȱmostȱpartȱtuckedȱawayȱin theȱcountryside,ȱawayȱfromȱpublicȱview,ȱmostȱsecularȱmedievalȱprisonsȱwereȱatȱthe heartȱofȱcityȱsquares.ȱTheȱexceptionȱtoȱthisȱnotionȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱGermany,ȱwhere mostȱ placesȱ ofȱ detentionȱ wereȱ holesȱ dugȱ inȱ theȱ foundationsȱ ofȱ castlesȱ orȱ local fortifications.14ȱ ButȱinȱotherȱpartsȱofȱEurope,ȱanyȱurbanȱresident,ȱthroughoutȱtheȱnormalȱcourse ofȱ theirȱ businessȱ day,ȱ couldȱ passȱ byȱ andȱ assessȱ theȱ stateȱ ofȱ theȱ localȱ prison. Geltner’sȱworkȱrevealsȱthatȱinȱtheȱItalianȱcityȬstatesȱthereȱwasȱaȱfairlyȱporousȱflow betweenȱtheȱoutsideȱworldȱandȱtheȱworldȱinsideȱtheȱprison.ȱForȱexample,ȱinmates couldȱleaveȱtheȱprisonȱatȱtimesȱtoȱbegȱforȱalms,ȱtoȱattendȱreligiousȱservices,ȱorȱto beȱpresentȱatȱtheirȱrelevantȱlegalȱfunctions.ȱTheȱFleetȱprisonȱinȱLondonȱactually hadȱanȱofficer,ȱknownȱasȱaȱbaston,ȱwhoseȱmajorȱresponsibilityȱwasȱtoȱescortȱinmates whoȱhadȱbusinessȱtoȱattendȱtoȱoutsideȱofȱtheȱinstitutionȱforȱanȱextendedȱperiodȱof time.15ȱAndȱjustȱasȱinmatesȱcouldȱleaveȱtheȱfacility,ȱcharitableȱpeopleȱandȱrelatives donatedȱ breadȱ andȱ moneyȱ toȱ theȱ prisons,ȱ andȱ theseȱ visitsȱ providedȱ the opportunityȱforȱlocalȱresidentsȱtoȱinspectȱtheȱlivingȱconditionsȱofȱinmates.ȱ ThroughoutȱEurope,ȱitȱwasȱfrequentlyȱtheȱpublicȱthatȱpushedȱtheirȱgovernment toȱ provideȱ aȱ humaneȱ prisonȱ environment.ȱ Afterȱ severalȱ peopleȱ fromȱ the communityȱcomplainedȱaboutȱtheȱconditionsȱofȱtheȱNewgateȱprison,ȱLondon’sȱcity councilȱactuallyȱstipulatedȱthatȱinspectorsȱvisitȱtheȱprisonȱregularlyȱinȱorderȱto ensureȱthatȱtheȱwardenȱwasȱfollowingȱcityȱcodesȱprotectingȱtheȱinmates.16ȱWithȱthis openȱnatureȱofȱmostȱprisonsȱtakenȱintoȱconsideration,ȱweȱmayȱpresumeȱthatȱthe legitimacyȱofȱtheȱprisonȱasȱaȱpunitiveȱinstitutionȱresidedȱtoȱaȱcertainȱextentȱonȱthe integrityȱofȱthoseȱinȱcharge.ȱ Inȱreality,ȱhowever,ȱmostȱroyalȱorȱmunicipalȱwardensȱandȱtheirȱofficersȱearned aȱfairlyȱmodestȱsalary.ȱInȱsomeȱcircumstances,ȱtheȱprisonȱstaffȱwasȱpaidȱaȱsalaryȱby theirȱrespectiveȱadministrations.ȱForȱexample,ȱLeȱStincheȱprisonȱinȱFlorenceȱwas fundedȱdirectlyȱbyȱcommunalȱrevenues.17ȱTheȱpersonnelȱatȱLeȱStincheȱincludedȱthe warden,ȱguards,ȱscribes,ȱchamberlains,ȱphysicians,ȱandȱaȱcoroner.ȱButȱalthough

14 15 16 17

Peters,ȱ“TheȱPrisonȱbeforeȱtheȱPrison,”ȱ37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). Bassett,ȱ“TheȱFleetȱPrison,”ȱ397ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4);ȱPugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ186ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Bassett,ȱ“NewgateȱPrison,”ȱ242ȱȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Geltner,ȱTheȱMedievalȱPrison,ȱ18ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6).ȱ

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

287

theyȱwereȱguaranteedȱaȱmunicipalȱsalary,ȱthisȱdoesȱnotȱmeanȱthatȱtheyȱreceivedȱit regularly,ȱasȱthereȱwereȱmanyȱcomplaintsȱaboutȱhavingȱtoȱwaitȱweeks,ȱorȱeven monthsȱ toȱ getȱ paid.18ȱ Mostȱ prisonȱ wardensȱ andȱ theirȱ staffsȱ wereȱ completely dependantȱuponȱaȱsystemȱofȱfeesȱtoȱmakeȱanyȱmoney.ȱAtȱprisonsȱlikeȱtheȱChâtelet inȱParis,ȱinmatesȱpaidȱanȱentranceȱfeeȱandȱanȱexitȱfee,ȱandȱtheyȱhadȱtoȱpayȱforȱtheir foodȱ andȱ theirȱ bed.ȱ Theȱ Châteletȱ wasȱ evenȱ dividedȱ intoȱ fourteenȱ prisonsȱ that separatedȱinmatesȱaccordingȱtoȱtheirȱrank,ȱandȱprovidedȱthemȱwithȱtheȱgoodsȱthat theyȱcouldȱafford.19ȱThoseȱwhoȱcouldȱspendȱsixȱderniersȱsleptȱonȱaȱpallet,ȱorȱbundle ofȱstraw,ȱandȱthoseȱwhoȱcouldȱonlyȱaffordȱoneȱdernierȱspentȱtheȱnightȱinȱtheȱcold dankȱdungeon.20ȱThisȱprocessȱplacedȱtheȱburdenȱofȱpayingȱforȱtheȱimprisonment inȱtheȱhandsȱofȱtheȱinmate,ȱandȱasȱaȱresult,ȱthisȱreducedȱtheȱcostȱofȱrunningȱthe institutionȱforȱtheȱcrownȱorȱcityȱgovernment.ȱ Thisȱfinancialȱsystemȱofȱpaymentsȱbroughtȱwithȱitȱcriticsȱandȱcomplications,ȱas manyȱjailersȱfoundȱwaysȱtoȱexploitȱtheirȱpositionȱoutȱofȱnecessityȱorȱgreed.ȱGuards couldȱ establishȱ arbitraryȱ costsȱ forȱ virtuallyȱ anyȱ materialȱ goods,ȱ orȱ theyȱ could instituteȱ finesȱ thatȱ wouldȱ renderȱ theȱ prisonerȱ impoverished,ȱ andȱ thus,ȱ by extension,ȱprolongȱhisȱstay.ȱAndȱitȱisȱnotȱsurprisingȱthatȱsomeȱinmatesȱsuccessfully bribedȱprisonȱguardsȱtoȱsmuggleȱinȱcomfortsȱlikeȱprostitutesȱorȱalcohol.21ȱOther prisonsȱemployedȱtheȱpracticeȱofȱ“ironing,”ȱwhichȱtheoreticallyȱmeantȱthatȱchains, fetters,ȱmanacles,ȱrings,ȱandȱcollarsȱwereȱtoȱbeȱusedȱtoȱrestrainȱdangerousȱinmates, orȱ toȱ transferȱ themȱ securelyȱ toȱ anotherȱ facility.ȱ Butȱ enterprisingȱ wardensȱ and guardsȱacceptedȱ“removal”ȱfees,ȱwhichȱeitherȱliberatedȱtheȱinmateȱfromȱtheȱirons, orȱremovedȱtheȱthreatȱofȱbeingȱshackledȱfromȱtheȱscenario.22ȱJailersȱcouldȱalsoȱbe temptedȱtoȱinterceptȱalmsȱandȱdonationsȱforȱtheirȱownȱpurposes,ȱbutȱthisȱaction couldȱbringȱaboutȱseriousȱrepercussionsȱforȱtheȱoffender.ȱ TheȱjailerȱofȱtheȱChâteletȱwasȱresponsibleȱforȱnegotiatingȱcharitableȱcontributions fromȱtheȱParisiansȱtoȱmakeȱsureȱthatȱtheȱpoorȱinmatesȱhadȱenoughȱavailableȱbread. Theȱbaker’sȱguildsȱalwaysȱmadeȱsureȱthatȱaȱportionȱofȱtheirȱgoodsȱmadeȱitȱtoȱthe Châtelet,ȱandȱprivateȱdonorsȱgaveȱfinancialȱcontributionsȱtoȱbenefitȱtheȱprisoners asȱwell.ȱTheȱjailerȱhadȱtoȱmakeȱcarefulȱrecordsȱofȱallȱofȱtheseȱdonations,ȱbecauseȱif anyȱofȱtheȱmoneyȱwasȱmisused,ȱheȱcouldȱbeȱarrestedȱbyȱtheȱroyalȱgovernmentȱfor theft,ȱ forȱ whichȱ theȱ punishmentȱ wasȱ hanging.23ȱ Throughoutȱ Englandȱ inȱ the fourteenthȱandȱfifteenthȱcenturies,ȱthereȱwasȱgreatȱconcernȱfromȱtheȱcrownȱand

18 19

20

21 22 23

Geltner,ȱTheȱMedievalȱPrison,ȱ19ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). LouisȱBatiffol,ȱ“LeȱChâteletȱdeȱParisȱversȱ1400,”ȱRevueȱhistoriqueȱ61–63ȱ(1896–1897):ȱ225–64,ȱ225–35, 242–55,ȱ266–83;ȱhereȱ47–49. Bronislavȱ Geremek,ȱ Theȱ Marginsȱ ofȱ Societyȱ inȱ Lateȱ Medievalȱ Paris,ȱ trans.ȱ Jeanȱ Birrell.ȱ Pastȱ and PresentȱPublicationsȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1987),ȱ18. TrevorȱDean,ȱCrimeȱinȱMedievalȱEuropeȱ1200–1550ȱ(NewȱYork:ȱLongmanȱPublications,ȱ2001),ȱ122. Pugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ179ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Batiffol,ȱ“LeȱChâteletȱdeȱParis,”ȱ54ȱȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).

288

PatriciaȱTurning

localȱadministrationsȱtoȱensureȱthatȱtheȱprisonȱentranceȱandȱexitȱfeesȱbeȱreasonable andȱ fixed.24ȱ Andȱ theyȱ alsoȱ institutedȱ regulationsȱ concerningȱ whatȱ specifically jailersȱcouldȱsellȱtoȱtheirȱinmatesȱforȱaȱ“side”ȱsalary,ȱincludingȱalcohol.25ȱ Beyondȱtheȱsuspicionsȱsurroundingȱtheȱfinancialȱactionsȱandȱintentionsȱofȱthe wardensȱ andȱ guards,ȱ criticsȱ couldȱ pointȱ toȱ theȱ treatmentȱ ofȱ theȱ prisonersȱ as anotherȱsourceȱofȱcontention.ȱInstitutionsȱlikeȱtheȱNewgateȱprisonȱhousedȱsome ofȱtheȱmostȱhardenedȱandȱviolentȱcriminalsȱinȱEngland.ȱWardens,ȱthen,ȱwalkedȱa fineȱlineȱbetweenȱreprimandingȱoffenders,ȱandȱactuallyȱharmingȱthem.ȱTheȱguards neededȱtoȱmakeȱsureȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱvisibleȱfiguresȱofȱauthorityȱinȱtheȱjail,ȱsoȱthat theyȱ couldȱ preventȱ anyȱ typeȱ ofȱ violenceȱ orȱ escape.ȱ Mostȱ wardensȱ wereȱ held personallyȱ andȱ financiallyȱ responsibleȱ ifȱ anȱ inmateȱ escaped:ȱ atȱ Newgate,ȱ the wardenȱwasȱsubjectȱtoȱaȱfineȱofȱ100s.ȱforȱeachȱprisonerȱwhoȱgotȱaway.26ȱPrisoners wereȱsometimesȱplacedȱinȱtheȱhorribleȱdepthsȱofȱprisonsȱdungeons,ȱandȱsometimes sufferedȱinȱhorribleȱconditions.ȱTheȱjailerȱofȱYorkȱinȱ1274ȱwasȱsaidȱtoȱhaveȱtiedȱa prisonerȱnakedȱtoȱaȱpostȱandȱkeptȱhimȱstarving.27ȱInȱ1305,ȱtheȱBishopȱofȱLyon’s chiefȱjudgeȱdenouncedȱtheȱlocalȱjailer’sȱpracticeȱofȱtorturingȱhisȱinmatesȱsoȱseverely thatȱtheyȱfrequentlyȱdiedȱfromȱtheȱsufferingȱevenȱafterȱtheirȱrelease.28ȱByȱmany accounts,ȱjailsȱwereȱriddledȱwithȱdisease,ȱfilthȱandȱcoldȱ(Geltner,ȱhowever,ȱinsists otherwiseȱforȱhisȱItalianȱurbanȱprisons).ȱButȱdespiteȱtheseȱreportsȱofȱdeplorable treatment,ȱjailersȱwereȱstillȱallȱresponsibleȱifȱsomeoneȱdiedȱonȱtheirȱwatchȱdueȱto extraneousȱ circumstances.29ȱ Inȱ principle,ȱ then,ȱ thoseȱ inȱ chargeȱ ofȱ theȱ prisons neededȱ toȱ makeȱ sureȱ thatȱ conditionsȱ wouldȱ notȱ causeȱ theȱ deathȱ ofȱ anȱ inmate. Frenchȱroyalȱprisons,ȱforȱinstance,ȱwereȱexpectedȱtoȱbeȱ“reasonableȱandȱairy.”30 Evenȱthoughȱofficersȱneededȱtoȱcomplyȱwithȱtheseȱregulationsȱandȱstipulations, andȱtoȱbeȱcarefulȱaboutȱtheȱwaysȱinȱwhichȱtheyȱtreatedȱinmatesȱinȱorderȱtoȱmake bothȱ theȱ administrationȱ andȱ theȱ surroundingȱ publicȱ content,ȱ thereȱ wereȱ real dangersȱlurkingȱinȱmedievalȱprisons.ȱ Guardsȱ wereȱ susceptibleȱ toȱ individualȱ outburstsȱ ofȱ inmate’sȱ violence,ȱ but perhapsȱ moreȱ ominousȱ wereȱ riotsȱ orȱ rebellions.ȱ Althoughȱ Geltnerȱ arguesȱ that thereȱwereȱrelativelyȱfewȱprisonȱuprisingsȱatȱFlorence’sȱLeȱStincheȱprisonȱinȱthe fourteenthȱcenturyȱ(andȱattributesȱitȱtoȱtheȱoutnumberedȱstaff’sȱhumaneȱtreatment ofȱ theȱ inmates),ȱ thisȱ wasȱ notȱ aȱ universalȱ trend.ȱ Bothȱ Venetianȱ andȱ Bolognese guardsȱtorturedȱinmates,ȱandȱtheyȱcouldȱsupplementȱtheirȱincomeȱbyȱ“flogging

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Pugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ170ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Pugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ188–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Bassett,ȱ“NewgateȱPrison,”ȱ234ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Pugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ180ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Dean,ȱCrimeȱinȱmedievalȱEurope,ȱ123ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19). Pugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ183ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Edwards,ȱ“PrisonȱbeforeȱtheȱPrison,”ȱ39ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

289

inmatesȱ andȱ performingȱ dismembermentsȱ andȱ evenȱ executions.”31ȱ Thisȱ fact contributedȱtoȱtheȱgrowingȱvilificationȱofȱguardsȱandȱwardens,ȱandȱrenderedȱthem theȱtargetsȱofȱprisonȱuprisings.ȱWeȱknow,ȱforȱexample,ȱthatȱprisonersȱkilledȱthe jailerȱofȱBristolȱinȱ1287,ȱandȱtheȱgatekeeperȱofȱNewgateȱprisonȱinȱ1325.32ȱAgain, jailersȱhadȱtoȱwalkȱtheȱfineȱlineȱbetweenȱprotectingȱthemselvesȱwhileȱonȱdutyȱby suppressingȱ theȱ actionsȱ andȱ movementȱ ofȱ theȱ inmates,ȱ allȱ whileȱ providingȱ a humaneȱenvironmentȱforȱtheȱconvictedȱcriminals.ȱ Toȱ compoundȱ theseȱ issuesȱ ofȱ financialȱ corruptionȱ andȱ physicalȱ exploitation, thereȱwasȱalwaysȱtheȱdelicateȱbutȱseriousȱquestionȱofȱhowȱtoȱdealȱwithȱfemale inmates.ȱPartȱofȱGeltner’sȱargumentȱthatȱItalianȱprisonsȱwereȱmodernȱpunitive institutionsȱ byȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ fourteenthȱ centuryȱ comesȱ fromȱ theȱ factȱ thatȱ the prisonȱwasȱdividedȱintoȱwards.ȱHardenedȱviolentȱcriminalsȱwereȱseparatedȱfrom pettyȱcriminals,ȱandȱwomenȱwereȱisolatedȱfromȱmen.ȱInȱitsȱcomplexȱorganization, theȱ Châteletȱ inȱ Parisȱ hadȱ twoȱ prisonsȱ builtȱ toȱ accommodateȱ femaleȱ prisoners, knownȱasȱlaȱBoucherieȱandȱlaȱGriesche.33ȱ Ideally,ȱfemaleȱinmatesȱwouldȱbeȱoverseenȱbyȱ“honestȱwomen”ȱasȱstipulatedȱby theȱadministrationȱofȱtheȱChâtelet.ȱButȱinȱotherȱscenarios,ȱandȱinȱmanyȱmunicipal prisons,ȱwomenȱresidedȱinȱtheȱgeneralȱprisonȱpopulationȱunderȱtheȱsurveillance ofȱmaleȱguards.ȱEvenȱthoughȱstatisticallyȱwomenȱwereȱalwaysȱaȱsmallȱpercentage ofȱthoseȱincarceratedȱthroughoutȱmedievalȱEurope,ȱitȱstillȱplacedȱanȱaddedȱburden forȱjailersȱandȱguards.ȱFromȱaȱpracticalȱperspective,ȱSusanȱBroomhall’sȱstudyȱof ecclesiasticalȱjailȱofȱSaintȬGermainȬdesȬPrèsȱfromȱ1537ȱtoȱ1579ȱsuggestsȱthatȱwomen inmatesȱ wereȱ moreȱ likelyȱ toȱ beȱ releasedȱ fromȱ jailȱ soonerȱ thanȱ theirȱ male counterparts,ȱprimarilyȱbecauseȱtheȱtypeȱofȱwomenȱbeingȱincarceratedȱcouldȱnot affordȱ toȱ payȱ theȱ prison’sȱ manyȱ fines.34ȱ Butȱ femaleȱ felonsȱ stillȱ neededȱ toȱ be protectedȱfromȱtheȱassaultsȱorȱexploitationȱofȱbothȱmaleȱinmatesȱandȱguards.ȱWhen Margeryȱ Kempeȱ travelledȱ toȱ Leicesterȱ inȱ 1417,ȱ theȱ Mayorȱ arrestedȱ herȱ forȱ her religiousȱbeliefs,ȱandȱorderedȱtheȱjailerȱtoȱtakeȱherȱawayȱtoȱprison.ȱWhenȱtheȱjailer respondedȱthatȱheȱhadȱnoȱplaceȱtoȱputȱherȱbesidesȱinȱtheȱcellȱwithȱmen,ȱKempe pleadedȱ forȱ compassionȱ andȱ considerationȱ forȱ herȱ chastity.ȱ Herȱ fateȱ was determinedȱonlyȱbyȱtheȱkindnessȱofȱtheȱjailerȱwhoȱbroughtȱherȱhomeȱandȱtookȱher intoȱpersonalȱcustody.35ȱNotȱsurprisingly,ȱguardsȱalwaysȱfellȱunderȱsuspicionȱof sexuallyȱexploitingȱtheirȱfemaleȱcharges,ȱandȱatȱtheȱNewgateȱprison,ȱoneȱwarden

31 32 33 34

35

Geltner,ȱTheȱMedievalȱPrison,ȱ71ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). Pugh,ȱImprisonment,ȱ183ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Batiffol,ȱ“LeȱChâteletȱdeȱParis,”ȱ48ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). SusanȱBroomhall,ȱ“Poverty,ȱGenderȱandȱIncarcerationȱinȱSixteenthȬCenturyȱParis,”ȱFrenchȱHistory Journalȱ18ȱ(2004):ȱ1–24. TheȱBookȱofȱMargeryȱKempe,ȱtrans.ȱBarryȱWindeattȱ(NewȱYork:ȱPenguinȱBooks,ȱ1994),ȱ149–50.ȱ

290

PatriciaȱTurning

wasȱarrestedȱandȱactuallyȱjoinedȱtheȱranksȱofȱprisonersȱthereȱforȱviolatingȱaȱfemale inmate.36ȱ Andȱthenȱthereȱwasȱalwaysȱtheȱcomplicationȱofȱhowȱtoȱtreatȱpregnantȱprisoners. Becauseȱmostȱcourtsȱrefusedȱtoȱexecuteȱpregnantȱwomen,ȱmanyȱwomenȱinȱthis conditionȱspentȱtimeȱinȱtheȱoftenȱdangerousȱjails.ȱInȱoneȱcircumstanceȱheardȱbyȱthe ParlementȱinȱParis,ȱtwoȱadministrators,ȱColdardȱdeȱGisors,ȱvicomteȱduȱCrotoyȱand BarthélemyȱduȱGué,ȱwereȱ“misȱenȱarrêt”ȱandȱimprisonedȱforȱhavingȱsuchȱrigorous conditionsȱ inȱ theirȱ prisonȱ thatȱ aȱ pregnantȱ inmateȱ lostȱ herȱ child.37ȱ Thereȱ are examples,ȱ however,ȱ ofȱ femaleȱ felonsȱ released,ȱ andȱ thenȱ reȬarrestedȱ and imprisonedȱonceȱtheyȱgaveȱbirthȱtoȱtheirȱchild.38ȱWomenȱwereȱnotȱalwaysȱhapless victims,ȱthough.ȱMatildaȱHerewardȱofȱBranndestonȱinȱNorthhamptonshireȱwas convictedȱalongȱwithȱherȱhusbandȱforȱlarcenyȱinȱJuneȱ21,ȱ1301.ȱTheyȱbothȱwere sentencedȱtoȱbeȱhanged,ȱbutȱsheȱwasȱputȱinȱjailȱbecauseȱsheȱwasȱpregnant.ȱWhen theyȱcameȱbackȱtoȱcheckȱonȱherȱsixȱtimesȱoverȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtwoȱyearsȱandȱsheȱwas pregnantȱeachȱtime.39ȱBecauseȱsheȱwasȱinȱaȱmixedȱpopulationȱitȱisȱunclearȱasȱto whetherȱtheȱprisonȱguardȱorȱaȱfellowȱinmateȱprolongedȱherȱlife.ȱWhatȱthisȱcase reveals,ȱ though,ȱ isȱ thatȱ genderȱ andȱ physicalityȱ alsoȱ shapedȱ theȱ relationship betweenȱtheȱwardenȱandȱinmate,ȱwithȱtheȱburdenȱandȱexpectationȱofȱresponsibility alwaysȱplacedȱonȱtheȱshouldersȱofȱthoseȱinȱcharge. *** Sinceȱtheȱeleventhȱcentury,ȱtheȱelectedȱcapitolsȱofȱToulouseȱhadȱstruggledȱtoȱgain politicalȱandȱjudicialȱautonomyȱfromȱtheirȱlocalȱcount,ȱandȱhadȱtoȱrenewȱtheir effortsȱ afterȱ theȱ Capetianȱ king’sȱ conquestȱ inȱ 1229.ȱ Asȱ theȱ count’sȱ (laterȱ royal) palace,ȱtheȱChâteauȱNarbonnais,ȱloomedȱoverȱtheȱsoutheasternȱportionȱofȱtheȱcity, theȱcapitolsȱbeganȱtoȱpurchaseȱpropertyȱinȱtheȱcenterȱofȱtheȱcityȱinȱorderȱtoȱerect theirȱtownȱhall.ȱLikeȱmanyȱmedievalȱcities,ȱtheȱtownȱhallȱwasȱsituatedȱinȱaȱcentral locationȱinȱtheȱurbanȱspace,ȱwhereȱadministratorsȱcouldȱmeetȱtheȱneedsȱofȱtheir constituentsȱinȱtheȱcourtroom.ȱTheȱbuildingȱalsoȱservedȱasȱaȱsymbolȱofȱcivicȱpride andȱautonomy,ȱandȱreportedlyȱstoredȱtheȱtrebuchetȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱfatalȱstone thatȱkilledȱtheȱcity’sȱmajorȱfoeȱSimonȱdeȱMontfortȱonȱJuneȱ25,ȱ1218,ȱduringȱthe

36 37

38 39

Bassett,ȱ“NewgateȱPrison,”ȱ241ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). AnnikȱPorteauȬBitker,ȱ“CriminalitéȱetȱdélinquanceȱfémininesȱdansȱleȱdroitȱpénalȱdesȱXIIIeȱetȱXIVe siècles,”ȱRevueȱhistoriqueȱdeȱdroitȱfrançaisȱetȱétrangerȱ58ȱ(1980):ȱ13–57;ȱhereȱ55. Broomhall,ȱ“Poverty,ȱGenderȱandȱIncarceration,”ȱ16ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ32). BarbaraȱHanawalt,ȱ“TheȱFemaleȱFelonȱinȱFourteenthȬCenturyȱEngland,”ȱViatorȱ5ȱ(1974):ȱ253–68; hereȱ266.

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

291

strugglesȱofȱtheȱAlbigensianȱCrusade.40ȱAndȱperhapsȱmostȱimportantlyȱforȱthis paper,ȱtheȱmunicipalȱjailȱwasȱaȱpartȱofȱtheȱtownȱhall.ȱ Toulouse’sȱmunicipalȱjailȱseemedȱtoȱbeȱaȱfairlyȱporousȱinstitution.ȱTheȱintention ofȱ theȱ incarcerationȱ wasȱ notȱ toȱ removeȱ theȱ criminalȱ fromȱ theȱ publicȱ eye,ȱ but insteadȱtheȱurbanȱpopulationȱpassedȱtheȱprisonȱandȱcouldȱseeȱtheȱinmatesȱduring theȱcourseȱofȱtheirȱbusinessȱday.ȱThisȱisȱbestȱevidencedȱinȱaȱvariationȱofȱpunitive containmentȱknownȱasȱtheȱcostellumȱemployedȱbyȱtheȱcapitols.ȱInȱthisȱmethod,ȱa prisonerȱwouldȱstandȱboundȱbyȱanȱironȱcollarȱandȱchains,ȱexposedȱinȱaȱwindow ofȱtheȱprisonȱforȱaȱvariableȱamountȱofȱtime.ȱTheȱthirteenthȬcenturyȱcommentator ofȱ theȱ coutumesȱ ofȱ Toulouseȱ providesȱ oneȱ exampleȱ ofȱ thisȱ punishment:ȱ one evening,ȱ nightȱ guardsȱ arrestedȱ aȱ youngȱ apprenticeȱ baker,ȱ namedȱ Guillaume Barrau,ȱforȱsleepingȱwithȱhisȱmaster’sȱwife.41ȱ Theȱ capitolsȱ choseȱ toȱ proceedȱ withȱ theȱ trialȱ andȱ sentencedȱ theȱ youthȱ to decapitation,ȱdespiteȱwarningsȱfromȱcivicȱlawyersȱwhoȱarguedȱthat,ȱbecauseȱthe heȱwasȱlessȱthanȱtwentyȬfiveȱyearsȱold,ȱtheȱfatherȱneededȱtoȱbeȱpresent.ȱBarrau quicklyȱappealedȱhisȱcaseȱtoȱtheȱvicar,ȱandȱtheȱcapitolsȱconcededȱtoȱreducingȱthe sentenceȱ toȱ aȱ runȱ ofȱ theȱ town,ȱ andȱ thenȱ confinementȱ inȱ theȱ costellumȱ forȱ an unspecifiedȱ amountȱ ofȱ time.ȱ Theȱ capitolsȱ employedȱ aȱ veryȱ publicȱ meansȱ of chastisingȱmoralȱandȱcriminalȱoffenders,ȱandȱonȱthisȱoccasion,ȱtheȱemphasisȱwas uponȱtheȱsymbolismȱofȱtheȱtownȱhallȱandȱcivicȱjail.ȱByȱdisplayingȱaȱcriminalȱinȱa windowȱofȱtheȱbuilding,ȱtheȱcapitolsȱestablishedȱtheȱnotionȱthatȱpunishmentȱwas directlyȱunderȱtheirȱpowerȱandȱcontrol,ȱcentralizedȱwithinȱtheȱcity,ȱandȱavailable forȱallȱofȱtheȱToulousainsȱtoȱwitness.ȱ Criminalȱrecordsȱfromȱtheȱearlyȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱindicateȱthatȱaȱmanȱnamed RaymundusȱBonhommeȱwasȱtheȱmunicipalȱjailerȱofȱToulouse.ȱNotȱonlyȱdidȱhe overseeȱtheȱfacility,ȱbutȱheȱactuallyȱlivedȱinȱtheȱbuildingȱwithȱhisȱfamily,ȱfeeding andȱmonitoringȱtheȱdetaineesȱatȱallȱtimes.ȱThereȱisȱsomeȱindicationȱinȱtheȱrecords thatȱtheȱofficeȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱpassedȱdownȱfromȱfatherȱtoȱson,ȱbecauseȱinȱ1322, whenȱ theȱ capitolsȱ passedȱ theȱ responsibilitiesȱ ofȱ theȱ prisonȱ toȱ Raymundus Bonhomme,ȱheȱwasȱidentifiedȱasȱtheȱsonȱofȱtheȱexitingȱjailor.42ȱWeȱhaveȱnoȱwayȱof knowingȱ howȱ longȱ theȱ familyȱ heldȱ theȱ officeȱ inȱ Toulouse,ȱ butȱ ifȱ thisȱ wasȱ a hereditaryȱoffice,ȱkeptȱandȱpassedȱdownȱinȱoneȱfamily,ȱitȱmightȱsuggestȱthatȱa certainȱamountȱofȱcivicȱprideȱwentȱalongȱwithȱtheȱoffice.ȱAtȱtheȱFleetȱprisonȱin London,ȱ theȱ positionȱ ofȱ wardenȱ wasȱ keptȱ inȱ aȱ singularȱ familyȱ forȱ overȱ five hundredȱ years.ȱ Likeȱ Toulouse,ȱ Fleetȱ wasȱ inȱ closeȱ proximityȱ toȱ theȱ central

40

41 42

Henriȱ Gilles,ȱ Lesȱ coutumesȱ deȱ Toulouseȱ (1286)ȱ etȱ leurȱ premierȱ commentaireȱ (1296)ȱ (Toulouse: ImprimerieȱMauriceȱESPIC,ȱ1969),ȱ163:ȱ“quiȱlapisȱfuitȱprojectusȱperȱmachinamȱcumȱquoȱdictus comesȱMontisfortisȱfuitȱpercussus.ȱQueȱmachineȱestȱadhucȱinȱpalatioȱcommuni.” Gilles,ȱLesȱcoutumesȱdeȱToulouse,ȱ187–88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38). ArchivesȱmunicipalesȱdeȱToulouseȱ–ȱAA3:246.ȱMarchȱ5,ȱ1322.ȱHereafterȱreferencedȱasȱAMT.

292

PatriciaȱTurning

administration,ȱandȱtheȱofficeȱwasȱoneȱthatȱcarriedȱaȱcertainȱheraldryȱandȱstatus. TheȱFleetȱwardenȱwasȱalsoȱkeeperȱofȱWestminsterȱpalace,ȱheȱreceivedȱaȱhouseȱwith aȱgarden,ȱandȱwasȱaȱcityȱsalariedȱofficial.ȱByȱmostȱaccounts,ȱtheȱdignityȱofȱthe familialȱofficeȱmeantȱthatȱtheȱFleetȱwardenȱwasȱmoreȱcivilȱandȱhumaneȱthanȱhis Britishȱcounterparts,ȱasȱwasȱevidencedȱbyȱaȱlackȱofȱriotsȱorȱinmateȱcomplaints.ȱIn partȱ ofȱ theȱ ceremonyȱ acceptingȱ theȱ office,ȱ Toulouse’sȱ Raymundusȱ Bonhomme receivedȱ theȱ keysȱ ofȱ theȱ prison,ȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ thoseȱ ofȱ theȱ townȱ hallȱ andȱ ofȱ the capitols’ȱcourt.ȱAlongȱwithȱbeingȱentrustedȱwithȱaccessȱtoȱtheȱentireȱbuilding,ȱhe pledgedȱ anȱ oathȱ ofȱ fidelityȱ toȱ theȱ city,ȱ andȱ vowedȱ toȱ maintainȱ discretionȱ and integrityȱwithȱregardsȱtoȱtheȱprisoners.ȱ Whileȱpartȱofȱtheȱofficeȱrequiredȱthatȱheȱmonitorȱtheȱinteractionȱofȱdetainees withȱtheirȱvisitors,ȱtheȱcapitolsȱofȱToulouseȱalsoȱinsistedȱthatȱtheȱmunicipalȱjailer feedȱthemȱsatisfactoryȱamountsȱofȱbreadȱandȱwater,ȱandȱmaintainȱtheȱ“tradition” thatȱtheȱprisonersȱeatȱatȱaȱtable.ȱAsȱwasȱdiscussedȱbefore,ȱthisȱisȱaȱstipulationȱthat isȱaȱbitȱunheardȱofȱinȱotherȱvariationsȱofȱsecularȱprisons.ȱAgain,ȱatȱmostȱlocations, theȱ jailerȱ hadȱ noȱ responsibilityȱ toȱ feedȱ hisȱ prisoners.ȱ Instead,ȱ theȱ foodȱ and provisionsȱcameȱthroughȱaȱsystemȱofȱpaymentsȱ(resultingȱinȱwealthierȱinmates experiencingȱ betterȱ accommodations),ȱ orȱ throughȱ aȱ distributionȱ ofȱ charitable donations.ȱ Althoughȱ weȱ haveȱ noȱ wayȱ ofȱ knowingȱ whetherȱ orȱ notȱ Toulouse’s municipalȱ jailerȱ adheredȱ toȱ theȱ stipulationȱ thatȱ hisȱ wardsȱ eatȱ atȱ aȱ table,ȱ its inclusionȱinȱtheȱjobȱdescriptionȱfromȱtheȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱisȱworthȱnoting.ȱIt seemsȱtoȱimplyȱthatȱtheȱofficeȱwasȱintendedȱtoȱserveȱasȱaȱcentralȱcomponentȱofȱthe communityȱatȱlarge,ȱwhichȱmaintainedȱaȱsenseȱofȱtraditionȱandȱcontinuityȱwithȱthe past,ȱnotȱonlyȱinȱtheȱhereditaryȱofficeȱofȱtheȱprisonȱwarden,ȱbutȱalsoȱinȱtheȱopen andȱcivilizedȱnatureȱofȱtheȱtreatmentȱofȱtheȱdetainees.ȱȱ TheȱsameȱRaymundusȱBonhommeȱemergedȱfrequentlyȱasȱaȱpivotalȱplayerȱinȱthe judicialȱrealmȱfromȱtheȱ1330s.ȱTheȱjailerȱwasȱinȱattendanceȱduringȱcertainȱtrialsȱand sentencingȱwhichȱtookȱplaceȱinȱtheȱcapitols’ȱcourt.43ȱInȱorderȱtoȱreleaseȱaȱprisoner, theȱjailerȱhadȱtoȱreceiveȱaȱproperȱletterȱwithȱaȱsealȱfromȱtheȱvicarȱorȱtheȱcapitols, whichȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱofficeȱwasȱaȱpartȱofȱtheȱinstitutionalizedȱbureaucracy.ȱIn oneȱcircumstanceȱheȱactuallyȱwasȱaȱprotectiveȱagentȱforȱanȱimprisonedȱprostitute, Johanetaȱ deȱ Santolo.44ȱ Inȱ theȱ springȱ ofȱ 1332,ȱ Johanetaȱ hadȱ sufferedȱ aȱ seriesȱ of misfortunesȱ thatȱ culminatedȱ inȱ herȱ arrestȱ andȱ convictionȱ forȱ prostitution.ȱ As Johanetaȱwaitedȱinȱjail,ȱsheȱdidȱnotȱspendȱherȱtimeȱinȱidleȱreflection.ȱInstead,ȱshe apparentlyȱ befriendedȱ Raymundusȱ Bonhomme,ȱ whoȱ permittedȱ herȱ toȱ receive guestsȱandȱgifts.ȱMoreȱimportantly,ȱtheȱjailerȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱusedȱtheȱprivilegeȱof hisȱ officeȱ toȱ helpȱ secureȱ anȱ audienceȱ forȱ Johanetaȱ withȱ theȱ city’sȱ judicial

43

44

AMTȬFFȱ57,ȱ18.ȱRaymundusȱBonhommeȱwasȱlistedȱpresentȱasȱtheȱcity’sȱ“carcerarius”ȱatȱtheȱdeath sentenceȱofȱaȱsquire,ȱAimeryȱBerenger,ȱinȱ1332.ȱ AMTȬFFȱ57,ȱ156–57.ȱ

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

293

administrators,ȱtheȱcapitols,ȱwhereȱsheȱlaunchedȱaȱmassiveȱaccusationȱthatȱaȱcity sergeantȱ hadȱ actuallyȱ servedȱ asȱ herȱ pimpȱ andȱ forcedȱ herȱ intoȱ theȱ lifeȱ of prostitution.ȱ Thisȱ ledȱ toȱ aȱ cityȬwideȱ investigationȱ intoȱ theȱ sergeant’sȱ possible corruption,ȱwhichȱindicatesȱthatȱtheȱcapitolsȱtookȱherȱchargesȱseriouslyȱenoughȱto attemptȱtoȱuncoverȱanyȱproofȱtoȱherȱclaim.ȱInȱthisȱscenario,ȱitȱseemsȱasȱthough jailerȱRaymundusȱBonhommeȱplayedȱaȱpivotalȱroleȱinȱprovidingȱaȱvenueȱforȱthe defenseȱofȱtheȱprostituteȱinȱthisȱlegalȱpredicament.ȱ RoyalȱandȱchurchȱofficialsȱbeganȱtoȱplantȱtheȱrootsȱofȱtheirȱauthorityȱinȱToulouse byȱtheȱearlyȱthirteenthȱcentury.ȱTheȱcity’sȱmonastery,ȱtheȱJacobins,ȱbecameȱthe headquartersȱ ofȱ theȱ Dominicanȱ inquisitors,ȱ whileȱ theȱ king’sȱ agentsȱ stationed themselvesȱinȱtheȱChâteauȱNarbonnais.ȱTheȱotherȱjailsȱofȱtheȱcity,ȱtheȱroyalȱjailȱin theȱchâteauȱandȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱprisons,ȱhadȱveryȱdifferentȱmethodsȱofȱholding prisonersȱinȱisolationȱfromȱtheȱgeneralȱpublic.ȱWhereasȱroyalȱofficersȱandȱclerks couldȱonlyȱbeȱheldȱinȱtheirȱrespectiveȱprisons,ȱtheȱpeopleȱofȱToulouseȱcouldȱbe arrestedȱ andȱ heldȱ inȱ theȱ Châteauȱ Narbonnaisȱ whenȱ royalȱ officialsȱ saw opportunitiesȱtoȱprofitȱfinanciallyȱfromȱtheȱoverlappingȱjurisdictionȱinȱtheȱcity.ȱIf royalȱofficersȱarrestedȱaȱcitizenȱofȱToulouseȱcaughtȱinȱtheȱprocessȱofȱaȱsuspicious act,ȱorȱtheyȱsimplyȱheardȱofȱtheȱsuspicionsȱofȱcriminalȱactivity,ȱtheȱsergeantsȱcould imprisonȱtheȱcitizenȱinȱtheȱroyalȱjail.ȱ Forȱexample,ȱinȱ1332,ȱcitizenȱArnaldusȱdeȱSantoȱMartinoȱwasȱarrestedȱbyȱroyal sergeantsȱbecauseȱseveralȱbandits,ȱheldȱinȱtheȱroyalȱprisonȱawaitingȱpunishment, implicatedȱ himȱ inȱ theirȱ thefts.ȱ Butȱ heȱ wasȱ laterȱ remandedȱ toȱ theȱ capitols, transferredȱ toȱ theȱ jailȱ inȱ theȱ townȱ hallȱ soȱ thatȱ heȱ couldȱ standȱ trialȱ forȱ the accusationsȱagainstȱhim.45ȱThis,ȱhowever,ȱprovidedȱanȱopportunityȱforȱtheȱvicar andȱhisȱroyalȱjailersȱtoȱextortȱmoneyȱfromȱtheȱprisoners,ȱonlyȱreleasingȱthemȱinto theȱ custodyȱ ofȱ theȱ capitolsȱ ifȱ theyȱ paidȱ aȱ certainȱ fine.ȱ Inȱ 1313,ȱ Kingȱ Philipȱ IV threatenedȱtheȱroyalȱjailer,ȱunderȱtheȱpenaltyȱofȱdismissalȱfromȱhisȱpost,ȱthatȱhe couldȱnoȱlongerȱclaimȱfeesȱfromȱprisonersȱfromȱtheȱmomentȱwhenȱtheȱcapitols demandedȱextraditionȱtoȱtheirȱcourt.46ȱThisȱissueȱcameȱupȱagainȱoneȱyearȱlater, causingȱtheȱseneschalȱtoȱreprimandȱtheȱvicarȱandȱhisȱmenȱinȱchargeȱofȱtheȱprison atȱtheȱChâteauȱNarbonnais.ȱInȱthisȱinstance,ȱtheȱroyalȱjailerȱdemandedȱthatȱthe eachȱprisonerȱbroughtȱintoȱcustodyȱpayȱaȱsumȱofȱtwelveȱdeniersȱToulousains,ȱthree deniersȱ forȱ simplyȱ enteringȱ theȱ jail,ȱ andȱ nineȱ deniersȱ forȱ theȱ durationȱ of imprisonment.47ȱTheseȱfees,ȱwhichȱcontradictedȱagreementsȱofȱjurisdictionȱbetween theȱ capitolsȱ andȱ vicar,ȱ andȱ theȱ conductȱ ofȱ theȱ jailerȱ inȱ general,ȱ alarmedȱ the

45 46 47

AMTȬFFȱ57,ȱ143. AMTȬAA3:152.ȱMayȱ11,ȱ1313.ȱ AMTȬAA3:158.ȱJuneȱ18,ȱ1314.ȱThisȱwasȱaȱmandateȱofȱJeanȱdeȱMauquenchy,ȱseneschalȱofȱToulouse andȱAlbi,ȱtoȱtheȱvicarȱofȱToulouse.ȱ

294

PatriciaȱTurning

seneschal,ȱandȱsuggestedȱtheȱrealȱlenienceȱofȱtheȱregionalȱvicarȱinȱoverseeingȱthe conductȱofȱhisȱmenȱatȱtheȱChâteau. Theseȱoversightsȱandȱexploitationsȱresultedȱinȱanȱoverhaulȱofȱtheȱregulationsȱof theȱroyalȱprisonȱtoȱensureȱthatȱtheȱprisonerȱonlyȱpaidȱtheȱjail’sȱfinesȱifȱfoundȱguilty byȱtheȱcapitols.ȱInȱ1327,ȱhowever,ȱJeanȱFolenfant,ȱvicarȱofȱtheȱChâteauȱNarbonnais, wasȱ caughtȱ againȱ demandingȱ financialȱ penaltiesȱ fromȱ prisonersȱ knownȱ toȱ be innocent.48ȱAmongȱtheȱcomplaintsȱofȱtheȱcapitols,ȱwhichȱpromptedȱtheȱreactions ofȱtheȱkingȱandȱseneschal,ȱwasȱtheȱconcernȱthatȱtheȱroyalȱjailerȱdidȱnotȱfeedȱthe prisonersȱadequateȱamountsȱofȱbreadȱandȱwater,ȱandȱthatȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱeatȱtheir foodȱatȱaȱtableȱwithȱtheȱjailer.ȱWeȱknowȱthatȱjailerȱJohanniȱdeȱBarraȱofȱtheȱChâteau Narbonnaisȱinȱ1322,ȱspentȱenoughȱmoneyȱforȱbreadȱforȱtheȱimprisonedȱpoor,ȱalong withȱtheȱotherȱnecessaryȱ“shacklesȱandȱkeys”ȱtoȱrunȱaȱprisonȱforȱtheȱyearȱonȱa budgetȱ ofȱ roughlyȱ 67ȱ lires.49ȱ Butȱ theȱ capitols’ȱ concernȱ thatȱ prisonersȱ wereȱ not treatedȱ properlyȱ byȱ theȱ royalȱ jailerȱ suggestsȱ thatȱ thereȱ wasȱ aȱ muchȱ different attitudeȱregardingȱinmatesȱbetweenȱtheȱtwoȱsetsȱofȱofficials.ȱTheȱroyalȱauthorities hadȱaȱdetachmentȱfromȱtheȱprisonersȱinȱtheirȱcustody.ȱThereȱseemedȱtoȱbeȱaȱrapid turnoverȱ inȱ theȱ menȱ whoȱ heldȱ theȱ office,ȱ andȱ theȱ guiltȱ orȱ innocenceȱ ofȱ the prisonersȱseemedȱsecondaryȱtoȱtheȱopportunityȱforȱprofitsȱandȱfines.ȱRoyalȱjailers didȱ notȱ haveȱ theȱ sameȱ interestȱ inȱ creatingȱ aȱ communalȱ atmosphereȱ forȱ the prisoners. EcclesiasticalȱauthoritiesȱandȱtheȱDominicanȱinquisitorsȱeventuallyȱlearnedȱthey achievedȱgreaterȱsuccessȱinȱachievingȱconfessionsȱandȱconversionsȱfromȱsuspected hereticsȱthroughȱimprisonment,ȱratherȱthanȱtorture.ȱByȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury, theyȱhadȱseveralȱprisonsȱinȱToulouse,ȱwhichȱservedȱaȱveryȱdistinctȱpurposeȱof isolatingȱandȱcontainingȱaccusedȱhereticsȱandȱcriminalȱclerks.ȱAccordingȱtoȱcanon law,ȱ ecclesiasticalȱ judgesȱ wereȱ forbiddenȱ fromȱ sheddingȱ blood,ȱ soȱ theyȱ were particularlyȱ interestedȱ inȱ usingȱ incarcerationȱ asȱ aȱ punitiveȱ function.ȱ The Dominicanȱinquisitorsȱhadȱtwoȱprisonsȱtoȱhouseȱsuspectedȱandȱconvictedȱheretics: oneȱatȱtheȱbasilicaȱofȱSaintȱSernin,ȱandȱoneȱinȱtheȱCathedralȱSaintȬÉtienne.ȱBut underȱtheȱdirectionȱofȱtheȱinfamousȱBernardȱGui,ȱsuspectedȱhereticsȱcouldȱalsoȱbe heldȱinȱtheȱmurȱofȱtheȱChâteauȱNarbonnais.ȱConditionsȱinȱtheȱmurȱcouldȱvaryȱfrom aȱrelativelyȱlenientȱenvironmentȱofȱgeneralȱconfinementȱinȱwhichȱtheȱsuspected

48 49

AMTȬAA3:256.ȱJulyȱ12,ȱ1327.ȱ FrançoisȱMaillard,ȱed.ȱComptesȱroyauxȱ(1314–1328).ȱRecueilȱdesȱHistoriensȱdeȱlaȱFrance,ȱDocuments Financiers,ȱ14ȱ(Paris:ȱImprimerieȱNationale,ȱ1961),ȱno.ȱ2005,ȱ142:ȱ“JohanniȱdeȱBarra,ȱjaulerioȱcastri NarboneȱTholose,ȱproȱpaneȱpluriumȱpauperumȱincarceratorumȱproȱtotoȱpresentiȱannoȱinȱdicto castroȱ detentorum,ȱ compedibus,ȱ riblonibus,ȱ manotisȱ ferriesȱ reparadnisȱ clavibus,ȱ serraturis neccessariisȱ proȱ dictisȱ carceribusȱ etȱ ipsisȱ curandisȱ etȱ pluribusȱ aliisȱ proȱ dictisȱ prisioniariis neccessariis,ȱjuxtaȱcompotumȱcumȱvicarioȱTholoseȱfactum,ȱpartesȱcumȱpartibusȱretroacapitum presentisȱcompoti:ȱ67ȱl.ȱ6ȱs.ȱt.”

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

295

criminalsȱhadȱspaceȱtoȱwanderȱandȱinteract,ȱorȱitȱcouldȱbeȱaȱmurumȱstrictumȱin whichȱtheȱprisonerȱwasȱconfinedȱandȱshackledȱinȱaȱprivateȱcell.50ȱ Mostȱofȱtheȱprisonersȱheldȱinȱtheȱmurȱwereȱsupportedȱbyȱtheȱking,ȱbecauseȱhe profitedȱfromȱtheȱconfiscationȱofȱtheirȱpropertyȱifȱtheyȱwereȱcondemned.ȱJames Givenȱhasȱshownȱthatȱduringȱanyȱoneȱweekȱinȱtheseȱprisonsȱthereȱwasȱanȱaverage ofȱ 171ȱ prisoners,ȱ includingȱ children,ȱ duringȱ theȱ periodȱ ofȱ Mayȱ 6,ȱ 1255ȱ and Februaryȱ6,ȱ1256.51ȱInȱ1321,ȱtheȱkingȱsupportedȱsixtyȬsixȱmenȱandȱwomenȱinȱthe murȱofȱToulouse,ȱsentencedȱtoȱimprisonmentȱforȱtwentyȬeightȱdays.52ȱMostȱofȱthe Dominicanȱinquisitorsȱpreferredȱtoȱimprisonȱhereticsȱsoȱtheyȱcouldȱnotȱcorrupt others.ȱItȱalsoȱservedȱtoȱisolateȱsuspectedȱhereticsȱfromȱtheirȱsocialȱnetworksȱwhich providedȱmoralȱsupportȱandȱconnectionsȱtoȱgoȱintoȱhiding,ȱandȱalsoȱcouldȱprovide theȱopportunityȱforȱthemȱtoȱconfessȱtheirȱ“corruptȱthoughts”ȱinȱaȱweakenedȱstate ofȱfoodȱandȱsleepȱdeprivation.ȱ ButȱthereȱwasȱgreatȱprotestȱfromȱtheȱpopulationȱofȱSouthernȱFranceȱagainstȱthe actionsȱ ofȱ theȱ inquisitors.ȱ Andȱ theȱ officialsȱ overseeingȱ theȱ prisonȱ ofȱ heretics becameȱeasyȱtargetsȱforȱallȱofȱtheȱanimosityȱagainstȱtheȱpersecutionȱandȱtorment ofȱtheirȱactions.ȱOneȱofȱtheȱmostȱdramaticȱexamplesȱtookȱplaceȱinȱtheȱnearbyȱcity ofȱAlbi,ȱasȱtheȱcitizensȱlaunchedȱanȱallȱoutȱuprisingȱagainstȱtheȱmuchȱhatedȱbishop andȱinquisitor,ȱBernardȱdeȱCastanetȱwhoȱoversawȱtheȱlocalȱprison.ȱTheȱaccusers sentȱ appealsȱ toȱ theȱ kingȱ andȱ theȱ pope,ȱ andȱ chargedȱ thatȱ Bernardȱ imprisoned citizensȱ inȱ horrificȱ conditions,ȱ withoutȱ adequateȱ foodȱ orȱ water,ȱ andȱ thatȱ he arbitrarilyȱtorturedȱhisȱinmates.ȱTheyȱalsoȱchargedȱthatȱheȱorderedȱtheȱarrestȱand theȱimprisonmentȱforȱcertainȱwomenȱheȱfoundȱsexuallyȱappealing.ȱHeȱcouldȱthen summonȱ theȱ femalesȱ toȱ hisȱ palaceȱ wheneverȱ heȱ desired,ȱ andȱ someȱ witnesses claimedȱwhenȱtheȱwomenȱdidȱnotȱreturnȱtoȱtheȱprisonȱpopulation,ȱheȱdeposedȱof theȱbodiesȱinȱaȱsuspiciousȱmanner.53ȱInȱoneȱallegation,ȱBernardȱkeptȱanȱinnocent womanȱnamedȱMarquesiaȱinȱjailȱforȱaȱnumberȱofȱyearsȱbeforeȱbeingȱreleased,ȱto exploitȱ herȱ explicitlyȱ asȱ aȱ sexȱ slave.ȱ Althoughȱ thereȱ hasȱ beenȱ historicalȱ debate surroundingȱtheȱvalidityȱofȱtheseȱaccusations,ȱtheȱfactȱremainsȱthatȱtheȱcitizensȱof Albiȱdemandedȱroyalȱinterventionȱintoȱtheȱaffairsȱofȱtheȱinquisitorialȱprison,ȱand theȱconductȱofȱBernardȱdeȱCastanetȱservedȱasȱtheȱimpetusȱforȱthatȱcallȱtoȱaction. Theȱdenunciationȱwasȱaȱpoliticalȱtool:ȱaȱwayȱinȱwhichȱtheȱcitizensȱofȱAlbiȱsought protectionȱfromȱtheȱinquisitors,ȱandȱbyȱextension,ȱcouldȱestablishȱtheȱhierarchyȱof justiceȱandȱorderȱinȱtheȱlocalȱprisons.ȱ

50

51 52 53

Theȱtermȱmurȱisȱaȱcommonȱdesignationȱofȱinquisitorialȱprisons,ȱborrowedȱfromȱtheȱmonasticȱusage ofȱaȱpunitiveȱconfinementȱinȱmonasteries.ȱPeters,ȱ“PrisonȱbeforeȱtheȱPrison,”ȱ28–29. Given,ȱInquisitionȱandȱMedievalȱSociety,ȱ79ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).ȱ Comptesȱroyaux,ȱno.ȱ1340,ȱ84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ47). MeganȱCassidyȬWelch,ȱ“TestimoniesȱfromȱaȱFourteenthȬCenturyȱPrison:ȱRumor,ȱEvidenceȱand TruthȱinȱtheȱMidi,”ȱFrenchȱHistoryȱ16ȱ(2002):ȱ3–27.

296

PatriciaȱTurning

Backȱ inȱ Toulouse,ȱ theȱ competitionȱ surroundingȱ punishmentȱ wasȱ evenȱ more pronounced,ȱandȱtheȱmunicipalȱjailerȱfoundȱhimselfȱinȱtheȱmidstȱofȱjurisdictional disputesȱbetweenȱmunicipalȱandȱroyalȱauthority,ȱsignifyingȱagain,ȱthatȱheȱwasȱa keyȱplayerȱinȱlocalȱpoliticsȱthatȱcouldȱalsoȱgetȱwrappedȱupȱinȱnationalȱaffairs.ȱOne exampleȱfromȱ1332ȱinvolvedȱtheȱjailerȱinȱaȱfightȱtoȱpunishȱaȱmotherȱaccusedȱof actingȱ asȱ herȱ daughter’sȱ pimp.ȱ Initially,ȱ theȱ capitolsȱ believedȱ thatȱ Berengaria Vitalis’sȱ daughter,ȱ Mastaroza,ȱ hadȱ beenȱ kidnappedȱ andȱ rapedȱ byȱ aȱ neighbor Johannesȱ deȱ Manso,ȱ sonȱ ofȱ Lordȱ Helioȱ deȱ Manso.54ȱ Butȱ twoȱ weeksȱ later,ȱ the municipalȱsergeantsȱarrestedȱandȱimprisonedȱBerengariaȱVitalisȱforȱprostituting herȱdaughter.ȱThereȱareȱnoȱextantȱcourtȱrecordsȱwhichȱrevealȱtheȱinvestigative processȱ intoȱ Berengaria’sȱ culpability.ȱ Instead,ȱ weȱ canȱ onlyȱ assumeȱ thatȱ the capitols’ȱ hadȱ securedȱ theȱ necessaryȱ evidenceȱ toȱ warrantȱ herȱ arrestȱ and punishment.ȱBerengariaȱwasȱheldȱinȱtheȱmunicipalȱprisonȱawaitingȱherȱappealȱto theȱroyalȱvicar.ȱAccordingȱtoȱroyalȱdecree,ȱtheȱcapitolsȱneededȱtheȱvicar’sȱapproval beforeȱtheyȱenactedȱanyȱspecificȱpunishmentȱforȱaȱconvictedȱcriminal.ȱButȱthis becameȱaȱnationalȱlegalȱaffairȱbecauseȱitȱwasȱanȱoccasionȱwhereȱtheȱcapitolsȱand theirȱofficersȱpubliclyȱunderminedȱtheȱvicarȱandȱsentencedȱBerengariaȱtoȱaȱritual punishmentȱofȱrunningȱtheȱtownȱwithoutȱtheȱroyalȱofficial’sȱknowledgeȱofȱthe case.55ȱInȱtheȱseneschal’sȱlaterȱinquestȱintoȱtheȱjurisdictionalȱdisputeȱbetweenȱthe municipalȱ officialsȱ andȱ theȱ vicar,ȱ threeȱ capitols,ȱ severalȱ ofȱ theirȱ sergeants, trumpeterȱ Guillelmusȱ Johannis,ȱ andȱ forȱ ourȱ purposes,ȱ mostȱ notably,ȱ theȱ same municipalȱjailer,ȱRaymundusȱBonhommeȱallȱstoodȱaccusedȱofȱconspiringȱagainst royalȱauthority.ȱ Accordingȱtoȱtheȱcharges,ȱthreeȱcapitols,ȱPetrusȱRubey,ȱRaymundusȱdeȱSanto Paulo,ȱandȱVitalisȱDurandiȱallȱgatheredȱatȱtheȱtownȱhall,ȱandȱconvincedȱtheȱjailer toȱreleaseȱtheȱprisonerȱintoȱtheirȱcustody.56ȱRaymundusȱBonhomme,ȱwhoȱlived withȱhisȱfamilyȱatȱtheȱtownȱhallȱinȱorderȱtoȱsurveyȱandȱfeedȱtheȱprisoners,ȱclaimed inȱ hisȱ defenseȱ testimonyȱ thatȱ theȱ capitolsȱ providedȱ himȱ withȱ theȱ proper documentationȱ necessaryȱ toȱ transferȱ theȱ criminalsȱ intoȱ theirȱ custodyȱ for punishment.57ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱeitherȱtheȱcapitolsȱforgedȱtheȱroyalȱvicar’sȱsealȱof approvalȱonȱtheȱletterȱandȱdupedȱtheȱjailer,ȱorȱRaymundusȱBonhommeȱsimply knewȱhowȱtoȱsaveȱhimselfȱfromȱlosingȱhisȱhomeȱandȱlivelihood.ȱRegardless,ȱthe capitolsȱandȱseveralȱofficersȱgatheredȱtheȱprisonerȱandȱboundȱherȱinȱshackles,ȱand carriedȱoutȱtheȱpunitiveȱspectacleȱofȱforcingȱBerengariaȱtoȱrunȱtheȱstreetsȱofȱthe

54 55

56 57

AMTȬFFȱ57,ȱ59. Forȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱuseȱofȱtheȱpunishmentȱofȱrunningȱtheȱtown,ȱespeciallyȱinȱSouthernȱFrance, seeȱJeanȬMarieȱCarbasse,ȱ“Currantȱnudi:ȱLeȱrépressionȱdeȱl’adultèreȱdansȱleȱMidiȱmédiéval,ȱXIIeȬ VXeȱ siècles,”ȱ Droit,ȱ Histoireȱ etȱ Sexualité,ȱ ed.ȱ Jacquesȱ Poumaredeȱ andȱ JeanȬPierreȱ Royer. PublicationsȱdeȱlȇEspaceȱjuridiqueȱ(Lille:ȱAchevéȱd’imprimer,ȱ1987),ȱ83–102.ȱ AMTȬFFȱ59,ȱfol.ȱ11r. AMTȬFFȱ59,ȱfol.ȱ50r.

CompetitionȱforȱtheȱPrisoner’sȱBody

297

city,ȱ withȱ aȱ crownȱ ofȱ strawȱ uponȱ herȱ head.ȱ Theȱ capitolsȱ intendedȱ theȱ ritual punishmentȱ ofȱ Berengariaȱ Vitalisȱ toȱ serveȱ asȱ aȱ statementȱ ofȱ theirȱ power,ȱ and autonomyȱ fromȱ royalȱ jurisdiction.ȱ Inȱ theȱ end,ȱ theȱ capitolsȱ andȱ severalȱ ofȱ their officersȱfacedȱtheȱconsequencesȱinȱtheȱroyalȱcourtȱforȱbypassingȱtheȱauthorityȱofȱthe vicarȱbyȱdenyingȱhisȱparticipationȱinȱtheȱexecution,ȱorȱinȱtheȱappealsȱprocess.58 Whatȱweȱfind,ȱthough,ȱisȱthatȱevenȱwhenȱtheȱmunicipalȱjailerȱisȱnotȱsimplyȱtending toȱ hisȱ wards,ȱ heȱ couldȱ beȱ embroiledȱ inȱ largerȱ politicalȱ andȱ legalȱ disputesȱ that ultimatelyȱresultedȱinȱeffortsȱtoȱfurtherȱestablishȱtheȱhierarchyȱofȱjustice. *** Muchȱlikeȱtoday,ȱthereȱisȱnoȱmonolithicȱjailerȱemergingȱfromȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱMiddle Ages.ȱSomeȱwardensȱranȱtheirȱprisonȱandȱstaffȱwithȱtheȱreverenceȱbefittingȱany otherȱadministrativeȱoffice:ȱheedingȱtheȱregulationsȱsetȱforthȱbyȱtheirȱsupervisors, andȱinȱturn,ȱprovidingȱaȱhospitableȱenvironmentȱforȱtheirȱinmates.ȱOthersȱsawȱthe positionȱasȱanȱopportunityȱtoȱfinanciallyȱexploitȱtheirȱwardsȱorȱtoȱsatisfyȱsome cruelȱdesireȱtoȱseeȱthemȱsufferȱinȱharshȱconditionsȱandȱthroughȱtorture.ȱButȱifȱwe thinkȱbeyondȱtheȱindividualȱofficeȱholder,ȱandȱconsiderȱtheȱofficeȱitself,ȱIȱbelieve myȱinitialȱproposalȱringsȱtrue.ȱTheȱjailer,ȱwarden,ȱandȱtheirȱofficersȱallȱplayedȱan integralȱroleȱinȱtheȱshapingȱofȱtheȱjudicialȱsystemȱatȱtheȱlocal,ȱregionalȱandȱroyal levels,ȱandȱinȱtheȱcodificationȱofȱtheȱprisonȱasȱaȱpunitiveȱinstitutionȱinȱtheȱmedieval consciousness.ȱ ThisȱarticleȱhasȱofferedȱanȱexaminationȱofȱtheȱsituationȱinȱfourteenthȬcentury Languedocȱasȱjustȱoneȱexampleȱofȱthisȱtheory.ȱInȱToulouse,ȱbothȱtheȱroyalȱand ecclesiasticalȱprisonȱadministrationsȱpreferredȱtoȱpunishȱcriminalsȱandȱdefendants throughȱ isolationȱ andȱ seriesȱ ofȱ financialȱ amends.ȱ Theseȱ methodsȱ servedȱ their intentionsȱtoȱsecureȱconfessionsȱfromȱsuspects,ȱandȱtoȱincreaseȱtheȱprofitsȱofȱtheir office.ȱTheȱroyalȱandȱecclesiasticalȱjailersȱandȱguardsȱemployedȱmethodsȱwhich marginalizedȱtheȱpunitiveȱprocessȱinȱtheȱdailyȱlivesȱofȱtheȱinhabitantsȱofȱtheȱcity. Thisȱcontradictedȱtheȱpracticesȱandȱtraditionȱofȱtheȱcapitolsȱandȱtheȱmunicipal jailer,ȱ whoȱ maintainedȱ aȱ processȱ ofȱ imprisonmentȱ thatȱ wasȱ generallyȱ very accessibleȱforȱtheȱToulousainsȱtoȱobserveȱandȱtoȱunderstandȱthatȱlawȱandȱorder hadȱbeenȱrestored.ȱNotȱsurprisingly,ȱeachȱprisonȱmaintainedȱitsȱprivilegesȱand primacy,ȱwhichȱresultedȱinȱaȱdirectȱcompetitionȱconcerningȱwhoȱhadȱtheȱrightȱto incarcerateȱtheȱToulousains.ȱItȱwillȱtakeȱfurtherȱarchivalȱinquestȱbeyondȱthatȱof SouthernȱFranceȱtoȱfullyȱdevelopȱourȱunderstandingȱofȱtheseȱearlyȱformativeȱyears ofȱ theȱ prison,ȱ butȱ perhapsȱ theȱ firstȱ stepȱ isȱ acknowledgingȱ thatȱ punitive imprisonmentȱdid,ȱinȱfact,ȱexistȱbyȱtheȱlaterȱMiddleȱAges.

58

AMTȬFFȱ59,ȱfol.ȱ49r.

Chapterȱ13ȱ BirgitȱWiedl (InstituteȱforȱJewishȱHistoryȱinȱAustria,ȱSt.ȱPölten)

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep:ȱPerpetrators,ȱVictims,ȱand BystandersȱinȱanȱAllegedȱHostȱDesecrationȱin FourteenthȬCenturyȱAustria

“TheȱbodyȱofȱChrist,ȱtormentedȱbyȱtheȱJews,ȱwasȱfoundȱatȱKorneuburgȱonȱthe FridayȱofȱtheȱquarterȱbeforeȱMichaelmasȱandȱtherefore,ȱallȱtheȱJewsȱthereȱwere burnt.”1ȱ Inȱ thisȱ briefȱ sumȬupȱ inȱ aȱ chronicleȱ ofȱ theȱ Lowerȱ Austrianȱ monasteryȱ of Klosterneuburgȱofȱwhatȱhad,ȱallegedlyȱandȱforȱreal,2ȱhappenedȱinȱtheȱtownȱacross theȱriverȱDanube,ȱtheȱrolesȱareȱclearlyȱdefined:ȱtheȱJewsȱwhoȱhadȱlivedȱthereȱhad committedȱaȱcrime,ȱandȱhadȱthereforeȱbeenȱpunished. “Thisȱbookȱisȱnotȱaȱwhodunnit,”ȱJeremyȱCohenȱstatesȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱthe introductionȱtoȱhisȱbookȱChristȱKillers.3ȱTheȱquestion,ȱifȱapplicableȱatȱallȱtoȱaȱhistoric

1

2

3

Österreichischeȱ Nationalbibliothekȱ (Austrianȱ Nationalȱ Library),ȱ Codexȱ 364,ȱ fol.ȱ 135vȱ (aȱ later additionȱtoȱaȱSalzburgȱchronicleȱinȱaȱmanuscriptȱfromȱtheȱmonasteryȱofȱKlosterneuburg,ȱnowȱkept atȱtheȱAustrianȱNationalȱLibrary);ȱEvelineȱBruggerȱandȱBirgitȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱzurȱGeschichteȱder JudenȱinȱÖsterreichȱimȱMittelalter,ȱvol.ȱ1:ȱVonȱdenȱAnfängenȱbisȱ1338ȱ(Innsbruck,ȱVienna,ȱandȱBolzano: StudienVerlag,ȱ2005),ȱ123–24,ȱno.ȱ131ȱ(forȱtheȱinternetȱversion,ȱsee http://www.injoest.ac.at/upload/Regesten_Text.pdfȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱMarchȱ10,ȱ2012).ȱTheȱresearch wasȱfundedȱbyȱtheȱAustrianȱScienceȱFundȱ(FWF):ȱPȱ21237–G18.ȱIȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱthankȱConnie Scarboroughȱforȱherȱvaluableȱcommentsȱandȱcorrections. Onȱtheȱtruthfulnessȱofȱhistoriographyȱandȱliteratureȱandȱitsȱrelationȱtoȱhistoricalȱtexts,ȱseeȱthe discussionȱbyȱPeterȱJohanek,ȱ“DieȱWahrheitȱderȱmittelalterlichenȱHistoriographen,”ȱHistorisches undȱfiktionalesȱErzählenȱimȱMittelalter,ȱed.ȱFritzȱPeterȱKnappȱandȱManuelaȱNiesner.ȱSchriftenȱzur Literaturwissenschaft,ȱ19ȱ(Berlin:ȱDunckerȱ&ȱHumblot,ȱ2002),ȱ9–26. JeremyȱCohen,ȱChristȱKillers:ȱTheȱJewsȱandȱtheȱPassionȱfromȱtheȱBibleȱtoȱtheȱBigȱScreenȱ(NewȱYorkȱand Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2007).ȱInȱtheȱintroductionȱtoȱherȱbookȱGentileȱTales,ȱMiriȱRubin discussesȱtheȱ‘tediousȱtypeȱofȱprose’ȱthatȱisȱaȱresultȱofȱallȱtheȱ‘disclaimersȱsuchȱasȱ‘itȱwasȱalleged’’,

300

BirgitȱWiedl

scenario,ȱhasȱbeenȱsufficientlyȱanswered.ȱAlthoughȱmotives,ȱtriggers,ȱandȱcourses ofȱactionȱremainȱopenȱtoȱdiscussion,ȱthereȱisȱnoȱdoubtȱasȱtoȱtheȱfatalȱroleȱ(mostȱof) theȱ Christianȱ authoritiesȱ and/orȱ neighboursȱ playedȱ inȱ theȱ persecutionȱ and murderingȱofȱmedievalȱJews;ȱwhileȱfromȱaȱmedievalȱChristianȱperspective,ȱthe ideasȱofȱJewishȱcrime,4ȱJewishȱguilt,ȱandȱtheȱexistenceȱofȱcrimesȱthatȱJewsȱwere particularlyȱpartialȱto,ȱwereȱhardlyȱquestioned.5ȱFromȱtheȱseducerȱofȱChristians whoȱluresȱtheseȱbackȱtoȱtheȱold,ȱfalseȱfaith,ȱtheȱfakeȱconvertȱwhoȱsecretlyȱindulges inȱ theirȱ oldȱ suspiciousȱ rites,ȱ andȱ theȱ mercilessȱ usurer6ȱ toȱ theȱ general questionabilityȱofȱJewishȱexistenceȱinȱgeneral,ȱJewishȱcrimesȱwereȱmanifold.7ȱJews

4

5

6

7

MiriȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales:ȱTheȱNarrativeȱAssaultȱonȱLateȱMedievalȱJewsȱ(NewȱHaven,ȱCT,ȱandȱLondon: YaleȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1999;ȱsec.ȱed.ȱPhiladelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ2004,ȱthe quotesȱhereinȱreferȱtoȱtheȱfirstȱedition),ȱ3. Forȱaȱquiteȱexceptionalȱcaseȱstudyȱonȱ‘real’ȱJewishȱcrime,ȱtheȱstoryȱofȱaȱ‘gang’ȱofȱJewishȱthieves, seeȱJörgȱMüller,ȱ“EineȱjüdischeȱDiebesbandeȱimȱSüdwestenȱdesȱReichesȱinȱderȱerstenȱHälfteȱdes 14.ȱ Jahrhunderts,”ȱ Beziehungsnetzeȱ aschkenasischerȱ Judenȱ währendȱ desȱ Mittelaltersȱ undȱ derȱ frühen Neuzeit,ȱ ed.ȱ idem.ȱ Forschungenȱ zurȱ Geschichteȱ derȱ Juden,ȱ Abteilungȱ A:ȱ Abhandlungen,ȱ 20 (Hanover:ȱVerlagȱHahnscheȱBuchhandlung,ȱ2008),ȱ71–116. ForȱaȱsummaryȱofȱscholarlyȱChristianȱopinionsȱonȱJewsȱandȱJudaism,ȱseeȱGavinȱI.ȱLangmuir, “FaithȱofȱChristiansȱandȱHostilityȱtoȱJews,”ȱChristianityȱandȱJudaism,ȱed.ȱDianaȱWood.ȱStudiesȱin ChurchȱHistory,ȱ29ȱ(OxfordȱandȱCambridge,ȱMA:ȱBlackwellȱPublishers,ȱ1992),ȱ77–92. See,ȱforȱexample,ȱPopeȱInnocentȱIIIȱtoȱtheȱFrenchȱkingȱPhilippȱIIȱAugustȱinȱ1205:ȱ...quodȱinȱregno FrancorumȱJudeiȱadeoȱinsolescunt,ȱut,ȱsubȱspecieȱusurarieȱpravitatis,ȱperȱquamȱnonȱsolumȱusuras,ȱsed usurasȱusurarumȱextorquent,ȱecclesiarumȱbonaȱetȱpossessionesȱChristanorumȱusurpent.ȱSolomonȱGrayzel, Theȱ Churchȱ andȱ theȱ Jewsȱ inȱ theȱ Thirteenthȱ Century.ȱ Aȱ Studyȱ ofȱ Theirȱ Relationsȱ Duringȱ theȱ Years 1198–1254,ȱ Basedȱ onȱ theȱ Papalȱ Lettersȱ andȱ theȱ Conciliarȱ Decreesȱ ofȱ theȱ Periodȱ (Philadelphia:ȱ The DropsieȱCollegeȱforȱHebrewȱandȱCognateȱLearning,ȱ1933)ȱ104–06,ȱno.ȱ14;ȱLangmuir,ȱ“Faithȱof Christians,”ȱ88–89ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5),ȱplacesȱtheȱemergenceȱofȱtheȱmotifȱofȱtheȱJewȱasȱusurerȱinȱtheȱmidȬ twelfthȱcentury.ȱSeeȱtheȱcontributionȱofȱKennethȱR.ȱStowȱinȱtheȱsameȱvolume,ȱ“TheȱGoodȱofȱthe Church,ȱtheȱGoodȱofȱtheȱState:ȱTheȱPopesȱandȱJewishȱMoney,”ȱChristianityȱandȱJudaism,ȱ237–52ȱ(see noteȱ5),ȱonȱtheȱidentificationȱofȱJewishȱlendingȱwithȱJewishȱactsȱofȱhomicideȱagainstȱChristian society,ȱ241;ȱseeȱalsoȱtheȱoverviewȱbyȱRobertȱChazan,ȱMedievalȱStereotypesȱandȱModernȱAntisemitism (Berkeley,ȱLosȱAngeles,ȱandȱLondon:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1997),ȱ19–40,ȱandȱparticularly 35–40,ȱwhoȱtiesȱtheȱusurerȬimageȱinȱwithȱantigovernmentȱsentiments.ȱOnȱtheȱideaȱthatȱJewsȱhad killedȱ Jesusȱ outȱ ofȱ greed,ȱ seeȱ Annaȱ Sapirȱ Abulafia,ȱ Christiansȱ andȱ Jewsȱ inȱ theȱ TwelfthȬCentury Renaissanceȱ(London:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1992),ȱ121.ȱ E.g.,ȱtheȱcombinedȱaccusationsȱSimonȱdeȱMontfortȱaroseȱagainstȱtheȱJewȱAbrahamȱofȱBerkhamsted inȱtheȱ1250s:ȱfinancialȱmisdeedsȱandȱtheȱdesecrationȱofȱanȱiconȱofȱtheȱVirginȱMaryȱ(byȱplacingȱit inȱhisȱlavatory),ȱseeȱChristophȱCluse,ȱ“‘Fabulaȱineptissima’.ȱDieȱRitualmordlegendeȱumȱAdamȱvon Bristolȱ nachȱ derȱ Handschriftȱ London,ȱ Britishȱ Library,ȱ Harleyȱ 957,”ȱ Aschkenas.ȱ Zeitschriftȱ für GeschichteȱundȱKulturȱderȱJuden,ȱ5.2ȱ(1995),ȱ293–330;ȱhereȱ296;ȱAnthonyȱBale,ȱTheȱJewȱinȱtheȱMedieval Book:ȱEnglishȱAntisemitismsȱ1350–1500.ȱCambridgeȱStudiesȱinȱMedievalȱLiterature,ȱ60ȱ(Cambridge: CambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱ8,ȱandȱgenerallyȱonȱtheȱphenomenonȱofȱantiȬJudaismȱandȱantiȬ SemitismȱinȱaȱcountryȱfromȱwhichȱtheȱJewsȱwereȱexpelledȱalreadyȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱhighȱMiddle Agesȱ(1290),ȱseeȱalsoȱCohen,ȱChristȱKillers,ȱ103ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

301

wereȱregardedȱcapableȱof,ȱandȱproneȱto,ȱcommittingȱspecificȱcrimesȱmostȱofȱwhich madeȱtheirȱwayȱintoȱtheȱstereotypesȱofȱantiȬSemitismȱofȱlaterȱcenturies.8ȱ TheȱideasȱofȱJewishȱresponsibilityȱandȱculpabilityȱforȱtheȱcrucifixionȱofȱChrist andȱtheȱidentificationȱofȱJewsȱasȱhistoricȱenemiesȱofȱChristianityȱandȱChristendom alreadyȱ lay,ȱ amongȱ otherȱ factors,ȱ atȱ theȱ coreȱ ofȱ theȱ crusadingȱ assaultsȱ onȱ the Rhinelandȱ Jewryȱ ofȱ aroundȱ 1096,9ȱ andȱ hadȱ evolvedȱ intoȱ anȱ imageryȱ ofȱ Jewish violenceȱagainstȱChristiansȱinȱgeneral.ȱAsȱaȱresultȱofȱtheȱgrowingȱhumanization, andȱsubsequentȱvulnerability,ȱofȱJesusȱinȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱtwelfthȱcentury,ȱtheȱidea ofȱtheȱJewsȱkillingȱaȱdeityȱmergedȱwithȱtheȱimagesȱofȱtheȱmurderȱofȱaȱrealȱperson, orȱitsȱpersonificationȱinȱtheȱEucharist.ȱTheȱimageȱofȱaȱ‘real’ȱkillingȱwithȱaȱpalpable victimȱ wasȱ muchȱ moreȱ relatableȱ forȱ theȱ commonȱ people.10ȱ Theȱ theoreticalȬ theologicalȱimageȱpreachedȱduringȱaȱsermonȱwasȱtransformedȱintoȱanȱimageȱthat couldȱ beȱ broughtȱ upȱ wheneverȱ needed,ȱ adaptedȱ toȱ localȱ circumstances,ȱ and repeatedȱtimeȱandȱagain—theȱideaȱthatȱcontemporaryȱJewsȱbehavedȱtowardsȱthe hostȱ justȱ likeȱ theirȱ forefathersȱ hadȱ behavedȱ towardsȱ Christ,ȱ andȱ thus,ȱ their punishmentȱwasȱintendedȱbyȱGod.11ȱ Whatȱhad,ȱinȱmoreȱdetailȱthanȱtheȱannals’ȱsuccinctȱentryȱtellsȱus,ȱhappenedȱinȱthe smallȱLowerȱAustrianȱtownȱofȱKorneuburg?ȱOnȱSeptemberȱ17,ȱ1305,ȱaȱhostȱwafer wasȱ foundȱ eitherȱ onȱ theȱ doorstepȱ ofȱ theȱ houseȱ thatȱ wasȱ occupiedȱ (and, presumably,ȱowned)ȱbyȱtheȱJewȱZerkel,ȱorȱinȱhisȱpossession.12ȱBloodȱwasȱseeping

8

9 10

11

12

Fromȱtheȱvastȱliteratureȱonȱthisȱtopic,ȱseeȱinȱadditionȱtoȱtheȱstudyȱofȱChazan,ȱMedievalȱStereotypes (seeȱ noteȱ 6),ȱ theȱ olderȱ butȱ stillȱ validȱ overviewsȱ byȱ Gavinȱ I.ȱ Langmuir,ȱ Towardȱ aȱ Definitionȱ of Antisemitismȱ (Berkeley,ȱ Losȱ Angeles,ȱ andȱ Oxford:ȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Californiaȱ Press,ȱ 1990), particularlyȱ301–10,ȱandȱStefanȱRohrbacherȱandȱMichaelȱSchmidt,ȱJudenbilder:ȱKulturgeschichte antijüdischerȱMythenȱundȱantisemitischerȱVorurteil.ȱkulturen&ideen.ȱrowohltsȱenzyklopädieȱ(Reinbek beiȱHamburg:ȱrowohlt,ȱ1991). Chazan,ȱMedievalȱStereotypes,ȱ59ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). Cohen,ȱ Christȱ Killersȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3),ȱ addressesȱ theȱ topicȱ inȱ severalȱ chapters;ȱ seeȱ furtherȱ Sapir Abulafia,ȱChristiansȱandȱJews,ȱ107–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6),ȱmainlyȱonȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱtheȱtheological idea;ȱBjörnȱBerghausen,ȱ‘DasȱLiedȱvonȱDeggendorf,’ȱJudenȱinȱderȱdeutschenȱLiteraturȱdesȱMittelalter: ReligiöseȱKonzepte—Feindbilder—Rechtfertigungen,ȱed.ȱUrsulaȱSchulzȱ(Tübingen:ȱMaxȱNiemeyer Verlag,ȱ2002),ȱ233–53;ȱhereȱ238–39. Františekȱ Graus,ȱ Pest,ȱ Geissler,ȱ Judenmorde:ȱ Dasȱ 14.ȱ Jahrhundertȱ alsȱ Krisenzeit.ȱ Sec.ȱ ed., Veröffentlichungenȱ desȱ MaxȬPlanckȬInstitutsȱ fürȱ Geschichte,ȱ 86ȱ (Göttingen:ȱ Vandenhoeckȱ & Ruprecht,ȱ1988),ȱ289–90. Theȱincident(s)ȱatȱKorneuburgȱhaveȱfrequentlyȱbeenȱsubjectȱtoȱacademicȱanalysis;ȱseeȱmostȱnotably WinfriedȱStelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg:ȱDerȱangeblicheȱHostienfrevelȱösterreichischerȱJuden vonȱ 1305ȱ undȱ seineȱ Quellen,”ȱ Österreichȱ imȱ Mittelalter.ȱ Bausteineȱ zuȱ einerȱ revidiertenȱ GesamtȬ darstellung,ȱ ed.ȱ Willibaldȱ Rosner.ȱ Studienȱ undȱ Forschungenȱ ausȱ demȱ Niederösterreichischen Institutȱ fürȱ Landeskunde,ȱ 26,ȱ Niederösterreichischeȱ Schriften,ȱ 109,ȱ Wissenschaft.ȱ (St.ȱ Pölten: NiederösterreichischesȱInstitutȱfürȱLandeskunde,ȱ1999),ȱ309–48,ȱreg.ȱtheȱdatingȱ323–24,ȱwithȱfn. 43;ȱinȱtheȱsameȱvolume,ȱseeȱforȱaȱsummaryȱofȱantiȬJewishȱpolemicsȱinȱfourteenthȬcenturyȱAustria FritzȱPeterȱKnapp,ȱ“NikolausȱvonȱHeiligenkreuzȱundȱdieȱJudenpolemikȱinȱÖsterreichȱzuȱAnfang desȱ14.ȱJahrhunderts,”ȱ293–322,ȱonȱKorneuburgȱ300–03.ȱFurtherȱseeȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ57–65ȱ(see

302

BirgitȱWiedl

fromȱtheȱwafer,ȱwhichȱmadeȱitȱimmediatelyȱclearȱtoȱtheȱbystandersȱthatȱitȱwasȱa miraculousȱobject,ȱandȱindeed,ȱitȱstartedȱtoȱworkȱitsȱfirstȱmiraclesȱrightȱonȱtheȱspot. EnragedȱbyȱtheȱobviousȱcrimeȱthatȱhadȱbeenȱcommittedȱbyȱtheȱJewishȱinhabitants, theȱcitizensȱgotȱholdȱofȱtheȱJewishȱscholarȱ(scolasticus)ȱwhoȱwasȱburntȱatȱtheȱstake. Afterȱthat,ȱtheyȱbeatȱZerkelȱtoȱdeath,ȱandȱthenȱburntȱtheȱotherȱJewishȱinhabitants ofȱtheȱsmallȱtown,ȱraisingȱtheȱdeathȱtollȱtoȱtenȱpeopleȱaltogether. Theȱeventsȱthatȱledȱto,ȱandȱensuedȱafter,ȱtheȱextinctionȱofȱwhatȱmightȱhaveȱbeen theȱentireȱJewishȱpopulationȱofȱKorneuburg13ȱareȱexceptionallyȱwellȱdocumented. Whileȱtheȱchronicleȱentryȱcitedȱaboveȱmerelyȱstatedȱtheȱbasicȱfacts,ȱanȱextensive protocolȱofȱtheȱinterrogationȱofȱtwentyȬoneȱwitnessesȱprovidesȱsingularlyȱvaluable insightsȱintoȱbothȱtheȱcourse(s)ȱofȱeventsȱandȱtheȱperception(s)ȱofȱthese.14ȱAbout threeȱmonthsȱafterȱtheȱincident,ȱinȱDecemberȱ1305,ȱaȱcommissionȱofȱclericsȱunder theȱleadershipȱofȱtheȱCistercianȱAmbroseȱofȱHeiligenkreuzȱ(aȱmonasteryȱaboutȱ20 kilometresȱ southȬwestȱ ofȱ Vienna)ȱ lookedȱ intoȱ theȱ meritsȱ ofȱ theȱ caseȱ of Korneuburg’sȱmiracleȬworkingȱhostȱwaferȱandȱtheȱlargerȱissuesȱconnectedȱwithȱit. Inȱtheȱcourseȱofȱsixȱdays,ȱtheȱwitnesses,ȱsixȱclericsȱandȱfifteenȱlayȱpersons,ȱwere presentedȱwithȱaȱdetailedȱcatalogueȱofȱquestions,ȱtheȱmainȱfocusȱofȱwhichȱwasȱto ascertainȱ theȱ authenticityȱ (orȱ not)ȱ ofȱ theȱ host’sȱ miraculousȱ characterȱ andȱ the qualityȱofȱtheȱmiraclesȱitȱworked.15ȱTherefore,ȱtheȱquestionsȱfocussedȱmainlyȱonȱthe

13

14

15

noteȱ3);ȱEvelineȱBrugger,ȱ“Korneuburgȱ1305,”ȱNichtȱinȱeinemȱBett—JudenȱundȱChristenȱinȱMittelalter undȱFrühneuzeit,ȱed.ȱInstituteȱforȱJewishȱHistoryȱinȱAustriaȱ(Vienna:ȱremaȱprint,ȱ2005),ȱ20–26ȱ(for theȱinternetȱversion,ȱsee: http://www.injoest.ac.at/upload/JudeninME05_2_19–26.pdf,ȱ lastȱ accessedȱ onȱ Marchȱ 10,ȱ 2012); eadem,ȱ“VonȱderȱAnsiedlungȱbisȱzurȱVertreibung—JudenȱinȱÖsterreichȱimȱMittelalter,”ȱGeschichte derȱ Judenȱ inȱ Österreich,ȱ eadem,ȱ Marthaȱ Keil,ȱ Christophȱ Lind,ȱ Albertȱ Lichtblau,ȱ andȱ Barbara Staudinger.ȱÖsterreichischeȱGeschichte,ȱ15,ȱed.ȱHerwigȱWolframȱ(Vienna:ȱUeberreuter,ȱ2006), 123–227;ȱhereȱ211–16. Stelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg,”ȱ340ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12),ȱarguesȱagainstȱthisȱandȱpointsȱoutȱthat Ambroseȱinȱhisȱtreatiseȱthatȱwasȱwrittenȱaboutȱsevenȱyearsȱafterȱtheȱincidentsȱreferredȱtoȱtheȱten killedȱpeopleȱexȱiudeisȱandȱthusȱindicatedȱthatȱmoreȱJewsȱhadȱlivedȱatȱKorneuburgȱatȱthatȱtime.ȱIt isȱhoweverȱpossibleȱthat,ȱsinceȱtheȱnumberȱtenȱreferredȱtoȱtheȱJewsȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱburnt,ȱZerkel, whoȱhadȱbeenȱbeatenȱtoȱdeath,ȱwasȱnotȱincluded.ȱThereȱisȱnoȱnotionȱofȱanyȱcontinuousȱJewish presenceȱinȱKorneuburgȱforȱtheȱremainderȱofȱtheȱcentury,ȱseeȱGermaniaȱJudaica,ȱvol.ȱIII:ȱ1350–1519, partȱ1:ȱAachȬLychen,ȱed.ȱAryeȱMaimonȱandȱYacovȱGuggenheimȱ(Tübingen:ȱJ.ȱC.ȱB.ȱMohr,ȱ1987), 674,ȱlists,ȱalbeitȱrelyingȱonȱratherȱproblematicȱsources,ȱaltogetherȱnineȱ(mainlyȱViennese)ȱJewsȱfor theȱ timespanȱ fromȱ 1350ȱ toȱ 1420ȱ thatȱ wereȱ namedȱ afterȱ Neunburg,ȱ whichȱ couldȱ eitherȱ mean KlosterneuburgȱorȱKorneuburg. HausȬ,ȱHofȬȱundȱStaatsarchivȱ(HHStA,ȱAustrianȱStateȱArchives),ȱNotariatsinstrumentȱdesȱNotars OttoȱvonȱRußbach,ȱAURȱ1305ȱXIIȱ17;ȱfullȱeditionȱbyȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ125–42,ȱno.ȱ133 (seeȱnoteȱ1). Theȱcommissionȱconsistedȱofȱfourȱofȱtheȱepiscopalȱchaplains:ȱGottfried,ȱDeanȱofȱKrems,ȱmagister albert,ȱcanonȱofȱRegensburg,ȱtheȱlegallyȱtrainedȱmagisterȱKonradȱvonȱSteinheim,ȱandȱtheȱnotary OttoȱvonȱRußbach,ȱwhoȱwroteȱ(finalȱversionȱof)ȱtheȱprotocolȱ(BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ125, no.ȱ133ȱandȱ144,ȱno.ȱ135ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ1]).ȱOnȱtheȱcatalogueȱofȱquestions,ȱseeȱStelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispiel

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

303

hostȱwafer,ȱitsȱconditionȱwhenȱitȱwasȱfound,ȱandȱtheȱmiraclesȱitȱworkedȱafterȱitȱhad beenȱ installedȱ atȱ theȱ parishȱ church;ȱ whichȱ alsoȱ meantȱ afterȱ theȱ Jewsȱ hadȱ been killed.ȱTheȱJews’ȱfateȱseemedȱofȱsecondary,ȱifȱnotȱaltogetherȱnegligible,ȱimportance toȱ theȱ interrogatorsȱ whoseȱ mainȱ concernȱ wasȱ whetherȱ theȱ waferȱ hadȱ been consecratedȱ orȱ not,ȱ meaning,ȱ whetherȱ theȱ Christiansȱ whoȱ veneratedȱ itȱ were veneratingȱ anȱ appropriatelyȱ consecratedȱ host.ȱ Ambroseȱ ofȱ Heiligenkreuz, generallyȱ scepticalȱ ofȱ miraculousȱ hosts,ȱ hadȱ seriousȱ doubtsȱ aboutȱ this.ȱ With respectȱ toȱ theȱ Jewsȱ andȱ theirȱ fate,ȱ bothȱ questionsȱ andȱ answersȱ remained ambiguous,ȱandȱitȱisȱremarkableȱthatȱnoneȱofȱtheȱinterrogatorsȱprobedȱintoȱthese ambiguitiesȱandȱinconsistenciesȱthatȱappearedȱasȱtheȱinterrogationȱcontinued.ȱI don’tȱ know,ȱ or,ȱ Iȱ haven’tȱ seenȱ it,ȱ butȱ Iȱ firmlyȱ believeȱ it,ȱ soonȱ turnedȱ outȱ toȱ beȱ the defaultȱrepliesȱtheȱwitnessesȱutteredȱwheneverȱaskedȱwhetherȱtheyȱhadȱactually seenȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱworkȱmiracles,ȱorȱtheȱJewsȱmaltreatȱit,ȱrenderingȱmostȱofȱthe witnesses’ȱtestimoniesȱwhatȱweȱunderstandȱasȱtheȱmodernȱconceptȱofȱhearsay. Manyȱ ofȱ theȱ testimoniesȱ containedȱ notȱ onlyȱ inaccuraciesȱ butȱ blatantly contradictedȱeachȱother,ȱwithout,ȱhowever,ȱcausingȱtheȱinterrogatorsȱtoȱinquire anyȱfurther.ȱThereȱwasȱnoȱconsistencyȱamongȱtheȱanswersȱtoȱtheȱquestionȱabout howȱ manyȱ eyewitnessesȱ thereȱ hadȱ beenȱ toȱ theȱ discoveryȱ ofȱ theȱ host.ȱ Theȱ first witness,ȱtheȱVicarȱofȱKorneuburgȱbyȱtheȱnameȱofȱFriedrich,ȱwho,ȱwhileȱnotȱhaving witnessedȱmuchȱofȱtheȱwholeȱincidentȱhimself,ȱknewȱofȱ200ȱpeopleȱbeingȱpresent whenȱtheȱbloodiedȱhostȱwasȱfoundȱ(etȱaliiȱquasiȱCCti,ȱquorumȱnominaȱnescit)—which would,ȱifȱtakenȱliterally,ȱquiteȱlikelyȱamountȱtoȱtheȱentireȱpopulationȱofȱtheȱsmall town.ȱDespiteȱthisȱsuspiciouslyȱhighȱnumber,ȱheȱwasȱonlyȱableȱtoȱgiveȱtheȱnames ofȱthreeȱwitnesses,ȱbutȱknewȱthatȱoneȱofȱthese,ȱtheȱcobbler’sȱwife,ȱpreventedȱthe waferȱfromȱbeingȱblownȱawayȱbyȱcoveringȱitȱwithȱaȱcloth.16 Inȱmanyȱofȱtheȱ(mostlyȱlater)ȱtalesȱofȱJewsȱallegedlyȱmaltreatingȱhostȱwafers,ȱone ofȱtheȱmainȱconcernsȱinvolvesȱhowȱtheȱJewsȱmanagedȱtoȱacquireȱtheȱwafer.ȱSince theseȱ wereȱ keptȱ inȱ aȱ spaceȱ notȱ readilyȱ accessiblyȱ toȱ them,ȱ gettingȱ holdȱ ofȱ a consecratedȱwaferȱwouldȱrequireȱaȱcertainȱamountȱofȱschemingȱonȱtheirȱpart.ȱMere possessionȱofȱaȱwaferȱalone,ȱwithoutȱanyȱsignsȱofȱitȱhavingȱbeenȱmaltreated,ȱwas deemedȱsufficientȱproofȱtoȱjustifyȱpersecution,ȱevenȱifȱthisȱpossessionȱwasȱonly suspected,ȱ orȱ claimedȱ byȱ others.ȱ Theȱ processȱ ofȱ acquiringȱ howeverȱ usually requiredȱ aȱ Christianȱ accomplice,ȱ who,ȱ oftenȱ forȱ pecuniaryȱ reasons,ȱ stoleȱ the consecratedȱwaferȱfromȱaȱchurchȱorȱchapel.ȱQuiteȱoftenȱaȱwomanȱorȱaȱgirl,17ȱthe

16

17

Korneuburg,”ȱ321–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12);ȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ61–62ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3);ȱseeȱalsoȱWolfgang StefanȱKoller,ȱDieȱKorneuburgerȱBluthostie.ȱHistorischeȱQuellenȱundȱWirkung.ȱUnpublishedȱmaster thesis,ȱViennaȱ1991,ȱappendixȱ(tableȱofȱtheȱtestimonies). Reg.ȱtheȱquestioningȱofȱtheȱpriestȱFriedrich,ȱvicarȱofȱKorneuburgȱ(firstȱwitness):ȱBruggerȱand Wiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ126,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Wolfgangȱ Treue,ȱ “Schlechteȱ undȱ guteȱ Christen:ȱ Zurȱ Rolleȱ vonȱ Christenȱ inȱ antijüdischen RitualmordȬȱundȱHostienschändungslegenden,”ȱAschkenas.ȱZeitschriftȱfürȱGeschichteȱundȱKulturȱdes

304

BirgitȱWiedl

Christianȱoffenderȱwasȱusuallyȱofȱaȱlowȱsocialȱstanding,ȱandȱtheȱthief’sȱfateȱwas closelyȱlinkedȱwithȱtheȱfateȱofȱtheȱJewishȱperpetrators.ȱHerȱ(orȱhis)ȱoffenceȱagainst theȱChristianȱfaithȱisȱnoȱlessȱgraveȱthanȱtheȱJews’,ȱandȱthusȱtheȱpunishmentȱmeted outȱoftenȱmatchedȱthatȱofȱtheȱJews,18ȱunlessȱdivineȱjusticeȱitselfȱintervened.19ȱ InȱtheȱKorneuburgȱcase,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱquestionȱofȱhowȱtheȱJewsȱcameȱtoȱposses theȱhostȱwafer,ȱandȱforȱhowȱlongȱtheȱhostȱhadȱbeenȱinȱtheirȱhands,ȱseemedȱof surprisinglyȱ secondaryȱ importance;ȱ andȱ theȱ strikingȱ inconsistenciesȱ inȱ the witnesses’ȱanswersȱwereȱnotȱinvestigatedȱanyȱfurther.ȱTheȱfifthȱwitness,ȱKonrad, theȱvicarȱofȱLeobendorfȱ(aȱhamletȱnorthȱofȱKorneuburg),ȱdeclaredȱthatȱheȱknew thatȱthreeȱyearsȱago,ȱtheȱJewsȱhadȱboughtȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱforȱtenȱpoundsȱfromȱa layperson,ȱtheȱidentityȱofȱwhomȱheȱwouldȱnotȱrevealȱsinceȱthatȱpersonȱhadȱtold himȱaboutȱthisȱduringȱconfession,ȱalthoughȱtheȱpenitentȱhadȱaskedȱhimȱtoȱinform theȱpopulationȱsinceȱheȱfeltȱremorseȱaboutȱhisȱsinfulȱdeed.ȱKonradȱremainsȱthe onlyȱoneȱwhoȱcomesȱupȱwithȱthisȱversionȱinȱdetail,ȱtheȱsignificanceȱofȱwhichȱwill beȱdiscussedȱlater.20ȱKonrad’sȱversionȱisȱcorroboratedȱbyȱotherȱwitnesses:ȱtheȱpriest Friedrich,ȱwhoȱownedȱtoȱhavingȱknownȱaboutȱtheȱconfessionȱfrom,ȱasȱheȱsaid,ȱtwo priestsȱandȱotherȱpeople,ȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrassȱ(deȱAltaȱStrata),ȱoneȱofȱthe threeȱwhomȱFriedrichȱnamedȱasȱhavingȱbeenȱpresentȱwhenȱtheȱwaferȱwasȱfound, andȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarkt.ȱ

18 19

20

Judentums,ȱ2.1ȱ(1995),ȱ95–116;ȱhereȱ97;ȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ31–32ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3);ȱFriedrichȱLotter, “Hostienfrevelvorwurfȱ undȱ Blutwunderfälschungȱ beiȱ denȱ Judenverfolgungenȱ vonȱ 1298 (“Rintfleisch”)ȱundȱ1336–1338ȱ(“Armleder”),”ȱFälschungenȱimȱMittelalter.ȱMGHȱSchriften,ȱ33/5: FingierteȱBriefe,ȱFrömmigkeitȱundȱFälschung,ȱRealienfälschungenȱ(Hanover:ȱHahnscheȱBuchhandlung, 1988),ȱ 533–83;ȱ hereȱ 542;ȱ onȱ theȱ connectionȱ ofȱ medievalȱ misogynyȱ andȱ antiȬJudaism,ȱ seeȱ Joan Youngȱ Gregg,ȱ Devils,ȱ Women,ȱ andȱ Jews.ȱ Reflectionsȱ ofȱ theȱ Otherȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Sermonȱ Stories (Binghamton,ȱNY:ȱStateȱUniversityȱofȱNewȱYorkȱPress,ȱ1997). Treue,ȱ“SchlechteȱundȱguteȱChristen,”ȱ107–08ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).ȱ Quiteȱaȱ“modelȱexample”ȱisȱtheȱstoryȱtoldȱbyȱ(allegedly)ȱtheȱDominicanȱRudolfȱvonȱSchlettstadt thatȱcombinesȱseveralȱantiȬJewishȱimages:ȱAfterȱseducingȱhisȱChristianȱmaidservant,ȱaȱnefarious Jewȱofferedȱtheȱfatuousȱgirlȱlotsȱofȱgoldȱforȱaȱconsecratedȱhostȱwhichȱheȱmaltreated;ȱwhenȱhis misdeedsȱwereȱuncoveredȱandȱheȱwasȱimprisoned,ȱheȱbribedȱtheȱlocalȱjudgeȱ(Schultheiß)ȱtoȱsetȱhim freeȱagain.ȱByȱdivineȱintervention,ȱtheȱtownȱwasȱdevastatedȱbyȱbiblicalȱplagues,ȱandȱonȱtheȱthird day,ȱtheȱjudgeȱwasȱstruckȱbyȱlightning;ȱseeȱJohannesȱGrabmayer,ȱ“RudolfȱvonȱSchlettstadtȱund dasȱaschkenasischeȱJudentumȱumȱ1300,”ȱAschkenas.ȱZeitschriftȱfürȱGeschichteȱundȱKulturȱderȱJuden, 4.2ȱ(1994),ȱ301–36;ȱhereȱ325–26;ȱseeȱalsoȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ84–85ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱauthorshipȱof RudolfȱvonȱSchlettstadtȱhasȱbeenȱdisprovedȱbyȱStefanȱGeorges,ȱGrafȱWilhelmȱWernerȱvonȱZimmern alsȱHistoriensammler:ȱDieȱWundergeschichtensammlungȱdesȱneuentdeckten,ȱautographenȱSigmaringer Codexȱ64.ȱMAȱthesis,ȱFreiburgȱimȱBreisgauȱ1999,ȱparticularlyȱ55–57,ȱwhoȱisȱworkingȱonȱanȱedition ofȱtheȱcodex. QuestioningȱofȱKonrad,ȱvicarȱofȱLeobendorfȱ(fifthȱwitness):ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ130, no.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

305

Theȱlatterȱtwoȱgaveȱevidenceȱofȱtheȱscholar’sȱdeathȱandȱhisȱlastȱwords21:ȱupon beingȱdraggedȱtoȱtheȱstakeȱbyȱtheȱenragedȱmasses,ȱtheȱscholarȱnotȱonlyȱclaimed thatȱ heȱ wasȱ aboutȱ toȱ dieȱ anȱ innocentȱ deathȱ butȱ alsoȱ accusedȱ Zerkelȱ ofȱ having boughtȱtheȱhostȱthreeȱyearsȱago,ȱatȱChristmas,ȱfromȱaȱChristianȱservantȱforȱthe priceȱ ofȱ threeȱ solidiȱ andȱ aȱ tunic,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ Otto’sȱ renditionȱ ofȱ theȱ scholar’s words—aȱcontradictionȱtoȱtheȱvicar’sȱtestimonyȱwhoȱspokeȱofȱtenȱpounds.ȱWhen Zerkelȱ wantedȱ toȱ getȱ ridȱ ofȱ theȱ wafer,ȱ heȱ offeredȱ aȱ Christianȱ byȱ theȱ nameȱ of Ribaldusȱ twoȱ poundsȱ ifȱ theȱ latterȱ threwȱ theȱ waferȱ intoȱ theȱ Danube;ȱ yetȱ upon seeingȱtheȱwaferȱinȱtheȱJew’sȱhands,ȱRibaldusȱexclaimedȱthatȱthisȱwasȱhisȱcreator whomȱheȱwouldȱnotȱtouchȱforȱaȱthousandȱtalentsȱ(hocȱestȱcreatorȱmeus,ȱhuncȱegoȱnon tangamȱeciamȱproȱmilleȱtalentis). Theseȱquiteȱdetailedȱversionsȱtieȱinȱinȱsomeȱpartsȱwithȱwhatȱcanȱbeȱderivedȱfrom mostȱofȱtheȱtestimoniesȱthatȱwereȱlessȱelaborate.ȱMostȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱwhoȱgave anyȱstatementȱasȱtoȱhowȱtheȱJewsȱcameȱintoȱpossessionȱofȱtheȱwafer,ȱandȱasȱtoȱhow thatȱpossessionȱwasȱdiscovered,ȱdidȱnotȱmentionȱaȱpriorȱpurchaseȱbutȱconcurred thatȱonȱtheȱfatefulȱday,ȱtheyȱhadȱseenȱZerkelȱrunȱafterȱaȱChristian,ȱaccusingȱhimȱof havingȱthrownȱtheȱhostȱintoȱhisȱhouseȱonlyȱaȱfewȱmomentsȱago.ȱTheȱJewishȱscholar wasȱ followingȱ them,ȱ carryingȱ theȱ bloodiedȱ wafer,ȱ whichȱ heȱ hadȱ presumably pickedȱ upȱ fromȱ theȱ threshold,ȱ inȱ hisȱ hands,ȱ orȱ wrappedȱ inȱ aȱ cloth,ȱ andȱ was beggingȱtheȱsurroundingȱChristiansȱtoȱtakeȱitȱfromȱhim.ȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrass andȱanotherȱwitness,ȱtheȱcarpenterȱSidlo,ȱgaveȱwhatȱtheyȱclaimedȱtoȱbeȱtheȱexact wordsȱtheȱscholarȱyelledȱatȱtheȱgapingȱbystanders:ȱ“Takeȱyourȱgod,”ȱheȱallegedly hadȱscreamed,ȱ“whomȱthatȱservantȱhasȱbroughtȱintoȱourȱhouse,ȱheȱ[theȱservant] whoȱshouldȱratherȱburnȱthanȱus.”22ȱ TheȱChristiansȱwhoȱobservedȱtheȱsceneȱhoweverȱrefusedȱtoȱtakeȱtheȱhost,ȱand whenȱ theȱ scholarȱ threwȱ itȱ toȱ theȱ ground,ȱ Zerkelȱ trodȱ onȱ itȱ repeatedly.23ȱ The

21

22

23

QuestioningȱofȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrassȱ(seventhȱwitness)ȱandȱofȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarktȱ(eigth witness):ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ132,ȱ134,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Questioningȱ ofȱ Konradȱ anȱ derȱ Hochstrassȱ (seventhȱ witness),ȱ andȱ ofȱ theȱ carpenterȱ Sidlo (fourtheenthȱwitness):ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ132,ȱ139,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). TheȱimageȱofȱJewsȱmaltreatingȱaȱhostȱwaferȱbyȱtreadingȱonȱitȱisȱaȱratherȱrareȱimage,ȱbutȱisȱvividly exemplifiedȱinȱanȱincidentȱreportedȱbyȱanȱEnglishȱDominicanȱthatȱhadȱsupposedlyȱhappened duringȱtheȱGermanȱ‘Armleder’ȱpersecutions:ȱAȱJew,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeforehandȱboughtȱaȱhostȱwafer fromȱaȱknight,ȱmockedȱtheȱworshippersȱduringȱtheȱCorpusȱChristiȱprocessionȱbyȱinsistingȱthatȱhe “keptȱChristȱunderȱhisȱfootȱinȱhisȱshoe.”ȱWhenȱheȱwasȱslainȱimmediatelyȱbyȱaȱbystandingȱknight, theȱbloodiedȱhostȱwasȱfoundȱinȱtheȱsoleȱofȱhisȱshoe,ȱleadingȱtoȱaȱwideȬrangingȱpersecutionȱofȱthe Jewsȱ“whereverȱtheyȱcouldȱbeȱfoundȱinȱtheȱarea.”ȱSeeȱforȱanȱextensiveȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱmotif, ChristophȱCluse,ȱ‘BlutȱistȱimȱSchuh.ȱEinȱExempelȱzurȱJudenverfolgungȱdesȱ“RexȱArmleder.”’ȱLiber Amicorumȱ necnonȱ etȱ amicarum.ȱ Fürȱ Alfredȱ Heit:ȱ Beiträgeȱ zurȱ mittelalterlichenȱ Geschichteȱ und geschichtlichenȱLandeskunde,ȱed.ȱFriedhelmȱBurgard,ȱChristophȱCluse,ȱandȱAlfredȱHaverkamp. TriererȱHistorischeȱForschungen,ȱ28ȱ(Trier:ȱVerlagȱTriererȱHistorischeȱForschungen,ȱ1996),ȱ371–92 (withȱanȱeditionȱofȱtheȱtext,ȱ379).ȱ

306

BirgitȱWiedl

questionȱofȱwhyȱZerkel,ȱifȱheȱhadȱacquiredȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱthreeȱyearsȱago,ȱwould haveȱ decidedȱ toȱ getȱ ridȱ ofȱ itȱ now,ȱ isȱ neverȱ asked;ȱ andȱ theȱ questionȱ why,ȱ in particular,ȱheȱwouldȱtakeȱaȱbloodiedȱhostȱheȱhadȱownedȱforȱyearsȱinȱhisȱhandsȱand runȱ throughȱ theȱ streetsȱ ofȱ Korneuburgȱ isȱ notȱ evenȱ touchedȱ upon.ȱ Theȱ detail howeverȱthatȱmostȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱagreeȱupon,ȱthatȱtheyȱwitnessedȱZerkelȱandȱthe scholarȱasȱtheyȱranȱafterȱtheȱChristianȱandȱshoutedȱthatȱheȱhadȱplantedȱtheȱwafer atȱtheirȱdoorstep,ȱsoundsȱallȱtheȱmoreȱbelievable.ȱTheȱpanickedȱJewsȱranȱthrough theȱstreetsȱofȱtheȱtownȱwithȱtheȱwaferȱinȱtheirȱhands,ȱhopingȱagainstȱallȱoddsȱthat theyȱwouldȱbeȱexculpatedȱwhenȱtheȱrealȱperpetratorȱwasȱcaught.ȱTheirȱawareness ofȱtheȱimmediateȱdangerȱwhenȱtheyȱfoundȱtheȱbloodiedȱwaferȱonȱtheirȱthreshold isȱreflectedȱinȱOtto’sȱtestimony,ȱalbeitȱwithȱaȱtwist:ȱtheȱJewsȱwere,ȱaccordingȱtoȱthe scholar’sȱlastȱwords,ȱwellȱawareȱofȱtheirȱguiltȱandȱwellȱdeservedȱtheirȱpunishment (nosȱmerimusȱillamȱpenamȱinȱDeoȱvestro). Anotherȱversionȱofȱhowȱtheȱwaferȱhadȱmadeȱitsȱpresenceȱknownȱmadeȱuseȱofȱthe alreadyȱwellȬestablishedȱtopicȱofȱheavenlyȱassistance.24ȱSifridusȱorȱSidlinus,ȱaȱbaker atȱ Korneuburg,ȱ claimedȱ inȱ hisȱ testimonyȱ thatȱ whileȱ heȱ wasȱ atȱ workȱ (inȱ actu pistandi),ȱheȱheardȱaȱvoiceȱthatȱurgedȱhimȱtoȱgoȱtoȱZerkel’sȱhouse,ȱandȱwhenȱhe hesitated,ȱheȱwasȱsuddenlyȱgraspedȱbyȱaȱforceȱthatȱallȱbutȱdraggedȱhimȱ‘underȱthe Jew’sȱdoor,’ȱsubȱportamȱiudei.25ȱUponȱarrivingȱthere,ȱheȱsawȱtheȱwaferȱlyingȱonȱthe ground,ȱ ‘sweatingȱ beautifulȱ bloodȱ andȱ blistering’ȱ (viditȱ corpusȱ Dominiȱ sudare sanguinemȱpulcherrimumȱetȱbullireȱguttatim).ȱHeȱstoodȱmesmerized,ȱbutȱwhenȱhis gazeȱdriftedȱbackȱtoȱtheȱstreetȱ(indicatingȱthatȱheȱhadȱenteredȱtheȱJew’sȱhouse?),26 theȱwaferȱsuddenlyȱappearedȱbetweenȱhisȱthumbȱandȱindexȱfinger,ȱandȱheȱputȱit downȱontoȱtheȱdoorstepȱofȱtheȱJews’ȱhouseȱwhileȱaȱsmallȱdotȱofȱbloodȱremained onȱhisȱfinger.ȱInȱtheȱmeantime,ȱtwoȱotherȱwitnessesȱhadȱgatheredȱaroundȱhim, Bertha,ȱ theȱ wifeȱ ofȱ Konradȱ Reus,ȱ andȱ anotherȱ woman,ȱ Shellerin;ȱ aȱ blatant contradictionȱtoȱseveralȱotherȱversionsȱofȱwhoȱhadȱ(allegedly)ȱbeenȱpresentȱwhen theȱwaferȱhadȱbeenȱfound.ȱItȱseemsȱthatȱaȱcrowdȱhadȱgatheredȱratherȱquickly, whichȱmightȱexplainȱsomeȱofȱtheȱinaccuracies,ȱyetȱevenȱtheȱtestimoniesȱofȱthose whoȱclaimedȱthatȱtheyȱhadȱbeenȱimmediateȱwitnessesȱareȱatȱvariance.ȱ TheȱthreeȱwitnessesȱtoȱtheȱretrievalȱthatȱwereȱnamedȱbyȱtheȱpriestȱFriedrichȱare notȱmentionedȱbyȱothers,ȱwhileȱtheseȱthree—theȱcobbler’sȱwife,ȱKonradȱanȱder Hochstrass,ȱandȱSidlo—eitherȱwereȱnotȱquestionedȱatȱallȱ(theȱcobbler’sȱwife),ȱor didȱnotȱgiveȱanyȱnames.ȱTheȱmembersȱofȱtheȱtownȱcouncil,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱinȱa meeting,ȱcameȱrunningȱtoȱtheȱJew’sȱhouseȱuponȱhearingȱtheȱturmoil,ȱwhichȱhad

24 25

26

Lotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱwithȱseveralȱexamplesȱthroughoutȱtheȱarticleȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). QuestioningȱofȱSifridus/Sidlinȱ(eleventhȱwitness):ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ137–38,ȱno.ȱ133 (seeȱnoteȱ1). Stelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg,”ȱ327ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12),ȱsuspectsȱthisȱaccordingȱtoȱSidlin’sȱwording (eoqueȱrespicienteȱperȱportamȱadȱstratamȱviditȱhostiamȱpredictamȱinȱduobusȱdigitis).

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

307

alsoȱattractedȱmanyȱothers,ȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱwhomȱremainedȱunnamedȱ(andȱunȬ interrogated).ȱFurthermore,ȱcontradictionsȱaboutȱwhoȱcouldȱprovideȱimmediate knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ eventsȱ wereȱ notȱ solved.ȱ Theȱ carpenterȱ Sidlo,ȱ whoȱ hadȱ been namedȱbyȱFriedrichȱasȱoneȱofȱtheȱeyewitnessesȱtoȱtheȱdiscovery,ȱhimselfȱdeclared thatȱheȱhadȱonlyȱleftȱhisȱhouse,ȱwhereȱheȱhadȱbeenȱatȱwork,ȱwhenȱheȱhadȱheardȱthe Jewȱ callingȱ outȱ ‘catchȱ him.’ȱ Uponȱ enteringȱ theȱ streetȱ heȱ hadȱ seenȱ threeȱ Jews runningȱalongȱtheȱstreet,ȱamongstȱthemȱtheȱscholar,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱcarryingȱaȱcloth fromȱwhichȱbloodȱwasȱdripping,ȱwhichȱheȱwipedȱonȱhisȱchest.ȱHeȱdidȱnotȱwitness, accordingȱ toȱ hisȱ ownȱ statement,ȱ theȱ actualȱ discoveryȱ (neitherȱ byȱ theȱ heavenly guidedȱbakerȱnorȱbyȱZerkel)ȱofȱtheȱwafer.27 Theȱtestimonyȱgivenȱbyȱtheȱtenthȱwitness,ȱHeinrichȱShem,ȱshedsȱyetȱanother, surprising,ȱlightȱonȱtheȱscene.ȱAlthoughȱwhenȱfacingȱtheȱcommission,ȱHeinrich emphasizedȱhisȱfirmȱbeliefȱinȱtheȱauthenticityȱofȱtheȱhostȱandȱhisȱabhorrenceȱofȱthe Jews’ȱcrime,ȱhisȱstatementȱneverthelessȱspeaksȱofȱaȱdistinctȱpersonalȱacquaintance withȱ theȱ Jews.ȱ Heȱ wasȱ inȱ Zerkel’sȱ houseȱ atȱ theȱ timeȱ theȱ hostȱ wasȱ discovered (whichȱtheȱinterrogatorsȱdidȱnotȱcommentȱon)ȱandȱheȱsawȱitȱlyingȱonȱtheȱdoorstep andȱ bubblingȱ bloodȬdropsȱ “likeȱ anȱ eggȱ thatȱ sweatsȱ whenȱ itȱ isȱ cooked.”ȱ His testimonyȱnotȱonlyȱsupportedȱtheȱJews’ȱclaimȱthatȱtheȱwaferȱhadȱbeenȱplantedȱat theirȱ doorstepȱ butȱ alsoȱ showedȱ clearlyȱ thatȱ theȱ Jewsȱ wereȱ absolutely,ȱ and immediately,ȱawareȱofȱtheȱfactȱthatȱthisȱhadȱbeenȱaȱmaliciousȱactionȱaimedȱatȱthem: oȱdomineȱHenrice,ȱZerkelȱcalledȱoutȱtoȱhim,ȱ“thisȱevilȱmanȱthrewȱtheȱbodyȱofȱyour Godȱintoȱmyȱhouseȱandȱslippedȱaway”ȱ(ecceȱquidamȱvilisȱhomoȱproiecitȱcorpusȱDei vestriȱadȱdomumȱmeamȱetȱrecessit).ȱ Uponȱseeingȱtheȱbloodiedȱwafer,ȱthough,ȱHeinrichȱimmediatelyȱblamedȱtheȱJews forȱitȱ(whichȱZerkelȱdenied),ȱyetȱheȱstillȱadmittedȱtoȱhavingȱurgedȱZerkelȱtoȱflee, but,ȱheȱadded,ȱnotȱwithoutȱtellingȱtheȱJewȱthatȱheȱwouldȱnotȱbeȱableȱtoȱescape.ȱTwo otherȱ citizens,ȱ bothȱ namedȱ Marquard,ȱ andȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ townȱ councilȱ then usheredȱZerkelȱintoȱtheȱhouseȱofȱKonradȱReusȱandȱhidȱhim,ȱtellingȱhimȱtoȱremain there.ȱYetȱwhenȱtheȱpopulaceȱreturnedȱfromȱburningȱtheȱscholar,ȱwho,ȱasȱthey claimed,ȱhadȱinȱdyingȱnamedȱZerkelȱasȱtheȱsoleȱperpetrator,ȱtheyȱbrokeȱintoȱReus’s house,ȱdraggedȱhimȱout,ȱandȱbeatȱhimȱtoȱdeath.ȱ ThenȱtheȱangryȱmassesȱproceededȱtoȱkillȱtheȱotherȱJews,ȱbothȱmenȱandȱwomen.28 TheȱsignificanceȱofȱHeinrichȱShem’sȱtestimonyȱisȱnoteworthyȱinȱmanyȱregards: severalȱofȱhisȱstatementsȱareȱblatantlyȱatȱoddsȱwithȱeachȱother,ȱandȱhisȱanswers mayȱ reflectȱ aȱ desireȱ toȱ pleaseȱ theȱ commission.ȱ Evenȱ moreȱ surprisingȱ isȱ that althoughȱtheȱMarquardusȱwhoȱwasȱinterrogatedȱasȱtheȱsixteenthȱwitnessȱcanȱquite likelyȱbeȱidentifiedȱasȱoneȱofȱtheȱtwoȱMarquards,ȱhisȱtestimonyȱisȱnevertheless

27 28

QuestioningȱofȱSidloȱ(fourtenthȱwitness):ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ139,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). QuestioningȱofȱHeinrichȱShemȱ(tenthȱwitness):ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ136,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(see noteȱ1).ȱ

308

BirgitȱWiedl

reducedȱtoȱveryȱfewȱbasicȱfacts—thatȱhe,ȱalongȱwithȱotherȱmembersȱofȱtheȱsworn councilȱalertedȱbyȱtheȱclamor,ȱarrivedȱatȱZerkel’sȱhouseȱtoȱseeȱtheȱbloodiedȱwafer atȱtheȱdoorstep,ȱwhichȱheȱfirmlyȱbelievedȱtoȱbeȱtheȱgenuineȱbodyȱofȱChrist.29ȱ Neitherȱtheȱminutesȱofȱtheȱinterrogationȱnorȱanyȱofȱtheȱlaterȱsourcesȱhintȱatȱhim andȱ hisȱ namesakeȱ beingȱ accusedȱ ofȱ helpingȱ theȱ Jew,ȱ norȱ atȱ anyȱ repercussions againstȱthemȱandȱHeinrichȱShem.ȱKonradȱReus,ȱwhoȱquiteȱlikelyȱwasȱnotȱpresent duringȱ theȱ wholeȱ incident,ȱ wasȱ notȱ consultedȱ asȱ aȱ witness,30ȱ whereasȱ hisȱ wife Bertha,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱpresentȱduringȱtheȱdiscoveryȱofȱtheȱwafer,ȱwasȱatȱnoȱpoint askedȱaboutȱZerkelȱhavingȱbeenȱbroughtȱtoȱherȱhouseȱbutȱwasȱpresentedȱwithȱthe standardȱcatalogueȱofȱquestions. WhileȱZerkelȱhidȱinȱKonradȱReus’sȱhouse,ȱtheȱhostȱworkedȱitsȱsecondȱmiracle (afterȱbleedingȱasȱaȱconsequenceȱofȱtheȱtreatmentȱitȱallegedlyȱsufferedȱfromȱthe Jews’ȱhands)ȱevenȱbeforeȱitȱwasȱtakenȱtoȱtheȱparishȱchurch.ȱTheȱscholar’sȱhand, thatȱ hadȱ heldȱ theȱ hostȱ duringȱ hisȱ panicȬinducedȱ chaseȱ throughȱ theȱ streets, remainedȱunmarredȱbyȱtheȱfire.31ȱInstalledȱthenȱatȱtheȱparishȱchurchȱbyȱtheȱpriest Friedrichȱ(whileȱtheȱJewsȱmetȱtheirȱtragicȱfate),32ȱitȱcontinuedȱtoȱworkȱallȱkindsȱof miraclesȱthatȱwereȱlistedȱinȱdetailȱbyȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱtheȱcitizensȱquestioned.33ȱThe seriesȱ ofȱ miraclesȱ theȱ hostȱ workedȱ atȱ theȱ churchȱ seemȱ toȱ haveȱ startedȱ onȱ the Sundayȱafterȱtheȱincidentsȱwithȱtheȱspontaneousȱlightingȱofȱsixȱcandles,ȱyetȱmore imposingȱmiraclesȱwereȱaboutȱtoȱstartȱanotherȱweekȱlater.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱvicar Friedrich,ȱGertrudis,ȱaȱyoungȱwomanȱofȱaboutȱ20ȱyears,ȱwasȱcuredȱofȱherȱblindness onȱMichaelmasȱ(Septemberȱ29)ȱwhenȱtheȱpieceȱofȱclothȱwasȱplacedȱoverȱherȱeyes

29

30

31

32

33

QuestioningȱofȱMarquardus,ȱmemberȱofȱtheȱtownȱcouncilȱ(sixteenthȱwitness),ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl, Regestenȱ1,ȱ140–41,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). ItȱisȱnotȱclearȱwhetherȱKonradȱReusȱisȱstillȱaliveȱatȱthisȱtime.ȱHeȱisȱmentionedȱonlyȱinȱ1293ȱand 1298ȱ(UrkundenbuchȱdesȱStiftesȱKlosterneuburgȱbisȱzumȱEndeȱdesȱvierzehntenȱJahrhunderts,ȱvol.ȱ1,ȱed. Hartmannȱ Zeibigȱ Fontesȱ Rerumȱ Austriacarumȱ Ȭȱ Österreichischeȱ Geschichtsquellen.ȱ Zweite Abtheilung:ȱDiplomataȱetȱActa,ȱXȱ[Vienna:ȱKaiserlichȬKöniglicheȱStaatsdruckerei,ȱ1857],ȱ45,ȱno. 51,ȱ59–60,ȱno.ȱ66),ȱbutȱsinceȱBerthaȱReusinȱisȱreferredȱtoȱasȱhisȱwifeȱandȱnotȱwidow,ȱitȱisȱmoreȱlikely thatȱheȱwasȱstillȱaliveȱbutȱnotȱatȱhome. QuestioningȱofȱKonradȱvonȱLeobersdorfȱ(fifthȱwitness):ȱItemȱdixitȱsibiȱconstareȱexȱaudituȱnobilium etȱclericorum,ȱquodȱsanguisȱdistillavitȱdeȱmanuȱiudeiȱtenentisȱhostiamȱinȱmanuȱetȱquodȱcrematoȱpredicto iudeo,ȱdeȱcuiusȱmanuȱdistillavitȱdictusȱsanguisȱmanusȱeademȱdictiȱiudei,ȱquaȱhostiamȱtenuerat,ȱincombusta remansit;ȱandȱofȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrassȱ(seventhȱwitness):ȱmanusȱeademȱ[theȱJewishȱscholar’s], quaȱcorpusȱDominiȱtenu[er]atȱincombustaȱremansit.ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ130ȱandȱ132,ȱno. 133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). QuestioningȱofȱHeinrichȱPlichelȱ(twelfthȱwitness):ȱuponȱarrivingȱatȱtheȱscene,ȱFriedrichȱtookȱthe waferȱ andȱ carriedȱ itȱ adȱ primumȱ locum,ȱ presumablyȱ theȱ parishȱ church.ȱ Stelzer,ȱ “Amȱ Beispiel Korneuburg,”ȱ327ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12),ȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ138,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Forȱaȱdetailedȱlistȱofȱtheȱmiracles,ȱseeȱKoller,ȱKorneuburgerȱBluthostie,ȱappendixȱAȱ(candles),ȱB (blind),ȱCȱ(possessed),ȱandȱDȱ(handicapped)ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ16),ȱand,ȱwithȱsomeȱerrors,ȱFranzȱZeissl,ȱDas ehemaligeȱAugustinerklosterȱinȱKorneuburg,ȱKorneuburgerȱKulturnachrichtenȱ27ȱ(1965,ȱspecialȱissue), 4–5.

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

309

atȱtheȱJews’ȱhouseȱ(!).ȱTwoȱotherȱwitnessesȱalsoȱreportedȱtheȱhealingȱofȱoneȱorȱtwo girlsȱwhoȱwereȱshownȱtheȱclothȱatȱtheȱJews’ȱhouseȱonȱthatȱday,ȱyetȱdeniedȱany knowledgeȱofȱtheirȱnamesȱandȱgaveȱquiteȱdifferingȱstatementsȱasȱtoȱhowȱlongȱthe girl(s)ȱhadȱbeenȱblind.ȱ Inconsistenciesȱsuchȱasȱtheseȱhamperȱanyȱdefiniteȱidentificationȱofȱtheȱ(allegedly) cured,ȱ yetȱ obviouslyȱ didȱ notȱ botherȱ theȱ commission.ȱ Evenȱ moreȱ spectacular though,ȱandȱattractingȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱsuchȱnobleȱwitnessesȱasȱOttoȱvonȱZelking andȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ familiesȱ ofȱ Maissauȱ andȱ Wallsee,ȱ wasȱ theȱ healingȱ ofȱ a fourteenȬyearȬoldȱBohemianȱgirlȱpossessedȱbyȱthreeȱdemonsȱwhoȱwasȱshownȱthe hostȱatȱtheȱaltarȱofȱtheȱchurch.ȱAccordingȱtoȱotherȱwitnesses,ȱaȱmanȱfromȱVienna andȱaȱwomanȱwhoȱwereȱshownȱtheȱclothȱatȱtheȱJews’ȱhouseȱ(whereȱtheȱclothȱseems toȱhaveȱbeenȱkept)ȱandȱthusȱfreedȱofȱtheirȱdemons.ȱWithinȱonlyȱaȱfortnight,ȱthe rumorȱofȱtheȱexistenceȱofȱaȱmiraculousȱhostȱwaferȱhadȱspread,ȱandȱotherȱmiracles ensued,ȱsuchȱasȱtheȱhealingȱofȱtheȱVienneseȱtailorsȱKonradȱandȱRamungusȱofȱStein, asȱwellȱasȱSifridusȱandȱWitigoȱofȱBruck,ȱwhoȱhadȱallȱtheirȱvisionȱreturnedȱafter eitherȱhavingȱbeenȱshownȱtheȱhostȱand/orȱtheȱcloth,ȱorȱbyȱtheȱmereȱpresenceȱofȱthe holyȱobject,ȱaroundȱSaintȱKoloman’sȱDayȱ(Octoberȱ13)ȱandȱduringȱAdvent.ȱ Theȱpowersȱofȱtheȱmiraculousȱhostȱwereȱnotȱlimitedȱtoȱrestoringȱsight,ȱhowever. Theȱ localȱ weaverȱ Pero,ȱ crippledȱ forȱ someȱ years,ȱ aȱ handicappedȱ boyȱ called ChunzelinusȱSchoderleh,ȱtheȱlocalȱinnkeeperȱTasco’sȱsonȱBruno,ȱparalysedȱsince infancyȱ andȱ onlyȱ ableȱ toȱ “crawlȱ likeȱ aȱ reptile,”ȱ theȱ Vienneseȱ womanȱ Alheit Hutterin,ȱ paralysedȱ forȱ eightȱ years,ȱ Ebermannusȱ fromȱ Klosterneuburg,ȱ withȱ a paralysedȱfoot,ȱwereȱallȱhealedȱbyȱlookingȱatȱtheȱhost,ȱorȱtheȱshrine,ȱwhileȱthe VienneseȱwomanȱGertrud,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱunableȱtoȱwalkȱforȱsixȱyears,ȱregained herȱmobilityȱwithoutȱbeingȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱtheȱhostȱatȱall.ȱThereȱisȱnoȱfurther mentionȱofȱtheȱclothȱbeingȱshownȱatȱtheȱJews’ȱhouse,ȱsuggestingȱthatȱitȱhadȱbeen incorporatedȱintoȱtheȱshrineȱthatȱhadȱobviouslyȱbeenȱerectedȱforȱtheȱhostȱinȱthe meantime. Onlyȱsomeȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱthoughȱwereȱableȱtoȱgiveȱtheseȱnames,ȱandȱeven fewerȱcouldȱincludeȱanyȱfurtherȱdetails.ȱMostȱwitnessesȱeitherȱassuredȱthatȱthey “hadȱheardȱaboutȱitȱ[theȱrespectiveȱhandicapȱand/orȱtheȱhealing]ȱforȱsure,”ȱyet againȱresortingȱtoȱquotingȱhearsay,ȱor,ȱforȱtheȱmostȱpart,ȱcitedȱtheȱhealingȱofȱblind, lame,ȱandȱparalysedȱpeopleȱwhoȱremainedȱanonymous.ȱNeitherȱtheȱcuredȱnorȱany ofȱtheȱnonȬlocalȱwitnessesȱtoȱtheȱlightingȱandȱhealingȱmiraclesȱwereȱcalledȱinȱfor interrogation,ȱwhichȱmightȱcomeȱasȱaȱsurpriseȱgivenȱhowȱcentredȱtheȱenquiryȱwas onȱtheȱquestionȱofȱtheȱauthenticityȱofȱtheȱhostȱandȱitsȱmiraculousȱwork.ȱ TheȱincidentsȱatȱKorneuburgȱfallȱintoȱtheȱcategoryȱofȱaȱspontaneousȱpersecution ofȱ Jews.34ȱ Inȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ theȱ lateȱ middleȱ ages,ȱ hostȱ waferȱ desecrationȱ and/or

34

SeeȱGraus,ȱPest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmorde,ȱ383–89ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱalthoughȱaȱdistinctȱassignationȱtoȱa specificȱtypeȱofȱpersecution/pogromȱisȱhardlyȱpossibleȱ(andȱhighlyȱquestionable)ȱforȱmanyȱcases.ȱ

310

BirgitȱWiedl

bloodȱlibelsȱservedȱasȱtheȱmostȱcommonȱreasonsȱforȱviolentȱoutbreaksȱagainstȱJews onȱ localȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ regionalȱ scales.35ȱ Inȱ theȱ Austrianȱ territories,ȱ allegedȱ host desecrationȱbecameȱtheȱmostȱcommonȱaccusationȱtoȱtriggerȱaȱpersecution,ȱwhile theȱ ritualȱ murderȱ accusation,ȱ althoughȱ notȱ unheardȱ ofȱ inȱ Austria,ȱ wasȱ more frequentlyȱmadeȱuseȱofȱinȱotherȱterritoriesȱinȱtheȱGermanȬspeakingȱrealm.36ȱThe instigatorsȱofȱtheseȱpersecutionsȱhoweverȱvary.ȱTheȱinfamousȱRintfleischȱpogroms, startingȱoffȱwithȱanȱallegedȱhostȱdesecrationȱinȱtheȱsmallȱtownȱofȱRöttingenȱand wreakingȱhavocȱonȱtheȱJewishȱcommunitiesȱmainlyȱinȱFranconiaȱinȱ1298,ȱhadȱbeen carriedȱoutȱnotȱsolely,ȱbutȱmainlyȱbyȱmembersȱofȱtheȱlowerȱclasses.37ȱ Manyȱofȱtheȱlaterȱpersecutionsȱwereȱapprovedȱof,ȱorȱevenȱincited,ȱnotȱonlyȱby localȱauthorities,ȱsuchȱasȱmunicipalitiesȱorȱtheȱlordȱofȱtheȱtown,ȱbutȱalsoȱbyȱthe rulersȱofȱtheȱrespectiveȱterritories.ȱInȱcontrastȱtoȱthis,ȱtheȱpersecutionsȱthatȱsprung upȱinȱtheȱAustrianȱregionsȱuntilȱtheȱmidȬfourteenthȱcenturyȱwereȱcarriedȱoutȱsolely byȱtheȱlocalȱpopulation,ȱtheȱsameȱpeopleȱthatȱhad,ȱinȱmostȱofȱtheȱtownsȱandȱrural areas,ȱlivedȱsideȱbyȱsideȱratherȱpeacefullyȱwithȱtheirȱJewishȱneighbors.ȱImmediate vicinityȱofȱJewsȱandȱChristiansȱwasȱinevitableȱinȱtheȱcloseȬknitȱstructuresȱofȱcities, andȱ theȱ contactsȱ andȱ relationshipsȱ wereȱ quiteȱ likelyȱ evenȱ closerȱ inȱ theȱ rural villagesȱ whereȱ aȱ smallȱ Jewishȱ population,ȱ consistingȱ ofȱ perhapsȱ oneȱ orȱ two families,ȱwouldȱneedȱtoȱinteractȱwithȱtheȱsurroundingȱChristianȱpopulationȱonȱa dailyȱ basis.38ȱ Thereȱ isȱ sufficientȱ evidenceȱ thatȱ indicatesȱ peacefulȱ neighborly

35

36

37

38

MichaelȱToch,ȱ“SpätmittelalterlicheȱRahmenbedingungenȱjüdischerȱExistenz:ȱDieȱVerfolgungen,” HofjudenȱundȱLandjuden:ȱJüdischesȱLebenȱinȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeit,ȱed.ȱSabineȱHödl,ȱPeterȱRauscher,ȱand BarbaraȱStaudingerȱ(BerlinȱandȱVienna:ȱPhilo,ȱ2004),ȱ19–64;ȱhereȱ44. StillȱbasicȱforȱtheȱGermanȬspeakingȱareaȱisȱtheȱarticleȱbyȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ548ȱ(see noteȱ17);ȱseeȱalsoȱLangmuir,ȱTowardȱaȱDefinitionȱofȱAntisemitism,ȱ120–33ȱandȱ263–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8); RainerȱErb,ȱ“ZurȱErforschungȱderȱeuropäischenȱRitualmordbeschuldigungen,”ȱDieȱLegendeȱvom Ritualmord.ȱ Zurȱ Geschichteȱ derȱ Blutbeschuldigungȱ gegenȱ Juden,ȱ ed.ȱ idem.ȱ Dokumente,ȱ Texte, Materialien,ȱZentrumȱfürȱAntisemitismusforschungȱderȱTechnischenȱUniversitätȱBerlin,ȱ6ȱ(Berlin: Metropol,ȱ1993),ȱ9–16;ȱandȱIsraelȱJacobȱYuval,ȱTwoȱNationsȱinȱYourȱWomb:ȱPerceptionsȱofȱJewsȱand ChristiansȱinȱLateȱAntiquityȱandȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱtrans.ȱfromȱtheȱHebrewȱbyȱBarbaraȱHarshavȱand JonathanȱChipmanȱ(2000;ȱBerkeley,ȱLosȱAngeles,ȱandȱLondon:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress, 2006),ȱ170–73. Lotter,ȱ “Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ 548–59ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 17),ȱ andȱ “Dieȱ Judenverfolgungȱ desȱ „König Rintfleisch”ȱinȱFrankenȱumȱ1298.ȱDieȱendgültigeȱWendeȱinȱdenȱchristlichȬjüdischenȱBeziehungen imȱdeutschenȱReichȱdesȱMittelalters,”ȱZeitschriftȱfürȱhistorischeȱForschung,ȱ4ȱ(1988),ȱ385–422;ȱGraus, Pest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmorde,ȱ290–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). ForȱtheȱduchyȱofȱAustria,ȱseeȱEvelineȱBrugger,ȱ“Neighbours,ȱBusinessȱPartners,ȱVictims:ȱJewishȬ Christianȱ interactionȱ inȱ Austrianȱ townsȱ duringȱ theȱ persecutionsȱ ofȱ theȱ fourteenthȱ century,” IntricateȱInterfaithȱNetworks:ȱQuotidianȱJewishȬChristianȱContactsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱed.ȱEphraim ShoamȬSteinerȱ (Brepols:ȱ Turnhout,ȱ 2011)ȱ [inȱ print].ȱ Seeȱ alsoȱ Jonathanȱ Elukin,ȱ Livingȱ Together —Livingȱ Apart.ȱ Rethinkingȱ JewishȬChristianȱ Relationsȱ inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ (Princeton:ȱ Princeton UniversityȱPress,ȱ2007),ȱ84–85ȱandȱtheȱdiscussionȱtheȱbookȱcaused,ȱforȱexampleȱtheȱreviewsȱby MichaelȱToch,ȱTheȱCatholicȱHistoricalȱReviewȱ95.3ȱ(2009),ȱ604–07,ȱand,ȱaimingȱatȱaȱbroaderȱaudience, Davidȱ Nirenberg,ȱ “Hope’sȱ Mistakes,”ȱ Theȱ Newȱ Republic,ȱ 13ȱ February,ȱ 2008ȱ (forȱ theȱ internet

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

311

cohabitionȱoverȱaȱlongȱtimeȱperiod,ȱyetȱtheȱincidentsȱatȱKorneuburgȱclearlyȱshow howȱ fragileȱ theȱ relationsȱ betweenȱ Jewsȱ andȱ Christiansȱ were.ȱ Givenȱ theȱ right catalyst,ȱsuchȱasȱaȱbloodstainedȱwafer,ȱonceȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱmix,ȱtheȱnormalcyȱof everydayȱrelationsȱcouldȱsuddenlyȱeruptȱintoȱviolence.39ȱ Theȱ(reȬ)killingȱofȱChristȱasȱoneȱof,ȱifȱnotȱtheȱmostȱabominableȱofȱallȱtheȱJewish crimes,ȱcouldȱbeȱexecutedȱinȱvariousȱformsȱinȱChristianȱfantasies.ȱYetȱwhereasȱthe talesȱofȱJewishȱritualȱmurder,ȱtheȱhorrendousȱbloodȱlibelȱaccusationsȱthatȱquickly spreadȱthroughoutȱtheȱAshkenazicȱregionȱinȱmidȬtwelfthȱcentury,40ȱmerelyȱplayed withȱtheȱequationȱofȱtheȱkillingȱofȱaȱChristianȱchildȱandȱtheȱdeathȱofȱChristȱhimself, theȱ hostȱ waferȱ actuallyȱ wasȱ theȱ bodyȱ ofȱ Christ.41ȱ Thisȱ wasȱ enhancedȱ byȱ the

39

40

41

version,ȱ seeȱ https://webshare.uchicago.edu/users/nirenberg/Public/hopesȬmistakes.pdf,ȱ last accessedȱonȱMarchȱ10,ȱ2012). Bale,ȱJewȱinȱtheȱMedievalȱBook,ȱ5,ȱplateȱ1ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7),ȱgivesȱtheȱexampleȱofȱanȱantiȬJewishȱillustration inȱaȱbusinessȱdocument.ȱSeeȱalsoȱJohannesȱHeil,ȱ“Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde”:ȱDieȱVorstellung vonȱjüdischerȱWeltverschwörungȱ(13.–16.ȱJahrhundert).ȱAntisemitismus:ȱGeschichteȱundȱStrukturen, 3ȱ(Essen:ȱKlartextȬVerlag,ȱ2006),ȱ60–62;ȱwithȱreferenceȱtoȱAustriaȱandȱKorneuburg,ȱseeȱBrugger, “Neighbours,ȱBusinessȱPartners,ȱVictims”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38). Forȱanȱoverviewȱofȱtheȱvastȱdiscussion,ȱseeȱCohen,ȱChristȱKillersȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱtheȱanthologyȱbyȱErb, LegendeȱvomȱRitualmordȱ(seeȱnoteȱ36);ȱRonnieȱPoȬChiaȱHsia,ȱTheȱMythȱofȱRitualȱMurder:ȱJewsȱand Magicȱ inȱ Reformationȱ Germanyȱ (Newȱ Haven,ȱ CT:ȱ Yaleȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ 1988);ȱ Gerdȱ Mentgen, “ÜberȱdenȱUrsprungȱderȱRitualmordfabel,”ȱAschkenas.ȱZeitschriftȱfürȱGeschichteȱundȱKulturȱder Juden,ȱ4ȱ(1994),ȱ1–12;ȱJeffreyȱCohen,ȱ“TheȱFlowȱofȱtheȱBloodȱinȱNorwich,”ȱSpeculum,ȱ79ȱ(2004),ȱS. 26–65;ȱJohnȱM.ȱMcCullouh,ȱ“JewishȱRitualȱMurder:ȱWilliamȱofȱNorwich,ȱThomasȱofȱMonmouth, andȱtheȱearlyȱdisseminationȱofȱtheȱmyth,”ȱSpeculum,ȱ72.2ȱ(1997),ȱ684–740;ȱhereȱ700,ȱarguesȱthatȱthe earlyȱ ritualȱ murderȱ accusationsȱ representȱ “anȱ importantȱ stageȱ inȱ theȱ increasinglyȱ negative attitudesȱofȱtheȱmajorityȱtowardȱtheȱminority”ȱinȱtheȱsenseȱthatȱtheȱmythȱaidedȱtoȱjustifyȱChristian hostilityȱbyȱestablishingȱtheȱconceptȱofȱaȱcontinuanceȱofȱJewishȱenmityȱtowardȱChristȱsinceȱtheir ‘first’ȱkillingȱofȱhim;ȱaȱdevelopmentȱthatȱwentȱhandȱinȱhandȱwithȱaȱdeclineȱinȱtheȱJews’ȱlegalȱstatus asȱwellȱasȱeconomicȱrestrictions;ȱaȱfindingȱthat,ȱhowever,ȱreflectsȱtheȱsituationȱinȱEnglandȱwhile itȱtookȱanotherȱcenturyȱforȱaȱsimilarȱdevelopmentȱtoȱtakeȱplaceȱinȱtheȱGermanȬspeakingȱterritories. Onȱtheȱ‘origin’ȱofȱtheȱconceptȱofȱJewsȱcommittingȱritualȱmurdersȱandȱtheȱdiscussionȱwhetherȱit wasȱ‘invented’ȱbyȱThomasȱofȱMonmouth,ȱor,ȱasȱsuggestedȱbyȱIsraelȱJacobȱYuval,ȱ‘imported’ȱfrom theȱcontinent,ȱ699–700,ȱandȱ731–32ȱonȱtheȱ1147ȱcaseȱofȱTheodoricȱofȱWürzburg;ȱseeȱalsoȱChazan, MedievalȱStereotypes,ȱ59–60ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6)ȱ(withȱanȱEnglishȱtranslationȱofȱtheȱchronicleȱentry);ȱOnȱthe generalȱsituationȱofȱtheȱJewsȱinȱEnglandȱatȱthisȱtime,ȱseeȱJoeȱHillaby,ȱ“JewishȱColonisationȱinȱthe TwelfthȱCentury,”ȱTheȱJewsȱinȱMedievalȱBritain:ȱHistorical,ȱLiteraryȱandȱArchaeologicalȱPerspectives, ed.ȱPatriciaȱSkinnerȱ(Woodbridge,ȱSuffolk:ȱTheȱBoydellȱPress,ȱ2003),ȱ15–40;ȱhereȱ20–25.ȱTheȱfirst bloodȱlibelȱaccusationȱinȱtheȱrealmȱofȱtheȱHolyȱRomanȱEmpireȱwasȱraisedȱinȱFuldaȱinȱ1236,ȱsee Bernhardȱ Diestelkamp,ȱ “Derȱ Vorwurfȱ desȱ Ritualmordesȱ gegenȱ Juden”ȱ Religiöseȱ Devianz. Untersuchungenȱ zuȱ sozialen,ȱ rechtlichenȱ undȱ theologischenȱ Reaktionenȱ aufȱ religiöseȱ Abweichungȱ im westlichenȱ undȱ östlichenȱ Mittelalter,ȱ ed.ȱ Dieterȱ Simon.ȱ Iusȱ Commune,ȱ Sonderhefte:ȱ Studienȱ zur EuropäischenȱRechtsgeschichte,ȱ48ȱ(Frankfurtȱa.ȱM.:ȱVittorioȱKlostermann,ȱ1990),ȱ19–40;ȱseeȱalso Langmuir’sȱdiscussionȱinȱTowardȱaȱDefinitionȱofȱAntisemitism,ȱ263–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8). Heil,ȱ“Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde,”ȱ242–43ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38).ȱInȱanȱinterestingȱandȱtellingȱtwist,ȱthe accusationȱagainstȱtheȱ JewsȱofȱtheȱcentralȱRhineȱareaȱofȱhavingȱmurderedȱtheȱboyȱWernerȱof Oberweselȱ(“GoodȱWerner”)ȱaroundȱEasterȱ1287ȱthatȱhadȱledȱtoȱtheȱworstȱpogromȱsinceȱtheȱFirst Crusadeȱinȱthisȱregionȱwasȱremodelledȱatȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury:ȱtheȱJewsȱnow

312

BirgitȱWiedl

developmentȱofȱaȱpopularȱpietyȱthatȱincreasinglyȱfocusedȱonȱobjectsȱofȱveneration andȱwasȱespeciallyȱconcernedȱwithȱtheirȱvulnerabilityȱtoȱdesecration.ȱWhenȱthe consecratedȱhostȱwasȱmutilated,ȱstabbed,ȱtornȱtoȱpieces,ȱthrownȱintoȱtheȱdirt,ȱinto aȱ lavatory,ȱ orȱ aȱ well,ȱ trampledȱ on,ȱ andȱ eventuallyȱ destroyed,ȱ thisȱ actȱ was perceivedȱasȱanȱreȬenactmentȱofȱtheȱkillingȱofȱChrist.42ȱThus,ȱonȱaȱtheologicalȱscale, hostȱwaferȱdesecrationsȱwereȱconsideredȱanȱevenȱmoreȱabhorrentȱoffenceȱthanȱany otherȱJewishȱcrime.ȱItȱwas,ȱasȱtheȱKorneuburgȱincident,ȱandȱmanyȱmoreȱtoȱfollow, wouldȱprove,ȱalsoȱtheȱleastȱlaboriousȱwayȱtoȱgenerateȱanȱoutburstȱofȱantiȬJewish violence.43 Givenȱhowȱlittleȱtimeȱhadȱpassedȱbetweenȱtheȱfirstȱaccusationȱofȱhostȱdesecration thatȱ hadȱ beenȱ raisedȱ inȱ 1290ȱ inȱ theȱ considerablyȱ farȱ awayȱ cityȱ ofȱ Paris,44ȱ itȱ is remarkableȱhowȱquicklyȱtheseȱtalesȱhadȱreachedȱtheȱsmallȱtownȱatȱtheȱutmostȱeast ofȱtheȱHolyȱRomanȱEmpire.45ȱYetȱinȱ1305,ȱtheseȱaccusationsȱwereȱalreadyȱfamiliar toȱtheȱKorneuburgȱinhabitants,ȱbothȱChristiansȱandȱJews,ȱperhapsȱbecauseȱofȱa ratherȱcloseȬbyȱincident.ȱElevenȱyearsȱearlier,ȱinȱ1294,ȱJewsȱatȱLaaȱanȱderȱThaya, aboutȱ45ȱkilometresȱnorthȱofȱKorneuburg,ȱhadȱbeenȱaccusedȱofȱhidingȱaȱhostȱinȱa stableȱandȱmanglingȱit,ȱandȱhadȱbeenȱkilled.46ȱItȱisȱthereforeȱnotȱsurprisingȱthat bothȱZerkelȱandȱtheȱscholarȱwereȱinstantlyȱawareȱwhenȱtheyȱfoundȱtheȱhostȱonȱthe doorstepȱ thatȱ theyȱ wereȱ inȱ mortalȱ danger,ȱ andȱ theyȱ wereȱ correct.ȱ Evenȱ ifȱ the legendȱofȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱdesecrationȱbyȱJewsȱhadȱfoundȱitsȱfirstȱfullȱexecutionȱonly aȱmereȱoneȱandȱaȱhalfȱdecadeȱearlier,ȱtheȱmainȱelementsȱofȱtheȱnarrativeȱhadȱlong

42

43 44

45

46

hadȱcapturedȱandȱtormentedȱWernerȱtoȱgetȱtheȱhostȱheȱhadȱreceivedȱearlierȱduringȱmass,ȱseeȱJörg R.ȱ Müller,ȱ “Erezȱ geserah—‘Landȱ ofȱ Persecution’:ȱ Pogromsȱ againstȱ theȱ Jewsȱ inȱ theȱ regnum Teutonicumȱfromȱc.ȱ1280ȱtoȱ1350,”ȱTheȱJewsȱofȱEuropeȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(TenthȱtoȱFifteenthȱCenturies, ed.ȱChristophȱCluseȱ(Turnhout:ȱBrepols,ȱ2004):ȱ245–260,ȱhereȱ249–51.ȱ Lotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17),ȱseeȱalsoȱGraus,ȱPest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmorde,ȱ290–92ȱ(see noteȱ11).ȱTheȱtaleȱofȱtheȱallegedȱhostȱdesecrationȱofȱDeggendorfȱ(1338)ȱisȱoneȱofȱtheȱfewȱexamples whereȱ theȱ hostȱ wasȱ alsoȱ chewedȱ uponȱ byȱ theȱ Jews—withȱ theȱ appearanceȱ ofȱ theȱ holyȱ child preventingȱtheȱhostȱfromȱbeingȱswallowedȱ(Berghausen,ȱ“LiedȱvonȱDeggendorf,”ȱ247ȱ[seeȱnote 10];ȱtheȱtextȱ[theȱAugsburgȱrenditionȱofȱ1520]ȱisȱeditedȱbyȱLudwigȱSteub,ȱAltbayerischeȱCulturbilder [Leipzig:ȱErnstȱKeilȱVerlag,ȱ1869],ȱpartȱII:ȱDerȱJudenmordȱzuȱDeggendorf,ȱ21–150,ȱtheȱtextȱ146–49); thatȱthisȱimageȱwasȱscarcelyȱusedȱisȱperhapsȱdueȱtoȱitsȱclosenessȱtoȱtheȱ‘appropriate’ȱChristian usage. Graus,ȱPest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmorde,ȱ290–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱ Onȱ theȱ 1290ȱ Parisȱ tellingȱ thatȱ isȱ consideredȱ byȱ manyȱ asȱ theȱ firstȱ ‘full’ȱ renditionȱ ofȱ theȱ host desecrationȱ tale,ȱ seeȱ Rubin,ȱ Gentileȱ Tales,ȱ 40–48ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3);ȱ Lotter,ȱ “Hostienfrevelvorwurf,” particularlyȱ536–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). MiriȱRubin,ȱ“DesecrationȱofȱtheȱHost:ȱtheȱBirthȱofȱanȱAccusation,”ȱChristianityȱandȱJudaism,ȱ169–85; hereȱ175–77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5);ȱJeremyȱCohen,ȱTheȱFriarsȱandȱtheȱJews.ȱTheȱEvolutionȱofȱMedievalȱAntiȬ Judaismȱ (1982;ȱ Ithaca,ȱ NY:ȱ Cornellȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ 1986);ȱ forȱ aȱ summaryȱ ofȱ later,ȱ andȱ still ongoing,ȱdiscussionsȱregardingȱtheȱroleȱofȱtheȱmendicantȱpreachers,ȱseeȱCluse,ȱ“BlutȱistȱimȱSchuh,” 371–73ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23). BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ89–90,ȱno.ȱ82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱBrugger,ȱ“VonȱderȱAnsiedlung,”ȱ211ȱ(see noteȱ12);ȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ549ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

313

existed.ȱ Theȱ mainȱ patternsȱ ofȱ theȱ legendȱ wereȱ followedȱ throughȱ fromȱ Paris onward,ȱwithȱonlyȱslightȱdeviationsȱinȱtheȱcastȱofȱtheȱdramatisȱpersonaeȱMiriȱRubin hasȱidentifiedȱasȱtheȱ‘default’ȱparticipantsȱofȱtheȱstandardȱnarrative.47ȱ HoweverȱuniqueȱtheȱsourceȱmaterialȱforȱKorneuburgȱmightȱbe,ȱtheȱnarrative resemblesȱestablishedȱpatterns.ȱZerkelȱclearlyȱservedȱasȱtheȱmainȱperpetrator,ȱthe Jewȱ(inȱmostȱcasesȱmale)ȱwhoȱgainedȱpossessionȱofȱtheȱhostȱandȱdesecratedȱit.ȱThe subjectȱofȱhisȱaccomplices,ȱtheȱquestionȱwhetherȱorȱnotȱsomeȱorȱallȱofȱtheȱother Jewsȱhadȱparticipatedȱinȱanyȱwayȱinȱtheȱpurchaseȱand/orȱdesecrationȱofȱtheȱhost, wasȱintroducedȱinȱaȱquiteȱtwistedȱwayȱatȱKorneuburg.ȱThoseȱwhoȱhadȱquiteȱlikely participatedȱinȱkillingȱtheȱJewishȱscholarȱ(withoutȱeverȱadmittingȱtoȱit)ȱwereȱthe onesȱwhoȱrepeatedȱtoȱtheȱcommissionȱwhatȱtheyȱclaimedȱtheȱscholarȱhadȱsaid:ȱthat heȱhadȱnamedȱZerkelȱasȱtheȱonlyȱperpetrator,ȱtheȱoneȱwhoȱhadȱcommittedȱthe crimeȱbyȱfirstȱbuyingȱandȱthenȱdesecratingȱtheȱhost.ȱ EvenȱthoughȱtheȱmisledȱChristianȱwhoȱsoldȱtheȱhostȱtoȱtheȱJewsȱwasȱdepictedȱas beingȱ deeplyȱ repentantȱ ofȱ hisȱ sinȱ andȱ prayingȱ forȱ forgivenessȱ (asȱ theȱ priest Friedrichȱ toldȱ theȱ commission),ȱ heȱ didȱ notȱ makeȱ anyȱ furtherȱ appearance.ȱ The unveilingȱofȱtheȱmiraculousȱhostȱhoweverȱfollowsȱalreadyȱestablishedȱpatterns. Theȱhost,ȱasȱanȱactiveȱparticipant,ȱrevealsȱitselfȱtoȱtheȱfaithful,ȱmakingȱitsȱpresence knownȱthroughȱbleeding,ȱasȱinȱKorneuburg,ȱsobbing,ȱflyingȱaway,ȱorȱturningȱinto flesh,ȱorȱevenȱappearingȱasȱaȱlittleȱchild.48ȱ Inȱsomeȱversionsȱofȱtheȱtale,ȱitȱisȱassistedȱbyȱaȱChristian—theȱbakerȱSidlinȱinȱthe Korneuburgȱrendition—whoȱrespondsȱtoȱitsȱholinessȱbyȱlettingȱhimselfȱ(or,ȱrarely, herself)ȱbeȱledȱtoȱtheȱmaltreatedȱhost.ȱTheȱ“crowdȱandȱitsȱviolence”49ȱare,ȱinȱthe depictionsȱ ofȱ theȱ ecclesiasticalȱ chronicles,ȱ theȱ righteousȱ counterpartȱ toȱ the feloniousȱJews,ȱtheȱrightfullyȱenragedȱmassesȱwhoȱnotȱonlyȱmakeȱsureȱthatȱthe abuse,ȱmockery,ȱand,ȱeventually,ȱkillingȱofȱChristȱisȱavengedȱbutȱalsoȱthatȱjustice 47

48

49

Rubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ70–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3);ȱseeȱalsoȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17),ȱand Erb,ȱ“ZurȱErforschungȱderȱeuropäischenȱRitualmordbeschuldigungen,”ȱ10ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ36),ȱonȱthe generalȱ‘skeleton’ȱofȱtheȱlegendsȱonȱhostȱdesecration. SeeȱforȱexampleȱtheȱlongȱlistȱofȱtormentsȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱhadȱtoȱendureȱinȱtheȱLiedȱvonȱDeggendorf (‘songȱofȱDeggendorf’),ȱaȱlateȱfourteenthȬcenturyȱrenditionȱofȱtheȱeventsȱduringȱandȱafterȱthe allegedȱ hostȱ desecrationȱ atȱ Deggendorfȱ inȱ 1338ȱ thatȱ triggeredȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ mostȱ wideȬranging persecutionȱofȱBavarianȱJews:ȱtheȱhostȱwasȱmaltreatedȱwithȱhammers,ȱpliers,ȱandȱanvil,ȱandȱthus, itȱstartedȱtoȱbleed;ȱitȱwasȱburntȱinȱtheȱovenȱbutȱflewȱaway;ȱitȱwasȱchewedȱupon,ȱandȱtheȱchild appeared;ȱ angels,ȱ doves,ȱ and/orȱ theȱ virginȱ appeared;ȱ itȱ startedȱ toȱ glow;ȱ and,ȱ eventually,ȱ it moaned.ȱBerghausen,ȱ“LiedȱvonȱDeggendorf,”ȱ245–46ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10),ȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ179–81 (seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱForȱtheȱrelationȱwithȱbloodȱandȱtheȱcolourȱred,ȱseeȱtheȱanthropologicalȱstudyȱby ClaudineȱFabreȬVassas,ȱTheȱSingularȱBeast.ȱJews,ȱChristians,ȱ&ȱtheȱPig.ȱTrans.ȱfromȱtheȱFrenchȱby CarolȱVolkȱ(1994;ȱNewȱYorkȱandȱChichester:ȱColumbiaȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1997),ȱ129–59ȱ(bloodȱlibel andȱhostȱdesecrationȱaccusation),ȱ211–12ȱ(Romanianȱlegendȱofȱeggs,ȱthatȱareȱcarriedȱbyȱaȱJew, turningȱredȱwhenȱheȱpassesȱthroughȱtheȱmarketȱatȱEaster). Rubin,ȱGentileȱTale,ȱ88–89ȱ(titleȱofȱherȱchapterȱonȱtheȱroleȱofȱviolenceȱwithinȱtheȱChristianȱmob)ȱ(see noteȱ3).

314

BirgitȱWiedl

isȱ served.ȱ Theȱ punishmentȱ metedȱ outȱ forȱ theȱ Jewsȱ ofȱ Korneuburg,ȱ withȱ the exceptionȱofȱZerkel,ȱfollowedȱtheȱmostȱcommonȱmeansȱofȱretribution—burningȱat theȱstake,ȱonȱaȱpyreȱpiledȱupȱwithinȱaȱveryȱshortȱtime.ȱ Theȱinterviewers,ȱgenerallyȱnotȱallȱthatȱinterestedȱinȱtheȱfateȱofȱtheȱJewsȱwhen notȱimmediatelyȱconnectedȱwithȱtheȱbleedingȱhost,ȱdidȱnotȱprobeȱanyȱfurtherȱor askȱwhoȱhadȱactuallyȱbeenȱpresentȱwhenȱtheȱJewsȱwereȱconsumedȱbyȱtheȱfire. Despiteȱtheȱ21ȱinterviewees,ȱtheȱadditionalȱnamesȱthatȱwereȱdroppedȱbyȱthese duringȱtheirȱinterrogation,ȱandȱtheȱdetailedȱknowledgeȱtheȱcommissionȱgainedȱin otherȱregards,ȱtheȱexecutingȱmassesȱremainedȱanonymousȱandȱonlyȱyearsȱlater, afterȱhavingȱlearnedȱtheȱtruth,ȱwouldȱAmbroseȱofȱHeiligenkreuz,ȱinȱhisȱtreatiseȱon theȱ miraculousȱ host,ȱ scoldȱ theȱ townspeopleȱ ofȱ Korneuburgȱ forȱ theirȱ rash, precipitant,ȱ andȱ eventuallyȱ unjustȱ actions.ȱ Inȱ theȱ Korneuburgȱ case,ȱ another memberȱhasȱtoȱbeȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱcast,ȱoneȱwhoȱisȱnotȱaltogetherȱunknownȱtoȱthe narrative:ȱtheȱpriestȱ(andȱvillageȱcommunity)ȱwhoȱprofitedȱfromȱtheȱestablishment ofȱaȱnewȱpilgrimȱsiteȱinȱtheȱtown.50 ChristianȱfantasiesȱofȱJewsȱmockingȱandȱmistreatingȱChristianȱsymbolsȱwereȱnot reducedȱ toȱ theȱ hostȱ wafer.ȱ Inȱ Oxfordȱ inȱ 1268,ȱ aȱ Jewȱ wasȱ accusedȱ ofȱ having snatchedȱaȱcrossȱandȱkickedȱitȱintoȱtheȱmud,51ȱandȱinȱViennaȱinȱ1281,ȱaȱJewȱwas stonedȱ forȱ havingȱ thrownȱ dirtȱ and/orȱ fecesȱ atȱ aȱ priestȱ carryingȱ anȱ ostensory.52 TheseȱobjectsȱwereȱalsoȱpartȱofȱtheȱantiȬJewishȱChristianȱfantasiesȱasȱwasȱtheȱidea ofȱJewsȱrituallyȱkillingȱimagesȱofȱChristȱthatȱwereȱmadeȱofȱwax.53ȱTheseȱideas,ȱthat wereȱalreadyȱestablishedȱinȱtheȱChristianȱmind,ȱeventuallyȱconvergedȱwithȱthe increasedȱ importanceȱ thatȱ wasȱ attributedȱ toȱ theȱ Eucharist,ȱ theȱ feastȱ ofȱ Corpus Christi,ȱandȱtheȱsubsequentȱincreasedȱimportanceȱofȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱ asȱ aȱritual objectȱwithȱitsȱinherentȱmiraculous,ȱalmostȱ“magical”ȱqualities.54ȱTheȱtransubstan

50

51

52

53

54

Graus,ȱPest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmorde,ȱ293:ȱ“theȱlocalȱpriestsȱwereȱbothȱinitiatorsȱandȱbeneficiaries”ȱ(see noteȱ11). ChristophȱCluse,ȱ“StoriesȱofȱBreakingȱandȱTakingȱtheȱCross:ȱAȱPossibleȱContextȱforȱtheȱOxford Incidentȱ ofȱ 1268,”ȱ Revueȱ d’Histoireȱ Ecclésiastique,ȱ 90.3–4ȱ (1995),ȱ 396–442;ȱ Heil,ȱ “Gottesfeinde”— “Menschenfeinde,”ȱ237–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38). BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ77–78,ȱno.ȱ62ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1);ȱseeȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ545 (seeȱnoteȱ17). Cluse,ȱ“BlutȱistȱimȱSchuh,”ȱ375,ȱfn.ȱ23ȱ(referringȱtoȱaȱthirteenthȬcenturyȱanonymousȱcollectionȱof preachȱinstructionsȱfromȱFranceȱthatȱcasuallyȱaddsȱtoȱtheȱcatchwordȱ“devil”ȱtheȱinformationȱthat Jewsȱ useȱ toȱ crucifyȱ waxȱ imagesȱ ofȱ Christȱ and,ȱ sometimes,ȱ children)ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 23);ȱ Heil, “Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde,”ȱ238ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38). Graus,ȱ Pest,ȱ Geissler,ȱ Judenmorde,ȱ 287ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 11);ȱ seeȱ alsoȱ theȱ storyȱ toldȱ byȱ Rudolfȱ von Schlettstadtȱ ofȱ theȱ convertedȱ Jewessȱ whoȱ listsȱ allȱ sortsȱ ofȱ magicalȱ practicesȱ herȱ motherȱ had conductedȱbyȱusingȱaȱhostȱthatȱclearlyȱreflectsȱChristian,ȱandȱnotȱJewish,ȱideasȱaboutȱmagical (mis)useȱofȱwafersȱ(Grabmayer,ȱ“RudolfȱvonȱSchlettstadt,”ȱ319ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ19]).ȱOnȱtheȱChristian (mis)useȱofȱhostȱwafersȱforȱmagicalȱpractices,ȱseeȱPeterȱBrowe,ȱ“DieȱEucharistieȱalsȱZaubermittel imȱMittelalter,”ȱArchivȱfürȱKulturgeschichte,ȱ20ȱ(1930),ȱ134–54;ȱandȱMichaelȱDavidȱBailey,ȱMagic andȱSuperstitionȱinȱEurope:ȱAȱConcizeȱHistoryȱfromȱAntiquityȱtoȱtheȱPresentȱ(Landham,ȱBoulder,ȱNew

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

315

tiation,ȱtheȱturningȱofȱtheȱbread,ȱi.e.,ȱtheȱhostȱwafer,ȱandȱtheȱwineȱintoȱtheȱactual bodyȱ andȱ bloodȱ ofȱ Christȱ duringȱ theȱ Consecrationȱ ofȱ theȱ Eucharist,ȱ hadȱ been elevatedȱtoȱaȱChurchȱdogmaȱbyȱtheȱFourthȱLateranȱCouncilȱinȱ1215,ȱwhichȱmade theȱhostȱwaferȱtheȱmostȱpowerfulȱdeviceȱofȱthemȱallȱsinceȱitȱwasȱsupposedȱtoȱbeȱa manifestationȱofȱChristȱhimself.ȱ Consideringȱ theseȱ “killingȱ ofȱ Christ”ȱ fantasiesȱ thatȱ theȱ hostȱ desecrationȱ was basedȱon,ȱitȱisȱnotȱsurprisingȱthat—evenȱifȱnotȱatȱKorneuburg—Easterȱturnedȱout toȱbeȱaȱparticularlyȱdangerousȱtimeȱforȱJews,ȱevenȱmoreȱsoȱwhenȱitȱcoincidedȱwith Passover.ȱThisȱisȱeerilyȱreflectedȱinȱmanyȱecclesiasticalȱlawȱcodesȱthatȱadviseȱJews notȱ toȱ leaveȱ theirȱ housesȱ duringȱ theȱ highȱ feastsȱ ofȱ theȱ Christians,ȱ particularly duringȱfeastsȱthatȱwereȱcelebratedȱ withȱ processionsȱsuchȱasȱthoseȱheldȱduring CorpusȱChristi.55 Shortlyȱafter,ȱorȱperhapsȱalreadyȱinȱtheȱParisȱlegend,ȱaȱsignificantȱparadigmȱshift canȱbeȱperceived.ȱTheȱperpetratorsȱofȱtheȱearlierȱtales,ȱtheȱoriginsȱofȱwhichȱcanȱbe tracedȱbackȱtoȱlateȱantiquity,56ȱcouldȱhaveȱbeenȱJews,ȱbutȱalsoȱChristiansȱwhoȱwere notȱfirmȱinȱtheirȱbelief.ȱTheȱcrucialȱelementȱwasȱthatȱheȱ(or,ȱrarely,ȱshe)ȱwasȱanȱeye witnessȱtoȱtheȱhost’sȱsanctityȱthatȱmanifestedȱitselfȱinȱitsȱmiracles,ȱfirstȱbyȱenduring theȱillȬtreatmentȱmetedȱoutȱbyȱtheȱperpetratorȱunscathed,ȱbyȱmakingȱitselfȱknown toȱtheȱpublic,ȱandȱthenȱbyȱworkingȱmiracles.ȱThisȱvisualization57ȱofȱitsȱpowerȱwas whatȱ eitherȱ promptedȱ theȱ Jewȱ toȱ subsequentlyȱ seekȱ baptismȱ orȱ theȱ doubtful Christianȱ toȱ beȱ reassuredȱ inȱ his/herȱ faith.58ȱ Thoseȱ Christiansȱ whoȱ mightȱ be waveringȱinȱtheirȱfaithȱwereȱaȱsignificantȱpartȱofȱtheȱtargetȱaudienceȱforȱtheseȱtales

55

56

57

58

York,ȱToronto,ȱandȱPlymouthȱUK:ȱRowmanȱ&ȱLittlefieldȱPublishers,ȱ2007),ȱ113–14ȱ(onȱtheȱhost desecrationȱaccusationȱagainstȱJews),ȱ124ȱ(onȱtheȱmagicalȱuseȱofȱhostsȱ byȱ Christians).ȱOnȱthe “magical”ȱpresentationȱofȱsaidȱobjectȱduringȱtheȱeucharistȱandȱtheȱfeastȱofȱCorpusȱChristi,ȱandȱthe impactȱthisȱhadȱonȱtheȱaudience’sȱideasȱofȱJewishȱhostȱdesecration,ȱseeȱMitchellȱMerback,ȱThe Thief,ȱtheȱCrossȱandȱtheȱWheel:ȱPainȱandȱtheȱSpectacleȱofȱPunishmentȱinȱMedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱEurope (Chicago:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱ193–95;ȱforȱanȱanthropologicalȱperspective,ȱsee FabreȬVassas,ȱTheȱSingularȱBeast,ȱ149–52ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ48). Seeȱ Markusȱ Wenninger,ȱ “Dasȱ gefährlicheȱ Fest.ȱ Osternȱ alsȱ zeitlicherȱ Kristallisationspunkt antijüdischenȱ Verhaltens,”ȱ Festeȱ undȱ Feiernȱ imȱ Mittelalter.ȱ Paderbornerȱ Symposiumȱ des Mediävistenverbandes,ȱed.ȱDetlefȱAltenburg,ȱJörgȱJarnut,ȱandȱHansȬHugoȱSteinhoffȱ(Sigmaringen: JanȱThorbecke,ȱ1991),ȱ323–32;ȱHeil,ȱ“Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde,”ȱ227–33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38);ȱFabreȬ Vassas,ȱTheȱSingularȱBeast,ȱ149–54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ48);ȱMüller,ȱ“LandȱofȱPersecution,”ȱ247ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41). Lotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ539–40ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17);ȱHeil,ȱ“Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde,”ȱ242 (seeȱnoteȱ38). FabreȬVassasȱ givesȱ evidenceȱ thatȱ theȱ Parisȱ incidentȱ hadȱ beenȱ turnedȱ intoȱ aȱ playȱ thatȱ was performedȱonȱaȱchariotȱduringȱprocessionsȱupȱuntilȱtheȱsixteenthȱcentury,ȱmakingȱtheȱscenes—the Jewȱtorturingȱtheȱhost,ȱtheȱlongȱstreamsȱofȱbloodȱthatȱspurtedȱfromȱit,ȱtheȱmetamorphosisȱintoȱa smallȱchild—allȱtheȱmoreȱimpressiveȱ(FabreȬVassas,ȱTheȱSingularȱBeast,ȱ152–53ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ48]). Lotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ539–43ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17);ȱforȱaȱspecificȱexample,ȱseeȱCluse,ȱ“Blutȱist imȱSchuh,”ȱ380ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23):ȱtheȱtaleȱofȱtheȱJewȱkeepingȱaȱbloodiedȱhostȱwaferȱinȱhisȱshoeȱisȱlisted amongȱotherȱstoriesȱofȱmiraculousȱhosts,ȱandȱtheȱaddedȱrubricȱsumsȱupȱtheȱmainȱmessageȱthat wasȱtoȱconveyȱwithȱtheȱtales:ȱthatȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱChristȱatȱtheȱaltarȱwasȱindeedȱpossible.ȱ

316

BirgitȱWiedl

whichȱwere,ȱatȱallȱtimes,ȱtoldȱbyȱChristiansȱforȱChristians,ȱwithȱtheȱJewsȱbeingȱthe projectionȱofȱallȱthatȱwasȱnotȱChristian.59ȱTheȱearlierȱconceptȱisȱstillȱreflectedȱinȱthe Parisȱversionȱthatȱisȱconsideredȱbyȱmanyȱscholarsȱasȱtheȱfirstȱvalidȱhostȱdesecration legend,60ȱwhereȱonlyȱtheȱJewȱwhoȱstoleȱtheȱhostȱandȱmistreatedȱitȱwasȱburntȱatȱthe stakeȱ(afterȱhavingȱbeenȱputȱonȱtrial)ȱwhileȱhisȱwifeȱandȱdaughter/childrenȱand otherȱJewsȱwereȱsoȱimpressedȱbyȱtheȱmiraclesȱthatȱtheyȱconverted.61ȱ TheȱchanceȱforȱatȱleastȱsomeȱofȱtheȱJewsȱtoȱsurviveȱandȱthusȱtoȱactuallyȱseeȱthe errorsȱofȱtheirȱwaysȱwasȱcrucial.ȱTheirȱdesireȱforȱconversion,ȱasȱtheȱresultȱofȱthe wondersȱtheyȱhadȱwitnessed,ȱservesȱasȱtheȱnarrativeȱtoolȱtoȱillustrateȱtheȱpowers ofȱtheȱhostȱwaferȱtoȱwhichȱevenȱtheȱmostȱobdurateȱgainsayers,ȱtheȱJews,ȱhadȱto yield.ȱOnlyȱthoseȱwhoȱhadȱactuallyȱperformedȱtheȱmisdeed,ȱwhoȱprolongedȱtheir crimesȱbyȱchoosingȱtoȱdisregardȱtheȱhost’sȱsalvificȱpowersȱandȱremainȱinȱtheir obduracy,ȱreceivedȱwhatȱtheyȱdeserved.ȱInȱtheȱearlyȱtales,ȱantiȬJewishȱelements appearȱlessȱfrequentlyȱthanȱtalesȱwithoutȱsuchȱelementsȱandȱtheȱfocusȱofȱtheȱstories isȱeducational:ȱtoȱconveyȱtheȱideaȱofȱtheȱtransubstantiation,ȱtheȱrealȱpresenceȱof Christȱinȱtheȱsacramentȱonȱtheȱaltar,ȱtheȱvenerationȱofȱtheȱsacramentalȱbodyȱof Christȱinȱtheȱhost.62ȱ While,ȱhowever,ȱtalesȱaboutȱChristiansȱmistreatingȱhostȱwafersȱcontinuedȱ to exist,63ȱtheȱnumberȱofȱtalesȱofȱtheȱmisuseȱofȱhostȱwafersȱwithȱJewishȱparticipation grewȱ inȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ theȱ fourteenthȱ century,ȱ developingȱ outȱ ofȱ thisȱ new Eucharisticȱ loreȱ andȱ other,ȱ olderȱ talesȱ aboutȱ Jews.64ȱ Theȱ focusȱ ofȱ theȱ stories broadenedȱfromȱshowingȱtheȱpowerȱofȱtheȱsacramentȱtoȱincludeȱtheȱmaliceȱand obduracyȱ ofȱ theȱ Jews,ȱ whoȱ hadȱ transformedȱ fromȱ beingȱ atȱ leastȱ potentially redeemableȱsubjectsȱthatȱcouldȱbeȱgatheredȱintoȱtheȱChristianȱfoldȱintoȱbeingsȱthat wereȱbeyondȱredemption,ȱevenȱifȱtheyȱwereȱgivenȱtheȱchance.65ȱ

59

60

61

62

63

64 65

Bale,ȱJewȱinȱtheȱMedievalȱBook,ȱ2ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7):ȱ“Judaismȱasȱaȱfaithȱandȱ‘Jewishness’ȱasȱaȱrepository ofȱfantasyȱprojectionsȱ[that]ȱwereȱcentralȱtoȱtheȱselfȬdefinitionȱofȱmedievalȱChristianity.” Seeȱ forȱ anȱ extensiveȱ discussionȱ ofȱ theȱ Parisȱ narrativeȱ andȱ itsȱ sourcesȱ Lotter, “Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ537–36ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17);ȱRubin,ȱ“DesecrationȱofȱtheȱHost,”ȱ169–71ȱ(seeȱnote 45).ȱ Forȱother,ȱsimilar,ȱexamplesȱfromȱEnglandȱandȱFrance,ȱseeȱCluse,ȱ“Fabulaȱineptissima,”ȱ296–97 (seeȱnoteȱ7).ȱ Miriȱ Rubin,ȱ Corpusȱ Christi.ȱ Theȱ Eucharistȱ inȱ Lateȱ Medievalȱ Cultureȱ (Cambridge:ȱ Cambridge UniversityȱPress,ȱ1991),ȱ108–29;ȱHeil,ȱ“Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde,”ȱ243ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38);ȱseeȱalso Graus,ȱPest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmord,ȱ286–88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱwithȱanȱemphasisȱofȱtheȱ“magical”ȱqualities ofȱtheȱtransubstantiation. Lotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ548ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17),ȱlistsȱ36ȱhostȱmiraclesȱinȱtheȱGermanȬspeaking areaȱinȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury.ȱ31ȱofȱtheseȱbasedȱuponȱdesecrations,ȱandȱforȱ24ȱout ofȱtheseȱ31,ȱJewsȱwereȱblamed. Rubin,ȱ“DesecrationȱofȱtheȱHost,”ȱ173ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ45).ȱ WolfgangȱTreue,ȱRitualmordȱundȱHostienschändung,ȱ(unpublishedȱMAȱthesis),ȱquotedȱafterȱCluse, “BlutȱistȱimȱSchuh,”ȱ376ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23);ȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ538ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).ȱ

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

317

ToȱavengeȱtheȱcrimeȱtheȱJews,ȱasȱanȱentity,ȱhadȱcommittedȱagainstȱtheȱhost, Christ,ȱ andȱ Christianityȱ asȱ aȱ whole,ȱ theirȱ deathȱ wasȱ theȱ onlyȱ imaginable punishment,ȱwhichȱnotȱonlyȱbecameȱanȱinevitableȱelementȱofȱtheȱnarrativeȱbutȱwas translatedȱintoȱrealityȱinȱtheȱformȱofȱpersecutionsȱofȱJewsȱthatȱwentȱfarerȱandȱfarer beyondȱtheȱlocalȱscale.ȱThereȱwasȱnoȱlongerȱanyȱspaceȱleftȱforȱrepentantȱJewsȱwho wishedȱtoȱjoinȱtheȱranksȱofȱtheȱtrueȱfaith,ȱneitherȱinȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱnarrativeȱnor inȱtheȱrealȱworld.ȱTheirȱroleȱasȱsurvivingȱwitnesses,ȱasȱlivingȱproofȱofȱtheȱsanctity ofȱ theȱ hostȱ wasȱ noȱ longerȱ required.ȱ Inȱ theȱ wordsȱ ofȱ theȱ thirdȱ witnessȱ of Korneuburg,ȱtheȱdeanȱJacob,ȱtheȱmereȱfactȱthatȱtheȱbloodiedȱhostȱhadȱbeenȱfound inȱtheir,ȱinȱJewish,ȱhands,ȱwasȱproofȱenoughȱthatȱitȱwasȱaȱgenuine,ȱmiracleȬworking host.ȱ TheȱJewsȱcould,ȱevenȱshould,ȱbeȱdisposedȱofȱafterȱtheyȱhadȱfulfilledȱtheirȱroleȱin theȱnarrative;ȱtheirȱkillingȱhadȱbecomeȱintegralȱtoȱpilgrimageȱitself.66ȱTheyȱareȱthe profaners,ȱtheȱperpetratorsȱwhoȱforceȱtheȱhostȱintoȱ(reȬ)actionȱbyȱbleeding,ȱcrying, turningȱintoȱaȱpieceȱofȱfleshȱorȱaȱchild,ȱorȱflyingȱaway,67ȱandȱareȱremovedȱfromȱthe centerȱofȱtheȱstory,ȱkilledȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱfirstȱactȱofȱtheȱnarrative.ȱZerkel,ȱthe scholar,ȱandȱtheȱotherȱeightȱ(orȱnine)ȱJewsȱatȱKorneuburgȱareȱhardlyȱevenȱgiven aȱchanceȱtoȱwitnessȱtheȱhost’sȱpowerȱandȱholiness.ȱWeȱdoȱnotȱknowȱexactlyȱhow muchȱ timeȱ hadȱ elapsedȱ betweenȱ theȱ momentȱ theȱ hostȱ wasȱ foundȱ onȱ Zerkel’s doorstepȱandȱtheȱdeathȱofȱtheȱJews,ȱbutȱapartȱfromȱitsȱindestructibility,ȱtheyȱdoȱnot getȱtoȱseeȱtheȱmiraclesȱitȱworks,ȱthusȱtheyȱhaveȱnoȱreasonȱtoȱconvert.ȱ WasȱthereȱanyȱroomȱforȱdoubtȱatȱallȱinȱtheȱmindsȱofȱtheȱChristians,ȱtoȱquestion thisȱseeminglyȱfixedȱroleȱofȱtheȱJews?ȱAmbroseȱofȱHeiligenkreuz,ȱtheȱoneȱwhoȱis mostȱ immediatelyȱ concernedȱ withȱ theȱ aftermathȱ ofȱ theȱ Korneuburgȱ murders seemsȱ toȱ beȱ theȱ mostȱ doubtful.68ȱ Inȱ hisȱ treatiseȱ onȱ theȱ miraculousȱ host,69ȱ he elaboratedȱonȱtheȱsomewhatȱdifficultȱandȱtryingȱcircumstancesȱunderȱwhichȱhe hadȱ toȱ carryȱ outȱ theȱ investigation.ȱ Notȱ onlyȱ theȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ commission seemedȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱatȱvarianceȱwithȱeachȱother,ȱdisputingȱoverȱtheȱcatalogueȱof questionsȱtoȱpresentȱtoȱtheȱwitnessesȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱdefiningȱfeaturesȱofȱmiracles,

66 67

68

69

Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱtheȱCrossȱandȱtheȱWheelȱ,ȱ190ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ54). FabreȬVassas,ȱTheȱSingularȱBeast,ȱ151–52ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ48).ȱSeeȱforȱaȱvarietyȱofȱpotentialȱ‘revealingȱacts’ Heil,ȱ“Gottesfeinde”—“Menschenfeinde,”ȱ244ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ38). Aboutȱ100ȱyearsȱlater,ȱJanȱHusȱ(thenȱstillȱofficiallyȱorthodox),ȱinȱhisȱtreatiseȱDeȱSanguineȱChristi (1404),ȱ wouldȱ condemnȱ allȱ bleedingȱ hostsȱ asȱ fabricationsȱ ofȱ greedyȱ priestsȱ (Františekȱ Graus, “FälschungenȱimȱGewandȱderȱFrömmigkeit,”ȱFälschungenȱimȱMittelalterȱ5,ȱ261–82;ȱhereȱ269–70,ȱfn. 38ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ17]). LibraryȱofȱtheȱMonasteryȱofȱKlosterneuburg,ȱCodexȱ825,ȱfol.ȱ1v.–15v.ȱForȱtheȱrelevantȱparagraphs, seeȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ144–46,ȱno.ȱ135ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱtreatiseȱwasȱwrittenȱaboutȱa yearȱafterȱtheȱincidents,ȱwhileȱtheȱprologueȱwasȱaddedȱaroundȱ1312,ȱseeȱStelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispiel Korneuburg,”ȱ332–33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12).ȱ

318

BirgitȱWiedl

butȱtheȱcitizensȱofȱKorneuburgȱprotestedȱvehementlyȱagainstȱtheȱcontinuingȱwork ofȱtheȱcommission.ȱ Suspectingȱthatȱtheȱcommissionȱwouldȱforestall,ȱorȱatȱleastȱdefer,ȱtheȱapproval ofȱ theirȱ miracleȬworkingȱ host,ȱ anȱ angryȱ throngȱ gatheredȱ inȱ frontȱ ofȱ theȱ house whereȱtheȱinterrogationsȱtookȱplaceȱandȱtriedȱtoȱbarȱtheȱwitnessesȱfromȱentering. TheirȱwrathȱwasȱprimarilyȱdirectedȱagainstȱAmbroseȱandȱDukeȱRudolfȱIIIȱwhom theyȱ accusedȱ ofȱ takingȱ “theȱ sideȱ ofȱ theȱ Jews”—anȱ interestingȱ argument, consideringȱthatȱtheȱmainȱpurposeȱofȱtheȱcommissionȱwasȱtoȱfindȱoutȱwhetherȱthe hostȱhadȱbeenȱconsecratedȱandȱtheȱmiraclesȱgenuine,ȱsoȱthereȱwasȱnoȱ“sideȱofȱthe Jews”ȱ(whoȱhadȱbeenȱdeadȱforȱtwoȱandȱaȱhalfȱmonthsȱatȱthisȱtime)ȱAmbroseȱand Rudolfȱcouldȱhaveȱpossiblyȱtaken.ȱDidȱtheyȱreferȱtoȱanyȱpotentialȱdoubtsȱregarding theȱguiltȱofȱtheȱJewsȱandȱtheȱlegitimacyȱofȱtheȱdeathsȱtheȱdukeȱandȱtheȱmonkȱmight haveȱharboredȱor,ȱifȱAmbroseȱrenderedȱitȱcorrectlyȱtoȱbeginȱwith,ȱwasȱitȱaȱsimple imageȱmeantȱtoȱcontrastȱthem,ȱtheȱtownspeople,ȱwithȱthoseȱwhoȱwereȱnotȱpartȱof theirȱcommunity? Asȱ withȱ theȱ commission,ȱ theȱ focusȱ ofȱ Ambrose’sȱ treatiseȱ layȱ mainlyȱ onȱ the questionȱofȱtheȱauthenticityȱofȱtheȱhost.ȱTellingly,ȱasȱWinfriedȱStelzerȱhasȱpointed out,ȱAmbroseȱmostlyȱusedȱtheȱwordȱforȱtheȱnonȬconsecratedȱwaferȱ(oblata)ȱinstead ofȱ theȱ consecratedȱ hostȱ (hostia),ȱ orȱ labelledȱ itȱ hostiaȱ mirificataȱ insteadȱ ofȱ hostia mirifica,70ȱyetȱheȱdidȱnotȱcomeȱtoȱaȱfinalȱconclusionȱregardingȱitsȱpowerȱtoȱwork miracles.ȱOnlyȱinȱanȱaddentumȱheȱrevokedȱtheȱadviceȱheȱhadȱgivenȱtheȱBishopȱof Passauȱtoȱcontactȱtheȱpopeȱinȱtheȱquestionȱofȱhowȱtoȱhandleȱtheȱvenerationȱofȱa potentiallyȱnonȬconsecratedȱhost.ȱUponȱreadingȱofȱotherȱhostȱmiracles,ȱheȱwasȱnow convincedȱ thatȱ theȱ miraclesȱ aloneȱ thatȱ theȱ hostȱ hadȱ workedȱ wereȱ sufficient evidenceȱtoȱwarrantȱitsȱveneration.71ȱ Theȱsameȱvaguenessȱwasȱappliedȱtoȱtheȱquestionȱthatȱisȱcentralȱforȱtheȱtopicȱat hand—whetherȱtheȱJewsȱhadȱbeenȱrightlyȱpunishedȱforȱtheirȱcrime,ȱwhetherȱthe legitimacyȱofȱtheȱprocedureȱwasȱquestionable,ȱorȱwhetherȱtheyȱhadȱactuallyȱbeen wrongfullyȱ killed.ȱ Whileȱ Ambroseȱ shiedȱ awayȱ fromȱ makingȱ anȱ irrevocable judgment,ȱheȱconcludedȱthatȱtheȱkilling,ȱorȱevenȱtheȱpunishmentȱofȱtheȱJews,ȱdid notȱ seemȱ justifiedȱ toȱ him.ȱ Heȱ arguesȱ thatȱ theȱ citizensȱ hadȱ actedȱ precipitately, withoutȱ closelyȱ scrutinizingȱ whatȱ hadȱ reallyȱ happened.ȱ Hisȱ treatiseȱ notȱ only reflectsȱtheȱideaȱofȱChristianȱmercy,ȱbutȱheȱalsoȱblamesȱtheȱcitizensȱforȱnotȱallowing theȱhostȱtoȱworkȱitsȱsalvificȱpurposeȱofȱshowingȱtheȱJewsȱtheȱerrorȱofȱtheirȱways. Ambroseȱisȱperhapsȱtheȱoneȱwhoȱreportsȱanother,ȱotherwiseȱunknown,ȱaccusation ofȱhostȱdesecrationȱagainstȱtheȱJewsȱofȱViennaȱthatȱgivesȱinterestingȱinsightȱintoȱthe roleȱ ofȱ theȱ secondȱ targetȱ ofȱ civicȱ critique:ȱ Dukeȱ Rudolfȱ III.72ȱ Interestingly,ȱ in

70 71 72

Stelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg,”ȱ336ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12). Stelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg,”ȱ341ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12). BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ156–57,ȱno.ȱ147ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱOnȱtheȱquestionȱofȱauthorship,ȱsee

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

319

retellingȱtheȱevents,ȱtheȱauthorȱleavesȱnoȱdoubtȱaboutȱtheȱquestionȱofȱtheȱJews’ innocence.ȱAȱpeasantȱhadȱstolenȱaȱhostȱandȱthrownȱitȱintoȱaȱjugȱthatȱstoodȱcloseȱto aȱVienneseȱJew’sȱhouse.ȱWhenȱtheȱhostȱmiraculouslyȱstartedȱtoȱwhimperȱfrom withinȱitsȱprison,ȱpeopleȱwereȱsoonȱgatheredȱaroundȱtheȱjugȱ(theȱsourceȱspeaksȱof 100,000ȱpersons,ȱwhichȱisȱobviouslyȱaȱstereotypicalȱexaggeration)ȱandȱveryȱquickly identifiedȱtheȱJewsȱ(whoȱhadn’tȱevenȱappearedȱinȱpersonȱyet)ȱasȱtheȱculpritsȱwho hadȱtoȱbeȱpunishedȱforȱtheirȱ(intended)ȱcrime.ȱOnlyȱtheȱimmediateȱpresenceȱof DukeȱRudolfȱIII,ȱwhoȱwithȱpersonalȱeffortȱplacatedȱtheȱenragedȱmasses,ȱsavedȱthe livesȱ ofȱ ‘hisȱ belovedȱ Jews’ȱ (suosȱ judeosȱ karissimos),ȱ causingȱ theȱ authorȱ toȱ addȱ a scathingȱremarkȱonȱRudolf’sȱpreferentialȱtreatmentȱofȱtheȱJews,ȱfromȱwhoseȱusury heȱprofitedȱandȱasȱwhoseȱprotectorȱandȱbenefactorȱheȱappearedȱ(defensorȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱet fautorȱeorum).ȱ Theȱfocusȱofȱtheȱauthor’sȱcritiqueȱisȱclearlyȱtheȱduke.ȱInȱadditionȱtoȱprofiting fromȱ theȱ Jews’ȱ propertyȱ andȱ usuryȱ (participareȱ lucrisȱ etȱ usurisȱ eorum),ȱ Rudolf demandsȱheavyȱtaxesȱandȱduesȱfromȱthemȱ(tollendoȱexaccionesȱetȱmuneraȱmaximaȱab eis).ȱNotȱonlyȱdoesȱthisȱnarrativeȱgiveȱanȱinterestingȱintrospectionȱintoȱtheȱquite popularȱandȱwidespreadȱallusionȱofȱrulersȱbeingȱbribedȱbyȱJewishȱmoneyȱinȱreturn forȱprotection,73ȱbutȱitȱclearlyȱconveysȱanotherȱmessageȱtoo.ȱForȱtheȱpopulation,ȱthe combinedȱpresenceȱofȱJews,ȱevenȱifȱtheyȱwereȱnotȱphysicallyȱpresent,ȱandȱaȱhost waferȱcouldȱonlyȱmeanȱoneȱthing—thatȱtheȱJewsȱwereȱaboutȱtoȱcommit,ȱorȱhad alreadyȱcommitted,ȱaȱcrime. Theseȱharshȱwords,ȱifȱnotedȱdownȱbyȱAmbroseȱorȱcopiedȱlater,ȱwereȱnotȱtheȱfirst directedȱatȱDukeȱRudolfȱIIIȱandȱhisȱpreferentialȱtreatmentȱofȱtheȱJews.ȱSinceȱthe Jewsȱwereȱhisȱdirectȱsubjectsȱandȱthusȱbelongedȱtoȱhisȱimmediateȱtreasure,ȱany attackȱonȱthemȱheȱconsideredȱanȱattackȱonȱhimself.74ȱAtȱKorneuburg,ȱheȱmerely supportedȱtheȱinvestigation,ȱpushingȱ(inȱcontrastȱtoȱtheȱcitizens’ȱaccusations)ȱfor aȱquickȱresultȱandȱevenȱsentȱtheȱwitnessesȱhomeȱwhenȱtheyȱangeredȱhimȱwithȱtheir protesting.ȱAȱyearȱlater,ȱwhenȱaȱsimilarȱaccusationȱofȱJewishȱhostȱdesecrationȱwas raisedȱatȱSt.ȱPölten,ȱaȱtownȱthatȱbelongedȱtoȱtheȱbishopȱofȱPassau,75ȱheȱcameȱdown

73

74

75

Stelzer,ȱ “Amȱ Beispielȱ Korneuburg,”ȱ 329ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 12),ȱ whoȱ arguesȱ quiteȱ succinctlyȱ thatȱ the incidentȱhadȱnotȱbeenȱnotedȱdownȱbyȱAmbroseȱbutȱhadȱmerelyȱbeenȱcopiedȱintoȱtheȱmanuscript asȱaȱfurtherȱexampleȱofȱaȱhostȬrelatedȱmiracle. TheȱallegationȱthatȱrulersȱwouldȱprofitȱfinanciallyȱfromȱpreventingȱtheȱpersecutionȱofȱJews,ȱbeȱit throughȱtaxingȱtheȱJewsȱorȱbecauseȱofȱhavingȱbeenȱbribedȱbyȱthem,ȱisȱquiteȱaȱcommonplaceȱin ecclesiasticalȱchronicles,ȱseeȱtheȱexamplesȱquotedȱbyȱTreue,ȱ“SchlechteȱundȱguteȱChristen,”ȱ110–12 (seeȱnoteȱ17),ȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ549ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17),ȱfurtherȱJohannesȱGrabmayer, ZwischenȱDiesseitsȱundȱJenseits.ȱOberrheinischeȱChronikenȱalsȱQuellenȱzurȱKulturgeschichteȱdesȱspäten Mittelaltersȱ(Cologne,ȱWeimar,ȱandȱVienna:ȱBöhlau,ȱ1999),ȱ28–29,ȱ242–43,ȱ275. ForȱanȱoverviewȱofȱtheȱlegalȱstandingȱofȱtheȱAustrianȱJewryȱwithȱregardȱtoȱtheȱAustrianȱduke,ȱsee Brugger,ȱ“VonȱderȱAnsiedlung,”ȱ134–51ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12).ȱ TheȱbishopȱofȱPassauȱwasȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱoverlordȱoverȱtheȱduchyȱofȱAustriaȱthatȱlayȱwithinȱthe dioceseȱofȱPassau,ȱyetȱasȱfarȱasȱtheȱtownȱofȱSt.ȱPöltenȱherselfȱisȱconcerned,ȱtheȱbishopȱwasȱalsoȱthe

320

BirgitȱWiedl

heavilyȱonȱtheȱcitizens,ȱfiningȱthemȱwithȱ3500ȱpoundsȱforȱtheȱcrimeȱofȱkillingȱhis Jews.76ȱ Inȱ theȱ sameȱ year,ȱ heȱ successfullyȱ quelledȱ aȱ persecutionȱ ofȱ theȱ Jewsȱ of Viennaȱafterȱanotherȱaccusationȱofȱaȱhostȱdesecrationȱhadȱbeenȱraisedȱthereȱ(see below).ȱ AnotherȱcrucialȱdetailȱisȱrevealedȱinȱAmbrose’sȱtreatise.ȱPriorȱtoȱtheȱextensive investigationȱledȱbyȱAmbrose,ȱanotherȱinquiryȱofȱtheȱwholeȱincidentȱhadȱbeen carriedȱ outȱ byȱ Bishopȱ Rudger,ȱ theȱ abbotȱ ofȱ theȱ Scottishȱ abbeyȱ inȱ Vienna (Schottenstift),ȱ andȱ theȱ provostȱ ofȱ theȱ monasteryȱ ofȱ Klosterneuburg. Unfortunately,ȱitȱisȱnotȱpossibleȱwithȱabsoluteȱcertaintyȱtoȱplaceȱtheȱtwoȱinquiries inȱchronologicalȱorder.ȱAmbroseȱlabelledȱtheȱoneȱthatȱwasȱheldȱuponȱtheȱduke’s instigationȱasȱtheȱ“firstȱinterrogationȱofȱwitnesses,”ȱbutȱbasedȱhisȱargumentsȱon factsȱthatȱheȱlearnedȱlater. Duringȱthisȱinvestigation,ȱwhichȱhadȱbeenȱcommissionedȱbyȱDukeȱRudolfȱIII, Zerkel’sȱimmediateȱneighborsȱhadȱbeenȱinterrogated,ȱandȱtheirȱtestimoniesȱare moreȱconsistentȱ(albeitȱonlyȱrenderedȱinȱAmbrose’sȱratherȱshortȱsummary)ȱthan theȱlater,ȱcontradictoryȱstatements.77ȱAroundȱtheȱfirstȱhourȱofȱtheȱdayȱinȱquestion, threeȱJewsȱdashedȱoutȱofȱZerkel’sȱhouse,ȱscreamingȱandȱrunningȱafterȱaȱChristian whomȱtheyȱaccusedȱofȱhavingȱthrownȱaȱhostȱwaferȱintoȱtheirȱhouse.ȱTheyȱbegged theȱ bystandersȱ toȱ aidȱ themȱ inȱ catchingȱ theȱ culprit,ȱ who,ȱ theyȱ shouted,ȱ should ratherȱburnȱthanȱthemȱ(meliusȱessetȱquodȱipseȱcombureturȱquamȱnos).ȱSinceȱtheyȱwere notȱableȱtoȱcatchȱhim,ȱtheȱJewsȱreturnedȱtoȱtheirȱhouseȱwhereȱtheȱChristians,ȱwho inȱtheȱmeantimeȱhadȱgatheredȱthere,ȱsawȱpartȱofȱaȱbloodiedȱhost,ȱcoveredȱbyȱa pieceȱofȱcloth,ȱinȱtheȱhandȱofȱoneȱofȱtheȱJews.ȱInȱtheseȱtestimonies,ȱstrippedȱofȱall allusionsȱ toȱ aȱ priorȱ purchase,ȱ failedȱ attemptsȱ toȱ disposeȱ ofȱ theȱ wafer,ȱ andȱ of heavenlyȱ voicesȱ andȱ guidedȱ feet,ȱ weȱ canȱ mostȱ likelyȱ recognizeȱ theȱ bareȱ facts aroundȱwhichȱtheȱtaleȱwasȱlaterȱwoven.ȱTheȱbasics—theȱdoorstepȱofȱtheȱJews’ house,ȱtheȱJewsȱrunningȱthroughȱtheȱtown,ȱtheȱaccusationsȱtowardsȱtheȱChristian, theȱgatheringȱmassesȱwhoȱdiscoverȱtheȱbloodstainedȱwafer—remainedȱtheȱsame, yetȱinȱtheȱextensiveȱinvestigationȱtheseȱfactsȱwereȱpresentedȱwithȱaȱplethoraȱof additionalȱ detailsȱ thatȱ emphasizedȱ theȱ miracleȬworkingȱ characterȱ ofȱ theȱ host. Theseȱdetailsȱcompletelyȱalteredȱtheȱinitialȱsituationȱbyȱintroducingȱtheȱpostulate thatȱtheȱJewsȱhadȱalreadyȱbeenȱinȱpossessionȱofȱtheȱwafer—meaning,ȱhadȱalready executedȱtheirȱvileȱplans—longȱbeforeȱtheȱChristiansȱhadȱcomeȱtoȱknowȱofȱit.ȱ Theȱ pieceȱ ofȱ informationȱ Ambroseȱ putȱ beforeȱ hisȱ briefȱ renditionȱ ofȱ theȱ first inquiryȱisȱcentral,ȱandȱmightȱhaveȱmotivatedȱhimȱtoȱreȬwriteȱseveralȱpassagesȱof

76 77

secularȱlordȱofȱtheȱtown.ȱThisȱwasȱnotȱanȱunusualȱsituationȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges;ȱseeȱNormanȱRoth, “BishopsȱandȱJewsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱTheȱCatholicȱHistoricalȱReviewȱ80ȱ(1994):ȱ1–17. BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ154–55,ȱno.ȱ145ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Ambroseȱdoesȱnotȱgiveȱtheirȱnamesȱand,ȱalthoughȱitȱisȱhighlyȱlikelyȱthatȱtheyȱhadȱbeenȱquestioned duringȱtheȱsecondȱinterrogationȱasȱwell,ȱitȱisȱimpossibleȱtoȱpositivelyȱidentifyȱthem.

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

321

hisȱtreatise.78ȱTheȱbishopȱofȱPassau,ȱWernhardȱofȱPrambach,ȱhadȱinformedȱhimȱthat aȱpriestȱhadȱconfessedȱthatȱheȱhadȱinstigatedȱtheȱwholeȱincidentȱatȱKorneuburg.79 Byȱtakingȱaȱsimpleȱoblate,ȱdippingȱitȱintoȱgoat’sȱbloodȱandȱdepositingȱitȱinȱfrontȱof theȱ Jew’sȱ houseȱ toȱ setȱ upȱ aȱ reasonȱ forȱ theȱ defamationȱ (quodȱ accepissetȱ oblatam simplicemȱetȱintinxitȱsanguineȱhyrcinoȱetȱimmisitȱcausamȱcalu[m]pnieȱadȱdomumȱiudei), heȱhadȱcreatedȱtheȱprerequisiteȱofȱnotȱonlyȱtheȱpersecutionȱofȱtheȱJewsȱbutȱalsoȱof whatȱhad,ȱpresumably,ȱbeenȱhisȱgoal—toȱestablishȱaȱpilgrimageȱsite.ȱ Togetherȱ withȱ fourȱ accomplicesȱ (consociis),ȱ heȱ wasȱ willingȱ toȱ attestȱ toȱ this. Althoughȱthisȱcriticalȱpieceȱofȱinformationȱisȱputȱrightȱbeforeȱtheȱsummaryȱofȱthe firstȱinvestigation,ȱitȱisȱdoubtfulȱthatȱeitherȱAmbrose,ȱtheȱVienneseȱAbbot,ȱorȱany ofȱ theȱ otherȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ commissionsȱ hadȱ anyȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ thisȱ priorȱ to conductingȱtheȱinquiries.ȱInȱneitherȱofȱtheȱtwoȱinvestigations,ȱregardlessȱofȱwhich cameȱfirst,ȱwasȱthereȱanyȱmentionȱofȱaȱfraudulentȱpriest,ȱevenȱifȱtheȱpossibilityȱthat theȱJewsȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱframedȱwasȱveryȱtentativelyȱhintedȱat.ȱ Theȱrealȱperpetratorsȱcanȱthereforeȱbeȱidentifiedȱasȱfollows:ȱaȱpriestȱandȱfour accomplicesȱ whoȱ obviouslyȱ wereȱ inȱ cahootsȱ inȱ theȱ scheme.ȱ Noȱ namesȱ are mentioned,ȱbutȱdoesȱitȱseemȱtooȱspeculativeȱaȱguessȱtoȱsuspectȱKonrad,ȱtheȱvicar ofȱ Leobersdorf,ȱ asȱ theȱ mainȱ culprit?ȱ Inȱ hisȱ testimonyȱ beforeȱ theȱ commission, Konradȱspeaksȱofȱaȱ‘repentantȱChristian’ȱwhomȱheȱhadȱallegedlyȱshriven,ȱandȱwho hadȱconfessedȱtoȱhavingȱsoldȱtheȱwaferȱtoȱtheȱJews,ȱwhichȱhadȱ(further)ȱsealedȱthe beliefȱ inȱ theȱ Jews’ȱ guilt.ȱ Inȱ theȱ lightȱ ofȱ theȱ laterȱ findings,ȱ itȱ isȱ clearȱ thatȱ his statementȱhadȱtoȱbeȱaȱblatantȱlie.ȱ Theȱfactȱthatȱaȱhostȱhadȱindeedȱbeenȱplantedȱnotȱonlyȱlendsȱcredibilityȱtoȱsome ofȱ theȱ testimonies—peopleȱ hadȱ actuallyȱ seenȱ Zerkelȱ andȱ theȱ scholarȱ running throughȱtheȱtownȱwithȱaȱbloodstainedȱhostȱinȱtheirȱhands—butȱitȱalsoȱsubstantiates theȱstatementȱofȱtheȱterrifiedȱJewsȱthatȱ‘anȱevilȱChristian’ȱhadȱthrownȱtheȱwafer ontoȱtheirȱdoorstep.ȱItȱis,ȱhowever,ȱunlikelyȱthatȱtheȱJewsȱwereȱtheȱ fraudulent priest’sȱprimaryȱtarget.ȱAlreadyȱtheȱfirstȱallegedȱhostȱwaferȱdesecrationȱinȱwhatȱis todayȱAustrianȱterritory,ȱtheȱeventsȱinȱLaaȱanȱderȱThayaȱinȱ1294,ȱhadȱresultedȱnot

78

79

Stelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg,”ȱ338–39ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12),ȱarguesȱthatȱtheȱfirstȱrenditionȱofȱthe treatiseȱwasȱwrittenȱinȱlateȱ1306ȱwhileȱtheȱadditionsȱwereȱworkedȱintoȱitȱaroundȱ1311,ȱwithȱthe prologueȱbeingȱtheȱlastȱpieceȱaddedȱinȱ1312. Theȱforgingȱofȱ“miracleȬworking”ȱhostȱwafersȱwasȱnotȱuncommon;ȱtheȱpapalȱletterȱtoȱbishop Albrechtȱ IIȱ ofȱ Passauȱ speaksȱ ofȱ ‘incidentsȱ similarȱ toȱ Korneuburg’ȱ thatȱ hadȱ takenȱ placeȱ at Weikersdorf,ȱwhileȱhisȱletterȱtoȱDukeȱAlbrechtȱIIȱofȱAustriaȱmentionsȱLinzȱ(BruggerȱandȱWiedl, Regestenȱ1,ȱ339–40,ȱnos.ȱ442ȱandȱ443ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ1]),ȱyetȱforȱneitherȱofȱtheseȱtwoȱtowns,ȱisȱthereȱany furtherȱdocumentationȱofȱaȱhostȱdesecrationȱandȱanȱensuingȱpogrom.ȱSeeȱforȱGermanȱexamples Lotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ574–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17)ȱ(withȱKorneuburgȱasȱtheȱmainȱexample); Graus,ȱ“FälschungenȱimȱGewandȱderȱFrömmigkeit,”ȱ268–70ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ68),ȱagainȱwithȱKorneuburg (whichȱheȱmistakesȱforȱPulkau)ȱandȱtheȱforgedȱhostȱwaferȱofȱWilsnackȱ(thatȱdoesȱnotȱinclude accusationsȱagainstȱJews).ȱ

322

BirgitȱWiedl

onlyȱ inȱ theȱ Jewsȱ beingȱ persecutedȱ butȱ alsoȱ aȱ chapelȱ beingȱ erectedȱ onȱ theȱ spot whereȱtheȱ‘bodyȱofȱtheȱLord’ȱhadȱbeenȱfound.80ȱ Aȱmiraculousȱhostȱprovidedȱ theȱparishȱwhereȱitȱwasȱkeptȱwithȱprestigeȱand posedȱaȱstrongȱattractionȱforȱpilgrims.ȱItȱisȱthereforeȱquiteȱlogicalȱtoȱassumeȱthat itȱwasȱtheȱpriest’sȱmainȱgoalȱtoȱestablishȱaȱpilgrimageȱsiteȱthatȱwouldȱincreaseȱboth theȱreputationȱandȱtheȱrevenuesȱofȱtheȱparish.ȱToȱachieveȱthisȱgoalȱitȱwouldȱnot haveȱbeenȱenoughȱmerelyȱtoȱlaunchȱaȱstoryȱaboutȱaȱmiraculousȱhost;ȱheȱneededȱthe waferȱitselfȱasȱaȱtangibleȱelement.ȱInȱputtingȱallȱtheȱkeyȱelementsȱtogether—aȱhost wafer,ȱblood,ȱandȱJews—theȱfraudulentȱpriestȱprovidedȱaȱscenarioȱthatȱallowed Christiansȱtoȱindulgeȱfullyȱtheirȱfantasiesȱaboutȱtheȱmistreatmentȱandȱmurderȱof ChristȱbyȱtheȱJews.ȱ TheȱkillingȱofȱtheȱJewsȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱspurȬofȬtheȬmomentȱaction,ȱignitedȱby ubiquitousȱ antiȬJewishȱ sentimentȱ andȱ theȱ desireȱ forȱ revenge,ȱ yetȱ whenȱ they accusedȱAmbroseȱandȱRudolfȱIIIȱofȱhamperingȱtheȱinvestigation,ȱtheyȱseemedȱto haveȱbeenȱawareȱofȱtheȱmaterialȱbenefitsȱtheyȱcouldȱgainȱfromȱanȱestablishedȱand approvedȱmiraculousȱhost.ȱPilgrimageȱhotspots,ȱinȱturn,ȱprolongedȱandȱnourished theȱChristianȱideasȱofȱJewsȱmaltreatingȱhosts.ȱThoseȱwhoȱvisitedȱtheȱsiteȱnoȱlonger onlyȱheardȱaȱtaleȱbutȱactuallyȱsawȱtheȱmaltreatedȱhost,ȱtheȱtangibleȱ(orȱatȱleast visible)ȱproofȱthatȱJewishȱhostȱdesecrationȱwasȱindeedȱaȱreality.ȱIllustrationsȱsuch asȱtheȱ(later)ȱaltarȱpaintingsȱatȱKorneuburgȱfurtherȱhelpedȱtheȱpilgrimsȱtoȱvisualize theȱ crimeȱ ofȱ theȱ Jews,ȱ andȱ thusȱ theyȱ wereȱ boundȱ toȱ feelȱ thatȱ theȱ guiltyȱ Jews deservedȱtheirȱfate.81 Itȱmustȱremainȱpureȱspeculationȱtoȱincludeȱthoseȱwitnessesȱwhoȱgiveȱtheȱmost detailedȱinformationȱasȱbeingȱinȱcahootsȱwithȱtheȱpriest.ȱEvenȱifȱweȱidentifyȱthe unnamedȱpriestȱasȱKonradȱofȱLeobendorf,ȱthereȱisȱnoȱevidenceȱthatȱtheȱfourȱothers heȱ namedȱ asȱ hisȱ accomplicesȱ wereȱ interrogatedȱ atȱ all.ȱ Furthermore,ȱ withȱ the interventionȱofȱDukeȱRudolfȱIII,ȱwhoȱwantedȱtheȱinvestigationȱbroughtȱtoȱaȱquick end,ȱthereȱisȱaȱnotableȱchangeȱinȱtheȱprocedure.ȱTheȱinterviewsȱbecameȱshorterȱand shorter,ȱandȱalthoughȱtheȱwitnessesȱwereȱpresentedȱtheȱfullȱcatalogueȱofȱquestions, theyȱ wereȱ notȱ encouragedȱ toȱ elaborate.ȱ Theseȱ sourceȬrelatedȱ considerations notwithstanding,ȱsomeȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱstandȱoutȱwithȱrespectȱtoȱtheȱdetailsȱthey reveal.ȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrassȱnotȱonlyȱverifiedȱtheȱvicar’sȱtestimonyȱonȱthe purchaseȱofȱtheȱhost,ȱbutȱheapedȱadditionalȱblameȱonȱtheȱJewsȱbyȱshiftingȱthe confessionȱfromȱtheȱvicar’sȱunnamedȱlaypersonȱtoȱtheȱJewishȱscholar.ȱMoreȱdetails, suchȱasȱtheȱnameȱofȱtheȱChristianȱtheȱJewsȱtriedȱtoȱpersuadeȱtoȱdisposeȱofȱtheȱhost

80

81

BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ89–90,ȱno.ȱ82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱOnȱtheȱgeneralȱ‘restorationȱofȱtheȱorder,’ theȱ transformationȱ ofȱ Jewishȱ housesȱ orȱ synagoguesȱ intoȱ chapelsȱ (thatȱ usuallyȱ housedȱ the maltreatedȱhost),ȱseeȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ89–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Merback,ȱTheȱThief,ȱtheȱCrossȱandȱtheȱWheel,ȱ195ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ54),ȱalsoȱonȱtheȱvisualȱpresentationȱofȱthe hostȱwafers.

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

323

forȱthem,ȱincludingȱtheȱexactȱwordingȱofȱthisȱChristian’sȱoutburstȱwhenȱconfronted withȱtheȱhost,ȱwereȱreportedȱbyȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrass,ȱalbeit,ȱasȱheȱclaimed, onlyȱbyȱhimȱrenderingȱtheȱdyingȱscholar’sȱlastȱwords.ȱ EquallyȱsuspiciousȱareȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarkt,ȱwhoȱhadȱtheȱscholarȱsayȱthatȱthe Jewsȱfullyȱdeservedȱtheirȱfateȱforȱtheirȱmisdeeds,ȱand,ȱtheȱbakerȱSifridusȱ(Sidlin) andȱhisȱheavenlyȬguidedȱfeet.ȱTheȱlatterȱalsoȱprovidedȱtheȱreasonȱwhyȱtheȱhost wasȱdepositedȱatȱZerkel’sȱdoorstep:ȱafterȱseeingȱtheȱhostȱlyingȱonȱtheȱfloorȱand standingȱmesmerized,ȱSifridusȱhimselfȱputȱitȱthereȱwhenȱheȱsawȱtheȱbloodȱoozing fromȱit.ȱItȱmust,ȱasȱwithȱtheȱotherȱwitnesses,ȱremainȱpureȱspeculationȱwhether Sifridusȱwasȱinȱcahootsȱwithȱtheȱpriest,ȱyetȱthereȱisȱmuchȱevidenceȱthatȱhe,ȱinȱfact, hadȱbeenȱtheȱoneȱtoȱwhomȱtheȱpriestȱhadȱassignedȱtheȱtaskȱofȱplantingȱtheȱhost wafer.ȱFirstȱandȱforemost,ȱasȱMiriȱRubinȱpointedȱout,ȱheȱhadȱtheȱcrucialȱrequisite atȱhand—theȱwaferȱitself,ȱwhichȱisȱbasicallyȱnothingȱbutȱaȱpieceȱofȱbakedȱdough.82ȱ Furthermore,ȱhisȱspectacularȱstoryȱofȱheavenlyȱguidance,ȱtheȱpickingȱupȱofȱthe hostȱatȱfirstȱandȱthenȱputtingȱitȱdownȱagainȱmightȱhaveȱservedȱasȱanȱexplanation shouldȱheȱbeȱcaughtȱredȬhanded.ȱSifridusȱhimselfȱconfirmedȱthatȱhisȱfingerȱhad remainedȱbloodiedȱafterȱheȱhadȱputȱtheȱhostȱdown.ȱItȱmust,ȱagain,ȱremainȱpure speculationȱasȱtoȱwhetherȱSidlin’sȱtestimonyȱhadȱbeenȱagreedȱuponȱbeforehand, andȱifȱso,ȱtoȱwhatȱpurpose.ȱItȱisȱpossibleȱthatȱtheyȱsoughtȱtoȱintroduceȱtheȱelement ofȱtheȱheavenlyȱintervention,ȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱpriestȱwasȱhopingȱtheȱtheologically (moreȱorȱless)ȱversedȱinterrogatorsȱwouldȱfindȱappealing.ȱ Allȱofȱthis,ȱhowever,ȱsuggestsȱnotȱonlyȱSifridus’sȱinvolvement,ȱbutȱalsoȱpoints towardsȱaȱschemeȱthatȱwasȱnotȱaȱspurȬofȬtheȬmomentȱact,ȱbutȱaȱpremeditatedȱplot thatȱrequiredȱmeticulousȱplanning.ȱOnlyȱoneȱotherȱwitness,ȱBertha,ȱtheȱwifeȱof KonradȱReus,ȱconfirmedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱseenȱhimȱwithȱtheȱhostȱbutȱotherȱthanȱthat merelyȱstatedȱthatȱsheȱ‘concursȱwithȱhimȱinȱregardȱofȱhowȱtheȱhostȱwasȱfound.’ OtherȱwitnessesȱonlyȱnameȱSidlinȱasȱbeingȱamongȱthoseȱpresentȱatȱtheȱretrievalȱof theȱhostȱwithoutȱcreditingȱhimȱwithȱanyȱspecialȱtask.ȱTheȱChristianȱwhomȱtheȱJews accusedȱ ofȱ havingȱ thrownȱ theȱ hostȱ intoȱ theirȱ house—who,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ his testimony,ȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱSidlinȱhimself—remainedȱanonymousȱinȱallȱother versions.ȱ Mostȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱremainedȱextremelyȱvagueȱaboutȱactualȱhealings.ȱWhen askedȱaboutȱspecificȱnamesȱandȱtime,ȱtheȱpriestȱFriedrichȱrespondedȱquodȱsolumȱex famaȱhecȱscit.ȱTheȱsecondȱpriestȱthatȱwasȱinterrogated,ȱHertricus,ȱrespondedȱinȱa quiteȱsimilarȱmanner:ȱquodȱnichilȱscitȱdeȱhocȱnisiȱperȱauditumȱetȱfamam.ȱOttoȱanȱdem Roßmarkt,ȱeagerȱtoȱshareȱinformation,ȱgaveȱsuspiciouslyȱelaborateȱdetailsȱonȱthe miraculousȱ workȱ ofȱ theȱ host.ȱ Heȱ gaveȱ detailsȱ aboutȱ theȱ curesȱ ofȱ the

82

Rubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ64ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

324

BirgitȱWiedl

aforementionedȱBohemianȱgirlȱplaguedȱbyȱdemonsȱandȱofȱtheȱparalyzedȱViennese woman.ȱTheȱformerȱhadȱbeenȱsufferingȱforȱthirteenȱyearsȱandȱtheȱlatterȱforȱeight years,ȱfourȱofȱwhichȱhadȱbeenȱspentȱinȱaȱhospitalȱinȱVienna.ȱYet,ȱdespiteȱhisȱinȬ depthȱknowledge,ȱheȱcouldȱnotȱspecifyȱtheȱpreciseȱdayȱorȱhourȱofȱtheirȱhealing.ȱ Theȱ miraculousȱ healingȱ thatȱ wasȱ broughtȱ upȱ theȱ mostȱ wasȱ thatȱ ofȱ theȱ local weaver,ȱPero.ȱAltogetherȱtenȱwitnessesȱclaimȱthatȱtheyȱknewȱaboutȱhisȱhealing, althoughȱmostȱofȱthemȱagainȱresortingȱtoȱhearsay.ȱOnlyȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarkt explicitlyȱ admittedȱ toȱ actuallyȱ havingȱ beenȱ presentȱ whenȱ Peroȱ wasȱ healed. Accordingȱtoȱhim,ȱRapotoȱTaschȱ(theȱeleventhȱwitness)ȱandȱKonradȱKlettȱhadȱbeen thereȱtoo,ȱetȱpluribusȱaliis.83ȱDespiteȱtheȱfactȱthatȱPeroȱwasȱ“knownȱtoȱeveryoneȱin theȱtown,”ȱasȱOttoȱclaimed,ȱhisȱfellowȱcitizensȱwereȱnotȱableȱtoȱgiveȱanyȱprecise detailsȱonȱtheȱamountȱofȱtimeȱheȱhadȱspentȱinȱhisȱparalysedȱstate,ȱwhichȱdiffered betweenȱtwoȱandȱfiveȱyearsȱinȱtheȱwitnesses’sȱstatements.ȱ ToȱsuspectȱthatȱPeroȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱinȱcahootsȱwithȱtheȱfraudulentȱpriestȱby fakingȱaȱ‘spiritualȱhealing’ȱmightȱgoȱtooȱfar,ȱsinceȱheȱwasȱnotȱtheȱfirstȱbutȱonlyȱthe mostȱknownȱofȱtheȱluckyȱonesȱthroughȱwhomȱtheȱhostȱdemonstratedȱitsȱpower.ȱIt isȱsurprisingȱthatȱheȱwasȱnotȱamongȱtheȱwitnessesȱdespiteȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱstillȱlived inȱKorneuburg,ȱparticularlyȱsinceȱtheȱcommissionȱwasȱmoreȱconcernedȱwithȱthe miraclesȱ(andȱtheirȱgenuineness)ȱthanȱwithȱtheȱJews’ȱfate. Judgingȱbyȱtheȱlistȱofȱthoseȱthatȱhadȱbeenȱmiraculouslyȱcuredȱwithinȱtheȱfirst monthsȱofȱtheȱhost’sȱwork,ȱtheȱfameȱofȱtheȱsiteȱhadȱexpandedȱquiteȱquickly,ȱthus allowingȱusȱtoȱspeculateȱthatȱtheȱpriest’sȱgoalȱwasȱachievedȱevenȱifȱthereȱisȱno mentionȱofȱaȱpilgrimageȱsiteȱinȱtheȱdecadesȱfollowingȱtheȱincident.ȱOnlyȱtwoȱpapal lettersȱ fromȱ theȱ yearȱ 1338ȱ thatȱ investigatedȱ theȱ Pulkauȱ persecutionsȱ inȱ Lower AustriaȱgiveȱinsightȱintoȱtheȱcontinuingȱvenerationȱofȱtheȱKorneuburgȱhost.ȱWhat hadȱhappenedȱinȱtheȱmeantimeȱreadsȱlikeȱaȱreflectionȱofȱtheȱearlierȱincidents.ȱSince theȱoriginalȱwaferȱhadȱbeenȱeatenȱawayȱbyȱmothsȱandȱwormsȱbutȱwasȱstillȱbeing veneratedȱbyȱtheȱfaithfulȱmasses,ȱaȱmisledȱpriestȱ(suggestioneȱdiabolicaȱpersuasus erroremȱerroriȱaccumulans)ȱhadȱtakenȱaȱnew,ȱnonȬconsecratedȱwafer,ȱdippedȱitȱin bloodȱandȱsupplantedȱtheȱoldȱone,ȱpresumablyȱnotȱtoȱimpedeȱtheȱflourishingȱofȱthe pilgrimageȱsite.84ȱ

83

84

Dueȱtoȱtheȱincreasingȱbrevityȱofȱtheȱinterviews,ȱmanyȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱmerelyȱrespondȱthatȱthey ‘concurȱwithȱwhatȱtheȱothersȱstated,’ȱwhichȱmakesȱitȱimpossibleȱtoȱdecideȱwhetherȱtheyȱmeantȱthat theyȱwereȱpresentȱorȱhadȱjustȱheardȱaboutȱitȱbothȱofȱwhichȱhadȱalreadyȱbeenȱstatedȱbyȱothers. RapotoȱTaschȱforȱexampleȱ(theȱnineteenthȱwitness),ȱwhoȱwasȱreportedȱbyȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarkt asȱhavingȱbeenȱpresent,ȱmerelyȱdeclaresȱthatȱheȱcorroboratesȱwhatȱtheȱothersȱhadȱsaid;ȱonlyȱthe eleventhȱwitness,ȱtheȱaldermanȱMarquard,ȱexplicitlyȱstatesȱthatȱheȱhadȱnotȱbeenȱpresentȱwhen Peroȱhadȱbeenȱhealed. OdericusȱRaynaldusȱandȱJacobusȱdeȱLaderchius,ȱAnnalesȱecclesiasticiȱdenuoȱexcusiȱetȱadȱnostraȱusque temporaȱperductiȱabȱAugustinoȱTheiner,ȱ25:ȱ1334–1355ȱ(BarȬleȬDuc:ȱLudovicusȱGuerinȱetȱsocii,ȱ1872), 118–19.ȱToȱ‘support’ȱaȱhostȱwaferȱthatȱwasȱbeingȱveneratedȱyetȱhadȱpossiblyȱnotȱbeenȱconsecrated

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

325

Inȱtheȱsameȱyearȱ1338,ȱtheȱDukesȱOttoȱIIȱandȱAlbrechtȱIIȱgaveȱtheȱAugustinian orderȱaȱplotȱofȱlandȱatȱKorneuburgȱthatȱhadȱonceȱbelongedȱtoȱtheirȱJewsȱ(areamȱolim nostrorumȱjudeorumȱ[...]ȱintraȱmurosȱinȱNeunburch)85ȱandȱgrantedȱthemȱtheȱrightȱto erectȱaȱmonasteryȱthere—whichȱalsoȱmeantȱthatȱtheȱ(former)ȱpresenceȱofȱtheȱJews andȱtheirȱcrimesȱstayedȱinȱtheȱcollectiveȱmemoryȱofȱtheȱChristianȱcommunity.86 Accordingȱtoȱlocalȱtraditionȱthatȱwasȱstillȱ(again?)ȱaliveȱinȱtheȱ1960s,87ȱthisȱwasȱthe spotȱ whereȱ Zerkel’sȱ houseȱ hadȱ onceȱ stood—aȱ somewhatȱ believableȱ tradition actually,ȱsinceȱitȱisȱhighlyȱlikelyȱthatȱZerkel’sȱhouseȱwasȱtheȱonlyȱ“Jewish”ȱhouse inȱKorneuburg.88ȱ Withȱ theȱ actualȱ culpritȱ beingȱ knownȱ toȱ theȱ authorities,ȱ theȱ questionȱ arises whetherȱheȱhadȱbeenȱpunishedȱforȱhisȱoffence.ȱAmbroseȱinȱhisȱtreatiseȱstrongly recommendedȱit,ȱandȱevenȱdeclaredȱthatȱtheȱpriestȱalone,ȱandȱnotȱtheȱJews,ȱshould haveȱborneȱtheȱconsequencesȱandȱtheȱwordingȱofȱtheȱpapalȱletterȱsuggestsȱthatȱthe feloniousȱpriestȱhadȱindeedȱnotȱemergedȱunscathed.ȱYetȱtheȱsourcesȱareȱtooȱscarce toȱtrackȱdownȱanyȱdetailsȱonȱhisȱpotentialȱpunishment.89ȱWhatȱcanȱbeȱgathered howeverȱ areȱ twoȱ things:ȱ theȱ ideaȱ thatȱ aȱ priestȱ wouldȱ misuseȱ theȱ talesȱ ofȱ host desecrationȱtoȱhisȱadvantageȱwasȱnotȱunthinkableȱtoȱeitherȱpope,ȱbishop,ȱorȱduke, andȱthat,ȱinȱorderȱtoȱmakeȱtheȱschemeȱwork,ȱanyȱfraudulentȱclericȱ(orȱlayperson) couldȱsafelyȱrelyȱonȱtheȱconceptȱofȱtheȱdefaultȱguiltȱofȱtheȱJewsȱwhichȱwasȱfirmly ingrainedȱ inȱ theȱ commonȱ mindȬset.90ȱ Theȱ host,ȱ asȱ theȱ Korneuburgȱ deanȱ Jacob stated,ȱhadȱbeenȱfoundȱatȱtheȱJews’ȱplace,ȱandȱthatȱaloneȱservedȱasȱsufficientȱproof forȱitsȱauthenticity.

85

86 87

88

89

90

withȱaȱconsecratedȱoneȱisȱhoweverȱnotȱunusual:ȱwhenȱtheȱsameȱproblemȱaroseȱatȱPulkauȱinȱ1338, whereȱaȱbloodiedȱhostȱhadȱbeenȱfoundȱunderȱratherȱsimilarȱcircumstancesȱ(inȱfrontȱofȱaȱJew’s house,ȱonȱtheȱstreet,ȱcoveredȱwithȱstraw)ȱandȱwasȱbeingȱworshippedȱatȱtheȱparishȱchurch,ȱthe BishopȱofȱPassauȱhadȱaȱconsecratedȱhostȱputȱnextȱtoȱit;ȱChronicleȱofȱFrancisȱofȱPragueȱ(Chronicon AulaeȱRegiae)ȱfromȱtheȱyearȱ1338,ȱseeȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ347,ȱno.ȱ453ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). HausȬ,ȱHofȬȱundȱStaatsarchivȱ(AustrianȱStateȱArchives),ȱVienna,ȱAURȱ1338ȱXIȱ19ȱ(Bruggerȱand Wiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ343,ȱno.ȱ447ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ1]). SeeȱZeissl,ȱDasȱehemaligeȱAugustinerklosterȱ(seeȱnoteȱ33). GermaniaȱJudaica,ȱvol.ȱII:ȱVonȱ1238ȱbisȱzurȱMitteȱdesȱ14.ȱJahrhunderts,ȱpartȱ1:ȱAachen—Luzern,ȱed.ȱZvi Avneriȱ(Tübingen:ȱJ.C.B.ȱMohr,ȱ1968),ȱ450. TheȱmedievalȱsynagogueȱinȱKorneuburgȱwasȱerectedȱinȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury,ȱbutȱtheȱ(sometimes quoted)ȱtimeȱspanȱofȱ1305ȱtoȱ1325ȱforȱitsȱconstructionȱseemsȱhighlyȱunlikely,ȱsinceȱthereȱisȱno mentionȱofȱaȱJewishȱpresenceȱinȱKorneuburgȱupȱuntilȱ1378ȱ(GermaniaȱJudaicaȱII/1,ȱ450ȱ[seeȱnote 87]).ȱ IfȱweȱgoȱwithȱtheȱassumptionȱthatȱitȱwasȱKonrad,ȱtheȱvicarȱofȱLeobendorf,ȱtheȱsourcesȱremain silentȱonȱhim:ȱtheȱUrkundenbuchȱdesȱStiftesȱKlosterneuburgȱbisȱzumȱEndeȱdesȱvierzehntenȱJahrhunderts (seeȱnoteȱ30)ȱdoesȱnotȱmentionȱaȱKonrad,ȱvicarȱofȱLeobendorf. WolfgangȱTreueȱgivesȱexamplesȱofȱChristiansȱwho,ȱobviouslyȱfirmlyȱbelievingȱinȱtheȱJewishȱneed forȱ consecratedȱ hostȱ wafers,ȱ triedȱ toȱ makeȱ moneyȱ offȱ thisȱ byȱ tryingȱ toȱ sellȱ themȱ hostsȱ (and, occasionally,ȱ children),ȱ whichȱ theȱ Jewsȱ refusedȱ (andȱ sometimesȱ suedȱ themȱ forȱ it);ȱ Treue, “SchlechteȱundȱguteȱChristen,”ȱ104–06ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).

326

BirgitȱWiedl

Theȱfactȱthatȱaȱfraudulentȱpriestȱhadȱstagedȱtheȱhostȱdesecrationȱandȱbrought aboutȱtheȱconsequencesȱsufferedȱbyȱtheȱJewishȱpopulationȱremainedȱknownȱto bothȱ secularȱ andȱ ecclesiasticalȱ authorities.ȱ Inȱ Augustȱ 1338,ȱ Popeȱ Benedictȱ XII commandedȱtheȱbishopȱofȱPassau,ȱAlbrechtȱIIȱofȱSaxonyȬWittenberg,ȱtoȱinvestigate aȱwaveȱofȱantiȬJewishȱriotsȱthatȱhadȱresultedȱfromȱallegedȱhostȱdesecrationsȱinȱthe LowerȱAustrianȱtownsȱofȱPulkauȱandȱWeikersdorf,ȱandȱtheȱUpperȱAustrianȱtown ofȱLinz.91ȱTheȱinvestigationȱhadȱbeenȱrequestedȱbyȱtheȱAustrianȱDukeȱAlbrechtȱII, theȱbrotherȱandȱsuccessorȱofȱtheȱlateȱRudolfȱIII,ȱwhoȱhadȱurgedȱtheȱApostolicȱSee toȱfindȱoutȱwhetherȱJewsȱhadȱbeenȱguiltyȱofȱtheȱcrimeȱorȱhadȱbeenȱinnocentȱasȱhad beenȱtheȱcaseȱatȱKorneuburg,ȱphrasingȱhisȱsuspicionsȱofȱfoulȱplayȱinȱnoȱuncertain terms.ȱ Inȱfact,ȱtheȱtwoȱlettersȱbyȱBenedictȱXIIȱare,ȱapartȱfromȱAmbrose’sȱtreatise,ȱthe onlyȱsourcesȱthatȱmentionȱtheȱpriest’sȱcriminalȱdeedȱandȱthusȱprovideȱinformation onȱ theȱ realȱ courseȱ ofȱ eventsȱ atȱ Korneuburg.92ȱ Theȱ allegedȱ hostȱ desecrationȱ at Pulkauȱ (80ȱ km/50ȱ miȱ northeastȱ ofȱ Vienna)ȱ hadȱ triggeredȱ theȱ firstȱ waveȱ of persecutionȱinȱAustriaȱthatȱwentȱbeyondȱtheȱlocalȱscope.ȱApartȱfromȱtheȱJewish populationȱofȱPulkau,ȱtheȱJewsȱofȱmanyȱsmallȱtownsȱinȱtheȱsurroundingȱareaȱfell preyȱtoȱtheȱfrenziedȱmob.93ȱTheȱNürnbergȱmemorialȱbookȱlistsȱ31ȱ“bloodȱsites”ȱin 91

92

93

ForȱWeikersdorfȱ(westȱofȱWienerȱNeustadt)ȱandȱLinz,ȱneitherȱanȱaccusationȱofȱhostȱdesecration norȱaȱpersecutionȱofȱJewsȱisȱdocumentedȱelsewhere;ȱtheȱNürnbergerȱMemorbuchȱ(“memorial book”),ȱ theȱ listȱ ofȱ theȱ ‘bloodȱ sites’ȱ (Blutstädte),ȱ theȱ sitesȱ ofȱ Jewishȱ persecutions,ȱ citesȱ neither WeikersdorfȱnorȱLinz;ȱSiegmundȱSalfeld,ȱDasȱMartyrologiumȱdesȱNürnbergerȱMemorbuches.ȱQuellen zurȱGeschichteȱderȱJudenȱinȱDeutschland,ȱ3ȱ(Berlin:ȱLeonhardȱSimionȱVerlag,ȱ1898),ȱ68ȱ(Hebrew) andȱ420–21ȱ(German);ȱseeȱalsoȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ348–49,ȱno.ȱ455ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱon memorialȱbooksȱinȱgeneral,ȱseeȱAubreyȱPomerance,ȱ“‘BekanntȱinȱdenȱToren:’ȱNameȱundȱNachruf inȱ Memorbüchern,”ȱ Erinnerungȱ alsȱ Gegenwart:ȱ Juüdischeȱ Gedenkkulturen,ȱ ed.ȱ Sabineȱ Hödlȱ and EleonoreȱLappinȱ(BerlinȱandȱVienna:ȱPhilo,ȱ2000),ȱ33–54.ȱAlfonsȱŽák,ȱȈZurȱKirchengeschichte Niederösterreichs,ȈȱMonatsblattȱdesȱVereinsȱfürȱLandeskundeȱundȱHeimatschutzȱvonȱNiederösterreich undȱWien,ȱ12.1/1ȱ(1926/27),ȱ6–7ȱsuspectsȱtheȱLowerȱAustrianȱtownȱRetz,ȱcloseȱtoȱtheȱBohemian borderȱandȱlistedȱinȱtheȱmemorialȱbookȱofȱNürnberg,ȱbehindȱtheȱseriouslyȱmisspelledȱnameȱof Linzȱ(Fyncz,ȱSyntz).ȱToȱincludeȱtheȱPulkauȱpersecutionsȱintoȱtheȱwaveȱofȱpersecutionsȱthatȱhad sprungȱupȱaroundȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱinȱtheȱBavarianȱtownȱofȱDeggendorfȱandȱhadȱspreadȱquickly throughoutȱtheȱsouthernȱregionsȱofȱtheȱHolyȱRomanȱEmpireȱisȱsomewhatȱproblematicȱforȱtheȱlack ofȱanyȱimmediateȱconnection;ȱalthoughȱsomeȱofȱtheȱmainlyȱecclesiasticalȱsourcesȱeitherȱmixȱup theseȱtwoȱeventsȱorȱmerelyȱreportȱofȱ‘Jewsȱbeingȱkilledȱinȱtheȱsouthernȱparts’. Editions:ȱShlomoȱSimonsohn,ȱTheȱApostolicȱSeeȱandȱtheȱJews,ȱvol.ȱ1:ȱDocumentsȱ492–1404.ȱPontifical InstituteȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱStudiesȱandȱTexts,ȱ94ȱ(Toronto:ȱPontificalȱInstituteȱofȱMedieval Studies/Brepols,ȱ1988),ȱ371–74,ȱnos.ȱ354–55ȱ(fullȱtextȱofȱtheȱletterȱtoȱtheȱbishopȱofȱPassau,ȱsummary ofȱtheȱletterȱtoȱDukeȱAlbrecht),ȱandȱRaynaldusȱandȱdeȱLaderchius,ȱAnnalesȱecclesiastici,ȱ118–19,ȱnos. 20–21ȱ(fullȱtextȱofȱtheȱletterȱtoȱDukeȱAlbrecht,ȱsummaryȱofȱtheȱletterȱtoȱtheȱbishop). Rubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ65ȱandȱ68ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱgivesȱtheȱnumberȱofȱ‘150ȱJewsȱofȱPulkau’ȱthatȱwere killedȱduringȱtheȱpersecutions,ȱwhichȱisȱbyȱfarȱtooȱhighȱaȱnumberȱforȱaȱsmallȱLowerȱAustrian town.ȱHerȱassessmentȱthatȱitȱwasȱDukeȱOtto’sȱ‘abandonment’ȱofȱtheȱAustrianȱduchyȱinȱfavourȱof theȱ ‘recentlyȱ annexed’ȱ Styriaȱ (whichȱ wasȱ neitherȱ ‘annexed’ȱ norȱ recentlyȱ acquiredȱ byȱ the Habsburgs)ȱthatȱmadeȱtheȱPulkauȱpersecutionsȱpossibleȱignoresȱtheȱexistenceȱofȱOtto’sȱbrother,

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

327

Austrian,ȱMoravian,ȱBohemian,ȱandȱBavarianȱterritory.94ȱTheȱincidentȱthatȱhad startedȱ theȱ Pulkauȱ persecutionsȱ readsȱ quiteȱ similarȱ toȱ whatȱ hadȱ happenedȱ at Korneuburgȱ(andȱmanyȱothersȱinȱtheȱcenturiesȱtoȱcome),ȱcontainingȱallȱtheȱkey elementsȱofȱtheȱclassicalȱnarrative:ȱaȱbloodȬstainedȱhostȱwasȱfoundȱinȱfrontȱofȱa Jew’sȱ house,95ȱ and,ȱ incitedȱ byȱ whatȱ theȱ Jewsȱ hadȱ undoubtedlyȱ doneȱ toȱ it,ȱ the Christianȱpopulationȱsoughtȱrevenge.ȱ Unfortunately,ȱtheȱoutcomeȱ(ifȱthereȱwasȱany)ȱofȱbishopȱAlbrecht’sȱinvestigation isȱnotȱdocumented.ȱDukeȱAlbrechtȱII,ȱhowever,ȱproceededȱtoȱfollowȱtheȱpolicyȱof hisȱ olderȱ brotherȱ Rudolfȱ IIIȱ inȱ prosecutingȱ antiȬJewishȱ outbreaks.ȱ Duringȱ the periodȱofȱtheȱBlackȱPlague,ȱthatȱsawȱtheȱviolentȱendȱofȱmanyȱJewishȱcommunities inȱtheȱHolyȱRomanȱEmpire,ȱAlbrechtȱmanagedȱtoȱaȱlargeȱextentȱtoȱmaintainȱthe safetyȱ ofȱ theȱ Austrianȱ Jewry.96ȱ Albrechtȱ IIȱ didȱ notȱ shyȱ awayȱ fromȱ resortingȱ to drasticȱmeasuresȱwhenȱtheȱJews—andȱthusȱaȱpartȱofȱhisȱtreasury—wereȱattacked. TheȱonlyȱpersecutionȱofȱJewsȱduringȱthisȱtimeȱinȱAustria,ȱinȱtheȱtownȱofȱKremsȱthat housedȱtheȱsecondȬlargestȱJewishȱcommunityȱinȱLowerȱAustria,ȱwasȱmetȱnotȱonly withȱheavyȱ finesȱbutȱtheȱleadersȱofȱriot,ȱwhoȱ wereȱ amongȱtheȱmostȱimportant

94

95

96

DukeȱAlbrechtȱIIȱ(whomȱsheȱmistakesȱforȱAlbrechtȱIIȱofȱSaxony,ȱtheȱbishopȱofȱPassau). Someȱofȱtheȱlistedȱnames,ȱsuchȱasȱPassauȱ(Bavaria)ȱareȱinȱtoday’sȱacademicȱliteratureȱcountedȱas partȱofȱtheȱDeggendorfȱpersecutionsȱ(seeȱGermaniaȱJudaica,ȱvol.ȱII:ȱVonȱ1238ȱbisȱzurȱMitteȱdesȱ14. Jahrhunderts,ȱpartȱ2:ȱMaastricht—Zwolle,ȱed.ȱZviȱAvneriȱ[Tübingen:ȱJ.C.B.ȱMohr,ȱ1968],ȱ647–48,ȱfn. 7),ȱwhereasȱforȱtheȱCarinthianȱtownȱofȱVillach,ȱwhichȱisȱgeographicallyȱtheȱmostȱremoteȱfromȱthe centreȱofȱtheȱviolentȱoutbreaks,ȱaȱpersecutionȱofȱtheȱJewsȱisȱnotȱdocumentedȱinȱanyȱotherȱsource; JewishȱpresenceȱinȱVillachȱisȱafterȱ1338ȱfirstȱdocumentedȱforȱtheȱyearȱ1346ȱ(EvelineȱBruggerȱand Birgitȱ Wiedl,ȱ Regestenȱ zurȱ Geschichteȱ derȱ Judenȱ inȱ Österreichȱ imȱ Mittelalter,ȱ vol.ȱ 2:ȱ 1339–1365 [Innsbruck,ȱVienna,ȱandȱBolzano:ȱStudienVerlag,ȱ2010],ȱ62–62,ȱno.ȱ570ȱ(forȱtheȱinternetȱversion, seeȱhttp://www.injoest.ac.at/projekte/laufend/mittelalterliche_judenurkunden/;ȱlastȱaccessedȱon Marchȱ10,ȱ2012). AȱJewȱMerchlinȱatȱPulkauȱisȱdocumentedȱforȱtheȱyearȱ1329,ȱwhenȱheȱpurchasesȱaȱplotȱofȱlandȱfrom aȱlocalȱnoblemanȱ(BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ257–58,ȱno.ȱ303ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ1]);ȱitȱisȱhighlyȱlikely thatȱheȱisȱidenticalȱwithȱtheȱMarquardusȱiudeusȱinȱfrontȱofȱwhoseȱhouseȱtheȱhostȱwasȱfoundȱinȱ1338 (onȱtheȱequationȱofȱMerchlinȱandȱMarquart,ȱbothȱderivationsȱofȱMordechai,ȱseeȱAlexanderȱBeider, Aȱ Dictionaryȱ ofȱ Ashkenazicȱ Givenȱ Names.ȱ Theirȱ Origins,ȱ Structure,ȱ Pronunciation,ȱ andȱ Migrations [Bergenfield,ȱNJ:ȱAvotaynu,ȱ2001],ȱ375–76,ȱ382).ȱForȱanȱoverviewȱoverȱtheȱPulkauȬrelatedȱsources, seeȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1),ȱ333–35,ȱnos.ȱ434–36,ȱ339–41,ȱnos.ȱ442–43,ȱ343–51,ȱnos.ȱ448–56 (seeȱnoteȱ1);ȱforȱanȱoverviewȱofȱtheȱevents,ȱseeȱBrugger,ȱ“VonȱderȱAnsiedlung,”ȱ216–19ȱ(seeȱnote 12);ȱManfredȱAnselgruberȱandȱHerbertȱPuschnik,ȱDiesȱtrugȱsichȱzuȱannoȱ1338.ȱPulkauȱzurȱZeitȱder Glaubenswirrenȱ(Pulkau:ȱVerlagȱderȱGemeinde,ȱ1992);ȱRubin,ȱGentileȱTales,ȱ65–68ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3);ȱBirgit Wiedl,ȱ“DieȱangeblicheȱHostienschändungȱinȱPulkauȱ1338ȱundȱihreȱRezeptionȱinȱderȱchristlichen undȱjüdischenȱGeschichtsschreibung,”ȱmedaon.ȱMagazinȱfürȱjüdischesȱLebenȱinȱForschungȱundȱBildung 6ȱ(2010),ȱinternetȱjournal,ȱseeȱhttp://medaon.de/pdf/A_WiedlȬ6Ȭ2010.pdf,ȱlastȱaccessedȱonȱMarch 10,ȱ2012. Itȱ isȱ againstȱ theȱ backdropȱ ofȱ theȱ manyȱ massacresȱ inȱ theȱ GermanȬspeakingȱ areaȱ thatȱ Joseph haCohen’sȱdescriptionȱofȱAustriaȱasȱaȱ‘safeȱhaven’ȱinȱhisȱEmekȱhabachaȱbecomesȱunderstandable, JosephȱhaCohen,ȱEmekȱhabacha.ȱTransl.ȱfromȱtheȱHebrewȱintoȱGermanȱbyȱM.ȱWienerȱ(Leipzig: OskarȱLeiner,ȱ1859),ȱ54.

328

BirgitȱWiedl

citizens,ȱwereȱbeheaded.97ȱTheseȱdrasticȱactions,ȱinȱturn,ȱearnedȱhimȱtheȱtitleȱof fautorȱiudeorum,ȱ“benefactorȱofȱtheȱJews,”ȱfromȱtheȱclericalȱchroniclers,98ȱsubjecting himȱtoȱ theȱ sameȱ critiqueȱasȱhisȱbrotherȱRudolfȱIIIȱasȱwellȱasȱtheirȱfather,ȱKing AlbrechtȱI,ȱandȱgrandfather,ȱKingȱRudolfȱI.99ȱ Thereȱ isȱ noȱ documentationȱ inȱ eitherȱ Laaȱ anȱ derȱ Thayaȱ orȱ inȱ Korneuburgȱ or PulkauȱofȱantiȬJewishȱoutbreaksȱbeforeȱtheȱfatefulȱaccusations.ȱAȱtaxȱregulationȱof 1277ȱforȱtheȱtownȱofȱLaaȱthatȱincorporatedȱtheȱtaxȱtheȱJewsȱhadȱtoȱpayȱintoȱthe generalȱ cityȱ taxȱ (inȱ unserrȱ burgerȱ dinst)ȱ suggestsȱ aȱ ratherȱ peacefulȱ cohabitation enjoyedȱbyȱChristiansȱandȱJewsȱinȱtheseȱsmallȱtowns.100ȱWhileȱtheȱtaxȱregulation ofȱLaaȱandȱtheȱKorneuburgȱpersecutionȱwereȱtheȱfirstȱtracesȱofȱJewsȱdwellingȱin theseȱtownȱrespectively,101ȱweȱhaveȱscarceȱevidenceȱofȱJewishȱlifeȱinȱPulkauȱbefore theȱ1338ȱcatastrophe,ȱyetȱforȱneitherȱofȱtheseȱtownsȱ(andȱmostȱofȱtheȱotherȱtowns thatȱwereȱafflictedȱbyȱtheȱPulkauȱpersecution),ȱaȱcontinuance,ȱorȱreestablishment, ofȱJewishȱsettlementȱisȱdocumented.ȱ KlausȱLohrmannȱhasȱsuggestedȱthatȱafterȱtheȱPulkauȱpersecutions,ȱJewishȱlife tendedȱtoȱfocusȱonȱtheȱmajorȱcities,ȱsuchȱasȱVienna,ȱthatȱhousedȱbiggerȱJewish communitiesȱwhichȱcould,ȱifȱneedȱarose,ȱprovideȱbetterȱshelter.102ȱAlthoughȱthe

97

98 99

100 101

102

BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ2,ȱ95–98,ȱnos.ȱ645ȱandȱ647ȱ(forȱPlagueȬrelatedȱpogromsȱinȱAustria, seeȱgenerallyȱnos.ȱ645–51)ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ94). KalendariumȱZwetlense,ȱseeȱBruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ2,ȱ98,ȱno.ȱ647ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ94).ȱ EcclesiasticalȱchroniclesȱcontinuallyȱlambastedȱtheȱearlyȱHabsburgsȱforȱtheirȱKingȱRudolfȱIȱhad beenȱcriticizedȱheavilyȱforȱhisȱinterventionȱinȱtheȱvenerationȱofȱWernerȱofȱOberweselȱinȱ1288 (“ChroniconȱColmariense,”ȱMonumentaȱGermaniaeȱHistorica,ȱScriptores,ȱvol.ȱ17,ȱed.ȱGeorgȱHeinrich Pertzȱ[Hanover:ȱHahnscheȱBuchhandlung,ȱ1861],ȱ240–70;ȱhereȱ255)ȱwhileȱAlbrechtȱI’sȱfavorismȱof theȱJewsȱresultedȱnotȱonlyȱinȱhisȱson’sȱRudolfȱIII’sȱuntimelyȱdeathȱbutȱalsoȱhisȱownȱviolentȱmurder atȱtheȱhandsȱofȱhisȱnephewȱ(“ContinuatioȱZwetlensisȱTertiaȱadȱa.ȱ1294,”ȱed.ȱWilhelmȱWattenbach. MonumentaȱGermaniaeȱHistorica,ȱScriptores,ȱvol.ȱ9,ȱed.ȱGeorgȱHeinrichȱPertzȱ[Hanover:ȱHahnsche Buchhandlungȱ1851,ȱrpt.ȱStuttgart:ȱAntonȱHiersemannȱVerlag,ȱ1983],ȱ654–69;ȱhereȱ663.ȱForȱthe internetȱversionȱofȱtheȱMGHȱvolumes,ȱseeȱwww.dmgh.de,ȱlastȱaccessedȱonȱMarchȱ10,ȱ2012).ȱSee furtherȱ Evelineȱ Brugger,ȱ “‘Minemȱ herrenȱ demȱ hertzogenȱ seinȱ juden’:ȱ Dieȱ Beziehungȱ der Habsburgerȱ zuȱ ‘ihren’ȱ Judenȱ imȱ Österreichȱ desȱ 14.ȱ Jahrhunderts,”ȱ Tagungsberichtȱ desȱ 25. Österreichischenȱ Historikertags,ȱ St.ȱ Pöltenȱ 2008,ȱ ed.ȱ Verbandȱ Österreichischerȱ Historikerȱ and Niederösterreichischesȱ Landesarchivȱ (St.ȱ Pölten:ȱ Verlagȱ desȱ Landesȱ Niederösterreich,ȱ 2010), 742–49;ȱhereȱ746–47. BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ74,ȱno.ȱ57ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). GermaniaȱJudaicaȱIII/1,ȱ674ȱ(Korneuburg)ȱandȱ697–98ȱ(Laa)ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ13).ȱInȱLaa,ȱaȱJewȱHerzleinȱis mentionedȱinȱtheȱyearȱ1378ȱ(HHStA,ȱAURȱ1378ȱVȱ14). KlausȱLohrmann,ȱJudenrechtȱundȱJudenpolitikȱimȱmittelalterlichenȱÖsterreichȱ(ViennaȱandȱCologne: Böhlau,ȱ1990),ȱ155.ȱAȱsimilarȱdevelopmentȱcanȱbeȱdetectedȱinȱotherȱpartsȱofȱtheȱHolyȱRoman EmpireȱwhereȱtheȱJewishȱcommunitiesȱofȱbothȱurbanȱandȱruralȱsettlementsȱwereȱhitȱhardȱby PlagueȬrelatedȱpogroms:ȱtheȱreȬsettlementȱtookȱplaceȱmainlyȱinȱtheȱurbanȱcentres,ȱseeȱRainer Barzen,ȱ“BeneiȱhaKefarim—dieȱLeuteȱausȱdenȱDörfern.ȱZurȱjüdischenȱSiedlungȱaufȱdemȱLandeȱin AschkenasȱundȱZarfatȱimȱhohenȱundȱspäterenȱMittelalter,”ȱCampanaȱpulsanteȱconvocati.ȱFestschrift anläßlichȱderȱEmeritierungȱvonȱProf.ȱDr.ȱAlfredȱHaverkamp,ȱeds.ȱFrankȱG.ȱHirschmannȱandȱGerd Mentgenȱ(Trier:ȱKliomedia,ȱ2005),ȱ21–37;ȱhereȱ27.ȱSeeȱalsoȱBirgitȱWiedl,ȱ“‘LazarusȱandȱAbraham,

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

329

numberȱofȱJewishȱruralȱsettlementsȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱunderestimated,ȱtheȱassumption thatȱbiggerȱcommunitiesȱcouldȱprovideȱbetterȱprotectionȱholdsȱtrueȱforȱAustria,ȱat leastȱduringȱtheȱthirteenthȱandȱfourteenthȱcenturies.ȱForȱexample,ȱtheȱaccusations ofȱ havingȱ committedȱ aȱ ritualȱ murderȱ againstȱ theȱ Jewsȱ ofȱ Kremsȱ inȱ 1293ȱ that resultedȱinȱtheȱexecutionȱofȱtwoȱJewsȱdidȱnotȱhamperȱtheȱflourishingȱofȱtheȱsecondȬ largestȱ Jewishȱ communityȱ inȱ theȱ duchy;103ȱ andȱ neitherȱ didȱ theȱ PlagueȬrelated accusationsȱofȱwellȬpoisoningȱleviedȱagainstȱtheȱJewsȱofȱKremsȱinȱ1349ȱhaveȱany distinctȱimpactȱonȱtheȱwellȬestablishedȱstandingȱofȱtheȱJewishȱcommunity.104 However,ȱevenȱtheȱlargestȱandȱmostȱprosperousȱofȱallȱAustrianȱcommunities,ȱthe JewishȱcommunityȱofȱVienna,ȱwasȱcompletelyȱdefenselessȱwhen,ȱatȱtheȱbeginning ofȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury,ȱtheȱducalȱprotection,ȱthatȱhadȱseriouslyȱwanedȱduringȱthe lastȱdecadesȱofȱtheȱprecedingȱcentury,ȱturnedȱintoȱoppression.ȱTheȱcatastropheȱthat befellȱtheȱJewishȱ communityȱofȱViennaȱinȱtheȱyearsȱ1420/21,ȱtheȱincarceration, explusion,ȱforcedȱconversions,ȱand,ȱeventually,ȱburningȱofȱmoreȱthanȱ200ȱJews, differedȱessentiallyȱfromȱtheȱearlierȱpersecutionsȱthatȱhadȱeruptedȱspontaneously. TheȱViennaȱGesera,ȱtheȱbrutalȱandȱruthlessȱannihilationȱofȱtheȱViennese,ȱand,ȱin succession,ȱtheȱAustrianȱJewry,ȱhadȱbeenȱmeticulouslyȱplannedȱandȱcarriedȱoutȱby DukeȱAlbrechtȱVȱ(theȱlaterȱKingȱAlbrechtȱII).105ȱWhereasȱtheȱmanifoldȱmotivesȱfor

103

104

105

ourȱJewsȱofȱEggenburg’:ȱJewsȱinȱtheȱAustrianȱCountrysideȱinȱtheȱFourteenthȱCentury,ȈȱRuralȱSpace inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Age:ȱ Theȱ Spacialȱ Turnȱ inȱ Premodernȱ Studies,ȱ ed.ȱ Albrecht Classen,ȱwithȱtheȱcollaborationȱofȱChristopherȱR.ȱClason.ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarly ModernȱCulture,ȱ9ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱDeȱGruyter,ȱ2012),ȱ639–71;ȱhereȱ659–60. Theȱtwoȱchroniclesȱthatȱreferȱtoȱtheȱincidentȱareȱquiteȱvagueȱonȱthis—theȱContinuatioȱVindobonensis onlyȱmentionȱthatȱJewsȱhadȱkilledȱaȱChristian,ȱwithoutȱanyȱfurtherȱcommentȱonȱtheirȱfateȱ(Iudei inȱCremsȱoccideruntȱchristianum),ȱwhileȱtheȱContinuatioȱZwetlensisȱTertia,ȱalbeitȱclearlyȱimplyingȱa ritualisticȱ motiv,ȱ mostlyȱ utilizesȱ theȱ incidentȱ toȱ scoldȱ theȱ Austrianȱ Dukeȱ Albrechtȱ Iȱ forȱ his ‘favouringȱtheȱJews.’ȱTheȱwayȱofȱtheȱJews’ȱexecutionȱ(brokenȱonȱtheȱwheel)ȱsuggestsȱaȱformal verdictȱ(BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ87–88,ȱnos.ȱ78–79ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ1];ȱforȱexecutionsȱofȱJews,ȱsee Ernstȱ Schubert,ȱ Räuber,ȱ Henker,ȱ armeȱ Sünder:ȱ Verbrechenȱ undȱ Strafeȱ imȱ Mittelalterȱ [Darmstadt: WissenschaftlicheȱBuchgesellschaft,ȱ2007],ȱ61–64). Bruggerȱ andȱ Wiedl,ȱ Regestenȱ 2,ȱ 97–99,ȱ nos.ȱ 646–47,ȱ 649ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 94).ȱ Aȱ iudexȱ iudeorum (Judenrichter,ȱ‘judgeȱforȱtheȱJews’),ȱaȱChristianȱwhoȱwasȱresponsibleȱforȱJewishȬChristianȱdisputes andȱbusinessȱtransactions,ȱwhoseȱexistenceȱisȱusuallyȱaȱsignifierȱforȱaȱlarger,ȱandȱconsiderably important,ȱJewishȱcommunity,ȱisȱdocumentedȱquiteȱcontinually;ȱinȱ1355,ȱtheȱfirstȱJewȱisȱmentioned againȱwhenȱtheȱJewessȱCzaetel,ȱwidowȱafterȱMoscheȱofȱKrems,ȱsellsȱherȱhouseȱinȱKrems.ȱSeeȱidem, 163,ȱno.ȱ790,ȱandȱgenerallyȱHanneloreȱHruschka,ȱDieȱGeschichteȱderȱJudenȱinȱKremsȱvonȱdenȱAnfängen bisȱ1938.ȱ2ȱVols.ȱ(Vienna:ȱUniversityȱofȱVienna,ȱunpublishedȱdissertation,ȱ1978). TheȱonlyȱextensiveȱpublicationȱonȱtheȱtopicȱisȱstillȱSamuelȱKrauss,ȱDieȱWienerȱGeserahȱvomȱJahre 1421ȱ (Viennaȱ andȱ Leipzig:ȱ Wilhelmȱ Braumüller,ȱ 1920).ȱ Anȱ editionȱ ofȱ theȱ textȱ ofȱ theȱ “Wiener Gesera,”ȱ theȱ GermanȬYiddishȱ reportȱ ofȱ theȱ incident,ȱ andȱ Albrecht’sȱ twoȱ verdicts,ȱ byȱ Artur Goldmann,ȱDasȱJudenbuchȱderȱScheffstrasseȱzuȱWienȱ(1389–1420).ȱ(ViennaȱandȱLeipzig:ȱWilhem Braumüller,ȱ1908),ȱ112–33ȱ(appendix);ȱseeȱalsoȱtheȱnewerȱdiscussionsȱbyȱKlausȱLohrmann,ȱDie WienerȱJudenȱimȱMittelalterȱ(BerlinȱandȱVienna:ȱPhilo,ȱ2000),ȱ155–73,ȱJudenrechtȱundȱJudenpolitik, 298–309ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ101);ȱBrugger,ȱ“VonȱderȱAnsiedlung,”ȱ221–54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12);ȱandȱRubin,ȱGentile Tales,ȱ116–19ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱwithȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱJewishȬHussiteȱconnectionȱ(orȱtheȱlackȱthereof).

330

BirgitȱWiedl

thisȱviolentȱdestructionȱofȱtheȱAustrianȱJewry—aȱsuspectedȱcollaborationȱwithȱthe Hussites,ȱ theȱ ducalȱ lustȱ forȱ theȱ treasuresȱ theyȱ hadȱ allegedlyȱ hidden—andȱ the extentȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱuniversityȱofȱViennaȱandȱitsȱantiȬJewishȱpreachersȱexertedȱtheir influenceȱareȱstillȱdiscussed,ȱoneȱkeyȱelementȱtiesȱinȱwithȱwhatȱhadȱhappenedȱmore thanȱ aȱ centuryȱ earlierȱ inȱ theȱ smallȱ townȱ ofȱ Korneuburg.ȱ Whenȱ severely reprimandedȱforȱhisȱactionsȱbyȱPopeȱMartinȱV,106ȱAlbrechtȱVȱexcusedȱhisȱactions withȱwhatȱheȱknewȱtoȱbeȱaȱsafeȱbet.ȱInȱhisȱverdicts,ȱAlbrechtȱdeclaredȱthatȱaȱfemale sacristianȱ(mesnerin)ȱofȱtheȱUpperȱAustrianȱtownȱofȱEnnsȱhadȱsoldȱaȱconsecrated hostȱseveralȱyearsȱbeforeȱtoȱtheȱJewsȱwhoȱintendedȱtoȱdesecrateȱit.ȱFurthermore, theȱ Jewsȱ hadȱ passedȱ theȱ hostȱ amongȱ themselvesȱ throughoutȱ theȱ duchyȱ and abroad,ȱthusȱimplicatingȱmoreȱJewsȱinȱtheȱcrimeȱandȱaddingȱconspiracyȱtoȱdeicide andȱprofanity.ȱ SinceȱAlbrecht’sȱdeclarationȱwasȱmadeȱonlyȱafterȱtheȱJewsȱwereȱkilled,ȱweȱmust takeȱthisȱfactȱintoȱaccountȱwhenȱdiscussingȱit.ȱDespiteȱtheȱpopularityȱofȱtheȱtale, thereȱhadȱbeenȱnoȱrumorsȱofȱanȱaccusationȱofȱJewishȱhostȱdesecrationȱatȱEnns beforeȱ Albrechtȱ V’sȱ verdicts,ȱ andȱ interestingly,ȱ neitherȱ wasȱ itȱ takenȱ upȱ byȱ the clericalȱchroniclersȱwhoȱreportedȱtheȱincidents,ȱnorȱdidȱaȱpilgrimageȱsiteȱdevelop outȱ ofȱ it.ȱ Itȱ isȱ highlyȱ plausibleȱ thatȱ Albrechtȱ utilizedȱ aȱ prevalentȱ andȱ wellȬ establishedȱpatternȱtoȱexplainȱandȱlegitimateȱhisȱactions.ȱAlbrechtȱcouldȱsafelyȱrely onȱtheȱdefaultȱcrimeȱscenarioȱthatȱprovidedȱallȱtheȱelementsȱthatȱwereȱcrucialȱto establishȱtheȱJews’ȱguilt.ȱItȱhadȱworkedȱaȱfewȱyearsȱearlierȱinȱtheȱarchbishopricȱof SalzburgȱwhereȱtheȱJewsȱhadȱbeenȱmadeȱtoȱconfessȱtoȱbothȱhostȱdesecrationsȱand ritualȱmurderȱunderȱtortureȱbeforeȱtheyȱwereȱeitherȱkilledȱorȱexpulsed,107ȱandȱit wouldȱworkȱnumerousȱtimesȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury,ȱinȱBreslauȱ(1453),ȱinȱPassau (1477)ȱandȱSternbergȱ(1492),ȱtoȱnameȱbutȱaȱfew,108ȱandȱwouldȱremainȱoneȱofȱthe centralȱfantasiesȱChristiansȱindulgedȱinȱwhenȱcontemplatingȱJewishȱcrime,ȱeven ifȱthey,ȱinȱtheȱretrospectȱofȱlaterȱcenturies,ȱwouldȱeitherȱnotȱfullyȱunderstandȱthe earlierȱconceptȱand/orȱaddȱtheirȱownȱideas.ȱ Atȱ Korneuburg,ȱ likeȱ inȱ manyȱ otherȱ townsȱ thatȱ hostedȱ aȱ churchȱ withȱ a miraculousȱhostȱ(oftenȱnamedȱ‘ChurchȱofȱtheȱHolyȱBlood’),ȱtheȱcenturiesȱtoȱfollow didȱnotȱconsiderȱtheȱJews’ȱpossible,ȱorȱproven,ȱinnocence,ȱbutȱaddedȱnewȱaspects ofȱtheȱJews’ȱmisdeedsȱthatȱcateredȱtoȱtheseȱcenturies’ȱownȱideasȱandȱreadingsȱof theȱstory.ȱTheȱimageȱofȱJewsȱdesecratingȱaȱhostȱbyȱthrowingȱitȱintoȱaȱwell,ȱaȱmotif

106

107

108

Goldmann,ȱJudenbuch,ȱ120–21ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ103),ȱtheȱmentionȱofȱtheȱpapalȱinterventionȱinȱtheȱtextȱof theȱGeseraȱ130. Markusȱ Wenninger,ȱ “Dieȱ Entwicklungȱ derȱ Stadtȱ Salzburg—zurȱ Geschichteȱ derȱ Judenȱ in Salzburg,”ȱGeschichteȱSalzburgsȱStadtȱundȱLand.ȱVol.ȱ1/2:ȱMittelalter,ȱed.ȱHeinzȱDopschȱandȱHans Spatzeneggerȱ(Salzburg:ȱPustet,ȱ1983),ȱ747–56. Forȱfurtherȱexamples,ȱseeȱLotter,ȱ“Hostienfrevelvorwurf,”ȱ578–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17);ȱRubin,ȱGentile Tales,ȱ119–31,ȱwithȱotherȱexamplesȱthroughoutȱchapterȱ6ȱ(includingȱPassauȱandȱSternberg)ȱ(see noteȱ3).

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

331

thatȱappearsȱfrequentlyȱinȱtheȱlaterȱhostȱdesecrationȱtales,ȱisȱfoundȱatȱKorneuburg notȱinȱtheȱmedievalȱtaleȱ butȱ isȱ onlyȱintroducedȱinȱaȱcycleȱofȱelevenȱ(originally twelve)ȱpaintingsȱfromȱ1660ȱ(seeȱFigs.ȱ2–12)ȱthatȱrenderedȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱtheȱoriginal incidentȱbutȱthisȱcentury’sȱideaȱofȱit.109ȱTheȱcreationȱofȱthisȱcycleȱofȱpaintings,ȱthat wasȱdisplayedȱinȱtheȱmonastery’sȱcloisterȱandȱhadȱbeenȱdonatedȱbyȱaldermen,ȱthe parishȱ priest,ȱ andȱ highȬrankingȱ citizensȱ ofȱ Korneuburg,ȱ coincidedȱ withȱ the copyingȱofȱtheȱprotocolsȱinȱtheȱyearȱ1655110ȱthatȱwasȱpresumablyȱmanufacturedȱon theȱoccasionȱofȱtheȱ(alleged)ȱretrievalȱofȱanȱalmostȬsaintlyȱobject—notȱtheȱhost itself,ȱbutȱtheȱpieceȱofȱclothȱthatȱhadȱonceȱcoveredȱtheȱmiraculousȱhost.111ȱ Again,ȱheavenlyȱinterventionȱhadȱguidedȱtheȱstepsȱofȱaȱcitizen,ȱtheȱalderman JohannȱGeorgȱNeckingerȱ(alsoȱReckinger),ȱandȱhadȱassistedȱhimȱinȱfindingȱ“the clothȱ whichȱ theȱ mostȱ holyȱ hostȱ hadȱ beenȱ wrappedȱ inȱ andȱ hiddenȱ inȱ theȱ local parishȱ churchȱ forȱ innumerableȱ years”ȱ (dasȱ tuechlȱ darinȱ dieȱ allerheiligȱ hostia eingewikeltȱundȱunerdenklicheȱjahrȱinȱderȱalhieigenȱpfarrȱkirchenȱverborgenȱwar).ȱAround theȱsameȱtime,ȱaȱ‘bookȱofȱmiracles’ȱ(Mirakelbuch)ȱwasȱpublishedȱbyȱtheȱmonastery thatȱretoldȱtheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱmiraculousȱhost.ȱInȱitsȱaccount,ȱtheȱmiracleȱbookȱleftȱno doubtȱasȱtoȱwhoȱwasȱtoȱbeȱconsideredȱtheȱmainȱperpetrator,ȱand,ȱlikeȱtheȱcycleȱof panels,ȱincludedȱtheȱmotifȱofȱtheȱhostȱbeingȱthrownȱintoȱaȱwell.ȱTheȱgeneralȱrevival ofȱtheȱlegendȱofȱtheȱmiraculousȱhostȱandȱtheȱpilgrimageȱsiteȱconnectedȱwithȱitȱwere inȱanswerȱtoȱtheȱprecariousȱsituationȱtheȱmonasteryȱfoundȱitselfȱinȱinȱtheȱmiddle ofȱtheȱseventeenthȱcentury.ȱReȬestablishedȱinȱ1624,ȱtheȱmonasteryȱhadȱsuffered damagesȱfromȱseveralȱfiresȱandȱtheȱSwedishȱsiegeȱinȱ1645/56.ȱ Theȱtemporalȱcoincidenceȱofȱthisȱrevivalȱisȱstriking.ȱOnlyȱthreeȱyearsȱearlier,ȱin 1652,ȱnewȱpanelsȱhadȱbeenȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱmainȱaltarȱofȱtheȱparishȱchurchȱatȱPulkau thatȱ illustratedȱ theȱ localȱ miracleȬworkingȱ hostȱ wafer,ȱ andȱ hadȱ successfully providedȱ aȱ popularȱ attractionȱ forȱ bothȱ localsȱ andȱ pilgrims.ȱ Theȱ legendȱ had prevailedȱ inȱ Korneuburgȱ overȱ theȱ centuries,ȱ butȱ hadȱ sufferedȱ aȱ declineȱ in importance.ȱAnȱearlierȱillustration,ȱfromȱaroundȱ1470,ȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱonȱaȱsmall portableȱaltarȱ(Klappaltar)ȱtheȱcentrepieceȱofȱwhichȱhadȱservedȱasȱaȱrepositoryȱfor theȱbloodȬstainedȱclothȱ(seeȱFig.ȱ1).ȱOnȱtheȱtwoȱsideȱwings,ȱfourȱpaintingsȱshowȱthe Jewishȱscholarȱ(upperȱright,ȱalreadyȱwithȱtheȱinfamousȱyellowȱcircleȱonȱhisȱcloak) holdingȱtheȱhostȱandȱtheȱbloodiedȱclothȱinȱhisȱhand,ȱandȱthreeȱofȱtheȱwondersȱthat

109

110 111

Graus,ȱPest,ȱGeissler,ȱJudenmorde,ȱ299–340ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱonȱtheȱemergenceȱofȱtheȱmythȱofȱJewish wellȬpoisoningȱinȱtheȱfourteenthȱcentury;ȱRohrbacherȱandȱSchmidt,ȱJudenbilder,ȱ194–202,ȱforȱan overviewȱofȱtheȱlaterȱdevelopmentȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8). HHStA,ȱNotariatsinstrumentȱdesȱNotarsȱOttoȱvonȱRußbach,ȱAURȱ1305ȱXIIȱ17ȱ(enclosed). Theȱoriginalȱinstallationȱofȱtheȱpaintingsȱisȱnotȱclear:ȱsomeȱofȱtheȱpaintingsȱareȱnumbered,ȱbutȱthe sequenceȱofȱtheȱnumbersȱdiffersȱfromȱtheȱcourseȱofȱeventsȱ(e.g.,ȱlightingȱofȱcandlesȱatȱtheȱparish churchȱcarriesȱtheȱnumberȱ5).

332

BirgitȱWiedl

theȱhostȱhadȱworked—theȱhealingȱofȱtwoȱblindȱ(lowerȱleft)ȱandȱtwoȱhandicapped (lowerȱright),ȱandȱtheȱlightingȱofȱcandlesȱ(upperȱleft).112ȱ AlthoughȱtheȱpaintingȱdoesȱnotȱactuallyȱshowȱtheȱJewȱmaltreatingȱtheȱhost,ȱthe implicationȱisȱagainȱclear:ȱaȱJewȱholdingȱaȱhostȱinȱhisȱhandsȱmeansȱdesecration.ȱIn theȱcenturiesȱtoȱcome,ȱtheȱseventeenthȬcenturyȱpaintingsȱreflectedȱtheȱpeoples’ ideasȱaboutȱtheȱcourseȱofȱeventsȱandȱthatȱwouldȱinfluenceȱfutureȱperceptionsȱof them,ȱ particularlyȱ sinceȱ copperȱ engravingsȱ ofȱ themȱ wereȱ includedȱ inȱ theȱ later editionsȱofȱtheȱmiracleȱbook. TheȱlateȱnineteenthȱandȱtheȱmidȬtwentiethȱcenturyȱleftȱnoȱdoubtȱasȱtoȱwhoȱwas toȱbeȱregardedȱasȱtheȱculprit(s).113ȱAnȱamalgamȱofȱtheȱlateȬmedievalȱeventsȱandȱthe earlyȱ modernȱ additions,ȱ theȱ taleȱ bearsȱ onlyȱ slightȱ resemblanceȱ toȱ whatȱ the witnesses,ȱconvincedȱofȱtheȱJews’ȱguiltȱorȱnot,ȱhadȱtestifiedȱ600ȱyearsȱago:ȱafter buyingȱtheȱhostȱfromȱaȱcriminalȱand/orȱfoolishȱChristianȱandȱdoingȱunspeakable thingsȱtoȱit,ȱtheȱJewsȱthrewȱtheȱmaltreatedȱhostȱintoȱaȱwellȱbutȱretrievedȱitȱagain sinceȱitȱdrewȱattentionȱbyȱshiningȱbrightlyȱfromȱwithinȱtheȱwater.ȱTheyȱthenȱbribed aȱdimȬwittedȱChristianȱservantȱtoȱgetȱridȱofȱitȱforȱthem,ȱandȱwhenȱheȱrefused,ȱthey ranȱafterȱhim,ȱaccusingȱhimȱofȱhavingȱthrownȱtheȱhostȱintoȱtheirȱhouse.ȱTheȱJewish scholarȱshowedȱtheȱhostȱwafer,ȱfromȱwhichȱbloodȱwasȱseepingȱsoȱthatȱitȱsoakedȱthe clothȱitȱwasȱwrappedȱin,ȱtoȱtheȱgatheringȱmasses,ȱbutȱnoȱoneȱwasȱwillingȱtoȱtake itȱfromȱhim.ȱZerkel,ȱaggravated,ȱthrewȱtheȱwaferȱontoȱtheȱfloorȱandȱtrodȱitȱintoȱthe dirt.ȱLater,ȱaȱheavenlyȱvisionȱledȱtheȱbaker’sȱsonȱintoȱZerkel’sȱhouse,ȱwhereȱthe remainingȱ thirdȱ ofȱ theȱ maltreatedȱ host,ȱ stillȱ wrappedȱ inȱ theȱ bloodiedȱ cloth, suddenlyȱappearedȱinȱhisȱhand.ȱSinceȱheȱconsideredȱhimselfȱunworthyȱofȱholding theȱbodyȱofȱChristȱinȱhisȱhands,ȱheȱputȱtheȱwaferȱonȱtheȱthresholdȱwhichȱwasȱseen byȱ twoȱ womenȱ passingȱ by.ȱ Theȱ newsȱ spreadȱ quicklyȱ andȱ aȱ throngȱ ofȱ people gatheredȱatȱtheȱJew’sȱhouse.ȱSoon,ȱtheyȱrememberedȱtheȱrecentȱincident—theȱJews chasingȱafterȱtheȱservant—andȱstartedȱtoȱcryȱoutȱforȱpunishment.ȱTheȱscholarȱwas burntȱ atȱ theȱ stakeȱ immediately,ȱ andȱ Zerkel,ȱ whoȱ had,ȱ withȱ theȱ helpȱ ofȱ some aldermen,ȱbeenȱhidingȱinȱaȱhouse,ȱwasȱbeatenȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱtheȱenragedȱmasses.ȱIn thisȱrenditionȱthatȱevenȱmadeȱitȱintoȱaȱcollectionȱofȱfolkȱtales114ȱnoȱdoubtsȱwere raisedȱaboutȱtheȱJews’ȱguiltȱandȱthatȱtheyȱreceivedȱtheirȱ‘divineȱretribution.’ȱ

112

113

114

Theȱ altarȱ isȱ nowȱ keptȱ atȱ theȱ Stiftmuseumȱ Klosterneuburgȱ (Museumȱ ofȱ theȱ Monasteryȱ of Klosterneuburg),ȱwhereȱitȱwasȱbroughtȱtoȱafterȱtheȱdissolutionȱofȱtheȱKorneuburgȱmonasteryȱin 1808.ȱStelzer,ȱ“AmȱBeispielȱKorneuburg,”ȱ317–19,ȱwithȱill.ȱno.ȱ2ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12). Albertȱ Starzer,ȱ Geschichteȱ derȱ landesfürstlichenȱ Stadtȱ Korneuburgȱ (1899,ȱ rpt.;ȱ Korneuburg: Museumsverein,ȱ1991);ȱFranzȱZeissl,ȱGeschichteȱderȱStadtȱKorneuburg,ȱvol.ȱ1ȱ(Vienna:ȱTouristikȬ Verlag,ȱ1959),ȱ73–74,ȱandȱidem,ȱDasȱehemaligeȱAugustinerklosterȱinȱKorneuburg,ȱ3–7ȱandȱ28–30ȱ(see noteȱ33). Stelzer,ȱ “Amȱ Beispielȱ Korneuburg,”ȱ 316,ȱ whoȱ alsoȱ pointsȱ outȱ thatȱ sinceȱ Starzerȱ quotesȱ Pope Benedict’sȱletter,ȱheȱmustȱhaveȱknownȱaboutȱtheȱmanufacturedȱevidence,ȱyetȱchoseȱtoȱgiveȱthis completelyȱuncriticalȱandȱclearlyȱbiasedȱrenditionȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12).

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

333

WhatȱcanȱweȱconcludeȱaboutȱtheȱfourteenthȬcenturyȱcitizensȱofȱKorneuburg?ȱThe contradictionsȱthatȱappearȱinȱtheȱrecordȱofȱtheȱinterrogations,ȱtheȱaccusationȱbyȱthe priest,ȱandȱtheȱstatementȱ‘Iȱdidȱnotȱseeȱit’ȱofȱtheȱwitnessesȱnotwithstanding,ȱthe contemporariesȱofȱtheȱearlyȱfourteenthȱcentury,ȱbeȱtheyȱrural,ȱurban,ȱorȱcourtly, genuinelyȱbelievedȱinȱtheȱJews’ȱcollectiveȱguilt.ȱYetȱwasȱthisȱbeliefȱunanimous? Thereȱ seemsȱ toȱ haveȱ beenȱ doubtȱ amongȱ someȱ ofȱ theȱ theologicallyȱ trained, althoughȱtheirȱconcernȱrestedȱmoreȱwithȱtheȱquestionȱofȱtheȱgenuinenessȱofȱthe hostȱ andȱ itsȱ miracles.ȱ Butȱ thereȱ wasȱ alsoȱ roomȱ forȱ doubtȱ amongȱ theȱ Jews’ neighbors,ȱthoseȱwithȱwhomȱtheyȱhadȱlivedȱsideȱbyȱsideȱratherȱpeacefullyȱuntil then.ȱ Disagreementsȱ occuredȱ duringȱ theȱ interrogation:ȱ theȱ citizensȱ shiftedȱ the blameȱontoȱtheȱscholarȱbyȱclaimingȱthatȱheȱhadȱnamedȱZerkelȱasȱtheȱsoleȱculprit. Theȱsuggestionȱthatȱtheȱscholarȱmightȱhaveȱbeenȱinnocentȱhangsȱinȱtheȱair,ȱyetȱis heavilyȱqualifiedȱbyȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarktȱwhoȱreportsȱthatȱevenȱtheȱscholar himselfȱhadȱconcededȱthatȱthey,ȱtheȱJews,ȱhadȱmetȱtheirȱdestiny.115ȱNevertheless, theȱcitizensȱseemedȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱquiteȱhesitantȱtoȱstateȱthatȱtheyȱfirmlyȱbelieved inȱ theȱ Jews’ȱ guilt.ȱ Noneȱ ofȱ theȱ intervieweesȱ admittedȱ toȱ havingȱ actively participatedȱinȱtheȱkillingȱofȱtheȱJews;ȱandȱweȱmayȱquestionȱwhetherȱtheyȱsaid whatȱtheȱauthoritiesȱwantedȱtoȱhear,ȱwhetherȱtheyȱwereȱafraidȱofȱadmittingȱtoȱthe killings,ȱorȱwhetherȱatȱleastȱsomeȱofȱthemȱactuallyȱharboredȱdoubtsȱaboutȱtheȱJews’ guilt.ȱ KonradȱReus’sȱwifeȱtestifiedȱatȱtheȱinterrogationȱthatȱsheȱhadȱbeenȱpresentȱwhen theȱ hostȱ waferȱ hadȱ beenȱ found,ȱ yetȱ sheȱ didȱ notȱ mentionȱ (andȱ wasȱ notȱ asked) anythingȱ aboutȱ Zerkelȱ beingȱ atȱ theirȱ home.ȱ Hadȱ theȱ twoȱ Christians,ȱ theȱ two Marquards,ȱwhoȱhadȱusheredȱZerkelȱintoȱKonradȱReus’sȱhouse,ȱtheȱmomentȱtheir neighborsȱreturnedȱ(andȱperhapsȱtoldȱthemȱaboutȱtheȱJewishȱscholar’sȱlastȱwords, andȱhisȱunmarredȱhead),ȱcontinuedȱtoȱguardȱZerkel,ȱorȱhadȱtheyȱreachedȱforȱa cudgelȱandȱjoinedȱtheȱmurderousȱmob?ȱWeȱdoȱnotȱknow.ȱTheȱphrasingȱofȱthe testimonyȱofȱHeinrichȱShem,ȱtheȱwitnessȱwhoȱtellsȱusȱaboutȱtheȱtwoȱMarquards whoȱ hadȱ triedȱ toȱ hideȱ Zerkel,ȱ suggestsȱ thatȱ Zerkelȱ hadȱ indeedȱ hopedȱ toȱ find protectionȱthere,ȱandȱthatȱtheȱmobȱhadȱenteredȱtheȱhouseȱbyȱforce.ȱHeinrichȱtoo claimsȱnotȱtoȱhaveȱpartakenȱinȱZerkel’sȱkilling,ȱyetȱweȱcan’tȱbeȱsure,ȱofȱcourse. Whatȱweȱdoȱknowȱisȱthatȱbloodȱhadȱindeedȱbeenȱspilt,ȱandȱitȱhadȱbeenȱtheȱblood ofȱtheȱJews.ȱ

115

ThisȱisȱtheȱcommentȱbyȱOttoȱanȱdemȱRossmarktȱ(eighthȱwitness),ȱwhoȱalsoȱclaimsȱthatȱHeinrich vonȱEtzleinsdorf,ȱHeinrich’sȱbrother,ȱandȱKonradȱanȱderȱHochstrassȱwereȱpresentȱduringȱthe scholar’sȱallegedȱconfessionȱ(BruggerȱandȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱ1,ȱ134,ȱno.ȱ133ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ1]).

334

BirgitȱWiedl

Fig.ȱ1:ȱStiftsmuseumȱKlosterneuburg,ȱIngeȱKitlitschka,ȱKlosterneuburg.ȱPortable altarȱ(aroundȱ1470)ȱwithȱfourȱpaintingsȱ(upperȱleft:ȱspontaneousȱignitionȱof candles,ȱupperȱright:ȱtheȱJewȱholdingȱtheȱhost,ȱbottomȱleft:ȱtwoȱblindȱregain theirȱsight,ȱbottomȱright:ȱtwoȱcrippledȱareȱcured)

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

335

Figs.ȱ2ȱ–ȱ12:ȱStadtmuseumȱKorneuburg.ȱCycleȱofȱpaintings,ȱoil,ȱ1660,ȱelevenȱof theȱoriginallyȱtwelveȱpaintingsȱthatȱwereȱonȱdisplayȱinȱtheȱcloisterȱofȱthe monasteryȱofȱKorneuburg,ȱnowȱkeptȱatȱtheȱMunicipalȱMuseum Fig.ȱ2:ȱ“1301,ȱtheȱJewȱZerklinȱmadeȱaȱChristianȱsellȱaȱholyȱhostȱwaferȱforȱmoney andȱaȱcoat.”ȱBackground,ȱleft:ȱZerkelȱoffersȱaȱredȱcoatȱandȱmoneyȱtoȱthe ȱ ȱ Christian. [No donation]

336

BirgitȱWiedl

Fig.ȱ3:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱChristianȱsellsȱtheȱhostȱtoȱZerkelȱtheȱJewȱforȱmoneyȱandȱa coat.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱWenzeslausȱMelzer,ȱCRSAȱ[=ȱCanonȱRegular],ȱ parishȱpriestȱofȱKorneuburg

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

337

Fig.ȱ4:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱJewȱZerkelȱthrowsȱtheȱhostȱintoȱtheȱwellȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱthe JewȱScholasticus.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱBlasiusȱVitalisȱSeywald,ȱimperial Salzgegenschreiberȱ(officialȱatȱtheȱimperialȱsaltȱauthority)

338

BirgitȱWiedl

Fig.ȱ5:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱJewȱScholasticusȱretrievesȱtheȱhostȱfromȱtheȱwell,ȱandȱtheȱJew Zerkelȱtrodsȱonȱit.”ȱOnȱtheȱbaseȱofȱtheȱwell:ȱ“JohannȱGeorgȱRekinger,ȱmember ofȱtheȱlocalȱinnerȱcouncilȱwhoȱrecoveredȱtheȱclothȱwhichȱtheȱmostȱholyȱhostȱhad beenȱwrappedȱinȱandȱwhichȱhadȱbeenȱhiddenȱinȱtheȱlocalȱparishȱchurchȱfor innumerableȱyears,ȱthroughȱdivineȱdirection.”

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

339

Fig.ȱ6:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱJewȱZerkelȱshowsȱitȱ[=ȱtheȱhost]ȱtoȱaȱChristianȱsoȱthatȱhe shouldȱthrowȱtheȱhostȱtogetherȱwithȱaȱwhiteȱclothȱintoȱtheȱDanube,ȱbutȱthe Christianȱdidȱnotȱtakeȱtheȱhost.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱ[inscriptionȱfaded]ȱ JacobȱSn[.ȱ.ȱ.]hacknerȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]

340

BirgitȱWiedl

Fig.ȱ7:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱtwoȱJewsȱZerkelȱandȱtheȱScholasticusȱcryȱandȱfalsely complain,ȱasȱifȱtheȱChristianȱhadȱcarriedȱtheȱhostȱintoȱtheirȱhouse.” Background:ȱOneȱofȱtheȱJewsȱappearsȱonȱtheȱthresholdȱwithȱtheȱhostȱwrapped inȱcloth.ȱDonatedȱbyȱPaulusȱMüller,ȱsenatorȱofȱKorneuburg

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

341

Fig.ȱ8:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱtwoȱJewsȱZerkelȱandȱScholasticusȱagainȱthrowȱtheȱhostȱand theȱclothȱtoȱtheȱfloorȱandȱtreadȱonȱitȱinȱanger.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱWenzislaus Dyrnwald,ȱnotaryȱpublicȱandȱsyndicȱatȱKorneuburg

342

BirgitȱWiedl

Fig.ȱ9:ȱ“Here,ȱanȱangelȱguidesȱaȱbackerȱcalledȱLuderichȱ[!]ȱfromȱtheȱbakeryȱto theȱJewȱZerkelȇsȱhouseȱsoȱthatȱheȱshouldȱpickȱupȱtheȱhost;ȱbutȱasȱheȱwasȱscared, theȱhostȱmiraculouslyȱappearedȱbetweenȱhisȱfingersȱ[barelyȱreadable].” Background:ȱTheȱbakerȱstoopsȱdownȱtoȱpickȱupȱtheȱhost.ȱ[Noȱdonation]

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

343

Fig.ȱ10:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱbakerȱputsȱtheȱhostȱwithȱutmostȱreverenceȱandȱobeisanceȱon theȱstonyȱdoorstep,ȱwhereuponȱtheȱhostȱsweatedȱbloodȱandȱwasȱthuslyȱfound.” Background:ȱLedȱbyȱtheȱangel,ȱtheȱbakerȱcarriesȱtheȱhost. Donation:ȱcoatȱofȱarmsȱandȱinitialsȱCFVSȱ(accordingȱtoȱZeissl,ȱDasȱehemalige Augustinerkloster,ȱ30ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ33],ȱtheȱcoatȱofȱarmsȱpointsȱatȱtheȱfamilyȱof Dachsenbeck)

344

BirgitȱWiedl

Fig.ȱ11:ȱ“Here,ȱ6ȱ(?)ȱwaxȱcandlesȱigniteȱuponȱbeingȱshownȱtheȱhostȱandȱthe bloodȬstainedȱcloth.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱJohannȱNußdorfer,ȱnotaryȱpublicȱ atȱKorneuburg

TheȱHostȱonȱtheȱDoorstep

345

Fig.ȱ12:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱblindȱareȱhealedȱbyȱbeingȱshownȱtheȱhostȱandȱbyȱapplication ofȱtheȱcloth.”ȱ[Theȱbeardedȱmanȱappearsȱtoȱbeȱhandicapped.]ȱDonatedȱby GeorgiusȱEberschwanger

Chapterȱ14 DanielȱF.ȱPiggȱ (TheȱUniversityȱofȱTennesseeȱatȱMartin)

DoesȱtheȱPunishmentȱFitȱtheȱCrime?:ȱChaucer’s Physician’sȱTaleȱandȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment

OfȱtheȱtalesȱinȱtheȱCanterburyȱTales,ȱtheȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱisȱcertainlyȱaȱselectionȱthat hasȱ beenȱ notedȱ forȱ itsȱ lackȱ ofȱ narrativeȱ unity,ȱ itsȱ ratherȱ bizarreȱ logicȱ atȱ the conclusion,ȱandȱitsȱhorrificȱrepresentationȱofȱjudgmentsȱinȱcourtȱandȱatȱhome:ȱthe father’sȱandȱtheȱjudge’s.1ȱAsȱRobinȱBottȱhasȱnoted,ȱtheȱtaleȱconsidersȱ“society’s concernȱwithȱtheȱsocialȱandȱpoliticalȱconsequencesȱofȱsexualȱaccessȱtoȱwomen.”2 Inȱthatȱway,ȱitȱcoheresȱwithȱaȱnumberȱofȱtheȱfabliauxȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱreligiousȱtales. Inȱthisȱtale,ȱjusticeȱisȱitselfȱonȱtrial,ȱperhapsȱevenȱtheȱveryȱopenȱconstructionȱofȱthe legalȱsystemȱasȱChaucerȱenvisionsȱit.ȱTheȱconcernsȱseemȱlargerȱthanȱgender,ȱbut asȱwillȱbeȱseen,ȱtheȱtwoȱconceptsȱofȱgenderȱandȱlawȱorȱjudgmentȱareȱintertwined. WhenȱVirginiaȱasks,ȱ“Isȱtherȱnoȱgrace,ȱisȱthereȱnoȱremedy?”ȱ(VI,ȱ235),ȱsheȱisȱasking theȱcentralȱquestionȱofȱjusticeȱinȱtheȱtale.ȱHowever,ȱasȱseveralȱcriticsȱhaveȱnoted, Chaucer’sȱ additionsȱ andȱ changesȱ moveȱ theȱ taleȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ mostȱ overtly politicalȱ possibilitiesȱ foundȱ inȱ theȱ originalȱ sources.ȱ Asȱ Liaannaȱ Farberȱ has observed,ȱ “Inȱ theȱ Physician’sȱ Taleȱ politicsȱ andȱ governanceȱ insteadȱ becomeȱ the processȱofȱgettingȱpeopleȱtoȱagreeȱwithȱyou;ȱtheȱprocessȱofȱcreatingȱconsent.”3ȱ Chaucerȱprovidesȱusȱwithȱaȱtaleȱthatȱhasȱnoȱemotionalȱrelease.ȱThereȱisȱnoȱreal systemȱwherebyȱaȱcorruptȱjudgmentȱthatȱisȱgivenȱinȱaȱRomanȱorȱEnglishȱcourtȱof

1

2

3

AllȱquotationsȱfromȱtheȱtextȱofȱTheȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱareȱfromȱTheȱRiversideȱChaucer,ȱ3rdȱed.,ȱed.ȱLarry Bensonȱ(Boston:ȱHoughtonȱMifflin,ȱ1987),ȱ190–93. RobinȱBott,ȱ“‘OȱKeepȱMeȱFromȱTheirȱWorseȱThanȱKillingȱLust’:ȱIdeologiesȱofȱRapeȱandȱMutilation inȱChaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱShakespeare’sȱTitusȱAndronicus,”ȱRepresentingȱRapeȱinȱMedieval andȱEarlyȱModernȱLiterature,ȱed.ȱElizabethȱRobertsonȱandȱChristinaȱM.ȱRose.ȱTheȱNewȱMiddleȱAges (NewȱYorkȱandȱHoundmills,ȱBasingstoke,ȱHampshire:ȱPalgrave,ȱ2001),ȱ189–211. LiannaȱFarber,ȱ“TheȱCreationȱofȱConsentȱinȱtheȱPhysician’sȱTale,”ȱChaucerȱReviewȱ39ȱ(2004):ȱ151–64.

348

DanielȱF.ȱPigg

lawȱcanȱbeȱoverturned.ȱȱCorruptȱdesireȱhasȱbecomeȱitsȱownȱlaw.ȱTheȱtaleȱhasȱbeen deemedȱunsatisfactoryȱandȱenigmatic,ȱbutȱthatȱcouldȱsimplyȱbeȱbecauseȱofȱthe imageȱ thatȱ weȱ haveȱ ofȱ Chaucer,ȱ ifȱ weȱ assumeȱ thatȱ heȱ isȱ theȱ wittyȱ andȱ urbane personȱofȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.4ȱHasȱChaucerȱthroughȱtheȱPhysicianȱdeconstructedȱthe powerȱofȱtheȱsocialȱorder,ȱorȱhasȱheȱsimplyȱshownȱgapsȱwithinȱtheȱstructure?ȱHas ChaucerȱthroughȱtheȱveryȱfictionȱofȱhisȱtextȱmovedȱtheȱworldȱfromȱimperialȱRome inȱ someȱ wayȱ toȱ medievalȱ Europeȱ whereȱ chargesȱ inȱ theȱ courtȱ couldȱ becomeȱ a critiqueȱofȱmasculineȱpower?ȱThisȱessayȱwillȱassertȱthatȱChaucerȱdidȱpreciselyȱthat throughȱtheȱPhysician.ȱ

I Takingȱ theȱ storyȱ fromȱ Livyȱ andȱ theȱ Romanȱ deȱ laȱ rose,5ȱ Chaucerȱ makesȱ several uniqueȱchangesȱtoȱhisȱsources,ȱincludingȱtheȱelaborationȱonȱtheȱworkȱonȱNature, theȱwarningȱtoȱparentsȱandȱgovernessesȱtoȱbeȱcarefulȱofȱtheirȱchildren’sȱsafety,ȱthe sceneȱ atȱ homeȱ betweenȱ Virginiusȱ andȱ Virginiaȱ inȱ whichȱ heȱ takesȱ herȱ life,ȱ the connectionȱ ofȱ Virginia’sȱ andȱ Jephthah’sȱ daughterȱ andȱ thusȱ ofȱ Virginiusȱ and Jephthah,ȱandȱtheȱmoralȱtagȱendingȱthatȱseemsȱbizarreȱinȱitsȱconnectionȱtoȱthe eventsȱofȱtheȱstory.6ȱ TheȱjudgmentȱsceneȱinȱwhichȱVirginiusȱkillsȱhisȱdaughterȱisȱmovedȱfromȱthe courtȱsettingȱtoȱtheirȱhome.ȱTheȱmeansȱbyȱwhichȱVirginiusȱisȱchargedȱwithȱthe crimeȱ ofȱ theft—theȱ allegedȱ takingȱ ofȱ theȱ wouldȬbeȱ slaveȱ whoȱ isȱ actuallyȱ his daughter—remainsȱinȱChaucer’sȱversionȱasȱinȱhisȱsources.ȱTakenȱtogether,ȱthe originalȱtaleȱandȱtheȱChaucerianȱadditionsȱcontributeȱtoȱoneȱofȱtheȱmostȱdisturbing examinationsȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱinȱtheȱCanterburyȱTales.ȱWhatȱseemsȱlikely isȱthatȱChaucer’sȱuniqueȱcontributionsȱtoȱtheȱstoryȱattemptȱtoȱaddressȱissuesȱof agencyȱandȱresponsibility.ȱWhatȱresultsȱisȱaȱcomplexȱwebȱwhichȱshowsȱtheȱvital forceȱthatȱtheȱcommonsȱexertȱinȱtheȱunderstandingȱofȱjustice,ȱbutȱevenȱhere,ȱthat isȱlessȱofȱaȱcritiqueȱofȱtheirȱvoiceȱasȱitȱwasȱinȱtheȱClerk’sȱTaleȱthanȱinȱtheȱfailures builtȱintoȱaȱsystemȱripeȱforȱperverseȱabuse. WhileȱtheȱmajorityȱofȱthisȱessayȱwillȱexamineȱtheȱspecificȱChaucerianȱadditions toȱtheȱtale’sȱfictiveȱnarrative,ȱitȱisȱalsoȱimportantȱtoȱpointȱoutȱaȱsignificantȱissue

4

5

6

Forȱaȱsurveyȱofȱcriticismȱonȱthisȱtale,ȱseeȱHelenȱStormȱCorsa,ȱed.,ȱTheȱPhysician’sȱTale:ȱAȱVariorum EditionȱofȱtheȱWorksȱofȱGeoffreyȱChaucer,ȱvol.ȱ11,ȱpartȱ17ȱ(Norman:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱOklahoma Press,ȱ1986),ȱ9–41.ȱ TheȱconsensusȱnowȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱthatȱChaucerȱknewȱtheȱstoryȱthroughȱaȱshorterȱversionȱfoundȱin GuillaumeȱdeȱLorris’sȱandȱJeanȱdeȱMeun’sȱRomanȱdeȱlaȱrose.ȱForȱaȱpointȱbyȱpointȱcomparison,ȱsee KennethȱBleeth,ȱ“TheȱPhysician’sȱTale,”ȱSourcesȱandȱAnaloguesȱofȱtheȱCanterburyȱTales,ȱvol.ȱ2,ȱed., RobertȱM.ȱCorrealeȱandȱMaryȱHamel.ȱChaucerȱStudiesȱ35ȱ(Cambridge:ȱD.ȱS.ȱBrewer,ȱ2002),ȱ535–63. Bleeth,ȱ“TheȱPhysician’sȱTale,”ȱ537ȱ(seeȱnoteȱȱ5).

Chaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment

349

relativeȱtoȱtheȱcourtȱscene.ȱWhileȱitȱisȱcertainlyȱclearȱthatȱChaucer’sȱsettingȱforȱthe storyȱisȱtheȱRomanȱworld,ȱitȱisȱhisȱknowledgeȱofȱEnglishȱlawȱandȱcourtȱsystems thatȱseemsȱmostȱdominant.ȱThatȱisȱalsoȱhowȱhisȱoriginalȱreadersȱorȱhearersȱwould haveȱjudgedȱtheȱlegalȱsystem.ȱClaudiusȱinȱtheȱversionsȱbyȱLivy,ȱJeanȱdeȱMeun,ȱand ChaucerȱaccusesȱVirginiusȱofȱstealingȱVirginiaȱfromȱhisȱhouse;ȱsheȱisȱaȱslaveȱstolen fromȱhisȱhouseȱlongȱagoȱonȱanȱevening.ȱVirginiusȱindicatesȱheȱcanȱproveȱotherwise inȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ Claudius’sȱ story,ȱ butȱ theȱ judge,ȱ actingȱ inȱ haste,ȱ willȱ notȱ allow witnessesȱtoȱbeȱbroughtȱtoȱtheȱcourtȱproceedings.ȱInsteadȱȱAppiusȱordersȱVirginius toȱsurrenderȱVirginiaȱtoȱhim.ȱNoȱfutureȱsonȬinȬlawȱisȱpresentȱinȱtheȱChaucerian textȱasȱinȱLivy’sȱversion.ȱLivyȱandȱJeanȱdeȱMeunȱhaveȱVirginiaȱkillȱhisȱdaughterȱin theȱsightȱofȱeveryone,ȱwhileȱChaucerȱmovesȱthatȱexperienceȱtoȱVirginius’sȱhouse.ȱ Whatȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱmostȱinterestingȱtoȱaȱmedievalȱaudienceȱwouldȱrelateȱto theȱchargesȱthemselves.ȱDerekȱG.ȱNealȱhasȱdemonstratedȱthatȱ“Accusationsȱof thieveryȱattackedȱaȱmasculineȱsocialȱselfȱbyȱdiminishingȱit,ȱreducingȱtheȱsymbolic spaceȱitȱoccupiedȱinȱaȱconstellationȱofȱotherȱsocialȱselves.”7ȱFurther,ȱheȱprovidesȱthe additionalȱcontextȱofȱaccusationsȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱcommunity: Thereȱwereȱdifferentȱwaysȱofȱimaginingȱthisȱaspectȱofȱsocialȱidentity.ȱInȱtheȱtextȱand contextȱofȱtheseȱdefamationȱsuits,ȱtheȱrelevantȱmedievalȱwordȱwasȱfama.ȱToȱbeȱdeȬfamed wasȱtoȱhaveȱone’sȱfamaȱdamaged.ȱYetȱfamaȱwasȱnotȱonlyȱpartȱorȱcharacteristicȱofȱan individual.ȱItȱwasȱinseparableȱfromȱtheȱspokenȱword,ȱasȱimpliedȱbyȱtheȱstockȱlegal phraseȱvoxȱetȱfama,ȱ“commonȱvoiceȱandȱfame,”ȱonȱwhichȱallȱwitnessesȱhadȱtoȱcomment. Inȱbothȱaȱlifelineȱandȱasȱaȱtetherȱonȱwhichȱeitherȱsideȱcouldȱpullȱtoȱitsȱownȱadvantage. .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ Masculineȱ famaȱ wasȱ largerȱ andȱ moreȱ variegatedȱ thanȱ theȱ feminineȱ variety. Defendingȱone’sȱmasculineȱhonorȱmeantȱholdingȱone’sȱplaceȱ(notȱbeingȱyankedȱoutȱof it)ȱandȱpreservingȱtheȱpossibilityȱofȱimprovingȱonȱit.8

Forȱtheȱmedievalȱworld,ȱtheȱaccusationȱofȱbeingȱaȱthiefȱasȱopposedȱtoȱbeingȱaȱtrue manȱmeantȱthatȱtheȱthiefȱwasȱ“theȱmostȱcommonȱpersonificationȱofȱunmanliness.”9 Finally,ȱtheȱ“trueȱman”ȱdistinctionȱsignalsȱ“anȱuncomplicatedȱhonesty:ȱopenness, manifestȱ veracity,ȱ aȱ surfaceȱ meaningȱ thatȱ isȱ theȱ onlyȱ meaning.”10ȱ Whatȱ seems straightforwardȱ inȱ theoryȱ becomesȱ significantlyȱ complexȱ inȱ theȱ mannerȱ of presentationȱinȱthisȱshortȱtale. Virginius,ȱbeingȱcalledȱaȱthiefȱinȱtheȱnarrative,ȱhasȱdoubtsȱcastȱonȱhisȱmasculinity inȱtheȱwayȱthatȱaȱtypicalȱmedievalȱchargeȱwouldȱhave.ȱThatȱhisȱdaughterȱisȱcalled “Virginia”ȱonlyȱprovidesȱanȱintriguingȱgrammaticallyȱgenderedȱdifficultyȱtoȱthe process,ȱasȱGlennȱBurgerȱhasȱnotedȱrelativeȱtoȱtheȱfixityȱofȱdesireȱonȱtheȱpartȱof

7

8 9 10

DerekȱG,ȱNeal,ȱTheȱMasculineȱSelfȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱEnglandȱ(ChicagoȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversity ofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ2008),ȱ36.ȱ Neal,ȱTheȱMasculineȱSelfȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱEngland,ȱ36ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7). Neal,ȱTheȱMasculineȱSelfȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱEngland,ȱ41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7).ȱ Neal,ȱTheȱMasculineȱSelfȱinȱLateȱMedievalȱEngland,ȱ43ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7).

350

DanielȱF.ȱPigg

Appius.11ȱTheȱdesireȱhereȱisȱclearlyȱtoȱbringȱVirginiusȱdown,ȱtoȱfeminizeȱhimȱinȱthe wayȱthatȱaȱchargeȱofȱtheftȱpresumes.ȱThatȱtheȱsystemȱofȱjusticeȱwillȱnotȱallowȱhim toȱproveȱotherwise,ȱgivenȱthatȱheȱisȱunableȱtoȱcallȱwitnessesȱbeforeȱAppiusȱreaches aȱquickȱdecision,ȱunderlinesȱthatȱtheȱwholeȱprocessȱofȱlawȱhasȱbeenȱmisused.ȱȱThe legalȱsystemȱinȱitsȱstructuralȱformȱȱhasȱoverturnedȱtheȱmeaningȱofȱfalseȱandȱtrue men,ȱ assumingȱ thatȱ theȱ trueȱ manȱ isȱ Virginiusȱ andȱ theȱ falseȱ oneȱ isȱ Appius. Viriginiusȱisȱalsoȱcaughtȱinȱaȱ“noȱgrace,ȱnoȱremedy”ȱ(VI,ȱ235)ȱsituation;ȱnoneȱis renderedȱtoȱhimȱorȱperhapsȱevenȱthroughȱhim,ȱatȱleastȱtoȱhisȱinnocentȱdaughter. Theȱremedyȱmitigatesȱagainstȱhisȱbeingȱaȱsimpleȱtrueȱman.ȱHenceȱthisȱconundrum addsȱtoȱtheȱtale’sȱtypicalȱunsatisfactoryȱnature. Inȱorderȱtoȱunderstandȱtheȱcomplexitiesȱofȱguiltȱandȱinnocence,ȱofȱcrimeȱand punishment,ȱandȱofȱmercyȱandȱmeaning,ȱweȱmustȱuntangleȱtheȱvariousȱstrataȱof theȱstoryȱandȱreadȱthoseȱagainstȱtheȱculturalȱexpectationȱofȱlawȱthatȱwouldȱbe commonȱinȱmedievalȱEnglandȱofȱChaucer’sȱday,ȱparticularlyȱregardingȱproperty. Virginiaȱisȱpropertyȱasȱsuchȱandȱinȱtheȱtaleȱisȱtreatedȱlikeȱsymbolicȱcapital,ȱbut thereȱisȱnoȱexchangeȱpossibleȱhere.ȱThisȱisȱnotȱaȱsimpleȱpatriarchalȱexchangeȱthat willȱenhanceȱtheȱvalueȱofȱmales,ȱbutȱinsteadȱwillȱundoȱallȱconcerned.ȱ Seenȱinȱthisȱway,ȱthisȱChaucerianȱstory—oneȱinȱwhichȱjusticeȱisȱdeniedȱandȱthe innocentȱ oneȱ isȱ punishedȱ alongȱ withȱ theȱ guilty—becomesȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ most profoundȱ commentariesȱ onȱ theȱ natureȱ ofȱ law,ȱ crime,ȱ andȱ punishmentȱ inȱ the CanterburyȱTales.ȱ“Doesȱtheȱpunishmentȱfitȱtheȱcrime?”ȱisȱaȱquestionȱthatȱweȱmust askȱ withȱ respectȱ toȱ allȱ participantsȱ inȱ theȱ story:ȱ Virginius,ȱ Virginia,ȱ Appius, Claudius,ȱandȱtheȱcommunity.ȱInȱtheȱend,ȱallȱareȱjudged,ȱandȱallȱareȱfoundȱlacking eitherȱexplicitlyȱorȱimplicitly.ȱȱInȱhisȱremarksȱatȱtheȱtale’sȱconclusion,ȱHarryȱBailly perceivesȱtheȱinjusticeȱofȱAppiusȱandȱClaudiusȱandȱallȱfalseȱvoicesȱinȱtheȱjustice system,ȱbutȱaddsȱthatȱVirginia’sȱbeautyȱ(NatureȱandȱFortune)ȱwasȱtheȱcauseȱofȱher death.ȱIsȱtheȱinnocentȱoneȱthenȱguilty?ȱAnȱhistoricistȱreadingȱlocatesȱaȱharsher judgmentȱofȱcrimeȱonȱVirginius,ȱwhoȱreallyȱdoesȱnotȱactȱasȱaȱknightȱshould,ȱatȱleast aȱmedievalȱknightȱwhoȱhasȱbeenȱdefamed.ȱȱOftenȱregardedȱasȱaȱflawedȱtale,ȱthe Physician’sȱTaleȱevokesȱvisceralȱreactionsȱwithinȱtheȱfictionȱofȱtheȱtale,ȱwithinȱthe dramaticȱframeȱofȱstoryȱtellingȱonȱtheȱwayȱtoȱCanterbury,ȱandȱwithinȱmodern readingȱcommunities.ȱ“Isȱtherȱnoȱremedye?”ȱisȱultimatelyȱtheȱquestionȱthatȱmust beȱansweredȱinȱlightȱofȱtheȱcodesȱofȱhonor,ȱhospitality,ȱandȱlaw.ȱ

11

Glennȱ Burger,ȱ “Doingȱ Whatȱ Comesȱ Naturally:ȱ Theȱ Physician’sȱ Taleȱ andȱ theȱ Pardoner,” MasculinitiesȱinȱChaucer:ȱApproachesȱtoȱMalenessȱinȱtheȱCanterburyȱTalesȱandȱTroilusȱandȱCriseyde,ȱed. PeterȱG.ȱBeidler.ȱChaucerȱStudies,ȱ25ȱ(Cambridge:ȱD.ȱS.ȱBrewer,ȱ1998),ȱ117–30.

Chaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment

351

II TheȱfirstȱChaucerianȱadditionȱtoȱtheȱtaleȱofȱVirginiusȱandȱVirginiaȱrevolvesȱaround theȱnatureȱofȱVirginiaȱherself,ȱherȱphysicalȱappearance.ȱLinesȱ9–71ȱandȱ105–17ȱare typicallyȱnotedȱasȱChaucer’sȱadditionȱtoȱtheȱmaterialsȱfoundȱinȱLivyȱandȱtheȱRoman deȱlaȱrose.ȱDatingȱatȱleastȱfromȱtheȱwritingsȱofȱAlbertusȱMagnusȱ(ca.ȱ1209–1290), thereȱwasȱaȱbeliefȱthatȱtheȱfactȱasȱtoȱwhomȱtheȱchildȱresembledȱwasȱanȱindictorȱof maleȱstrengthȱorȱweaknessȱinȱconception.ȱIfȱtheȱdaughterȱresembledȱherȱmother, thenȱherȱ“seed”ȱwasȱstrongerȱthanȱtheȱfather’sȱsperm,ȱandȱbyȱdefinitionȱtheȱmale wasȱ“inferior.”12ȱVirginia’sȱmotherȱisȱneverȱmentionedȱdirectlyȱatȱall.ȱNowhereȱin theȱtextȱdoȱweȱlearnȱthatȱVirginiaȱlooksȱanythingȱlikeȱVirginius—evenȱtheȱnaming connectionȱ doesȱ notȱ doȱ that.ȱ Theȱ grammaticallyȱ genderedȱ aspectȱ ofȱ naming, however,ȱisȱanȱimportantȱconnectionȱafterȱall.ȱThusȱthereȱmayȱbeȱsomeȱessentialist basedȱcriticismȱofȱVirginiusȱhere,ȱwhichȱis,ȱofȱcourse,ȱratherȱsubtle. Inȱtheȱtale,ȱNatureȱitselfȱdoesȱseemȱtoȱspeak,ȱasȱLomparisȱhasȱnoted,ȱbutȱher voiceȱ isȱ controlledȱ byȱ theȱ Physician—anotherȱ levelȱ ofȱ masculineȱ controlȱ and representationȱ inȱ theȱ taleȱ (23–24).13ȱ Nature,ȱ theȱ feminine,ȱ isȱ givenȱ creditȱ for Virginia’sȱbeauty: Thisȱmaydeȱofȱageȱtwelveȱyeerȱwasȱandȱtweye, InȱwhichȱthatȱNatureȱhaddeȱsucheȱdelit. Forȱrightȱasȱsheȱkanȱpaynteȱaȱlilieȱwhit, Andȱreedȱasȱrose,ȱrightȱwithȱswichȱpeynture Sheȱpeyntedȱhathȱthisȱnobleȱcreature, Erȱsheȱwereȱborn,ȱuponȱhirȱlymesȱfre, Whereȱasȱbyȱrightȱswicheȱcoloursȱshouldȱbe.” (VI,ȱ30–36) [Theȱmaidenȱwasȱfourteenȱyearsȱofȱage InȱwhichȱNatureȱhadȱsuchȱdelight, Forȱjustȱasȱsheȱcanȱpaintȱaȱlittleȱwhite Andȱredȱasȱaȱrose,ȱjustȱwithȱsuchȱȱpainting Sheȱhasȱpaintedȱthisȱnobleȱcreature, Beforeȱsheȱwasȱborn,ȱuponȱherȱgenerousȱlimbs Whereȱbyȱrightȱsuchȱcolorsȱshouldȱbe.]

12

13

VernȱL.ȱBullough,ȱ“OnȱBeingȱaȱMaleȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱMedievalȱMasculinities:ȱRegardingȱMen inȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱed.ȱClareȱA.ȱLeesȱwithȱThelmaȱFensterȱandȱAnnȱMcNamara.ȱMedievalȱCultures, 7ȱ(Minneapolis:ȱUniversityȱofȱMinnesotaȱPress,ȱ1994),ȱ31–45.ȱSeeȱalsoȱDanielȱF.ȱPigg,ȱ“Masculinity Studies,”ȱTheȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱed.,ȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱde Gruyter,ȱ2010),ȱ829–35. Lindaȱ Lomperis,ȱ “Unrulyȱ Bodiesȱ andȱ Rulingȱ Practices:ȱ Chaucer’sȱ Physician’sȱ Taleȱ asȱ Socially Symbolicȱ Act,”ȱ Feministȱ Approachesȱ toȱ theȱ Bodyȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Literature,ȱ ed.ȱ eademȱ andȱ Sarah Stanbury.ȱNewȱCulturalȱStudiesȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress,ȱ1993),ȱ21–37.

352

DanielȱF.ȱPigg

Nature,ȱnotȱherȱfather,ȱshapedȱherȱappearanceȱbeforeȱsheȱwasȱborn.ȱBiologyȱmay haveȱwonȱoutȱhereȱagainstȱourȱknight,ȱbutȱtheȱPhysicianȱnotesȱthatȱVirginiaȱspeaks wellȱinȱwords,ȱ“sownyngeȱinȱvertuȱandȱinȱgentillesse”ȱ(VI,ȱ54;ȱȱincliningȱtoȱvirtue andȱnobility),ȱwhichȱareȱemblemsȱofȱtheȱlogicalȱmind,ȱgenderedȱmale.14ȱBeautyȱin theȱRomanȱmind,ȱatȱleastȱasȱitȱpertainedȱtoȱwomen,ȱwasȱseenȱasȱaȱ“dangerousȱgift, oneȱ thatȱ putȱ virtueȱ atȱ risk.”15ȱ Isȱ itȱ possibleȱ thatȱ evenȱ Natureȱ itselfȱ hasȱ setȱ up Virginiaȱforȱaȱfallȱandȱthatȱbyȱextensionȱtheȱpassageȱbecomesȱaȱreflectionȱonȱthe abuseȱ ofȱ nature?ȱ Inȱ theȱ openingȱ description,ȱ however,ȱ thisȱ fourteenȬyearȬold daughterȱ seemsȱ moreȱ advancedȱ thanȱ herȱ ageȱ wouldȱ suggestȱ inȱ herȱ abilityȱ to manageȱ herȱ virtueȱ andȱ toȱ disentangleȱ ȱ herselfȱ fromȱ situationsȱ whereȱ any improprietyȱmightȱbeȱpossible.ȱButȱtheȱPhysicianȱnotesȱthatȱ“Forȱalȱtoȱsooneȱmau sheȱlearneȱloreȱ/ȱOfȱbooldnesse,ȱwhanȱsheȱwoxenȱisȱaȱwyf”ȱ(VI,ȱ70–71;ȱForȱallȱtoo soonȱ sheȱ mustȱ learnȱ theȱ teachingȱ ofȱ boldnessȱ whenȱ sheȱ isȱ grownȱ intoȱ aȱ wife). Clearly,ȱ sheȱ hasȱ beenȱ taughtȱ aȱ patternȱ ofȱ behaviorȱ fromȱ aȱ maleȱ authority,ȱ her father,ȱtoȱwhomȱsheȱwillȱreadilyȱgiveȱassentȱinȱhisȱnoȬwinȱsuggestionȱofȱaction.16 Sheȱisȱschooledȱtoȱreadȱallȱsituationsȱunderȱherȱfather’sȱ“governance.”ȱȱGivenȱthe openingȱofȱtheȱtextȱshowingȱVirginia’sȱselfȱmanagement,ȱitȱmayȱseemȱveryȱstrange thatȱtheȱsecondȱadditionȱbecomesȱanȱadmonitionȱtoȱparentsȱandȱgovernessesȱabout theirȱprotectionȱofȱchildren.

III Theȱadmonitionȱtoȱparentsȱhasȱattractedȱaȱgreatȱdealȱofȱattentionȱamongȱscholars, particularlyȱitsȱrelationȱtoȱtheȱtale’sȱlogic.ȱWhatȱseemsȱapparentȱhere,ȱhowever,ȱis theȱnotionȱthatȱtheȱruleȱofȱtheȱfatherȱisȱimportantȱinȱpreservingȱtheȱchildren: Underȱaȱshepherdeȱsofteȱandȱnecligent Theȱwolfȱhathȱmanyȱaȱsheepȱandȱlambȱtorent. Suffisethȱoonȱensampleȱnowȱasȱheere, ForȱIȱmootȱturneȱagainȱtoȱmyȱmatere. (VI,ȱ101–04) [Underȱanȱeasyȱandȱnegligentȱshepherd Theȱwolfȱhasȱkilledȱmanyȱaȱsheepȱandȱaȱlamb.

14

15

16

JoyceȱSalisbury,ȱ“GenderedȱSexuality,”ȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱSexuality,ȱed.ȱVernȱL.ȱBulloughȱand JamesȱA.ȱBrundage.ȱGarlandȱReferenceȱLibraryȱofȱtheȱHumanities,ȱ1696ȱ(NewȱYork:ȱGarland, 1996),ȱ81–102. AlineȱRousselle,ȱ“TheȱFamilyȱUnderȱtheȱRomanȱEmpire:ȱSignsȱandȱGestures,”ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱthe Family,ȱed.ȱAndréȱBurguiére,ȱChristineȱKlapischȬZuber,ȱMartineȱSegalen,ȱandȱFrancoiseȱZonabend.ȱ Vol.ȱ1ȱ(Boston:ȱHarvardȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1996),ȱ270–310. Farber,ȱ“TheȱCreationȱofȱConsent,”ȱ151ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

Chaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment

353

Sufficeȱitȱoneȱexampleȱnowȱtoȱhear ForȱIȱmustȱturnȱagainȱtoȱmyȱtopic.]

TheȱcontinuingȱtaleȱofȱVirginiaȱandȱVirginiusȱthusȱturnsȱintoȱanȱexemplum.ȱJohn Pitcherȱcontendsȱthatȱtheȱ“wolf”ȱbecomesȱVirginius;ȱ“theȱfamilyȱitselfȱ[isȱexposed] asȱ anȱ institutionȱ ofȱ violence.”17ȱ Itȱ wouldȱ seem,ȱ however,ȱ thatȱ suchȱ aȱ reading appliesȱ toȱ theȱ wolfȱ referenceȱ moreȱ literallyȱ thanȱ isȱ intended.ȱ Theȱ wolfȱ ofȱ the narrativeȱwouldȱclearlyȱbeȱAppius,ȱgivenȱthatȱheȱisȱtheȱoneȱwhoȱdesiresȱtoȱdestroy theȱbodyȱofȱVirginiaȱandȱinȱthisȱwayȱbyȱextensionȱtoȱstrikeȱatȱVirginius.ȱAsȱtheȱtale continues,ȱtheȱimplicitȱwarningȱisȱthatȱsomeoneȱwasȱnotȱwatchingȱVirginia—her family—andȱsomeoneȱelseȱwas—Appius.ȱNotionsȱofȱvirginityȱareȱimportantȱtoȱthe taleȱandȱtheȱconstructionȱofȱmasculineȱdesire.ȱ Howardȱ Bloch,ȱ attemptingȱ toȱ solveȱ theȱ conundrumȱ thatȱ theȱ Physician’sȱ Tale represents,ȱnotesȱthatȱtheȱChurchȱFathers,ȱandȱparticularlyȱTertullian,ȱwereȱvery muchȱconcernedȱaboutȱtheȱsexualȱdesireȱprovokedȱbyȱwomenȱseenȱinȱpublicȱtoȱthe pointȱthatȱanyȱvirginȱwhoȱhasȱbeenȱseenȱisȱnoȱlongerȱaȱvirgin.18ȱAppiusȱidentifies herȱbeautyȱasȱtheȱsnareȱforȱhisȱdesire—theȱconclusionȱthatȱHarryȱBaillyȱreachesȱas toȱtheȱreasonȱforȱherȱdeathȱafterȱtheȱconclusionȱofȱtheȱtale.ȱSheȱhasȱfallenȱunderȱthe maleȱ gaze,ȱ andȱ itȱ tooȱ isȱ oneȱ ofȱ governanceȱ butȱ moreȱ oneȱ ofȱ predatory manipulation.ȱ

IV Sinceȱtheȱcourtȱsceneȱitselfȱformsȱanȱimportantȱframeȱforȱunderstandingȱcrimeȱand punishmentȱinȱthisȱtale,ȱweȱneedȱtoȱlookȱfurtherȱatȱitsȱconstructionȱbeyondȱthe issueȱofȱgenderȱpoliticsȱnotedȱearlier.ȱInȱhisȱstudyȱonȱChaucer’sȱrepresentationȱon legalȱprocess,ȱJosephȱAllenȱHornsbyȱhasȱnotedȱthatȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱthisȱtale,ȱthe situationȱisȱnotȱoneȱofȱfelony,ȱbutȱinsteadȱrelativelyȱminor.ȱWeȱhaveȱanȱexampleȱof aȱ personalȱ injuryȱ case,ȱ whatȱ modernȱ lawȱ wouldȱ callȱ “civilȱ law.”ȱ Suchȱ an accusationȱcouldȱbeginȱwithȱaȱwritȱorȱbill,ȱwithȱtheȱbillȱbeingȱtheȱeasiestȱmethod toȱproceed.ȱInȱthatȱtale,ȱtheȱbillȱisȱfollowedȱtoȱtheȱletterȱwithȱpainstakingȱdetail. Accordingly,ȱ“itȱcouldȱbeȱdraftedȱbyȱtheȱplaintiffȱandȱpresentedȱdirectlyȱtoȱthe court.”19ȱTheȱjudgeȱwouldȱhaveȱtoȱlookȱatȱtheȱprincipleȱofȱequityȱinȱrestitutionȱin theȱcaseȱofȱcrime.ȱInterestinglyȱenough,ȱsuchȱcasesȱexpectedȱthatȱprinciplesȱwould

17

18

19

JohnȱA.ȱPitcher,ȱ“Chaucer’sȱWolf:ȱExemplaryȱViolenceȱinȱTheȱPhysician’sȱTale,”ȱGenreȱ36ȱ(2003): 1–28. R.ȱHowardȱBloch,ȱ“Chaucer’sȱMaidenȱHead:ȱ‘TheȱPhysician’sȱTale’ȱandȱtheȱPoeticsȱofȱVirginity,” Representationsȱ28ȱ(1989):ȱ113–34. JosephȱAllenȱHornsby,ȱChaucerȱandȱtheȱLawȱ(Norman,ȱOK:ȱPilgrimȱBooks,ȱ1988),ȱ151.

354

DanielȱF.ȱPigg

beȱfollowedȱratherȱthanȱdirectȱstipulationsȱofȱlaw.ȱTheȱjudgeȱhadȱtheȱrightȱtoȱmake aȱdecision,ȱunderȱtheȱconceptȱofȱequity. InȱtheȱpetitionȱofȱClaudius,ȱVirginiaȱisȱbeingȱheldȱagainstȱherȱwillȱbyȱVirginius, andȱheȱsimplyȱwantsȱherȱtoȱbeȱreturned.ȱAllȱofȱthis,ȱhowever,ȱisȱaȱlie.ȱOneȱwonders howȱClaudiusȱwouldȱhaveȱprovidedȱwitnesses.ȱAppius,ȱhowever,ȱspeedsȱupȱthe verdict,ȱwithoutȱVirginius’sȱsayingȱaȱwordȱorȱanyȱwitnessesȱbeingȱcalled.ȱ

V TheȱmostȱsignificantȱchangeȱandȱadditionȱtoȱtheȱoriginalȱstoryȱofȱVirginiusȱand Virginiaȱcomesȱduringȱtheȱcourtȱscene.ȱInȱChaucer’sȱsources,ȱallȱofȱthisȱhasȱbeen presentedȱ inȱ court,ȱ andȱ Virginius’sȱ actionsȱ areȱ inȱ public.ȱ Theȱ entireȱ scene beginningȱwithȱtheȱmanipulationȱofȱsocialȱjusticeȱcontrolledȱandȱdenaturedȱby debasedȱmasculineȱdesireȱisȱalsoȱrootedȱinȱclassȱconflict.ȱClaudius,ȱaȱchurl,ȱwould haveȱnoȱrightȱtoȱanyȱcontactȱwithȱVirginius’sȱdaughter,ȱbutȱVirginiusȱmustȱbowȱto theȱwhimȱofȱaȱlargerȱmasculineȬbasedȱruleȱofȱlaw.ȱUnlikeȱtheȱRomanȱsetting,ȱinȱthe Physician’sȱTaleȱtheȱfutureȱbridegroomȱofȱVirginiaȱisȱnotȱincludedȱandȱtheȱroleȱof theȱpublicȱisȱomittedȱuntilȱafterȱVirginia’sȱdeath.ȱInȱbothȱLivy’sȱversionȱandȱthe Romanȱversion,ȱVirginiusȱkillsȱhisȱdaughterȱinȱfrontȱofȱtheȱcourt—bothȱwouldȱthus beȱaȱpublicȱspectacle.ȱMovingȱtheȱsceneȱtoȱtheirȱhome,ȱhavingȱVirginiusȱshowȱa countenanceȱ“deedȱasȱashenȱcolde”ȱ(VI,ȱ209),ȱandȱestablishingȱaȱdialogueȱdesigned toȱincreaseȱpathosȱandȱtoȱgainȱconsentȱfromȱVirginiaȱmakeȱtheȱexperienceȱofȱthe taleȱ gruesome,ȱ arresting,ȱ andȱ theȱ subjectȱ ofȱ critiqueȱ ofȱ maleȱ authority.ȱ The statement,ȱ“Allas,ȱthatȱevereȱApiusȱtheȱsay”ȱ(VI,ȱ227;ȱAlasȱthatȱAppiusȱeverȱsaw you),ȱ seemsȱ toȱ placeȱ theȱ blameȱ onȱ her,ȱ forȱ itȱ hasȱ madeȱ Appiusȱ renderȱ aȱ false judgmentȱagainstȱVirginius.ȱSheȱasksȱforȱtimeȱtoȱmournȱasȱJephthahȱallowedȱfor hisȱdaughter.ȱTheȱinterestingȱpointȱhere,ȱofȱcourse,ȱprovesȱtoȱbeȱthatȱsheȱisȱtheȱone toȱmentionȱtheȱJephthahȱreferenceȱinȱtheȱlinesȱbelow: “Thanneȱyifȱmeȱleyser,ȱfaderȱmyn,”ȱquodȱshe, “Myȱdeethȱforȱtoȱcompleyneȱaȱlitelȱspace; For,ȱparde,ȱJepteȱyafȱhisȱdoghterȱgrace Forȱtoȱcompleyne,ȱerȱheȱhirȱslow,ȱalas! And,ȱGodȱitȱwoot,ȱnoȱthyngȱwasȱhirȱtrespas, Butȱforȱsheȱranȱhirȱfaderȱfirstȱtoȱsee, Toȱwelcomeȱhymȱwithȱgreetȱsolempnitee.” (VI,ȱ238–44)20

20

JohnȱMichealȱCrafton,ȱ“TheȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱJephtha’sȱDaughter,”ȱAmericanȱNotesȱandȱQueries 20.1ȱ(2007):ȱ8–16.

Chaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment

355

[“Thenȱgiveȱmeȱtime,ȱdearȱfather,”ȱsheȱsaid “Toȱcomplainȱforȱmyȱdeathȱaȱlittleȱspace; ForȱcertainlyȱJephthahȱgaveȱgraceȱtoȱhisȱdaughter Toȱcomplainȱbeforeȱheȱslewȱher! AndȱGodȱknowsȱitȱthatȱthereȱwasȱnoȱtrespass Exceptȱthatȱsheȱranȱoutȱfirstȱtoȱseeȱherȱfather, Toȱwelcomeȱhimȱwithȱgreatȱsolemnity.”]

Craftonȱcontendsȱthatȱtheȱreferenceȱtoȱtheȱspaceȱofȱtimeȱthatȱsheȱisȱtoȱlamentȱher lossȱofȱlifeȱfoundȱitsȱwayȱintoȱmedievalȱpreachingȱmanualsȱtoȱargueȱagainstȱsinful living.ȱ Heȱ writesȱ thatȱ “Weȱ areȱ askedȱ toȱ acceptȱ thatȱ theȱ narratorȱ isȱ sincerely presentingȱtheȱtaleȱofȱVirginiaȱforȱallȱofȱitsȱmaximumȱpathosȱwhileȱhavingȱherȱplea toȱliveȱlongerȱtoȱfollowȱtheȱexampleȱofȱoneȱwhoȱrepresentsȱtheȱoppositeȱofȱher virtue.”21ȱSuchȱaȱreadingȱdoesȱhaveȱmerits,ȱbutȱitȱmakesȱtheȱvictimȱresponsibleȱfor theȱactions. TheȱparallelsȱbetweenȱJephthahȱandȱhisȱdaughterȱandȱVirginiusȱandȱVirginia deserveȱfurtherȱconsideration.ȱItȱisȱimportantȱtoȱrememberȱthatȱinȱtheȱmedieval ChristianȱmindȱaȱJewishȱmaleȱwasȱlessȱofȱaȱmaleȱthanȱhisȱChristianȱcounterpart,ȱof course,ȱ centeredȱ aroundȱ theȱ notionȱ ofȱ lossȱ connectedȱ withȱ circumcision.22ȱ To compareȱVirginiusȱtoȱhimȱisȱthusȱaȱdebasementȱonȱseveralȱlevels.ȱCriticalȱopinion rangesȱfromȱtheȱnotionȱthatȱtheȱbiblicalȱreferenceȱmustȱbeȱaȱmistakeȱbasedȱonȱthe Physician’sȱlackȱofȱbiblicalȱknowledgeȱtoȱcomparisonsȱthatȱwouldȱprivilegeȱmore theȱAbraham/IsaacȱstoryȱorȱtheȱCrucifixionȱinȱplaceȱofȱtheȱactualȱreferenceȱasȱa glossȱonȱtheȱaction.ȱWhetherȱtheȱusageȱaccordsȱwithȱmedievalȱunderstandingȱis lessȱ significantȱ inȱ oneȱ senseȱ thanȱ mightȱ beȱ notedȱ atȱ firstȱ viewing.ȱ Assuming, however,ȱ thatȱ theȱ comparisonȱ isȱ correctȱ andȱ intended,ȱ severalȱ noteworthy readingsȱsurroundingȱVirginius’sȱmasculineȱstatusȱappear.ȱInȱtheȱbiblicalȱstory,ȱthe Deuteronomisticȱ historianȱ firstȱ hasȱ Jephthahȱ promiseȱ toȱ killȱ asȱ aȱ sacrificeȱ of thanksgivingȱforȱsuccessfullyȱdefeatingȱtheȱAmmonitesȱ(Judgesȱ11)ȱtheȱfirstȱperson whoȱcomesȱoutȱofȱhisȱhouseȱuponȱhisȱreturn.ȱ Theȱfollyȱisȱapparent;ȱitȱisȱmostȱlikelyȱthatȱanyoneȱcomingȱoutȱofȱhisȱhouseȱwould eitherȱbeȱaȱfriend,ȱfamilyȱmember,ȱorȱaȱservant.ȱClearly,ȱtoȱbeȱendowedȱwithȱthe spiritȱofȱYahwehȱdoesȱnotȱkeepȱaȱpersonȱfromȱmakingȱrashȱorȱfoolishȱstatements. Whatȱmayȱbeȱmoreȱsignificantȱisȱthatȱheȱisȱbornȱofȱaȱprostitute.ȱBiologyȱandȱdestiny areȱconnectedȱinȱmedievalȱnarrative;ȱtheyȱareȱalsoȱconnectedȱinȱbiblicalȱnarrative. Second,ȱJephthah’sȱ daughter,ȱobviouslyȱdevotedȱtoȱherȱfatherȱandȱhisȱsuccess, meetsȱhimȱwithȱtambourinesȱandȱdances.ȱThird,ȱheȱrebukesȱherȱforȱtheȱdifficulty thatȱsheȱhasȱbroughtȱhimȱto.ȱAppliedȱtoȱtheȱVirginius/Virginiaȱstory,ȱaȱpattern 21 22

Crafton,ȱ“TheȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱJephtha’sȱDaughter,”ȱ16ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ20). Stevenȱ F.ȱ Kruger,ȱ Theȱ Spectralȱ Jew:ȱ Conversionȱ andȱ Embodimentȱ inȱ Medievalȱ Europe.ȱ Medieval Cultures,ȱ40ȱ(Minneapolis:ȱUniversityȱofȱMinnesotaȱPress,ȱ2005),ȱ1–25.

356

DanielȱF.ȱPigg

emerges.ȱAsȱaȱ“worthyȱknight”ȱ(VI,ȱ203),ȱVirginiusȱseesȱonlyȱtwoȱwaysȱtoȱproceed: deathȱ orȱ shame.ȱ Bothȱ willȱ haveȱ clearȱ consequences,ȱ butȱ forȱ theȱ knight,ȱ shame wouldȱbeȱgreaterȱbecauseȱhisȱdaughterȱwouldȱbeȱtreatedȱasȱpropertyȱtoȱbeȱabused atȱ will.ȱ Byȱ extension,ȱ heȱ himselfȱ isȱ exposedȱ toȱ abuseȱ atȱ will.ȱ Noȱ knightȱ could upholdȱthisȱaction.ȱUnlikeȱsomeȱknightsȱinȱtheȱlaterȱMalory’sȱLeȱMorteȱd’Arthur (1485),ȱVirginiusȱwillȱnotȱofferȱhisȱdaughterȱtoȱaȱsuccessfulȱknightȱinȱmarriage.ȱ Asȱremarkedȱearlier,ȱitȱisȱimportantȱtoȱnoteȱthatȱVirginiaȱmakesȱtheȱJephthah reference.ȱInȱtheȱbiblicalȱtext,ȱhisȱdaughterȱisȱallowedȱtoȱmournȱbecauseȱsheȱwill dieȱaȱvirgin,ȱthusȱneverȱhavingȱmarried.ȱInȱtheȱRoman,ȱVirginiaȱwasȱtoȱbeȱmarried, andȱthatȱtooȱwillȱnotȱhappen.ȱChaucerȱneverȱmentionsȱaȱmarriageȱpossibilityȱatȱall. Virginia,ȱalthoughȱsilentȱthusȱfarȱinȱtheȱtale,ȱhasȱnotȱbeenȱparticularlyȱpassiveȱin herȱencountersȱwithȱtheȱworld.ȱSheȱmakesȱjudgmentsȱandȱgoesȱtoȱvariousȱplaces withȱherȱmotherȱasȱchaperone;ȱsheȱhere,ȱtoo,ȱdesiresȱtoȱbeȱanȱactiveȱagent.ȱInȱthis case,ȱhowever,ȱsheȱacceptsȱorȱassentsȱtoȱmaleȱauthorityȱwithoutȱquestionȱonceȱshe isȱtoldȱthereȱisȱ“noȱgrace,ȱnoȱremedye”ȱ(VI,ȱ236).ȱȱHasȱVirginius’sȱ“governance” takenȱonȱmoreȱsinisterȱdimensions?ȱTheȱJephthahȱreferenceȱcallsȱintoȱquestionȱthe “why”ȱofȱtheȱsacrificeȱwithȱtheȱpotentialȱofȱaȱdirectȱrebukeȱofȱVirginius.ȱHeȱmay beȱsuccessfulȱinȱoneȱsense,ȱbutȱheȱisȱaȱfoolȱofȱhistoricalȱproportions.ȱ Inȱaȱmostȱpersuasiveȱarticle,ȱDanielȱKlineȱnotesȱthatȱbecauseȱVirginiusȱdoesȱnot evenȱallowȱVirginiaȱtimeȱtoȱmournȱasȱJephthahȱdidȱpermitȱforȱhisȱdaughter,ȱweȱsee thatȱ“VirginiusȱisȱevenȱlessȱgraciousȱthanȱJephthah.”23Inȱanȱevenȱmoreȱstriking judgment,ȱKlineȱobservesȱthatȱtheȱ“theologyȱofȱsacrificeȱjustifiesȱbothȱtheȱstructure andȱviolenceȱofȱtheȱpatriarchalȱfamily,ȱand,ȱbyȱextension,ȱtheȱlateȬmedievalȱculture thatȱ dependsȱ uponȱ aȱ sacrificialȱ imperative.”24ȱ Virginiaȱ thenȱ diesȱ forȱ aȱ system. Jephthah’sȱdaughterȱmerelyȱdiesȱafterȱaȱperiodȱofȱmourning,ȱbasedȱonȱherȱfather’s rashȱpromiseȱofȱsacrifice.ȱJudgesȱ11:39–40ȱsetsȱupȱtheȱideaȱofȱaȱfutureȱmemorial remembranceȱ inȱ whichȱ theȱ “daughtersȱ ofȱ Israel”ȱ willȱ “lament”ȱ theȱ lossȱ of Jephthah’sȱdaughterȱforȱfourȱdaysȱeachȱyear.ȱVirginia’sȱdeathȱisȱaȱtragedyȱwithout anyȱemotionalȱreleaseȱorȱritualȱactȱtoȱsublimateȱtheȱinjustice. Feministȱ critiquesȱ ofȱ thisȱ sceneȱ haveȱ oftenȱ seenȱ littleȱ differenceȱ betweenȱ the actionsȱofȱAppiusȱandȱClaudiusȱwhoseȱintentionsȱareȱclearlyȱrapeȱandȱotherȱabuse andȱVirginius’sȱmurder.25ȱSettingȱasideȱtheȱpossibilityȱofȱincestȱbeingȱapparentȱin thisȱscene,ȱasȱLomperisȱandȱRoseȱhaveȱnotedȱthatȱitȱmayȱbeȱaȱrape,ȱȱIȱwillȱoutline

23

24

25

Danielȱ Kline,ȱ “Jephthah’sȱ Daughterȱ andȱ Chaucer’sȱ Virginia:ȱ Theȱ Critiqueȱ ofȱ Sacrificeȱ inȱ The Physician’sȱTale,”ȱJournalȱofȱEnglishȱandȱGermanicȱPhilologyȱ107.1ȱ(2008):ȱ77–103. Kline,ȱ“Jephthah’sȱDaughterȱandȱChaucer’sȱVirginia:ȱTheȱCritiqueȱofȱSacrificeȱinȱtheȱPhysician’s Tale,”ȱ103ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23). SandraȱPiersonȱPrior,ȱ“VirginityȱandȱSacrificeȱinȱChaucer’sȱ“Physician’sȱTale,”ȱConstructionsȱof WidowhoodȱandȱVirginityȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱed.,ȱȱCindyȱL.ȱCarlsonȱandȱAngelaȱJaneȱWeis.ȱTheȱNew MiddleȱAgesȱ(NewȱYork:ȱSt.ȱMartin’sȱPress,ȱ1999)ȱ,ȱ165–80;ȱChristineȱM.ȱȱRose,ȱ“ReadingȱChaucer ReadingȱRape,”ȱRepresentingȱRapeȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱLiterature,ȱ21–51ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

Chaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱandȱtheȱWorldsȱofȱJudgment

357

anȱalternativeȱreading.26ȱTheȱchargeȱofȱraptus—aȱvexingȱoneȱinȱChaucerȱstudies bothȱbiographicalȱandȱliterary—takesȱonȱanȱimportantȱdimensionȱinȱdefiningȱtheir action.ȱ Theȱ crimeȱ toȱ beȱ committedȱ againstȱ Virginiaȱ inȱ theȱ courtȱ ofȱ lawȱ would actuallyȱfallȱonȱVirginius.ȱOnȱoneȱlevel,ȱrapeȱwouldȱinvolveȱaȱcrimeȱofȱproperty, butȱinȱanotherȱsense,ȱtoo,ȱitȱisȱanȱactionȱdirectlyȱagainstȱVirginius,ȱanȱextensionȱof himself.ȱItȱisȱnoȱaccidentȱthatȱVirginiaȱsharesȱaȱnameȱwithȱaȱdifferentȱgrammatical ending.ȱSheȱrepresentsȱallȱthatȱheȱholdsȱvaluableȱinȱtheȱworld,ȱandȱitȱisȱaȱworld thatȱmustȱremainȱstatic—atȱleastȱinȱChaucer’sȱversionȱofȱtheȱstory—toȱretainȱvalue. Theȱlossȱisȱoneȱofȱproperty,ȱmasculineȱself,ȱandȱideal;ȱyetȱheȱmustȱcommitȱtheȱact ofȱmurderȱforȱaȱhigherȱgoodȱbyȱhisȱdefinition,ȱhoweverȱflawed.ȱTheȱmasculine worldȱofȱVirginiusȱisȱoneȱofȱmanagement,ȱbutȱinȱseekingȱtoȱmaintainȱit,ȱcontrolȱis lost.ȱ Theȱ trueȱ manȱ ofȱ medievalȱ virtueȱ wouldȱ notȱ getȱ himselfȱ caughtȱ inȱ suchȱ a challengeȱthatȱthreatensȱtoȱundermineȱhisȱentireȱwayȱofȱbeingȱinȱtheȱworld.

VI Understoodȱ inȱ thisȱ cumulativeȱ way,ȱ theȱ proverbialȱ tagȱ atȱ theȱ endȱ ringsȱ inȱ a differentȱkey:ȱ“Heereȱmayȱmenȱseeȱhowȱsynneȱhathȱitsȱmerite.ȱ/ȱBethȱware,ȱforȱno manȱwootȱwhomȱGodȱwolȱsmyteȱ/ȱInȱnoȱdegree,ȱneȱinȱwhichȱmannereȱwyse”ȱ(VI, 277–79;ȱHereȱmayȱpeopleȱseeȱhowȱsinȱhasȱitsȱmerits,’ȱBewareȱforȱnoȱpersonȱknows whomȱGodȱwillȱstrikeȱ/ȱInȱnoȱdegree,ȱnorȱinȱwhatȱmanner).ȱAsȱoneȱcriticȱhasȱnoted, Virginiaȱisȱremovedȱfromȱtheȱpassage.27ȱTheȱpointȱisȱintriguingȱgivenȱthatȱinȱthe Clerk’sȱTale,ȱwhenȱtheȱClerkȱprovidesȱanȱallegoricalȱendingȱtoȱtheȱtale,ȱheȱincludes Griseldaȱasȱaȱreferenceȱpoint.ȱHereȱtheȱreasonȱforȱtheȱallusionȱseemsȱtoȱrelateȱmore toȱ aȱ critiqueȱ ofȱ maleȱ action.ȱ Theȱ warningȱ isȱ clearlyȱ aȱ checkȱ onȱ Virginiusȱ and Appius.ȱ Virginiusȱisȱseeminglyȱjudgedȱasȱtheȱparentȱwhoȱhasȱnotȱtakenȱproperȱheedȱof hisȱchild,ȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱPhysician’sȱadmonition.ȱHeȱhasȱviolatedȱtheȱmasculine requirementsȱ ofȱ “protectingȱ dependents.”28ȱ Heȱ hasȱ lostȱ aȱ partȱ ofȱ himselfȱ that cannotȱ beȱ renewed.ȱ Appiusȱ hasȱ violatedȱ hisȱ roleȱ asȱ keeperȱ andȱ dispenserȱ of masculineȱjusticeȱbyȱcontemplatingȱraptusȱandȱbyȱhisȱsuicide,ȱseenȱinȱtheȱMiddle Agesȱasȱaȱfeminizingȱact.29ȱGodȱhasȱactedȱthroughȱhisȱappointedȱknightȱandȱin

26

Rose,ȱ “Readingȱ Chaucerȱ Readingȱ Rape,”ȱ 21–51ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 23);ȱ Lomperis,ȱ “Unrulyȱ Bodiesȱ and RulingȱPractices:ȱChaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱasȱSociallyȱSymbolicȱAct,”ȱ21–37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ13).

27

Rose,ȱ“ReadingȱChaucerȱReadingȱRape,”ȱ21–51ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ23).

28

Bullough,ȱ“OnȱBeingȱMaleȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱ31–45ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12) AlexanderȱMurray,ȱSuicideȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱ(OxfordȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress, 1988),ȱ9–37;ȱJacquelineȱMurray,ȱ“HidingȱBehindȱtheȱUniversalȱMan:ȱMaleȱSexualityȱinȱtheȱMiddle Ages,”ȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱSexuality,ȱ123–52ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ14).

29

358

DanielȱF.ȱPigg

doingȱ soȱ theȱ experienceȱ hasȱ calledȱ intoȱ questionȱ theȱ highlyȱ stagedȱ worldȱ of masculineȱdesireȱandȱpowerȱinȱanȱearthlyȱrealm.ȱThusȱtheȱJephthahȱreferenceȱis evenȱmoreȱhighlyȱproblematicȱthanȱhasȱbeenȱappreciatedȱbyȱearlierȱcritics. Chaucer’sȱPhysician’sȱTaleȱnoȱdoubtȱprovokesȱaȱnumberȱofȱvehementȱresponses. Itȱisȱveryȱlikelyȱthatȱitȱmayȱwellȱhaveȱbeenȱintendedȱto.ȱVirginiusȱresponds;ȱthe Romanȱcitizensȱrespond.ȱHarryȱBaillyȱrespondsȱinȱaȱvisceralȱway.ȱMasculinityȱhas beenȱanatomizedȱthroughȱanȱexplorationȱofȱbodiesȱbothȱmaterialȱandȱpolitical,ȱand theȱ gapsȱ andȱ fissuresȱ haveȱ beenȱ revealedȱ forȱ allȱ toȱ see.ȱ “Noȱ grace”ȱ andȱ “no remedy”ȱareȱseenȱindeed.ȱThusȱratherȱthanȱaȱflawedȱtaleȱasȱhasȱbeenȱnormativeȱin muchȱofȱtheȱcriticalȱhistoryȱofȱTheȱPhysician’sȱTale,ȱthisȱtale,ȱoneȱofȱtheȱshortestȱin theȱCanterburyȱcollection,ȱprovidesȱanȱintriguingȱcommentaryȱonȱtheȱlimitsȱof masculineȱpowerȱandȱauthorityȱinȱtheȱworldȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment.ȱ Knowingȱwhoȱtheȱthiefȱisȱhere,ȱknowingȱwhoȱisȱtheȱguiltyȱone,ȱknowingȱhowȱthe justiceȱ systemȱ hasȱ beenȱ pervertedȱ forȱ theȱ desiresȱ ofȱ someȱ ofȱ Chaucer’sȱ most lecherousȱ characters,ȱ andȱ knowingȱ howȱ theȱ systemȱ ofȱ knightlyȱ virtueȱ cannot alwaysȱpreserveȱitselfȱleaveȱreadersȱwithȱaȱsenseȱofȱuneasiness.ȱThatȱVirginius thwartsȱtheȱdesireȱofȱtheȱcommonsȱtoȱseeȱtheȱdeathȱofȱClaudiusȱatȱtheȱendȱofȱthe taleȱmayȱbeȱtheȱonlyȱpresenceȱofȱgraceȱinȱtheȱtale.ȱAppiusȱhadȱalreadyȱcommitted suicide.ȱTheȱquestionȱremainsȱatȱwhatȱpriceȱevenȱthatȱelementȱofȱgraceȱcostsȱin proportionȱofȱtheȱlossȱtoȱVirginius.ȱHeȱisȱaȱmedievalizedȱRomanȱknightȱwhoȱwill neverȱbeȱtheȱsameȱagainȱandȱaȱmanȱwhoseȱworldȱcanȱonlyȱreflectȱtheȱsenseȱofȱloss ofȱaȱhighlyȱstructuredȱuniverseȱwhereȱtheȱpunishmentȱdoesȱfitȱtheȱcrimeȱandȱthe crimeȱhasȱsomeȱdiscernibleȱpunishment.ȱ Assumingȱthatȱtheȱtaleȱisȱfinishedȱalthoughȱnotȱproperlyȱfittedȱintoȱtheȱfictive narrativeȱofȱtheȱCanterburyȱjourney,ȱhumansȱmustȱcontinueȱtheirȱquestȱforȱtrue graceȱ andȱ remedyȱ thatȱ onlyȱ aȱ religiousȱ pilgrimageȱ willȱ provide.ȱ ȱ Thatȱ central questionȱofȱ“Isȱtherȱnoȱgrace,ȱisȱtherȱnoȱremedy?”ȱ(VI,ȱ235)ȱhasȱaȱveryȱhaunting answerȱimplicitȱinȱitȱthatȱthreatensȱtoȱundermineȱtheȱsocialȱandȱcosmicȱstructure asȱ understoodȱ inȱ theȱ medievalȱ world.ȱ Theȱ answerȱ atȱ presentȱ isȱ “no,”ȱ butȱ to preserveȱtheȱorderȱimplicitȱinȱtheȱmedievalȱworld,ȱperhapsȱitȱisȱbetterȱtoȱsayȱat leastȱforȱnowȱthereȱisȱaȱ“no”ȱanswer.ȱTheȱjudgmentȱofȱtheȱgodsȱorȱtheȱChristian Godȱremainsȱoutsideȱtheȱframeȱofȱtheȱnarrative.ȱTheȱworldȱofȱnoȱgraceȱandȱno remedyȱ isȱ aȱ judgmentȱ againstȱ theȱ maleȱ characters.ȱ Theȱ deathȱ ofȱ Virginiaȱ only underscoresȱtheȱtragedyȱinȱthatȱworldȱofȱmaleȱpatriarchy.ȱ

Chapterȱ15 LiaȱB.ȱRoss (TheȱUniversityȱofȱNewȱMexico,ȱAlbuquerque)

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges: TheȱCrimesȱandȱPunishmentȱofȱGillesȱdeȱRais

TheȱtrialȱofȱGillesȱdeȱRaisȱthatȱtookȱplaceȱinȱNantesȱinȱ1440ȱisȱexceptionalȱbothȱfor theȱperverseȱnatureȱofȱhisȱcrimesȱ(heȱsexuallyȱabused,ȱkilled,ȱand,ȱinȱsomeȱcases, dismemberedȱ perhapsȱ overȱ oneȱ hundredȱ children)ȱ andȱ forȱ hisȱ previousȱ good reputationȱ asȱ companionȱ ofȱ Joanȱ ofȱ Arcȱ inȱ herȱ earlyȱ exploits.ȱ Andȱ yet,ȱ this disturbingȱBretonȱnoblemanȱhasȱbeenȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱonlyȱfewȱandȱfarȬbetween historicalȱ works.1ȱ Theȱ reasonȱ forȱ suchȱ weakȱ interestȱ mayȱ beȱ thatȱ theȱ very abundanceȱofȱdocumentationȱonȱhisȱcaseȱrendersȱitȱlessȱamenableȱtoȱdiscussion, leavingȱ historiansȱ withȱ fewȱ opportunitiesȱ forȱ makingȱ originalȱ contributions. Amongȱ theȱ significantȱ studiesȱ onȱ thisȱ figureȱ threeȱ standȱ outȱ becauseȱ ofȱ their distinctiveȱviews,ȱevenȱifȱallȱthreeȱareȱbasedȱonȱtheȱsameȱsetȱofȱprimaryȱdocuments, andȱallȱthreeȱacceptȱasȱfactȱGilles’sȱculpability.2ȱ Theȱfirstȱtrueȱbiography,ȱwrittenȱbyȱAbbéȱEugèneȱBossardȱinȱ1884–1885,ȱisȱa workȱthatȱspansȱoverȱthreeȱhundredȱpagesȱandȱisȱnotableȱforȱtheȱmeticulousȱstudy ofȱdocumentsȱ(includingȱsomeȱthatȱhaveȱsinceȱbeenȱlost)ȱandȱforȱrepresentingȱa currentȱ thatȱ arguesȱ forȱ Gilles’sȱ exceptionality.3ȱ Theȱ authorȱ wondersȱ howȱ this

1

2

3

ThisȱfactȱwasȱnotedȱbyȱJacquesȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais.ȱVéritésȱetȱlégendesȱ(Paris:ȱPerrin,ȱ1994),ȱ8. Micheletȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱhistorianȱtoȱexamineȱtheȱunpublishedȱdocuments.ȱAbbéȱEugèneȱBossard, GillesȱdeȱRaisȱ–ȱMaréchalȱdeȱFranceȱditȱBarbeȬBleueȱ1404–1440ȱ(1885;ȱGrenoble:ȱJérômeȱMillon,ȱ1992), 201. Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ154–56ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱobservesȱthatȱtheȱonlyȱrecordsȱofȱGilles’sȱlastȱfiveȱyears ofȱ lifeȱ areȱ hisȱ trialȱ documents,ȱ andȱ thatȱ theyȱ haveȱ aȱ ringȱ ofȱ truthȱ becauseȱ theyȱ representȱ the testimoniesȱofȱvariousȱpeopleȱwhoȱwereȱquestionedȱseparately.ȱHeȱaddsȱ(185–86)ȱthatȱnoneȱof Gilles’sȱcontemporaries,ȱnotȱevenȱhisȱfamily,ȱcontestedȱtheȱverdict. Theȱdocumentsȱlostȱinȱaȱfireȱinȱ1940ȱreferredȱtoȱGilles’sȱstayȱinȱOrléansȱ(seeȱbelow).ȱGeorges Bataille,ȱLeȱprocèsȱdeȱGillesȱdeȱRaisȱ(Paris:ȱJeanȬJacquesȱPauvert,ȱ1972),ȱ106.

360

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

gifted,ȱerudite,ȱbraveȱyoungȱman,ȱafterȱanȱhonorableȱcareerȱasȱcompanionȱofȱJoan ofȱ Arc,ȱ suddenlyȱ plungedȱ intoȱ aȱ lifeȱ ofȱ crimeȱ thatȱ ledȱ himȱ toȱ aȱ wellȬdeserved executionȱbyȱtheȱageȱofȱthirtyȬsix.ȱHeȱventuresȱtoȱattributeȱGilles’sȱsuddenȱchange toȱhisȱinnateȱcuriosityȱ(inȱitselfȱaȱgoodȱquality)ȱthatȱbecameȱdivertedȱtowardȱthe morbidȱ andȱ thenȱ theȱ horrific.4ȱ Andȱ whileȱ theȱ authorȱ judgesȱ medievalȱ Breton societyȱ inȱ generalȱ toȱ haveȱ beenȱ especiallyȱ harshȱ againstȱ humbleȱ people,ȱ he neverthelessȱ arguesȱ thatȱ Gilles’sȱ crimesȱ wereȱ particularlyȱ perverseȱ andȱ were stoppedȱ onlyȱ thanksȱ toȱ theȱ interventionȱ ofȱ theȱ Church.5ȱ Bossardȱ followsȱ the classicalȱ traditionȱ ofȱ biographiesȱ ofȱ tyrants:ȱ afterȱ leadingȱ aȱ virtuousȱ lifeȱ inȱ his youthȱtheȱsubjectȱexperiencesȱtheȱsuddenȱlossȱofȱaȱkeyȱfigureȱinȱhisȱlife,ȱsuchȱasȱa parentȱorȱtutorȱ(inȱGilles’sȱcaseȱhisȱgrandfather).ȱInȱturn,ȱthisȱlossȱmarksȱaȱbreak withȱanȱuprightȱlifeȱandȱinitiatesȱaȱdownwardȱspiralȱofȱcrimesȱculminatingȱinȱthe inevitableȱcatastrophicȱend.6ȱBossard’sȱworkȱhasȱtwoȱadditionalȱdistinguishing featuresȱthatȱmarȱsomewhatȱitsȱhistoricalȱusefulness:ȱitȱcontainsȱaȱcuriousȱsurvey ofȱlateȱlegendsȱlooselyȱinspiredȱbyȱtheȱmemoryȱofȱGilles’sȱcrimesȱthatȱconverged intoȱtheȱmythicalȱfigureȱofȱBluebeard;ȱandȱitȱavoidsȱanyȱdirectȱreferenceȱtoȱthe sexualȱaspectȱofȱtheȱcrimes,ȱexceptȱforȱaȱfewȱbashfulȱhintsȱatȱ“orgies”ȱandȱ“secret pleasures.”7 Theȱsecond—andȱinȱmyȱopinionȱtheȱmostȱsignificant—majorȱstudyȱdatesȱfrom 1965,ȱalmostȱaȱcenturyȱafterȱtheȱfirst,ȱandȱisȱnotȱtheȱworkȱofȱaȱhistorian.ȱGeorges

4

5

6

7

Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ15–17ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeȱthoughtȱthatȱGillesȱspokeȱLatin,ȱwasȱinterestedȱin science,ȱandȱkeptȱaȱlibraryȱofȱclassics.ȱTheȱlegendȱofȱtheȱdualȱnatureȱofȱGillesȱisȱreflectedȱalsoȱin literature.ȱTheȱfictitiousȱauthorȱinȱJ.ȱK.ȱHuysmans’sȱLàȬbasȱlamentsȱtheȱsuddenȱpersonalityȱchange ofȱ thisȱ character,ȱ onceȱ aȱ braveȱ Christianȱ knightȱ andȱ companionȱ ofȱ Joanȱ ofȱ Arc,ȱ whoȱ laterȱ on becameȱaȱ“sacrilegiousȱsadistȱandȱaȱcoward.”Butȱheȱstillȱcannotȱbutȱadmireȱsomeȱaspectsȱofȱhis personality,ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱlockedȱhimselfȱupȱinȱhisȱcastleȱofȱTiffaugesȱtoȱbecomeȱan “eruditeȱLatinist,ȱaȱbrilliantȱconversationalist,ȱaȱsureȱandȱgenerousȱfriend.”ȱJ.ȱK.ȱHuysmans.ȱLàȬbas (downȱthere),ȱtrans.ȱKeeneȱWallaceȱ(1928;ȱNewȱYork:ȱDoverȱPublications,ȱInc.,ȱ1972),ȱ43,ȱ46.ȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱdebunksȱtheȱmythȱandȱ(35)ȱisȱshockedȱatȱHuysmans’sȱnaïveȱacceptance ofȱit.ȱGilles’sȱreputationȱforȱeruditionȱmayȱhaveȱcomeȱfromȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱonceȱpawnedȱaȱrichly decoratedȱcopyȱofȱOvid’sȱMetamorphoses.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ116–17.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ109ȱ(see noteȱ1),ȱstatesȱthatȱweȱdoȱnotȱknowȱwhatȱheȱreadȱorȱwhatȱwasȱinȱhisȱlibrary. Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ249–50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱAȱsimilarȱthesisȱofȱhisȱexceptionalityȱisȱsustainedȱin moreȱrecentȱstudies,ȱp.e.ȱHanneleȱKlemettilä,ȱRitariȱSiniparta:ȱGillesȱdeȱRais’nȱtarinaȱ(Jyväskylä: Atena,ȱ 2005).ȱ Iȱ amȱ gratefulȱ toȱ Susannaȱ Niiranenȱ (seeȱ herȱ contributionȱ “Poet’sȱ Reputation. Troubadoursȱ–ȱAncestorsȱofȱpoètesȱmaudits?”ȱinȱtheȱpresentȱvolume)ȱforȱmakingȱavailableȱher reviewȱofȱthisȱwork. Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ152,ȱn.ȱ1ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱhimselfȱsawȱclassicalȱprecedents,ȱandȱcomparedȱGilles toȱNeroȱ(261). Forȱ example,ȱ Bossard,ȱ Gilles de Rais, 136ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1),ȱ “débauches”,ȱ “orgieȱ nocturne”ȱ (272), “plaisirsȱsecrets”ȱ(153),ȱ“capricesȱmouvantsȱdeȱsaȱpassion”ȱ(149),ȱ“plaisirsȱsensuels”ȱ(150).ȱHe mentionsȱ thatȱ Gilles’sȱ confessionȱ embarrassedȱ theȱ judgesȱ (169–70).ȱ Theȱ lastȱ portionȱ ofȱ his biographyȱ(293–325)ȱisȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱlateȱlegendsȱofȱBluebeard,ȱstartingȱwithȱtheirȱdiffusion withȱPerrault.

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

361

Bataille’sȱLeȱprocèsȱdeȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱaȱtrueȱbiographyȱdespiteȱitsȱdeceptivelyȱlimiting title,ȱdismantlesȱtheȱexceptionalistȱthesisȱofȱhisȱpredecessor,ȱwhileȱrecognizingȱthe valueȱofȱhisȱresearch.ȱBatailleȱchallengesȱtheȱsentimentalȱportraitȱofȱtheȱlearnedȱand valiantȱknightȱturnedȱsinnerȱandȱsubstitutesȱitȱwithȱ hisȱown,ȱbasedȱonȱGilles’s “archaisme”ȱandȱ“niaiserie”ȱ(stupidity).ȱHeȱwasȱaȱchildish,ȱviolent,ȱandȱstupid man—Batailleȱargues—whoȱwasȱproppedȱupȱforȱhisȱpartȱasȱmilitaryȱleaderȱand respectableȱbaronȱbyȱanȱarchaicȱfeudalȱsystemȱbasedȱonȱprivilegeȱandȱbrutality againstȱtheȱweak,ȱaȱsystemȱthatȱallowedȱhisȱcrimesȱtoȱgoȱunpunishedȱforȱtooȱlong, andȱthatȱactedȱwithȱleniencyȱevenȱwhenȱforcedȱtoȱtakeȱaction.ȱTheȱconsiderable meritsȱofȱthisȱworkȱincludeȱaȱchronologicalȱoutlineȱofȱGilles’sȱmovesȱcorrelated withȱreportsȱofȱtheȱdisappearanceȱofȱchildren,ȱaȱcriticalȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱdocuments relatedȱtoȱhisȱtrial,ȱandȱtheȱinclusionȱofȱtheirȱtextȱinȱFrenchȱtranslation.8ȱ Theȱtrendȱtowardȱdiminutionȱofȱthisȱcharacterȱreachedȱitsȱzenithȱwithȱtheȱwork ofȱ Jacquesȱ Heersȱ (1975),ȱ aȱ biographyȱ thatȱ bearsȱ theȱ terseȱ titleȱ ofȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais. Heers,ȱwhoȱquestionsȱwhetherȱGillesȱwasȱsuchȱaȱsignificantȱfigureȱasȱtoȱbeȱworthy ofȱ aȱ book,ȱ justifiesȱ hisȱ taskȱ thoughȱ theȱ avowedȱ goalȱ ofȱ studyingȱ himȱ without romanticȱexaggerations,ȱasȱanȱexampleȱofȱanȱaverageȱbaronȱlivingȱinȱprecarious timesȱwhenȱviolenceȱandȱillegalityȱwereȱtheȱnorm.ȱInȱotherȱwords,ȱheȱreworks Gillesȱintoȱmainstreamȱcontemporaryȱcultureȱbyȱbringingȱtoȱtheȱforeȱnotȱsoȱmuch hisȱ deviancyȱ andȱ crimes,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ hisȱ societyȱ andȱ milieuȱ (inȱ fact,ȱ heȱ only dedicatesȱ theȱ lastȱ oneȬthirdȱ ofȱ theȱ bookȱ toȱ theȱ murdersȱ andȱ trial).9ȱ Notȱ an exceptionalȱfigure,ȱevenȱlessȱaȱromanticȱrogue,ȱinȱHeers’sȱpagesȱGillesȱisȱknocked evenȱfurtherȱdownȱfromȱhisȱpedestalȱandȱreducedȱtoȱjustȱanotherȱfifteenthȬcentury nobleman,ȱoneȱwhoseȱlifeȱhappensȱtoȱbeȱbetterȱdocumentedȱthanȱothersȱthanksȱto aȱcriminalȱinquiry.10ȱ Theȱaspectȱofȱthisȱfigureȱthatȱhasȱoddlyȱbeenȱbrushedȱasideȱbyȱhisȱbiographers isȱthatȱofȱtheȱserialȱkiller.ȱAndȱyetȱGillesȱfitsȱperfectlyȱthisȱdefinition:ȱoneȱwhoȱalone or—lessȱfrequently—asȱpartȱofȱaȱsmallȱteamȱkillsȱmultipleȱvictimsȱinȱaȱsimilarȱway andȱoverȱaȱperiodȱofȱtime.11ȱNotȱonlyȱthat,ȱbutȱhisȱtrialȱpreservesȱforȱtheȱmodern

8

9 10

11

TheȱactsȱofȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱcourtȱwereȱoriginallyȱinȱLatin,ȱlaterȱtranslatedȱintoȱFrench,ȱhenceȱthe modernȱspellingȱinȱmostȱofȱtheȱdirectȱquotesȱ(onlyȱaȱfewȱareȱreportedȱinȱtheȱoriginalȱOldȱFrench). TheȱactsȱofȱtheȱsecularȱcourtȱwereȱinȱFrench.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ201–03ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱHeers, GillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ191ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱdocumentsȱareȱcontainedȱatȱpp.ȱ189–338,ȱinȱmodernȱFrench.ȱIn hisȱcriticalȱanalysisȱheȱexoneratesȱGillesȱwheneverȱaȱdisappearanceȱdoesȱnotȱfitȱGilles’sȱmovesȱat theȱsameȱtime.ȱSeeȱforȱexampleȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ129,ȱ132,ȱ33,ȱ141ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ12,ȱ15ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Heers,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 16–17ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1),ȱ remindsȱ theȱ readerȱ thatȱ Gillesȱ didȱ notȱ attractȱ much attentionȱ untilȱ hisȱ trialȱ andȱ isȱ barelyȱ mentionedȱ inȱ officialȱ chroniclesȱ asȱ justȱ anotherȱ captain fightingȱbesideȱJoanȱofȱArc. TheȱdefinitionȱisȱinȱJosephȱC.ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs:ȱPublicȱReactionsȱtoȱSerialȱMurderȱ(Westport, CT,ȱandȱLondon:ȱPraegerȱPublishers,ȱ1997),ȱ31.ȱHeȱspecifiesȱ(18–19)ȱthatȱtheȱcentralȱelementsȱof serialȱmurderȱare:ȱrepetitiveȱhomicideȱoverȱaȱspanȱofȱmonthsȱorȱyears,ȱmainlyȱoneȬonȬoneȱand

362

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

readerȱprobablyȱtheȱbestȱdocumentedȱcaseȱofȱserialȱmurderȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.12 AsȱHeersȱputsȱit,ȱGillesȱ mayȱnotȱdeserveȱaȱbook,ȱbutȱitȱmayȱbeȱappropriateȱto discussȱ himȱ asȱ aȱ criminalȱ inȱ aȱ volumeȱ dedicatedȱ toȱ medievalȱ crime.ȱ Itȱ is understandableȱthatȱhistoriansȱwouldȱshyȱawayȱfromȱanythingȱthatȱmightȱsuggest psychohistory.ȱStill,ȱtheȱstudyȱofȱserialȱkillers,ȱtheirȱmodusȱoperandiȱbothȱinȱthe selectionȱofȱvictimsȱandȱkillingȱmethods,ȱtheirȱreactionȱtoȱarrestȱandȱconviction, andȱtheȱreactionȱofȱtheȱgeneralȱpublicȱtoȱtheȱsame,ȱareȱnotȱstrictlyȱconfinedȱtoȱthe realmȱofȱpsychiatry,ȱbutȱratherȱoverflowȱintoȱthoseȱofȱsociologyȱandȱcriminology, fieldsȱthatȱshouldȱbeȱofȱinterestȱtoȱhistoriansȱbecauseȱtheyȱgoȱbeyondȱexamining theȱsickȱmindȱperȱseȱtoȱdelveȱinȱhowȱitȱaffectsȱsocietyȱatȱlarge.ȱ ThereȱisȱlittleȱdisagreementȱonȱtheȱchronologicalȱdataȱofȱGilles’sȱlife.ȱHeȱwas bornȱ inȱ 1404ȱ toȱ theȱ prominentȱ baronialȱ familyȱ ofȱ CraonȬLaval,ȱ whoȱ counted possessionsȱinȱBrittany,ȱMaine,ȱandȱAnjou.13ȱLeftȱorphanedȱofȱbothȱparentsȱatȱthe ageȱofȱeleven,ȱtogetherȱwithȱhisȱyoungerȱbrotherȱRenéȱheȱbecameȱwardȱofȱtheir grandfatherȱ Jeanȱ deȱ Craon,ȱ aȱ powerful,ȱ greedy,ȱ andȱ violentȱ feudalȱ lordȱ who throughȱ thisȱ guardianshipȱ addedȱ theȱ baronyȱ ofȱ Raisȱ toȱ hisȱ titles.14ȱ Heȱ hadȱ a childhoodȱthatȱBatailleȱcallsȱ“sauvageȱetȱviolente”ȱ(savageȱandȱviolent)ȱafterȱhis tutorsȱ quitȱ hisȱ serviceȱ andȱ heȱ wasȱ leftȱ toȱ theȱ careȱ ofȱ hisȱ grandfather,ȱ who,ȱ by Gilles’sȱownȱaccount,ȱraisedȱhimȱwithȱveryȱlaxȱdiscipline.ȱInȱ1420,ȱatȱtheȱageȱof sixteen,ȱ Gillesȱ kidnappedȱ andȱ marriedȱ inȱ secretȱ aȱ richȱ heiressȱ andȱ cousin, Catherineȱ deȱ Thouars,ȱ byȱ whomȱ heȱ hadȱ aȱ daughterȱ aboutȱ tenȱ yearsȱ later. Significantly,ȱbothȱwifeȱandȱdaughterȱdisappearedȱfromȱhisȱlifeȱimmediately,ȱonly toȱreȬemergeȱafterȱhisȱexecution.15ȱByȱtheȱageȱofȱtwentyȱheȱhadȱcommittedȱ the

12

13

14

15

perpetratedȱagainstȱstrangers,ȱwithȱtheȱmotivationȱtoȱkillȱarisingȱexclusivelyȱfromȱwithinȱtheȱkiller andȱ apparentlyȱ irrationalȱ (notȱ reflectingȱ passionȱ orȱ personalȱ gain).ȱ Allȱ conditions,ȱ asȱ itȱ will becomeȱ apparent,ȱ areȱ satisfiedȱ byȱ Gilles’sȱ murders.ȱ Sinceȱ statisticallyȱ serialȱ killersȱ are overwhelminglyȱmen,ȱIȱwillȱuseȱtheȱmasculineȱwhenȱtalkingȱaboutȱthemȱinȱgeneral,ȱfollowingȱthe exampleȱofȱcriminologists.ȱSeeȱforȱexample,ȱRonaldȱM.ȱHolmesȱandȱJamesȱE.ȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerial Murder.ȱStudiesȱinȱCrime,ȱLawȱandȱJustice,ȱ2ȱ(NewburyȱPark,ȱCA,ȱBeverlyȱHills,ȱCA,ȱandȱLondon: SAGEȱPublications,ȱ1988),ȱ21;ȱandȱRichardȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonstersȱ–ȱJeffreyȱDahmerȱandȱthe ConstructionȱofȱtheȱSerialȱKillerȱ(Madison,ȱWI:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱWisconsinȱPress,ȱ1997),ȱ56–57.ȱ Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 181,ȱ n.ȱ 1ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3),ȱ mentionsȱ alsoȱ theȱ lateȬsixteenthȬcenturyȱ Hungarian countessȱElizabethȱBathory,ȱwhoȱallegedlyȱtorturedȱandȱkilledȱnumerousȱyoungȱgirlsȱinȱherȱcastle. Butȱdetailsȱofȱherȱcrimesȱareȱsketchyȱandȱsheȱwasȱnotȱtriedȱ(also,ȱsheȱbelongsȱmoreȱproperlyȱto earlyȱmodernȱhistory).ȱ HisȱfatherȱwasȱGuyȱdeȱLavalȱofȱtheȱlineȱofȱLavalȬMontmorency,ȱandȱhisȱmotherȱMarieȱdeȱCraon, fromȱtheȱlineȱofȱRais.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ25,ȱ27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱfullȱlistȱofȱfiefsȱbelongingȱtoȱtheȱtwo familyȱbranchesȱareȱinȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ29–30ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱSignificantly,ȱallȱtheseȱpossessions cameȱthroughȱinheritancesȱandȱdowries,ȱnotȱthroughȱconquest,ȱandȱmostȱwereȱdisputedȱbyȱrivals. Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ18ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais, 24ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ31(seeȱnoteȱ3).Theȱmarriageȱfollowedȱaȱ(perhapsȱstaged)ȱkidnapping,ȱwithȱthe consentȱofȱJeanȱdeȱCraon.ȱItȱwasȱannulledȱforȱconsanguinityȱandȱthenȱofficiallyȱcelebratedȱinȱ1422

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

363

usualȱ actsȱ ofȱ violenceȱ thatȱ wereȱ typicalȱ ofȱ noblemenȱ ofȱ hisȱ age:ȱ kidnappings, assaults,ȱandȱillegalȱseizureȱofȱland.16ȱBatailleȱseesȱinȱhisȱviolentȱupbringingȱthe makingȱofȱaȱpersonȱwhoȱwouldȱlaterȱshowȱcompleteȱdisregardȱforȱtheȱlivesȱof others.ȱInȱfact,ȱtheȱviolenceȱconnectedȱwithȱfeudalȱlifeȱisȱpartȱofȱtheȱ“archaisme” thatȱheȱdeemsȱoneȱofȱtheȱtwoȱbuildingȱblocksȱofȱGilles’sȱpersonality.ȱHeers,ȱforȱhis part,ȱjudgesȱhimȱaȱbrigandȱwhoȱearlyȱonȱalienatedȱtheȱfavorȱofȱtheȱlocalȱnobility andȱwhoȱwouldȱpayȱdearlyȱforȱthisȱatȱtheȱtimeȱofȱhisȱtrial.17ȱBetweenȱ1420ȱandȱ1427 GillesȱparticipatedȱinȱsmallȱlocalȱskirmishesȱunderȱtheȱleadershipȱofȱJeanȱdeȱCraon inȱsupportȱofȱtheȱdukeȱofȱBrittany,ȱagainstȱbothȱlocalȱrebelsȱandȱtheȱEnglish.ȱIn 1429ȱheȱenjoyedȱaȱbriefȱmomentȱinȱtheȱlimelight,ȱfightingȱforȱCharlesȱVIIȱagainst theȱEnglishȱandȱsharingȱinȱtheȱearlyȱsuccessesȱofȱJoanȱofȱArc,ȱinȱparticularȱatȱthe siegeȱofȱOrléans.ȱButȱthereȱisȱnoȱevidenceȱthatȱheȱandȱsheȱwereȱparticularlyȱclose, despiteȱtheȱconjecturesȱofȱBossard,ȱnorȱisȱthereȱevidenceȱthatȱhisȱparticipationȱin theȱ fightȱ wasȱ decisive.ȱ Onȱ theȱ contrary,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ Heers,ȱ heȱ hesitatedȱ to continueȱtheȱcampaignȱtoȱconquerȱtheȱrestȱofȱtheȱfortressesȱnearȱtheȱliberatedȱcity.18 BothȱBatailleȱandȱHeersȱconvincinglyȱminimizeȱGilles’sȱmilitaryȱachievements andȱdemonstrateȱthatȱheȱwasȱproppedȱupȱbyȱhisȱdistantȱrelation,ȱGeorgesȱdeȱLa Trémoille,ȱwhoȱwasȱthenȱaȱfavoriteȱofȱtheȱking.ȱToȱthisȱpowerfulȱrelativeȱGilles owedȱ hisȱ promotionȱ toȱ marshalȱ ofȱ Franceȱ aroundȱ theȱ timeȱ ofȱ Charlesȱ VII’s

16

17

18

withȱtheȱconsentȱofȱbothȱfamiliesȱafterȱtheȱmarriageȱofȱJeanȱdeȱCraonȱtoȱtheȱbride’sȱgrandmother AnneȱdeȱSilléȱand,ȱafterȱaȱcomplicatedȱmatterȱofȱinheritanceȱwasȱsettled.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ83–84 (seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ25–26ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ155ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱand Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ211ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱstateȱthatȱGilles’sȱwifeȱresidedȱinȱherȱcastleȱofȱPouzauges.ȱ GillesȱandȱhisȱgrandfatherȱkidnappedȱGilles’sȱmotherȬinȬlawȱandȱthreatenedȱtoȱdrownȱherȱunless sheȱrenouncedȱherȱdowry,ȱtheȱcastlesȱofȱTiffaugesȱandȱPouzauges,ȱwhichȱGillesȱwouldȱcontinue toȱholdȱ“inȱhisȱwife’sȱname.”ȱTheȱtwoȱalsoȱassaultedȱtheȱpresidentȱofȱparlementȱwhoȱintervenedȱin thisȱmatter.ȱTheȱfineȱimposedȱonȱGillesȱandȱhisȱgrandfatherȱforȱthisȱactȱofȱbrutalityȱwasȱneverȱpaid. Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ28–29,ȱ84–85ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ26–27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ27(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeȱaddsȱthatȱinȱ1443,ȱthreeȱyearsȱafterȱGilles’sȱdeath,ȱtheȱParis parlementȱcondemnedȱhisȱillegalȱactsȱofȱ1424. Forȱ hisȱ earlyȱ militaryȱ actionsȱ seeȱ Heers,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 31–35,ȱ 42–46ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ Theȱ author remarksȱthatȱhisȱperiodsȱofȱmilitaryȱserviceȱwereȱfew,ȱscatteredȱoverȱaȱperiodȱofȱfifteenȱyears,ȱand requiringȱfewȱresponsibilitiesȱasȱheȱwasȱalwaysȱsubordinateȱtoȱothers.ȱOnȱhisȱparticipationȱin Joan’sȱcampaignsȱinȱtheȱperiodȱ1428–1430ȱheȱstatesȱ(60–65)ȱthatȱGillesȱwasȱneverȱsingledȱoutȱin anyȱaction.ȱDespiteȱlackȱofȱevidenceȱtoȱsupportȱoneȱorȱtheȱotherȱthesis,ȱinȱtheȱlateȱnineteenth centuryȱaȱcontroversyȱaroseȱbetweenȱValletȱdeȱViriville,ȱHistoireȱdeȱCharlesȱVII,ȱroiȱdeȱFrance,ȱetȱde sonȱépoque,ȱ1403–1461,ȱ3ȱvols.ȱ(Paris:ȱYveȱJ.ȱRenouard,ȱ1862–1865),ȱ2:II–V,ȱwhoȱclaimedȱthatȱGilles deliberatelyȱbetrayedȱJoanȱandȱabandonedȱherȱduringȱherȱlaterȱcampaignsȱandȱBossard,ȱGillesȱde Rais, 33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱwhoȱsustainedȱthatȱGillesȱwasȱalwaysȱherȱ“fidèle”ȱsupporter.ȱHeersȱaddsȱhis ownȱconclusionȱ(70–71)ȱthatȱGillesȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱaȱpolicyȱofȱhisȱownȱinȱherȱregard,ȱbutȱfollowed thatȱofȱhisȱmentorȱdeȱLaȱTrémoille,ȱwhoȱwasȱJoan’sȱrivalȱforȱinfluenceȱwithȱtheȱking.ȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ29ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱinsistsȱthatȱGilles’sȱgloryȱwasȱtransitoryȱandȱnotȱbasedȱonȱparticularȱskills andȱspecifiesȱ(90–93)ȱthatȱheȱwasȱwithȱJoanȱatȱtheȱretakingȱofȱtheȱTourelles,ȱatȱtheȱcoronationȱof CharlesȱVII,ȱandȱatȱtheȱ(unsuccessful)ȱsiegeȱofȱParis,ȱbutȱalwaysȱasȱaȱprotégéȱofȱdeȱLaȱTrémoille.ȱ

364

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

coronationȱ(Julyȱ1429),ȱbutȱbyȱ1430ȱhisȱdaysȱofȱgloryȱwereȱalreadyȱover.19ȱAtȱthis pointȱtheȱtwentyȬsixȬyearȬoldȱbaronȱeffectivelyȱretiredȱfromȱmilitaryȱaffairsȱwith theȱlargelyȱhonorificȱtitleȱofȱmarshalȱofȱFrance.ȱByȱ1433,ȱtheȱfallȱfromȱfavorȱofȱhis patronȱdeȱLaȱTrémoilleȱrelegatedȱhimȱtoȱaȱlargelyȱprovincialȱpresenceȱ(yet,ȱeven there,ȱheȱwasȱneverȱmuchȱinȱtheȱduke’sȱfavor).ȱFromȱthatȱmomentȱonwardȱGilles onlyȱparticipatedȱinȱsmallȱlocalȱraids,ȱoccasionallyȱcalledȱuponȱtoȱperformȱminor militaryȱfunctionsȱonȱbehalfȱofȱaȱmarginalizedȱdeȱLaȱTrémoille.ȱButȱheȱdidȱnot seemȱtoȱhaveȱmissedȱwarȱasȱaȱmeansȱtoȱexpressȱviolence:ȱheȱleftȱtoȱhisȱbrotherȱthe commandȱofȱhisȱlastȱtwoȱsignificantȱmilitaryȱactions,ȱandȱdelegatedȱtoȱhisȱcaptains localȱraidsȱagainstȱneighbors.20ȱ Inȱfact,ȱIȱsuspectȱthatȱtheȱviolenceȱofȱfeudalȱwarȱnotȱonlyȱdidȱnotȱcontributeȱto Gilles’sȱcrimes,ȱbutȱwasȱaȱdistractionȱfromȱhisȱrealȱinterests.ȱBatailleȱtalksȱaboutȱhis “savageȱ youth”ȱ enmeshedȱ inȱ theȱ barbaricȱ warriorȱ ritualsȱ ofȱ aȱ fierceȱ society unmitigatedȱbyȱchivalricȱethics.ȱHowever,ȱitȱseemsȱtoȱmeȱthatȱtheȱauthorȱisȱtalking ofȱwhatȱArnoldȱBussȱcallsȱ“instrumentalȱviolence,”ȱwhoseȱrealȱaimȱisȱnotȱsoȱmuch hurtingȱtheȱvictimȱasȱacceptanceȱbyȱaȱpeerȱgroup.21ȱThisȱisȱnotȱtheȱsameȱasȱthe violenceȱthatȱGillesȱwillȱlaterȱperpetrateȱinȱsecretȱandȱwithȱtheȱawarenessȱthatȱit constitutedȱaȱtransgressionȱagainstȱtheȱveryȱsocialȱorderȱthatȱhadȱcondonedȱor evenȱencouragedȱtheȱother. Withȱtheȱdeathȱofȱhisȱgrandfatherȱinȱ1432ȱGillesȱbecameȱtheȱinheritorȱofȱaȱvast wealthȱinȱcastlesȱandȱlands,ȱinȱpartȱfiefsȱofȱtheȱdukeȱofȱBrittanyȱJeanȱVȱandȱinȱpart ofȱKingȱCharlesȱVII.22ȱButȱthisȱdidȱnotȱimproveȱhisȱfortunes,ȱandȱsoonȱheȱfound 19 20

21

22

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ33–34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ66–67,ȱ69ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ51,ȱ57ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱlastȱtasksȱonȱbehalfȱofȱdeȱLaȱTrémoilleȱwereȱtoȱrelieve theȱbesiegedȱGranceyȱinȱ1434ȱ(whichȱGillesȱturnedȱtoȱhisȱyoungerȱbrother)ȱandȱtoȱleadȱtroopsȱto LaonȱagainstȱJeanȱofȱLuxembourgȱinȱ1435ȱ(whichȱheȱabandonedȱdueȱtoȱlackȱofȱcaptainsȱwillingȱto followȱhim).ȱHeȱcontinuedȱproxyȱattacksȱagainstȱneighborsȱfromȱ1435ȱtoȱ1440.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 104,ȱ109ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ83–84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 37ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3).ȱ Arnoldȱ Buss,ȱ Socialȱ Behaviorȱ andȱ Personalityȱ (Hillsdale,ȱ NJ: LawrenceȱErlbaumȱAssociatesȱPublisher,ȱ1986),ȱ52ȱandȱLeonardȱBerkowitz,ȱ“ViolenceȱandȱRuleȬ FollowingȱBehaviour,”ȱAggressionȱandȱViolence,ȱed.ȱMarshȱPeterȱandȱAnneȱCampbellȱ(Oxford:ȱBasil Blackwell,ȱ1982),ȱ100.ȱAlbertȱBandura,ȱAggression:ȱaȱSocialȱLearningȱAnalysis.ȱTheȱPrenticeȬHall Seriesȱ inȱ Socialȱ Learningȱ Theoryȱ (Englewoodȱ Cliffs,ȱ NJ:ȱ PrenticeȬHall,ȱ 1973),ȱ 3,ȱ rejectsȱ the distinction,ȱarguingȱthatȱtheȱsoȬcalledȱhostileȱaggressionȱisȱequallyȱinstrumental,ȱandȱitȱisȱmore usefulȱtoȱdifferentiateȱaggressiveȱactionsȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheirȱfunctionalȱvalue.ȱ Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ52ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱventuresȱtoȱguessȱhisȱannualȱincomeȱasȱbeingȱaroundȱfortyȬ fiveȬthousandȱlivresȱaȱyear,ȱwhichȱincludedȱhisȱregularȱentriesȱandȱhisȱsalaryȱasȱmarshal.ȱHeers, GillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ28–30ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1,)ȱobservesȱthatȱthereȱareȱnoȱpreciseȱrecordsȱonȱhisȱwealth.ȱHisȱwas oneȱofȱtheȱnineȱsurvivingȱbaroniesȱandȱincludedȱseveralȱscatteredȱlandsȱandȱcastles:ȱaroundȱtwelve seigneuriesȱsouthȱofȱtheȱLoire,ȱplusȱlandsȱinȱMaine,ȱAnjou,ȱandȱBretagneȱfromȱtheȱCraonȱsideȱofȱthe family.ȱTheȱprincipalȱpossessions,ȱsomeȱrenderedȱfamousȱforȱbeingȱtheȱsitesȱofȱhisȱcrimes,ȱwere theȱfortressesȱofȱTiffauges,ȱChamptocé,ȱMachecoul,ȱandȱSaintȬÉtienneȬdeȬMerȬMorte.ȱHisȱbrother Renéȱobtainedȱotherȱseigneuriesȱ(theȱprincipalȱbeingȱthatȱofȱLaȱSuze)ȱandȱtheȱhotelȱinȱNantes. Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ96ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱreportsȱthatȱJeanȱdeȱCraonȱleftȱhisȱarmorȱandȱswordȱtoȱRené,

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

365

himselfȱshortȱofȱfundsȱandȱhauntedȱbyȱdefections,ȱwhichȱeventuallyȱleftȱhimȱwith onlyȱaȱhandfulȱofȱcloseȱassociates,ȱsomeȱofȱwhomȱatȱoneȱtimeȱorȱanotherȱwould becomeȱaccessoriesȱtoȱhisȱcrimes.23ȱ Someȱofȱhisȱearlyȱaccomplicesȱareȱonlyȱnames,ȱwhoseȱroleȱandȱfateȱareȱnotȱclear fromȱtheȱdocuments:ȱchoirȱboysȱofȱhisȱchapelȱlikeȱAndréȱBuchet,ȱJeanȱRossignol, Hicquetȱ deȱ Brémont,ȱ andȱ Robinȱ Romulartȱ (“Petitȱ Robin”).24ȱ Twoȱ active accomplicesȱwhoȱprocuredȱvictimsȱandȱkilledȱforȱhimȱwereȱGillesȱdeȱSilléȱandȱhis cousinȱRogerȱdeȱBricqueville.25ȱRogerȱisȱtheȱmostȱmysteriousȱofȱhisȱassociates:ȱhe wasȱfromȱaȱnobleȱfamilyȱofȱNormandyȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱdispossessedȱbyȱtheȱEnglish occupationȱandȱhadȱtakenȱrefugeȱwithȱJeanȱdeȱCraon.ȱHeȱhadȱbeenȱaȱyouthful companionȱofȱGillesȱand,ȱapparently,ȱhadȱhelpedȱGillesȱinȱhisȱcrimesȱsinceȱ1432. Thereȱ isȱ noȱ preciseȱ informationȱ onȱ theȱ extentȱ ofȱ hisȱ participation,ȱ however, becauseȱheȱfledȱbeforeȱGilles’sȱarrest,ȱandȱlaterȱwasȱacceptedȱintoȱtheȱserviceȱof Gilles’sȱ daughterȱ andȱ herȱ husband,ȱ whoȱ obtainedȱ fromȱ theȱ kingȱ lettersȱ of remissionȱonȱhisȱbehalf.ȱLastly,ȱthereȱwereȱsomeȱoldȱwomenȱwhoȱwouldȱlocateȱand procureȱ children,ȱ amongȱ whomȱ theȱ bestȱ knownȱ isȱ oneȱ Perrineȱ Martin,ȱ who apparentlyȱwasȱalsoȱarrestedȱandȱtriedȱbutȱdiedȱinȱprison.26ȱ Ofȱtheȱfiveȱlateȱaccomplicesȱmentionedȱatȱtheȱtrialȱtwo,ȱÉtienneȱCorrillautȱ(called “Poitou”)ȱandȱHenrietȱGriart,ȱwereȱhisȱvaletsȱandȱboundȱtoȱhimȱbyȱanȱoathȱof

23

24

25

26

whichȱheȱinterpretsȱasȱsignȱofȱdisapprovalȱofȱGilles(butȱofȱwhatȱspecificȱactions?).ȱItȱisȱpossible, Iȱthink,ȱthatȱtheȱgrandfatherȱwantedȱtoȱleaveȱaȱpersonalȱtokenȱtoȱtheȱyoungerȱman. Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ85–86ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱWhileȱitȱisȱassumedȱthatȱtheȱmodernȱserialȱkillerȱactsȱalone, thisȱisȱnotȱalwaysȱtheȱcase;ȱinȱfact,ȱtenȱtoȱtwentyȱpercentȱofȱserialȱmurdersȱareȱ“group”ȱmurders. Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ37–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHowever,ȱnoneȱofȱtheȱcasesȱdiscussedȱbyȱeither Tithecottȱorȱotherȱauthorsȱcitedȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱpagesȱbelongsȱtoȱtheȱ“group”ȱcategory,ȱandȱI wouldȱnotȱplaceȱinȱthatȱcategoryȱevenȱGilles’sȱmurders.ȱHeȱtookȱtheȱinitiativeȱandȱtheȱothers simplyȱwentȱalongȱbecauseȱofȱfearȱand/orȱselfȬinterest.ȱItȱisȱpossibleȱthatȱBricquevilleȱandȱSillé wereȱmoreȱactiveȱaccomplicesȱandȱmayȱhaveȱhadȱsexualȱcontactȱwithȱsomeȱofȱtheȱvictimsȱpriorȱto turningȱ themȱ overȱ toȱ theirȱ master,ȱ butȱ givenȱ theȱ paucityȱ ofȱ informationȱ allȱ thisȱ isȱ highly speculative. Gilles’sȱservantsȱtestifiedȱthatȱBuchetȱsentȱtoȱGillesȱatȱleastȱoneȱvictimȱinȱ1438ȱandȱoneȱinȱ1440ȱ(and helpedȱinȱdisposingȱofȱtheȱbody).ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ125,ȱ153–54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais, 277ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱstatesȱthatȱRobinȱRomulartȱandȱJeanȱRossignolȱwereȱdeadȱbyȱtheȱtimeȱofȱtheȱtrial. Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ64,ȱ101,ȱ155ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱLittleȱisȱknownȱaboutȱSillé,ȱwhoȱwasȱaȱdistantȱrelation andȱtheȱcaptainȱofȱGilles’sȱguard,ȱandȱwhoȱprobablyȱfledȱtoȱhisȱownȱfief.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ210 (seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ157–60,ȱ278ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ43,ȱ108,125–26,ȱ176ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3), andȱ Heers,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 206–07ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ Theȱ royalȱ “lettresȱ deȱ grâce”ȱ ofȱ 1446ȱ absolved Bricquevilleȱonȱtheȱgroundsȱthatȱheȱwasȱveryȱyoungȱ(twentyȬthree)ȱandȱhadȱbeenȱforcedȱtoȱobey Gilles,ȱandȱthatȱheȱhadȱleftȱhisȱserviceȱasȱearlyȱasȱ1435,ȱasȱsoonȱasȱheȱsuspectedȱfoulȱplayȱ(which isȱfalse).ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ206ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱquotesȱtheȱstatementȱthatȱBricquevilleȱhadȱbeen acceptedȱ inȱ Gilles’sȱ houseȱ onȱ conditionȱ ofȱ beingȱ “subgiectȱ etȱ obéissantȱ sansȱ l’oserȱ desdireȱ ni contrarierȱdeȱsaȱvolontéȱenȱnulleȱmanière,”ȱaȱpositionȱthat—ifȱtrue—wasȱnoȱdifferentȱfromȱthat ofȱhisȱtwoȱvalets,ȱwhoȱwereȱnotȱspared.

366

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

loyaltyȱ(andȱaȱsalary).ȱNeitherȱofȱthem,ȱasȱfarȱasȱitȱisȱknown,ȱhadȱaȱcriminalȱpast, andȱPoitouȱhadȱhimselfȱbeenȱanȱearlyȱvictimȱofȱGilles.ȱByȱhisȱownȱadmissionȱatȱthe trial,ȱinȱ1437,ȱwhenȱheȱwasȱnotȱquiteȱtwenty,ȱheȱhadȱbecomeȱGilles’sȱpersonalȱvalet. Hisȱmasterȱhadȱ“commerceȱcharnel”ȱ(sexualȱrelations)ȱwithȱhimȱandȱplannedȱto killȱhimȱafterwards,ȱbutȱBricquevilleȱandȱSilléȱconvincedȱGillesȱtoȱspareȱhimȱand useȱhimȱasȱaȱhelperȱinȱfutureȱcrimes.ȱLaterȱinȱtheȱsameȱyearȱPoitouȱwasȱorderedȱto introduceȱtoȱtheseȱsecretȱactivitiesȱHenriet,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱinȱhisȱmaster’sȱservice forȱaȱfewȱyearsȱbutȱhadȱnotȱyetȱbeenȱinvolvedȱinȱhisȱcrimes.ȱBothȱwereȱswornȱto secrecy,ȱbothȱprocuredȱvictimsȱandȱatȱtimesȱkilledȱthem,ȱandȱbothȱwereȱtasked withȱdisposingȱofȱtheȱbodies.27ȱ Batailleȱ pointedlyȱ remarksȱ thatȱ nobodyȱ ofȱ importanceȱ everȱ askedȱ againȱ for Gilles’sȱhelpȱafterȱ1432,ȱandȱHeersȱmentionsȱthatȱheȱwasȱalreadyȱreceivingȱnegative publicityȱ atȱ courtȱ forȱ hisȱ “indiscrétionȱ etȱ prodigalité”ȱ (lackȱ ofȱ discretionȱ and extravagance).28ȱ Thisȱ couldȱ beȱ aȱ clueȱ thatȱ somethingȱ wasȱ amissȱ withȱ him personally,ȱbecauseȱtheȱdisgraceȱofȱtheȱpatronȱdeȱLaȱTrémoilleȱatȱtheȱking’sȱcourt shouldȱnotȱnecessarilyȱhaveȱresultedȱinȱavoidanceȱofȱtheȱprotégéȱonȱtheȱpartȱof DukeȱJeanȱofȱBrittany.ȱGilles’sȱbiographersȱpostulateȱthat,ȱasȱifȱtoȱcompensateȱfor hisȱmarginalization,ȱheȱlaunchedȱintoȱaȱseriesȱofȱheavyȱpersonalȱexpenditures.ȱHe setȱupȱaȱmagnificentȱ“maisonȱecclésiastique”ȱ(clericalȱentourage)ȱsuppliedȱwith chaplains,ȱvicars,ȱmasters,ȱevenȱaȱ“soȬcalledȱbishop,”ȱandȱaȱchoir,ȱforȱaȱtotalȱof twentyȬfiveȱorȱthirtyȱpeople,ȱallȱsumptuouslyȱdressedȱandȱgenerouslyȱpaid,ȱand startedȱ travelingȱ withȱ thisȱ vastȱ andȱ splendidȱ retinue.ȱ Heȱ alsoȱ maintainedȱ a “maisonȱmilitaire”ȱ(militaryȱentourage)ȱofȱtwoȱhundredȱmountedȱtroops,ȱaȱherald, andȱtrumpeters.29ȱAȱmoreȱegregiousȱdisplayȱofȱprodigalityȱoccurredȱduringȱhis lengthyȱstayȱinȱOrléansȱinȱ1434–1435.ȱThereȱheȱspentȱfromȱeightyȱthousandȱtoȱa hundredȱthousandȱgoldȱécusȱonȱlodgingsȱforȱhimselfȱandȱhisȱhousehold,ȱandȱthe stagingȱ ofȱ aȱ particularlyȱ longȱ andȱ extravagantȱ mystère,ȱ requiringȱ hundredsȱ of actors,ȱ toȱ celebrateȱ theȱ liberationȱ ofȱ theȱ cityȱ fromȱ theȱ Englishȱ siegeȱ sixȱ years earlier.30ȱ

27

28

29

30

Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ153ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ120ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱPrelatiȱwasȱaged twentyȬthree,ȱPoitouȱtwentyȬtwo,ȱandȱHenrietȱtwentyȬsixȱatȱtheȱtimeȱofȱtheȱtrial.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 261,ȱ273,ȱ281ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ149ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ80–83ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeersȱspecifiesȱthat, afterȱanȱattackȱagainstȱtheȱdukeȱofȱBedfordȱinȱ1432ȱonȱbehalfȱofȱtheȱcountȱofȱDunois,ȱheȱwasȱlargely ignoredȱbyȱtheȱroyalȱside,ȱwhereȱtheȱconstableȱArthurȱdeȱRichemontȱhadȱsucceededȱinȱoustingȱhis rivalȱdeȱLaȱTrémoille. Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ56–57ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ92–93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱwhoȱaddsȱthat GillesȱalsoȱmadeȱhimselfȱchanoineȱofȱtheȱchapterȱofȱtheȱcathedralȱofȱSaintȬHilaireȱofȱPoitiers,ȱaȱtitle thatȱbeforeȱhimȱonlyȱtheȱdukesȱofȱAquitaineȱhadȱreceived,ȱandȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ13,ȱ56–58,ȱ112 (seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱBatailleȱlabelsȱtheȱsquanderingȱofȱwealthȱduringȱthisȱperiodȱaȱ“potlatch.” TheȱextantȱdocumentsȱareȱratherȱambiguousȱonȱtheȱactualȱdetailsȱofȱGilles’sȱcontributionsȱtoȱthe play.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ115ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ81,ȱ84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱtalksȱofȱfive

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

367

TheȱmainȱsourceȱforȱtheȱinformationȱonȱGilles’sȱsupposedlyȱmadȱexpenditures isȱaȱdocumentȱthatȱwasȱavailableȱtoȱallȱhisȱbiographers,ȱtheȱMémoiresȱdesȱhéritiers, whichȱwasȱwrittenȱonȱbehalfȱofȱGilles’sȱbrotherȱRenéȱdeȱLaȱSuzeȱandȱhisȱcousin AndréȱdeȱLavalȬLohéacȱinȱ1435,ȱatȱaȱtimeȱwhenȱGillesȱneededȱtoȱraiseȱcashȱandȱwas forcedȱ toȱ alienateȱ properties,ȱ whichȱ wereȱ eagerlyȱ acquiredȱ byȱ Dukeȱ Jeanȱ Vȱ of Brittanyȱ andȱ hisȱ standȬins.31ȱ Naturally,ȱ theȱ familyȱ wasȱ concernedȱ aboutȱ the reductionȱ ofȱ itsȱ patrimony,ȱ andȱ Charlesȱ VII,ȱ toȱ whomȱ theȱ documentȱ was addressed,ȱwasȱequallyȱconcernedȱaboutȱtheȱaggrandizementȱofȱJeanȱV,ȱanȱalready powerfulȱandȱindependentȱvassal.ȱ TheȱrecurringȱmotifȱofȱtheȱMémoiresȱwasȱGilles’sȱinabilityȱtoȱthinkȱrationally:ȱit accusedȱhimȱ(albeitȱinȱvagueȱterms)ȱofȱkeepingȱaȱhouseholdȱworthyȱofȱaȱkingȱand aȱ sumptuousȱ tableȱ openȱ toȱ all;ȱ ofȱ payingȱ forȱ elaborateȱ playsȱ andȱ dances;ȱ of endowingȱ anȱ extravagantȱ chapelȱ andȱ acquiringȱ forȱ itȱ hugeȱ organs,ȱ liturgical vessels,ȱandȱincensoriesȱatȱmanyȱtimesȱtheirȱvalue.ȱWorseȱyet,ȱGillesȱhadȱstipulated inȱwritingȱthatȱhisȱdaughterȱandȱherȱheirsȱwouldȱhaveȱtoȱcontinueȱtoȱendowȱhis chapelȱ afterȱ hisȱ death,ȱ ifȱ necessaryȱ throughȱ theȱ cessionȱ ofȱ theȱ castellanyȱ of ChamptocéȱtoȱtheȱdukeȱofȱAnjouȱandȱofȱoneȬhalfȱofȱtheȱseigneuriesȱofȱRaisȱtoȱthe dukeȱofȱBrittanyȱ(thusȱdeprivingȱhisȱheirsȱofȱmuchȱofȱtheirȱpossessions).32ȱ Theȱ resultȱ ofȱ theȱ familyȱ complaintȱ wasȱ aȱ royalȱ interdictionȱ forbiddingȱ any furtherȱ purchaseȱ ofȱ propertiesȱ fromȱ Gilles,ȱ anȱ injunctionȱ that—predictȬ ably—affectedȱonlyȱtheȱpropertiesȱunderȱroyalȱjurisdictionȱandȱwasȱignoredȱbyȱthe dukeȱwithinȱhisȱownȱterritories.ȱBatailleȱacceptsȱtheȱMémoiresȱatȱfaceȱvalueȱand callsȱGillesȱaȱ“prodigueȱinsensé”ȱ(insaneȱspendthrift),ȱbutȱHeersȱquestionsȱthis

31

32

hundredȱactorsȱandȱofȱGillesȱpayingȱforȱtheȱmultipleȱstagesȱandȱfreeȱadmissionȱtoȱtheȱplay,ȱand Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ59–60,ȱ113–15ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱstatesȱthatȱGillesȱpaidȱforȱsomeȱcostumesȱandȱthe refreshmentsȱthatȱwentȱalongȱwithȱtheȱperformance,ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ101–02ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). TheȱplayȱincludesȱdirectȱmentionȱofȱGilles’sȱparticipationȱinȱJoan’sȱcampaignȱinȱtwoȱscenes.ȱThis mayȱhaveȱcontributedȱtoȱtheȱshortȱlifespanȱofȱtheȱplay,ȱwhichȱwasȱalreadyȱbannedȱbyȱ1441ȱ(108). Toȱfaceȱtheȱenormousȱ expenses,ȱGillesȱwasȱforcedȱtoȱpawnȱvariousȱvaluableȱobjectsȱfromȱhis chapel.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ110ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ63ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱspecifiesȱthat toȱacquireȱcashȱatȱthatȱpointȱheȱhadȱtoȱsellȱatȱaȱdiscountedȱpriceȱtheȱrevenuesȱfromȱsaltȱminesȱand rents.ȱ Someȱ ofȱ theȱ documentsȱ relatedȱ toȱ thisȱ periodȱ haveȱ notȱ survivedȱ toȱ beȱ examinedȱ by subsequentȱbiographers. Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ174ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱInȱ1435ȱtheȱduke,ȱwhoȱcouldȱnotȱbuyȱdirectlyȱfromȱaȱvassal, startedȱ acquiringȱ Gilles’sȱ propertiesȱ throughȱ intermediariesȱ (amongȱ whomȱ theȱ sameȱ Jeanȱ de Malestroit,ȱ bishopȱ ofȱ Nantes,ȱ whoȱ wouldȱ presideȱ overȱ Gilles’sȱ ecclesiasticalȱ trial).ȱ However, documentsȱrelativeȱtoȱtheȱacquisitionsȱofȱlandsȱshowȱthatȱGillesȱhadȱsoldȱthemȱatȱfairȱprice,ȱand notȱpracticallyȱgivenȱthemȱawayȱasȱclaimedȱbyȱhisȱrelatives.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ215–16ȱ(seeȱnote 1). CitedȱinȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ14ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱdocumentȱstatesȱthatȱGillesȱ“n’avaitȱniȱsensȱni entendement.”ȱSeeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ58–59ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱrestȱisȱinȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais, 94ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱdispositionȱofȱtheȱinheritanceȱonȱbehalfȱofȱhisȱchapelȱisȱinȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 110–11ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

368

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

opinion,ȱasȱheȱobservesȱthatȱtheȱinterestsȱthatȱitȱrepresentedȱrenderȱtheȱdocument suspectȱatȱbest.33ȱHeȱdefendsȱbothȱGilles’sȱprovisionsȱforȱtheȱpersistenceȱofȱhis chapelȱandȱtheȱextravagantȱexpendituresȱforȱhisȱcourtȱandȱtableȱasȱnormalȱforȱthe nobilityȱ ofȱ theȱ period:ȱ others,ȱ includingȱ theȱ dukeȱ ofȱ Brittany,ȱ hadȱ theirȱ own chapelsȱandȱusedȱtoȱpawnȱvestmentsȱandȱjewelsȱtoȱraiseȱtroops.ȱOnȱtheȱoneȱhand, then,ȱ standsȱ theȱ opinionȱ ofȱ Gilles’sȱ familyȱ andȱ ofȱ theȱ king,ȱ whoȱ thoughtȱ his expendituresȱexaggerateȱevenȱbyȱlaxȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱstandards.ȱAndȱonȱtheȱother handȱstandsȱtheȱoppositeȱoneȱofȱtheȱdukeȱofȱBrittanyȱthatȱGilles’sȱactionsȱwere reasonable,ȱ cautiouslyȱ backedȱ byȱ Heers,ȱ andȱ equallyȱ biasedȱ inȱ theȱ opposed direction.34 ThisȱdocumentȱalsoȱrevealsȱsomeȱaspectsȱofȱGilles’sȱtastes:ȱwhileȱhisȱloveȱforȱrich clothes,ȱjewels,ȱandȱpreciousȱaccessoriesȱwereȱnotȱextraordinaryȱforȱhisȱageȱand socialȱclass,ȱheȱmanifestedȱanȱunusualȱloveȱforȱtheȱtheater,ȱatȱleastȱcomparedȱwith hisȱpeers,ȱwhoȱseemedȱratherȱfonderȱofȱchess,ȱsports,ȱandȱhunting.ȱBesidesȱhaving stagedȱvariousȱtypesȱofȱplays,ȱGillesȱlavishedȱinterestȱonȱtheȱoneȱthatȱheȱhelped fundȱduringȱhisȱvisitȱtoȱOrléans,ȱbecauseȱitȱwasȱaȱreȬenactmentȱofȱJoan’sȱliberation ofȱtheȱcityȱfromȱitsȱsiegeȱinȱ1429,ȱanȱepisodeȱinȱtheȱrealȱlifeȱofȱGillesȱhimself,ȱinȱfact, theȱhighlightȱofȱhisȱcareer.ȱThereforeȱhisȱparticipationȱinȱtheȱstagingȱofȱtheȱplayȱ(for whichȱheȱapparentlyȱsuppliedȱcostumesȱandȱrefreshmentsȱandȱloanedȱhisȱown standard)ȱwasȱaȱwayȱtoȱtakeȱcenterȱstageȱvicariously,ȱpreciselyȱatȱaȱtimeȱwhenȱhis realȱfortunes,ȱpoliticalȱandȱfinancial,ȱwereȱonȱtheȱwane.ȱ AnotherȱpuzzlingȱpieceȱofȱevidenceȱfromȱthisȱperiodȱisȱaȱletterȱdatedȱDecember 1434ȱ inȱ whichȱ Gillesȱ grantedȱ hisȱ cousinȱ Rogerȱ deȱ Bricquevilleȱ fullȱ powersȱ to representȱhimȱinȱallȱfinancialȱdeals,ȱincludingȱarrangingȱaȱmarriageȱofȱhisȱchoosing forȱ Gilles’sȱ ownȱ youngȱ daughterȱ Marie.35ȱ Givenȱ thatȱ aȱ favorableȱ marriage arrangementȱcouldȱhaveȱrepresentedȱaȱreasonableȱwayȱtoȱholdȱonȱto—andȱperhaps toȱenhance—hisȱdiminishingȱwealth,ȱitȱisȱdifficultȱnotȱtoȱinterpretȱGilles’sȱbizarre forfeitureȱofȱparentalȱprivilegeȱasȱanythingȱbutȱanȱadmissionȱofȱfailureȱtoȱhandle theȱmostȱmundaneȱactsȱofȱpersonalȱadministration.ȱ Theȱ issueȱ ofȱ Gilles’sȱ economicȱ activitiesȱ isȱ ofȱ interestȱ hereȱ onlyȱ becauseȱ this behaviorȱcouldȱserveȱasȱanȱearlyȱwarningȱsignȱofȱaȱdeeperȱproblemȱonȱhisȱpart,ȱa contributingȱ factorȱ toȱ aȱ generalȱ pictureȱ ofȱ hisȱ personality,ȱ evenȱ ifȱ notȱ directly

33

34

35

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ61,ȱ116,ȱ(heȱspecifiesȱthatȱbeforeȱtheȱinterdictionȱGillesȱhadȱsoldȱallȱhisȱown propertiesȱinȱPoitou,ȱMaine,ȱandȱAnjou,ȱwithȱtheȱexceptionȱofȱChamptocéȱandȱIngrandes,ȱandȱwas leftȱonlyȱwithȱhisȱBretonȱpossessions),ȱ119ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱSeeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ68–69ȱ(see noteȱ1)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ175–76ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ90,ȱ96–97,ȱ111ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱdiscountsȱtheȱargumentsȱofȱtheȱMémoiresȱasȱthe productȱofȱexaggerationȱandȱbias.ȱHisȱmainȱargumentȱforȱaȱrevisionȱofȱGilles’sȱhistoryȱisȱbasedȱin partȱonȱtheȱrejectionȱofȱthisȱdocumentȱ(17). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ108ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ66ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱwhereȱheȱjustifies Gilles’sȱlackȱofȱinterestȱinȱtheȱdetailsȱofȱbusinessȱtransactions.

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

369

relatedȱ toȱ hisȱ crimes.ȱ Certainly,ȱ upȱ toȱ thisȱ pointȱ thereȱ isȱ nothingȱ extremely worrisomeȱinȱGilles’sȱoutwardȱbehavior.ȱButȱwhileȱsoȱfarȱnoȱsingleȱclueȱcanȱbe construedȱasȱcriticalȱinȱitself,ȱtakenȱasȱaȱwholeȱallȱhisȱactionsȱshowȱaȱtendencyȱon Gilles’sȱpartȱtoȱbrushȱasideȱresponsibilitiesȱandȱresortȱtoȱmakeȬbelieveȱtoȱenhance hisȱselfȬesteem.ȱOnȱaȱdifferentȱlevel,ȱhisȱspendingȱspreeȱinȱOrléansȱcouldȱexplain whyȱGillesȱcouldȱbeȱpopularȱwithȱhumbleȱpeopleȱandȱretainȱforȱaȱlongȱtimeȱa reputationȱforȱgenerosity.ȱ However,ȱitȱcameȱtoȱlightȱlaterȱthatȱbyȱthisȱtimeȱheȱhadȱalreadyȱembarkedȱforȱat leastȱthreeȱyearsȱonȱaȱcareerȱofȱsorceryȱandȱmurder,ȱtwoȱactivitiesȱthatȱapparently becameȱ everȱ moreȱ centralȱ toȱ hisȱ lifeȱ afterȱ hisȱ returnȱ fromȱ Orléans.ȱ Theirȱ late discoveryȱ (inȱ 1438)ȱ hasȱ contributedȱ toȱ distortingȱ theȱ interpretationȱ ofȱ Gilles’s character:ȱdespiteȱBataille’sȱinsistenceȱonȱhisȱlifelongȱexposureȱtoȱviolence,ȱthere isȱaȱtendencyȱtoȱviewȱhisȱlifeȱinȱtwoȱseparateȱtimeȱframes,ȱaȱlonger,ȱmoreȬorȬless conventionalȱ beginningȱ andȱ aȱ briefȱ spiralȱ intoȱ crimeȱ inȱ theȱ lastȱ threeȱ years,ȱ a distortionȱthatȱisȱfacilitatedȱbyȱtheȱstructureȱofȱhisȱbiographies.ȱHowever,ȱGilles’s ownȱconfessionȱrevealedȱthatȱheȱhadȱbeenȱinterestedȱinȱsorceryȱandȱcommitted (undetermined)ȱcriminalȱactsȱperhapsȱevenȱbeforeȱtheȱdeathȱofȱhisȱgrandfather, andȱpossiblyȱsinceȱhisȱreturnȱfromȱtheȱcampaignsȱagainstȱtheȱEnglish,ȱthusȱmaking himȱaȱcriminalȱforȱatȱleastȱoneȬhalfȱofȱhisȱlife. Unfortunatelyȱlittleȱisȱknownȱaboutȱhisȱrelationȱtoȱhisȱfiefsȱorȱhisȱmanagement ofȱpropertiesȱafterȱtheȱruinousȱstayȱinȱOrléans.ȱAllȱweȱcanȱtellȱisȱthatȱhisȱnational fortunesȱ neverȱ revived,ȱ andȱ thatȱ heȱ spentȱ hisȱ remainingȱ yearsȱ committing occasionalȱactsȱofȱbanditryȱandȱmovingȱamongȱaȱfewȱfavoriteȱresidences,ȱespecially Machecoul,ȱChamptocé,ȱTiffauges,ȱandȱLaȱSuze.36ȱItȱwasȱinȱtheȱfirstȱtwoȱwhere,ȱlate inȱ1437ȱandȱearlyȱinȱ1438,ȱsuddenlyȱsomethingȱsinisterȱemerged.ȱFearingȱGilles’s saleȱofȱhisȱfavoriteȱfortress,ȱhisȱrelativesȱRenéȱdeȱlaȱSuzeȱandȱAndréȱdeȱLavalȬ LohéacȱpreparedȱtoȱsendȱtroopsȱtoȱoccupyȱMachecoulȱtoȱpreventȱitȱfromȱfalling intoȱducalȱhands.ȱBeforeȱtheirȱretainersȱcameȱtoȱtakeȱpossessionȱofȱit,ȱGillesȱquickly sentȱtwoȱservantsȱtoȱrecoverȱfromȱaȱtowerȱtheȱskeletonsȱofȱseveralȱchildrenȱand burnȱthemȱinȱaȱsafeȱplace.ȱTheȱjobȱofȱclearingȱtheȱtowerȱpitȱwasȱdoneȱinȱhasteȱand atȱ night,ȱ andȱ thereforeȱ notȱ properly,ȱ soȱ thatȱ theȱ captainȱ inȱ chargeȱ ofȱ the (temporary)ȱtakeoverȱaskedȱembarrassingȱquestionsȱaboutȱaȱcoupleȱofȱremaining skeletons.ȱ Aȱ similarȱ episodeȱ wasȱ soonȱ repeatedȱ inȱ theȱ fortressȱ ofȱ Champtocé, whichȱwasȱoneȱofȱtheȱpropertiesȱacquiredȱbyȱDukeȱJeanȱVȱsurreptitiouslyȱthrough aȱ front,ȱ hisȱ chancellorȱ Jeanȱ deȱ Malestroitȱ bishopȱ ofȱ Nantes.ȱ Fromȱ thereȱ the skeletonsȱofȱseveralȱchildrenȱwereȱremovedȱandȱtransportedȱbyȱboatȱinȱtrunksȱto beȱburnedȱatȱMachecoulȱaheadȱofȱMalestroit.ȱPoitouȱandȱHenriet,ȱtheȱtwoȱservants taskedȱwithȱtheȱmacabreȱduty,ȱlaterȱtestifiedȱhavingȱcountedȱaroundȱfortyȬfive

36

Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ125–26ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeȱconcludesȱ(138)ȱthatȱGilles’sȱprecariousȱfortunesȱand positionȱwereȱtheȱnormȱwithinȱcontemporaryȱnobility.

370

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

skullsȱandȱseveralȱdismemberedȱbodyȱpartsȱinȱvariousȱstagesȱofȱdecomposition, witnessesȱtoȱaȱlongȱmurderousȱspree.37ȱTherefore,ȱinȱtheȱfutureȱtheyȱwouldȱburn theȱclothesȱandȱbodiesȱofȱtheȱvictimsȱinȱaȱlargeȱchimneyȱinȱtheȱmaster’sȱroomȱto hideȱtracesȱofȱtheȱcrimesȱ(aȱfactȱthatȱaloneȱrendersȱimpossibleȱanȱaccurateȱcountȱof hisȱvictims).38ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱtimidȱbutȱpersistentȱrumorsȱpoppedȱupȱaboutȱthe disappearanceȱ ofȱ localȱ children,ȱ usuallyȱ boysȱ agedȱ betweenȱ eightȱ andȱ sixteen years,ȱmanyȱdescribedȱasȱ“beautiful,”ȱandȱallȱlastȱseenȱaroundȱGilles’sȱfavorite residencesȱorȱinȱtheȱcompanyȱofȱhisȱservants.39 InȱMayȱ1439,ȱperhapsȱdueȱtoȱgrowingȱneedȱforȱmoney,ȱGillesȱcommittedȱanother imprudentȱact:ȱheȱrecruitedȱaȱtwentyȬtwoȬyearȬoldȱ clericȱfromȱItaly,ȱFrancesco Prelati,ȱtoȱhelpȱwithȱexperimentsȱofȱalchemyȱandȱtoȱsummonȱtheȱdevilȱinȱtheȱhope ofȱacquiringȱinstantȱwealthȱthroughȱmagicalȱpractices.ȱApparently,ȱheȱsoonȱbecame smittenȱwithȱtheȱyoung,ȱhandsome,ȱandȱwellȬeducatedȱcleric.40ȱBossardȱdefends Gilles’sȱpracticeȱofȱalchemyȱasȱquiteȱlegitimate,ȱandȱinȱfact,ȱitȱisȱhardlyȱmentioned inȱtheȱlistȱofȱchargesȱagainstȱhim,ȱandȱthenȱonlyȱbecauseȱitȱoccurredȱinȱconjunction withȱsummoningȱofȱdemons.41ȱButȱPrelati,ȱlikeȱaȱfewȱwhoȱprecededȱhimȱinȱthis role,ȱhadȱaȱdualȱtask,ȱofȱwhichȱtheȱsummoningȱofȱdemonsȱbecameȱtheȱprimaryȱone. Gillesȱwasȱpresentȱatȱtheȱfirstȱfewȱséancesȱandȱheȱenlistedȱhisȱterrifiedȱservantsȱto helpȱ setȱ upȱ variousȱ objectsȱ insideȱ theȱ magicȱ circleȱ whereȱ Prelatiȱ wouldȱ draw cryptogramsȱ andȱ reciteȱ arcaneȱ formulasȱ fromȱ aȱ book.42ȱ Inȱ particular,ȱ the

37

38 39

40

41

42

Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 121–25,ȱ 273–74ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3)ȱ (fromȱ theȱ confessionȱ ofȱ theȱ valetȱ Poitou,ȱ who estimatedȱtheȱnumberȱofȱskeletonsȱatȱChamptocéȱbetweenȱthirtyȬsixȱandȱfortyȬsix),ȱ282–83ȱ(from theȱconfessionȱofȱtheȱvaletȱHenriet,ȱwhoȱconfirmsȱtheȱdetailsȱgivenȱbyȱPoitou),ȱandȱBossard,ȱGilles deȱRais,ȱ164–65ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱ(overȱeightyȱskeletonsȱatȱMachecoulȱandȱoverȱfortyȱatȱChamptocé). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ46,ȱ276ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱPoitou).ȱ See,ȱforȱexample,ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ140–41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataillle,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ130ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3), andȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ160ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱInȱfact,ȱtheȱ“acteȱd’accusation”ȱrefersȱtoȱvictimsȱofȱboth sexes,ȱbutȱtheȱvariousȱdepositionsȱmakeȱnoȱreferenceȱtoȱtheȱdisappearanceȱofȱspecificȱgirls,ȱand itȱwasȱgenerallyȱknownȱthatȱGillesȱpreferredȱboys.ȱItȱisȱpossibleȱthatȱheȱmightȱhaveȱacceptedȱgirls whenȱboysȱwereȱnotȱavailable.ȱ Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ119–20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeȱalsoȱstatesȱ(117)ȱthatȱGillesȱusedȱtoȱdoubtȱprevious magiciansȱandȱalchemists,ȱbutȱseemedȱtoȱhaveȱlostȱhisȱskepticismȱwithȱPrelati.ȱSeeȱalsoȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ132ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱInȱtheȱabsenceȱofȱevidence,ȱheȱonlyȱspeculatesȱ(24,ȱ67)ȱwhetherȱPrelati wasȱhisȱmaster’sȱlover.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ151ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱaptlyȱstatesȱthatȱtheȱhandsomeȱPrelati “séduisaitȱleȱmaîtreȱetȱleȱtenaitȱprisonnierȱdeȱsesȱrêves.”ȱ Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ107ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ143–44ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱButȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ66ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱtakesȱliterallyȱanȱedictȱofȱKingȱCharlesȱVȱforbiddingȱtheȱpractice,ȱand relatesȱ(69,ȱ146)ȱaȱvisitȱtoȱTiffaugesȱbyȱtheȱdauphinȱLouisȱinȱ1439ȱthatȱpromptedȱaȱpanickyȱGilles toȱhaveȱtheȱalchemyȱovensȱdestroyed,ȱevenȱifȱapparentlyȱtheȱvisitȱwasȱunrelatedȱtoȱtheseȱactivities.ȱ TheȱfirstȱsuchȱséanceȱtookȱplaceȱinȱtheȱgreatȱroomȱofȱtheȱcastleȱofȱTiffaugesȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱof Gilles,ȱPrelati,ȱSillé,ȱBlanchet,ȱHenriet,ȱandȱPoitou.ȱAȱsecondȱoneȱtookȱplaceȱonȱtheȱfollowingȱnight inȱaȱmeadowȱoutsideȱtheȱsameȱfortress,ȱandȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱPrelati,ȱGilles,ȱandȱPoitou.ȱTheȱtrio wasȱchasedȱbackȱintoȱtheȱcastleȱbyȱaȱdownpour,ȱwithoutȱsightingȱtheȱdemon.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 134–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

371

impecuniousȱbaronȱwentȱtoȱextremesȱtoȱlureȱaȱdemonȱthatȱPrelatiȱusuallyȱcalled Barron,ȱandȱevenȱwroteȱhimȱaȱ“cédule”ȱ(certificateȱofȱdebt)ȱtoȱbeȱdeliveredȱby Prelati,ȱinȱwhichȱheȱofferedȱhimȱanythingȱthatȱheȱwanted,ȱexceptȱhisȱownȱlifeȱand soul.ȱ Uselessȱ toȱ say,ȱ theȱ devilȱ wasȱ offendedȱ byȱ suchȱ miserlinessȱ andȱ never appearedȱ whenȱ Gillesȱ wasȱ presentȱ (butȱ heȱ deignedȱ toȱ appearȱ toȱ Prelatiȱ asȱ a handsomeȱyoungȱmanȱdressedȱinȱviolet).43ȱSoonȱPrelatiȱconcludedȱthatȱGilles’s presenceȱwasȱnotȱpleasingȱtoȱtheȱdemon,ȱandȱconvenientlyȱcontinuedȱtheȱpractice alone.ȱThisȱarrangementȱseemedȱquiteȱacceptableȱtoȱGilles,ȱwhoȱneverȱwaveredȱin hisȱtrustȱofȱtheȱyoungȱcleric,ȱwhoseȱlaterȱcareerȱrevealedȱhimȱasȱaȱprofessional charlatanȱandȱthief.ȱ Theȱaccountsȱthatȱemergedȱatȱtheȱtrialȱofȱtheȱbungledȱséancesȱcontributeȱaȱspark ofȱ Italianȱ comedyȱ toȱ theȱ otherwiseȱ somberȱ Gothicȱ drama,ȱ andȱ revealȱ Gilles’s astonishingȱ gullibilityȱ andȱ cowardice.44ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ oneȱ nightȱ Prelatiȱ locked himselfȱupȱinȱaȱroom,ȱfromȱwhereȱsoonȱcameȱsoundsȱofȱblowsȱandȱhisȱownȱpitiful screams,ȱbutȱnobody,ȱincludingȱtheȱgreatȱlordȱofȱRais,ȱdaredȱbreakȱinȱandȱattempt aȱrescue.ȱPrelatiȱemergedȱmuchȱlaterȱpaleȱandȱfeverish,ȱandȱclaimedȱthatȱheȱhad aȱ livelyȱ meetingȱ withȱ anȱ irritableȱ Barron.ȱ Gillesȱ spentȱ theȱ followingȱ week personallyȱnursingȱhisȱdearȱfriendȱbackȱtoȱhealth.45ȱ EventuallyȱBarronȱaccededȱtoȱPrelati’sȱdemandsȱthatȱheȱsupplyȱwealthȱforȱGilles andȱfilledȱaȱ wholeȱroomȱofȱtheȱcastleȱwithȱgoldȱbars.ȱ Butȱ whenȱanȱelatedȱlord rushedȱ toȱ enjoyȱ theȱ sightȱ ofȱ hisȱ newȱ wealth,ȱ Prelatiȱ blockedȱ theȱ entryȱ and announcedȱthatȱtheȱdevilȱhadȱplacedȱaȱlargeȱsnakeȱtoȱguardȱtheȱtreasure.ȱInȱthis case,ȱhowever,ȱgreedȱwonȱoverȱcowardice.ȱGillesȱreturnedȱarmedȱwithȱaȱcrucifix containingȱaȱrelic,ȱandȱPrelatiȱcouldȱnotȱkeepȱhimȱfromȱenteringȱtheȱroomȱtoȱverify theȱclaim.ȱAȱdisappointedȱGillesȱonlyȱfoundȱsomeȱpiecesȱofȱbrass,ȱbutȱapparently

43

44 45

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ135–36,ȱ161ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ114,ȱ121–28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱI haveȱ notȱ foundȱ anyȱ otherȱ referenceȱ toȱ thisȱ demon.ȱ Carlȱ Goldberg,ȱ Speakingȱ withȱ theȱ Devil–A Dialogueȱ withȱ Evilȱ (Newȱ York:Penguinȱ Books,ȱ 1996),ȱ 95–96ȱ discussesȱ aȱ mentalȱ patientȱ who identifiedȱaȱdemonicȱaspectȱofȱhisȱownȱpersonalityȱwithȱBelphegor,ȱtheȱdevilȱthatȱrepresentsȱthe sinȱofȱsloth,ȱi.e.ȱtheȱdenialȱofȱone’sȱpotentialȱtoȱwallowȱinȱ“idle,ȱselfȬindulgent”ȱlifeȱstyle.ȱSince Belphegorȱ isȱ alsoȱ reputedȱ toȱ induceȱ peopleȱ toȱ makeȱ discoveriesȱ withȱ theȱ promiseȱ ofȱ wealth, perhapsȱtheȱnameȱusedȱbyȱPrelatiȱisȱaȱbastardizationȱofȱthis.ȱAlso,ȱapparentlyȱBelphegorȱcouldȱbe representedȱasȱaȱbeautifulȱyoungȱwomanȱ(changedȱintoȱanȱattractiveȱyouthȱforȱGilles’sȱtastesȱby hisȱcleverȱassociate). Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ148ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱtalksȱofȱ“véritablesȱbouffonneries.” Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ136–37,ȱ273(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱdepositionȱofȱEustacheȱBlanchet)ȱandȱHeers, GillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ152ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱApparently,ȱPrelatiȱborrowedȱtheȱscriptȱfromȱanotherȱnecromancer whoȱhadȱprecededȱhim,ȱJeanȱdeȱlaȱRivière.ȱOneȱnightȱJeanȱwentȱaloneȱintoȱaȱwoodȱnearȱPouzauges toȱmeetȱwithȱaȱdemon,ȱwearingȱwhiteȱarmor,ȱandȱreturnedȱfrightened,ȱclaimingȱthatȱtheȱdemon hadȱappearedȱinȱtheȱformȱofȱaȱleopard.ȱAfterȱobtainingȱmoreȱmoneyȱfromȱGilles,ȱJeanȱdisappeared onȱtheȱfollowingȱday.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ271–72ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ153ȱ(seeȱnote 1)ȱ(fromȱtheȱdepositionȱofȱEustacheȱBlanchet).

372

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

notȱevenȱthenȱdidȱheȱsuspectȱthatȱPrelatiȱmightȱhaveȱdupedȱhim.46ȱItȱseemsȱthat Gillesȱcravedȱguidance,ȱandȱtheȱcleverȱPrelati,ȱhisȱsocialȱinferiorȱbutȱintellectual superior,ȱprovidedȱitȱasȱheȱcontinuedȱtoȱexploitȱhisȱmasterȱforȱoverȱaȱyearȱandȱto exertȱaȱdarkȱascendancyȱoverȱhim.ȱForȱexample,ȱitȱwasȱapparentlyȱPrelatiȱwho suggestedȱatȱoneȱpointȱusingȱanȱeye,ȱhand,ȱblood,ȱandȱheartȱofȱaȱmurderedȱchild asȱsacrificialȱofferingȱtoȱtheȱfinickyȱdevil.47ȱ AllȱthreeȱmodernȱbiographersȱdiscussȱGilles’sȱmagicȱpracticesȱapartȱfromȱhis murderousȱones,ȱandȱIȱhaveȱfollowedȱtheirȱlead.ȱHowever,ȱtheseȱpracticesȱ(apart fromȱalchemy)ȱwereȱaȱmajorȱissueȱatȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱtrialȱandȱoccupiedȱaȱlarge portionȱofȱtheȱdepositionsȱofȱwitnessesȱandȱaccused,ȱintermingledȱwithȱaccounts ofȱmurders.ȱPerhapsȱbecauseȱsuchȱaccusationsȱwouldȱsoundȱridiculousȱtodayȱthe legitimacyȱofȱtheȱentireȱproceedingȱhasȱbeenȱplacedȱinȱdoubtȱbyȱ(admittedlyȱonly aȱhandfulȱof)ȱhistoriansȱinȱtheȱearlyȱtwentiethȱcentury.ȱThisȱwasȱaȱtimeȱofȱviolent anticlericalism,ȱwhenȱtheȱtrialȱofȱJoanȱofȱArcȱ(whichȱtookȱplaceȱinȱ1431,ȱonlyȱnine yearsȱbeforeȱthatȱofȱGilles)ȱwasȱdenouncedȱasȱaȱfraud,ȱaȱprocessȱthatȱeventually broughtȱaboutȱherȱcanonization.ȱHeers’sȱsecondaryȱpurposeȱinȱwritingȱhisȱwork isȱpreciselyȱtoȱrefuteȱtheȱtheoryȱofȱGilles’sȱinnocenceȱandȱshowȱthatȱtheȱtrialȱwas validȱ andȱ conductedȱ correctly,ȱ andȱ thatȱ Gilles’sȱ guilt—atȱ leastȱ ofȱ the murders—wasȱamplyȱproven.ȱHisȱthreeȱbiographersȱexpressȱnoȱdoubtsȱonȱthis point,ȱnorȱdidȱmedievalȱchroniclersȱinȱtheirȱterseȱreportingȱofȱtheȱevents,ȱnorȱdid Gilles’sȱownȱfamily. 48ȱ

46 47

48

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ139ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱ Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ129–30ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ69,ȱ144–45ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱPrelati’s statementsȱonȱthisȱtopic,ȱasȱinȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ264ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱareȱratherȱconfusing.ȱHeȱrecalled theȱdevil’sȱdemandȱtoȱreceiveȱhumanȱofferings,ȱhavingȱseenȱaȱmurderedȱchildȱ(apparentlyȱan infant)ȱonȱtheȱfloorȱofȱaȱroomȱatȱTiffauges,ȱandȱhavingȱwitnessedȱGillesȱcarryȱtheȱorgansȱofȱaȱchild (another?)ȱinȱaȱglassȱtoȱhisȱroom.ȱStill,ȱtheȱdemonȱdidȱnotȱappearȱandȱlaterȱPrelatiȱburiedȱthe remainsȱinȱaȱnearbyȱchapel.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱPrelatiȱcouldȱalsoȱactȱasȱGilles’sȱsocialȱconscience: heȱclaimedȱthatȱBarronȱhadȱorderedȱGillesȱtoȱofferȱthreeȱbanquetsȱtoȱtheȱpoorȱduringȱtheȱfeastȱof AllȱSaints,ȱandȱsinceȱGillesȱofferedȱthemȱonlyȱoneȱbanquet,ȱBarronȱrefusedȱtoȱappear.ȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ142ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ129ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Inȱ1902ȱSalomonȱReinachȱmadeȱaȱcaseȱforȱGilles’sȱinnocence,ȱlikelyȱspurredȱbyȱtheȱatmosphereȱof mistrustȱforȱstateȱjusticeȱcausedȱbyȱtheȱDreyfusȱaffairȱandȱbyȱtheȱfameȱofȱtheȱtrialȱofȱJoanȱofȱArc. Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ178–79ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱcriticizesȱReinach’sȱlackȱofȱanalysisȱofȱtheȱdocuments,ȱand Heersȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 186–88ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1),ȱ affirmsȱ thatȱ hisȱ pamphletȱ didȱ notȱ makeȱ muchȱ ofȱ an impressionȱatȱtheȱtime,ȱandȱitsȱthesisȱwasȱonlyȱtakenȱupȱtwice:ȱbrieflyȱinȱ1921,ȱandȱthenȱinȱ1961ȱby E.ȱClourecȬKerlouane.ȱTheȱ“innocence”ȱthesisȱconsistsȱofȱputtingȱonȱtrialȱtheȱjudges,ȱbyȱclaiming incorrectlyȱthatȱhisȱwasȱanȱinquisitorialȱtrail,ȱwithȱanonymousȱwitnessesȱandȱwithȱitsȱimplicitȱaura ofȱintoleranceȱandȱobscurantism.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ205–07ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱmakesȱtheȱsameȱpoints aboutȱtheȱtrial.ȱCharlesȱVIIȱdidȱmakeȱinquiriesȱonȱsomeȱaspectsȱofȱtheȱprocedureȱinȱ1443ȱ(three yearsȱafterȱGilles’sȱexecution)ȱinȱresponseȱtoȱaȱcomplaintȱbyȱGilles’sȱdaughterȱMarieȱdeȱCraonȱand herȱhusbandȱPrégentȱdeȱCoëtivy.ȱButȱtheȱfinalȱverdictȱwasȱnotȱcontested.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ205 (seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱSeeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ274–75ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

373

Experimentingȱwithȱalchemyȱsoundsȱreasonableȱenoughȱifȱoneȱlooksȱatȱitȱasȱa formȱofȱchemistry;ȱandȱitȱcouldȱbolsterȱBossard’sȱargumentȱthatȱGillesȱwasȱgifted withȱanȱinquisitiveȱmind.ȱButȱwhileȱtheȱsummoningȱofȱdemonsȱtodayȱwouldȱnot beȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱlistȱofȱcharges,ȱitȱcouldȱbeȱbroughtȱupȱatȱaȱtrialȱasȱaȱmeansȱto completeȱtheȱpsychologicalȱportraitȱofȱtheȱaccused.ȱInȱfact,ȱGilles’sȱbehaviorȱinȱthis matterȱgoesȱbeyondȱtheȱcommonȱbeliefȱinȱdemonsȱandȱoccasionalȱtransgression intoȱblackȱmagic.ȱForȱyearsȱheȱhadȱobsessivelyȱdedicatedȱtimeȱandȱresourcesȱto recruitingȱsorcerers,ȱfinallyȱsettlingȱonȱPrelati.ȱHisȱnaïvetéȱisȱastonishingȱwhenȱone readsȱthatȱheȱhadȱhisȱcompanionsȱinvokeȱtheȱdevilȱ“inȱtheȱnameȱofȱtheȱFather,ȱthe Son,ȱtheȱHolyȱGhost,ȱtheȱVirginȱMaryȱandȱallȱtheȱsaints,”ȱandȱthatȱafterȱoverȱaȱyear ofȱeffortsȱheȱwouldȱnotȱentertainȱdoubtsȱonȱtheȱefficacyȱofȱPrelati’sȱtechniques,ȱin factȱbelievedȱhimȱhisȱgoodȱfriendȱtoȱtheȱendȱandȱpartedȱfromȱhimȱinȱprisonȱwith aȱheartfeltȱfarewell.49ȱIȱseeȱinȱhisȱdelusionȱtoȱharnessȱdemonsȱanotherȱexampleȱof hisȱtendencyȱtoȱliveȱinȱaȱmakeȬbelieveȱworldȱinȱwhichȱheȱfeltȱallȬpowerful.ȱ Aȱfinalȱexampleȱofȱhisȱ“niaiserie”ȱisȱtheȱactionȱthatȱbroughtȱaboutȱhisȱruin.ȱAfter sellingȱ theȱ castleȱ ofȱ SaintȬÉtienneȬdeȬMerȬMorteȱ toȱ theȱ treasurerȱ ofȱ Brittany GeoffreyȱLeȱFerronȱ(orȱtoȱhisȱbrotherȱGuillaume,ȱbishopȱofȱLéon),ȱheȱdecidedȱto takeȱitȱbackȱbyȱforce.50ȱTheȱnewȱownerȱhadȱplacedȱtheȱpropertyȱinȱtheȱcareȱofȱa thirdȱbrother,ȱaȱclericȱnamedȱJeanȱLeȱFerron.ȱOnȱMayȱ15ȱ1440,ȱGilles,ȱarmedȱwith aȱpikeȱandȱaccompaniedȱbyȱhisȱhenchmen,ȱburstȱintoȱtheȱvillageȱchurchȱwhereȱLe Ferronȱhadȱofficiatedȱmass,ȱthreatenedȱtheȱclericȱwithȱdeath,ȱandȱthenȱspiritedȱhim toȱ theȱ fortress,ȱ whichȱ heȱ had,ȱ inȱ theȱ meantime,ȱ reoccupied.ȱ Theȱ ducalȱ court respondedȱbyȱfiningȱGillesȱfiftyȱthousandȱgoldȱécus;ȱGillesȱnotȱonlyȱrefusedȱtoȱpay, butȱinȱretaliationȱrelocatedȱtheȱprisonerȱtoȱTiffauges,ȱoutsideȱducalȱjurisdiction.51 Thisȱ blatantȱ violationȱ ofȱ clericalȱ immunityȱ alsoȱ raisedȱ theȱ ireȱ ofȱ theȱ bishopȱ of NantesȱJeanȱdeȱMalestroit,ȱinȱwhoseȱdioceseȱtheȱpropertyȱresided.ȱTheȱbishopȱhad alreadyȱ initiatedȱ aȱ rapidȱ seriesȱ ofȱ investigationsȱ intoȱ Gilles’sȱ otherȱ criminal activities,ȱand,ȱthroughoutȱtheȱsummer,ȱtheȱdepositionsȱofȱseveralȱparentsȱand acquaintancesȱ ofȱ lostȱ childrenȱ wereȱ collected,ȱ whileȱ theȱ murders—incredibly —continued.ȱOnȱJulyȱ29,ȱwithȱallȱappearanceȱofȱacquiescenceȱonȱtheȱduke’sȱpart,

49

50

51

[“parȱleȱPère,ȱleȱFilsȱetȱleȱSaintȬEsprit,ȱparȱlaȱViergeȱMarieȱetȱtousȱtheȱsaints”]ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 263ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱdepositionȱofȱPrelati).ȱGilles’sȱfarewellȱtoȱPrelatiȱtookȱplaceȱafterȱtheȱtwo wereȱquestionedȱtogetherȱinȱGilles’sȱcell.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ236–37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ24,ȱ165ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱtext,ȱinȱFrenchȱ(“Adieu,ȱFrançois,ȱmonȱami!ȱJamaisȱplusȱnous neȱnousȱreverronsȱenȱceȱmondeȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]”)ȱisȱinȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ240–41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ151ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱgivesȱGeoffreyȱLeȱFerronȱasȱtheȱbuyer;ȱHeersȱ(GillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ178) (seeȱ noteȱ 1)ȱ andȱ Bossard,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 178ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1),ȱ stateȱ thatȱ theȱ buyerȱ wasȱ hisȱ brother GuillaumeȱLeȱFerron,ȱbishopȱofȱLéon.ȱApparently,ȱGillesȱwantedȱtoȱresellȱtheȱcastleȱtoȱaȱcousin, butȱLeȱFerronȱhadȱrefusedȱtoȱreturnȱit.ȱBateille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ71ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Theȱ“acteȱd’accusation”ȱsaysȱthatȱheȱenteredȱtheȱchurchȱ“deȱmanièreȱfuribondeȱetȱtéméraire.” Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ162ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱaccount,ȱexceptȱforȱsomeȱminorȱdetails,ȱisȱalsoȱinȱBossard, GillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ178–81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

374

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

theȱbishopȱpublishedȱ“lettresȱpatentes”ȱ(openȱletters)ȱaccusingȱGillesȱofȱsodomy, murder,ȱandȱcommerceȱwithȱdevilsȱ(curiously,ȱnoȱmentionȱwasȱmadeȱofȱtheȱattack onȱLeȱFerron,ȱperhapsȱtoȱavoidȱtheȱimpressionȱofȱpoliticalȱmotivation).52ȱ Fromȱthisȱmomentȱonwardȱeventsȱmovedȱquickly.ȱOnȱAugustȱ25ȱtheȱconstable ofȱ Franceȱ Arthurȱ deȱ Richemontȱ (aȱ brotherȱ ofȱ theȱ duke)ȱ occupiedȱ theȱ French fortressȱofȱTiffaugesȱandȱfreedȱLeȱFerron,ȱatȱwhichȱpointȱGilles’sȱaccomplicesȱSillé andȱ Bricquevilleȱ fled,ȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ otherȱ servants.ȱ Onȱ Septemberȱ 13ȱ Gillesȱ was summonedȱtoȱappearȱinȱfrontȱofȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱtribunalȱofȱNantesȱtoȱanswerȱthe chargesȱ containedȱ inȱ theȱ bishop’sȱ letters.ȱ Twoȱ daysȱ laterȱ ducalȱ troops, accompaniedȱbyȱaȱnotary,ȱarrestedȱGillesȱatȱMachecoulȱ(whichȱwasȱaȱducalȱfief), togetherȱ withȱ Henriet,ȱ Poitou,ȱ andȱ Prelati.ȱ Theyȱ wereȱ takenȱ toȱ Nantes,ȱ where GillesȱwasȱcomfortablyȱhousedȱinȱanȱupperȱroomȱofȱtheȱcastleȱofȱtheȱTourȬNeuve, andȱtheȱrestȱinȱcommonȱprisons.53ȱ TheȱvisitȱbyȱtheȱducalȱgendarmesȱshouldȱnotȱhaveȱcomeȱasȱaȱsurpriseȱtoȱGilles, asȱinȱDecemberȱ1439ȱoneȱofȱhisȱpreviousȱassociates,ȱtheȱpriestȱEustacheȱBlanchet, hadȱsentȱhimȱdireȱwarningsȱthatȱrumorsȱofȱhisȱcrimesȱwereȱspreading,ȱaddingȱa sternȱadmonitionȱthatȱtheȱlordȱofȱRaisȱshouldȱmendȱhisȱways.ȱNotȱonlyȱdidȱGilles notȱheedȱtheȱadmonitions,ȱbutȱheȱsentȱoneȱofȱhisȱemployees,ȱtheȱgoldsmithȱJean Petit,ȱtoȱreturnȱtheȱdefectorȱforciblyȱtoȱTiffauges.54ȱBlanchetȱwasȱarrestedȱseparately inȱSeptemberȱ1440ȱinȱtheȱnearbyȱvillageȱofȱMortagneȱwhereȱheȱresided.55ȱItȱseems clearȱatȱthisȱpointȱthatȱtheȱLeȱFerronȱincidentȱwasȱonlyȱaȱpretextȱ(notȱunlikeȱthe traditionalȱaccusationȱofȱtaxȱevasionȱtoȱjustifyȱtheȱarrestȱofȱnotoriousȱgangsters)

52

53

54

55

ApparentlyȱtheȱlastȱmurderȱtookȱplaceȱaroundȱAugustȱ15,ȱ1440.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ154ȱ(seeȱnote 3).ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ190ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱdatesȱtheȱbishop’sȱopenȱletterȱJulyȱ30ȱandȱdoesȱnot mentionȱtheȱlastȱmurder.ȱTheȱletter,ȱafterȱsupplyingȱaȱlistȱofȱwitnesses,ȱconcludesȱthatȱGillesȱ“avec certainsȱdeȱsesȱcomplices,ȱavaitȱégorgé,ȱtuéȱetȱmassacréȱdeȱfaçonȱodieuse,ȱplusieursȱjeunesȱgarçons innocents,ȱqu’ilȱavaitȱpratiquéȱavecȱcesȱenfantsȱlaȱluxureȱcontreȱnatureȱetȱleȱviceȱdeȱsodomie, souventȱfaitȱetȱfaitȱfaireȱl’horribleȱévocationȱdesȱdémons,ȱavaitȱsacrifiéȱàȱceuxȬciȱetȱfaitȱdesȱpactes avecȱeux.”ȱTheȱsecondȱletterȱ(datedȱSeptemberȱ13)ȱaccusesȱhimȱofȱheresyȱandȱsummonsȱhimȱto appearȱinȱcourt.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ190–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱJeanȱV,ȱwhoȱhadȱrecentlyȱrebelledȱagainst theȱking,ȱwantedȱtoȱavoidȱanyȱconfrontation,ȱandȱ negotiatedȱanȱallianceȱwithȱhisȱbrotherȱthe constableȱArthurȱdeȱRichemont,ȱpromisingȱhimȱaȱshareȱofȱtheȱexpectedȱspoilsȱfromȱGilles’sȱlast properties.ȱTheȱtrialȱwasȱapparentlyȱonlyȱaȱformality.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ154–55ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ191–95ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ156ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱde Rais,ȱ179ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ66,ȱ142,ȱ144ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱApparentlyȱ(147)ȱPetitȱwasȱthrownȱintoȱaȱdungeon whenȱheȱreturnedȱfromȱhisȱfailedȱmission,ȱbutȱGillesȱdidȱnotȱgiveȱupȱandȱsentȱotherȱservantsȱto retrieveȱtheȱrunawayȱpriest.ȱ Blanchetȱ onlyȱ confessedȱ toȱ havingȱ introducedȱ Prelatiȱ toȱ hisȱ master.ȱ Heȱ deniedȱ havingȱ had anythingȱtoȱdoȱwithȱkidnappingsȱandȱmurders,ȱorȱhavingȱparticipatedȱofȱhisȱownȱwillȱtoȱsummons ofȱtheȱdevil.ȱHeȱclaimedȱhavingȱfledȱTiffaugesȱinȱ1439,ȱandȱwhenȱheȱlaterȱheardȱrumorsȱaboutȱthe secretȱactivitiesȱthatȱwereȱtakingȱplaceȱinȱthatȱcastleȱofȱhisȱexȬmaster,ȱheȱhadȱseverelyȱwarnedȱhim. Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ207–08ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱSeeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ173–74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

375

becauseȱtheȱchargesȱofȱheresy,ȱsodomy,ȱandȱmurderȱtookȱprecedenceȱinȱtheȱ“acte d’accusation”ȱ(billȱofȱindictment)ȱoverȱthoseȱofȱaggravatedȱassaultȱonȱLeȱFerron, whichȱhadȱoccurredȱaȱgoodȱthreeȱmonthsȱearlier.56ȱ HistoriansȱhaveȱbeenȱpuzzledȱbyȱtheȱomissionȱofȱreferencesȱtoȱLeȱFerronȱasȱwell asȱ byȱ theȱ suddenȱ interestȱ ofȱ Malestroitȱ inȱ aȱ seriesȱ ofȱ murdersȱ thatȱ hadȱ been allowedȱ toȱ goȱ onȱ forȱ soȱ long.ȱ Whileȱ Bossardȱ defendsȱ theȱ bishop’sȱ honest intentions,ȱHeersȱisȱmoreȱskeptical,ȱandȱoffersȱaȱlessȱflatteringȱportraitȱofȱaȱgreedy andȱpoliticalȱbishop,ȱwhoȱmightȱevenȱhaveȱenvisionedȱcomingȱintoȱsomeȱofȱGilles’s possessions.ȱHeȱcautions,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱtheȱinquiryȱintoȱGilles’sȱsinisterȱactivities hadȱ beenȱ ongoingȱ forȱ aȱ whileȱ byȱ theȱ timeȱ theȱ Leȱ Ferronȱ incidentȱ occurred. Malestroitȱhimselfȱstatedȱhavingȱinitiatedȱitȱinȱresponseȱtoȱpopularȱdemandsȱinȱthe courseȱofȱhisȱpastoralȱvisits,ȱandȱtheȱarrestingȱofficersȱwereȱalertedȱtoȱsearchȱthe castleȱforȱcluesȱofȱmurderousȱactivity.57ȱOnȱSeptemberȱ28ȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱcourt openedȱ itsȱ firstȱ sessionȱ while,ȱ inȱ parallel,ȱ theȱ ducalȱ courtȱ continuedȱ itsȱ own inquiriesȱandȱquestioningȱofȱwitnesses.ȱTheirȱdepositionsȱcollectedȱthroughoutȱthe trail,ȱ togetherȱ withȱ theȱ confessionsȱ ofȱ theȱ accused,ȱ haveȱ allowedȱ modern biographersȱtoȱreconstructȱaȱrecordȱofȱcriminalȱactivityȱthatȱstartedȱsinceȱtheȱdeath ofȱJeanȱdeȱCraonȱinȱ1432,ȱifȱnotȱearlier,ȱandȱthatȱhasȱsinceȱbeenȱtheȱmainȱsourceȱof theȱBreton’sȱposthumousȱfame.58ȱ Gillesȱchoseȱhisȱvictimsȱoneȱatȱaȱtime,ȱamongȱboysȱofȱpoorȱfamilies,ȱandȱlured themȱintoȱhisȱcastlesȱwithȱpromisesȱofȱalmsȱandȱjobs.59ȱOnceȱtheȱpreyȱwasȱinside,

56

57

58

59

Thisȱopinionȱisȱsharedȱtoȱsomeȱdegreeȱbyȱallȱthreeȱbiographers.ȱSeeȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ180ȱ(see noteȱ 1),ȱ Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 154ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3),ȱ andȱ Bossard,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 191ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ No documentȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱducalȱinquiryȱsurvives,ȱbutȱtwoȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱinquiryȱhave survived.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ180ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). TheyȱfoundȱaȱsmallȱbloodyȱshirtȱinȱtheȱresidenceȱofȱPrelatiȱandȱBlanchet.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais, 181–83ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ194ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). TheȱonsetȱofȱGilles’sȱcriminalȱactivitiesȱisȱdebatable,ȱgivenȱthatȱsourcesȱareȱcontradictory.ȱTheȱ“acte d’accusation”ȱdatesȱtheȱfirstȱdemonicȱséanceȱandȱmurderȱtoȱ1426.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ211,ȱ214,ȱ217 (seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱButȱGilles’sȱownȱconfessionȱandȱallȱextantȱtestimoniesȱofȱtheȱvictims’ȱparentsȱdateȱit 1432.ȱGilles,ȱhowever,ȱconfessedȱtoȱcommittingȱ(undefined)ȱ“actesȱillicites”ȱsinceȱchildhoodȱand Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ39–42ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱpostulatesȱthatȱheȱmayȱhaveȱreferredȱtoȱtheȱbutcheriesȱofȱthe warȱyearsȱ1427–1429,ȱwhichȱtoȱmeȱsoundsȱunconvincing,ȱbecauseȱheȱwouldȱnotȱhaveȱviewedȱsuch actsȱasȱillicit.ȱHeȱmayȱinsteadȱhaveȱbeenȱreferringȱtoȱaȱcontactȱinȱ1426ȱwithȱaȱknightȱwhoȱhadȱbeen accusedȱofȱheresyȱandȱfromȱwhomȱheȱadmittedȱhavingȱlearntȱprinciplesȱofȱnecromancy.ȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ62,ȱ161,ȱ224ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱAsȱforȱtheȱchronologyȱofȱtheȱtwoȱparallelȱtrials,ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱde Rais,ȱ 191–92ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1),ȱ statesȱ thatȱ theȱ presidentȱ ofȱ Brittanyȱ Pierreȱ deȱ l’Hôpitalȱ openedȱ his sessionsȱ onȱ Septemberȱ 18,ȱ whileȱ theȱ courtȱ clerkȱ Jeanȱ deȱ Toucheronȱ continuedȱ collectingȱ the depositionsȱofȱotherȱwitnesses:ȱnineȱonȱSeptemberȱ18,ȱfourȱonȱSeptemberȱ24,ȱthirtyȬtwoȱbetween Septemberȱ28ȱandȱSeptemberȱ30,ȱtwentyȱonȱOctoberȱ4,ȱandȱfifteenȱonȱOctoberȱ10.ȱTheȱmajorityȱof theseȱhaveȱnotȱsurvived.ȱInȱparallel,ȱbetweenȱSeptemberȱ28ȱandȱOctoberȱ11,ȱnineȱmoreȱwitnesses fromȱNantesȱandȱvicinityȱwereȱquestionedȱinȱtheȱepiscopalȱchapelȱ(theȱmajorityȱofȱwhomȱhad alreadyȱbeenȱheardȱinȱJuly).ȱ Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ148ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ192ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱspecifyȱthatȱonlyȱtwo

376

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

hisȱservantsȱwouldȱtakeȱhimȱtoȱaȱroomȱwhereȱGillesȱstagedȱhisȱdeadlyȱplay.ȱAtȱfirst heȱterrorizedȱandȱconfusedȱtheȱchild,ȱforȱexampleȱbyȱpartiallyȱhangingȱhim;ȱthen heȱ wouldȱ suddenlyȱ takeȱ himȱ downȱ andȱ sootheȱ himȱ playfully;ȱ thenȱ justȱ as suddenlyȱ heȱ wouldȱ sexuallyȱ assaultȱ him.ȱ Gilles’sȱ threeȱ biographersȱ haveȱ not commentedȱonȱtheȱdetailsȱofȱtheȱsexualȱassaultsȱ(Bossardȱavoidsȱspecificȱmention ofȱthem),ȱbutȱreportȱwithoutȱcommentsȱtheȱunambiguousȱdepositionsȱofȱhisȱtwo servantsȱHenrietȱandȱPoitou.ȱGillesȱusedȱtoȱmasturbateȱandȱthenȱrubȱhisȱpenis betweenȱtheȱchild’sȱlegsȱorȱagainstȱhisȱabdomen.60ȱAfterwardsȱheȱwouldȱkillȱthe child,ȱorȱhaveȱhimȱkilledȱbyȱhisȱservants,ȱusuallyȱbyȱstabbing,ȱdecapitation,ȱor cuttingȱhisȱthroat.ȱAtȱtimesȱtheȱkillingȱwouldȱcomeȱfirst,ȱandȱGillesȱwouldȱsitȱon theȱ abdomenȱ ofȱ theȱ dyingȱ orȱ deadȱ victim,ȱ laughingȱ atȱ theȱ sightȱ ofȱ hisȱ agony, which—inȱ hisȱ ownȱ words—intensifiedȱ hisȱ pleasure.61ȱ Afterwardsȱ heȱ might dismemberȱ theȱ bodyȱ toȱ admireȱ itsȱ innerȱ organs,ȱ orȱ stageȱ grotesqueȱ beauty pageantsȱfeaturingȱtheȱseveredȱheadȱofȱtheȱvictimȱofȱtheȱdayȱandȱofȱthoseȱofȱthe previousȱdays,ȱandȱrewardȱtheȱwinnerȱwithȱkisses.62ȱ Thisȱ patternȱ ofȱ seizure,ȱ frightening,ȱ verbalȱ interaction,ȱ andȱ sexualȱ releaseȱ to coincideȱwithȱmurderȱrecallsȱtheȱstyleȱofȱotherȱserialȱkillers,ȱwhoȱinȱmodernȱtimes haveȱreceivedȱasȱmuchȱattentionȱasȱGillesȱdidȱinȱhisȱownȱdays.ȱAnȱaptȱexampleȱis theȱnotoriousȱJeffreyȱDahmer,ȱwhoȱraped,ȱkilled,ȱandȱdismemberedȱsixteenȱboys andȱyoungȱmenȱinȱMilwaukeeȱ(Wisconsin,ȱUnitedȱStates)ȱbetweenȱ1987ȱandȱ1991.63

60

61

62

63

ofȱtheȱvictimsȱseemȱtoȱbelongȱtoȱprofessionalȱfamiliesȱ(aȱmasonȱandȱaȱbutcher),ȱandȱtheȱrestȱcame fromȱhumbleȱbackground. Poitou,ȱinȱhisȱconfession,ȱstatedȱthatȱGillesȱusedȱtoȱtakeȱ“saȱvergeȱouȱsonȱmembreȱvirilȱentreȱl’une ouȱl’autreȱdeȱsesȱmains,ȱlaȱfrottaitȱouȱl’érigeaitȱouȱlaȱtendait,ȱpuisȱilȱlaȱposaitȱentreȱlesȱcuissesȱou lesȱ jambesȱ desditsȱ garçonsȱ etȱ fillesȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .]ȱ avecȱ uneȱ grandeȱ délectation,ȱ uneȱ ardeurȱ etȱ une concupiscenceȱlibidineuse,ȱjusqu’àȱceȱqueȱleȱspermeȱs’émitȱsurȱleursȱventres.”ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 275ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱApparentlyȱheȱusedȱ(theȱrare)ȱfemaleȱvictimsȱinȱtheȱsameȱway,ȱas,ȱinȱhisȱown words,ȱitȱgaveȱhimȱ“plusȱdeȱplaisir,ȱetȱmoinsȱdeȱpeine,ȱqu’àȱjouirȱd’ellesȱenȱleurȱnature.”ȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ172ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱTheȱ“acteȱd’accusation”ȱreportsȱinȱscandalizedȱtonesȱthatȱGillesȱdidȱnot treatȱhisȱfemaleȱvictimsȱdifferentlyȱfromȱtheȱmalesȱandȱavoidedȱtheirȱ“vaseȱnaturel.”ȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ160,ȱ211ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱButȱthisȱisȱnotȱapparentlyȱanȱattitudeȱlimitedȱtoȱmedievalȱauthorities: anȱFBIȱofficerȱseemedȱappreciativeȱofȱaȱrapistȱwhoȱwouldȱnotȱbeatȱorȱverballyȱabusedȱhisȱvictims, andȱ“engagedȱinȱvaginalȱassaultȱonly.”ȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ152ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱ Theȱ “acteȱ d’accusation”ȱ specifiesȱ thatȱ theȱ childrenȱ wereȱ “égorgés,ȱ tuésȱ etȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .]ȱ tormentés honteusement,”ȱandȱthatȱGillesȱcommittedȱagainstȱthemȱtheȱsinȱofȱsodomyȱwhileȱtheyȱwereȱstill living,ȱdying,ȱorȱalreadyȱdead.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ160,ȱ210–11ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱSeeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGilles deȱRais,ȱ149ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱdescriptionȱofȱtheȱtorments,ȱkillings,ȱandȱdismembermentȱareȱin Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 44–46,ȱ 275ȱ (fromȱ theȱ depositionȱ ofȱ Poitou),ȱ 282–83ȱ (fromȱ theȱ depositionȱ of Henriet)ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱ Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 45–46,ȱ 166,ȱ 243–44ȱ (fromȱ theȱ confessionȱ ofȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais),ȱ 285ȱ (fromȱ the confessionȱofȱHenriet)ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱ Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ164ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱIȱamȱlimitingȱrecentȱexamplesȱtoȱkillersȱwhoȱwereȱ(are) maleȱandȱpreyedȱonȱyoungȱmales,ȱforȱtheȱsakeȱofȱspaceȱandȱtoȱmaintainȱaȱcloseȱparallelȱwith Gilles.ȱButȱIȱdoȱnotȱseeȱmuchȱdifferenceȱinȱtheȱstyleȱofȱtheȱmuchȱmoreȱnumerousȱonesȱwhose

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

377

Likeȱ Gilles,ȱ heȱ operatedȱ inȱ aȱ limitedȱ geographicalȱ areaȱ andȱ preyedȱ onȱ those marginalizedȱbyȱsociety:ȱmainlyȱAfricanȬAmericansȱorȱAsianȬAmericansȱpicked upȱ inȱ shoppingȱ mallsȱ orȱ gayȱ bathhousesȱ andȱ drawnȱ toȱ hisȱ apartmentȱ byȱ the prospectȱ ofȱ moneyȱ (forȱ example,ȱ toȱ poseȱ forȱ pictures).64ȱ Also,ȱ likeȱ Gilles,ȱ he preferredȱsexualȱcontactȱwithȱaȱdebilitated,ȱunconscious,ȱorȱevenȱdeadȱpartner. Apparently,ȱforȱbothȱpredatorsȱdominationȱwasȱtheȱkeyȱtoȱpleasure,ȱandȱtherefore bothȱdeliberatelyȱprecludedȱtheȱpossibilityȱofȱconsensualȱsex.ȱSinceȱDahmerȱlacked helpȱinȱsubduingȱtheȱvictim,ȱheȱwouldȱrenderȱhimȱincapacitatedȱwithȱaȱdrinkȱlaced withȱaȱtranquilizer,ȱor,ȱinȱsomeȱcases,ȱbyȱhittingȱhimȱonȱtheȱheadȱwithȱaȱrubber mallet.ȱAfterȱmurderingȱhisȱpreyȱheȱwouldȱdismemberȱtheȱbodyȱandȱtakeȱpictures atȱvariousȱstagesȱofȱtheȱprocedure,ȱandȱpreserveȱhands,ȱheads,ȱandȱotherȱbody partsȱinȱbizarreȱways,ȱforȱexampleȱbyȱfreezingȱthemȱorȱinjectingȱthemȱwithȱacid, inȱanȱattemptȱatȱprolongingȱpossessionȱofȱtheirȱbeauty,ȱanȱactivityȱthatȱclosely resembledȱGilles’sȱown.ȱForȱbothȱkillersȱtheȱvictimȱwasȱaȱdehumanized,ȱaesthetic objectȱtoȱbeȱcollected.65 Inȱhisȱstudyȱonȱtheȱinteractionȱofȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱwithȱsociety,ȱJosephȱC.ȱFisher statesȱthatȱthreeȱfactorsȱstandȱinȱtheȱwayȱofȱapprehendingȱsuchȱaȱcriminal:ȱthe characteristicsȱofȱtheȱvictims,ȱtheȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱkillerȱhimself,ȱandȱtheȱstructure ofȱtheȱsocietyȱinȱwhichȱtheȱkillerȱoperates.66ȱIfȱoneȱwondersȱhowȱGillesȱcouldȱgoȱon forȱyearsȱwithȱhisȱoutrageousȱbehavior,ȱitȱisȱhelpfulȱtoȱconsiderȱthatȱheȱsharedȱall threeȱfactorsȱwithȱmodernȱcounterparts.ȱFirst,ȱheȱchoseȱvictimsȱfromȱaȱsegmentȱof societyȱ whoȱ eitherȱ wouldȱ carefullyȱ avoidȱ policeȱ contactȱ orȱ makeȱ policeȱ work difficultȱoutȱofȱfearȱforȱtheirȱownȱexistence.ȱLikewise,ȱmodernȱserialȱkillersȱprefer toȱpreyȱonȱtransientsȱbecauseȱaȱdisappearanceȱfromȱwithinȱtheirȱranksȱisȱhardly noticeable,ȱorȱonȱpeopleȱwhoȱbelongȱtoȱaȱmarginalȱgroupȱlikeȱtheȱhomosexual communityȱofȱMilwaukeeȱinȱDahmer’sȱdays.ȱTheȱluckyȱfewȱamongȱthemȱtoȱescape fromȱ himȱ withȱ theirȱ lives,ȱ butȱ druggedȱ andȱ severelyȱ injured,ȱ neverȱ pressed charges,ȱ butȱ onlyȱ sharedȱ inȱ whispersȱ amongȱ themselvesȱ theȱ disturbing informationȱaboutȱhim.67ȱ

64

65

66 67

victimsȱwereȱfemale.ȱAlsoȱforȱtheȱsakeȱofȱspaceȱIȱwillȱconfineȱmostȱexamplesȱtoȱfootnotes. Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ176ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱApparentlyȱseveralȱwereȱaspiringȱmodels.ȱOnlyȱtheȱfirst twoȱvictimsȱ(oneȱoutsideȱtheȱ“serial”ȱpattern)ȱandȱtheȱlastȱwereȱWhite;ȱtwoȱwereȱHispanicȱandȱone NativeȱAmerican.ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ175,ȱTableȱ7.1ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱ Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ120,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHeȱaddsȱ(171)ȱthatȱDahmerȱ“confusedȱlove withȱpossession.”ȱHeȱmentionsȱanotherȱserialȱkillerȱ(172)ȱwhoȱtriedȱtoȱreȬcreateȱtheȱbeautyȱof Michelangeloȱ sculpturesȱ withȱ theȱ bodyȱ ofȱ aȱ victim.ȱ Dahmer’sȱ drugȱ ofȱ choiceȱ wasȱ Halcion (Triazolam).ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ181–82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱAccordingȱtoȱaȱpsychiatristȱwhoȱstudied him,ȱ “Dahmerȱ preferredȱ softȱ sexȱ consistingȱ ofȱ holding,ȱ caressing,ȱ andȱ foreplay.ȱ Heȱ disliked rougherȱformsȱofȱsexȱandȱhadȱaȱparticularȱaversionȱtoȱanalȱintercourse.”ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs, 174ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ164ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ179–80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱSeeȱalsoȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ78,ȱ81ȱ(see

378

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

FromȱvariousȱtestimoniesȱitȱappearsȱthatȱGilles’sȱservantsȱwereȱsentȱamongȱthe communityȱtoȱintimidateȱtheȱhumbleȱpotentialȱwitnesses,ȱaȱtaskȱfacilitatedȱbyȱthe easeȱwithȱwhichȱaȱkidnappingȱcouldȱthenȱbeȱdisguisedȱamongȱaȱmultitudeȱofȱother causesȱ forȱ aȱ child’sȱ disappearance.ȱ Suchȱ eventsȱ wereȱ soȱ frequentȱ thatȱ Bataille recordsȱ thatȱ sometimesȱ theȱ reportedȱ lossȱ ofȱ aȱ childȱ wasȱ unlikelyȱ toȱ haveȱ been causedȱbyȱGilles,ȱbecauseȱheȱwasȱnotȱinȱresidenceȱatȱtheȱtimeȱofȱtheȱvanishing. ThusȱGilles’sȱservantsȱcouldȱconvinceȱdesperateȱparentsȱthatȱtheirȱsonȱhadȱfledȱor hadȱbeenȱtakenȱhostageȱbyȱtheȱEnglish,ȱtwoȱacceptableȱexcusesȱinȱthatȱtormented periodȱwhenȱarmedȱraidsȱwereȱtheȱnorm.68ȱ Theȱsecondȱfactor,ȱtheȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱkiller,ȱisȱtheȱmostȱintriguingȱpieceȱofȱthe puzzle.ȱ Unfortunatelyȱ thereȱ isȱ notȱ enoughȱ informationȱ aboutȱ Gilles’sȱ youthful transgressions,ȱwhichȱheȱconfessedȱhavingȱcommittedȱasȱearlyȱasȱ1426.ȱWeȱonly knowȱofȱaȱpreviousȱclashȱwithȱtheȱChurchȱwhenȱheȱbrieflyȱarrestedȱaȱclericȱfrom Angersȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱhisȱtutorȱandȱofȱhisȱearlyȱquarrelsȱwithȱrivalsȱoverȱproperties which,ȱaccordingȱtoȱHeers,ȱpreparedȱtheȱgroundȱforȱhisȱlaterȱdebacle.69ȱTheȱfact thatȱ thereȱ wereȱ noȱ seriousȱ investigationsȱ aboutȱ murderousȱ activitiesȱ untilȱ late shouldȱ notȱ comeȱ asȱ aȱ surprise,ȱ however,ȱ asȱ thisȱ patternȱ isȱ evidentȱ alsoȱ with modernȱserialȱmurderers.ȱAsȱFisherȱstates,ȱthereȱareȱseveralȱearlyȱcluesȱasȱtoȱwhat typeȱofȱpersonȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱmayȱbecome,ȱbutȱnoneȱasȱobviousȱasȱtoȱcauseȱan earlyȱarrest.ȱ

68

69

noteȱ 11).ȱ Asȱ aȱ comparison,ȱ seeȱ theȱ fearȱ ofȱ reprisalȱ voicedȱ byȱ theȱ victims’ȱ relativesȱ andȱ other servantsȱofȱGilles.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ See,ȱforȱexample,ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ101ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱAnotherȱmodernȱserialȱkillerȱwhoȱsharesȱsome significantȱpointsȱofȱcontactȱwithȱGillesȱisȱJohnȱW.ȱGacy,ȱwhoȱwasȱconvictedȱofȱtheȱrapeȱand murderȱofȱthirtyȬthreeȱadolescentȱboysȱbetweenȱ1972ȱandȱ1978ȱinȱIllinoisȱ(UnitedȱSates).ȱTwiceȬ marriedȱandȱfatherȱofȱtwoȱdaughters,ȱheȱhadȱbeenȱbrieflyȱimprisonedȱforȱmolestingȱaȱboy,ȱbutȱhad escapedȱtrialȱbyȱsuccessfullyȱintimidatingȱtheȱpotentialȱwitness.ȱUsingȱhisȱbusinessȱ(remodeling contractor)ȱasȱfaçade,ȱheȱluredȱboysȱtoȱhisȱhomeȱwithȱpromisesȱofȱjobs.ȱHisȱmethodsȱofȱabducting, terrorizing,ȱassaultingȱtheȱvictimsȱwithȱpartialȱstrangulationȱandȱdrowningȱwereȱrevealedȱinȱhis confessionȱorȱrelatedȱbyȱaȱfewȱwhoȱmanagedȱtoȱescapeȱfromȱhimȱorȱwereȱvoluntarilyȱreleased. Mostȱofȱhisȱvictimsȱwereȱburiedȱinȱtheȱcrawlȱspaceȱunderȱhisȱhouse.ȱTheȱdataȱonȱhisȱcaseȱreported hereȱderiveȱfromȱtheȱrecollectionsȱofȱanȱattorneyȱinvolvedȱwithȱhisȱprosecution,ȱTerryȱSullivan withȱPeterȱT.ȱMaiken,ȱKillerȱClownȱ(NewȱYork:ȱGrossetȱ&ȱDunlapȱPublishers,ȱ1983).ȱAmongȱthe pointsȱofȱsimilarityȱwithȱGillesȱareȱhisȱmethodsȱofȱsubduingȱtheȱvictimȱbyȱchokingȱorȱpartially drowningȱhim,ȱputtingȱonȱandȱthenȱremovingȱhandcuffs,ȱandȱofȱalternatingȱthreatsȱwithȱtalksȱof playȱ(222–23);ȱhisȱreadyȱexcusesȱforȱtheȱdisappearanceȱofȱhisȱyoungȱapprenticesȱ(188);ȱandȱtheȱfact thatȱaȱfewȱofȱhisȱvictims,ȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱbrutalizedȱbutȱnotȱkilled,ȱcomplainedȱtoȱtheȱpolice,ȱbut Gacyȱwasȱneverȱformallyȱcharged,ȱandȱstartedȱbelievingȱinȱhisȱimmunityȱ(219,ȱ224–25,ȱ245). Inȱ1436ȱheȱkidnappedȱandȱbrieflyȱimprisonedȱMichelȱdeȱFontenay,ȱaȱpriestȱofȱAngersȱwhoȱhad beenȱhisȱtutorȱandȱwhoȱhadȱcollaboratedȱinȱtheȱroyalȱlettersȱofȱinterdiction.ȱHeȱwasȱforcedȱto releaseȱhimȱbyȱtheȱinterventionȱofȱtheȱbishopȱandȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱAngers.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ118 (seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGilles de Rais, 116ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱwhereȱheȱstatesȱthatȱGillesȱheldȱtheȱpriestȱfor ransom.

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

379

AnȱamazingȱexampleȱisȱonceȱagainȱDahmer.ȱHeȱhadȱbeenȱfascinatedȱbyȱdeath sinceȱchildhoodȱandȱtortured,ȱkilled,ȱandȱdismemberedȱsmallȱanimals.ȱInȱhigh schoolȱheȱwasȱnotedȱforȱoutrageousȱbehaviorȱandȱoveruseȱofȱalcohol,ȱwhich,ȱasȱfor Gilles,ȱthroughoutȱhisȱlifeȱwasȱtoȱplayȱaȱroleȱinȱovercomingȱinhibitions.ȱHisȱfirst murderȱtookȱplaceȱinȱ1978,ȱwellȱaheadȱofȱhisȱserialȱspree,ȱwhenȱheȱstrangledȱa youngȱmanȱwhoȱrefusedȱtoȱspendȱtheȱnightȱwithȱhimȱandȱdismemberedȱtheȱbody, aȱmurderȱthatȱremainedȱunresolvedȱuntilȱDahmer’sȱarrestȱyearsȱlater.ȱAfterȱbeing dischargedȱ fromȱ theȱ Armyȱ forȱ hisȱ alcoholism,ȱ heȱ wentȱ toȱ liveȱ withȱ his grandmotherȱuntilȱsheȱforcedȱhimȱtoȱmoveȱoutȱbecauseȱofȱhisȱbizarreȱbehavior: contactsȱwithȱpoliceȱforȱindecentȱexposure,ȱnecrophiliaȱ(heȱtriedȱtoȱexhumeȱthe bodyȱofȱaȱboyȱrecentlyȱdead),ȱandȱdrinkingȱaȱbloodȱsampleȱwhileȱworkingȱinȱa plasmaȱcenter. 70ȱ Still,ȱ despiteȱ theseȱ disturbingȱ signs,ȱ Dahmerȱ remainedȱ “invisible,ȱ belowȱ the thresholdȱofȱattention,”ȱhiddenȱ“behindȱaȱmaskȱofȱsocialȱconvention.”71ȱTwiceȱthe policeȱwereȱcalledȱtoȱtheȱhousingȱcomplexȱwhereȱheȱwentȱtoȱreside:ȱoneȱtimeȱfor theȱmurderȱofȱaȱmanȱwhoȱlivedȱaboveȱhisȱapartmentȱ(theȱpoliceȱfoundȱnothing suspicious)ȱandȱtheȱotherȱtimeȱtoȱinvestigateȱtheȱoverpoweringȱsmellȱfromȱhisȱown apartmentȱ(theȱpoliceȱburstȱintoȱtheȱwrongȱone).ȱByȱtheȱtimeȱofȱhisȱfinalȱarrest Dahmerȱhadȱatȱleastȱsevenȱcontactsȱwithȱtheȱlaw,ȱwasȱarrestedȱthreeȱtimesȱfor minorȱchargesȱofȱsexualȱmisconduct,ȱputȱonȱprobationȱtwiceȱandȱinȱprisonȱonce. AndȱyetȱheȱwasȱordinaryȬlooking,ȱpolite,ȱandȱalwaysȱreadyȱwithȱcalmȱexcusesȱfor hisȱmajorȱcrimesȱthatȱwereȱacceptedȱatȱfaceȱvalueȱbyȱtheȱpolice.ȱHeȱwasȱfinally arrestedȱbyȱchanceȱwhenȱhisȱeighteenthȱvictimȱwasȱableȱtoȱescapeȱandȱforceȱthe policeȱtoȱinvestigate.ȱUntilȱtheȱveryȱendȱhisȱlackȱofȱaȱsenseȱofȱguiltȱhadȱallowedȱhim toȱfoolȱauthoritiesȱbyȱpresentingȱaȱsuaveȱexterior.72 Theȱthirdȱfactor,ȱtheȱcompositionȱofȱtheȱsocietyȱinȱwhichȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱlives, alsoȱhelpsȱinȱdelayingȱhisȱdiscovery,ȱandȱhereȱonceȱagainȱtheȱmedievalȱbaronȱwas notȱaloneȱinȱtakingȱadvantageȱofȱtheȱunconsciousȱsocietalȱbiasȱthatȱpermitsȱaȱserial killerȱtoȱcontinueȱundetected.ȱInȱaȱcityȱincreasinglyȱmadeȱupȱofȱsegregatedȱand poorȱgroupsȱDahmer,ȱtheȱonlyȱwhiteȱtenantȱinȱanȱapartmentȱcomplexȱinhabitedȱby minorities,ȱwasȱreadilyȱbelievedȱbyȱtheȱpolice,ȱwhoȱfailedȱtoȱcheckȱonȱhisȱhistory ofȱarrests.ȱHeȱdidȱattractȱtheȱsuspicionsȱofȱhisȱneighbors,ȱbutȱtheseȱbeingȱpoorȱand marginal,ȱtheirȱsuspicionsȱdidȱnotȱprovokeȱseriousȱinvestigation.ȱForȱexample,ȱthey complainedȱ ofȱ theȱ soundȱ ofȱ sawingȱ andȱ foulȱ smellȱ thatȱ emanatedȱ fromȱ his apartment,ȱandȱnoticedȱthatȱ“nearȬfranticȱcatsȱfollowedȱhimȱtoȱtheȱdumpsterȱand

70 71 72

Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ172–74ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱAlsoȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ97ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ176–77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ182,ȱ188ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱAtȱtheȱchocolateȱfactoryȱwhereȱheȱworkedȱheȱkept theȱ skullȱ ofȱ oneȱ ofȱ hisȱ victimsȱ inȱ theȱ locker.ȱ Heȱ removedȱ itȱ whenȱ heȱ wasȱ finallyȱ firedȱ for absenteeism,ȱbutȱstillȱnobodyȱsuspectedȱ(164–66).

380

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

swarmedȱoverȱtheȱtrashȱbagsȱheȱthrewȱin.”73ȱTheȱmostȱnotoriousȱepisodeȱofȱwhat Fisherȱcallsȱ“linkageȱblindness”ȱ(thatȱis,ȱoverlookingȱcluesȱthatȱpointȱtoȱaȱserial pattern)ȱoccurredȱwhenȱsomeȱofȱDahmer’sȱneighborsȱcalledȱtheȱpoliceȱtoȱreportȱa dazed,ȱbleeding,ȱfourteenȬyearȬoldȱLaotianȱboyȱstaggeringȱoutsideȱhisȱapartment. Dahmerȱcalmlyȱexplainedȱthatȱtheȱboyȱ(whoseȱnameȱheȱseemedȱtoȱignore)ȱwasȱhis nineteenȬyearȬoldȱ roommate,ȱ thatȱ heȱ hadȱ beenȱ drinking,ȱ andȱ thatȱ theyȱ had quarreled.ȱTheȱneighborsȱinsistedȱinȱvainȱthatȱtheȱboyȱwasȱaȱminorȱandȱthatȱheȱdid notȱliveȱwithȱDahmer.ȱNothingȱsuspiciousȱturnedȱupȱfromȱaȱcursoryȱsearchȱofȱthe apartmentȱandȱtheȱboyȱwasȱreturnedȱtoȱhisȱcaptor,ȱonlyȱtoȱbeȱkilledȱshortlyȱafter theȱpoliceȱhadȱleft.74ȱ Likewise,ȱGillesȱandȱhisȱentourageȱcameȱcloseȱtoȱdisasterȱaȱcoupleȱofȱtimes,ȱbut societyȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱturnedȱaȱblindȱeye:ȱonceȱwhenȱBricquevilleȱallowedȱtwo ladiesȱtoȱspyȱsecretlyȱonȱtheȱremovalȱofȱtheȱremainsȱfromȱtheȱtowerȱatȱChamptocé, andȱanotherȱtimeȱwhenȱPrelati,ȱaccompaniedȱbyȱoneȱofȱGilles’sȱcaptains,ȱpaidȱa visitȱ toȱ theȱ motherȱ ofȱ twoȱ boysȱ whoȱ hadȱ disappearedȱ atȱ Machecoulȱ onȱ the previousȱ day,ȱ toȱ teaseȱ herȱ withȱ mockȱ questionsȱ aboutȱ herȱ missingȱ children.75 Incredibleȱ asȱ theyȱ seem,ȱ theseȱ actsȱ ofȱ extremeȱ recklessnessȱ onȱ theȱ partȱ ofȱ the murderousȱteamȱfailedȱtoȱprovokeȱaȱreactionȱatȱtheȱtime,ȱandȱitȱseemsȱthatȱthe floodȱofȱevidenceȱburstȱoutȱsuddenlyȱonlyȱafterȱtheȱofficialȱinquiryȱhadȱstartedȱand itȱwasȱclearȱthatȱtheȱlordȱhadȱfinallyȱlostȱhisȱsocialȱprotectiveȱwall.ȱ Dahmer’sȱaverageȱappearanceȱandȱdemeanor,ȱandȱhisȱbelongingȱtoȱaȱdominant groupȱ(heȱcameȱfromȱaȱmiddleȬclass,ȱeducated,ȱprofessionalȱwhiteȱfamily)ȱserved himȱ wellȱ inȱ deflectingȱ reportsȱ ofȱ shadyȱ activitiesȱ byȱ hisȱ lowȬclassȱ neighbors. Gilles’sȱ ownȱ loftyȱ statusȱ andȱ reputationȱ forȱ accessibilityȱ andȱ generosityȱ also

73

74

75

Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ178–79ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHeȱwouldȱexplainȱthatȱtheȱfoulȱsmellȱcameȱfromȱa dirtyȱaquariumȱorȱspoiledȱmeat.ȱ Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ184–85ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱTheȱpolicemenȱstatedȱlaterȱthatȱtheyȱdidȱnotȱseeȱany indicationȱ ofȱ theȱ boy’sȱ ageȱ inȱ hisȱ clothesȱ leftȱ inȱ theȱ apartmentȱ andȱ thatȱ Dahmerȱ producedȱ a seminudeȱphotoȱofȱtheȱvictimȱtoȱvalidateȱhisȱclaimȱofȱbeingȱacquaintedȱwithȱhim.ȱTheyȱnoticed, butȱdidȱnotȱquestion,ȱtheȱfoulȱodorȱinȱhisȱapartmentȱthatȱcameȱfromȱtheȱdecomposingȱbodyȱofȱa priorȱvictimȱ(186).ȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ70,ȱ76–77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱpositsȱthatȱtheȱcynical attitudeȱofȱtheȱpoliceȱwasȱillustrativeȱofȱtheirȱprejudiceȱagainstȱhomosexualsȱ(andȱproducesȱa revealingȱrecordingȱofȱtheirȱconversation).ȱFisherȱinsteadȱassertsȱ(22)ȱthatȱthisȱreactionȱbyȱthe policeȱisȱquiteȱcommonȱinȱcasesȱofȱserialȱmurders.ȱItȱisȱpuzzlingȱthatȱinȱmanyȱcasesȱtheȱkillerȱisȱone ofȱtheȱsuspectsȱandȱevenȱoneȱofȱtheȱfirstȱtoȱbeȱquestionedȱbyȱinvestigators.ȱYet,ȱforȱaȱmyriadȱof differentȱ reasons,ȱ heȱ isȱ letȱ goȱ andȱ inadvertentlyȱ allowedȱ toȱ continueȱ killing.ȱ Fisherȱ callsȱ this “linkageȱblindness”ȱandȱconcludesȱ(24)ȱthatȱlikeȱallȱhumans,ȱpoliceȱ“tendȱtoȱexplainȱeventsȱin termsȱofȱexperiencesȱthatȱtheyȱencounterȱdaily.” Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ286ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱHenriet),ȱ147–48.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais, 145ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱalsoȱremarksȱonȱtheȱextremeȱcarelessnessȱdemonstratedȱbyȱtheȱepisode.ȱThe personȱwhoȱaccompaniedȱPrelatiȱonȱhisȱmissionȱwasȱLenano,ȱmarquisȱofȱCeva,ȱwhoȱisȱsometimes mentionedȱasȱoneȱofȱGilles’sȱaides,ȱandȱwhoȱleftȱaȱbriefȱdepositionȱonȱtheȱLeȱFerronȱaffair.ȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ289–90ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

381

providedȱhimȱwithȱaȱrespectableȱfaçade.76ȱIronically,ȱtheȱveryȱ“average”ȱqualities ofȱtheȱbaronȱGillesȱdeȱRais—onȱwhichȱHeersȱinsists—reinforcedȱhisȱabilityȱtoȱhide asȱ aȱ serialȱ killer.ȱ Andȱ yet,ȱ asȱ inȱ Dahmer’sȱ case,ȱ theȱ termȱ “hiding”ȱ shouldȱ be qualified.ȱBothȱkillersȱexploitedȱtheȱcasualȱattitudeȱofȱtheȱgroupȱtoȱwhichȱthey belonged,ȱbutȱmembersȱofȱtheȱgroupȱwhoȱperceivedȱthemȱasȱoutsiders,ȱsuchȱasȱthe tenantsȱofȱDahmer’sȱapartmentȱcomplexȱorȱtheȱpoorȱBretonȱpeasantsȱwhoȱwould riskȱ theȱ safetyȱ ofȱ theirȱ childrenȱ forȱ almsȱ andȱ aȱ chanceȱ atȱ paidȱ service,ȱ hadȱ no difficultyȱinȱrecognizingȱthatȱsomethingȱsuspiciousȱwasȱgoingȱon.77ȱ Onceȱ Gilles’sȱ activitiesȱ wereȱ disclosed,ȱ heȱ enjoyedȱ anotherȱ advantageȱ that furtherȱ delayedȱ hisȱ arrest:ȱ theȱ practicalȱ difficultyȱ ofȱ apprehendingȱ aȱ powerful baron,ȱsurroundedȱbyȱarmedȱguards,ȱandȱableȱtoȱmoveȱresidenceȱswiftlyȱtoȱescape theȱ justiceȱ ofȱ eitherȱ oneȱ ofȱ hisȱ rivalȱ feudalȱ lords.ȱ Gilles’sȱ biographersȱ have understandablyȱbeenȱperplexedȱbyȱtheȱopportunismȱevidencedȱbyȱexploitingȱthe LeȱFerronȱincident.ȱBataille,ȱinȱparticular,ȱremarksȱthatȱitȱtookȱaȱ(relativelyȱminor) episodeȱ againstȱ authorityȱ toȱ spurȱ prosecutionȱ ofȱ muchȱ moreȱ seriousȱ crimes committedȱ duringȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ yearsȱ againstȱ helplessȱ people.ȱ However,ȱ as evidencedȱbyȱexamplesȱofȱmodernȱserialȱkillers,ȱtheȱpatternȱofȱlateȱarrestsȱisȱnot unusual:ȱaccordingȱtoȱFisher,ȱmostȱareȱcapturedȱbyȱchanceȱratherȱthanȱasȱtheȱresult ofȱaȱcoordinatedȱinvestigation.78 Onceȱtheȱtortuousȱphasesȱofȱinvestigationȱandȱarrestȱwereȱover,ȱGilles’sȱdouble trialȱtookȱplaceȱwithȱamazingȱspeedȱandȱefficiency.ȱFirst,ȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱcourt, presidedȱbyȱBishopȱMalestroitȱflankedȱbyȱtheȱviceȬinquisitorȱJeanȱBlouynȱandȱother churchȱmembers,ȱopenedȱitsȱsessionsȱonȱSeptemberȱ28ȱandȱwasȱattendedȱbyȱthe presidentȱ ofȱ Brittanyȱ Pierreȱ deȱ l’Hôpital,ȱ theȱ supremeȱ magistrateȱ whoȱ would

76

77

78

Thisȱapplied,ȱmutatisȱmutandi,ȱalsoȱtoȱDahmer,ȱwhoȱwasȱdescribedȱasȱ“polite”ȱinȱFisher,ȱKiller AmongȱUs,ȱ164ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱGillesȱcouldȱbeȱcourteousȱinȱpublic,ȱforȱexample,ȱwaitingȱhisȱturnȱin churchȱamongȱcommonersȱtoȱreceiveȱtheȱEucharist.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ150ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Anȱexampleȱofȱtheȱoppositeȱsituation,ȱwhenȱtheȱkillerȱisȱprotectedȱbyȱbeingȱpartȱofȱtheȱsameȱgroup asȱ hisȱ victims,ȱ isȱ thatȱ ofȱ Wayneȱ Bertramȱ Williams,ȱ aȱ youngȱ Africanȱ Americanȱ manȱ whoȱ was convictedȱofȱkillingȱ(mainlyȱbyȱasphyxiation)ȱtwentyȬnineȱAfricanȱAmericanȱchildrenȱinȱAtlanta (Georgia,ȱUnitedȱStates)ȱbetweenȱ1979ȱandȱ1981.ȱTheȱvictimsȱwereȱinȱgreatȱpartȱboys,ȱagedȱeight toȱ fifteenȱ (onlyȱ theȱ lastȱ sixȱ wereȱ youngȱ adults),ȱ whoȱ cameȱ predominantlyȱ fromȱ lowȬincome familiesȱandȱwhoȱhadȱdisappearedȱwhileȱtryingȱtoȱearnȱpocketȱchange.ȱTheȱpolice,ȱwhoȱdescribed theȱvictimsȱasȱ“hustlers”ȱandȱ“streetȬwise,”ȱdemonstratedȱhowȱeasilyȱaȱnonȬthreateningȱperson couldȱabductȱaȱchildȱinȱtheȱtargetedȱneighborhood:ȱitȱhadȱsomeȱofȱitsȱmembersȱinȱplainclothes approachȱchildrenȱandȱfoundȱthatȱvirtuallyȱallȱacceptedȱtoȱcomeȱalongȱwithȱthemȱforȱmoney. Authoritiesȱstartedȱsuspectingȱthatȱtheȱabductorȱbelongedȱtoȱtheȱsameȱracialȱgroupȱasȱtheȱvictims, butȱtheȱAtlantaȱAfricanȱAmericanȱcommunityȱrefusedȱtoȱbelieveȱitȱandȱopposedȱauthoritiesȱfrom theȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱinvestigation.ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ129,ȱ136,ȱ149–50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ18,ȱ22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHeȱlistsȱ(22–23)ȱsomeȱofȱtheȱotherȱinhibitorsȱinȱfinding andȱarrestingȱaȱserialȱkillerȱinȱtheȱmodernȱUnitedȱStates,ȱsomeȱofȱwhichȱ(paradoxically)ȱareȱnot tooȱdissimilarȱfromȱmedievalȱones:ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱmultiplicityȱandȱoverlappingȱofȱjurisdictions thatȱrenderȱdifficultȱtheȱcoordinationȱofȱinvestigations.ȱ

382

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

presideȱoverȱtheȱswiftȱsecularȱprocedure.79ȱTheȱformalȱchargesȱcomprisedȱfortyȬ nineȱarticles,ȱofȱwhichȱtheȱfirstȱfourteenȱwereȱpurelyȱtoȱestablishȱtheȱcompetence ofȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱtribunalȱandȱtheȱrestȱdealtȱwithȱsodomy,ȱheresy,ȱandȱviolation ofȱecclesiasticȱimmunity.80ȱ AtȱfirstȱGillesȱattemptedȱaȱbluffȱbyȱgoingȱonȱtheȱattackȱagainstȱtheȱjudges,ȱcalling themȱ “simoniaques”ȱ andȱ “ribauds”ȱ (debauched)ȱ andȱ refusingȱ toȱ acknowledge theirȱrightȱtoȱtryȱhim.ȱWhenȱheȱsawȱthatȱtheseȱmaneuversȱleftȱthemȱundeterred,ȱon Octoberȱ15ȱheȱabruptlyȱswitchedȱtacticsȱandȱaskedȱ“humblement,ȱdévotementȱet enȱlarmes”ȱ(withȱhumility,ȱdevotion,ȱandȱtears)ȱtheirȱforgivenessȱforȱhisȱprevious “parolesȱblessantesȱàȱleurȱadresse”ȱ(cuttingȱwordsȱagainstȱthem).81ȱButȱheȱstillȱonly confessedȱtoȱtheȱlesserȱchargeȱofȱhavingȱpracticedȱalchemyȱwithȱtheȱhelpȱofȱthree Italians,ȱamongȱthemȱPrelati.82ȱHeȱstillȱrefutedȱtheȱchargesȱofȱheresyȱandȱdemonic invocationsȱandȱdeclaredȱhimselfȱreadyȱtoȱundergoȱ“l’épreuveȱduȱfeu”ȱ(trialȱby fire),ȱanȱobviousȱbluff,ȱandȱchallengedȱtheȱprosecutorȱGuillaumeȱChapeillonȱto provideȱwitnessesȱforȱtheȱmoreȱseriousȱcharges.ȱChapeillonȱpromptlyȱproduced sixȱwitnesses,ȱwhoȱtookȱtheirȱoathȱinȱGilles’sȱpresence.83ȱ Betweenȱ Octoberȱ 16ȱ andȱ 17ȱ theȱ tribunalȱ collectedȱ theȱ depositionsȱ ofȱ Poitou, Henriet,ȱPrelati,ȱandȱBlanchet,ȱwhichȱeffectivelyȱsealedȱGilles’sȱfateȱasȱwellȱasȱthat ofȱtheȱfirstȱtwo.ȱTheirȱseparateȱconfessionsȱ(explicitlyȱgivenȱ“spontaneously”ȱand withoutȱ theȱ aidȱ ofȱ torture)ȱ agreedȱ quiteȱ comfortablyȱ withȱ eachȱ other.84ȱ Itȱ is impossibleȱtoȱdiscernȱfromȱtheirȱdetailedȱbutȱunemotionalȱdepositionsȱwhether theyȱwereȱwillingȱaccomplices.ȱItȱseems,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱneitherȱservantȱwasȱfound guiltyȱofȱsodomyȱorȱhavingȱinitiatedȱorȱparticipatedȱonȱtheirȱownȱinitiativeȱinȱthe

79

80

81 82

83

84

Otherȱmembersȱofȱtheȱcourtȱwereȱ GuillaumeȱdeȱMalestroitȱbishopȱofȱLeȱMans,ȱJeanȱPrégent, bishopȱofȱSaintȬBrieuc,ȱandȱJacquesȱdeȱPentcoetdic,ȱjudgeȱofȱtheȱordinaryȱecclesiasticalȱtribunal ofȱNantes.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ188ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ216–20ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ159–60ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱremarksȱthatȱthe listȱofȱcrimesȱisȱcompleteȱbutȱgroupedȱconfusedly,ȱandȱthatȱsomeȱdatesȱinȱitȱareȱunreliable.ȱFor example,ȱitȱgivesȱ1426ȱasȱtheȱonsetȱofȱmurders,ȱwhileȱGilles’sȱownȱconfessionȱsaysȱ1432,ȱandȱthe recentȱattackȱonȱLeȱFerronȱasȱoccurringȱinȱ1438.ȱItȱalsoȱgivesȱtheȱnumberȱofȱvictimsȱasȱoneȱhundred forty,ȱaȱnumberȱthatȱisȱnotȱbackedȱbyȱtheȱdepositionsȱofȱwitnesses. Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ162–63,ȱ223ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱSeeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ229–30ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Prelati,ȱinȱturnȱrecruitedȱasȱhelperȱtheȱgoldsmithȱJeanȱPetitȱfromȱParis.ȱGillesȱmentionedȱalsoȱone AntonioȱofȱPalermoȱandȱFrancescoȱLombardo.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ145ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBataille, Leȱprocès,ȱ249ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱGillesȱdeȱRais).ȱAnȱalchemistȱwhoȱpreceded Prelatiȱwasȱfiredȱinȱ1436ȱbecauseȱGillesȱfoundȱhimȱdrunkȱ“onȱtheȱjob.”ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ65ȱ(see noteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ144ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱ Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ225–27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱOnlyȱtheȱdepositionsȱofȱtheȱfirstȱfourȱhaveȱreachedȱus. Unfortunately,ȱallȱtheȱdepositionsȱofȱanotherȱfifteenȱwitnessesȱthatȱwereȱintroducedȱatȱtheȱsession ofȱOctoberȱ19,ȱamongȱthemȱthatȱofȱaȱsurgeonȱandȱaȱlawyer,ȱareȱalsoȱlost.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ231ȱ(see noteȱ3).ȱForȱtheȱofferȱtoȱbeȱsubjectedȱtoȱtheȱtestȱofȱfire,ȱseeȱalsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ230ȱ(seeȱnote 1). Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ232ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ192–93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

383

demonicȱséances,ȱandȱbothȱwereȱonlyȱtriedȱbyȱtheȱsecularȱcourtȱforȱkidnappingȱand murder,ȱ forȱ whichȱ theyȱ wereȱ sentenced,ȱ onȱ Octoberȱ 23,ȱ toȱ deathȱ byȱ hanging followedȱbyȱburning.ȱPrelatiȱwasȱtreatedȱwithȱleniency,ȱperhapsȱbecauseȱheȱwas aȱclericȱandȱaȱforeigner.ȱAtȱanyȱrate,ȱhisȱdepositionȱ(preservedȱinȱitsȱentirety)ȱmust haveȱconvincedȱtheȱjudgesȱthatȱheȱdidȱnotȱparticipateȱinȱtheȱactualȱmurders,ȱand soȱheȱreceivedȱaȱlifeȱsentenceȱbutȱlaterȱescaped.ȱBlanchetȱaloneȱwasȱacquitted.85 Theȱjudges,ȱarmedȱwithȱtheȱconfessionsȱofȱtheȱotherȱaccused,ȱwarnedȱGillesȱthat theyȱ neededȱ betterȱ informationȱ fromȱ him,ȱ andȱ thatȱ heȱ wouldȱ beȱ scheduledȱ to undergoȱtorture.ȱAtȱthisȱpointȱheȱbrokeȱdownȱandȱconfessedȱeverythingȱprivately onȱOctoberȱ21ȱtoȱPierreȱdeȱl’HôpitalȱandȱtheȱbishopȱJeanȱPrégentȱinȱhisȱroom,ȱand againȱ “enȱ jugement”ȱ (inȱ openȱ courtȱ session)ȱ onȱ theȱ followingȱ day,ȱ inȱ aȱ long statementȱthatȱconfirmedȱthoseȱofȱhisȱservants.ȱOnȱOctoberȱ25ȱtheȱjudgesȱpassed theirȱ sentenceȱ onȱ Gilles:ȱ heȱ wasȱ excommunicatedȱ forȱ “perfideȱ apostasie” (perfidiousȱapostasy)ȱandȱ“horribleȱévocationȱdesȱdémons,”ȱ(horribleȱsummoning ofȱdemons)ȱasȱwellȱasȱforȱ“pratiqueȱsodomite”ȱ(actsȱofȱsodomy)ȱonȱchildrenȱofȱboth sexes,ȱ andȱ immediatelyȱ turnedȱ overȱ toȱ theȱ secularȱ courtȱ forȱ theȱ restȱ ofȱ the judgment.ȱTheȱsecularȱcourtȱlistedȱitsȱownȱaccusations:ȱkidnapping,ȱsexualȱabuse, andȱmurderȱofȱ“perhapsȱoverȱtwoȱhundred”ȱchildren;ȱhavingȱdefiedȱtheȱdukeȱby attemptingȱtoȱrepossessȱaȱsoldȱproperty;ȱandȱhavingȱattackedȱJeanȱLeȱFerronȱand (later)ȱ someȱ officersȱ ofȱ theȱ dukeȱ whoȱ hadȱ beenȱ sentȱ toȱ collectȱ theȱ fineȱ ofȱ fifty thousandȱ écusȱ forȱ theȱ attack.86ȱ Itȱ thenȱ sentencedȱ himȱ toȱ deathȱ byȱ hangingȱ and burning,ȱandȱalsoȱtoȱtheȱexpropriationȱofȱhisȱducalȱfiefs,ȱonȱtheȱveryȱsameȱday. Onceȱheȱsawȱhimselfȱlost,ȱGillesȱmadeȱaȱgoodȱspectacleȱofȱhisȱrepentance;ȱinȱfact fromȱthatȱmomentȱonwardȱitȱwasȱhardȱtoȱstopȱhisȱseeminglyȱuninterruptedȱflow ofȱwords.87ȱHeȱkneltȱinȱtears,ȱaccusedȱhimselfȱrepeatedly,ȱandȱthenȱregaledȱthe audienceȱ withȱ aȱ sermonȱ onȱ avoidingȱ excessiveȱ indulgenceȱ inȱ rearingȱ their children.ȱ Heȱ declaredȱ thatȱ hisȱ grandfatherȱ hadȱ raisedȱ himȱ tooȱ lenientlyȱ and withoutȱrestraints,ȱandȱpointedȱtoȱhisȱlaxȱupbringingȱandȱtasteȱforȱrefinedȱfoodȱand drinksȱ asȱ theȱ primeȱ causesȱ ofȱ hisȱ criminalȱ lifeȱ (thus,ȱ inȱ aȱ sense,ȱ exculpating

85

86

87

Heers,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 193,ȱ 209ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ Gilles’sȱ biographersȱ doȱ notȱ dwellȱ onȱ theȱ lenient treatmentȱofȱPrelatiȱandȱBlanchet.ȱPrelatiȱwasȱlaterȱhiredȱbyȱDukeȱRenéȱofȱAnjou,ȱtogetherȱwith Blanchet,ȱandȱmadeȱcaptainȱofȱLaȱRocheȬsurȬYon,ȱwhereȱinȱ1445ȱheȱdetainedȱGeoffreyȱLeȱFerron. Theȱlatter,ȱinȱturn,ȱhadȱhimȱarrestedȱandȱhangedȱforȱcounterfeitingȱhisȱsignature,ȱwhichȱPrelatiȱhad foundȱonȱsomeȱblankȱlettersȱ(“blancȬseings”).ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ1772ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGilles deȱRais,ȱ210ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ243–45,ȱ251ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ254–59,ȱ296–97ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱand Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ193–94ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱGilles’sȱconfessionȱ“enȱjugement”ȱisȱinȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 241–54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱhisȱsentenceȱandȱthatȱofȱhisȱservantsȱinȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ333–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱ LikewiseȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ89,ȱ124ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱsaysȱthatȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱDavidȱBerkowitz, theȱ“SonȱofȱSam,”ȱwhoȱshotȱthirteenȱpeopleȱ(killingȱsix)ȱinȱNewȱYork,ȱNewȱYorkȱ(UnitedȱStates) betweenȱ1976ȱandȱ1977,ȱonceȱinȱprisonȱbecameȱ“aȱcompulsiveȱcommunicator.”

384

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

himself).88ȱHeȱconcludedȱwithȱanȱadmonitionȱforȱparentsȱtoȱsteerȱtheirȱchildren awayȱfromȱidlenessȱandȱtheȱattractionȱofȱelegantȱclothes.89ȱWhatȱimpressionȱthis adviceȱmadeȱamongȱtheȱfamiliesȱofȱvictimsȱwhoȱhadȱlivedȱonȱcharityȱandȱoddȱjobs isȱnotȱrecorded. Whileȱ theȱ beliefȱ inȱ theȱ influenceȱ ofȱ foodȱ onȱ one’sȱ personality,ȱ commonȱ in medievalȱtimes,ȱisȱnoȱlongerȱacceptedȱinȱmedicalȱtheory,ȱtheȱassertionȱthatȱalcohol isȱatȱleastȱpartlyȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱunacceptableȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱaccusedȱisȱstill ubiquitousȱinȱcriminalȱ trials.ȱAsȱforȱGilles’sȱapparentlyȱ naïveȱthesisȱthatȱbeing raisedȱwithȱindulgenceȱcontributedȱtoȱhisȱlaterȱcriminalȱacts,ȱsomeȱresearchers haveȱindeedȱpostulatedȱthatȱabnormallyȱlowȱ“fearȱconditioning”ȱinȱchildhoodȱmay predisposeȱtoȱcriminality.90ȱAsȱanȱexample,ȱoneȱfindsȱechoesȱofȱGilles’sȱownȱlenient upbringingȱ inȱ theȱ backgroundȱ ofȱ aȱ notoriousȱ modernȱ killer,ȱ Wayneȱ Bertram Williams,ȱwhoȱwasȱfoundȱguiltyȱofȱhavingȱkidnappedȱandȱmurderedȱtwentyȬnine children in Atlanta (Georgia, United States) between 1979 and 1981. Theȱindulgedȱonly sonȱofȱolder,ȱeducatedȱparents,ȱheȱwasȱconsideredȱaȱchildȱprodigy.ȱHeȱreached earlyȱsuccessȱinȱhisȱtwentiesȱwithȱaȱradioȱventureȱandȱtriedȱforȱtheȱrestȱofȱhisȱlife toȱ “recaptureȱ thisȱ briefȱ momentȱ inȱ theȱ limelight.”ȱ Soonȱ heȱ revealedȱ himselfȱ a “profligateȱspender,”ȱandȱwhenȱheȱfailedȱtoȱobtainȱaȱcollegeȱdegreeȱheȱdisplayed “aȱpenchantȱtoȱinflateȱhisȱaccomplishments”ȱandȱtoȱclaimȱ“aggrandizingȱtitles.”ȱHe fanciedȱhimselfȱanȱentertainmentȱpromoterȱ(anȱactivityȱthatȱgaveȱhimȱaccessȱto youngȱboysȱeagerȱtoȱaudition,ȱjustȱasȱGilles’sȱdazzlingȱchapelȱwouldȱattractȱchoir boys).91ȱ Afterȱ hisȱ arrestȱ heȱ calledȱ aȱ pressȱ conferenceȱ andȱ distributedȱ aȱ résumé amongȱ theȱ reporters,ȱ andȱ atȱ hisȱ trialȱ heȱ alternatedȱ displaysȱ ofȱ amiabilityȱ with “petulanceȱandȱbelligerence,”ȱallȱofȱwhichȱcallȱtoȱmindȱGilles’sȱownȱperformance.

88

89

90

91

Gillesȱclaimedȱthatȱhisȱ“aviditéȱinsatiable”ȱforȱfineȱwinesȱandȱrichȱfoodȱwasȱaȱstimulantȱtoȱcommit hisȱcrimes.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ160,ȱ252ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱGillesȱdeȱRais)ȱand Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ193ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ238–40ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ166–67,ȱ252ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱthe confessionȱofȱGillesȱdeȱRais),ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ193ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱwhereȱheȱspecifiesȱthatȱthe audiencesȱwereȱpublic.ȱThisȱhappenedȱatȱtheȱsessionȱofȱOctoberȱ22,ȱfollowingȱGilles’sȱprivate confessionȱofȱtheȱpreviousȱday.ȱHeȱaskedȱthatȱhisȱconfessionȱbeȱdisseminatedȱinȱFrenchȱratherȱthan Latin,ȱtoȱreachȱaȱwiderȱaudience.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ242ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱGilles deȱRais).ȱLikewiseȱDahmer’sȱconfessionȱwasȱsoldȱtoȱmagazines.ȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters, 101ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱAlsoȱWilliamsȱ(theȱAtlantaȱchildrenȱmurderer)ȱatȱhisȱtrialȱscoldedȱparentsȱfor leavingȱtheirȱchildrenȱunsupervised.ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ142ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱOtherȱdetailsȱon Williams’ȱbackgroundȱareȱinȱnoteȱno.ȱ77. PhilippȱSterzer,ȱ“BornȱtoȱbeȱCriminal?ȱWhatȱtoȱMakeȱofȱEarlyȱBiologicalȱRiskȱFactorsȱforȱCriminal Behavior,”ȱAmericanȱJournalȱofȱPsychiatryȱ167.1ȱ(Januaryȱ2010):ȱ1–3. Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ98ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱdeniesȱanyȱevidenceȱthatȱGillesȱabusedȱthisȱinstitutionȱto retainȱaȱsupplyȱofȱyoungȱboys,ȱandȱarguesȱthatȱmaintainingȱchapelsȱandȱchoirsȱwasȱcommon amongȱtheȱaristocracy.ȱ

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

385

Aȱfriendȱdescribedȱhimȱwithȱtheȱincisiveȱstatementȱthatȱheȱ“wasȱaȱpromiseȱalways aboutȱtoȱbeȱfulfilled,”ȱaȱdefinitionȱthatȱseemsȱquiteȱapplicableȱtoȱGilles.92ȱ Gillesȱ endedȱ hisȱ emotionalȱ speechȱ byȱ askingȱ forgivenessȱ fromȱ Godȱ andȱ the familiesȱ ofȱ theȱ childrenȱ thatȱ heȱ hadȱ “soȱ cruellyȱ murdered.”93ȱ Whileȱ his melodramaticȱandȱpubliclyȬstagedȱrepentanceȱmayȱbeȱexpectedȱasȱaȱdisplayȱof “medievalȱemotionalism,”ȱsuchȱbehaviorȱisȱactuallyȱemblematicȱofȱserialȱkillers: Dahmer,ȱforȱexample,ȱmadeȱaȱbigȱshowȱofȱhisȱremorseȱandȱnewlyȬfoundȱChristian faith.ȱInȱfact,ȱpoliceȱexpertsȱconfirmȱthatȱtheseȱcriminalsȱseemȱtoȱfeelȱreliefȱatȱbeing finallyȱapprehended,ȱandȱonceȱarrestedȱareȱoverȬeagerȱtoȱconfessȱandȱcooperate inȱresolvingȱsimilarȱcases,ȱandȱevenȱtoȱhelpȱpotentialȱvictimsȱinȱavoidingȱtheȱfate ofȱtheirȱown.ȱPsychiatristsȱexplainȱthisȱbizarreȱbehaviorȱasȱoriginatingȱfromȱthe serialȱkiller’sȱfeelingȱofȱinferiority,ȱwhichȱheȱtriesȱtoȱovercomeȱatȱfirstȱthroughȱthe repeatedȱmurdersȱbutȱthenȱ(paradoxically)ȱrealizesȱonlyȱthroughȱtheȱpublicityȱof theȱtrail.ȱRichardȱTithecott,ȱinȱhisȱworkȱonȱtheȱ“mythification”ȱofȱtheȱserialȱkiller, evenȱpositsȱthatȱthisȱcriminal,ȱonceȱ“physicallyȱimprisoned,ȱisȱfiguredȱbyȱsociety asȱaȱseer,ȱableȱtoȱtranscendȱphysicalȱbarriersȱandȱlookȱdeepȱintoȱtheȱsoulȱofȱfellow monstersȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .]ȱ andȱ consequentiallyȱ perceivedȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .]ȱ asȱ aȱ potentialȱ defenderȱ of societyȱfromȱfurtherȱviolence.”94ȱHowever,ȱthereȱmayȱbeȱmoreȱthanȱaȱsuggestion ofȱterritorialȱinstinctȱatȱworkȱinȱallȱthis,ȱratherȱthanȱsuddenȱmagnanimity,ȱasȱeach serialȱkillerȱnaturallyȱwantsȱtoȱbeȱtheȱlastȱofȱhisȱkind.ȱ Afterȱ aȱ secondȱ sceneȱ ofȱ tearfulȱ repentanceȱ onȱ Octoberȱ 25,ȱ theȱ bishopȱ lifted Gilles’sȱ excommunicationȱ andȱ accededȱ toȱ twoȱ additionalȱ requestsȱ ofȱ the condemnedȱ man:ȱ thatȱ hisȱ bodyȱ wouldȱ notȱ beȱ burnedȱ butȱ ratherȱ interredȱ inȱ a church,ȱandȱthatȱtheȱentireȱcityȱwouldȱstageȱaȱprocessionȱonȱtheȱmorningȱofȱhis executionȱtoȱprayȱforȱtheȱsalvationȱofȱhisȱsoulȱandȱofȱthatȱofȱhisȱtwoȱservants.ȱHe alsoȱaskedȱtoȱbeȱexecutedȱaheadȱofȱthem,ȱsoȱthatȱtheyȱwouldȱnotȱdespairȱinȱthe beliefȱthatȱtheirȱmaster—theȱtrueȱinstigatorȱofȱtheȱcrimes—wasȱtoȱbeȱspared.ȱIn otherȱ words,ȱ heȱ stagedȱ hisȱ executionȱ onȱ hisȱ ownȱ terms,ȱ likeȱ aȱ leadingȱ actor choosingȱhisȱlines.ȱBataille,ȱwhoȱdoesȱnotȱhideȱhisȱamazementȱatȱtheȱleniencyȱofȱthe

92 93 94

Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ156–58,ȱ160ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱ [“siȱcruellementȱmassacrés”]ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ253ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ110ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11)ȱ(anȱexampleȱofȱspecificȱhelpȱtoȱtheȱpolice:ȱthe childȱrapistȱandȱkillerȱWestleyȱAllanȱDodd,ȱwhoȱwroteȱarticlesȱfromȱjailȱgivingȱadviceȱtoȱchildren onȱhowȱtoȱescapeȱsexualȱattacks),ȱ111ȱ(theȱquote),ȱ139ȱ(theȱneedȱtoȱbeȱcaught),ȱ137ȱ(Dahmer’sȱlate repentance).ȱForȱtheȱserialȱkillers’ȱtalkativenessȱandȱeagernessȱtoȱcooperate,ȱseeȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMen andȱMonsters,ȱ101ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱSullivan,ȱ205ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ68),ȱandȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ83ȱ(seeȱnote 11).ȱFisherȱalsoȱdiscussesȱ(85)ȱtheȱbehaviorȱofȱJohnȱNormanȱChapmanȱCollins,ȱtheȱ“CoedȱKiller” whoȱallegedlyȱkilledȱsevenȱyoungȱwomenȱbetweenȱ1967ȱandȱ1969ȱinȱMichiganȱ(UnitedȱStates)ȱand who,ȱafterȱhisȱarrest,ȱdisplayedȱcooperativenessȱandȱimpeccableȱmanners.ȱLikeȱGillesȱheȱrefused toȱtestifyȱinȱhisȱownȱdefense.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ254ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ26ȱ(see noteȱ11),ȱmentionsȱtheȱpublicityȱfreelyȱlavishedȱbyȱtheȱmediaȱonȱserialȱkillers,ȱevenȱbeforeȱtheir arrestȱandȱtrial.

386

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

judges,ȱwondersȱwhetherȱsuchȱexhibitionismȱwasȱdueȱtoȱaȱlastȬminuteȱhopeȱof reprieveȱ orȱ becauseȱ Gilles’sȱ mindȱ wasȱ “enȱ désordre”ȱ (deranged).95ȱ But criminologistsȱhaveȱsuggestedȱthatȱserialȱkillersȱareȱindeedȱeagerȱforȱaȱtheatrical execution,ȱand,ȱtoȱthisȱend,ȱtheyȱtendȱtoȱclaimȱsoleȱresponsibilityȱforȱtheirȱactions, refusingȱtheȱeasyȱexcuseȱofȱinsanity.96ȱ Allȱ threeȱ biographersȱ ofȱ Gillesȱ affirmȱ thatȱ hisȱ doubleȱ trialȱ wasȱ impeccably conducted,ȱswiftȱdespiteȱtheȱpartialȱredundancyȱofȱprocedureȱandȱbasedȱonȱsolid evidence.ȱTheȱ“acteȱd’accusation”ȱwasȱtranslatedȱintoȱFrenchȱtoȱallowȱtheȱaccused toȱrefuteȱeachȱpoint.ȱFurther,ȱfarȱfromȱappearingȱinsensitiveȱtoȱGilles’sȱhumble victims,ȱtheȱrecordsȱofȱtheȱdepositionsȱofȱwitnessesȱmentionȱtheirȱfateȱandȱtheȱgrief ofȱtheirȱfamiliesȱinȱheartfeltȱterms.97ȱDuringȱtheȱcourseȱofȱtheȱproceedings,ȱwhich wereȱopenȱtoȱtheȱpublic,ȱtheȱjudgesȱtoleratedȱtheȱdefendant’sȱchildishȱoutbursts andȱgaveȱhimȱeveryȱopportunityȱtoȱcrossȬexamineȱwitnesses,ȱwhileȱresistingȱhis moreȱ frivolousȱ requests.98ȱ Itȱ evenȱ appearsȱ thatȱ theyȱ treatedȱ himȱ withȱ special respectȱafterȱhisȱshockingȱconfession.ȱOneȱmayȱbeȱtemptedȱtoȱspeculateȱthatȱGilles receivedȱspecialȱtreatmentȱbecauseȱofȱhisȱsocialȱstatus,ȱorȱthatȱtheȱjudgesȱactedȱwith particularȱ cautionȱ inȱ hisȱ caseȱ toȱ preventȱ theȱ kingȱ fromȱ findingȱ faultȱ withȱ the proceedingsȱandȱdeȬlegitimizingȱanyȱsubsequentȱconfiscationȱofȱhisȱpropertyȱon theȱduke’sȱpart.ȱ Heers,ȱhowever,ȱconvincinglyȱminimizesȱtheȱimpactȱofȱcalculationsȱandȱselfȬ interestȱonȱtheȱjudgmentȱagainstȱGilles.ȱInȱfact,ȱheȱbringsȱtoȱnoticeȱthatȱneither dukeȱnorȱkingȱprofitedȱmuchȱfromȱhisȱdemise,ȱandȱthat,ȱinȱdefinitive,ȱneitherȱof themȱhadȱinitiatedȱtheȱtrial;ȱthatȱhisȱfamilyȱwasȱratherȱsuccessfulȱinȱrecuperating someȱofȱtheȱlostȱlands;ȱthatȱifȱgreedȱhadȱbeenȱtheȱreasonȱforȱeliminatingȱGilles,ȱit wouldȱhaveȱbeenȱmuchȱsimplerȱtoȱplanȱanȱassassinationȱthanȱaȱcomplexȱtrialȱwith scoresȱ ofȱ witnesses,ȱ whoȱ wouldȱ haveȱ toȱ beȱ partȱ ofȱ aȱ vastȱ conspiracy.ȱ Andȱ he 95

96

97

98

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ75,ȱ256,ȱ335–36ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱInȱfact,ȱheȱwasȱhangedȱaheadȱofȱhisȱtwoȱservantsȱand hisȱbodyȱonlyȱpartiallyȱburnt.ȱThenȱ“aucuneȱdemoiselleȱdeȱsonȱlignageȱetȱdesȱdamesȱeȱgrandȱétat” (perhapsȱaȱreferenceȱtoȱhisȱdaughterȱandȱhisȱwidow)ȱcollectedȱitȱandȱburiedȱitȱinȱtheȱchurchȱofȱthe monasteryȱofȱtheȱCarmelitesȱinȱNantes.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ256–60ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ77–78,ȱ168–69,ȱ336–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(theȱoriginalȱdocumentsȱdescribingȱtheȱtripleȱexecution) andȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ194ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ139ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHeȱalsoȱquotesȱ(136)ȱDahmer’sȱstatementȱinȱan interview,ȱthatȱ“theȱpersonȱtoȱblameȱisȱtheȱpersonȱsittingȱacrossȱfromȱyou.ȱNotȱparents,ȱnotȱsociety, notȱpornography.ȱThoseȱareȱjustȱexcuses.”ȱDahmerȱwasȱdeniedȱaȱspectacularȱexecution:ȱheȱwas sentencedȱtoȱserveȱfifteenȱconsecutiveȱlifeȱsentencesȱinȱprisonȱbutȱthenȱsufferedȱaȱsecondȬrateȱexit whenȱaȱfellowȱinmateȱbludgeonedȱhimȱtoȱdeathȱinȱ1994.ȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ137,ȱ179 (seeȱnoteȱ11)ȱandȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ198ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ272–73ȱ(seeȱnote 1),ȱbringsȱattentionȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱnobodyȱatȱhisȱtrialȱ(witnessesȱorȱjudges)ȱthoughtȱGillesȱinsane. Theȱfamiliesȱtestifiedȱ“avecȱdeȱgrandesȱclameurs,ȱdouloureusementȱetȱdansȱlesȱlarmes“ȱthatȱtheir childrenȱhadȱbeenȱ“méchammentȱabusés.“ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ198ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱ Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ227–31ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ190ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱGillesȱrenounced hisȱrightȱtoȱrebuttalsȱandȱcrossȬexaminationȱofȱwitnesses.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ232–34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

387

concludesȱthat,ȱifȱMalestroitȱdidȱhaveȱaȱpersonalȱfeudȱwithȱtheȱaccusedȱ(whichȱis notȱproven),ȱthisȱdoesȱnotȱexcludeȱGilles’sȱguilt,ȱwhichȱwasȱamplyȱrevealedȱby confessionsȱthatȱwereȱobtainedȱseparatelyȱandȱagreedȱinȱcriticalȱdetails.99ȱ Itȱappears,ȱthen,ȱthatȱGilles’sȱcaseȱdoesȱnotȱstandȱoutȱasȱbeingȱallȱtooȱdifferent fromȱ othersȱ ofȱ thisȱ kind,ȱ bothȱ inȱ respectȱ toȱ hisȱ personalȱ historyȱ andȱ modus operandiȱandȱtoȱhisȱrelationsȱwithȱauthoritiesȱbeforeȱandȱafterȱtheȱfinalȱarrest.ȱA moreȱcomplexȱpicture,ȱhowever,ȱemergesȱfromȱexaminingȱtheȱperceptionȱofȱthe serialȱkillerȱwithinȱsociety.ȱInȱmodernȱdaysȱtwoȱoppositeȱviewsȱofȱsuchȱcriminal haveȱsurfaced.ȱOneȱisȱthatȱsocietyȱisȱtheȱvictimȱofȱanȱallȬpowerful,ȱsuperȬintelligent beingȱwhoȱactsȱasȱifȱaboveȱtheȱlaw.100ȱThisȱviewȱisȱfacilitatedȱwhenȱtheȱkiller’s presenceȱisȱacknowledged,ȱyetȱtheȱinvestigationȱyieldsȱnoȱresultsȱandȱtheȱmurders continue.ȱAtȱthisȱpointȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱappearsȱtoȱtauntȱauthorities,ȱandȱsociety transfersȱitsȱbeliefȱinȱtheȱ“omniscienceȱandȱomnipotence”ȱofȱthoseȱpursuingȱthe killerȱtoȱtheȱkillerȱhimself,ȱwhoȱstartsȱtakingȱonȱ“largerȱthanȱlifeȱdimensionȱinȱthe publicȱmind.”101ȱTheȱotherȱviewȱregardsȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱasȱaȱweak,ȱmarginalized individualȱinȱanȱallȬpowerfulȱsocietyȱthatȱdemandsȱconformity,ȱandȱhisȱmurders asȱaȱtwistedȱexpressionȱofȱaȱneedȱtoȱreȬestablishȱaȱsenseȱofȱself.102ȱTheȱdilemma translatesȱintoȱtwoȱconceptionsȱofȱhisȱprosecution:ȱinȱtheȱfirstȱcaseȱitȱbecomesȱa struggleȱbetweenȱGoodȱandȱEvil,ȱuniversalȱforcesȱtranscendingȱtheȱindividual;ȱin theȱ secondȱ caseȱ itȱ becomesȱ aȱ medicalȱ matter,ȱ akinȱ toȱ excisingȱ aȱ tumorȱ toȱ heal societyȱwhileȱmaintainingȱaȱdetached,ȱclinicalȱviewȱofȱtheȱcriminal’sȱmentality,ȱa taskȱthatȱisȱusuallyȱaccomplishedȱwithȱtheȱhelpȱofȱpsychiatricȱexperts.103ȱ

99

100

101

102

103

Heers,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 195–202ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ Inȱ 1448ȱ theȱ newȱ dukeȱ ofȱ Brittanyȱ Francisȱ IIȱ ceded Ingrandesȱ andȱ Champtocéȱ toȱ theȱ admiralȱ deȱ Coetivy,ȱ husbandȱ ofȱ Marieȱ deȱ Craonȱ (Gilles’s daughter).ȱ Butȱ aȱ newȱ disputeȱ aroseȱ afterȱ theȱ deathȱ ofȱ theȱ admiralȱ inȱ 1450.ȱ Mostȱ possessions eventuallyȱwentȱtoȱGilles’sȱbrotherȱRenéȱdeȱLaȱSuze.ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ213–14ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱSee alsoȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ290–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ145,ȱ176ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHeȱthinksȱ(39)ȱthatȱthisȱtheoryȱfindsȱits appealȱamongȱtheȱpublicȱbecauseȱevilȱoriginatesȱandȱdiesȱwithȱtheȱcriminal.ȱWhileȱhisȱexamples includeȱonlyȱmodernȱAmericanȱserialȱkillers,ȱheȱmentionsȱ(48)ȱthatȱinȱnineteenthȬcenturyȱvampire storiesȱtheȱ“beastȱtoȱbeȱdestroyed”ȱwasȱanȱaristocratȱ(forȱexample,ȱDracula). Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ20–21ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeȱcallsȱthisȱcollectiveȱresponseȱ“transference,”ȱbecause ofȱitsȱsimilarityȱtoȱtheȱknownȱpsychologicalȱprocessȱofȱunconsciousȱredirectionȱofȱfeelingsȱtoward aȱnewȱobject. Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ176ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱtheoryȱthatȱmarginalizationȱisȱaȱcauseȱofȱcrime isȱdefended,ȱforȱexample,ȱinȱGoldberg,ȱSpeakingȱwithȱtheȱDevil,ȱ31,ȱ38–39,ȱ51,ȱ144,ȱ173ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ43). Heȱ seesȱ inȱ shameȱ andȱ aȱ senseȱ ofȱ inadequacyȱ majorȱ developmentalȱ forcesȱ thatȱ produceȱ the “malevolentȱpersonality.”ȱButȱTithecottȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ42–43ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱarguesȱthatȱtoo muchȱemphasisȱhasȱbeenȱplacedȱonȱtheȱ“dysfunctional”ȱfamilyȱbackgroundȱofȱtheȱserialȱkiller, notingȱ insteadȱ thatȱ manyȱ suchȱ criminalsȱ comeȱ fromȱ normalȱ families,ȱ inȱ factȱ (54)ȱ successful bourgeoisȱfamiliesȱwithȱaȱstableȱincome. Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ17–18ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱInȱthisȱrespect,ȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ137ȱ(see noteȱ11),ȱsuggestsȱthatȱinsanityȱisȱ“aȱsetȱofȱinfluencesȱdispersedȱsocially.”

388

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

Onȱtheȱsurfaceȱtheȱfirstȱviewȱappearsȱmoreȱappropriateȱtoȱaȱmedievalȱsetting,ȱas itȱ doesȱ notȱ excludeȱ thatȱ anȱ external,ȱ perhapsȱ supernatural,ȱ forceȱ hasȱ taken possessionȱofȱtheȱperpetrator.ȱAndȱinȱfactȱsomethingȱakinȱtoȱthisȱviewȱseemsȱto haveȱ resonatedȱ withȱ theȱ villagersȱ whoȱ knewȱ theȱ Bretonȱ lord.ȱ Accordingȱ to Blanchet,ȱbeforeȱGilles’sȱarrestȱaȱrumorȱwasȱcirculatingȱthatȱheȱmurderedȱchildren inȱorderȱtoȱwriteȱwithȱtheirȱbloodȱaȱdemonicȱbookȱthatȱwouldȱhaveȱmadeȱhimȱallȬ powerfulȱandȱableȱtoȱconquerȱanyȱfortress.ȱInȱeffectȱtheseȱpeopleȱwereȱlinkingȱin aȱlogicalȱfashionȱtheȱkillingsȱandȱtheȱdemonicȱpractices,ȱandȱinȱsoȱdoingȱtheyȱwere bestowingȱsomeȱgrandeurȱuponȱGilles’sȱsins,ȱanȱimageȱquiteȱremovedȱfromȱthe patheticȱrealityȱthatȱeventuallyȱemergedȱfromȱtheȱtrial.104ȱYetȱGillesȱneverȱsaidȱthat theȱdemonȱthatȱheȱassiduouslyȱpursuedȱ(andȱwhoȱperverselyȱeludedȱhim)ȱhadȱever possessedȱhim,ȱandȱnoneȱofȱtheȱclericalȱjudgesȱsuggestedȱthisȱasȱaȱpossibility.ȱHe reputedȱhimselfȱsolelyȱresponsibleȱforȱhisȱactions,ȱandȱinȱthisȱheȱconformedȱtoȱthe behaviorȱofȱmostȱmodernȱserialȱkillers.105 Whereȱmodernȱviewsȱdivergeȱmostlyȱfromȱmedievalȱonesȱisȱinȱtheȱsecond,ȱor psychological,ȱinterpretation.ȱButȱonceȱagainȱtheȱbreakȱwithȱtheȱpastȱisȱnotȱallȱthat abrupt,ȱasȱitȱisȱnotȱdifficultȱtoȱfindȱaȱnicheȱforȱGillesȱinȱmodernȱcriminalȱtaxonomy. Forȱexample,ȱheȱisȱrecognizableȱinȱtheȱsuccinctȱmanualȱofȱcriminologyȱbyȱRonald M.ȱ Holmesȱ andȱ Jamesȱ Deȱ Burgerȱ dedicatedȱ toȱ serialȱ killers.ȱ Heȱ fitsȱ the demographicsȱofȱmodernȬdayȱserialȱmurderers,ȱusuallyȱmalesȱinȱtheȱageȱrangeȱof twentyȬfiveȱtoȱthirtyȬfive,ȱoftenȱfromȱaȱfavorableȱsocialȱbackground,ȱandȱgifted withȱpositiveȱphysicalȱandȱmentalȱattributesȱandȱstatusȱ(forȱexample,ȱbeingȱthe oldestȱson).106ȱHeȱevenȱbelongsȱtoȱaȱpreciseȱcategoryȱwithinȱtheȱlargerȱgroup,ȱwhat

104

105

106

Bossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ131ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ144,ȱ269ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱdeposition ofȱ Eustacheȱ Blanchet)ȱ andȱ Heers,ȱ Gillesȱ deȱ Rais,ȱ 157,ȱ 208ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ However,ȱ Heersȱ (170) disagreesȱwithȱthoseȱwhoȱlinkedȱGilles’sȱthirstȱforȱgoldȱtoȱtheȱmurders,ȱsinceȱtheȱkillingȱstarted wellȱbeforeȱ hisȱ financialȱdifficulties.ȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱcaseȱofȱJackȱtheȱRipper:ȱamongȱtheȱpseudoȬ scientificȱexplanationsȱforȱtheȱmotivesȱofȱthisȱmysteriousȱassassin,ȱoneȱ“popularȱspeculation” suggestedȱ thatȱ heȱ wasȱ hiredȱ byȱ “anȱ Americanȱ anatomist”ȱ toȱ supplyȱ himȱ withȱ organsȱ forȱ a technicalȱmanuscriptȱonȱwhichȱheȱwasȱworkingȱ(twentyȱpoundsȱforȱeachȱspecimen).ȱFisher,ȱKiller AmongȱUs,ȱ204ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱ Atȱleastȱaȱcoupleȱofȱmodernȱserialȱkillersȱhaveȱmadeȱ(indirect)ȱreferenceȱtoȱtheȱDevil.ȱInȱaȱrambling noteȱ leftȱ besideȱ theȱ bodiesȱ ofȱ twoȱ victims,ȱ Davidȱ Berkowitzȱ (theȱ “Sonȱ ofȱ Sam”)ȱ callsȱ himself “Beelzebub”ȱandȱtalksȱofȱhisȱold,ȱmeanȱfatherȱ(Sam)ȱwhoȱneedsȱtoȱdrinkȱtheȱbloodȱofȱvictimsȱto recoverȱ hisȱ youth.ȱ Fisher,ȱ Killerȱ Amongȱ Us,ȱ 103–04ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 11).ȱ Beforeȱ hisȱ trialȱ theȱ judge commentedȱ(113)ȱonȱhisȱclaimsȱofȱhavingȱbeenȱledȱtoȱkillingȱbyȱdemons.ȱAndȱGacyȱwroteȱinȱa letterȱfromȱjailȱthatȱ“theȱdarkȱshadowȱofȱSatanȱhasȱcomeȱoverȱme.”ȱSullivan,ȱKillerȱClown,ȱ217ȱ(see noteȱ68).ȱ Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱHolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ21,ȱ48–49 (seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱTheȱvictimsȱwhomȱtheyȱdescribe,ȱhowever,ȱareȱusuallyȱfemales.ȱTheyȱalsoȱidentify (65–67)ȱsomeȱsocialȱcausesȱpresentȱinȱcasesȱofȱmodernȱAmericanȱserialȱmurderersȱthatȱcouldȱapply toȱGilles’sȱownȱbackground:ȱnormalizationȱofȱinterpersonalȱviolenceȱandȱimpulsiveness,ȱstrong emphasisȱonȱcomforts,ȱimmediateȱgratification,ȱandȱthrills,ȱmagicalȱthinking,ȱexcessȱofȱviolentȱrole

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

389

theȱ twoȱ authorsȱ callȱ theȱ “lustȬorientedȱ hedonistic”ȱ type,ȱ whoseȱ killings “demonstrateȱaȱprimaryȱandȱcentralȱfocusȱonȱsexualȱgratification”ȱthatȱbecomes psychologicallyȱlinkedȱtoȱtheȱ“processȱofȱtheȱhomicide.”107ȱAsȱtheȱauthorsȱexplain, theȱlustȱkillerȱisȱusuallyȱinȱtouchȱwithȱrealityȱexceptȱinȱthisȱoneȱarea,ȱinȱwhichȱhe receivesȱ gratificationȱ “fromȱ theȱ useȱ andȱ abuseȱ ofȱ others.”ȱ Someȱ psychologists explainȱhisȱmotivationȱtoȱkillȱasȱderivingȱfromȱunconsciousȱmotives,ȱothersȱfrom aȱmultipleȱpersonalityȱstructure,ȱaȱ“beast”ȱwithin,ȱ“lurkingȱjustȱbelowȱtheȱsurface.” Butȱinȱanyȱcaseȱtheȱmotiveȱisȱpsychogenic,ȱintrinsicȱwithinȱtheȱperpetratorȱand unknownȱtoȱothers,ȱevenȱfamilyȱmembersȱandȱintimates.108ȱThisȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱthe caseȱ withȱ Gilles,ȱ whoȱ claimedȱ atȱ oneȱ pointȱ thatȱ hisȱ mysteriousȱ murderous impulsesȱ wereȱ forcedȱ onȱ himȱ byȱ planetaryȱ influencesȱ (whichȱ determineȱ one’s personality).109ȱ Theȱ authorsȱ furtherȱ subdivideȱ theȱ lustȱ killerȱ intoȱ twoȱ types,ȱ basedȱ onȱ other factors.ȱTheȱ“disorganizedȱasocial”ȱoffenderȱisȱusuallyȱtheȱproductȱofȱharshȱfamily discipline:ȱheȱshowsȱdisorganizationȱinȱallȱaspectsȱofȱlife,ȱmayȱhaveȱbelowȬaverage intelligence,ȱandȱlacksȱbasicȱsocialȱskills.ȱThereforeȱheȱavoidsȱsocialȱsituationsȱwith peers,ȱincludingȱsexualȱintimacy.ȱTheȱ“organizedȱnonsocial”ȱtypeȱisȱmoreȱdifficult toȱidentifyȱbecauseȱheȱappearsȱmoreȱ“normal.”ȱHeȱmayȱhaveȱanȱaverageȱorȱabove averageȱintelligenceȱandȱeducation,ȱhasȱtheȱskillsȱforȱcompetentȱsocialȱinteraction, includingȱ sexualȱ skills,ȱ andȱ oftenȱ hasȱ knownȱ successȱ inȱ hisȱ field.ȱ Most interestingly,ȱthisȱtypeȱ(likeȱGilles)ȱisȱoftenȱtheȱproductȱofȱinconsistentȱdiscipline

107

108

109

models,ȱandȱextensiveȱspatialȱmobility.ȱSeeȱalsoȱJulieȱB.ȱWiest,ȱCreatingȱCulturalȱMonsters:ȱSerial MurderȱinȱAmericaȱ(BocaȱRaton,ȱFL:ȱCRCȱPress,ȱ2011).ȱTheȱresearchȱtopicȱisȱactuallyȱendless. HolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ76ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱTheȱauthorsȱdistinguishȱfourȱtypesȱofȱserial killersȱ(56–59):ȱvisionaryȱ(usuallyȱpsychotic:ȱwhoȱmurderȱinȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱcommandȱofȱvoices orȱ visions),ȱ missionȬorientedȱ (whoȱ haveȱ theȱ consciousȱ goalȱ ofȱ eliminatingȱ particularȱ people), hedonisticȱ(whoȱmurderȱforȱpleasureȱorȱthrillȬseeking),ȱandȱpower/controlȱorientedȱ(whoȱderive satisfactionȱ fromȱ theȱ feelingȱ ofȱ powerȱ ofȱ lifeȱ andȱ deathȱ overȱ theȱ victim.ȱ Theȱ Power/ControlȬ Orientedȱtype,ȱwhoseȱprimalȱmotivationȱisȱtoȱexerciseȱ“absoluteȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱdominanceȱoverȱanother humanȱ being,”ȱ isȱ oftenȱ mistakenȱ forȱ theȱ Hedonisticȱ LustȬorientedȱ one.ȱ However,ȱ withȱ the Power/ControlȬOrientedȱtypeȱaȱhistoryȱofȱ“selfȬconceptȱproblems”ȱisȱalsoȱpresent,ȱinȱparticular lossȱofȱ“heroȱstatus”ȱ(79).ȱWhileȱthisȱtypeȱcouldȱfitȱGilles,ȱtoo,ȱIȱfindȱitȱlessȱlikely,ȱbecauseȱheȱhad alreadyȱusedȱalternateȱmethodsȱ(excessiveȱspending,ȱtheater,ȱdemonicȱpractices)ȱtoȱsatisfyȱhisȱneed forȱ heroȱ status.ȱ Iȱ alsoȱ doȱ notȱ findȱ himȱ aȱ particularlyȱ controllingȱ person,ȱ inȱ fact,ȱ ratherȱ more inclinedȱtoȱlettingȱhimselfȱbeȱcontrolled,ȱfirstȱbyȱhisȱgrandfather,ȱthenȱbyȱdeȱLaȱTrémoille,ȱthen (possibly)ȱbyȱBricqueville,ȱandȱfinallyȱbyȱPrelati. HolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ24–25,ȱ50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱTheyȱaddȱ(56)ȱthatȱtheȱpsychogenic originȱisȱalmostȱalwaysȱ“aȱsociopathicȱpersonalityȱpattern”ȱthatȱdrivesȱhimȱtoȱkillȱwithoutȱremorse, andȱnot,ȱforȱexample,ȱextrinsicȱmotivesȱlikeȱthoseȱofȱrevolutionariesȱandȱterrorists.ȱInȱotherȱwords, theȱrewardsȱofȱtheȱhomicidalȱactȱareȱpurelyȱpsychological.ȱSeeȱalsoȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters, 28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱonȱtheȱ“disregardȱforȱmotive”ȱofȱserialȱkillersȱandȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ15ȱ(see noteȱ11),ȱonȱhowȱtheȱmotivesȱofȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱareȱunknown,ȱandȱ“theȱunknownȱisȱfearedȱmost.” Heers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ166ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ285ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱdeposition ofȱHenriet).

390

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

asȱaȱchild;ȱresortsȱtoȱmurderȱduringȱsituationsȱofȱstress;ȱandȱgenerallyȱusesȱalcohol toȱreleaseȱhisȱinhibitionsȱduringȱtheȱactualȱcrime.ȱInȱaddition,ȱthisȱtypeȱisȱmore deliberateȱ inȱ theȱ selectionȱ ofȱ victims;ȱ isȱ moreȱ verbalȱ withȱ theȱ victim;ȱ mayȱ use restraintsȱ andȱ prolongȱ theȱ killingȱ processȱ toȱ enjoyȱ thisȱ phase;ȱ isȱ lessȱ likelyȱ to commitȱnecrophilia;ȱandȱleavesȱaȱneatȱcrimeȱscene.110ȱ Basedȱonȱtheȱprofile,ȱGillesȱseemsȱtoȱbelongȱtoȱtheȱsecondȱcategory.ȱApparently hisȱ planningȱ phaseȱ wasȱ careful,ȱ andȱ probablyȱ followedȱ aȱ specificȱ pattern. Assumingȱthatȱhisȱvictimsȱtotaledȱaroundȱoneȱhundredȱ(aȱmiddleȱnumberȱbetween whatȱBatailleȱconsidersȱtheȱveryȱminimumȱofȱthirtyȬȱfiveȱandȱaȱmaximumȱofȱtwo hundred)ȱandȱassumingȱtheȱstartingȱdateȱofȱtheȱserialȱmurdersȱtoȱbeȱ1432ȱ(theȱone onȱwhichȱmostȱwritersȱagree),ȱthenȱthisȱwouldȱbringȱtheȱhomicideȱrateȱtoȱaround oneȱ murderȱ aȱ month.111ȱ Duringȱ eachȱ periodȱ hisȱ retainersȱ orȱ aȱ paidȱ procuress spottedȱaȱlikelyȱvictimȱandȱluredȱhimȱintoȱtheȱtrap,ȱtheȱcrimeȱwasȱperpetrated,ȱand theȱremainsȱdestroyed.ȱThenȱaȱfewȱdaysȱorȱweeksȱofȱintervalȱmayȱgoȱbyȱtoȱletȱthe latestȱrumorȱdie,ȱandȱthenȱtheȱactivityȱwouldȱresumeȱwithȱtheȱnextȱvictim.ȱThe actualȱmurderȱrateȱwasȱprobablyȱlessȱregular:ȱinȱfactȱfromȱvariousȱdepositionsȱit seemsȱthatȱitsȱfrequencyȱincreasedȱasȱtimeȱwentȱon,ȱaȱpatternȱtypicalȱforȱthisȱtype ofȱcrime.ȱUnfortunately,ȱitȱisȱimpossibleȱtoȱassociateȱGilles’sȱmurdersȱwithȱprecise eventsȱofȱhisȱlifeȱthatȱmightȱhaveȱprecipitatedȱsituationalȱstress,ȱexceptȱperhaps towardȱ theȱ veryȱ end.ȱ Itȱ isȱ notȱ farȬfetchedȱ toȱ postulateȱ thatȱ theȱ bishop’sȱ letters (postedȱinȱJuly)ȱcausedȱhimȱsomeȱstress,ȱandȱthisȱcouldȱaccountȱforȱtheȱfactȱthatȱhe continuedȱtoȱkillȱthroughȱtheȱmonthȱofȱAugust. AccordingȱtoȱHolmesȱandȱDeȱBurgerȱtheȱlustȱkillerȱstagesȱhisȱcrimesȱinȱfour phases:ȱ fantasizing,ȱ searchingȱ forȱ victims,ȱ murderȱ withȱ accompanyingȱ sexual release,ȱandȱdisposalȱofȱremains.112ȱInȱGilles’sȱcaseȱoneȱcanȱonlyȱhypothesizeȱonȱthe firstȱphase;ȱandȱbecauseȱheȱcouldȱcountȱonȱhelpers,ȱtheȱsecondȱandȱfourthȱphases wereȱperformedȱbyȱothersȱwithȱapparentlyȱonlyȱminorȱinvolvementȱonȱhisȱpart. Forȱexample,ȱatȱtimesȱheȱwouldȱgoȱtoȱpersonallyȱinspectȱaȱpotentialȱvictim,ȱbut usuallyȱothersȱdidȱitȱforȱhim,ȱandȱafterȱtheȱmurderȱheȱwouldȱfallȱasleepȱonȱhisȱbed,

110

111

112

HolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ101–03ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11)ȱ(disorganized),ȱ103–05ȱ(organized), 106–08ȱ (additionalȱ characteristics).ȱ Theseȱ labelsȱ areȱ appliedȱ toȱ realȱ cases.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ a psychiatristȱatȱDahmer’sȱtrialȱdeclaredȱhimȱ“anȱorganized,ȱnonsocial,ȱlustȱmurdererȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱdriven byȱobsessiveȱfantasiesȱofȱpowerȱoverȱothers.”ȱCitedȱinȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ138ȱ(seeȱnote 11). Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ172ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱestimatesȱaȱveryȱminimumȱofȱthirtyȱfiveȱ(butȱbelievesȱitȱtoo low).ȱ Theȱ numberȱ ofȱ twoȱ hundredȱ victimsȱ appearsȱ inȱ theȱ textȱ ofȱ theȱ sentenceȱ ofȱ theȱ secular tribunal,ȱbutȱisȱgivenȱasȱaȱguessȱonly.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ135–38ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1)ȱandȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ 296ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3).ȱ Theȱ totalȱ numberȱ ofȱ victimsȱ isȱ impossibleȱ toȱ determineȱ fromȱ the depositionsȱofȱwitnessesȱ(forȱexample,ȱmoreȱthanȱoneȱwitnessȱmayȱreferȱtoȱtheȱsameȱchild)ȱand becauseȱtooȱmanyȱbodiesȱwereȱburnt.ȱGillesȱconfessedȱkillingȱanȱundeterminedȱ“grandȱnombre” ofȱchildren.ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ243ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱGillesȱdeȱRais).ȱ HolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ97–100ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

391

inȱaȱdrunkenȱstupor,ȱwhileȱhisȱservantsȱwentȱaboutȱtheȱtaskȱofȱdestroyingȱevidence inȱhisȱroomȱtoȱleaveȱaȱ“neat”ȱcrimeȱscene.ȱSinceȱthoseȱareȱtheȱtwoȱmostȱlaborious andȱtimeȬconsumingȱphases,ȱthisȱfactȱaloneȱmayȱexplainȱGilles’sȱextremelyȱhigh killingȱrate,ȱevenȱbyȱserialȱkiller’sȱstandards.113ȱAsȱtoȱtheȱverbalȱinteraction,ȱitȱis knownȱthatȱheȱdidȱtalkȱtoȱhisȱvictimsȱbothȱtoȱthreatenȱandȱtoȱcajole.ȱAndȱhisȱsexual competenceȱwasȱdemonstratedȱbyȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱproducedȱaȱdaughterȱandȱhad relationsȱ withȱ homosexualȱ partnersȱ whoȱ wereȱ apparentlyȱ consentingȱ andȱ not destinedȱtoȱbeȱmurdered.114 Twoȱelementsȱofȱtheȱprofileȱareȱpuzzling,ȱhowever,ȱbecauseȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱquiteȱfit theȱ“organized”ȱtype.ȱFirst,ȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱcommittedȱnecrophiliaȱ(byȱhisȱown admissionȱandȱthatȱofȱhisȱaccomplices),ȱandȱsecond,ȱasȱBatailleȱhasȱpersuasively argued,ȱ thatȱ heȱ lackedȱ intelligenceȱ andȱ theȱ abilityȱ toȱ plan.ȱ Theȱ absoluteȱ truth cannotȱ beȱ ascertainedȱ fromȱ theȱ extantȱ documents,ȱ butȱ Iȱ wouldȱ ventureȱ a hypothesisȱthatȱcouldȱhelpȱjustifyȱhisȱpresenceȱinȱtheȱ“organized”ȱgroup.ȱInȱthe firstȱplaceȱhisȱnecrophiliaȱwasȱrelative,ȱbecauseȱheȱwouldȱperformȱtheȱsexualȱact onȱvictimsȱwhoȱwereȱdyingȱorȱjustȱdeadȱbutȱstillȱwarm.ȱInȱotherȱterms,ȱheȱwanted aȱ passive,ȱ helplessȱ partner,ȱ butȱ oneȱ whoȱ wouldȱ haveȱ theȱ attributesȱ ofȱ aȱ live being.115ȱ Asȱ forȱ hisȱ allegedȱ lackȱ ofȱ intelligence,ȱ itȱ seemsȱ toȱ meȱ thatȱ the manifestationsȱofȱwhatȱBatailleȱcallsȱhisȱ“niaiserie”ȱcouldȱratherȱbeȱsymptomatic ofȱaȱpersonalityȱdisorder.ȱ Inȱ fact,ȱ Gillesȱ fitsȱ theȱ portraitȱ ofȱ theȱ antisocialȱ personalityȱ orȱ sociopath.116 Grantedȱthatȱhisȱpersonalityȱtraits,ȱwhenȱtakenȱsingly,ȱcannotȱserveȱasȱirrefutable proofȱofȱthisȱtheory,ȱnevertheless,ȱwhenȱtakenȱasȱaȱwhole,ȱtheyȱstronglyȱsuggest thisȱtypeȱofȱdisorder.ȱHolmesȱandȱDeȱBurgerȱidentifyȱsociopathicȱtendenciesȱasȱthe mainȱ componentȱ ofȱ theȱ personalityȱ ofȱ theȱ serialȱ killerȱ and,ȱ toȱ thisȱ endȱ they distinguishȱtheȱsociopathȱfromȱtheȱpsychopathȱinȱthatȱtheȱbehaviorȱofȱthisȱcriminal isȱ antisocialȱ inȱ nature,ȱ derivingȱ fromȱ “anȱ aberrantȱ andȱ sociallyȬdefectiveȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .] psyche,”ȱandȱavoidȱsuggestingȱthatȱtheȱserialȱkillerȱisȱpsychotic,ȱorȱ“mentallyȱill”

113

114

115

116

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ276ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱPoitou).ȱForȱexample,ȱoneȱtimeȱGilles accompaniedȱPoitouȱtoȱtakeȱaȱchildȱfromȱhisȱhomeȱandȱpraisedȱhisȱservantȱforȱlocatingȱaȱvictim “belȱcommeȱunȱange,”ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ130,ȱ300ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱdepositionȱofȱtheȱvictim’s mother). AtȱleastȱtwoȱofȱtheȱchoirȱboysȱwereȱhisȱfavoritesȱandȱBlanchetȱinȱhisȱdepositionȱclaimsȱthatȱaȱboy namedȱ Perrinetȱ wasȱ Gilles’sȱ “mignon,”ȱ apartȱ fromȱ Poitou,ȱ whoȱ wasȱ alreadyȱ inȱ hisȱ twenties. Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ271ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱNoteȱthatȱGacyȱwasȱalsoȱmarriedȱtwiceȱandȱaȱfather.ȱSullivan, KillerȱClown,ȱ255ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ68). InȱhisȱconfessionȱPoitouȱspecifiesȱthat.ȱGillesȱ“commettaitȱsesȱluxures”ȱonȱaȱdeadȱbodyȱ“tantȱqu’il restaitȱquelqueȱchaleur.”ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ276ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Amongȱtheȱthreeȱbiographersȱmentionedȱinȱthisȱchapter,ȱonlyȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ166–67ȱ(see noteȱ1),ȱdedicatesȱtwoȱpagesȱtoȱdiscussingȱGilles’sȱpossibleȱmentalȱillness.ȱTheȱonlyȱtrueȱclinical hypothesisȱwasȱformulatedȱinȱ1932ȱbyȱRobertȱSoucix,ȱwhoȱattributedȱtoȱhimȱonlyȱanȱ“obsession sexuelleȱetȱsanguinaire.”ȱ

392

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

inȱtheȱcommonlyȬunderstoodȱmeaning.ȱThisȱsubjectȱisȱasocialȱandȱfeelsȱnoȱguiltȱin breakingȱcollectiveȱnormsȱorȱhurtingȱothers;ȱisȱdrivenȱbyȱincontrollableȱdesires;ȱis highlyȱ impulsiveȱ andȱ showsȱ aȱ tendencyȱ toȱ avoidȱ responsibilityȱ andȱ social restrictions;ȱisȱaggressiveȱandȱtendsȱtoȱreactȱtoȱfrustrationȱwithȱfuryȱandȱassaults againstȱothers;ȱandȱhasȱaȱwarpedȱcapacityȱforȱlove,ȱformingȱatȱbestȱonlyȱfleeting attachments.117ȱThereȱareȱseveralȱtheoriesȱonȱtheȱoriginȱofȱthisȱpersonality:ȱmost researchersȱ attributeȱ itȱ toȱ faultyȱ socializationȱ inȱ theȱ developmentalȱ yearsȱ that blockedȱtheȱprogressȱofȱwhatȱweȱcallȱ“conscience,”ȱforȱexample,ȱbyȱwithholding parentalȱaffection.ȱHowever,ȱsinceȱthereȱisȱsomeȱvaguenessȱasȱtoȱwhatȱchildhood yearsȱareȱformativeȱinȱthisȱcase,ȱandȱnoȱrealȱexplanationȱofȱwhyȱaȱmalfunctioning familyȱ couldȱ produceȱ bothȱ sociopathsȱ andȱ normalȱ childrenȱ (like,ȱ forȱ example, Gilles’sȱbrotherȱRené),ȱtheȱonlyȱremarkableȱconclusionȱthatȱtheȱtwoȱauthorsȱreach onȱ thisȱ topicȱ isȱ thatȱ suchȱ anȱ environmentȱ seemsȱ unrelatedȱ toȱ socioȬeconomic factorsȱandȱisȱfoundȱinȱallȱsocialȱclasses.118ȱ Framedȱinȱsuchȱgeneralȱterms,ȱthisȱprofileȱisȱnotȱatȱoddsȱwithȱwhatȱisȱknownȱof Gilles,ȱbutȱdoesȱnotȱseemȱuniquelyȱfitting.ȱHowever,ȱthereȱisȱmoreȱevidenceȱfrom otherȱsources.ȱGillesȱmanifestedȱobviousȱsignsȱofȱnarcissism,ȱaȱsyndromeȱallegedly foundȱ“toȱsomeȱdegreeȱinȱvirtuallyȱallȱindividualsȱwithȱpersonalityȱdisorders.”ȱIts symptomsȱcanȱbeȱsummarizedȱas:ȱ“grandiosity”ȱ(senseȱofȱsuperiority,ȱboastful behavior,ȱ arrogance,ȱ presenceȱ ofȱ pretentiousȱ fantasies,ȱ needȱ forȱ attentionȱ and admiration)ȱandȱ“shallowȱvocationalȱcommitment”ȱwithȱ“aȱpatternȱofȱearlyȱsuccess followedȱ byȱ laterȱ mediocrityȱ [and]ȱ preoccupationȱ withȱ fantasiesȱ ofȱ unlimited success.”119ȱ Whileȱ someȱ ofȱ theseȱ attitudesȱ (arrogance,ȱ boastfulȱ behavior) characterizeȱmanyȱnoblemenȱofȱGilles’sȱage,ȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱallȱofȱthemȱinȱhimȱis stronglyȱ suggestive,ȱ inȱ particularȱ ifȱ oneȱ recallsȱ hisȱ briefȱ earlyȱ militaryȱ success followedȱbyȱoblivion,ȱhisȱobsessionȱwithȱtheatricsȱandȱtendencyȱtoȱliveȱinȱaȱmakeȬ

117

118

119

HolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ66–68ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱTheȱcodificationȱofȱtheȱfeaturesȱofȱthis personalityȱ derivesȱ fromȱ aȱ 1964ȱ studyȱ onȱ theȱ criminalȱ mindȱ byȱ McCords.ȱ Asȱ aȱ practical application,ȱ seeȱ excerptsȱ ofȱ theȱ psychiatricȱ reportȱ onȱ Gacy:ȱ “aȱ psychopathicȱ (antisocial) personality,ȱwithȱsexualȱdeviationȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱUnusualȱdegreeȱofȱselfȬreferenceȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱgreatȱneedȱtoȱbeȱloved andȱ admiredȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ exploitativeȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ charmingȱ onȱ theȱ surface,ȱ coldȱ andȱ ruthlessȱ underneath.ȱ .ȱ . noticeableȱabsenceȱofȱfeelingsȱofȱremorseȱandȱguiltȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱlossȱofȱegoȬcontrolȱunderȱtheȱinfluenceȱof alcohol,ȱdrugs,ȱextremeȱfatigue.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱbutȱsaneȱtoȱstandȱtrial.ȱSullivan,ȱKillerȱClown,ȱ232–33ȱ(seeȱnote 68).ȱThereȱisȱalsoȱreferenceȱtoȱhisȱnarcissism,ȱsadism,ȱegocentrism,ȱneedȱtoȱexertȱfullȱcontrolȱover victims,ȱandȱtendencyȱtoȱrationalizationȱ(235).ȱAnotherȱpsychiatricȱevaluationȱconcludedȱthatȱhe showedȱnormalȱintelligence,ȱaȱtendencyȱtoȱbeȱmanipulative,ȱandȱ“totalȱdenialȱofȱresponsibility.” Sullivan,ȱKillerȱClown,ȱ249ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ68). HolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ68–69ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱTheȱauthorsȱcautionȱ(80)ȱnotȱtoȱconfuse correlationȱwithȱcausation:ȱwhileȱitȱisȱimportantȱtoȱexamineȱtheȱbackgroundȱofȱthoseȱwhoȱcommit homicides,ȱitȱwouldȱbeȱaȱmistakeȱtoȱassertȱthatȱtheȱbackgroundȱisȱtheȱcauseȱforȱtheȱhomicides. JonathanȱD.ȱC.ȱPerryȱandȱJ.ȱChristopherȱPerry,ȱConflicts,ȱDefenses,ȱandȱtheȱStabilityȱofȱNarcissistic PersonalityȱFeaturesȱ(Psychiatryȱ64.4,ȱWinterȱ2004):ȱ310–30;ȱhereȱ311,ȱ320.

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

393

believeȱ worldȱ ofȱ magic,ȱ hisȱ grandioseȱ butȱ illȬconceivedȱ projectȱ ofȱ harnessing supernaturalȱ forcesȱ toȱ achieveȱ success,ȱ hisȱ irresponsibleȱ expenditures,ȱ andȱ his overȬgenerousȱgiftsȱtoȱhangersȬonȱandȱbareȱacquaintancesȱ(forȱexample,ȱexcessive remunerationȱtoȱaȱchoirȱboyȱandȱtheȱboy’sȱparents).120ȱSomeȱhaveȱsuggestedȱthat narcissistsȱareȱunableȱ“toȱdependȱonȱothers,ȱalthoughȱonȱtheȱsurfaceȱtheyȱmay appearȱtoȱbeȱ‘dependent’ȱbecauseȱofȱtheirȱstrongȱneedȱforȱtributeȱandȱadoration.”121 This,ȱ too,ȱ fitsȱ Gilles,ȱ inȱ whomȱ theȱ needȱ forȱ sadisticȱ violenceȱ coexistedȱ withȱ an almostȱinfantileȱdependencyȱonȱtheȱthinningȱranksȱofȱthoseȱwhoȱaccompaniedȱhim inȱhisȱjourneyȱtoȱdisaster,ȱallȱofȱwhomȱlivedȱlavishlyȱatȱhisȱexpensesȱ(forȱexample, PrelatiȱandȱBricqueville,ȱintoȱwhoseȱhandsȱGillesȱleftȱtheȱcompleteȱmanagement ofȱhisȱaffairs). Ifȱoneȱlooksȱatȱstudiesȱoutsideȱcriminology,ȱtheȱportraitȱofȱtheȱsociopathȱbecomes moreȱcomplex,ȱtheȱsignsȱofȱaberrationȱmoreȱevident,ȱandȱGilles’sȱpictureȱmore complete.ȱ Inȱ hisȱ classicalȱ workȱ Theȱ Maskȱ ofȱ Sanity,ȱ basedȱ onȱ hisȱ vastȱ clinical experienceȱwithȱthisȱpersonalityȱdisorder,ȱHerveyȱCleckleyȱlistsȱsixteenȱtraits,ȱof whichȱatȱleastȱoneȬhalfȱstandȱoutȱinȱGilles’sȱcase:ȱsuperficialȱcharm,ȱchildishness, unreliability,ȱhedonismȱandȱegocentricity,ȱmarkedlyȱeccentricȱbehaviorȱunderȱthe influenceȱ ofȱalcohol,ȱinabilityȱtoȱprofitȱfromȱexperience,ȱlackȱofȱjudgment,ȱand sexualȱlifeȱthatȱisȱtrivial,ȱimpersonal,ȱandȱpoorlyȱintegrated.122ȱWhileȱtheȱfirstȱseven seemȱ suchȱ aȱ perfectȱ fitȱ forȱ himȱ thatȱ theyȱ doȱ notȱ requireȱ anyȱ furtherȱ comment (unreliabilityȱmayȱbeȱtheȱreasonȱwhy,ȱdespiteȱhisȱloftyȱofficialȱtitle,ȱheȱwasȱnot calledȱtoȱparticipateȱinȱanyȱactionsȱonȱbehalfȱofȱtheȱkingȱorȱtheȱduke),ȱtheȱlastȱneeds someȱclarification.ȱ

120

121

122

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ113ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱHeȱassignedȱaȱrente worthȱtwoȱhundredȱlivresȱtoȱhisȱfavoriteȱchoirȱboyȱRossignolȱandȱgaveȱtwoȱhundredȱécusȱtoȱthe boy’sȱparents.ȱSeeȱalsoȱSullivan,ȱKillerȱClown,ȱ189ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ68),ȱonȱhowȱGacyȱwouldȱtryȱ(inȱpart successfully)ȱtoȱingratiateȱhisȱneighborsȱwithȱChristmasȱgiftsȱandȱ“hugeȱthemeȱparties.”ȱHeȱalso posedȱasȱaȱprofessionalȱclownȱandȱatȱtimesȱasȱaȱpoliceman,ȱwhichȱindicateȱaȱneedȱtoȱplayact.ȱHis childishȱbehaviorȱwasȱnotedȱbyȱthoseȱacquaintedȱwithȱhim.ȱSullivan,ȱKillerȱClown,ȱ242ȱ(seeȱnote 68).ȱOnȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱpreferenceȱforȱmakeȬbelieveȱseeȱDahmer’sȱstatementȱ“Iȱmadeȱmyȱfantasyȱlife moreȱpowerfulȱthanȱmyȱrealȱone”ȱcitedȱinȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ122ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). PerryȱandȱPerry,ȱConflicts,ȱDefensesȱ(seeȱnoteȱ119):ȱ310–30.ȱNarcissistsȱalsoȱhaveȱaȱlowȱlevelȱof inhibitionȱandȱmayȱmanifestȱsevereȱmoodȱswingsȱandȱovertȱangerȱatȱbeingȱthwartedȱbyȱothers. IȱdoȱnotȱseeȱdirectȱevidenceȱofȱabnormalȱmoodȱswingsȱinȱGilles,ȱevenȱifȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ117 (seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱtalksȱaboutȱangerȱatȱhisȱfailuresȱandȱalternatingȱhopeȱwithȱdespairȱandȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱtalksȱaboutȱmoodȱswingsȱduringȱhisȱtrialȱ(whichȱIȱfindȱratherȱnatural,ȱgiven thatȱhisȱlifeȱwasȱonȱtheȱline).ȱ HarveyȱCleckley,ȱM.D.,ȱTheȱMaskȱofȱSanity,ȱ4thȱed.ȱ(SaintȱLouis:ȱTheȱC.V.ȱMosbyȱCompany,ȱ1964), 363,ȱ368–400.ȱOnȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱchildishnessȱheȱnotesȱ(208)ȱthatȱsociopathsȱtendȱtoȱarouseȱthe maternalȱinstinctȱofȱwomen.ȱNoteȱonȱtheȱfourthȱedition:ȱheȱsignificantlyȱreplacedȱ(8)ȱtheȱolderȱterm psychopathicȱpersonalityȱwithȱsociopathicȱpersonalityȱinȱ1955,ȱinȱlineȱwithȱaȱchangeȱinȱtheȱofficial psychiatricȱnomenclature.

394

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

Cleckleyȱsuggestsȱthatȱsociopathsȱinȱgeneralȱlackȱaȱvigorousȱlibidinousȱdriveȱthat couldȱmanifestȱitselfȱinȱobsessiveȱeroticȱformsȱlikeȱmasochism,ȱsadism,ȱbestiality, andȱsoȱforth.ȱButȱheȱaddsȱthat,ȱgivenȱtheȱsociopath’sȱpropensityȱforȱunacceptable behaviorȱ (forȱ example,ȱ theȱ tendencyȱ toȱ seekȱ sexualȱ gratificationȱ “inȱ sordid surroundingsȱwithȱpersonsȱofȱlowȱintellectualȱorȱsocialȱstatus”),ȱheȱneedsȱmuch lessȱstimulationȱtoȱindulgeȱinȱdeviantȱsexualȱpractices.ȱTherefore,ȱinȱtheȱrareȱcases whenȱaȱsociopathȱisȱalsoȱaȱsadistȱheȱisȱaȱveryȱdangerousȱcriminal.ȱHeȱconcludes withȱ theȱ ominousȱ statementȱ thatȱ peopleȱ ofȱ thisȱ sortȱ “areȱ oftenȱ responsibleȱ for perverseȱandȱmurderousȱattacksȱonȱchildren.”123ȱItȱisȱevidentȱfromȱtheȱtrialȱrecords thatȱ Gilles’sȱ sexualȱ practicesȱ rangedȱ fromȱ theȱ normalȱ (withȱ hisȱ wifeȱ andȱ with consentingȱ maleȱ partners)ȱ toȱ theȱ extremelyȱ perverse.ȱ Additionally,ȱ theȱ latter occurredȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱparaphilia,ȱwhatȱpsychiatristsȱdefineȱasȱtheȱ“recurrent, intense,ȱsexuallyȱarousingȱfantasies”ȱinvolvingȱfetishesȱ(inȱhisȱcase,ȱbodyȱpart);ȱthe needȱforȱhumiliationȱ(theȱinitialȱfrighteningȱofȱtheȱvictimȱwithȱstagedȱhanging);ȱthe presenceȱ ofȱ childrenȱ orȱ otherȱ nonȬconsentingȱ partners;ȱ frotteurismȱ and exhibitionismȱ(heȱmasturbatedȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱvictimsȱandȱservants);ȱsadism andȱvoyeurismȱ(heȱreachedȱtheȱhighestȱexcitementȱinȱwatchingȱtheȱvictim’sȱagony andȱdeath).124ȱ Aȱ majorȱ traitȱ ofȱ theȱ sociopathicȱ personalityȱ isȱ theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ “capricious irresponsibility,”ȱdisloyalty,ȱabsenceȱofȱremorse,ȱandȱinȱgeneralȱ“povertyȱinȱmajor affectiveȱreactions.”ȱTheȱsociopathȱmayȱdisplayȱ“spite,ȱquickȱandȱlabileȱflashesȱof quasiȬaffection,ȱpeevishȱresentment,ȱshallowȱmoodsȱofȱselfȬpity,ȱandȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱshowy posesȱofȱindignation,”ȱbutȱisȱincapableȱofȱmatureȱanger,ȱofȱ“honest,ȱsolidȱgrief, sustainingȱpride,ȱdeepȱjoy,ȱandȱgenuineȱdespair.”125ȱWhileȱtheȱbishopȱandȱhisȱcourt seemedȱtoȱhaveȱtakenȱatȱfaceȱvalueȱGilles’sȱtheatricalȱdisplayȱofȱtearsȱandȱremorse, theseȱwereȱmoreȱlikelyȱtheȱresultȱofȱimpulsiveȱplayacting.ȱAfterȱall,ȱGillesȱwas consciousȱofȱhisȱguiltȱwhenȱheȱtriedȱtoȱbullyȱhisȱwayȱoutȱofȱtheȱtrialȱbyȱattacking hisȱjudges;ȱthen,ȱonceȱcornered,ȱwhenȱheȱattemptedȱtoȱskirtȱtheȱrealȱissueȱofȱhis crimesȱ andȱ triedȱ toȱ steerȱ theȱ courtȱ towardȱ theȱ lesserȱ chargeȱ ofȱ havingȱ abused alchemyȱ(aȱploy,ȱincidentally,ȱnotedȱbyȱBossard);ȱandȱlastly,ȱonceȱitȱwasȱclearȱthat theȱjudgesȱhadȱhadȱenoughȱofȱhisȱgamesȱandȱthreatenedȱtorture,ȱwhenȱheȱlaunched intoȱaȱtearfulȱconfessionȱcountingȱonȱtheirȱpaternalȱinstincts.ȱAllȱofȱtheseȱchanges

123 124

125

Cleckley,ȱMaskȱofȱSanity,ȱ320–21,ȱ394–99ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ122). MichaelȱB.ȱFirst,ȱM.D.ȱandȱRobertȱL.ȱHalon,ȱPh.D.,ȱ“UseȱofȱDSMȱParaphiliaȱDiagnosesȱinȱSexually ViolentȱPredatorȱCommitmentȱCases,”ȱJournalȱofȱtheȱAmericanȱAcademyȱofȱPsychiatry,ȱLaw,ȱ36.4 (2008):ȱ443–54.ȱ Cleckley,ȱMaskȱofȱSanity,ȱ281,ȱ380ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ122).ȱInȱfact,ȱsociopathsȱalmostȱneverȱcommitȱsuicide (393).ȱ Compareȱ Gilles’sȱ overconfidentȱ behaviorȱ toȱ thatȱ ofȱ Henriet,ȱ whoȱ confessedȱ having attemptedȱsuicideȱafterȱhisȱarrest.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ194ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ156, 326ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱHenriet:ȱheȱspecifiesȱhavingȱtriedȱtoȱcutȱhisȱownȱthroatȱto avoidȱinterrogation)ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ179ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

395

occurredȱ inȱ aȱ matterȱ ofȱ days,ȱ andȱ Iȱ doubtȱ thatȱ theyȱ followedȱ aȱ trueȱ strategy. Rather,ȱ likeȱ aȱ truantȱ child,ȱ heȱ wentȱ throughȱ aȱ seriesȱ ofȱ adȬhocȱ survival maneuvers.126 Cleckleyȱalsoȱtalksȱofȱtheȱsociopath’sȱextremeȱlackȱofȱinsightȱandȱselfȬappraisal, toȱ aȱ degreeȱ seldomȱ foundȱ inȱ psychoticȱ patients,ȱ despiteȱ hisȱ freedomȱ from delusions.ȱ Whenȱ cornered,ȱ heȱ usesȱ pretextsȱ andȱ rationalizations,ȱ thatȱ is,ȱ a “mimicryȱofȱinsight.”127ȱAȱdramaticȱexampleȱofȱthisȱisȱGilles’sȱtortuousȱresponse toȱPierreȱdeȱl’Hôpital’sȱquestionȱofȱwhyȱheȱhadȱcommittedȱhisȱcriminalȱacts.ȱHis initialȱreactionȱwasȱoneȱofȱannoyance,ȱandȱheȱquipped,ȱ“Comeȱon,ȱsir,ȱyouȱtorment meȱandȱyourself.”ȱOnlyȱafterȱtheȱotherȱpersistedȱdidȱheȱrespond,ȱ“Truly,ȱthereȱare noȱotherȱreasonsȱthanȱwhatȱIȱalreadyȱtoldȱyou,ȱandȱwhatȱIȱtoldȱyouȱisȱmoreȱthan enoughȱ toȱ executeȱ tenȱ thousandȱ men.”128ȱ Thisȱ secondȱ answer,ȱ whichȱ inȱ effect amountsȱ toȱ sayingȱ thatȱ heȱ hadȱ actedȱ entirelyȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ willȱ andȱ forȱ hisȱ own pleasure,ȱseemsȱtoȱbeȱdictatedȱmoreȱbyȱaȱneedȱtoȱmoveȱbeyondȱtheȱquestionȱthan byȱgenuineȱinsight.ȱInȱfact,ȱheȱactedȱasȱifȱheȱhadȱnoȱideaȱofȱwhatȱtheȱjudgeȱwanted toȱknow,ȱbecauseȱitȱhadȱneverȱoccurredȱtoȱhimȱthatȱheȱshouldȱhaveȱanyȱmotives atȱall.ȱAtȱtimesȱheȱseemedȱtoȱexhibitȱaȱglimmeringȱofȱperceptionȱofȱtheȱcompulsive natureȱofȱhisȱactsȱofȱviolence.ȱForȱexample,ȱheȱhadȱmadeȱoccasionalȱstatementsȱto hisȱservantsȱtoȱtheȱeffectȱthatȱheȱplannedȱtoȱmakeȱaȱcleanȱbreakȱandȱundertakeȱan expiatoryȱpilgrimageȱtoȱJerusalemȱ(aȱplan—typically—neverȱmaterialized).ȱHe appearsȱalsoȱtoȱhaveȱsensedȱthatȱthereȱwasȱsomethingȱsickȱaboutȱhisȱbehavior,ȱbut couldȱnotȱstopȱhimself,ȱandȱsoȱheȱbreezilyȱexplainedȱthatȱhisȱrulingȱplanetȱmade himȱcommitȱcrimesȱthatȱcouldȱnotȱbeȱunderstoodȱbyȱothers.129ȱ AlmostȱasȱifȱtoȱcontradictȱBossard,ȱCleckleyȱwarnsȱagainstȱtrustingȱsociopaths onȱtheȱbasisȱofȱtheirȱoutwardȱsocialȱgraces.ȱTheyȱcanȱappearȱattentiveȱinȱsmall courtesiesȱandȱfavors,ȱandȱevenȱbehaveȱgenerouslyȱwhenȱtheȱcostȱisȱnotȱdecisive. Butȱtheyȱareȱproneȱtoȱsquanderingȱfamilyȱwealthȱwithȱtheirȱinabilityȱtoȱfollowȱaȱlife

126

127 128

129

Bossard,ȱ107,ȱ230ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱTheȱlackȱofȱplanningȱinȱhisȱdefenseȱwasȱalsoȱnotedȱbyȱBataille,ȱLe procès,ȱ35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Cleckley,ȱMaskȱofȱSanity,ȱ383–84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ122). Theȱactualȱtext,ȱinȱoldȱFrenchȱamongȱtheȱoriginalȱLatin,ȱgoes,ȱ“Hélas!ȱmonseigneur,ȱvousȱvous tourmentezȱetȱmoyȱavecquesȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱVrayementȱilȱn’yȱavoitȱautreȱcause,ȱfinȱneȱintencionȱqueȱceȱque jeȱvousȱayȱdit:ȱjeȱvousȱayȱditȱdeȱplusȱgransȱchosesȱqueȱn’estȱcestȱcyȱetȱassezȱpourȱfaireȱmourirȱdix milleȱhommes.”ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ239,ȱnoteȱno.ȱ1ȱandȱ3ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(fromȱtheȱconfessionȱofȱGilles deȱRais).ȱEarlierȱheȱhadȱadmittedȱcommittingȱhisȱcrimesȱ“suivantȱsonȱimaginationȱetȱsaȱpensée, sansȱleȱconseilȱdeȱpersonne,ȱetȱselonȱsonȱpropreȱsens,ȱseulementȱpourȱsonȱplaisirȱetȱsaȱdélectation charnelle,ȱetȱnonȱpourȱquelqueȱautreȱintentionȱouȱquelqueȱautreȱfin.”ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ165ȱ(see noteȱ3). Theȱ“acteȱd’accusation”ȱsummarizesȱthusȱGilles’sȱrecidivismȱafterȱvainȱtalksȱofȱcontritionȱand pilgrimages:ȱ “leȱ chienȱ retourneȱ àȱ sonȱ vomi.”ȱ Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 218ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3).ȱ Astrological influenceȱasȱdeterminantȱforȱtheȱfutureȱserialȱkillerȱwasȱalsoȱclaimedȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱtheȱ“Coed Killer.”ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ73ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).

396

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

plan,ȱandȱdisplayȱtheirȱpathologicalȱconditionȱinȱotherȱaspectsȱofȱlifeȱ(forȱexample, inȱtheirȱoutlandishȱbehaviorȱwhileȱintoxicated,ȱwellȱbeyondȱwhatȱisȱobservableȱin trueȱalcoholics),ȱandȱeventuallyȱmayȱendȱupȱfailingȱ“withȱspectacularȱandȱbizarre splendor.”130ȱInȱaȱsocietyȱusedȱtoȱdrinking,ȱGilles’sȱabuseȱofȱalcoholȱwasȱaȱrecurring themeȱinȱtheȱtestimoniesȱofȱhisȱaccomplicesȱandȱhisȱownȱ(inȱfact,ȱheȱattributedȱto it,ȱinȱpart,ȱhisȱmurderousȱbehavior).ȱAndȱhisȱtendencyȱtoȱwasteȱhisȱfortuneȱhas sufficientlyȱbeenȱdiscussed. Finally,ȱCleckleyȱpointedlyȱdifferentiatesȱtheȱsociopath’sȱmodusȱoperandiȱfrom thatȱofȱtheȱ“ordinaryȱcriminal.”ȱInȱtheȱfirstȱplace,ȱtheȱlatterȱpursuesȱhisȱownȱends withȱhisȱcriminalȱacts,ȱwhileȱtheȱsociopathȱ“almostȱneverȱworksȱconsistentlyȱin crimeȱorȱinȱanythingȱelseȱtoȱachieveȱaȱpermanentȱpositionȱofȱpowerȱorȱwealthȱor security.”ȱ Second,ȱ theȱ criminal’sȱ ends,ȱ evenȱ ifȱ theȱ methodsȱ areȱ illicit,ȱ are understandableȱtoȱtheȱaverageȱperson,ȱwhileȱtheȱsociopathȱwillȱ“deliberatelyȱthrow awayȱsoȱmuchȱinȱorderȱtoȱseekȱwhatȱisȱveryȱtrivialȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱandȱveryȱephemeral.” Third,ȱ theȱ criminalȱ willȱ tryȱ toȱ spareȱ himselfȱ risksȱ andȱ harmȱ others,ȱ whileȱ the sociopathȱmayȱincidentallyȱcauseȱtroubleȱforȱothers,ȱbutȱusuallyȱplacesȱhimselfȱin aȱ“shamefulȱandȱmostȱuncomfortable”ȱposition.ȱLastly,ȱtheȱfewȱsociopathsȱwho indulgeȱ inȱ seriousȱ criminalȱ activityȱ seemȱ toȱ doȱ soȱ withoutȱ takingȱ into considerationȱtheȱconsequencesȱofȱtheirȱactions.131ȱFromȱCleckley’sȱargumentsȱJean deȱCraonȱcouldȱeasilyȱbeȱconsideredȱanȱordinaryȱcriminalȱ(asȱarguedȱbyȱBataille), whileȱ Gilles,ȱ inȱ allȱ activitiesȱ undergoneȱ onȱ hisȱ ownȱ initiative,ȱ seemsȱ toȱ have squanderedȱwhatȱheȱhadȱratherȱthanȱactingȱpurposefullyȱtoȱacquireȱmore.132ȱ Theȱutterȱsenselessnessȱofȱhisȱcriminalȱactivitiesȱspeaksȱtoȱhisȱincredibleȱlackȱof judgment.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ hadȱ heȱ beenȱ anȱ “ordinaryȱ criminal”ȱ heȱ wouldȱ have insistedȱthatȱPrelatiȱshowȱhimȱsomeȱresultsȱforȱhisȱinvestmentȱofȱtimeȱandȱmoney; orȱafterȱkidnappingȱandȱabusingȱchildrenȱheȱcouldȱhaveȱkilledȱthemȱtoȱprevent themȱfromȱdisclosingȱhisȱtreatmentȱofȱthem.ȱButȱweȱknowȱthatȱnoneȱofȱthisȱcrossed Gilles’sȱsickȱmind:ȱtheȱinvocationȱofȱdemonsȱseemsȱtoȱhaveȱbecomeȱanȱendȱinȱitself, perhapsȱ evenȱ anȱ excuseȱ toȱ keepȱ Prelatiȱ close,ȱ withȱ theȱ pursuitȱ ofȱ wealthȱ a secondaryȱobjective,ȱandȱtheȱkillingȱwas—inȱhisȱownȱwords—theȱbestȱpartȱofȱa fleetingȱexcitement.ȱFurther,ȱtheȱLeȱFerronȱincidentȱhasȱnotȱbeenȱexplainedȱbyȱany historianȱusingȱlogicalȱarguments,ȱandȱcanȱonlyȱbecomeȱunderstandableȱwithinȱa pathologicalȱframework.ȱItȱwouldȱbeȱevenȱmoreȱdifficultȱtoȱtryȱtoȱexplainȱinȱlogical termsȱwhyȱGillesȱcontinuedȱhisȱmurderousȱactivityȱafterȱtheȱfirstȱaccusatoryȱletter ofȱtheȱbishopȱbecameȱpublic.ȱButȱtheȱultimateȱquestionȱthatȱanȱordinaryȱcriminal wouldȱaskȱofȱGillesȱis:ȱwhyȱdidȱheȱnotȱfleeȱlikeȱBricquevilleȱandȱSillé,ȱgivenȱthatȱhe

130 131 132

Cleckley,ȱMaskȱofȱSanity,ȱ387,ȱ388,ȱ390–92,ȱ400ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ122). Cleckley,ȱMaskȱofȱSanity,ȱ276–77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ122). Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 29ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3).ȱ Heȱ callsȱ attentionȱ toȱ theȱ contrastȱ betweenȱ theȱ oldȱ man’s purposefulȱviolenceȱandȱtheȱyoungȱone’sȱchildishȱbrutality.

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

397

hadȱtheȱsameȱinformationȱasȱtheyȱdidȱpriorȱtoȱhisȱarrest,ȱandȱthatȱheȱknewȱhimself guiltyȱofȱmurder? Toȱsummarize,ȱinȱtheȱmodernȱjudicialȱsystemȱtheȱambivalenceȱofȱperception aboutȱ theȱ serialȱ killer—superȬintelligent,ȱ rationalȱ criminalȱ orȱ maladjusted deviant—isȱalwaysȱpresent,ȱwithȱculturalȱcurrentsȱfavoringȱoneȱorȱtheȱotherȱview. Butȱ evenȱ afterȱ routineȱ psychiatricȱ evaluation,ȱ theȱ accusedȱ isȱ usuallyȱ deemed competentȱtoȱstandȱtrial,ȱbecauseȱnothingȱinȱtheȱsociopath’sȱbehaviorȱpointsȱto inabilityȱtoȱperceiveȱtheȱrealityȱofȱmurder,ȱandȱtheȱverdictȱisȱusuallyȱ“guilty.”ȱThe medievalȱsystemȱresolvedȱsomewhatȱtheȱambiguityȱbyȱcompartmentalizingȱthe procedureȱagainstȱtheȱaccused.ȱConsequently,ȱtheȱmoralȱaspectȱofȱGilles’sȱactivities cameȱunderȱtheȱjurisdictionȱofȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱcourtȱwhileȱhisȱcriminalȱactions cameȱunderȱthatȱofȱtheȱsecularȱcourt.ȱBut,ȱasȱitȱisȱtrueȱofȱmodernȱserialȱkillers,ȱin bothȱ courtsȱ heȱ wasȱ judgedȱ toȱ beȱ solelyȱ responsibleȱ forȱ hisȱ behavior,ȱ an interpretationȱinȱwhichȱheȱconcurred,ȱevenȱifȱhisȱexplanationȱforȱhisȱmotivesȱwas (typicallyȱforȱaȱsociopath)ȱsuperficialȱandȱchildish.ȱItȱisȱhoweverȱevidentȱfromȱthe veryȱdiscrepancyȱinȱextantȱdocumentation,ȱwhichȱisȱmuchȱmoreȱabundantȱforȱthe ecclesiasticalȱtrial,ȱthatȱtheȱkeyȱjudgmentȱthatȱestablishedȱGilles’sȱreputationȱrested withȱtheȱbishop’sȱcourt.ȱ Twoȱattitudesȱofȱthisȱcourt,ȱinȱparticular,ȱmayȱsurpriseȱmodernȱreaders.ȱTheȱfirst isȱ aȱ (refreshingly)ȱ rationalȱ positionȱ towardȱ theȱ victimsȱ andȱ theirȱ families.ȱ For example,ȱthereȱwasȱnoȱattemptȱtoȱattributeȱtoȱtheȱfamiliesȱpartȱofȱtheȱresponsibility forȱ theirȱ children’sȱ murders,ȱ evenȱ ifȱ mostȱ familiesȱ hadȱ willinglyȱ allowedȱ their childrenȱtoȱcomeȱintoȱGilles’sȱclutchesȱforȱmoney.ȱInȱcontrast,ȱsomeȱwitnessesȱat Williams’sȱtrialȱinȱAtlantaȱopenlyȱaccusedȱtheȱparentsȱofȱbeingȱparticipantsȱtoȱthe murdersȱofȱtheirȱchildrenȱforȱhavingȱallowedȱtheȱlatterȱtooȱmuchȱfreedomȱinȱthe streets.ȱAndȱatȱDahmer’sȱtrialȱsomeȱmembersȱofȱtheȱpressȱandȱpoliceȱblamedȱthe victimsȱ themselvesȱ forȱ havingȱ broughtȱ aboutȱ theirȱ deathȱ withȱ theirȱ “risky” lifestyle.133ȱ Theȱsecondȱstanceȱofȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱcourtȱthatȱseemsȱmostȱatȱoddȱwithȱmodern practicesȱisȱthatȱofȱconsentingȱtoȱtheȱritualȱofȱmassȱreconciliationȱthatȱwasȱstaged toȱcoincideȱwithȱtheȱexecution.ȱBataille,ȱinȱparticular,ȱhasȱraisedȱdoubtsȱaboutȱthe sincerityȱofȱthisȱevent,ȱwhichȱmanyȱmightȱhaveȱattendedȱagainstȱtheirȱwillȱorȱwith

133

Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ70–72ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱcitesȱaȱpoliceman’sȱstatementȱthatȱDahmer’s victimsȱwereȱ“criminalȱfacilitatingȱvictims”ȱwhoȱchoseȱaȱriskyȱlifeȱstyle.ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs, 143ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱstatesȱthatȱaȱnȱFBIȱagentȱaccusedȱtheȱparentsȱofȱtheȱAtlantaȱvictimsȱofȱmurdering themȱbecauseȱtheyȱwereȱ“nuisances.”ȱHeȱobservesȱ(16)ȱthatȱamongȱtheȱmodernȱpublicȱthereȱisȱthe tendencyȱ toȱ blameȱ victimsȱ ofȱ assaultsȱ andȱ murderȱ whoȱ haveȱ beenȱ selectedȱ forȱ theirȱ lifestyle (prostitutes,ȱ drifters,ȱ andȱ homosexuals),ȱ inȱ anȱ attemptȱ atȱ relievingȱ theȱ publicȱ ofȱ collective responsibility.ȱInȱGilles’sȱsocietyȱtheȱsightȱofȱboysȱwanderingȱaloneȱorȱinȱgroupsȱoutsideȱtheȱhome andȱtakingȱcareȱofȱthemselvesȱwasȱnotȱperceivedȱinȱsuchȱnegativeȱterms.ȱSee,ȱforȱexample,ȱRobert Muchembled,ȱL’inventionȱdeȱl’hommeȱmoderneȱ(Paris:ȱFayard,ȱ1988),ȱ296–306.

398

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

theȱ secretȱ intentȱ ofȱ prayingȱ forȱ Gilles’sȱ damnation.ȱ Iȱ thinkȱ thatȱ thisȱ collective drama,ȱsoȱalienȱtoȱourȱsocietyȱandȱwhichȱleavesȱBatailleȱperplexed,ȱwasȱpotentially therapeutic,ȱasȱitȱofferedȱaȱsymbolicȱ“closure”ȱofȱtheȱcaseȱalsoȱforȱtheȱbereaved familiesȱbyȱplacingȱthem—soȱtoȱspeak—inȱcontrolȱofȱtheȱculprit’sȱeternalȱdestiny.134 Onȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱduringȱandȱafterȱsomeȱofȱtheȱmostȱspectacularȱtrialsȱofȱmodern serialȱkillers,ȱtheȱcommunity’sȱwoundsȱseemȱtoȱbeȱalmostȱperverselyȱreopenedȱas theȱ courtroomȱ dramaȱ andȱ itsȱ aftermathsȱ areȱ keptȱ aliveȱ withȱ endlessȱ televised sessions,ȱsaleȱofȱconfessionsȱandȱotherȱmemorabilia,ȱtelevisionȱinterviewsȱwith anyoneȱremotelyȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱculprit’sȱactivities,ȱandȱtheȱinevitableȱflurry ofȱlawȱsuits.135ȱ Tithecottȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱpublicȱhasȱaȱneedȱtoȱmythifyȱtheȱserialȱkiller,ȱand makeȱhimȱlargerȱthanȱlifeȱ(forȱexample,ȱbyȱacceptingȱwithoutȱquestionȱtheȱclaim thatȱ Dahmerȱ wasȱ aȱ cannibalȱ orȱ thatȱ Jackȱ theȱ Ripperȱ wasȱ anȱ importantȱ person somehowȱ connectedȱ withȱ theȱ royalȱ court).136ȱ Howeverȱ nothingȱ indicatesȱ that Gilles’sȱcontemporaries,ȱafterȱtheȱatonementȱofȱhisȱcrimes,ȱfeltȱtheȱneedȱtoȱmythify thisȱrepulsiveȱfigure.ȱTooȱweakȱtoȱstandȱtheȱtestȱofȱcollectiveȱmemoryȱonȱhisȱown, aȱ fuzzyȱ remembranceȱ ofȱ hisȱ crimesȱ hasȱ survivedȱ inȱ theȱ lateȱ Bretonȱ legendȱ of Bluebeard,ȱtheȱfearsomeȱnoblemanȱwhoȱmarriesȱaȱseriesȱofȱyoungȱwomenȱonlyȱto murderȱ them,ȱ withȱ itsȱ sanitizedȱ andȱ convenientlyȱ distortedȱ factsȱ toȱ satisfy

134

135

136

Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱisȱbaffledȱbyȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱcourtȱandȱaudienceȱseemȱtoȱhave beenȱmovedȱbyȱGilles’sȱtearsȱandȱjudgesȱthemȱnaïve.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ263ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1), remindsȱ theȱ readerȱ thatȱ attendanceȱ atȱ publicȱ executionsȱ wasȱ anȱ obligationȱ forȱ headsȱ of households,ȱandȱtakesȱGilles’sȱrepentanceȱ(229,ȱ238)ȱandȱtheȱbishop’sȱgraceȱ(199–200)ȱatȱfaceȱvalue, statingȱthatȱafterȱpassingȱsentenceȱ“leȱprêtreȱprendȱlaȱplaceȱduȱjuge.”ȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ204ȱ(see noteȱ1),ȱnotesȱthatȱeveryoneȱseemedȱtoȱhaveȱtakenȱpartȱinȱtheȱprocessionȱandȱprayȱasȱexpected.ȱIn contrast,ȱseeȱtheȱcommentsȱofȱHolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ143–44ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱonȱthe angerȱandȱsenseȱofȱbetrayalȱexperiencedȱbyȱmodernȱsurvivorsȱofȱserialȱkillers,ȱwhoȱfeelȱthatȱall resourcesȱofȱsocietyȱ(includedȱpsychiatricȱcounseling)ȱareȱdevotedȱtoȱtheȱkillerȱhimselfȱandȱnotȱto them.ȱ Fisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ195–98ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11),ȱTithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ125–28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Commercialȱexploitationȱofȱserialȱkillersȱisȱnotȱaȱrecentȱphenomenon,ȱhowever.ȱAfterȱtheȱseries ofȱ murdersȱ ofȱ prostitutesȱ attributedȱ toȱ Jackȱ theȱ Ripperȱ inȱ 1888ȱ stopped,ȱ theȱ residentsȱ of Whitechapelȱsetȱupȱrefreshmentȱstandsȱatȱtheȱmurderȱsitesȱtoȱcaterȱtoȱtheȱcurious.ȱFisher,ȱKiller AmongȱUs,ȱ209ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Tithecott,ȱ Ofȱ Menȱ andȱ Monsters,ȱ 65–66ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 11),ȱ statesȱ thatȱ Dahmerȱ himselfȱ mentioned cannibalismȱ(heȱallegedlyȱfriedȱandȱateȱaȱbicepsȱfromȱaȱvictim).ȱBut,ȱdespiteȱtheȱflurryȱofȱstories aboutȱ hisȱ cannibalisticȱ activity,ȱ theȱ policeȱ reportedȱ noȱ conclusiveȱ evidenceȱ thatȱ heȱ hadȱ ever engagedȱinȱit.ȱTithecott,ȱhowever,ȱsuppliesȱ(86)ȱaȱcuriousȱstatistic:ȱoutȱofȱaȱgroupȱofȱthirtyȱserial killers,ȱsevenȱwereȱfoundȱtoȱbeȱinvolvedȱinȱtheȱfoodȱbusiness.ȱForȱadditionalȱmythsȱonȱcannibalism seeȱ Allisonȱ P.ȱ Coudert,ȱ “Theȱ Ultimateȱ Crime:ȱ Cannibalismȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Mindsȱ and Imaginations”ȱinȱtheȱpresentȱvolume.ȱAsȱforȱtheȱvariousȱhypothesesȱonȱtheȱidentityȱofȱJackȱthe Ripperȱ(amongȱtheȱsuspectsȱwasȱtheȱdukeȱofȱClarence)ȱseeȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ214ȱ(seeȱnote 11).

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

399

Romanticȱtastes.137ȱAsȱforȱtheȱreactionȱofȱhisȱcontemporaries,ȱweȱareȱonlyȱleftȱwith theȱterseȱcommentsȱofȱchroniclers.ȱForȱexample,ȱEnguerrandȱdeȱMonstrelet,ȱwho isȱusuallyȱconciseȱandȱnoncommittalȱinȱhisȱreporting,ȱstatesȱinȱfewȱsentencesȱthat theȱmarshalȱofȱFranceȱhadȱbeenȱaccusedȱofȱheresyȱandȱconfessedȱkillingȱseveral childrenȱandȱpregnantȱwomenȱ[sic]ȱtoȱwriteȱwithȱtheirȱbloodȱbooksȱofȱ“diabolical formulas,”ȱinȱorderȱtoȱacquireȱhonorsȱandȱpower.ȱBeforeȱbeingȱexecutedȱheȱhad madeȱaȱ“beautifulȱandȱdevout”ȱconfessionȱaskingȱGod’sȱforgiveness.ȱBretonȱnobles wereȱsaddenedȱbyȱhisȱendȱbecauseȱ“beforeȱthisȱcalamityȱhappenedȱtoȱhimȱ[he]ȱhad enjoyedȱaȱgreatȱreputationȱasȱaȱbraveȱknight.”ȱAndȱJacquesȱChartier,ȱtheȱofficial Frenchȱhistoriographerȱnotoriousȱforȱhisȱtendencyȱtoȱwhitewashȱscandals,ȱopens withȱaȱconciseȱmentionȱofȱtheȱexecution,ȱorderedȱbyȱtheȱdukeȱofȱBrittany.ȱHeȱthen brieflyȱaddsȱthatȱGillesȱhadȱbeenȱaccusedȱofȱtheȱmurderȱofȱseveralȱchildren,ȱand, havingȱ succumbedȱ toȱ theȱ devil,ȱ performedȱ actsȱ againstȱ theȱ faithȱ throughȱ the adviceȱofȱoneȱofȱhisȱservantsȱ(perhapsȱaȱreferenceȱtoȱPrelati).ȱBeforeȱbeingȱhanged “itȱwasȱsaidȱthatȱheȱrepentedȱquiteȱwell.”138ȱBothȱwritersȱrepresentedȱwhatȱweȱmay callȱ theȱ “establishment”ȱ (Monstreletȱ theȱ gentryȱ andȱ Chartierȱ theȱ Church),ȱ and predictablyȱenoughȱtheyȱcautiouslyȱavoidedȱtheȱdetailsȱofȱGilles’sȱmurdersȱand trial,ȱwhichȱhaveȱsoȱcaptivatedȱmodernȱaudiences.139ȱTheyȱchoseȱinsteadȱtoȱfreeze inȱtime,ȱwithȱmuchȱexaggeration,ȱGilles’sȱearlyȱchivalricȱexploits,ȱandȱdelveȱonȱhis faceȬsavingȱconfession.ȱ Inȱconclusion,ȱIȱwouldȱargueȱthat,ȱwhileȱitȱmakesȱsenseȱtoȱuseȱtheȱknownȱfacts aboutȱGillesȱdeȱRaisȱasȱvaluableȱtoolsȱtoȱreconstructȱtheȱlifeȱofȱanȱaverageȱlateȬ

137

138

139

OfȱtheȱthreeȱhistoriansȱonlyȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ293–325ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱtiesȱexplicitlyȱtheȱlegend ofȱBluebeardȱwithȱtheȱrealȱGilles.ȱThereȱareȱtwoȱversionsȱofȱtheȱlateȱlegend.ȱTheȱfirstȱisȱcontained inȱaȱnineteenthȬcenturyȱBretonȱballad:ȱtheȱbaronȱdeȱRaisȱhasȱkilledȱallȱhisȱwivesȱandȱterrorizesȱthe localȱgirls,ȱbutȱanȱoldȱman,ȱwhoȱrevealsȱhimselfȱasȱJeanȱdeȱMalestroit,ȱpromisesȱjustice.ȱInȱthe secondȱtheȱevilȱlordȱGillesȱdeȱLaval,ȱafterȱkillingȱhisȱsevenȱwivesȱandȱburyingȱthemȱunderȱhis castle,ȱisȱhostȱtoȱaȱcountȱandȱhisȱbeautifulȱfiancéeȱBlanche.ȱSuddenlyȱheȱhasȱtheȱcountȱthrownȱinto aȱdungeonȱandȱforcesȱBlancheȱtoȱtheȱaltarȱtoȱmakeȱherȱhisȱeighthȱwife.ȱAfterȱsomeȱresistanceȱshe acceptsȱtoȱmarryȱhim,ȱbutȱinȱthatȱinstantȱsheȱturnsȱintoȱaȱblueȱdemonȱthatȱchangesȱGilles’sȱbeard fromȱredȱtoȱblueȱandȱannouncesȱhisȱeternalȱdamnationȱunderȱtheȱnameȱofȱBluebeard.ȱSeeȱalso Bataille,ȱLeȱprocès,ȱ182–84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3)ȱ(whoȱnoticesȱhowȱtheȱlegendȱhasȱincorporatedȱsomeȱcorrect detailsȱthatȱemergedȱfromȱtheȱtrial).ȱ [“conjurationsȱdyaboliquesȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱbelleȱetȱdévotteȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱavantȱqueȱcesteȱadventureȱluiȱadvenist,ȱil estoitȱmoultȱrenomméȱd’estreȱtrèsȱvaillantȱchevalier”]ȱLaȱChroniqueȱd’EnguerranȱdeȱMonstrelet,ȱed. L.ȱ DouëtȬd’Arcq,ȱ 6ȱ vols.ȱ (Paris:ȱ 1857–1863),ȱ 5:425–26.ȱ [“etȱ disoitȬonȱ qu’ilȱ eutȱ bienȱ bonne repentance”]ȱJeanȱChartier,ȱChroniquesȱdeȱCharlesȱVII,ȱroiȱdeȱFrance,ȱed.ȱA.ȱValletȱdeȱViriville,ȱ3ȱvols. (Paris:ȱP.ȱJannetȱLibraire,ȱ1858),ȱ2:ȱ5–6.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ54ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱsuggestsȱthatȱChartier mightȱhaveȱbeenȱpartȱofȱGilles’sȱcourt.ȱForȱChartier’sȱavoidanceȱofȱ“gossip,”ȱsee,ȱforȱexample,ȱhis almostȱridiculousȱdenialȱofȱtheȱliaisonȱbetweenȱCharlesȱVIIȱandȱhisȱfamousȱmistressȱAgnèsȱSorel (Chartier,ȱ2:182–86). ThisȱfactȱwasȱnotedȱbyȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ141ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

400

LiaȱB.ȱRoss

medievalȱbaronȱ(asȱHeersȱdid),ȱneverthelessȱheȱwasȱnotȱanȱaverageȱpersonȱwith averageȱ responsesȱ toȱ theȱ precariousȱ natureȱ ofȱ feudalȱ life.140ȱ Norȱ wasȱ heȱ an exceptionallyȱgiftedȱyoungȱmanȱwhoseȱcuriosityȱandȱdaringȱbroughtȱhimȱtoȱplay withȱfireȱ(Bossard’sȱthesis),ȱaȱbraveȱknightȱwhoȱsuddenlyȱturnedȱtoȱcrime,ȱaȱfallen angel,ȱorȱaȱvictimȱofȱoverȬindulgenceȱandȱalcoholism.ȱIȱwouldȱevenȱdeviate—ifȱless strongly—fromȱBataille’sȱthesisȱthatȱheȱwasȱaȱstupidȱpersonȱwithȱaȱcriminalȱmind encouragedȱbyȱaȱbrutalȱsocietyȱthatȱglorifiedȱaggression,ȱbecauseȱhisȱparticular brandȱofȱcriminalityȱwasȱuniversallyȱcondemned.141ȱHeȱwasȱaȱmurdererȱforȱhalfȱof hisȱlifeȱandȱhisȱentireȱadultȱlife,ȱwhoȱwasȱableȱtoȱfitȱmarginallyȱintoȱsocietyȱ(which inȱhisȱdayȱimpliedȱaȱcertainȱlevelȱofȱviolence)ȱjustȱasȱotherȱserialȱkillersȱhaveȱdone byȱ exploitingȱ theȱ tendencyȱ ofȱ averageȱ peopleȱ toȱ avoidȱ confrontingȱ disturbing suspicions.ȱHisȱbehaviorȱwasȱnotȱwithinȱtheȱacceptedȱlimitsȱinȱhisȱdayȱanyȱmore thanȱitȱisȱinȱmodernȱtimes,ȱandȱtheȱreactionȱofȱauthorities,ȱwhenȱeventuallyȱfaced withȱit,ȱwasȱtoȱhangȱhimȱlikeȱaȱcommonȱcriminal.142ȱHowever,ȱgivenȱtheȱmedieval beliefȱinȱindividualȱresponsibility,ȱhorrorȱatȱhisȱcrimesȱdidȱnotȱtrickleȱdownȱtoȱhis familyȱ orȱ contaminateȱ hisȱ surroundings.ȱ Bothȱ hisȱ widowȱ andȱ daughterȱ soon contractedȱmarriagesȱwithȱpowerfulȱmenȱwhoȱwouldȱ(atȱleastȱforȱaȱwhile)ȱprotect theirȱrights,ȱandȱhisȱcastles,ȱevenȱwhenȱtheyȱhadȱbeenȱtheȱtheaterȱofȱmurders,ȱwere preservedȱandȱlaterȱacquiredȱ(while,ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱapartmentȱcomplexȱwhere Dahmerȱhadȱresidedȱwasȱemptiedȱandȱlaterȱrazed).143ȱ Tithecottȱsuggestsȱthatȱ“serialȱmurdersȱhaveȱaȱcertainȱliteraryȱqualityȱtoȱthem,” asȱtheyȱ“happenȱregularlyȱoverȱtimeȱandȱeachȱnewȱoneȱcreatesȱanȱexpectation;ȱthey 140

141

142 143

Bataille,ȱ Leȱ procès,ȱ 26ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3),ȱ summarizesȱ hisȱ environmentȱ inȱ theseȱ terms,ȱ ”unȱ chaos contradictoireȱ deȱ calculs,ȱ deȱ violences,ȱ deȱ bonneȱ humeur,ȱ deȱ désordreȱ sanglant,ȱ d’angoisse mortelleȱetȱd’absenceȱdeȱsouci.” AlongȱtheseȱlinesȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ132ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱaffirmsȱthatȱtheȱactsȱofȱperversionȱand crueltyȱpracticedȱbyȱGillesȱandȱaccomplicesȱsurpassedȱthoseȱofȱallȱotherȱsorcerersȱinȱcontemporary accounts. ThisȱwasȱnotedȱbyȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ268ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Toȱprotectȱherȱdowry,ȱhisȱwidowȱCatherineȱdeȱThouarsȱmarriedȱinȱ1441ȱ(aȱfewȱmonthsȱafterȱher husband’sȱexecution)ȱJeanȱdeȱVendôme,ȱvidameȱofȱChartresȱandȱchamberlainȱofȱtheȱduke.ȱOnȱthe otherȱhand,ȱtoȱpreventȱtheȱfamily’sȱFrenchȱpossessionsȱfromȱbeingȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱduke’sȱterritories, theȱ kingȱ tookȱ uponȱ himselfȱ toȱ arrangeȱ theȱ marriageȱ ofȱ Gilles’sȱ youngȱ daughterȱ Marieȱ (the marriageȱwasȱstipulatedȱinȱ1442ȱandȱtookȱplaceȱinȱ1444).ȱAsȱsoonȱasȱsheȱturnedȱfourteenȱsheȱwas marriedȱtoȱtheȱadmiralȱofȱFranceȱPrégentȱdeȱCoëtivy,ȱwhoȱ(perhapsȱtoȱpleaseȱtheȱbride)ȱmadeȱa halfȬheartedȱattemptȱtoȱobtainȱtheȱrehabilitationȱofȱhisȱdeceasedȱfatherȬinȬlaw.ȱAfterȱtheȱadmiral’s deathȱatȱtheȱsiegeȱofȱCherbourg,ȱMarieȱmarriedȱherȱcousinȱAndréȱdeȱLavalȬLohéac,ȱoneȱofȱthe authorsȱofȱtheȱMémoiresȱdesȱhéritiers.ȱSheȱdiedȱchildlessȱinȱ1457ȱandȱtheȱbaronyȱofȱRaisȱpassedȱto Gilles’sȱbrotherȱRenéȱdeȱlaȱSuze.ȱBossard,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ283–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1),ȱBataille,ȱLeȱprocès, 174–75ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3),ȱandȱHeers,ȱGillesȱdeȱRais,ȱ211–13ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱtheȱentire housingȱcomplexȱofȱwhichȱDahmer’sȱapartmentȱwasȱpartȱwasȱrazedȱasȱtheȱsiteȱitselfȱassumedȱ“an evilȱaura.”ȱFisher,ȱKillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ19,ȱ190ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱSimonȱKemp,ȱMedievalȱPsychologyȱ(New York:ȱGreenwoodȱPress,ȱ1990),ȱ159ȱexplainsȱthatȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱindividualȱresponsibilityȱin medievalȱmindȱwasȱlikelyȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱconceptȱofȱindividualȱsalvation.

DeviancyȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges

401

involveȱplot,ȱaȱconsummateȱvillainȱandȱanȱabsolutelyȱpureȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱvictim.”144ȱAnd Fisherȱobservesȱthatȱalthoughȱrare,ȱserialȱmurderȱreceivesȱ“inordinateȱattentionȱin theȱ media”ȱ andȱ inȱ academicȱ studies,ȱ whichȱ mayȱ beȱ theȱ reasonȱ whyȱ soȱ much materialȱ isȱ availableȱ onȱ them.145ȱ Thisȱ attitudeȱ mayȱ haveȱ beenȱ presentȱ alsoȱ in Gilles’sȱdays,ȱwithȱtheȱ(lucky)ȱresultȱthatȱenoughȱmaterialȱhasȱbeenȱpreservedȱon hisȱcrimesȱandȱpunishmentȱtoȱbuildȱaȱfairlyȱcompleteȱsketchȱofȱthisȱindividual.ȱIn fact,ȱIȱwouldȱsuggestȱthatȱtheȱmainȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱhisȱcaseȱandȱsimilarȱmodern onesȱrestsȱonȱtheȱamountȱandȱqualityȱofȱdataȱpertainingȱtoȱtheȱvictims.ȱButȱthe recordsȱcollectedȱduringȱGilles’sȱownȱcaseȱcompareȱquiteȱfavorablyȱwithȱmodern onesȱasȱmeansȱtoȱshedȱlightȱintoȱtheȱpsycheȱofȱtheȱperpetrator.ȱOr,ȱtoȱturnȱthe argumentȱupsideȬdown,ȱweȱdoȱnotȱnecessarilyȱ“know”ȱDahmerȱorȱWilliamsȱany betterȱasȱaȱpersonȱthanȱweȱ“know”ȱGilles.146ȱWhatȱhasȱcontributedȱtoȱtheȱrecent volumeȱofȱresearchȱonȱserialȱkillersȱisȱtheȱfactȱthatȱsufficientȱinformationȱhasȱbeen collectedȱfromȱenoughȱcasesȱtoȱbeȱableȱtoȱtraceȱaȱpatternȱofȱpersonality,ȱmodus operandi,ȱ andȱ behaviorȱ beforeȱ andȱ afterȱ arrestȱ andȱ duringȱ trialȱ toȱ placeȱ these criminalsȱinȱaȱcategoryȱofȱtheirȱown.ȱToȱthatȱend,ȱtheȱextantȱrecordsȱonȱGillesȱde Raisȱdoȱshedȱenoughȱlightȱonȱhisȱmentalityȱandȱcriminalȱmethodsȱtoȱreserveȱfor himȱaȱplaceȱinȱtheȱannalsȱofȱcriminologyȱasȱaȱsociopathicȱkiller.ȱInȱaddition,ȱthey permitȱ theȱ modernȱ readerȱ toȱ completeȱ aȱ coherentȱ psychologicalȱ portraitȱ that incorporatesȱcollateralȱpersonalityȱtraitsȱ(suchȱasȱnarcissism,ȱirresponsibility,ȱand inabilityȱ toȱ manageȱ hisȱ affairs)ȱ whoseȱ significance,ȱ ifȱ takenȱ singlyȱ andȱ inȱ the absenceȱofȱhisȱmurderousȱactivities,ȱcouldȱhaveȱbeenȱoverlookedȱinȱbuildingȱhis profile.147ȱ

144 145

146

147

Tithecott,ȱOfȱMenȱandȱMonsters,ȱ122–23ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). KillerȱAmongȱUs,ȱ13,ȱ17ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11).ȱHeȱdeemsȱtheȱflurryȱofȱacademicȱstudiesȱonȱthisȱtopicȱaȱ“type ofȱcollectiveȱdefenseȱmechanism.” Theȱserialȱkillerȱmayȱcontributeȱinformationȱaboutȱtheȱmentalityȱofȱaȱpersonȱlikeȱhimselfȱinȱgeneral terms,ȱ notȱ necessarilyȱ viaȱ anyȱ personalȱ reference.ȱ Forȱ exampleȱ Tedȱ Bundy,ȱ aȱ charmingȱ Law studentȱ whoȱ wasȱ convictedȱ ofȱ killingȱ severalȱ womenȱ betweenȱ 1974ȱ andȱ 1978,ȱ wasȱ readyȱ to concedeȱanȱinformativeȱinterviewȱinȱprison,ȱbutȱduringȱitȱheȱalwaysȱreferredȱtoȱhypotheticalȱserial killersȱ “whomȱ heȱ hadȱ known,”ȱ notȱ toȱ himself,ȱ asȱ heȱ claimedȱ hisȱ innocence.ȱ Yetȱ heȱ wasȱ very talkativeȱandȱinsightful.ȱHolmesȱandȱDeȱBurger,ȱSerialȱMurder,ȱ134–36ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ11). Editor’sȱnote:ȱBenȱParsons,ȱ“SympathyȱforȱtheȱDevil:ȱGillesȱdeȱRaisȱandȱHisȱModernȱApologists,” FifteenthȬCenturyȱStudiesȱ37ȱ(2012):ȱ113–37,ȱobservesȱthatȱGilles’sȱcontemporariesȱpaidȱsurprisingly littleȱattentionȱtoȱhisȱmassiveȱnumberȱofȱmurderingȱofȱchildren,ȱandȱthatȱinsteadȱheȱwasȱmadeȱinto aȱmythicalȱfigureȱassociatedȱwithȱevil.ȱ“InȱeffectȱtheȱtransformationȱofȱGillesȱintoȱaȱwifeȬkilling ogreȱisȱanotherȱmanifestationȱofȱmedievalȱindifferenceȱtoȱhisȱcrimes.ȱTheȱlaisȱandȱpantomimesȱcan affordȱtoȱdispenseȱwithȱtheȱnatureȱofȱhisȱactionsȱbecauseȱitȱisȱnotȱsignificantȱforȱthem:ȱitȱisȱenough thatȱheȱisȱregardedȱasȱevilȱinȱaȱgeneralȱsense,ȱandȱtheȱfactȱthatȱheȱtargetedȱchildrenisȱunimportant forȱtheseȱtextsȱandȱtheirȱaudiences”ȱ(129).

Chapterȱ16 JohnȱBeusterien (TexasȱTechȱUniversity,ȱLubbock)

TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina

Let’sȱbeginȱbyȱpointingȱoutȱtwoȱapparentlyȱunrelatedȱinstancesȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhat: oneȱasȱheadgearȱofȱcelebrationȱandȱoneȱasȱheadgearȱforȱtheȱKlan.ȱPeopleȱwear brightlyȱ coloredȱ conicalȱ hatsȱ forȱ birthdayȱ partiesȱ andȱ everyȱ yearȱ peopleȱ in LouisianaȱdressȱupȱwithȱlargeȱcoloredȱconicalȱhatsȱforȱCourirȱdeȱMardiȱGras,ȱa traditionalȱMardiȱGrasȱeventȱheldȱinȱmanyȱCajunȱcommunitiesȱofȱsouthȱLouisiana onȱtheȱTuesdayȱbeforeȱAshȱWednesday.ȱInȱcontrastȱtoȱtheseȱcelebrationȱevents,ȱin theȱearlyȱtwentiethȱcenturyȱtheȱKuȱKluxȱKlanȱadoptedȱtheȱwhiteȱconicalȱhatȱasȱpart ofȱitsȱcostume.ȱEarlyȱversionsȱofȱtheȱKlan’sȱuseȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱcanȱbeȱfirstȱseen inȱtheȱfilmȱBirthȱofȱaȱNation.ȱ Theȱconicalȱhat’sȱearlyȱfunctionȱasȱsignȱofȱhumiliationȱprovidesȱanȱexplanation forȱhowȱitȱbecameȱheadgearȱofȱtheȱKlanȱandȱpartyȱheadwear.ȱEverȱsinceȱtheȱMiddle Ages,ȱwearingȱaȱlargeȱconicalȱhatȱwasȱaȱsignȱofȱpublicȱshame.1ȱTheȱpunishedȱand theȱpenitentȱworeȱtheȱhatȱinȱpublic,ȱmarkedȱasȱsinnerȱorȱcriminalȱinȱaȱshowȱof publicȱshame.ȱInȱSpain,ȱitȱwasȱwornȱinȱtheȱparadesȱbyȱbrotherhoodsȱ(hermandades) dressedȱasȱhoodedȱpenitentsȱduringȱHolyȱWeekȱ(paradesȱthatȱstillȱcanȱbeȱseen todayȱ acrossȱ southernȱ Spain)ȱ and,ȱ followingȱ itsȱ functionȱ asȱ markerȱ ofȱ a brotherhood,ȱtheȱKuȱKluxȱKlanȱadoptedȱtheȱSpanishȱhoodedȱpenitentȱcostume.2ȱ

1

2

Iȱ shouldȱmentionȱthat,ȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱtheȱconicalȱhat,ȱauthoritiesȱalsoȱmadeȱpunishedȱmenȱ go bareheadedȱ(theyȱcouldȱnotȱcoverȱtheirȱhead),ȱanotherȱsignȱofȱpublicȱhumiliationȱinȱtheȱmedieval period.ȱ Iȱ wouldȱ likeȱ toȱ thankȱ Rosaȱ A.ȱ Perez,ȱ anotherȱ contributorȱ toȱ thisȱ volume,ȱ forȱ this information. ForȱmoreȱonȱtheȱSpanishȬKlanȱconnection,ȱseeȱDonaldȱRobertȱBeagleȱandȱBryanȱAlbinȱGiemza, PoetȱofȱtheȱLostȱCause:ȱAȱLifeȱofȱFatherȱRyanȱ(Knoxville:ȱUniversityȱofȱTennesseeȱPress.ȱ2008),ȱ169.

404

JohnȱBeusterien

Asȱaȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱpenitentȱthatȱworeȱtheȱhatȱinȱimitationȱofȱpublicȱshaming duringȱHolyȱWeek,ȱtheȱhatȱwasȱwornȱinȱfestivityȱandȱcelebrationȱtoȱopenȱtheȱLent season.ȱ Theȱ worldȬupsideȬdownȱ celebrationȱ ofȱ carnivalȱ radicallyȱ alteredȱ the conicalȱhat’sȱmeaningȱasȱpunishmentȱandȱpenitence.ȱInȱcarnival,ȱtheȱsignȱofȱthe sinnerȱtransformedȱintoȱtheȱsignȱofȱsaved,ȱtheȱsignȱofȱtheȱoutcastȱtransformedȱinto theȱsignȱofȱinclusion,ȱandȱtheȱsignȱofȱpublicȱshameȱtransformedȱintoȱtheȱsignȱofȱa party.ȱSinceȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱhadȱmeaningȱasȱaȱsignȱofȱselfȬinflictedȱpunishment whenȱ wornȱ byȱ penitentsȱ duringȱ theȱ sacredȱ timeȱ ofȱ Lent—Holyȱ Weekȱ andȱ the remembranceȱofȱChrist’sȱpassionȱandȱpublicȱhumiliation—peopleȱturnedȱitsȱvalue asȱsignȱofȱpublicȱshameȱintoȱthatȱofȱfestiveȱiconȱinȱtheȱcostumeȱforȱcarnivalȱatȱthe beginningȱofȱLent.ȱ Understandingȱ theȱ historyȱ ofȱ theȱ conicalȱ hatȱ asȱ signȱ ofȱ publicȱ shameȱ helps elucidateȱhowȱitȱevolvedȱintoȱaȱfestiveȱhatȱand,ȱalternatively,ȱtheȱheadgearȱofȱone ofȱ theȱ mostȱ dreadfulȱ groupsȱ thatȱ blotȱ U.S.ȱ history.ȱ Theȱ followingȱ essayȱ first examinesȱhowȱtheȱSpanishȱuseȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱinȱpublicȱpunishmentȱwasȱoneȱof theȱmostȱsignificantȱpostȬmedievalȱinstancesȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱasȱaȱsignȱofȱpublic shame.ȱTheȱSpanish,ȱinȱfact,ȱkeptȱtheȱpracticeȱaliveȱafterȱtheȱmedievalȱperiodȱand wereȱ directlyȱ andȱ indirectlyȱ responsibleȱ forȱ itsȱ moreȱ recentȱ permutationsȱ as headgearȱinȱfestivitiesȱandȱforȱtheȱKlan.ȱ AfterȱexaminingȱitsȱhistoryȱinȱtheȱSpanishȱcontext,ȱthisȱessayȱtakesȱupȱtheȱconical hatȱasȱaȱsignȱofȱpublicȱshameȱinȱLaȱCelestina,ȱaȱclassicȱlateȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱwork fromȱSpainȱaboutȱaȱwomanȱwhoȱprocuresȱsexȱforȱmenȱandȱwhoȱhasȱaȱbrothelȱwith prostitutes.ȱ Essentiallyȱ Iȱ wantȱ toȱ argueȱ thatȱ theȱ storyȱ ofȱ theȱ conicalȱ hatȱ inȱ La CelestinaȱreflectsȱtheȱprincipalȱcharacterȱCelestina’sȱdesireȱtoȱconvertȱtheȱhatȱinto aȱsignȱofȱcelebration.ȱCelestinaȱyearnsȱforȱtheȱhatȱnotȱtoȱsignifyȱpunishment,ȱbut ratherȱfemaleȱpower.ȱTheȱhatȱforȱCelestinaȱreflectsȱherȱnostalgiaȱforȱaȱtimeȱinȱwhich femaleȱfriendship,ȱfemaleȱmidwifery,ȱandȱfemaleȱauthorityȱwereȱnotȱdemonized, butȱpracticedȱinȱbroadȱdaylight. Oneȱlateȱpermutationȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱasȱsignȱofȱpunishmentȱwasȱtheȱdunce cap.ȱTheȱpracticeȱofȱpunishingȱstudentsȱwithȱaȱdunceȱcapȱdidȱnotȱbeginȱuntilȱthe nineteenthȱcentury—oneȱofȱtheȱearliestȱappearancesȱofȱtheȱwordȱinȱEnglishȱwas chapterȱ 24ȱ ofȱ Charlesȱ Dicken’sȱ 1840ȱ novelȱ Theȱ Oldȱ Curiousityȱ Shop.3ȱ Butȱ early manifestationsȱofȱtheȱdunceȱcapȱasȱsignȱofȱpublicȱshame,ȱoftenȱincludingȱass’sȱears, formedȱpartȱofȱtheȱmedievalȱpunishmentȱspectacleȱacrossȱEurope.ȱMedievalȱcanon lawȱoftenȱincludedȱpunishmentsȱthatȱconsistedȱofȱputtingȱpeopleȱinȱtheȱpillory withȱaȱconeȱhatȱthatȱdepictedȱtheȱwearer’sȱcrimeȱandȱscenesȱofȱdamnation.ȱInȱearly fourteenthȬcenturyȱFrance,ȱoneȱsourceȱrecordsȱthatȱtheȱpunishedȱindividualȱhad

3

SeeȱCharlesȱDickens,ȱTheȱOldȱCuriosityȱShopȱ(http://dickens.thefreelibrary.com/TheȬOldȬCuriosityȬ Shop/1Ȭ24;ȱlastȱaccessedȱ5ȱMarchȱ2012).

TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina

405

toȱwearȱaȱ“parchmentȱcrownȱonȱwhichȱtheȱcauseȱofȱhisȱcondemnationȱwasȱwritten inȱlargeȱredȱletters.”4ȱ JustȱasȱitȱbeganȱdyingȱoutȱinȱEuropeȱasȱaȱformȱaȱpunishment,ȱtheȱtraditionȱofȱthe coneȱhatȱasȱpublicȱpunishmentȱspectacleȱbeganȱtoȱflourishȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱSpain. Theȱhatȱwouldȱformȱanȱessentialȱpartȱofȱtheȱpunishmentȱceremonyȱinstitutedȱby theȱ Inquisition.ȱ Theȱ sambenitoȱ wasȱ aȱ specialȱ uniformȱ thatȱ servedȱ asȱ partȱ of punishmentȱinstitutedȱbyȱtheȱSpanishȱInquisition.ȱTheȱsambenitoȱcomesȱfromȱthe combinedȱSpanishȱwordsȱsacoȱbenditoȱorȱholyȱsack.ȱInȱmedievalȱChristianȱtradition, theȱ outcastȱ andȱ sinnerȱ woreȱ aȱ hairȱ shirtȱ orȱ sackȱ clothȱ andȱ sacoȱ inȱ thisȱ Spanish contextȱindicatesȱthatȱtheȱhereticȱworeȱtheȱsackȱgarmentȱthatȱcallsȱattentionȱtoȱhis fallenȱ condition.ȱ Theȱ sacoȱ benitoȱ uniformȱ wasȱ notȱ completeȱ withoutȱ theȱ large conicalȱhat.ȱTheȱrobeȱoftenȱhadȱaȱblackȱcrossȱpaintedȱonȱitȱandȱtheȱhatȱoftenȱhad flames,ȱindicatingȱtheȱinfernalȱdestinationȱofȱtheȱheretic.ȱTheȱpaintedȱconicalȱhat leftȱ theȱ faceȱ exposedȱ becauseȱ publicȱ shamingȱ constitutedȱ theȱ cruxȱ ofȱ the punishment.ȱSignificantlyȱandȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱtheȱconicalȱhat’sȱpunishmentȱfunction, whenȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱandȱsacoȱwereȱadoptedȱbyȱpenitentȱbrotherhoodȱgroups,ȱthe faceȱwasȱgenerallyȱcoveredȱbyȱaȱhood,ȱpreservingȱtheȱpenitent’sȱanonymityȱ(the sameȱSpanishȱpublicȱpenitentȱuniformȱofȱconicalȱhat,ȱcoveredȱface,ȱandȱrobesȱwith aȱcrossȱcanȱbeȱseenȱinȱtheȱcostumeȱinȱtheȱKlanȱfiguresȱinȱTheȱBirthȱofȱtheȱNation).ȱ TheȱvisualȱdisplayȱofȱtheȱsixteenthȬcenturyȱsambenitoȱcostumeȱinȱSpainȱwasȱnot limitedȱtoȱtheȱmomentȱofȱsentencingȱofȱtheȱaccused.ȱInitially,ȱtheȱheretic,ȱforcedȱto wearȱtheȱlongȱrobeȱtraversedȱbyȱaȱblackȱcrossȱandȱaȱlargeȱconicalȱhat,ȱwasȱexposed toȱscornȱandȱderisionȱandȱputȱonȱdisplayȱinȱtheȱtownȱsquare,ȱbutȱthatȱcostume wouldȱhaveȱaȱlifeȱthatȱoutlivedȱitsȱwearer.ȱAfterȱitsȱimmediateȱutilityȱhadȱpassed, theȱ sambenitoȱ wasȱ oftenȱ hungȱ upȱ inȱ theȱ parishȱ church,ȱ accompaniedȱ byȱ an inscriptionȱ intendedȱ toȱ humiliateȱ theȱ wearerȱ andȱ family.ȱ Theȱ displayȱ ofȱ the sambenitoȱhungȱinȱchurchesȱinspiredȱtheȱpracticeȱofȱhangingȱaȱclothȱinȱchurches thatȱlistedȱhereticalȱnames.ȱ TheȱInquisitionȱreleasedȱtheȱnamesȱofȱtheȱpeopleȱthatȱhadȱbeenȱtriedȱandȱwrote themȱ onȱ aȱ “manta”ȱ (aȱ largeȱ clothȱ orȱ “blanket”)ȱ inȱ aȱ conspicuousȱ placeȱ inȱ the church.ȱ Theȱ sambenitoȱ alsoȱ spawnedȱ aȱ socialȱ crazeȱ asȱ manifestȱ inȱ the disseminationȱofȱ“green”ȱbooksȱthatȱconsistedȱofȱtheȱnamesȱofȱthoseȱtriedȱbyȱthe Inquisitionȱreadȱaloudȱinȱparishes.ȱInȱtheȱpopularȱtradition,ȱsomeȱofȱtheȱgreen booksȱ wereȱ alsoȱ knownȱ asȱ “Stainsȱ andȱ Sambenitosȱ ofȱ Nobleȱ Lineages.”5ȱ ȱ The

4

5

MoniqueȱLangloisȱandȱYvonneȱLanhers,ȱConfessionsȱetȱjugementsȱdeȱcriminelsȱauȱparlementȱdeȱParis (1319–1350)ȱ(Paris:ȱS.ȱE.ȱV.ȱE.ȱN.,ȱ1971),ȱ156.ȱIȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱthankȱJolantaȱN.ȱKomorrnicka,ȱanother contributorȱtoȱthisȱvolume,ȱforȱthisȱreference. SeeȱFranciscoȱdeȱMendozaȱyȱBobadilla,ȱElȱtizónȱdeȱlaȱnoblezaȱespañolaȱoȱmáculasȱyȱsambenitosȱdeȱsus linajesȱ(Barcelona:ȱLaȱSelecta,ȱ1880).ȱForȱmoreȱonȱtheȱtraditionȱofȱnameȱslandering,ȱgreenȱbooks,

406

JohnȱBeusterien

conicalȱhatȱbeganȱasȱstandardȱInquisitionalȱpunishmentȱinȱtheȱsixteenthȱcentury andȱstillȱcouldȱbeȱfoundȱinȱearlyȱnineteenthȱcentury.ȱGoyaȱexploresȱtheȱshaming punishmentȱ ofȱ theȱ sambenitoȱ onȱ twoȱ occasions.ȱ Inȱ hisȱ Inquisitionalȱ Tribunal QuestioningȱHereticsȱ(1812–1819),ȱtheȱaccusedȱwearȱpaintedȱhatsȱandȱoneȱsitsȱonȱa platformȱinȱfrontȱofȱtheȱaudienceȱofȱtheȱcourt.ȱInȱanotherȱGoyaȱinkȱandȱbrushȱpiece producedȱinȱtheȱsameȱperiod,ȱtheȱhereticȱpenitentȱcoversȱhisȱface,ȱtheȱlocusȱof shame,ȱwearingȱtheȱsambenitoȱgownȱandȱconicalȱhat. Evenȱ thoughȱ theȱ sambenitoȱ didȱ notȱ developȱ intoȱ aȱ fullȬfledgedȱ institutional punishmentȱpracticeȱthatȱslanderedȱfamilyȱnamesȱlinkedȱtoȱunorthodoxȱreligious practiceȱ untilȱ theȱ sixteenthȱ century,ȱ sambenitoȱ logicȱ alreadyȱ affectedȱ and influencedȱtheȱauthorȱofȱtheȱLaȱCelestinaȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱcentury.ȱFernandoȱdeȱRojas hadȱfamilyȱmembersȱtriedȱbyȱtheȱInquisition.ȱTheȱInquisitionȱsentencedȱhisȱfather asȱaȱJudaizerȱinȱ1488,ȱburningȱhimȱaliveȱatȱtheȱstake.ȱRojasȱindirectlyȱsuggestsȱhis concernȱ withȱ theseȱ eventsȱ whenȱ Celestinaȱ recallsȱ theȱ historyȱ ofȱ Claudina. Celestina’sȱbestȱfriendȱwasȱClaudinaȱandȱsheȱoftenȱremembersȱherȱfondlyȱinȱthe work.ȱȱAfterȱdescribingȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱpunishmentȱofȱClaudina,ȱCelestinaȱstates “theyȱmadeȱherȱconfessȱtoȱbeingȱwhatȱsheȱwasn’t,”6ȱaȱreferenceȱthatȱevokesȱthe forcedȱandȱcoercedȱreligiousȱconversionsȱoccurringȱwhenȱRojasȱwasȱwriting.7ȱ DespiteȱtheȱsuggestedȱconnectionsȱbetweenȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱinȱLaȱCelestinaȱandȱthe sambenitoȱheadgear,ȱmyȱinterestȱinȱtheȱLaȱCelestinaȱisȱnotȱanȱattemptȱtoȱlinkȱRojas toȱreligiousȱheterodoxy.ȱRather,ȱmyȱprimaryȱinterestȱisȱtoȱperformȱaȱcloseȱreading ofȱtheȱtextȱinȱorderȱtoȱexamineȱCelestina’sȱdepictionȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhat.8ȱWomen transferredȱtheȱmeaningȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱcenturyȱintoȱtheirȱown

6

7

8

theȱ“manta,”ȱandȱsambenitos,ȱseeȱJohnȱBeusterien,ȱ“BlottedȱGenealogies:ȱAȱSurveyȱofȱtheȱlibros verdes,”ȱBulletinȱofȱHispanicȱStudiesȱ(2001):ȱ183–97. Fernandoȱ deȱ Rojas,ȱ Laȱ Celestina:ȱ Comediaȱ oȱ tragicomediaȱ deȱ Calistoȱ yȱ Melibea,ȱ ed.ȱ Peterȱ Russell (Madrid:ȱ Castalia,ȱ 1991),ȱ 369:ȱ “laȱ hizieronȱ aquellaȱ vezȱ confessarȱ loȱ queȱ noȱ era.”ȱ English translationsȱareȱfromȱPeterȱBush,ȱtrans.,ȱFernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱCelestina,ȱintro.ȱJuanȱGoytisoloȱ(New York:ȱPenguin,ȱ2010),ȱ82.ȱ StephenȱGilmanȱhasȱinterpretedȱthisȱquoteȱbyȱsuggestingȱthatȱClaudinaȱhasȱbeenȱpunishedȱbyȱthe Inquisition.ȱSeeȱTheȱSpainȱofȱFernandoȱdeȱRojasȱ(Princeton:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1972).ȱPeter Russel,ȱinȱturn,ȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱGilman’sȱconclusionȱmayȱbeȱunfoundedȱsinceȱtheȱInquisitionȱstill hadȱnotȱtakenȱoverȱtheȱjurisdictionȱinȱsuchȱmatters.ȱSeeȱPeterȱRussell,ȱTemasȱdeȱLaȱCelestinaȱyȱotros estudios:ȱDelȱCidȱalȱQuijoteȱ(Barcelona:ȱAriel,ȱ1978),ȱ367. TheȱinterestȱinȱtheȱhatȱitselfȱinȱthisȱchapterȱfollowsȱonȱtheȱworkȱofȱHispanistsȱofȱtheȱearlyȱmodern periodȱ thatȱ seeksȱ toȱ examineȱ costumeȱ historyȱ andȱ materialȱ culture.ȱ Forȱ furtherȱ readingȱ on differentȱapproachesȱtoȱtheseȱtwoȱcriticalȱinquiries,ȱsee:ȱBarbaraȱFuchs,ȱExoticȱNation:ȱMaurophilia andȱtheȱConstructionȱofȱEarlyȱModernȱSpainȱ(Philadelphia:ȱUniversityȱofȱPennsylvaniaȱPress.ȱ2009); EnriqueȱGarcíaȱSantoȬTomás,ȱModernidadȱbajoȱsospecha:ȱSalasȱBarbadilloȱyȱlaȱculturaȱmaterialȱdelȱsiglo XVIIȱ(Madrid:ȱConsejoȱSuperiorȱdeȱInvestigacionesȱCientíficas,ȱ2008);ȱandȱLauraȱBass,ȱTheȱDrama ofȱ theȱ Portrait:ȱ Theaterȱ andȱ Visualȱ Cultureȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Spainȱ (Universityȱ Park:ȱ Pennȱ State UniversityȱPress,ȱ2008).ȱ

TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina

407

fashionȱitem.ȱThisȱconicalȱhat,ȱknownȱasȱtheȱhenin,ȱalsoȱincludedȱaȱhangingȱveil.9 InȱCelestina’sȱcase,ȱasȱtheȱtitleȱofȱthisȱchapterȱsuggests,ȱCelestinaȱdoesȱnotȱmakeȱthe conicalȱhatȱaȱsignȱofȱfashion,ȱbutȱinvestsȱaȱuniqueȱprideȱinȱtheȱhatȱand,ȱIȱwillȱargue inȱwhatȱfollows,ȱsheȱcelebratesȱitȱasȱanȱiconȱofȱwomen’sȱpowerȱandȱherȱfriendship withȱClaudina.10ȱ Theȱconicalȱhatȱwasȱaȱshamingȱpunishmentȱreservedȱforȱtheȱsocialȱoutcast,ȱbut, inȱtheȱcontextȱofȱtheȱplotȱofȱLaȱCelestina,ȱtheȱhatȱisȱspecificallyȱaȱpunishmentȱfor witchȱpractice.ȱCelestinaȱtellsȱtheȱservantȱPármenoȱthat (t)heȱfirstȱtimeȱtheyȱaccusedȱ(Claudina)ȱofȱbeingȱaȱwitchȱbecauseȱthey’dȱcaughtȱherȱat nightȱcollectingȱearthȱbyȱaȱcrossroadsȱbyȱcandlelight,ȱandȱtheyȱputȱherȱinȱtheȱstocksȱto beȱpilloriedȱinȱtheȱtownȱsquareȱforȱhalfȱaȱday,ȱwithȱaȱpaintedȱconeȱonȱherȱhead.11ȱ

Rojasȱwroteȱatȱaȱtimeȱwhen,ȱfueledȱbyȱpublicationsȱlikeȱtheȱwitchȬhuntingȱguide MalleusȱMalificarumȱ(1484),ȱreligiousȱandȱpoliticalȱinstitutionsȱacrossȱEuropeȱwere steppingȱupȱtheirȱpersecutionȱofȱwitches.ȱInȱSpain,ȱcivilȱlawȱcodeȱdemandedȱthat aȱwitchȱbeȱsentencedȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱfire.ȱReligiousȱlawȱ(thatȱis,ȱtheȱcanonicalȱlawȱout ofȱwhichȱmanyȱInquisitionȱpunishmentsȱwouldȱdevelop)ȱclassifiedȱtwoȱtypesȱof witches.ȱTheȱbrujaȱworshippedȱtheȱdevilȱandȱwasȱoftenȱchargedȱwithȱfornicating withȱhimȱwhileȱtheȱhechiceraȱdidȱnotȱworshipȱtheȱdevil,ȱbutȱheldȱcertainȱpowers overȱhim.12ȱ Theȱ firstȱ scholarȱ toȱ commentȱ onȱ theȱ Laȱ Celestina,ȱ anȱ anonymousȱ sixteenthȬ centuryȱ Spanishȱ churchman,ȱ notesȱ thatȱ theȱ referenceȱ toȱ theȱ conicalȱ hatȱ inȱ La Celestinaȱisȱanȱexampleȱofȱaȱwitchȱpunishmentȱasȱdescribedȱinȱcanonicalȱlaw.ȱThe anonymousȱchurchmanȱwritesȱthatȱtheȱpunishmentȱofȱClaudinaȱandȱtheȱconical hatȱsceneȱinȱLaȱCelestinaȱareȱanȱexampleȱinȱwhichȱtheȱwitchȱisȱplacedȱonȱaȱplatform inȱpublicȱspectacleȱandȱisȱ“mitered.”13ȱAntonioȱdeȱNebrija,ȱwritingȱatȱtheȱtimeȱof theȱpublicationȱofȱLaȱCelestina,ȱfurtherȱglossesȱtheȱnotionȱofȱ“mitering”ȱbyȱwriting 9 10

11

12 13

HildaȱAmphlett,ȱHats:ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱFashionȱinȱHeadwearȱ(London:ȱRichardȱSadlerȱLtd.,ȱ1974),ȱ55–56. Thisȱ studyȱ examinesȱ Celestina’sȱ personalȱ viewȱ ofȱ Claudinaȱ andȱ notȱ theȱ rhetoricalȱ strategies employedȱinȱherȱdescriptionȱofȱClaudina.ȱJosephȱSnowȱhasȱfocusedȱonȱhowȱCelestina’sȱmemory ofȱClaudinaȱformsȱpartȱofȱrhetoricalȱstrategyȱthatȱisȱdesignedȱtoȱmanipulateȱandȱtoȱwinȱover Pármeno’sȱfavor.ȱSnowȱarguesȱthatȱtheȱmemoryȱofȱhisȱmotherȱClaudinaȱonlyȱangersȱPármeno sinceȱtheȱstoryȱmakesȱhimȱawareȱofȱhisȱignobleȱheritage.ȱTheȱClaudinaȱstoryȱultimatelyȱbackfires onȱ Celestinaȱ sinceȱ Pármenoȱ stabsȱ Celestinaȱ outȱ ofȱ rageȱ andȱ humiliation.ȱ Seeȱ “Celestina’s Claudina,”ȱHispanicȱStudiesȱinȱHonorȱofȱAlanȱD.ȱDeyermond:ȱAȱNorthȱAmericanȱTribute,ȱed.ȱJohnȱS. Miletichȱ(Madison:ȱHispanicȱSeminaryȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱ1986),ȱ257–77.ȱ FernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ367:ȱ“Yȱaunȱlaȱunaȱleȱlevantaronȱqueȱeraȱbruxa,ȱporqueȱlaȱhallaron deȱnocheȱconȱunasȱcandelillas,ȱcogendoȱtierraȱdeȱunaȱencruzijada,ȱyȱlaȱtovieronȱmedioȱdíaȱenȱuna escaleraȱenȱlaȱplaça,ȱpuestoȱunoȱcomoȱrocaderoȱpintadoȱenȱlaȱcabeça.”ȱEnglishȱtranslationȱBush, Celestina,ȱ82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). SeeȱRussell,ȱTemasȱdeȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ330ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7). Celestinaȱcomentada,ȱed.ȱLouiseȱFothergillȬPayne,ȱEnriqueȱFernaыndezȱRivera,ȱPeterȱFothergillȬPayne (Salamanca:ȱUniversidadȱdeȱSalamanca,ȱ2002).

408

JohnȱBeusterien

thatȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱisȱalsoȱcalledȱaȱmitraȱsclerataȱaȱterminologyȱthatȱtranslatesȱas “cursed”ȱorȱ“damning”ȱmiter.14ȱ Paintingȱinfernalȱimagesȱonȱtheȱdamningȱmiterȱ(bothȱinȱtheȱpunishmentȱofȱwitches andȱotherȱreligiousȱhereticsȱsuchȱasȱconversos)ȱcontrastedȱwithȱtheȱreligiousȱpractice ofȱpaintingȱholyȱimagesȱonȱtheȱreligiousȱmiter.ȱParishionersȱbeganȱtoȱseeȱtheir highestȱreligiousȱfiguresȱwearingȱaȱconeȱhatȱwithȱtheȱinstitutionalizationȱofȱthe miterȱasȱheadgearȱinȱtheȱthirteenthȱcentury.ȱInȱmedievalȱChristianity,ȱwhileȱthe crownȱsignaledȱtheȱheadȱofȱtheȱsovereignȱruler,ȱaȱlong,ȱoftenȱconical,ȱhatȱsignaled religiousȱauthority.ȱTheȱpopeȱorȱbishopȱworeȱaȱmiter,ȱanȱelaborateȱheaddressȱoften paintedȱwithȱimagesȱofȱsacredȱscenes. Headgearȱthatȱservedȱasȱemblemȱofȱsalvationȱtookȱonȱmoreȱmajesticȱsignificance inȱSpainȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱandȱsixteenthȱcentury.ȱTheȱpaintedȱmiter,ȱamplifyingȱthe humanȱheadȱasȱaȱvehicleȱforȱtheȱobserverȱtoȱcomprehendȱheavenȱandȱmakeȱits wearerȱ anȱ exemplaryȱ celestialȱ figure,ȱ becameȱ especiallyȱ magnificentȱ atȱ the beginningȱ ofȱ Spain’sȱ tenureȱ asȱ worldȱ power.ȱ Inȱ Theȱ Burialȱ ofȱ Countȱ Orgaz (1586–1588),ȱ oneȱ ofȱ Elȱ Greco’sȱ mostȱ famousȱ works,ȱ Saintȱ Augustineȱ hasȱ come downȱ fromȱ heavenȱ toȱ assistȱ inȱ theȱ burialȱ ofȱ Countȱ ofȱ Orgaz,ȱ wearingȱ an embroideredȱgarmentȱwithȱimagesȱandȱaȱmagnificentȱgoldȱmiter.ȱ TheȱElȱGrecoȱmiterȱisȱonlyȱaȱrepresentedȱimage,ȱbutȱmanyȱrealȱearlyȱSpanish mitersȱstillȱexist,ȱsuchȱasȱtheȱfamedȱsixteenthȬcenturyȱEscorialȱmiter.ȱTheȱEscorial miterȱ containsȱ aȱ Mexicanȱ featherȱ mosaicȱ arrangedȱ toȱ resembleȱ aȱ stainedȱ glass window.ȱ Itsȱ textileȱ supportȱ portraysȱ multipleȱ iconographicȱ images,ȱ including: Christ’sȱRedemptionȱofȱHumanity;ȱepisodesȱofȱChrist’sȱPassion;ȱtheȱCrucifixion; theȱResurrection;ȱtheȱAscensionȱofȱChrist;ȱtheȱLastȱJudgment;ȱtheȱAssumptionȱand CoronationȱofȱtheȱVirginȱMary;ȱandȱtheȱHolyȱTrinity.ȱAsideȱfromȱtheseȱimages, moreȱ thanȱ twoȱ hundredȱ humanȱ facesȱ areȱ representedȱ inȱ theȱ multicolored compositionȱonȱtheȱmiter.15ȱ TheȱEscorialȱmiterȱonȱtheȱheadȱofȱtheȱsacredȱauthoritativeȱfigureȱandȱitsȱimages servedȱasȱaȱvehicleȱdirectingȱtheȱreligiousȱobserverȱtowardȱtheȱheavenlyȱrealm.ȱIn contrast,ȱtheȱpaintedȱcursedȱmiterȱbecameȱaȱsignȱofȱitsȱwearer’sȱinfernalȱconnection justȱ asȱ theȱ sacredȱ paintedȱ miterȱ signaledȱ itsȱ wearer’sȱ celestialȱ connection. Specifically,ȱinȱLaȱCelestina,ȱtheȱmitraȱsclerataȱwouldȱnotȱhaveȱportrayedȱimagesȱof sacredȱscenesȱandȱtheȱroadȱtoȱheaven,ȱbutȱaȱdescriptionȱofȱClaudina’sȱsinsȱasȱwitch andȱ imagesȱ thatȱ conjuredȱ hell.ȱ Johnȱ Mabbe’sȱ 1631ȱ Englishȱ translationȱ ofȱ the

14

15

Seeȱtheȱentryȱ“coroza,”ȱinȱLidioȱNietoȱJiménezȱandȱManuelȱAlvarȱEzquerra,ȱed.,ȱNuevoȱtesoro lexicográficoȱdelȱespañolȱ(s.ȱXIVȱ–ȱ1726),ȱvol.ȱ4.ȱ(Madrid:ȱArcoȱLibros,ȱ2007),ȱ2968. TeresaȱOrtizȱSalazar,ȱ“TheȱFeatherȱAdargaȱofȱPhillipȱIIȱandȱtheȱEscorialȱMiter,”ȱNuevoȱmundo, mundosȱnuevosȱ(1–25–2006;ȱhttp://nuevomundo.revues.org/pdf/1468;ȱlastȱaccessedȱonȱMarchȱ5, 2012).

TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina

409

Claudinaȱpassageȱhighlightsȱtheȱconicalȱhat’sȱroleȱasȱheadȱornamentȱthatȱcontains damningȱ textȱ andȱ image.ȱ Mabbeȱ describesȱ theȱ coneȱ hatȱ asȱ “aȱ highȱ paperȱ Hat paintedȱfullȱofȱDivels,ȱwhereonȱherȱfaultȱwasȱwritten.”16ȱ FaultingȱnotȱonlyȱClaudina,ȱbutȱalsoȱCelestina,ȱtheȱfirstȱsixteenthȬcenturyȱscholar toȱ writeȱ aboutȱ Laȱ Celestinaȱ beginsȱ aȱ longȱ moralizingȱ criticalȱ traditionȱ that understandsȱLaȱCelestinaȱasȱwitchȱworthyȱofȱcontempt.ȱIndeed,ȱthatȱscholarȱargues thatȱherȱnameȱisȱaȱborrowingȱofȱscelus,ȱtheȱsameȱLatinȱrootȱwordȱthatȱgivesȱsclerata. Thisȱ paper,ȱ however,ȱ divergesȱ fromȱ theȱ criticalȱ traditionȱ thatȱ understands Celestinaȱasȱpartȱofȱtheȱ“badȱwitch”ȱtradition,ȱthatȱis,ȱthatȱenvisionsȱasȱherȱmorally retrograde.17ȱ Instead,ȱ itȱ conceivesȱ Laȱ Celestinaȱ inȱ generalȱ andȱ theȱ conicalȱ hat specificallyȱwithinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱaȱ“goodȱwitch”ȱtradition,ȱthatȱis,ȱaȱtraditionȱin whichȱtheȱwordȱ“Celestina”ȱdoesȱnotȱpointȱtoȱtheȱLatinȱwordȱmeaningȱ“damned,” butȱratherȱaȱLatinȱwordȱthatȱconnectsȱherȱtoȱtheȱstarsȱorȱtheȱcelestial.ȱ CelestinaȱremembersȱtheȱtimeȱthatȱherȱbelovedȱfriendȱClaudinaȱhadȱonceȱworn theȱ coneȱ hatȱ withȱ pride.ȱ Celestinaȱ reminiscesȱ aboutȱ theȱ factȱ thatȱ herȱ friend Claudinaȱworeȱtheȱhatȱinȱbroadȱdaylightȱinȱfrontȱofȱonlookersȱandȱdidȱnotȱfeel shame.ȱCelestina,ȱinȱaȱposthumousȱpanegyricȱforȱClaudina,ȱrecallsȱtheȱClaudina episode:ȱ Sheȱdidn’tȱmindȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱSheȱalwaysȱgotȱitȱright,ȱIȱswearȱtoȱGodȱandȱmyȱconscience.ȱEven whenȱsheȱwasȱinȱthatȱpillory,ȱherȱlooksȱandȱgesturesȱshowedȱsheȱcouldn’tȱcareȱless aboutȱtheȱpeopleȱlookingȱupȱatȱher.18ȱȱ

Indeed,ȱCelestinaȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱClaudina,ȱsubjectedȱtoȱpublicȱscornȱinȱtheȱcone hat,ȱinȱnoȱwayȱshouldȱloseȱherȱreputationȱjustȱasȱVirgilȱshouldȱnotȱeither.ȱCelestina concludes:ȱ Iȱsupposeȱyou’veȱheardȱaboutȱthatȱcleverȱVirgil.ȱTheyȱputȱhimȱinȱaȱbasketȱandȱhung himȱfromȱaȱtowerȱwithȱallȱRomeȱwatching.ȱItȱdidn’tȱmeanȱheȱwasȱnoȱlongerȱrespected orȱthatȱtheȱgoodȱnameȱofȱVirgilȱwasȱsoiled.19

16

17

18

19

JamesȱMabbe,ȱCelestinaȱorȱTheȱTragickeȬComedyȱofȱCalistoȱandȱMelibea,ȱIntro.JamesȱFitzmauriceȬ Kelley,ȱTheȱTudorȱTranslations,ȱed.ȱW.ȱE.ȱHenley,ȱvol.ȱ6.ȱ(London:ȱDavidȱNutt,ȱ1894),ȱ132. Oneȱexampleȱofȱtheȱcriticalȱ“badȱwitch”ȱtraditionȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱinȱJeanȱDangler’sȱargumentȱthat RojasȱdeprecatesȱCelestinaȱsoȱasȱtoȱdissuadeȱreadersȱfromȱseekingȱtheȱserviceȱofȱwomen.ȱDangler writes:ȱ“Rojas’sȱattackȱisȱparticularlyȱdirectedȱtowardȱwomenȱhealers,ȱwhoseȱlegitimateȱmedieval statusȱincreasinglyȱerodedȱinȱtheȱfifteenthȱandȱsixteenthȱcenturiesȱwithȱtheȱprofessionalizationȱof medicine”ȱ(JeanȱDangler,ȱMakingȱDifferenceȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱIberiaȱ[NotreȱDame,ȱIN: UniversityȱofȱNotreȱDameȱPress,ȱ2005],ȱ111). FernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ367:ȱ“Yȱmiraȱenȱquéȱtanȱpocoȱloȱtuvoȱconȱsuȱbuenȱsesoȱ...ȱEnȱtodo teníaȱgracia;ȱqueȱenȱDiosȱyȱenȱmiȱconciencia,ȱaunȱenȱaquellaȱescaleraȱestavaȱyȱparecíaȱqueȱaȱtodos losȱ deȱ baxoȱ noȱ teníaȱ enȱ unaȱ blanca,ȱ segúnȱ suȱ meneoȱ yȱ presencia.”ȱ Englishȱ translationȱ Bush, Celestina,ȱ82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). FernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ368:ȱ“VerásȱquiénȱfueȱVirgilioȱyȱquéȱtantoȱsupo;ȱmasȱyaȱhavrás oýdoȱcómoȱestovoȱenȱunȱcestoȱcolgadoȱdeȱunaȱtorre,ȱmirándoleȱtodaȱRoma.ȱPeroȱporȱesoȱnoȱdexó

410

JohnȱBeusterien

Claudinaȱ isȱ Celestina’sȱ Virgil.ȱ Virgilȱ wasȱ notȱ justȱ theȱ premierȱ poeticȱ model (particularlyȱhisȱuseȱofȱtheȱepic)ȱforȱtheȱmedievalȱmind,ȱbutȱalsoȱoneȱofȱtheȱperiod’s mostȱimportantȱhistoricalȱauthorities.ȱClaudina,ȱcan,ȱlikeȱtheȱcourtȱjesterȱorȱthe clown,ȱwearȱtheȱhatȱinȱanȱimitationȱofȱmasculineȱauthority.ȱButȱsheȱdoesȱnotȱonly wearȱtheȱhatȱinȱaȱcarnivalȱactȱthatȱsimplyȱmocksȱauthority.ȱClaudinaȱisȱanȱauthority forȱCelestinaȱlikeȱVirgilȱisȱtoȱtheȱmaleȱestablishment.ȱInȱCelestina’sȱmind,ȱClaudina wearsȱtheȱcrownȱofȱaȱsageȱauthority.ȱȱ Asȱcriticsȱhaveȱcommented,ȱRojasȱwasȱinterestedȱinȱtheȱmedievalȱnotionȱofȱLady FortuneȱwhenȱheȱconstructedȱtheȱplotȱofȱLaȱCelestina.20ȱTheȱtwoȱloversȱinȱtheȱstory, afterȱbeingȱatȱtheȱ“top,”ȱquiteȱliterallyȱfallȱtoȱtheirȱdeaths:ȱCalistoȱfromȱaȱwallȱand Melibeaȱfromȱaȱtower.ȱTheȱmedievalȱallegoryȱofȱFortuneȱisȱconnectedȱwithȱthe semioticsȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhat.ȱTheȱtipȱofȱtheȱhatȱpointingȱupwardȱsuggestsȱtheȱtop ofȱFortune’sȱwheelȱandȱwhenȱfallenȱandȱpointingȱdownwardȱitȱsuggestsȱtheȱbottom ofȱtheȱwheel.ȱOneȱmayȱthinkȱofȱaȱjester’sȱhatȱwithȱtheȱtipȱpointingȱdownward. Fortuneȱ wasȱ connectedȱ withȱ knowingȱ whatȱ isȱ inȱ theȱ starsȱ andȱ theȱ conicalȱ hat signaledȱtheȱoneȱthatȱwasȱableȱtoȱreadȱtheȱstars.ȱWithȱitsȱcircularȱbaseȱandȱpoint reachingȱ upȱ toȱ theȱ heavens,ȱ theȱ conicalȱ hatȱ evokesȱ theȱ mindȱ ofȱ theȱ wiseȱ sage familiarȱwithȱtheȱstars.ȱ TheȱmeaningȱofȱtheȱhatȱinȱCelestina’sȱmindȱisȱmeantȱtoȱcastȱasideȱtheȱsignȱof shameȱandȱtoȱevokeȱaȱconeȱofȱpower,ȱlikeȱtheȱconicalȱcrownȱofȱEgyptianȱpharaohs thatȱdenotedȱtheȱkingȇsȱunionȱwithȱtheȱSkyȬgoddessȱorȱtheȱRomanȱapexȱthatȱwas sometimesȱdescribedȱasȱaȱconicalȱhatȱwornȱbyȱaȱpriesthoodȱofȱwomen.ȱCelestina reminiscesȱwhenȱsheȱmetȱClaudinaȱatȱnightȱwithȱotherȱwomenȱandȱformedȱaȱcircle withȱaȱcandleȱinȱtheȱmiddleȱtoȱpracticeȱtheirȱarts.ȱTheȱearlyȱSpanishȱmeaningȱofȱthe wordȱ cercoȱ (fromȱ Latinȱ circus)ȱ hadȱ aȱ specificȱ meaningȱ inȱ aȱ militaryȱ context, referringȱtoȱaȱgroupȱofȱmaleȱsoldiersȱthatȱformedȱaȱcircularȱformationȱinȱtheȱsiege ofȱaȱcity.21ȱRojasȱusesȱtheȱcharacterȱofȱtheȱCelestinaȱtoȱuseȱtheȱwordȱcerco,ȱnotȱto meanȱaȱgroupȱofȱmenȱformingȱaȱcircleȱofȱmilitaryȱmight,ȱbutȱtoȱreferȱtoȱaȱgroupȱof womenȱformingȱaȱdifferentȱsortȱofȱcircleȱofȱpower.ȱ Celestina’sȱuseȱofȱtheȱwordȱcercoȱtoȱdescribeȱherȱtimeȱinȱtheȱcircleȱwithȱClaudina isȱnotȱonlyȱoneȱ ofȱherȱfondestȱmemoriesȱofȱClaudina,ȱbutȱalso,ȱIȱ wouldȱargue, contributesȱtoȱmoreȱfullyȱunderstandingȱtheȱlogicȱforȱtheȱshapeȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhat

20

21

deȱserȱhonrradoȱniȱperdióȱelȱnombreȱdeȱVirgilio.”ȱEnglishȱtranslationȱBush,ȱCelestina,ȱ82ȱ(seeȱnote 6). StephenȱGilmanȱmakesȱoneȱofȱtheȱmostȱextensiveȱanalysesȱofȱFortune’sȱWheelȱatȱworkȱinȱtheȱArt ofȱLaȱCelestinaȱ(Madison:ȱUniversityȱofȱWisconsinȱPress,ȱ1956),ȱhereȱ125.ȱ Seeȱtheȱentryȱ“cerco”ȱinȱNietoȱJiménezȱandȱAlvarȱEzquerra,ȱed.,ȱNuevoȱtesoroȱlexicográfico,ȱ2382ȱ(see noteȱ14).

TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina

411

asȱCelestinaȱenvisionsȱitȱonȱClaudina’sȱhead.ȱTheȱshapeȱofȱtheȱtraditionalȱwitch cercoȱisȱaȱshapeȱinȱwhichȱwomenȱformȱaȱcircleȱandȱenvisionȱtheirȱplacementȱinȱthat circleȱasȱpartȱofȱaȱlargerȱconeȱinȱwhichȱtheȱcenterȱofȱtheirȱcircleȱdoesȱnotȱcorrespond toȱtheȱtwoȱdimensionalȱcenterȱofȱtheȱcircle,ȱbutȱtoȱtheȱtopȱofȱaȱconeȱthatȱreachesȱinto theȱheavens.ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱimaginedȱconeȱshapeȱofȱtheȱfemaleȱcercoȱconnectsȱtoȱthe coneȱ shapeȱ ofȱ theȱ hatȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ energyȱ fromȱ whichȱ theȱ witchȱ gathersȱ her energy:ȱtheȱconeȱofȱpower.ȱMuchȱlater,ȱGoyaȱwillȱofferȱoneȱgoodȱvisualȱexample ofȱ theȱ divergentȱ andȱ convergingȱ meaningsȱ ofȱ theȱ cone.ȱ Inȱ Witchesȱ inȱ theȱ Air (1797–1798),ȱ aȱ groupȱ ofȱ witchesȱ wearȱ paintedȱ coneȱ hats.ȱ Theȱ womenȱ areȱ also arrangedȱinȱaȱcircle,ȱbutȱhaveȱconjuredȱtheirȱpowerȱinȱaȱsuccessfulȱactȱofȱlevitation: theȱthreeȱconeȬheadedȱwitchesȱareȱlevitatingȱinȱtheȱair.ȱTheȱgroupedȱbodiesȱofȱthe witchesȱformȱtheȱshapeȱofȱaȱflyingȱcone.ȱȱ TheȱClaudinaȱstoryȱrepresentsȱaȱmomentȱofȱCelestina´sȱnostalgia.ȱHerȱnostalgia enfoldsȱaȱtimeȱinȱwhichȱsheȱandȱClaudinaȱheldȱspecialȱpowerȱinȱtheirȱcommunity andȱwereȱnotȱscornedȱasȱ“badȱwitches.”ȱEveryoneȱknewȱbothȱofȱthemȱandȱgreeted themȱonȱtheȱstreet.ȱWhenȱCelestinaȱremembersȱClaudina,ȱsheȱyearnsȱforȱaȱmoment ofȱ femaleȱ agencyȱ condemnedȱ byȱ maleȱ authorities.ȱ Evenȱ asȱ maleȱ practitioners increasinglyȱ tookȱ overȱ theȱ workȱ ofȱ childbirth,ȱ Claudinaȱ practicedȱ midwifery, havingȱhelpedȱdeliverȱcountlessȱchildrenȱinȱtheȱcommunity:ȱ“Whenȱweȱwereȱinȱthe street,ȱeveryoneȱsheȱbumpedȱintoȱshe’dȱbroughtȱintoȱthisȱworld.”22ȱCelestinaȱand Claudinaȱwereȱalsoȱcuranderasȱsinceȱtheyȱwereȱfamiliarȱwithȱcurativeȱherbsȱand otherȱmedicinalȱpractice.ȱTheyȱprocuredȱsexualȱpartnersȱforȱtheȱmenȱinȱtheȱtown. Finally,ȱ theyȱ hadȱ aȱ closeȱ andȱ specialȱ friendship.ȱ Theyȱ wentȱ outȱ toȱ drinkȱ wine together.ȱCelestinaȱsaysȱthatȱsheȱandȱClaudinaȱdidȱeverythingȱtogetherȱandȱthatȱ“in thisȱlifeȱIȱneverȱhadȱaȱgreaterȱfriend,ȱcompanionȱorȱcomfortȱinȱmyȱtravails.”23ȱInȱa powerfulȱelegyȱtoȱherȱfriendȱsheȱstates:ȱ“Whoȱsharedȱmyȱsecrets?ȱWhoȱcouldȱIȱtell myȱcaresȱto?”24ȱȱȱ TheȱplotȱofȱLaȱCelestinaȱultimatelyȱcelebratesȱfemaleȱsexuality,ȱfemaleȱcommunity andȱfemaleȱjustice.ȱEvenȱthoughȱClaudinaȱhasȱdied,ȱCelestinaȱcontinuesȱtoȱhave closeȱrelationshipsȱwithȱwomen.ȱAreúsaȱisȱanotherȱimportantȱfemaleȱcharacterȱin theȱwork.ȱSheȱpracticesȱprostitutionȱsecretlyȱandȱisȱtherebyȱinȱaȱdangerousȱsocial positionȱ sinceȱ sheȱ couldȱ beȱ denouncedȱ byȱ herȱ neighborsȱ andȱ punished. Nonetheless,ȱ sheȱ isȱ anȱ exampleȱ ofȱ anȱ independentȱ womanȱ andȱ inȱ oneȱ scene

22

23

24

Fernandoȱ deȱ Rojas,ȱ Laȱ Celestina,ȱ 366:ȱ “Siȱ salíamosȱ porȱ laȱ calle,ȱ quantosȱ topávamosȱ eranȱ sus ahijados.”ȱEnglishȱtranslationȱBush,ȱCelestina,ȱ81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). FernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ364:ȱ“yȱtuveȱyoȱenȱesteȱmundoȱotraȱtalȱamiga,ȱotraȱtalȱcompañera, talȱaliviadoraȱdeȱmisȱtrabajosȱyȱfatigas.”ȱEnglishȱtranslationȱBush,ȱCelestina,ȱ80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6). FernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ364:“¿quiénȱsabíaȱmisȱsecretos,ȱaȱquiénȱdescobríaȱmiȱcoraçón?” Englishȱtranslation,ȱPeterȱBush,ȱCelestina,ȱ80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6).

412

JohnȱBeusterien

CelestinaȱandȱAreúsaȱovertlyȱflirtȱandȱfondleȱeachȱother.25ȱMoreover,ȱtheȱcharacter ofȱAreúsaȱformsȱpartȱofȱaȱfemaleȱmicrosocietyȱthatȱexercisesȱjusticeȱinȱconstrastȱto theȱ examplesȱ ofȱ aȱ failedȱ maleȱ justiceȱ systemȱ inȱ theȱ work.26ȱ Inȱ Laȱ Celestina,ȱ the justiceȱsystem’sȱmaleȱrepresentatives,ȱtheȱjudgeȱandȱtheȱconstable,ȱdoȱnotȱserve theirȱpurposeȱandȱflounderȱinȱfailure.ȱ TheȱjudgeȱwhoȱsentencesȱPármenoȱandȱSempronioȱforȱtheȱdeathȱofȱCelestinaȱis corruptȱ(heȱisȱaȱpersonalȱcronyȱofȱCalisto’sȱfamily),ȱtheȱconstableȱarrivesȱtooȱlate toȱsaveȱCelestina,ȱandȱtheȱservantsȱjumpȱfromȱtheȱwindowȱthwartingȱtheȱlegal systemȱinȱactingȱagainstȱtheirȱcrimeȱ(sinceȱtheyȱareȱalreadyȱnearȱdeadȱbeforeȱthe “execution”).ȱEvenȱtheȱpunishmentȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhat,ȱatȱleastȱforȱCelestina,ȱfails asȱanȱinstrumentȱofȱjusticeȱonȱClaudina’sȱhead.ȱȱ Inȱturn,ȱtheȱwomenȱeffectivelyȱcarryȱoutȱjustice,ȱalbeitȱnotȱnecessarilyȱasȱplanned.ȱ AreúsaȱhasȱusedȱherȱinfluenceȱasȱprostituteȱtoȱfreeȱherȱclientȱCenturio,ȱaȱscoundrel soldier,ȱthreeȱtimesȱfromȱpunishment.ȱAsideȱfromȱinfluencingȱtheȱauthoritiesȱto releaseȱCenturio,ȱAreúsaȱalsoȱtakesȱjusticeȱinȱherȱownȱhandsȱbyȱseekingȱrevenge forȱtheȱdeathsȱofȱPármenoȱandȱSempronio.ȱAreúsaȱemploysȱCenturioȱtoȱkillȱCalisto inȱorderȱtoȱavengeȱtheȱdeathȱofȱherȱlover,ȱPármeno.ȱAlthoughȱCenturioȱfailsȱonȱhis mission,ȱheȱdoesȱgetȱTrasoȱtoȱcreateȱaȱscuffleȱthatȱleadsȱtoȱCalisto’sȱdeathȱand, althoughȱnotȱcarriedȱoutȱasȱsheȱexpected,ȱAreúsa’sȱrevengeȱplotȱandȱjusticeȱbring aboutȱtheȱdesiredȱend.ȱAreúsaȱthereforeȱconstruesȱherȱownȱversionȱofȱjusticeȱin parallelȱtoȱCelestinaȱwhoȱalsoȱconstruesȱherȱ ownȱmeaningȱofȱjusticeȱwhenȱshe rejectsȱtheȱmeaningȱtoȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱasȱitȱservesȱtheȱneedsȱofȱtheȱmaleȱjustice system. Celestinaȱreconstruesȱtheȱmeaningȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhat,ȱconvertingȱitȱfromȱanȱobject ofȱtheȱmaleȱjusticeȱsystemȱthatȱpunishesȱtheȱfemaleȱintoȱaȱsignȱofȱwoman’sȱpride. Likeȱ Celestina,ȱ whoȱ invertsȱ theȱ meaningȱ ofȱ theȱ hatȱ asȱ signȱ ofȱ humiliation,ȱ the carnivalȱcostumeȱcanȱalsoȱturnȱmeaning.ȱInȱaȱruralȱcommunityȱinȱGalicia,ȱSpain, carnivalȱgoersȱsometimesȱcombineȱsignsȱofȱmedievalȱpublicȱshameȱinȱtheȱsame costume.ȱItȱisȱnotȱuncommonȱtoȱfindȱaȱcarnivalȱcostumeȱthatȱnotȱonlyȱconsistsȱof theȱdecoratedȱconicalȱhat,ȱbutȱalsoȱfeathers.ȱInȱtheȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodern periodȱinȱSpain,ȱfemaleȱpimpsȱ(alcahuetas)ȱwereȱanimalizedȱandȱshamedȱthrough theȱpracticeȱofȱfeathering:ȱCelestinaȱsupposedlyȱwasȱfeatheredȱonȱthreeȱoccasions.27

25

26

27

SeeȱSherryȱM.ȱVelasco,ȱLesbiansȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱSpainȱ(Nashville,ȱTN:ȱVanderbiltȱUniversityȱPress, 2011),ȱ andȱ Maryȱ S.ȱ Gossy,ȱ Empireȱ onȱ theȱ Vergeȱ ofȱ aȱ Nervousȱ Breakdownȱ (Liverpool:ȱ Liverpool UniversityȱPress,ȱ2009). Forȱ moreȱ onȱ theȱ Celestina’sȱ femaleȱ microsociety,ȱ seeȱ Alanȱ Deyermond,ȱ “Femaleȱ Societiesȱ in Celestina,”ȱFernandoȱdeȱRojasȱandȱCelestina:ȱApproachingȱtheȱFifthȱCentenary,ȱed.ȱIvyȱA.ȱCorfisȱand JosephȱT.ȱSnowȱ(Madison,ȱWI:ȱTheȱHispanicȱSeminaryȱofȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱ1993),ȱ1–32.ȱȱ FernandoȱdeȱRojas,ȱLaȱCelestina,ȱ274:ȱ“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱyȱloȱqueȱmásȱdeȱelloȱsientoȱesȱvenirȱaȱmanosȱdeȱaquella trotaconventos,ȱdespuésȱdeȱtresȱvecesȱemplumada”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6).ȱȱAccordingȱtoȱoneȱearlyȱsource,

TheȱCelebratoryȱConicalȱHatȱinȱLaȱCelestina

413

TheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱClaudinaȱconicalȱhat,ȱhowever,ȱisȱnotȱaȱmockingȱofȱauthorityȱby puttingȱonȱaȱtemporaryȱcostumeȱinȱcarnival.ȱ ForȱCelestina,ȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱonȱClaudinaȱisȱanȱinstanceȱofȱfemaleȱprideȱand Celestina’sȱcelebrationȱofȱtheȱconicalȱhatȱrejectsȱtheȱmaleȬdominatedȱreligiousȱand politicalȱinstitutionsȱthatȱmarginalizedȱexpressionsȱofȱfemaleȱpower.ȱTheȱconical hatȱisȱnotȱaȱshamingȱpunishmentȱimposedȱbyȱtheȱemergingȱmaleȬdominatedȱstate apparatus,ȱbutȱaȱhatȱwithȱitsȱownȱpowerȱsymbolics,ȱincludingȱfemaleȱauthorityȱin medicalȱpractice,ȱmidwifery,ȱnonȬsanctionedȱfemaleȱreligiousȱpractice,ȱandȱfemale sexualȱagency,ȱincludingȱprostitution,ȱlesbianȱdesireȱandȱfreedomȱforȱaȱwoman whoȱprocuredȱsexȱforȱothers.

theȱfeatheringȱpunishmentȱisȱreservedȱforȱalcahuetasȱandȱitȱconsistedȱofȱstrippingȱtheȱupperȱhalf ofȱ theȱ woman’sȱ body,ȱ spreadingȱ itȱ withȱ honeyȱ andȱ thenȱ stickingȱ littleȱ feathersȱ toȱ theȱ torso. SebastiánȱdeȱCovarrubiasȱwritesȱinȱtheȱTesoroȱdeȱlaȱlenguaȱcastellanaȱoȱespañola:ȱ“Aȱlasȱalcahuetas acostumbranȱdesnudarlasȱdelȱmedioȱcuerpoȱarribaȱy,ȱuntadasȱconȱmiel,ȱlasȱsiebranȱdeȱplumas menudas,ȱqueȱparecenȱmonstruos,ȱmedioȱavesȱmedioȱmugeres”ȱ(ed.ȱMartínȱdeȱRiquerȱ[Barcelona: S.ȱA.ȱHorta,ȱ1943],ȱ508).

Chapterȱ17 KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn (SaintȱLouisȱUniversity,ȱSt.ȱLouis)

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeanceȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱof MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre

Aȱcunningȱhusbandȱlustsȱafterȱhisȱwife’sȱbuxomȱyoungȱchambermaid.ȱHeȱsuggests toȱhisȱwifeȱthatȱheȱpunishȱtheȱchambermaidȱforȱherȱlazinessȱbyȱwhippingȱherȱout ofȱbedȱonȱtheȱFeastȱofȱtheȱInnocents,ȱaȱpropositionȱthatȱhisȱwifeȱaccepts.ȱButȱhe “whips”ȱherȱinȱtheȱbedȱratherȱthanȱoutȱofȱit,ȱtheȱtoolȱheȱusesȱisȱnoȱwhip,ȱneitherȱhe norȱtheȱchambermaidȱregardsȱtheȱactivityȱasȱpunishment,ȱandȱtheȱonlyȱ“innocent” involvedȱinȱthisȱstoryȱisȱtheȱratherȱdimȬwittedȱwife,ȱwhoȱrefusesȱtoȱbelieveȱreports ofȱherȱhusband’sȱinfidelity.ȱThisȱfortyȬfifthȱnovellaȱofȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’s Heptaméronȱasksȱfundamentalȱquestionsȱthatȱweȱareȱponderingȱinȱthisȱcollection ofȱessays:ȱwhatȱconstitutesȱaȱcrimeȱandȱwhoȱdecides?ȱwhatȱisȱpunishmentȱandȱwho dispensesȱit?ȱwhoȱisȱinnocentȱandȱwhoȱisȱguilty?ȱLikeȱtheȱHeptaméronȱasȱaȱwhole, inȱwhichȱthereȱisȱnoȱdominantȱvoice,ȱnoȱprevailingȱpointȱofȱview,ȱnoȱoneȱtruth, novellaȱ45ȱprovidesȱnoȱrealȱanswersȱtoȱtheseȱquestions.ȱTheȱhusbandȱinȱthisȱstory isȱunfaithful,ȱbutȱthatȱwasȱnotȱmuchȱofȱaȱcrimeȱinȱRenaissanceȱFrance.ȱItȱseemsȱthat noȱoneȱwasȱpunished,ȱnotȱtheȱunfaithfulȱhusbandȱnorȱtheȱvivaciousȱchambermaid. Nor,ȱaccordingȱtoȱatȱleastȱoneȱofȱtheȱHeptaméron’sȱstorytellers,ȱtheȱdupedȱwife.ȱIn theȱ discussionȱ thatȱ followsȱ thisȱ tale,ȱ Parlamente,ȱ aȱ woman,ȱ assertsȱ thatȱ “’Cest hommeȬlàȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱestoitȱmerveilleusementȱmauvays’”ȱ(“‘Theȱmanȱinȱtheȱstoryȱwasȱan extremelyȱbadȱcharacter’”),1ȱwhereuponȱHircan,ȱherȱhusband,ȱcounters:ȱ“’Vous n’avezȱdoncquesȱpasȱbienȱentenduȱleȱcompteȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱpourȱceȱqu’ilȱestȱdictȱqu’ilȱles contantaȱtoutesȱdeuxȱenȱuneȱmatinée;ȱqueȱjeȱtrouveȱungȱgrandȱacteȱdeȱvertu’” 1

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱed.ȱMichelȱFrançoisȱ(Paris:ȱBordas,ȱ1991),ȱ307.ȱTranslation ofȱLȇHeptaméronȱisȱfromȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱed.ȱandȱtrans.ȱP.ȱA.ȱChilton (London:ȱ Penguinȱ Books,ȱ 1984),ȱ 404.ȱ Unlessȱ otherwiseȱ indicated,ȱ allȱ Englishȱ translationsȱ of L’Heptaméronȱareȱfromȱthisȱtext.ȱ

416

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

(“‘Youȱ haven’tȱ understoodȱ theȱ storyȱ properlyȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ Theȱ pointȱ isȱ thatȱ theȱ man satisfiedȱthemȱbothȱinȱoneȱmorning!ȱIȱthinkȱthatȱheȱshowedȱgreatȱprowess’”).2ȱ Theȱcharactersȱinȱthisȱnovellaȱareȱutterlyȱconventional:ȱtheȱcheatingȱhusband,ȱthe foolishȱ wife,ȱ theȱ lustyȱ chambermaidȱ (notȱ toȱ mentionȱ theȱ lustyȱ neighbor,ȱ who wishesȱ she,ȱ too,ȱ hadȱ aȱ husbandȱ likeȱ that).ȱ Butȱ ifȱ theȱ charactersȱ inȱ thisȱ taleȱ are stereotypical,ȱtheyȱexistȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱalongsideȱcharactersȱfromȱotherȱnovellas whoȱareȱsingularȱandȱhighlyȱnuanced.ȱAndȱsimilarly,ȱtheȱcavalierȱattitudeȱtoward wrongdoingȱ andȱ itsȱ consequencesȱ thatȱ thisȱ novellaȱ seemsȱ toȱ implyȱ isȱ not representativeȱofȱtheȱwholeȱofȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’sȱtreatmentȱofȱtheȱsubjectȱin herȱHeptaméron.ȱInȱthisȱessay,ȱIȱargueȱthatȱtheȱqueenȱofȱNavarreȱusesȱcrimeȱand punishmentȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱtoȱcommentȱonȱrightȱandȱwrongȱinȱearlyȱmodern France,ȱandȱtoȱreconsiderȱtheȱroleȱofȱwomenȱasȱbothȱvictimsȱandȱperpetratorsȱof wrongdoing.ȱTheȱreaderȱofȱtheȱHeptaméronȱdiscoversȱthatȱtheȱreasonsȱforȱwhich womenȱ wereȱ punished,ȱ andȱ evenȱ theȱ waysȱ inȱ whichȱ theyȱ wereȱ punished, paradoxicallyȱ empowerȱ theȱ womenȱ inȱ theȱ novellas.ȱ Forȱ whileȱ historically, women’sȱpunishmentȱoftenȱdifferedȱfromȱmen’s,3ȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱMarguerite deȱNavarreȱestablishesȱaȱcertainȱequivalencyȱbetweenȱmenȱandȱwomen,ȱevenȱin theirȱpunishmentȱforȱwrongdoing.ȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’sȱHeptaméron,ȱwrittenȱinȱmidȬsixteenthȱcenturyȱFrance, isȱconsideredȱbyȱmanyȱtoȱbeȱprimarilyȱaȱcollectionȱofȱloveȱstories.ȱElizabethȱC. ZeguraȱdescribesȱtheȱHeptaméronȱasȱ“aȱveritableȱcompendiumȱofȱvariationsȱonȱthe themeȱofȱlove.”4ȱIndeed,ȱsixtyȬfourȱofȱtheȱseventyȬtwoȱstoriesȱareȱtalesȱofȱlove,ȱor atȱleastȱofȱlust.ȱButȱmanyȱofȱthoseȱtalesȱmightȱbeȱconsideredȱ“warȱstories”ȱofȱaȱsort, for,ȱasȱJulesȱGelerntȱobserves,ȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’sȱnovellasȱareȱ“soȱmany skirmishesȱinȱtheȱubiquitousȱbattleȱofȱtheȱsexesȱforȱwhichȱtheȱoverȬallȱdesignȱofȱthe 2 3

4

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ307–08;ȱTheȱHeptaméron,ȱ404ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Forȱ example,ȱ “Womenȱ wereȱ oftenȱ executedȱ inȱ aȱ mannerȱ differentȱ fromȱ men,ȱ buriedȱ aliveȱ or drownedȱinsteadȱofȱbeingȱbeheaded,ȱlargelyȱbecauseȱcityȱexecutionersȱthoughtȱwomenȱwould faintȱatȱtheȱsightȱofȱtheȱswordȱorȱaxȱandȱmakeȱtheirȱjobȱmoreȱdifficult,”ȱMerryȱE.ȱWiesner,ȱWomen andȱ Genderȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Europeȱ (Cambridge:ȱ Cambridgeȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ 1993),ȱ 33. Furthermore,ȱClaudeȱGauvardȱhasȱobservedȱthat:ȱ“ilȱapparaîtȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱqueȱdesȱfemmesȱquiȱontȱavoué desȱcrimesȱgravesȱsousȱlaȱtortureȱpeuvent,ȱplusȱfacilementȱqueȱlesȱhommesȱtraitésȱdansȱlesȱmêmes conditions,ȱéchapperȱàȱlaȱcondamnationȱàȱmortȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱLesȱdélibérationsȱdesȱjugesȱmontrentȱaussi leursȱhésitations”ȱ(“Itȱappearsȱthatȱwomenȱwhoȱconfessedȱunderȱtortureȱtoȱseriousȱcrimesȱcould, moreȱeasilyȱthanȱmenȱtreatedȱinȱsimilarȱfashion,ȱescapeȱtheȱdeathȱpenaltyȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱdeliberations ofȱtheȱjudgesȱalsoȱdemonstrateȱtheirȱhesitation”).ȱClaudeȱGauvard,ȱDeȱGraceȱEspecial:ȱCrime,ȱétat etȱ sociétéȱ enȱ Franceȱ àȱ laȱ finȱ duȱ Moyenȱ Age,ȱ vol.ȱ 1.ȱ Histoireȱ ancienneȱ etȱ médiévale,ȱ 24ȱ (Paris: PublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonne,ȱ1991),ȱ303.ȱ ElizabethȱC.ȱZegura,ȱ“TrueȱStoriesȱandȱAlternativeȱDiscourses:ȱTheȱGameȱofȱLoveȱinȱMarguerite deȱNavarreȇsȱHeptaméron,”ȱDiscoursesȱonȱLove,ȱMarriage,ȱandȱTransgressionȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarly ModernȱLiterature,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen.ȱMedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱTextsȱandȱStudies,ȱ278ȱ(Tempe, AZ:ȱArizonaȱCenterȱforȱMedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱStudies,ȱ2004),ȱ351–68;ȱhereȱ351.

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

417

Heptameronȱ providesȱ theȱ battleground.”5ȱ Theȱ “crimes”ȱ inȱ theȱ Heptaméronȱ are generallyȱ perpetratedȱ byȱ oneȱ sexȱ againstȱ theȱ other;ȱ theȱ firstȱ day’sȱ stories,ȱ for example,ȱareȱdelicatelyȱdescribedȱasȱ“desȱmauvaisȱtoursȱqueȱlesȱfemmesȱontȱfaicts auxȱhommesȱetȱlesȱhommesȱauxȱfemmes”6ȱ(“illȱturnsȱthatȱwomenȱdidȱtoȱmenȱand menȱdidȱtoȱwomen”). TheȱHeptaméronȱisȱaȱparticularlyȱrichȱsourceȱforȱtheȱstudyȱofȱfictionalȱcrimeȱand punishmentȱduringȱtheȱFrenchȱRenaissance.ȱTheȱreaderȱofȱthisȱtextȱhasȱaccessȱnot onlyȱtoȱtheȱnarrator’sȱjudgmentȱ(bothȱimpliedȱandȱstated)ȱregardingȱ“crimes”ȱand theirȱ“punishment,”ȱandȱtoȱtheȱjudgmentȱofȱtheȱcharactersȱwithinȱtheȱnovellas,ȱbut anotherȱsetȱofȱcommentaryȱasȱwell,ȱdueȱtoȱtheȱstructureȱofȱthisȱtext.ȱForȱMarguerite deȱNavarreȱhasȱcreatedȱaȱgroupȱofȱstorytellers,ȱdevisants,ȱwhoȱnotȱonlyȱrecountȱthe tales,ȱbutȱdiscussȱthemȱafterward,ȱpassingȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱcharactersȱwithinȱthe talesȱ (whichȱ areȱ claimedȱ byȱ theȱ devisantsȱ toȱ beȱ true)ȱ andȱ sometimesȱ passing judgmentȱonȱeachȱother. TheȱcharactersȱinȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’sȱnovellasȱareȱpunishedȱforȱaȱwide varietyȱofȱtransgressions,ȱbothȱrealȱandȱimagined:ȱmurder,ȱinfidelity,ȱindiscretion, attemptedȱrape,ȱandȱthreateningȱtheȱhonorȱofȱone’sȱownȱfamilyȱorȱthatȱofȱanother. ReflectingȱFrenchȱsocietyȱatȱtheȱtime,ȱbothȱmenȱandȱwomenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱare punishedȱforȱtheirȱoffenses;ȱasȱMerryȱE.ȱWeisnerȱpointsȱout,ȱduringȱtheȱsixteenth century,ȱ“Inȱgeneral,ȱwomenȱthroughoutȱEuropeȱwereȱresponsibleȱforȱtheirȱown criminalȱactionsȱandȱcouldȱbeȱtorturedȱandȱexecutedȱjustȱlikeȱmen.”7ȱOneȱmight imagine,ȱgivenȱtheȱdeliberateȱbalanceȱthatȱtheȱQueenȱofȱNavarreȱestablishesȱamong herȱstorytellers—fiveȱmenȱandȱfiveȱwomen—andȱtheȱcarryingȱoutȱofȱ“illȱturns”ȱby bothȱsexes,ȱthatȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱmenȱwouldȱpunishȱwomenȱandȱwomenȱwould punishȱmen.ȱOrȱperhapsȱthatȱtheȱopinionȱofȱOisille,ȱtheȱeldestȱ(andȱwisest)ȱofȱthe storytellers,ȱwouldȱbeȱrespected,ȱthatȱ“’Laȱcorrectionȱdesȱhommesȱappartientȱaux hommesȱ etȱ desȱ femmesȱ auxȱ femmes’”ȱ (“‘Corporalȱ punishmentȱ shouldȱ be administeredȱtoȱmenȱbyȱmen,ȱandȱtoȱwomenȱbyȱwomen’”).8ȱHowever,ȱpunishment inȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’sȱnovellasȱisȱgenerallyȱmetedȱoutȱbyȱmen,ȱonlyȱrarelyȱby women,ȱnoȱmatterȱwhatȱtheȱoffenseȱagainstȱthemȱmightȱbe.ȱFromȱthisȱperspective, treatmentȱofȱpunishmentȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱappearsȱutterlyȱtraditional,ȱaȱproduct ofȱtheȱpatriarchalȱsocietyȱinȱwhichȱtheȱtextȱwasȱcomposed.ȱ Theȱfourthȱnovellaȱinȱthisȱcollection,ȱoneȱofȱtheȱbestȱknownȱofȱtheȱHeptaméron’s tales,ȱisȱaȱtypicalȱexampleȱofȱaȱwrongedȱwomanȱchoosingȱnotȱtoȱpunishȱaȱguilty man.ȱThisȱisȱtheȱstoryȱofȱanȱattemptedȱrape,ȱfeaturingȱaȱdespicableȱvillainȱandȱan

5

6 7 8

JulesȱGelernt,ȱWorldȱofȱManyȱLoves:ȱTheȱHeptameronȱofȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱ(ChapelȱHill,ȱNC: UniversityȱofȱNorthȱCarolinaȱPress,ȱ1966),ȱ68. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ11;ȱmyȱtranslationȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Weisner,ȱWomenȱandȱGenderȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope,ȱ33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ310;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ408ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

418

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

innocentȱvictim.ȱManyȱscholarsȱbelieveȱitȱisȱbasedȱonȱaȱtrueȱstory,ȱanȱattackȱonȱthe queenȱofȱNavarreȱherself.9ȱTheȱassailantȱinȱthisȱtaleȱisȱaȱcharmingȱandȱhandsome gentlemanȱwhoȱisȱenamoredȱofȱaȱyoungȱandȱvivaciousȱprincess.ȱSheȱrebuffsȱhis amorousȱ advances:ȱ “saȱ responceȱ fustȱ telleȱ qu’ilȱ appartenoitȱ àȱ uneȱ princesseȱ et vrayeȱ femmeȱ deȱ bienȱ (“herȱ responseȱ wasȱ theȱ sortȱ ofȱ answerȱ thatȱ becomesȱ an honestȱwomanȱandȱaȱprincess”).10ȱButȱbecauseȱsheȱisȱaȱwidow,ȱandȱaȱlively,ȱyoung widowȱ atȱ that,ȱ heȱ convincesȱ himselfȱ thatȱ “s’ilȱ laȱ povoitȱ trouverȱ enȱ lieuȱ àȱ son avantaige,ȱ elleȱ quiȱ estoitȱ vefve,ȱ jeune,ȱ etȱ enȱ bonȱ poinct,ȱ etȱ deȱ fortȱ bonne complexion,ȱprandroitȱpeultȬestreȱpitiéȱdeȱluyȱetȱd’elleȱensemble”ȱ(“[i]fȱheȱcould findȱtheȱrightȱtimeȱandȱplace,ȱthenȱ[sheȱmight]ȱrelentȱandȱindulgeȱhimȱaȱlittle,ȱand indulgeȱherselfȱatȱtheȱsameȱtime”).11ȱHeȱsneaksȱintoȱherȱbedȱoneȱnightȱandȱtriesȱto takeȱherȱbyȱforce.ȱ Theȱprincessȱmanagesȱtoȱfightȱhimȱoffȱandȱcallȱforȱhelp;ȱafraidȱthatȱheȱmightȱbe caught,ȱherȱattackerȱescapes.ȱTheȱprincess,ȱtriumphant,ȱdeclares:ȱ“‘saȱtesteȱsera tesmoingȱdeȱmaȱchasteté’”ȱ(“‘I’llȱhaveȱtheȱman’sȱheadȱasȱproofȱofȱmyȱchastity!’”).12 ButȱherȱladyȬinȬwaitingȱconvincesȱherȱnotȱtoȱseekȱrevenge,ȱforȱdoingȱsoȱwould makeȱtheȱattackȱpublic,ȱandȱwouldȱruinȱtheȱprincess’ȱreputation.ȱSheȱwarns:ȱ“‘si courraȱleȱbruictȱpartoutȱqu’ilȱauraȱfaictȱdeȱvousȱàȱsaȱvolunté’”ȱ(“‘peopleȱwillȱsay thatȱheȱmustȱhaveȱhadȱhisȱwayȱwithȱyou’”),13ȱandȱfurthermore,ȱtheyȱwillȱblameȱthe princessȱforȱhavingȱencouragedȱtheȱman.ȱTheȱladyȬinȬwaitingȱadvises:ȱ“‘laissez faireȱàȱl’amourȱetȱàȱlaȱhonte,ȱquiȱleȱsçaurontȱmieulxȱtormenterȱqueȱvous’”ȱ(“‘You shouldȱleaveȱhimȱtoȱhisȱpassionȱandȱhisȱhumiliationȱ–ȱhe’llȱtortureȱhimselfȱmuch moreȱthanȱyouȱcould’”).14ȱSoȱitȱwasȱaȱman,ȱtheȱguiltyȱpartyȱhimself,ȱwhoȱendsȱup punishingȱtheȱattacker.15ȱHisȱvictimȱdoesȱnotȱpermitȱherselfȱtoȱpunishȱhim,ȱand indeedȱkeepsȱtheȱassaultȱaȱsecret,ȱinȱorderȱtoȱprotectȱherȱownȱreputation.

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

“Novellaȱ4,ȱaȱstoryȱofȱattemptedȱrape,ȱisȱbelievedȱtoȱbeȱbasedȱonȱwhatȱhappenedȱtoȱtheȱwriterȱin herȱownȱbed.”ȱPatriciaȱFrancisȱCholakian,ȱRapeȱandȱWritingȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱofȱMargueriteȱde Navarreȱ(CarbondaleȱandȱEdwardsville,ȱIL:ȱSouthernȱIllinoisȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1991),ȱ7. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ28;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ90ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ28;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ90–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ31;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ32;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ94ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ31;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ94ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Althoughȱtheȱprincessȱinȱnovellaȱ4ȱdoesȱinjureȱherȱattacker,ȱitȱisȱwithȱtheȱintentionȱofȱfightingȱhim off,ȱnotȱpunishingȱhim.ȱ“elleȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱseȱdesfitȱdeȱsesȱmains,ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱseȱmeitȱàȱleȱfraper,ȱmordreȱetȱesgratiner” (“Strugglingȱoutȱofȱhisȱclutches,ȱsheȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱproceededȱtoȱlashȱout,ȱscratchingȱandȱbitingȱforȱallȱsheȱwas worth”),ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ30;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱAȱsimilar situationȱoccursȱinȱNovellaȱ46,ȱwhenȱaȱwomanȱkicksȱherȱpursuerȱdownȱtheȱstairs.ȱHeȱisȱinjured; theȱnarratorȱtellsȱusȱthatȱ“ilȱobliaȱleȱmalȱqu’ilȱs’estoitȱfaictȱàȱcheoir,ȱetȱs’enfouytȱleȱplusȱtostȱqu’il peutȱhorsȱdeȱlaȱvilleȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ“ȱ(“heȱdidȱnotȱevenȱstopȱtoȱlickȱhisȱwounds,ȱbutȱfledȱfromȱtheȱtownȱasȱfast asȱheȱcouldȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”),ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ309;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ406ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). However,ȱtheȱwoman’sȱgoalȱisȱtoȱprotectȱherself,ȱnotȱtoȱpunishȱtheȱoffendingȱfriar.ȱ

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

419

Men,ȱthough,ȱareȱallowedȱtoȱpunishȱthoseȱwhoȱoffendȱthem,ȱandȱcertainȱvery righteousȱandȱhonorableȱmenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱpunishȱmenȱwhoȱharmȱwomen, orȱevenȱthreatenȱtoȱharmȱthem.ȱNovellaȱ12ȱtellsȱtheȱstoryȱofȱaȱDukeȱofȱtheȱhouse ofȱMedici,ȱandȱaȱgentlemanȱinȱhisȱservice.ȱTheȱDukeȱlustsȱafterȱtheȱgentleman’s sister,ȱaȱthoroughlyȱvirtuousȱwoman.ȱHeȱtearfullyȱexplainsȱtoȱtheȱgentlemanȱthat “siȱ parȱ sonȱ moyenȱ n’enȱ avoitȱ laȱ joissance,ȱ ilȱ neȱ voyoitȱ pasȱ qu’ilȱ peustȱ vivre longuement”ȱ(“ifȱhisȱfriendȱdidȱnotȱmakeȱitȱpossibleȱforȱhimȱtoȱenjoyȱherȱfavours, thenȱ heȱ couldȱ notȱ seeȱ howȱ heȱ couldȱ goȱ onȱ living”).16ȱ Theȱ narratorȱ ofȱ thisȱ tale, Dagoucin,ȱmakesȱitȱabundantlyȱclearȱthatȱtheȱgentlemanȱisȱmotivatedȱbyȱtheȱdesire, indeedȱtheȱobligation,ȱtoȱprotectȱtheȱhonorȱofȱhisȱfamily.ȱHeȱtellsȱus:ȱ“Leȱfrereȱ.ȱ.ȱ. aymoitȱsaȱseurȱetȱl’honneurȱdeȱsaȱmaisonȱplusȱqueȱleȱpliasirȱduȱduc”ȱ(“theȱbrother hadȱmoreȱconcernȱforȱhisȱsister’sȱhonour,ȱandȱforȱthatȱofȱhisȱfamilyȱname,ȱthanȱfor theȱDuke’sȱpleasures”).17ȱSoȱtheȱgentlemanȱprotests,ȱheȱimploresȱtheȱDukeȱnotȱto takeȱadvantageȱofȱhim,ȱofȱtheirȱrelationship,ȱbyȱforcingȱhimȱ“deȱpourchasserȱle deshonneurȱdeȱsonȱsang”ȱ (“toȱ bringȱdishonourȱuponȱhisȱownȱlineage”).18ȱThis responseȱtoȱtheȱDuke’sȱappealȱnotȱonlyȱemphasizesȱtheȱgentleman’sȱmotivationȱfor theȱbenefitȱofȱtheȱtale’sȱaudienceȱ(bothȱinternalȱandȱexternalȱtoȱtheȱtext),ȱbutȱalso makesȱitȱclearȱthatȱbothȱnoblemenȱinȱthisȱstory,ȱtheȱgentlemanȱhimselfȱandȱthe Duke,ȱwouldȱunderstandȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱprotectingȱfamilyȱhonor.ȱTheȱnarrator tellsȱus:ȱ“queȱsonȱsang,ȱsonȱcueurȱneȱsonȱhonneurȱneȱseȱpovoientȱaccorderȱàȱluy faireȱceȱservice”ȱ(“Hisȱhonour,ȱhisȱheart,ȱtheȱveryȱbloodȱthatȱflowedȱinȱhisȱveins preventedȱ himȱ fromȱ lendingȱ himselfȱ toȱ suchȱ aȱ service”).19ȱ Indeed,ȱ protecting familyȱhonorȱisȱsoȱsignificant,ȱandȱsuchȱaȱcompellingȱreasonȱnotȱtoȱgrantȱtheȱDuke hisȱsister’sȱfavors,ȱthatȱitȱisȱtheȱonlyȱargumentȱthatȱtheȱgentlemanȱmakesȱagainst arrangingȱsuchȱaȱtryst.ȱ TheȱDukeȱisȱnotȱtoȱbeȱreasonedȱwith,ȱthough,ȱandȱissuesȱaȱveiledȱthreat:ȱ“‘Siȱvous aymezȱmaȱvie,ȱaussiȱferayȬjeȱlaȱvostre’”ȱ(“‘Takeȱcareȱforȱmyȱlife,ȱandȱIȱwillȱdoȱthe sameȱforȱyou’”)20ȱwhichȱtheȱgentlemanȱunderstandsȱtoȱmeanȱthatȱheȱwillȱbeȱkilled ifȱheȱdoesȱnotȱcomplyȱwithȱtheȱDuke’sȱdemand.ȱTheȱgentlemanȱwrestlesȱwithȱthis dilemmaȱ forȱaȱdayȱorȱ two.ȱHeȱowesȱtheȱDukeȱgreatlyȱforȱhonorsȱandȱmaterial benefits.ȱBut,ȱandȱagainȱtheȱnarratorȱremindsȱus,ȱtheȱgentlemanȱisȱkeenlyȱawareȱof theȱdangerȱtoȱ“l’honneurȱdeȱsaȱmaison,ȱl’honnestetéȱetȱchastetéȱdeȱsaȱseur”ȱ(“the honourȱofȱhisȱfamilyȱname,ȱtheȱchastityȱofȱhisȱsister”).21ȱEvenȱifȱsheȱwereȱtricked intoȱanȱassignationȱwithȱtheȱDuke,ȱorȱrapedȱbyȱhim,ȱ“àȱjamaysȱluyȱetȱlesȱsiensȱen

16 17 18 19 20 21

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

420

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

seroientȱdiffamez”ȱ(“itȱwouldȱbringȱdownȱinfamyȱonȱhimselfȱandȱhisȱwholeȱfamily forȱtheȱrestȱofȱtime”).22ȱFinally,ȱdespiteȱallȱthatȱheȱowesȱtheȱDuke,ȱdespiteȱhisȱinitial internalȱconflict,ȱtheȱgentlemanȱdecidesȱtoȱkillȱtheȱDuke,ȱasȱheȱputsȱit:ȱ“‘vengerȱdu plusȱgrandȱennemyȱquȱj’ayeȱenȱceȱmonde’”ȱ(“‘toȱavengeȱmyselfȱofȱtheȱgreatest enemyȱIȱhaveȱinȱthisȱworld’”).23ȱInȱoneȱofȱtheȱgoriestȱscenesȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱhe andȱhisȱownȱmanservantȱslayȱtheȱDukeȱwithȱtheirȱdaggers.ȱ Asȱitȱturnsȱout,ȱneitherȱtheȱDukeȱnorȱtheȱgentlemanȱisȱquiteȱtheȱmanȱheȱseems toȱbeȱatȱfirst.ȱThoughȱheȱdepictsȱhimselfȱasȱquiteȱtheȱcourtlyȱloverȱ(sufferingȱfrom passionȱsoȱintenseȱthatȱheȱcouldȱnotȱgoȱonȱlivingȱifȱheȱwereȱnotȱallowedȱtoȱenjoy theȱ“favours”ȱofȱtheȱwomanȱheȱloves),ȱtheȱDukeȱisȱfeminizedȱinȱseveralȱwaysȱin thisȱtale.ȱGaryȱFergusonȱobservesȱthat:ȱ Theȱ duke’sȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ murderȱ looksȱ likeȱ aȱ rape,ȱ notȱ onlyȱ becauseȱ itȱ substitutesȱ forȱ the intendedȱrapeȱofȱtheȱmurderer’sȱsister,ȱbutȱalsoȱbecauseȱaȱminionȱrefusesȱtoȱsuccumb, andȱ aȱ masterȱ findsȱ himselfȱ “foulé,”ȱ “suppedité,”ȱ “subjugué,”ȱ “abattu’”24ȱ (beaten, overpowered,ȱsubjugated,ȱslaughtered).ȱ

TheȱDukeȱisȱfurtherȱfeminizedȱbyȱstrikingȱparallelsȱbetweenȱhisȱdeathȱandȱthatȱof theȱmuletièreȱ(muleȱdriver’sȱwife)ȱofȱnovellaȱ2,ȱwhoȱisȱrapedȱandȱmurderedȱbyȱher husband’sȱservant.ȱBothȱtheȱDukeȱandȱtheȱmuletièreȱareȱsurprisedȱinȱbedȱbyȱtheir attackers,ȱeachȱassailantȱclutchingȱaȱbareȱsword,ȱanȱ“espéeȱnue.”25ȱBothȱtheȱDuke andȱtheȱmuletièreȱareȱstabbedȱrepeatedly,ȱuntilȱtheȱlossȱofȱbloodȱpreventsȱthem fromȱstruggling.ȱAtȱthisȱpoint,ȱtheȱmuletière‘sȱattackerȱrapesȱherȱandȱleavesȱherȱto dieȱonȱtheȱfloorȱofȱherȱbedroom.ȱBackȱinȱtheȱDuke’sȱbloodyȱbedroom,ȱonceȱheȱis tooȱweakȱtoȱdefendȱhimselfȱtheȱgentlemanȱandȱhisȱservantȱfinishȱhimȱwithȱtheir daggers.ȱSo,ȱthoughȱtheȱDuke’sȱstruggleȱisȱportrayedȱasȱvaliant,ȱitȱisȱnoȱmoreȱso thanȱthatȱofȱaȱyoungȱwomanȱprotectingȱherȱhonor—aȱbraveȱandȱvirtuousȱ“martire deȱchasteté”ȱ(“martyrȱofȱchastity”),26ȱbutȱaȱwomanȱnonetheless—andȱhisȱdemise closelyȱresemblesȱthatȱofȱaȱfemaleȱrapeȱvictim. Norȱ isȱ theȱ Duke’sȱ gentlemanȱ quiteȱ asȱ honorableȱ andȱ heroicȱ asȱ oneȱ might imagine.ȱTheȱnarratorȱofȱtheȱtale,ȱaȱman,ȱaddsȱdetailsȱtoȱtheȱstoryȱthatȱcastȱthe gentlemanȱinȱaȱlessȬthanȬhonorableȱlight.ȱHavingȱslainȱtheȱDuke,ȱtheȱgentleman decidesȱthatȱ“[il]ȱseȱpensaȱqueȱsonȱeuvreȱseroitȱimparfaict,ȱs’ilȱn’enȱfoisoitȱautant

22 23 24

25

26

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ91;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ159ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ92;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ160ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). GaryȱFerguson,ȱ“HistoryȱorȱHerȱStory?ȱ(Homo)sociality/sexualityȱinȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’s Heptaméronȱ12,”ȱNarrativeȱWorlds:ȱEssaysȱonȱtheȱNouvelleȱinȱFifteenthȬȱandȱSixteenthȬcenturyȱFrance, ed.ȱ Garyȱ Fergusonȱ andȱ Davidȱ LaGuardia.ȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Renaissanceȱ Textsȱ andȱ Studies,ȱ 285 (Tempe,ȱArizona:ȱArizonaȱCenterȱforȱMedievalȱandȱRenaissanceȱStudies,ȱ2005),ȱ97–122;ȱhereȱ121.ȱ Margueriteȱ deȱ Navarre,ȱ LȇHeptaméron,ȱ 19ȱ (nouvelleȱ 2)ȱ andȱ 92ȱ (nouvelleȱ 12),ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 1).ȱ My translation. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ21;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ81ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

421

àȱcinqȱouȱsixȱdeȱceulxȱquiȱestoientȱlesȱprochainsȱduȱduc”ȱ(“hisȱmissionȱwouldȱbe incompleteȱifȱheȱdidȱnotȱalsoȱdispatchȱtheȱfiveȱorȱsixȱmenȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱcloseȱto theȱ Duke”).27ȱ Notȱ onlyȱ isȱ thisȱ unnecessarilyȱ vicious,ȱ but,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ the manservant,ȱtheȱtwoȱofȱthemȱwouldȱbeȱunableȱtoȱcompleteȱtheȱbrutalȱtaskȱbefore daylight,ȱjudgingȱbyȱtheȱdurationȱandȱintensityȱofȱtheirȱstruggleȱtoȱassassinateȱthe Duke.ȱIndeed,ȱinȱthatȱlethalȱbattle,ȱtheȱDukeȱseemsȱconsiderablyȱmoreȱvaliantȱthan ourȱgentleman.ȱ TheȱnarratorȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱtheȱDukeȱisȱunarmed,ȱunlikeȱtheȱgentlemanȱand hisȱmanservant,ȱbutȱheȱfightsȱhisȱattackersȱwithȱgreatȱcourage,ȱandȱtheȱgentleman isȱunableȱtoȱdefeatȱhimȱwithoutȱtheȱhelpȱofȱhisȱservant.ȱTheȱgentlemanȱbelieves thatȱbyȱkillingȱtheȱDukeȱheȱhasȱsavedȱpeopleȱfromȱtyranny,ȱbutȱtheȱnarratorȱofȱthe taleȱ tellsȱ usȱ thatȱ theȱ gentlemanȱ suffersȱ fromȱ aȱ guiltyȱ conscience,ȱ “laȱ mauvaise conscience,”28ȱandȱdescribesȱtheȱDuke’sȱdeathȱasȱaȱ“meudre”ȱ(“murder”),29ȱrather than,ȱforȱexample,ȱanȱexecution,ȱandȱtellsȱusȱthatȱtheȱgentlemanȱwasȱ“crainctif” (“nervous”)30ȱaboutȱwhatȱheȱhadȱdone—hardlyȱtheȱreactionȱofȱaȱtrueȱhero—so nervousȱthatȱheȱfleesȱtoȱTurkeyȱtoȱavoidȱretribution.ȱThatȱisȱtheȱlastȱthatȱweȱhear ofȱhim.ȱAndȱthoughȱtheȱgentlemanȱconsideredȱtheȱDukeȱtoȱbeȱsuchȱaȱtyrantȱthat heȱhopedȱhisȱdeathȱwouldȱ“mettreȱenȱlibertéȱlaȱchoseȱpublicque”ȱ(“setȱtheȱstate free”),31ȱ noȱ oneȱ elseȱ withinȱ theȱ taleȱ seemsȱ toȱ holdȱ theȱ sameȱ opinion.ȱ Theȱ only positiveȱreactionȱtoȱtheȱDuke’sȱdeathȱisȱthatȱofȱtheȱgentleman’sȱsister:ȱ“combien qu’elleȱfustȱestonnéeȱduȱcasȱadvenu,ȱsiȱestȬceȱqu’elleȱenȱaymaȱdavantaigeȱsonȱfrere, quiȱn’avoitȱpasȱespargnéȱleȱhazardȱdeȱsaȱvie,ȱpourȱlaȱdelivrerȱd’unȱsiȱcruelȱprince ennemy”ȱ(“Sheȱwasȱhorrifiedȱbyȱwhatȱhadȱhappened,ȱbutȱlovedȱherȱbrotherȱthe moreȱforȱhavingȱdeliveredȱherȱfromȱaȱprinceȱwhoȱwasȱsoȱcruelȱaȱfoe”).32 Ultimately,ȱthough,ȱtheȱgentlemanȱsavesȱhisȱsisterȱfromȱtheȱDuke’sȱassaultȱonȱher honor.ȱWeȱareȱtoldȱthatȱtheȱstoryȱ“engendraȱdiversesȱoppinions”ȱ(“engendered diverseȱopinions”)33ȱamongȱtheȱdevisants,ȱbutȱasȱGaryȱFergusonȱobserves,34ȱthe opinionsȱfallȱalongȱgenderȱlines,ȱtypicalȱofȱtheȱHeptaméron:ȱtheȱmenȱconsiderȱthe gentlemanȱaȱ“traistreȱetȱmeschantȱserviteur”ȱ(“traitorȱandȱaȱbadȱservant”),35ȱhis killingȱofȱtheȱDukeȱrepresents,ȱinȱtheirȱopinion,ȱ“tropȱgrandeȱingratitude”ȱ(“the

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

35

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ93;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ161ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ93ȱMyȱtranslationȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ94;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ93;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ162ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ93;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ161ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ94;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ95;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). GaryȱFergusonȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱ“Itȱisȱquicklyȱrevealedȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱthatȱtheȱopinionsȱareȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱdiverse, asȱclearlyȱandȱdeeplyȱdivided,ȱsplitȱalongȱtheȱlinesȱofȱgenderȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.”ȱFerguson,ȱ“HistoryȱorȱHer Story,”ȱ200ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ24).ȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ95;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

422

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

heightȱ ofȱ ingratitude”),36ȱ whileȱ theȱ womenȱ insistȱ thatȱ “ilȱ estoitȱ bonȱ frereȱ et vertueuxȱcitoyen”ȱ(“heȱwasȱaȱgoodȱbrotherȱandȱaȱvirtuousȱcitizen”).37ȱInȱtheȱend, theȱauthorȱallowsȱherȱdamesȱtheȱlastȱwordȱinȱthisȱargumentȱbeforeȱtheȱnarratorȱcuts offȱdebateȱonȱtheȱtopic;ȱtheyȱclaimȱthatȱ“leȱducȱestoitȱsiȱdigneȱdeȱmort,ȱqueȱbien heureuxȱestoitȱcelluyȱquiȱavoitȱfaictȱleȱcoup”ȱ(“theȱDukeȱwasȱsoȱdeservingȱofȱdeath thatȱtheȱmanȱwhoȱhadȱslainȱhimȱwasȱblessedȱindeed”).38ȱ ButȱnotȱallȱmenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱwhoȱpunishȱothersȱareȱdescribedȱasȱ“blessed.” Theȱfriarȱinȱnovellaȱ46,ȱforȱexample,ȱisȱdecidedlyȱwicked.ȱHeȱpunishesȱaȱyoungȱgirl forȱtheȱ“pechéȱdeȱparesse”ȱ(“theȱsinȱofȱsloth”)39ȱbyȱrapingȱher.ȱHerȱallegedȱoffense, accordingȱtoȱtheȱfriar,ȱisȱthatȱ“elleȱneȱseȱlevoitȱpoinctȱauȱmatin”40ȱ(“sheȱdidȱnotȱget upȱinȱtheȱmorning”)ȱtoȱlistenȱtoȱhisȱsermons.ȱHerȱtrueȱ“crime,”ȱthough,ȱisȱbeing “fortȱbelle”ȱ(“extremelyȱbeautiful”)41ȱandȱtheȱobjectȱofȱtheȱfriar’sȱlust.ȱByȱtheȱtime theȱgirl’sȱmotherȱdiscoversȱthatȱtheȱfriarȱhasȱinȱfactȱrapedȱherȱdaughterȱratherȱthan dispensingȱtheȱsortȱofȱpunishmentȱtheȱmotherȱhadȱexpected,ȱtheȱfriarȱhasȱalready escapedȱtheȱtownȱandȱanyȱpunishmentȱofȱhisȱown. Oneȱmightȱexpectȱbetrayedȱwomenȱinȱtheseȱtalesȱtoȱpunishȱtheirȱphilandering husbands,ȱforȱtheȱreputationsȱofȱmarriedȱwomenȱwouldȱbeȱlessȱatȱriskȱthanȱthose ofȱlivelyȱyoungȱwidowsȱpursuedȱbyȱcharmingȱandȱhandsomeȱgentlemen,ȱlikeȱthe widowȱweȱmetȱinȱnovellaȱ4,ȱbutȱthisȱdoesȱnotȱhappenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron.ȱMargaret Harperȱ maintainsȱ thatȱ “theȱ wivesȱ ofȱ theseȱ talesȱ optȱ forȱ subversive,ȱ aggressive methodsȱinȱorderȱtoȱdisciplineȱandȱcureȱtheirȱunfaithfulȱhusband.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱWhereasȱmen maintainȱ theirȱ honorȱ andȱ controlȱ overȱ theirȱ wivesȱ throughȱ completedȱ actsȱ of aggression,ȱwomenȱseemȱtoȱgainȱmoreȱdominanceȱoverȱtheirȱhusbandsȱthroughȱan abortedȱviolentȱact,ȱoneȱwhichȱcanȱbeȱaȱfurtherȱthreatȱtoȱtheȱunfaithfulȱspouse.”42 TheȱwifeȱinȱNovellaȱ37,ȱforȱexample,ȱisȱ“tantȱsaigeȱetȱvertueuseȱqu’elleȱestoitȱaymée etȱestiméeȱdeȱtousȱsesȱvoisins”ȱ(“soȱgoodȱandȱvirtuousȱthatȱsheȱwasȱlovedȱand admiredȱbyȱallȱherȱneighbours”).43ȱButȱnot,ȱitȱseems,ȱbyȱherȱownȱhusband,ȱwhoȱis boredȱwithȱtheirȱ“honnesteȱrepos”ȱ(“quiet,ȱrespectableȱlife”)44ȱandȱdecidesȱtoȱlook forȱ excitementȱ elsewhere.ȱ Oneȱ dayȱ theȱ wifeȱ discoversȱ himȱ inȱ bedȱ withȱ a chambermaid;ȱinȱangerȱsheȱsetsȱfireȱtoȱsomeȱstrawȱinȱtheȱmiddleȱofȱtheȱroomȱwhere

36 37 38 39 40 41 42

43 44

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ95;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ95;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ95;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ163ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ309;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ407ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ309;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ407ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱMyȱtranslation. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ309;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ407ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). ȱMargaretȱHarper,ȱ“ViolentȱRemedies:ȱFeminineȱAggressionȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,”ȱViolenceȱetȱfiction jusqu’àȱ laȱ Révolution,ȱ ed.ȱ Martineȱ Debaisieuxȱ andȱ Gabrielleȱ Verdier.ȱ Travauxȱ duȱ colloque internationalȱ deȱ laȱ Sociétéȱ d’Analyseȱ deȱ laȱ Topiqueȱ Romanesqueȱ (Sator),ȱ 9ȱ Étudesȱ littéraires françaises,ȱ66ȱ(Tübingen:ȱGunterȱNarrȱVerlag,ȱ1998),ȱ155–63;ȱhereȱ155–56.ȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ266;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ358ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ266;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ358ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

423

theȱloversȱareȱsleeping.ȱSylvieȱL.ȱF.ȱRichardsȱobservesȱthat,ȱinȱignitingȱhayȱinȱthe roomȱwhereȱherȱhusbandȱisȱasleepȱwithȱaȱchambermaid,ȱ“Theȱwifeȱsetsȱfireȱtoȱthe locusȱofȱtransgression.”45ȱNevertheless,ȱthisȱwomanȱdoesȱnotȱpunishȱherȱspouseȱfor thatȱtransgression.ȱBeforeȱanyȱharmȱcanȱcomeȱtoȱherȱfaithlessȱhusband,ȱsheȱgrabs himȱbyȱtheȱarmȱandȱshoutsȱ“‘Auȱfeu!ȱAuȱfeu!’”ȱ(“‘Fire!ȱFire!’”),46ȱwakingȱhimȱand savingȱ himȱ fromȱ injuryȱ orȱ evenȱ death.ȱ Duringȱ theȱ conversationȱ amongȱ the devisantsȱfollowingȱthisȱtale,ȱLongarine,ȱaȱyoungȱwidow,ȱexclaims:ȱ“‘deȱtelzȱmarys queȱceulxȬlà,ȱlesȱcendresȱenȱseroientȱbonnesȱàȱfaireȱlaȱbuée’”ȱ(“‘Husbandsȱlikeȱthat oughtȱtoȱbeȱburntȱandȱtheirȱashesȱusedȱforȱtheȱwashing!’”).47ȱButȱherȱopinionȱthat aȱwomanȱoughtȱtoȱpunishȱherȱcheatingȱhusbandȱisȱunderminedȱbyȱanotherȱfemale devisante,ȱOisille,ȱwhoȱremindsȱher:ȱ“‘maisȱsiȱn’avezȬvousȱpasȱainsyȱvescuȱavecq leȱ vostre’”ȱ (“‘butȱ youȱ didȱ notȱ liveȱ thusȱ withȱ yourȱ ownȱ husband’”).48ȱ Oisille’s commentȱsuggestsȱthatȱLongarine’sȱhusbandȱhadȱnotȱbeenȱentirelyȱfaithful,ȱand despiteȱLongarine’sȱoutrageȱatȱtheȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱhusbandȱinȱtheȱtaleȱsheȱhadȱjust heard,ȱ despiteȱ herȱ indignantȱ claimȱ thatȱ heȱ oughtȱ toȱ beȱ punishedȱ severely,ȱ she evidentlyȱhadȱnotȱpunishedȱherȱownȱhusbandȱforȱstraying.ȱSuchȱmenȱoughtȱtoȱbe punished,ȱperhaps,ȱbutȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱtheyȱareȱnot. Powerfulȱwomenȱareȱnotȱallowedȱtoȱpunishȱthoseȱwhoȱoffendȱthem,ȱanyȱmore thanȱ workingȱ classȱ womenȱ orȱ betrayedȱ bourgeoises.ȱ Theȱ queenȱ inȱ novellaȱ 21ȱ is relentlesslyȱangryȱwithȱaȱyoungȱnoblewoman,ȱRolandine:ȱ“laȱRoyne,ȱpourȱquelque inimitiéȱqu’elleȱportoitȱàȱsonȱpere,ȱneȱluyȱfaisoitȱpasȱfortȱbonneȱchere”(“sinceȱshe boreȱsomeȱgrudgeȱagainstȱRolandine’sȱfather,ȱtheȱQueenȱdidȱnotȱtreatȱherȱatȱall kindly”).49ȱ Whenȱ Rolandineȱ marriesȱ aȱ bastardȱ againstȱ theȱ queen’sȱ wishes,ȱ the queenȱhasȱherȱlockedȱinȱaȱroomȱtoȱkeepȱherȱfromȱherȱhusband.ȱButȱitȱisȱaȱman, Rolandine’sȱownȱfather,ȱwhoȱactuallyȱpunishesȱtheȱyoungȱwoman.ȱ“Leȱpereȱ.ȱ.ȱ. l’envoyaȱàȱungȱchasteauȱdedansȱuneȱforestȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱetȱlaȱtintȱlàȱlonguementȱenȱprison” (Inȱaȱ“castleȱinȱtheȱforest,ȱheȱkeptȱherȱimprisonedȱforȱaȱlongȱtime”).50ȱ Theȱ womenȱ inȱ theȱ Heptaméronȱ doȱ notȱ evenȱ punishȱ theirȱ ownȱ misbehaving children.ȱWeȱrecallȱtheȱmotherȱinȱtaleȱ46ȱwhoȱencouragesȱaȱFranciscanȱfriarȱto punishȱ herȱ daughterȱ forȱ sleepingȱ ratherȱ thanȱ attendingȱ theȱ friar’sȱ sermons, (recognizingȱthatȱitȱwasȱtheȱfriarȱwhoȱinitiallyȱobservesȱtheȱyoungȱgirl’sȱ“sloth,” andȱthatȱheȱpunishesȱherȱbyȱrapingȱher).ȱ TheȱmotherȱinȱNovellaȱ30ȱplansȱtoȱpunishȱherȱsonȱforȱtryingȱtoȱseduceȱaȱyoung servantȱinȱtheȱhousehold;ȱtheȱmotherȱwaitsȱinȱtheȱservant’sȱbed,ȱreadyȱtoȱgiveȱher

45

46 47 48 49 50

Sylvieȱ L.ȱ F.ȱ Richards,ȱ “Theȱ Burningȱ Bed:ȱ Infidelityȱ andȱ theȱ Virtuousȱ Womanȱ inȱ Heptameron XXXVII,”ȱRomanceȱNotesȱ34.3ȱ(Springȱ1994):ȱ307–15;ȱhereȱ312.ȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ267;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ359ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ269;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ360–61ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ269;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ361ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ158;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ236ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ158;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ236ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

424

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

sonȱaȱscoldingȱthatȱheȱwillȱneverȱforget,ȱbutȱinsteadȱhasȱsexualȱintercourseȱwith him,ȱwithoutȱhisȱrealizingȱthatȱheȱisȱinȱbedȱwithȱhisȱownȱmother.ȱCertainlyȱnotȱthe punishmentȱthatȱsheȱhadȱimaginedȱdispensing. AlthoughȱwomenȱareȱrarelyȱpermittedȱtoȱpunishȱtransgressorsȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron, theirȱmaleȱcounterpartsȱareȱallowedȱfreeȱreignȱtoȱdoȱso.ȱThatȱphilanderingȱmenȱin theȱHeptaméron’sȱtalesȱshouldȱescapeȱpunishmentȱwhileȱcheatingȱwivesȱgenerally doȱnotȱshouldȱcomeȱasȱnoȱsurprise,ȱforȱitȱreflectsȱtheȱrealityȱofȱtheȱera.ȱIanȱMorrison remindsȱusȱthat:ȱ“Dansȱlaȱréalité,ȱl’époqueȱétaitȱféroceȱpourȱlesȱfemmesȱadultères etȱindulgenteȱpourȱlesȱmaris;ȱauȱXVeȱsiècleȱduȱmoins,ȱlaȱloiȱadmettaitȱqu’unȱmari pûtȱtuer,ȱimpunément,ȱuneȱépouseȱetȱunȱamantȱprisȱenȱflagrantȱdélitȱadultère”51 (“Inȱreality,ȱtheȱeraȱwasȱbrutalȱtoȱadulterousȱwomenȱandȱindulgentȱtowardȱtheir husbands;ȱduringȱtheȱfifteenthȱcenturyȱatȱleast,ȱtheȱlawȱpermittedȱaȱmanȱtoȱkill withȱimpunityȱbothȱhisȱwifeȱandȱherȱloverȱifȱheȱcaughtȱthemȱengagedȱinȱsexual relations”).ȱNotȱsurprisingly,ȱmenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱdoȱpunishȱwomenȱwhoȱbetray them.52ȱInȱNovellaȱ36,ȱforȱexample,ȱaȱpresidentȱofȱGrenobleȱsecretlyȱpoisonsȱhis wifeȱforȱhavingȱbeenȱunfaithfulȱtoȱhim.ȱHeȱwaitsȱtwoȱweeksȱafterȱdiscoveringȱhis wifeȱinȱbedȱwithȱherȱlover,ȱinȱorderȱtoȱ avoidȱ suspicion,ȱthenȱservesȱhisȱwifeȱa poisonedȱsalad.ȱSheȱisȱdeadȱwithinȱaȱday,ȱvictimȱofȱtheȱultimateȱpunishment,ȱbut herȱmurderousȱhusbandȱisȱneverȱfoundȱout.ȱ Theȱnarratorȱofȱthisȱstory,ȱEnnasuite,ȱseemsȱtoȱrespectȱtheȱbetrayedȱandȱbrutal husband.ȱSheȱendsȱherȱtaleȱbyȱconcluding:ȱ“etȱparȱceȱmoien,ȱseȱvangeaȱdeȱson ennemyȱetȱsaulvaȱl’honneurȱdeȱsaȱmaison”ȱ(“Andȱsoȱheȱavengedȱhimselfȱonȱhis enemyȱandȱsavedȱtheȱhonourȱofȱhisȱhouse”).53ȱSheȱadds,ȱ“‘Jeȱneȱveulxȱpas,ȱmes dames,ȱ parȱ cela,ȱ louerȱ laȱ conscienceȱ duȱ President,ȱ mais,ȱ oyȱ bien,ȱ monstrerȱ la legieretéȱd’uneȱfemme,ȱetȱlaȱgrandeȱpatienceȱetȱprudenceȱd’unȱhomme’”ȱ(“‘Itȱisȱnot myȱ wish,ȱ Ladies,ȱ toȱ praiseȱ theȱ President’sȱ conscience,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ toȱ portrayȱ a woman’sȱlaxity,ȱandȱtheȱgreatȱpatienceȱandȱprudenceȱofȱaȱman’”).54ȱIanȱMorrison remarksȱ thatȱ “Leȱ plusȱ souvent,ȱ leȱ motȱ deȱ “patience”ȱ désigneȱ dansȱ leȱ recueil, commeȱaujourd’hui,ȱl’aptitudeȱàȱsupporterȱlesȱdésagréments,ȱàȱpersévérer.ȱParfois,

51

52

53 54

Ianȱ Morrison,ȱ “Quelquesȱ remarquesȱ surȱ laȱ patienceȱ etȱ laȱ prudenceȱ dansȱ L’Heptaméronȱ de MargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱ(AȱproposȱdesȱNouvellesȱ35ȱetȱ36),”ȱStudiaȱNeophilologicaȱ74ȱ(2002):ȱ113–20; hereȱ 118.ȱ Forȱ aȱ discussionȱ ofȱ theȱ sameȱ sortȱ ofȱ inequalityȱ inȱ medievalȱ Spain,ȱ seeȱ Connieȱ L. Scarborough’sȱ contributionȱ toȱ thisȱ volume,ȱ “Womenȱ asȱ Victimsȱ andȱ Criminalsȱ inȱ theȱ Siete Partidas.” SomeȱadulterousȱwomenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱavoidȱpunishment,ȱbutȱmostȱdoȱnot.ȱNancyȱFrelick pointsȱoutȱthatȱ“Whileȱitȱisȱtrueȱthatȱtheȱwomenȱinȱtheseȱtwoȱtalesȱ[novellasȱ15ȱandȱ49]ȱseemȱto sufferȱ noȱ graveȱ consequencesȱ asȱ aȱ resultȱ ofȱ theirȱ illicitȱ behaviour,ȱ otherȱ storiesȱ aboutȱ female infidelityȱofferȱexamplesȱofȱcruelȱpunishmentȱinflictedȱonȱwomenȱwhoȱcommitȱadultery.”ȱNancy Frelick,ȱ “Femaleȱ Infidelity:ȱ Ideology,ȱ Subversion,ȱ andȱ Feministȱ Practiceȱ inȱ Margueriteȱ de Navarre’sȱHeptaméron,”ȱDalhousieȱFrenchȱStudiesȱ56ȱ(2001):ȱ17–26;ȱhereȱ21. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ263;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ355ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ263;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ355ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

425

pourtant,ȱ leȱ termeȱ signifieȱ plutôtȱ maîtriseȱ deȱ soi.”55ȱ (“Mostȱ often,ȱ theȱ word ‘patience,’ȱ asȱ itȱ isȱ usedȱ inȱ thisȱ collection,ȱ denotesȱ theȱ capacityȱ toȱ tolerate aggravation,ȱtoȱpersevere,ȱjustȱasȱitȱdoesȱtoday.ȱSometimes,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱterm impliesȱselfȬcontrol.”)ȱThisȱhusbandȱmostȱcertainlyȱdisplaysȱaȱgreatȱdealȱofȱself controlȱwithȱtheȱgoalȱofȱbeingȱableȱtoȱmurderȱhisȱwifeȱwithoutȱarousingȱsuspicion. Heȱ entertainsȱ friendsȱ andȱ neighbors,ȱ onceȱ evenȱ insistingȱ thatȱ hisȱ wife’sȱ (now former)ȱyoungȱloverȱdanceȱwithȱher,ȱandȱimpressesȱuponȱeveryoneȱhowȱgreatly heȱlovesȱhisȱwife.ȱAllȱtheȱwhile,ȱheȱisȱpreparingȱtoȱassassinateȱher.ȱ Theȱhusbandȱinȱnovellaȱ35ȱisȱalsoȱremarkablyȱpatient;ȱheȱwaitsȱthroughȱmostȱof Lentȱ forȱ theȱ opportunityȱ toȱ beatȱ hisȱ wifeȱ forȱ theȱ offenseȱ ofȱ intendingȱ toȱ be unfaithfulȱ toȱ him.ȱ Theseȱ twoȱ husbandsȱ exerciseȱ patienceȱ forȱ aȱ malevolent purpose—inȱorderȱtoȱimposeȱaȱpunishmentȱonȱtheirȱwivesȱthatȱisȱarguablyȱmore severeȱthanȱwarranted.ȱAsȱIanȱMorrisonȱnotes,ȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱpatienceȱand prudence,ȱbothȱtraditionalȱChristianȱvirtues,ȱ“sontȱtrèsȱsusceptiblesȱdeȱcorruption parȱ lesȱ hommes”56ȱ (“areȱ veryȱ susceptibleȱ toȱ beingȱ corruptedȱ byȱ men”).ȱ The vengefulȱhusbandsȱinȱnovellasȱ35ȱandȱ36ȱareȱclearȱevidenceȱofȱtheȱcorruptionȱof thatȱChristianȱvirtueȱandȱtheȱDukeȱinȱnovellaȱ51ȱisȱperhapsȱevenȱmoreȱso.ȱ Theȱhusbandȱinȱnovellaȱ51,ȱtheȱDukeȱofȱUrbino,ȱisȱyetȱanotherȱexampleȱofȱaȱman whoȱ distortsȱ theȱ virtueȱ ofȱ patienceȱ forȱ hisȱ despicable,ȱ vengefulȱ purposes.ȱ He exercisesȱimpressiveȱpatienceȱandȱselfȬcontrolȱinȱorderȱtoȱpunishȱaȱwomanȱwho hadȱangeredȱhim.ȱInȱthisȱcase,ȱtheȱguiltyȱwomanȱisȱnotȱhisȱwife,ȱbutȱratherȱhis wife’sȱladyȬinȬwaiting.ȱTheȱyoungȱwomanȱhasȱbeenȱcarryingȱmessagesȱfromȱthe Duke’sȱsonȱtoȱtheȱwomanȱheȱloves.ȱWhenȱtheȱDukeȱdiscoversȱthis,ȱheȱisȱinitially unableȱ toȱ controlȱ hisȱ rage.ȱ Afraidȱ thatȱ hisȱ sonȱ willȱ enterȱ intoȱ anȱ unworthy marriage,ȱtheȱDukeȱcannotȱhideȱhisȱangerȱandȱtheȱDuchess’sȱladyȬinȬwaitingȱhears thatȱheȱisȱinfuriated:ȱ“[L]aȱdamoiselleȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱcongnoissantȱlaȱmaliceȱduȱduc,ȱqu’elle esimoitȱaussiȱgrandeȱqueȱsaȱconscienceȱpetite,ȱeutȱuneȱmerveilleuseȱcraincte”ȱ(“She wasȱovercomeȱwithȱterror,ȱforȱsheȱknewȱtheȱextentȱofȱtheȱDuke’sȱwickednessȱand thatȱ itȱ wasȱ asȱ greatȱ asȱ hisȱ conscienceȱ wasȱ small”).57ȱ Theȱ poorȱ ladyȬinȬwaiting pleadsȱwithȱtheȱDuchessȱtoȱallowȱherȱtoȱstayȱelsewhere,ȱtoȱhideȱfromȱtheȱDuke untilȱhisȱfuryȱsubsides.ȱTheȱDuchessȱhesitates,ȱbutȱrelentsȱandȱsendsȱherȱoffȱtoȱa conventȱ whenȱ sheȱ realizesȱ theȱ depthȱ andȱ dangerȱ ofȱ theȱ Duke’sȱ wrath:ȱ “elle entenditȱbienȱtostȱleȱmauvaisȱproposȱqueȱleȱducȱenȱtenoit”ȱ(“theȱDuchessȱveryȱsoon discoveredȱhowȱtheȱDukeȱfeltȱfromȱtheȱmalevolentȱwayȱheȱspokeȱofȱtheȱaffair”).58 TheȱDuke’sȱinabilityȱtoȱmaskȱhisȱangerȱallowsȱtheȱladyȬinȬwaitingȱtoȱslipȱoutȱofȱhis vengefulȱclutches.ȱ

55 56 57 58

Morrison,ȱ“Quelquesȱremarques,”ȱ113ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51).ȱ Morrison,ȱ“Quelquesȱremarques,”ȱ119ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51).ȱ MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ329;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ429ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ330;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ429ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

426

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

TheȱDukeȱrealizesȱthatȱheȱwillȱnotȱbeȱableȱtoȱpunishȱtheȱyoungȱwomanȱasȱlong asȱsheȱremainsȱhiddenȱaway.ȱHeȱmustersȱenoughȱselfȬcontrolȱtoȱdupeȱhisȱwifeȱinto believingȱthatȱheȱwillȱnotȱharmȱherȱladyȬinȬwaiting:ȱ“d’unȱvisaigeȱfainctȱetȱjoyeux, [leȱduc]ȱdemandaȱàȱsaȱfemmeȱoùȱestoitȱcetteȱdamoiselle”ȱ(“PuttingȱonȱaȱgoodȬ humouredȱair,ȱheȱapproachedȱhisȱwifeȱandȱaskedȱherȱwhereȱtheȱyoungȱwomanȱhad gone”).59ȱ Heȱ convincesȱ hisȱ wifeȱ toȱ bringȱ theȱ girlȱ backȱ fromȱ theȱ safetyȱ ofȱ the convent.ȱTheȱDuchess,ȱinȱturn,ȱassuresȱtheȱyoungȱwomanȱthatȱsheȱwillȱcomeȱtoȱno harm,ȱandȱpersuadesȱherȱtoȱleaveȱherȱsafeȱrefugeȱandȱreturnȱtoȱcourt.ȱHisȱextreme selfȬcontrolȱhavingȱservedȱitsȱpurpose,ȱtheȱDukeȱabandonsȱitȱandȱhasȱtheȱyoung womanȱarrested.ȱInȱaȱdefinitiveȱdisplayȱofȱhisȱruthlessnessȱandȱhisȱimmorality, “sansȱformeȱdeȱjustice,ȱobliantȱDieuȱetȱl’honneurȱdeȱsaȱmaison,ȱfeitȱcruellement pendreȱcesteȱpauvreȱdamoiselle”ȱ(“ignoringȱallȱlegalȱforms,ȱGodȱandȱtheȱhonour ofȱhisȱhouse,ȱheȱhadȱtheȱgirlȱcruellyȱputȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱhanging”).60ȱTheȱdishonorȱof theȱDuke’sȱactionsȱisȱreiteratedȱbyȱtheȱnarratorȱofȱtheȱnovella:ȱ“Ainsyȱfutȱceste damoiselleȱ innocenteȱ miseȱ àȱ mortȱ parȱ ceȱ cruelȱ ducȱ contreȱ touteȱ laȱ loy d’honnesteté”ȱ(“thisȱinnocentȱyoungȱwomanȱwasȱputȱtoȱdeathȱbyȱthisȱcruelȱDuke, againstȱallȱlawsȱofȱhonourȱandȱjustice”).61ȱThereȱisȱnothingȱhonorableȱaboutȱthe Duke’sȱactions.ȱHeȱhasȱtheȱpoorȱladyȬinȬwaitingȱexecutedȱnotȱtoȱdefendȱhisȱown honor,ȱ orȱ thatȱ ofȱ hisȱ family,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ becauseȱ theȱ “unworthy”ȱ marriageȱ that mightȱhaveȱresultedȱfromȱherȱactionsȱwouldȱhaveȱcostȱtheȱDukeȱfinancially.62ȱHis opportunityȱforȱrevengeȱatȱhand,ȱtheȱDukeȱthrowsȱallȱselfȬcontrolȱtoȱtheȱwind,ȱfor hisȱpatienceȱhasȱservedȱitsȱdecidedlyȱunȬChristianȱpurposeȱandȱheȱnoȱlongerȱhas anyȱuseȱforȱit. ȱTheȱHeptaméronȱfeaturesȱpatientȱwomenȱ asȱ well,ȱbutȱtheirȱpatienceȱservesȱa differentȱpurposeȱthanȱthatȱofȱtheȱmenȱinȱtheȱnovellas.ȱTheȱwifeȱinȱnovellaȱ37,ȱfor example,ȱtheȱoneȱwhoȱsetsȱaȱfireȱinȱtheȱroomȱwhereȱherȱhusbandȱisȱinȱbedȱwithȱa chambermaid,ȱisȱalsoȱ“patient,”ȱandȱexercisesȱevenȱmoreȱselfȱcontrolȱthanȱdoȱthe murderousȱPrésidentȱdeȱGrenobleȱandȱtheȱgentilhommeȱofȱnovellaȱ35.ȱSheȱsaysȱto herȱphilanderingȱhusband:ȱ “Monsieur,ȱj’ayȱessayé,ȱungȱanȱdurant,ȱàȱvousȱretirerȱdeȱcesteȱmalheurté,ȱparȱdoulceur etȱpatience,ȱetȱvousȱmonstrerȱque,ȱenȱlavantȱleȱdehors,ȱvousȱdeviezȱnectoierȱleȱdedans; maisȱquantȱj’ayȱveuȱqueȱtoutȱceȱqueȱjeȱfaisoisȱestoitȱdeȱnulleȱvalleur,ȱj’ayȱmisȱpeyneȱde meȱayderȱdeȱl’elementȱquiȱdoibtȱmectreȱfinȱàȱtoutesȱchoses.”

59 60 61 62

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ330;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ430ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ331;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ430ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ331;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ431ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). GaryȱFergusonȱmaintainsȱthatȱ“l’avariceȱduȱducȱd’Urbinȱl’entraîneȱàȱlaȱcruauté”ȱ(“theȱduke’s avariceȱdrivesȱhimȱtoȱcruelty”).ȱGaryȱFerguson,ȱ“Péchésȱcapitauxȱetȱ‘vicesȱitaliens’:ȱL’Avariceȱet sesȱcomplicesȱdansȱl’HeptaméronȱdeȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,”ȱSeizièmeȱSiècleȱ4ȱ(2008):ȱ73–87;ȱhere 79.ȱFergusonȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱinȱtheȱdiscussionȱthatȱfollowsȱnovellaȱ51,ȱtheȱdevisantsȱblameȱthe Duke’sȱcruelȱactionsȱonȱhisȱgreed.ȱ

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

427

[“Monsieur,ȱIȱhaveȱbeenȱtryingȱforȱtheȱpastȱyearȱtoȱsaveȱyouȱfromȱyourȱwickedȱways. Iȱhaveȱtriedȱtoȱexerciseȱpatienceȱandȱkindness,ȱtoȱshowȱyouȱthatȱinȱwashingȱtheȱoutside youȱshouldȱbeȱalsoȱinwardlyȱcleansed.ȱButȱwhenȱIȱsawȱthatȱitȱwasȱallȱtoȱnoȱavail,ȱI decidedȱtoȱemployȱthatȱelementȱwhichȱshallȱbringȱanȱendȱtoȱallȱthings.”]63ȱ

SylvieȱL.ȱF.ȱRichardsȱobservesȱthatȱ“theȱwife,ȱthoughȱsheȱmayȱhaveȱbeenȱlongȬ suffering,ȱdidȱnotȱeffectȱchangeȱinȱherȱmarriageȱthroughȱpatience.ȱInȱfact,ȱtheȱtale showsȱ theȱ failureȱ ofȱ theseȱ virtues.”64ȱ So,ȱ althoughȱ womenȱ mightȱ shareȱ the characteristicȱofȱpatienceȱwithȱmen,ȱultimatelyȱtheyȱdoȱnotȱuseȱthatȱpatienceȱto inflictȱpunishmentȱonȱtheȱguilty. ManyȱtransgressorsȱinȱtheȱHeptaméronȱsimplyȱescapeȱpunishment.ȱIanȱMorrison observesȱthat:ȱ“Oneȱmustȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱunderlineȱthat,ȱthoughȱtheȱHeptaméronȱdoesȱinclude someȱjustȱendings,ȱitȱalsoȱrecognizesȱclearlyȱtheȱlimitationsȱofȱearthlyȱjustice,ȱeven inȱstoriesȱwhereȱroyalȱjusticeȱmayȱplayȱsomeȱpart.”65ȱThoseȱwhoȱdoȱmanageȱto avoidȱretributionȱforȱtheirȱoffensesȱareȱmostȱoftenȱmen,ȱandȱtheyȱgenerallyȱevade theȱpunishmentȱdueȱthemȱbyȱfleeing.ȱThisȱreflectsȱ theȱ actualȱstateȱofȱaffairsȱin sixteenthȬcenturyȱFrance.ȱNatalieȱZemonȱDavisȱrevealsȱthat:ȱ Oftenȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱkillerȱfled,ȱperhapsȱdirectlyȱfromȱtheȱsceneȱofȱtheȱcrimeȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱOtherȱtimes theȱ guiltyȱ partyȱ waitedȱ forȱ daysȱ orȱ weeksȱ whileȱ theȱ victimȱ nursedȱ hisȱ wounds, probablyȱcompensatingȱhimȱandȱhisȱangryȱfamilyȱwithȱaȱpayment,ȱandȱthenȱwhen deathȱoccurred,ȱ“fearingȱtheȱrigorsȱofȱjustice,”ȱfledȱoutȱofȱtheȱjurisdiction,ȱtheȱregion, andȱ sometimesȱ evenȱ outȱ ofȱ theȱ kingdomȱ ofȱ France.ȱ (Theȱ smallȱ numberȱ ofȱ royal sergeantsȱandȱotherȱpolice,ȱtheȱslownessȱofȱcommunication,ȱandȱtheȱabsenceȱofȱroutine extraditionȱmadeȱitȱquiteȱpossibleȱtoȱtakeȱrefuge.)66

Women,ȱ however,ȱ seldomȱ hadȱ theȱ opportunityȱ toȱ escape.ȱ Claudeȱ Gauvard observesȱthatȱ“laȱfemmeȱnȇaȱpasȱlesȱmoyensȱdȇêtreȱ‘fuitive’ȱduȱroyaume”ȱ(“women didȱnotȱhaveȱtheȱmeansȱtoȱfleeȱtheȱkingdom”).67ȱ Margueriteȱ deȱ Navarreȱ includesȱ severalȱ talesȱ ofȱ successfulȱ escapesȱ inȱ the Heptaméron.ȱ Theȱ wickedȱ Franciscansȱ inȱ novellasȱ 23ȱ andȱ 45ȱ bothȱ escape, unpunished,ȱ afterȱ committingȱ rape.ȱ Theȱ “malheureux”ȱ (“viciousȱ brute”)68ȱ in novellaȱ2ȱstabsȱandȱrapesȱhisȱvictim,ȱthen,ȱ“quantȱilȱeutȱsatisfaictȱàȱsaȱmeschante concupiscence,ȱs’enȱfouytȱsiȱhastivement,ȱqueȱjamaisȱdepuis,ȱquelqueȱpoursuicte queȱonȱenȱaytȱfaicte,ȱ‘aȱpeuȱestreȱretrouvé”ȱ(“Whenȱheȱhadȱsatisfiedȱhisȱlustsȱhe

63 64 65

66

67 68

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ267;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ359ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). Richards,ȱ“TheȱBurningȱBed,”ȱ313ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ45).ȱ Ianȱ Morrison,ȱ “Anȱ Aspectȱ ofȱ Justiceȱ inȱ theȱ Heptaméron,”ȱ Frenchȱ Studiesȱ Bulletin:ȱ Aȱ Quarterly Supplementȱ76ȱ(Autumnȱ2000):ȱ13–15;ȱhereȱ15.ȱ NatalieȱZemonȱDavis,ȱFictionȱinȱtheȱArchives:ȱPardonȱTalesȱandȱTheirȱTellersȱinȱSixteenthȬCentury Franceȱ(Stanford,ȱCA:ȱStanfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1987),ȱ7–8. ClaudeȱGauvard,ȱDeȱGraceȱEspecial,ȱ304ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ20;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

428

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

madeȱ aȱ speedyȱ getaway,ȱ andȱ inȱ spiteȱ ofȱ allȱ subsequentȱ attemptsȱ toȱ trackȱ him down,ȱitȱhasȱprovedȱimpossibleȱtoȱfindȱhim”).69ȱEvenȱtheȱgentlemanȱinȱnovellaȱ12, whoȱassassinatedȱDukeȱinȱorderȱtoȱsafeguardȱhisȱsister’sȱhonor,ȱescapedȱtoȱTurkey, neverȱtoȱbeȱapprehended.ȱ Thoughȱmenȱ(unlikeȱwomen)ȱoftenȱavoidȱpunishmentȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,70ȱand thoughȱ womenȱ (unlikeȱ men)ȱ doȱ notȱ seemȱ toȱ beȱ entitledȱ toȱ punishȱ thoseȱ who wrongȱthem,ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱneverthelessȱestablishesȱaȱcertainȱequality betweenȱtheȱsexesȱwhereȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱareȱconcerned.ȱInȱaȱnumberȱofȱher novellas,ȱtheȱauthorȱconstructsȱaȱparallelȱbetweenȱcrimesȱcommittedȱbyȱmenȱand thoseȱcommittedȱbyȱwomen,ȱandȱsheȱassignsȱthemȱsimilarȱorȱevenȱidenticalȱforms ofȱpunishment. Theȱ firstȱ novellaȱ inȱ thisȱ collectionȱ tellsȱ theȱ storyȱ ofȱ aȱ heinousȱ couple,ȱ SaintȬ Aignanȱandȱhisȱwife.ȱTheȱwomanȱisȱunfaithfulȱtoȱherȱhusband,ȱandȱaccusesȱoneȱof herȱloversȱ(sheȱdidȱindeedȱhaveȱmoreȱthanȱone)ȱofȱshamingȱher,ȱclaimingȱthatȱhe “laȱ pourchassoitȱ incessammentȱ deȱ sonȱ honneur”ȱ (“pester[ed]ȱ herȱ inȱ aȱ most dishonourableȱfashion”).71ȱTheȱhusbandȱandȱwifeȱconspireȱtoȱhaveȱtheȱyoungȱman assassinated.ȱThusȱweȱseeȱfromȱtheȱbeginningȱofȱtheȱtaleȱtheirȱsharedȱguilt.ȱThe youngȱman’sȱbodyȱisȱburnedȱandȱtheȱbonesȱthatȱremainȱareȱmixedȱintoȱmortar beingȱusedȱtoȱbuildȱanȱextensionȱontoȱtheȱcouple’sȱhouse,ȱaȱpermanentȱphysical representationȱofȱtheirȱmalice.ȱTheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱmurderȱcomesȱout,ȱandȱtheȱcouple fleesȱtoȱEnglandȱtoȱavoidȱpunishment.ȱEquallyȱguiltyȱofȱthisȱcrime,ȱtheȱhusband andȱ wifeȱ areȱ bothȱ tried:ȱ “leȱ procèsȱ futȱ faictȱ etȱ parfaictȱ enȱ l’absenceȱ deȱ SainctȬ Aignanȱetȱdeȱsaȱfemme.ȱIlsȱfurentȱjugéȱparȱcontumaceȱetȱcondemnezȱtousȱdeuxȱà laȱmort”ȱ(“TheȱcaseȱwasȱbroughtȱandȱtriedȱinȱtheȱabsenceȱofȱSaintȬAignanȱandȱhis wife.ȱ Judgementȱ wasȱ pronouncedȱ onȱ theȱ twoȱ defaulters,ȱ theȱ sentenceȱ being death).72ȱ Bothȱareȱjudgedȱguilty,ȱandȱtheyȱreceiveȱtheȱsameȱsentence.ȱEventuallyȱhusband andȱwifeȱturnȱagainstȱoneȱanother.ȱHeȱasksȱaȱsorcererȱtoȱbringȱaboutȱtheȱdeathȱof hisȱwifeȱ(alongȱwithȱthatȱofȱherȱdeadȱlover’sȱfather,ȱand,ȱforȱgoodȱmeasure,ȱthe deathȱofȱtheȱDuchessȱofȱAlençon);ȱtheȱwife,ȱlearningȱofȱhisȱtreachery,ȱturnsȱhimȱin toȱ theȱ authorities.ȱ Thoughȱ husbandȱ andȱ wifeȱ areȱ sparedȱ execution,ȱ theyȱ both spendȱtheȱrestȱofȱtheirȱlivesȱinȱmisery:ȱSaintȬAignanȱisȱsentȱtoȱtheȱgalleys,ȱandȱhis wifeȱ“continuaȱsonȱpechéȱplusȱqueȱjamaisȱetȱmourutȱmiserablement”ȱ(“ledȱaȱmore

69 70

71 72

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ20;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ80ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). ThereȱareȱaȱfewȱadulterousȱwomenȱwhoȱdoȱseemȱtoȱescapeȱunscathedȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱbut NancyȱFrelickȱremindsȱusȱthatȱ“Whileȱitȱisȱtrueȱthatȱtheȱwomenȱinȱtheseȱtwoȱtalesȱ[novellasȱ15ȱand 49]ȱseemȱtoȱsufferȱnoȱgraveȱconsequencesȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱtheirȱillicitȱbehaviour,ȱotherȱstoriesȱabout femaleȱinfidelityȱofferȱexamplesȱofȱcruelȱpunishmentȱinflictedȱonȱwomenȱwhoȱcommitȱadultery.” Frelick,ȱ“FemaleȱInfidelity,”ȱ21ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ51). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ13;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ72ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ16;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ75ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

429

immoralȱlifeȱthanȱeverȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱandȱdiedȱaȱmostȱmiserableȱdeath”).73ȱThus,ȱMarguerite deȱNavarreȱestablishes,ȱatȱtheȱveryȱbeginningȱofȱthisȱcollectionȱofȱtales,ȱaȱcertain equivalenceȱ betweenȱ menȱ andȱ women.ȱ Parallelȱ crimes,ȱ equalȱ guilt,ȱ and comparableȱpunishment. Thereȱareȱotherȱinstancesȱofȱwhatȱweȱmightȱcallȱgenderȱsymmetryȱinȱtheȱcrimes andȱ punishmentsȱ ofȱ theȱ Heptaméron.ȱ Novellaȱ 33ȱ featuresȱ aȱ priestȱ andȱ his unmarriedȱsister,ȱbothȱesteemedȱandȱbelovedȱbyȱtheȱpeopleȱofȱtheirȱvillage.ȱThe twoȱhaveȱsexualȱrelationsȱandȱsheȱbecomesȱpregnant,ȱaȱpregnancyȱtheyȱdescribe toȱtheȱvillagersȱasȱmiraculous.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱyoungȱwoman:ȱ “Jeȱn’enȱpuisȱrandreȱautreȱraison,ȱsinonȱqueȱceȱsoitȱlaȱgraceȱduȱSainctȱEsperit,ȱquiȱfaict enȱmoyȱceȱqu’ilȱluiȱplaist;ȱmaisȱsiȱneȱpuisȬjeȱnyerȱlaȱgraceȱqueȱDieuȱm’aȱfaicte,ȱdeȱme conserverȱvierge.”ȱ [“IȱcannotȱexplainȱitȱunlessȱitȱbeȱtheȱgraceȱofȱtheȱHolyȱSpiritȱwhoȱperformsȱinȱmeȱwhat heȱpleases.ȱButȱneitherȱcanȱIȱdenyȱtheȱgraceȱwhichȱGodȱhasȱgrantedȱtoȱmeȱtoȱkeep myselfȱaȱvirgin.”]74ȱ

Togetherȱtheyȱdeviseȱaȱstratagem.ȱHeȱadministersȱHolyȱCommunionȱtoȱher,ȱorȱin factȱheȱfeignsȱdoingȱso,ȱforȱheȱusesȱaȱfalseȱhost.ȱHisȱpregnantȱsisterȱswearsȱthe followingȱoath,ȱtoȱproveȱherȱinnocenceȱtoȱtheȱwitnesses:ȱ “Jeȱ prendzȱ leȱ corpsȱ deȱ Nosreȱ Seigneur,ȱ icyȱ presentȱ devantȱ vous,ȱ àȱ maȱ damnation, devantȱvous,ȱMessieurs,ȱetȱvous,ȱmonȱfrere,ȱsiȱjamaisȱhommeȱm’aȱtouchaȱnonȱplusȱque vous!”ȱ [“IȱtakeȱtheȱbodyȱofȱOurȱLordȱpresentȱhere,ȱbeforeȱyou,ȱMessieurs,ȱandȱbeforeȱyouȱmy brother,ȱtoȱmyȱdamnation,ȱifȱeverȱaȱmanȱtouchedȱmeȱanyȱmoreȱthanȱyou.’”]75ȱ

Brotherȱ andȱ sisterȱ areȱ equallyȱ guiltyȱ ofȱ lying,ȱ andȱ theyȱ areȱ equallyȱ guiltyȱ of religiousȱhypocrisy.ȱTheȱCountȱofȱAngoulêmeȱseesȱthroughȱtheirȱcleverȱwordȱplay, however,ȱandȱturnsȱtheȱcaseȱoverȱtoȱtheȱcourtsȱofȱlaw.ȱTheȱtwoȱareȱjudgedȱguilty byȱ theȱ courts,ȱ andȱ onceȱ theirȱ sonȱ isȱ born,ȱ “furentȱ bruslezȱ leȱ frereȱ etȱ laȱ seur ensemble”ȱ(“theyȱburntȱherȱandȱherȱbrotherȱtogether”).76ȱThereȱwasȱnoȱrealȱreason toȱwaitȱforȱtheȱbaby’sȱbirthȱtoȱexecuteȱtheȱbrother,ȱexceptȱtoȱtreatȱtheȱtwoȱguilty partiesȱinȱexactlyȱtheȱsameȱmanner.ȱ Novellaȱ41ȱalsoȱfeaturesȱsymmetricalȱcrimesȱandȱsymmetricalȱpunishment.ȱThe storyȱtakesȱplaceȱinȱtheȱhomeȱofȱtheȱCountessȱofȱEgmont.ȱTheȱCountessȱhadȱasked aȱFranciscanȱconventȱtoȱsendȱtoȱherȱhomeȱ“ungȱprescheurȱsuffisantȱetȱhommeȱde bienȱtantȱpourȱprescherȱqueȱpourȱconfesserȱelleȱetȱtouteȱsaȱmaison”ȱ(“aȱcompetent,

73 74 75 76

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ17;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ248;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ338ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ248;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ338ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ249;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ339ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

430

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

honestȱmanȱwhoȱcouldȱpreach,ȱasȱwellȱasȱhearȱconfessionsȱfromȱherselfȱandȱthe wholeȱhousehold”).77ȱAȱyoungȱgirl,ȱtheȱdaughterȱofȱtheȱCountess’sȱladyȬinȬwaiting, confessesȱherȱsinsȱtoȱtheȱpreacher;ȱtheseȱsinsȱareȱclearlyȱofȱsexualȱnature,ȱasȱher descriptionȱofȱthemȱ“luyȱdonnaȱenvieȱetȱhardiesseȱdeȱluyȱbaillerȱuneȱpenitenceȱnon accoustumée”ȱ(“madeȱourȱgoodȱfatherȱthinkȱheȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱriskȱanȱunusualȱkind ofȱpenance”).78ȱTheȱpriestȱordersȱtheȱgirlȱtoȱwearȱaȱcordȱagainstȱherȱbareȱflesh.ȱShe reluctantlyȱacceptsȱthisȱpenance,ȱsayingȱtoȱhim:ȱ“‘BaillezȬlaȬmoy,ȱmonȱpere,ȱetȱje neȱfauldrayȱdeȱlaȱporter’”ȱ(“‘Giveȱitȱtoȱme,ȱfather,ȱandȱIȱwillȱwearȱit’”).79ȱButȱthe priestȱwillȱnotȱhearȱofȱthis,ȱinsisting:ȱ“‘Maȱfilleȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱilȱneȱseroitȱpasȱbonȱdeȱvostre main;ȱilȱfaultȱqueȱlesȱmyennesȱpropres,ȱdontȱvousȱdebvezȱavoirȱl’absolution,ȱla vousȱaientȱpremierementȱseincte’”ȱ(“‘Itȱisȱnecessaryȱthatȱmyȱownȱhands,ȱthese sameȱhandsȱwhichȱwillȱgiveȱyouȱabsolution,ȱshouldȱfirstȱfastenȱtheȱcordȱaround you’”).80ȱSoȱasȱpunishmentȱforȱherȱsexualȱtransgressions,ȱtheȱyoungȱladyȱisȱtoȱbe tiedȱupȱbyȱanother,ȱbyȱtheȱpersonȱwhoȱhas,ȱinȱeffect,ȱbeenȱaskedȱbyȱtheȱladyȱofȱthe houseȱtoȱinflictȱpunishmentȱonȱher.ȱ Theȱyoungȱgirlȱrefusesȱthisȱhighlyȱinappropriateȱpenance,ȱandȱtellsȱherȱmother aboutȱit;ȱtheȱmotherȱsubsequentlyȱreportsȱtheȱpriest’sȱattemptȱtoȱsexuallyȱviolate, atȱleastȱtoȱsomeȱdegree,ȱtheȱyoungȱgirl.ȱTheȱCountessȱtakesȱmattersȱintoȱherȱown hands,ȱfigurativelyȱspeaking,ȱasȱtheȱpriestȱhadȱattemptedȱtoȱdo,ȱliterally.ȱSheȱhas theȱ priestȱ beatenȱ untilȱ heȱ confessesȱ theȱ truth.ȱ Likeȱ theȱ youngȱ lady,ȱ thisȱ priest confessesȱhisȱsexualȱtransgressions,ȱandȱtheȱCountessȱhasȱhimȱtiedȱup,ȱ“piedsȱet mainsȱ lyez”ȱ (“boundȱ handȱ andȱ foot”),81ȱ andȱ sentȱ backȱ toȱ hisȱ Superior.ȱ So,ȱ his punishmentȱisȱtoȱbeȱtiedȱupȱbyȱaȱpersonȱwhoȱhasȱbeenȱaskedȱbyȱtheȱladyȱofȱthe houseȱtoȱpunishȱhim,ȱlikeȱtheȱpenanceȱheȱhadȱattemptedȱtoȱinflictȱonȱtheȱdaughter ofȱtheȱladyȬinȬwaiting.ȱ Itȱappearsȱatȱfirstȱglanceȱthatȱtheȱ“transgressors”ȱinȱnovellaȱ70,ȱoneȱmaleȱandȱone female,ȱareȱpunishedȱforȱpreciselyȱoppositeȱcrimes.ȱAȱyoungȱnobleman,ȱinȱthe serviceȱofȱtheȱDukeȱofȱBurgundy,ȱsecretlyȱlovesȱaȱyoungȱandȱbeautifulȱwidow.ȱThe Duke’sȱwife,ȱnotȱatȱallȱaȱvirtuousȱwoman,ȱlustsȱafterȱtheȱyoungȱnobleman.ȱInȱaȱfit ofȱjealously,ȱsheȱdemandsȱthatȱherȱhusbandȱfindȱoutȱtheȱidentityȱofȱtheȱnobleman’s beloved,ȱbutȱtheȱnoblemanȱrefusesȱtoȱrevealȱherȱname,ȱforȱ“l’accordȱdeȱluyȱetȱde s’amyeȱestoitȱdeȱtelleȱsorteȱqu’ilȱneȱseȱpovoitȱrompre,ȱsinonȱparȱcelluyȱquiȱpremier leȱdeclareroit”ȱ(“thereȱwasȱaȱbondȱbetweenȱthemȱandȱanȱunderstandingȱthatȱit wouldȱbeȱbrokenȱifȱoneȱofȱthemȱwereȱtoȱmakeȱitȱknown”).82ȱTheȱDukeȱbelievesȱthat

77 78 79 80 81 82

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ283;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ377ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ284;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ377ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ284;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ377ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ284;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ377–78ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ285;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ378ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ407;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ520ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

431

theȱnoblemanȱisȱinȱloveȱwithȱhisȱownȱwife,ȱtheȱDuchess,ȱandȱisȱenragedȱatȱhis refusalȱtoȱanswer.ȱHeȱtellsȱtheȱyoungȱnobleman:ȱ “Or,ȱchoisissezȱdeȱdeuxȱcholsesȱl’une:ȱouȱdeȱmeȱdireȱcelleȱqueȱvousȱaymezȱplusȱque toutes,ȱouȱdeȱvousȱenȱallerȱbannyȱdesȱterresȱoùȱj’ayȱauctorité,ȱàȱlaȱchargeȱque,ȱsiȱvous yȱtrouveȱhuictȱjoursȱpassez,ȱjeȱvousȱferayȱmorirȱdeȱcruelleȱmort.’”ȱ [“Thenȱmakeȱyourȱchoice.ȱEitherȱyouȱtellȱmeȱtheȱnameȱofȱthisȱwomanȱyouȱloveȱso much.ȱOrȱyouȱleaveȱtheȱlandsȱunderȱmyȱjurisdictionȱforever,ȱandȱonȱtheȱunderstanding thatȱifȱIȱfindȱyouȱhereȱafterȱeightȱdaysȱhaveȱelapsedȱIȱshallȱhaveȱyouȱmostȱcruellyȱput toȱdeath!’”]83

Theȱsentenceȱforȱhisȱ“crime”ȱofȱsilenceȱisȱdeath. UltimatelyȱtheȱnoblemanȱrevealsȱtoȱtheȱDukeȱtheȱidentityȱofȱtheȱwomanȱheȱloves: notȱtheȱDuchess,ȱbutȱlaȱDameȱduȱVergier,ȱwhoȱisȱtheȱDuke’sȱniece.ȱTheȱDukeȱinȱturn tellsȱhisȱwifeȱthatȱtheȱnoblemanȱlovesȱlaȱDameȱduȱVergier,ȱbutȱwarnsȱher:ȱ“siȱjamays elleȱ leȱ reveloitȱ àȱ creatureȱ duȱ monde,ȱ elleȱ neȱ mourroitȱ d’autreȱ mainȱ queȱ deȱ la sienne”ȱ(“ifȱeverȱsheȱshouldȱrevealȱitȱtoȱanyȱsoulȱalive,ȱitȱwouldȱbeȱbyȱhisȱown handȱ thatȱ sheȱ wouldȱ die”).84ȱ So,ȱ theȱ Dukeȱ threatensȱ hisȱ gentlemanȱ with banishmentȱandȱdeathȱforȱkeepingȱaȱsecret,ȱandȱhisȱwifeȱwithȱdeathȱifȱsheȱdoesȱthe opposite,ȱthatȱis,ȱifȱsheȱrevealsȱthatȱsameȱsecret.ȱ However,ȱtheȱdénouementȱofȱthisȱtaleȱrevealsȱanotherȱexampleȱofȱtheȱparallel crimeȱandȱpunishmentȱthatȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱhadȱpreviouslyȱestablishedȱin novellasȱ33ȱandȱ41.ȱTheȱDuchessȱcannotȱcontrolȱherȱpassionsȱandȱcannotȱholdȱher tongue.ȱSheȱrevealsȱtoȱlaȱDameȱduȱVergierȱthatȱsheȱknowsȱofȱherȱsecretȱlover,ȱand theȱdistraughtȱDameȱdiesȱofȱgrief.ȱTheȱyoungȱnoblemanȱcomesȱuponȱherȱlifeless body,ȱandȱunderstandsȱthatȱheȱcausedȱherȱdeathȱbyȱbetrayingȱtheirȱlove.ȱHeȱdraws hisȱdaggerȱandȱstabsȱhimselfȱthroughȱtheȱheart,ȱtherebyȱpunishingȱhimselfȱfor revealingȱtheirȱsecret.ȱTheȱDukeȱdiscoversȱallȱthatȱhasȱcomeȱtoȱpass,ȱandȱcarriesȱout hisȱthreat:ȱheȱstabsȱhisȱwifeȱtoȱdeathȱforȱtheȱveryȱsameȱ“crime”ȱthatȱtheȱnobleman hadȱcommitted,ȱrevealingȱtheȱidentityȱofȱhisȱbeloved,ȱusingȱtheȱveryȱsameȱweapon thatȱkilledȱtheȱnobleman,ȱhisȱownȱdagger.ȱTheȱDukeȱhasȱthemȱburiedȱinȱtheȱsame abbey,ȱalongȱwithȱtheȱfirstȱvictimȱofȱtheȱrevealedȱsecret,ȱlaȱDameȱduȱVergier.ȱSoȱeven afterȱ deathȱ theȱ symmetryȱ persists.ȱ Inȱ theȱ discussionȱ followingȱ novellaȱ 70,ȱ the devisantsȱdoȱnotȱobjectȱtoȱtheȱnobleman’sȱsuicide,ȱnorȱdoȱtheyȱcommentȱuponȱthe slayingȱofȱtheȱDuchess.ȱBothȱareȱacceptedȱasȱmeritedȱandȱreasonable,ȱconfirming theȱsymmetryȱestablishedȱbyȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱinȱthisȱtale.ȱ Though,ȱ asȱ weȱ haveȱ observed,ȱ metingȱ outȱ punishmentȱ seemsȱ toȱ beȱ an exclusivelyȱmaleȱendeavorȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱsometimes feminizesȱmenȱwhoȱpunishȱwomen.ȱForȱoneȱsuchȱexample,ȱweȱreturnȱtoȱnovella

83 84

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ408;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ521ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ411;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ525ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

432

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

36,ȱtheȱstoryȱofȱtheȱPresidentȱofȱGrenoble,ȱwhoȱsavesȱtheȱhonorȱofȱhisȱhouseȱby poisoningȱ hisȱ unfaithfulȱ wifeȱ withȱ aȱ taintedȱ salad.ȱ Beingȱ poisonedȱ isȱ notȱ a particularlyȱ masculineȱ fate,ȱ butȱ itȱ isȱ quiteȱ feminineȱ toȱ prepareȱ food,ȱ evenȱ a poisonedȱsalad.85ȱTheȱdevisantsȇȱprimaryȱpreoccupationȱinȱtheȱdiscussionȱfollowing theȱtaleȱisȱtoȱfindȱwaysȱtoȱabsolveȱtheȱmurderousȱhusbandȱofȱguilt.ȱThereȱisȱmuch talkȱofȱpassionȱandȱpardon.ȱForȱtheȱmostȱpart,ȱtheȱdevisantsȱagreeȱonȱtheȱwifeȇs guilt.ȱ Notȱ onlyȱ didȱ sheȱ deserveȱ theȱ punishmentȱ ofȱ execution,ȱ butȱ manyȱ other womenȱ do,ȱ too.ȱ Inȱ thisȱ partȱ ofȱ theȱ discussion,ȱ theȱ femininityȱ ofȱ theȱ husbandȇs actionsȱisȱemphasized.ȱIfȱunfaithfulȱwomenȱwereȱobligedȱtoȱeatȱsaladsȱlikeȱthisȱone, accordingȱ toȱ Parlamente,ȱ theyȱ wouldȱ beȱ lessȱ fondȱ ofȱ “‘leursȱ jardins’”ȱ (“‘their gardens’”);86ȱtheyȱwouldȱridȱtheȱgardenȱofȱherbsȱinȱorderȱtoȱavoidȱbeingȱpoisoned.ȱ Theȱunfaithfulȱwifeȱinȱnovellaȱ32ȱisȱalsoȱpunishedȱinȱaȱmannerȱthatȱfeminizesȱthe punishingȱhusband.ȱUnlikeȱtheȱPresidentȱofȱGrenoble,ȱheȱdoesȱnotȱmurderȱhis cheatingȱwife,ȱalthoughȱheȱhadȱkilledȱhisȱwife’sȱloverȱinȱaȱjealousȱrage.ȱThisȱisȱyet anotherȱexampleȱinȱL’Heptaméronȱofȱaȱmanȱallowedȱtoȱpunishȱaȱpersonȱwhoȱhad wrongedȱhim.ȱTheȱhusband’sȱslayingȱofȱhisȱrivalȱisȱsoȱthoroughlyȱacceptedȱbyȱthe devisantsȱ thatȱ theȱ onlyȱ mentionȱ ofȱ itȱ inȱ theȱ discussionȱ followingȱ theȱ taleȱ isȱ the suggestionȱ thatȱ theȱ unfaithfulȱ wifeȱ hadȱ causedȱ herȱ lover’sȱ deathȱ andȱ thatȱ she shouldȱfeelȱguilty.ȱDagoucinȱannounces:ȱ“‘jeȱm’esbahysȱcommeȱelleȱneȱmouroitȱde deuil,ȱenȱregardantȱlesȱozȱdeȱcelluy,ȱàȱqui,ȱparȱsonȱpeché,ȱelleȱavoitȱdonnéȱlaȱmort’” (“‘Iȱamȱamazedȱsheȱdidȱnotȱdieȱofȱgriefȱwhenȱsheȱlookedȱatȱtheȱbonesȱofȱtheȱman whoseȱ deathȱ sheȱ hadȱ causedȱ byȱ herȱ sin’”).87ȱ Inȱ orderȱ toȱ punishȱ hisȱ wife,ȱ the husbandȱforcesȱherȱtoȱdrinkȱfromȱaȱcupȱmadeȱfromȱtheȱskullȱofȱherȱdeadȱlover.ȱHe boasts:ȱ “Et,ȱaffinȱqu’elleȱn’enȱoblyeȱlaȱmemoire,ȱenȱbeuvantȱetȱmangeant,ȱluyȱfaictzȱservirȱà table,ȱauȱlieuȱdeȱcouppe,ȱlaȱtesteȱdeȱceȱmeschant;ȱetȱlà,ȱtoutȱdevantȱmoy,ȱafinȱqu’elle voieȱvivantȱcelluyȱqu’elleȱaȱfaictȱsonȱmortelȱennemyȱparȱsaȱfaulte,ȱetȱmortȱpourȱl’amour d’elleȱcelluyȱduquelȱelleȱavoitȱpreferéȱl’amityéȱàȱlaȱmyenne.”ȱ [“Andȱsoȱthatȱsheȱshouldȱneverȱforgetȱhimȱevenȱwhenȱeatingȱandȱdrinking,ȱIȱmadeȱher sitȱ[inȱfrontȱofȱme]ȱatȱtableȱandȱhadȱherȱservedȱfromȱtheȱman’sȱskullȱinsteadȱofȱaȱcup, soȱ thatȱ sheȱ wouldȱ haveȱ beforeȱ herȱ bothȱ theȱ livingȱ andȱ theȱ dead,ȱ bothȱ himȱ whom

85

86 87

NicoleȱCastanȱdescribesȱtheȱtypicalȱroleȱofȱtheȱwifeȱinȱanȱearlyȱmodernȱEuropeanȱfamily:ȱ“Theȱwife wasȱresponsibleȱforȱtheȱfamily’sȱmaterialȱneedsȱ(cooking,ȱhealthȱcare,ȱchildrearing,ȱburialȱofȱthe dead).ȱHerȱdailyȱroutineȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱatȱtimesȱledȱherȱtoȱbeingȱsuspectedȱofȱwitchcraftȱandȱpoisoning.” NicoleȱCastan,ȱ“Criminals,”ȱAȱHistoryȱofȱWomenȱinȱtheȱWest,ȱed.ȱNatalieȱZemonȱDavisȱandȱArlette Farge.ȱVol.ȱ3ȱ(Cambridge,ȱMA,ȱandȱLondon:ȱHarvardȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1993),ȱ475–88;ȱhereȱ476. Castanȱpointsȱoutȱ“howȱdifficultȱitȱcouldȱbeȱtoȱgetȱtoȱbottomȱofȱfamilyȱdisputesȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱInȱsuchȱconflicts womenȱwereȱlikelyȱtoȱgetȱtheȱblameȱowingȱtoȱtheirȱ‘perfidyȱandȱfeeblenessȱofȱnature,’ȱwhichȱso oftenȱletȱdoȱtheirȱbeingȱchargedȱwithȱpoisoning.”ȱNicoleȱCastan,ȱ“Criminals,”ȱ479. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ264;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ355ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).ȱMyȱemphasis. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ246;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ335ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

433

throughȱherȱsinȱsheȱhadȱtransformedȱintoȱaȱmortalȱenemyȱandȱhimȱwhoseȱloveȱsheȱhad preferredȱtoȱmine.”]88ȱ

Beingȱ forcedȱ toȱ drinkȱ fromȱ aȱ particularȱ cup,ȱ noȱ matterȱ howȱ gruesome,ȱ isȱ not masculine.ȱHowever,ȱhavingȱaȱdrinkȱservedȱtoȱanotherȱisȱdecidedlyȱfeminine;ȱitȱis theȱroleȱofȱtheȱladyȱofȱtheȱhouseȱtoȱhaveȱothersȱserved,ȱnotȱtheȱroleȱofȱtheȱhusband. Furthermore,ȱalthoughȱthisȱadulterousȱwifeȱisȱ“laȱplusȱbelleȱqu’ilȱestoitȱpossibleȱde regarder”ȱ (“theȱ mostȱ beautifulȱ womanȱ itȱ wasȱ possibleȱ everȱ toȱ behold”),89ȱ her husbandȱmasculinizesȱherȱbyȱhavingȱherȱheadȱshorn.ȱItȱisȱimpossibleȱnotȱtoȱseeȱthe resemblance,ȱtheȱsymmetry,ȱbetweenȱtheȱnakedȱscalpȱofȱtheȱshamedȱwomanȱand theȱnakedȱskullȱofȱherȱmurderedȱlover.90ȱ Althoughȱtheȱhusband’sȱactionsȱinȱnovellaȱ32ȱappearȱsomewhatȱfeminine,ȱthis isȱ notȱ aȱ fundamentallyȱ subversiveȱ tale.ȱ Gruesomeȱ thoughȱ hisȱ conductȱ seems, Parlamente,ȱoneȱofȱtheȱdevisantes,ȱremarksȱthatȱtheȱwife’sȱpunishmentȱisȱ“‘autant raisonnableȱ qu’ilȱ estȱ possible’”ȱ (“‘extremelyȱ reasonable’”).91ȱ Sheȱ contendsȱ that “‘l’offenceȱestȱpireȱqueȱlaȱmort’”ȱ(“‘theȱcrimeȱwasȱworseȱthanȱdeath’”).92ȱThereȱis someȱ disagreementȱ amongȱ theȱ womenȱ inȱ theȱ discussionȱ followingȱ thisȱ tale: Ennasuiteȱassertsȱthatȱ“‘Ilȱn’yȱaȱmesfaictȱquiȱneȱseȱpuisseȱamender;ȱmais,ȱaprèsȱla mort,ȱn’yȱaȱpoinctȱd’amendement’”ȱ(“‘there’sȱnoȱsinȱoneȱcan’tȱmakeȱamendsȱfor whileȱoneȱisȱalive’”),93ȱbutȱLongarineȱdeclares:ȱ“‘vousȱsçavezȱque,ȱquelqueȱchose queȱ puisseȱ faireȱ uneȱ femmeȱ aprèsȱ ungȱ telȱ mesfaict,ȱ neȱ sçauroitȱ reparerȱ son honneur’”ȱ(“‘youȱknowȱthatȱnothingȱaȱwomanȱcanȱdoȱafterȱsuchȱaȱcrimeȱcanȱever restoreȱherȱhonour’”).94ȱ Despiteȱtheirȱdifferenceȱofȱopinionȱoverȱwhetherȱanȱunfaithfulȱwifeȱcanȱever atoneȱforȱsuchȱanȱoffense,ȱnoneȱofȱtheȱdevisantsȱdisagreesȱwithȱtheȱgravityȱofȱthe crimeȱnorȱwithȱtheȱseverityȱofȱtheȱpunishment.ȱLikeȱtheȱunfaithfulȱwifeȱinȱnovella 36,ȱtheȱoneȱpoisonedȱbyȱherȱhusband,ȱthisȱwomanȱisȱjudgedȱguilty,ȱandȱdeserving

88 89 90

91 92 93 94

MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ244;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ332–33ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ242;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ331ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). ThereȱisȱnoȱanalogousȱstoryȱinȱL’Heptaméron,ȱindeedȱanywhereȱinȱtheȱliteratureȱofȱMargueriteȱde Navarre’sȱera,ȱwhereȱaȱmanȱisȱforcedȱtoȱrepeatedlyȱconfrontȱtheȱdeathȱofȱaȱloverȱforȱwhichȱheȱwas responsible.ȱFrançoisȱRigolotȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱ“Althoughȱequallyȱcruelȱanaloguesȱcouldȱbeȱfound inȱ Boccaccio’sȱ Decameron,ȱ Marguerite’sȱ strikinglyȱ macabreȱ sceneȱ seemsȱ toȱ beȱ uniqueȱ in Renaissanceȱ literature.”ȱ Françoisȱ Rigolot,ȱ “Magdalen’sȱ Skull:ȱ Allegoryȱ andȱ Iconographyȱ in Heptameronȱ 32,”ȱ Renaissanceȱ Quarterlyȱ 47.1ȱ (Springȱ 1994):ȱ 57–73;ȱ hereȱ 57.ȱ Nevertheless,ȱ the masculine/feminineȱparallelsȱinȱthisȱstoryȱareȱevident.ȱRigolotȱobservesȱthatȱ“theȱabsenceȱofȱhair [onȱtheȱwoman’sȱhead]ȱimplicitlyȱsuggestsȱaȱstrangeȱanalogyȱbetweenȱtheȱadulteress’sȱheadȱand herȱlover’sȱskull.”ȱRigolot,ȱ“Magdalen’sȱSkull,”ȱ65. MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ245;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ334ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ245;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ334ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ245;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ334ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre,ȱLȇHeptaméron,ȱ245–46;ȱTheȱHeptameron,ȱ335ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

434

KathleenȱM.ȱLlewellyn

ofȱpunishment,ȱbyȱall.ȱTheȱmostȱvaluedȱfeminineȱvirtueȱinȱRenaissanceȱFranceȱwas chastity,ȱasȱWeisnerȱremindsȱus.ȱ HonorȱinȱthisȱperiodȱwasȱhighlyȱgenderȬspecific,ȱand,ȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱmen,ȱclassȬspecific. Forȱ upperȬclassȱ men,ȱ honorȱ stillȱ revolvedȱ aroundȱ notionsȱ ofȱ physicalȱ braveryȱ and loyalty,ȱaȱlinkȱthatȱwasȱalsoȱacceptedȱbyȱjourneymenȱandȱmarginalȱgroupsȱsuchȱas professionalȱcriminals.ȱForȱbourgeoisȱandȱmostȱworkingȱmen,ȱhonorȱwasȱprimarily relatedȱtoȱhonesty,ȱgoodȱcraftsmanship,ȱandȱintegrity.ȱForȱallȱwomen,ȱhonorȱwasȱa sexualȱmatterȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱworstȱthingȱaȱmanȱcouldȱbeȱcalledȱwasȱ“thief,”ȱwhileȱforȱwomen itȱwasȱ“whore.”ȱBecauseȱofȱideasȱofȱfemaleȱsinfulness,ȱȱirrationality,ȱandȱweakness drawnȱfromȱtradition,ȱreligion,ȱandȱscience,ȱhowever,ȱwomen,ȱparticularlyȱthoseȱinȱthe middleȱandȱupperȱclasses,ȱwereȱneverȱregardedȱasȱableȱtoȱdefendȱtheirȱownȱhonor completelyȱwithoutȱmaleȱassistance.95ȱ

Theȱdiscussionȱfollowingȱthisȱtale,ȱlikeȱmanyȱothersȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱreinforces thoseȱ traditionalȱ expectationsȱ ofȱ honorableȱ behavior.ȱ Cathleenȱ M.ȱ Bauschatz contendsȱthatȱ“theȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱmoralȱcodesȱisȱaȱcentral focusȱofȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱandȱparticularlyȱofȱtheȱdiscussionsȱwhichȱtakeȱplaceȱafter eachȱtale.”96ȱWomenȱareȱtoȱbehaveȱlikeȱproperȱwomen,ȱandȱmen,ȱlikeȱmen. Furthermore,ȱcastingȱtheȱhusbandsȱinȱnovellasȱ32ȱandȱ36ȱinȱaȱfeminineȱroleȱdoes notȱundermineȱthem;ȱrather,ȱtheyȱremainȱinȱcontrol,ȱprotectȱtheȱhonorȱofȱtheir nameȱandȱtheirȱfamily,ȱandȱprevailȱinȱtheȱend.ȱTheȱfeminizationȱofȱmenȱpunishing womenȱservesȱanȱentirelyȱdifferentȱpurpose:ȱitȱisȱaȱsubstituteȱforȱwomenȱbeing allowedȱ toȱ punish.ȱ Itȱ servesȱ toȱ supportȱ theȱ opinionȱ venturedȱ byȱ theȱ devisante Oisilleȱthatȱmenȱshouldȱpunishȱmenȱandȱwomenȱshouldȱpunishȱwomen.ȱRatherȱthan weakeningȱtheȱmen,ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarre’sȱtreatmentȱofȱtheȱhusbandsȱinȱthese twoȱnovellasȱunexpectedlyȱelevatesȱtheȱstatusȱofȱwomen.ȱThisȱisȱanotherȱwayȱin whichȱ Margueriteȱ deȱ Navarre’sȱ treatmentȱ ofȱ crimeȱ andȱ punishmentȱ inȱ her Heptaméronȱmediatesȱbetweenȱpatriarchalȱstructuresȱthatȱsustainȱtheȱsocialȱorder andȱanȱincreasinglyȱsignificantȱsubjectȱpositionȱforȱwomen.ȱ MenȱinȱtheȱHeptaméron’sȱtales,ȱinȱtheirȱtraditionalȱauthoritativeȱposition,ȱpunish unfaithfulȱwives.ȱTheyȱalsoȱpunishȱothersȱwhoȱthreatenȱtheirȱhonor,ȱincludingȱa Dukeȱwhoȱhasȱdesignsȱonȱoneȱman’sȱsister,ȱandȱaȱladyȬinȬwaitingȱwhoseȱactions threatenȱ theȱ maritalȱ prospectsȱ ofȱ anotherȱ man’sȱ son.ȱ Women,ȱ though,ȱ punish neitherȱtheirȱerrantȱhusbands,ȱnorȱmenȱwhoȱattackȱthem,ȱnorȱevenȱtheirȱwayward children. However,ȱinȱsomeȱways,ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱchallengesȱsocietalȱnormsȱwith herȱtalesȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment.ȱWithinȱtheȱtales,ȱsheȱcreatesȱsituationsȱwhere

95 96

Weisner,ȱWomenȱandȱGenderȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope,ȱ34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3).ȱ Cathleenȱ M.ȱ Bauschatz,ȱ “Toȱ Chooseȱ Inkȱ andȱ Pen:ȱ Frenchȱ Renaissanceȱ Women’sȱ Writing,”ȱ A HistoryȱofȱWomen’sȱWritingȱinȱFranceȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2000),ȱ41–63;ȱhere 48.ȱ

EqualȱOpportunityȱVengeance

435

aȱmanȱandȱaȱwomanȱareȱequallyȱguiltyȱofȱaȱcrime,ȱincludingȱaȱhusbandȱandȱwife whoȱorchestrateȱaȱmurder,ȱandȱaȱpriestȱandȱaȱnunȱ(alsoȱbrotherȱandȱsister)ȱwho haveȱincestuousȱrelationsȱandȱseemȱtoȱdesecrateȱaȱhost.ȱMoreover,ȱtheȱmaleȱand femaleȱvillainsȱinȱtheseȱtalesȱofȱparallelȱcrimeȱareȱsubjectȱtoȱequivalentȱpunishment. Thereȱ isȱ noȱ gentlerȱ treatmentȱ ofȱ aȱ “fairer”ȱ sexȱ inȱ theȱ Heptaméron,ȱ noȱ harsher punishmentȱofȱaȱsexȱconsideredȱstronger,ȱmoreȱintelligent,ȱmoreȱaccountable.ȱThe frameȱstoryȱofȱtheȱHeptaméron,ȱtoo,ȱcontestsȱstandardsȱofȱtheȱera.ȱInȱcreatingȱthe devisantsȱwhoȱrecountȱandȱdiscussȱherȱtales,ȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱfashionsȱa societyȱ whereȱ womenȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ menȱ areȱ permittedȱ toȱ judge.ȱ Throughoutȱ her Heptaméron,ȱbothȱinȱtheȱnovellasȱandȱinȱtheȱframeȱstoryȱthatȱweavesȱthemȱtogether, MargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱsuggestsȱaȱsocietyȱwhereȱwomenȱandȱmenȱpossessȱequal authorityȱtoȱdetermineȱwhatȱisȱrightȱandȱwhatȱisȱwrong,ȱandȱequalȱresponsibility forȱtheirȱownȱconductȱandȱmisconduct.ȱTheȱimaginedȱworldȱofȱtheȱHeptaméronȱis oneȱthatȱmovesȱtowardȱequalȱsocialȱresponsibility.

Chapterȱ18 NicolasȱLombart (Universitéȱd’Orléans,ȱFrance)

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance auȱTempsȱdesȱGuerresȱdeȱReligion: l’UtopieȱJudiciaireȱdesȱCommentairesȱdeȱMonluc (livresȱVȱàȱVII)

Vétéranȱ desȱ Guerresȱ d’Italieȱ jusqu’auȱ controverséȱ traitéȱ duȱ CateauȬCambrésis (1559)ȱpuisȱengagéȱdeȱ1561ȱàȱ1570ȱdansȱlesȱGuerresȱdeȱReligionȱduȱcôtéȱcatholique, leȱcapitaineȱgasconȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱ(v.ȱ1500–1577)ȱrestitueȱminutieusementȱtoute sonȱexpérienceȱdeȱsoldatȱdansȱdeȱsubstantielsȱCommentairesȱ(éditésȱenȱ1592ȱpar FlorimondȱdeȱRaemond),1ȱrédigésȱd’unȱseulȱjetȱdeȱnovembreȱ1570ȱàȱjuinȱ1571,ȱpuis peuȱàȱpeuȱenrichisȱdeȱréflexionsȱpersonnelles,ȱdeȱ“remontrances”ȱauȱpouvoir,ȱet deȱconseilsȱdonnésȱauxȱjeunesȱcapitaines.ȱSiȱleȱregardȱdeȱMonlucȱsurȱlaȱréalitéȱde laȱguerreȱestȱàȱlaȱfoisȱtechnique,ȱtactiqueȱetȱpolitique,ȱdominéȱparȱunȱévidentȱsens pratique,ȱilȱestȱaussiȱorienté,ȱàȱpartirȱduȱlivreȱV,ȱparȱuneȱréflexionȱàȱlaȱfoisȱgénérale etȱdisperséeȱsurȱl’exerciceȱjudiciaire,ȱcommeȱl’attesteȱl’insertionȱdansȱleȱlivreȱVI 1

EtȱimprimésȱàȱBordeauxȱchezȱSimonȱMillanges.ȱVoirȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonluc,ȱCommentairesȱ(1521–1576), éd.ȱPaulȱCourteaultȱ(Paris:ȱGallimard,ȱ1964).ȱToutesȱlesȱréférencesȱrenvoientȱdésormaisȱàȱcette édition,ȱlesȱnumérosȱdeȱpagesȱétantȱdonnésȱdirectementȱentreȱparenthèses.ȱSurȱlaȱvieȱdeȱMonluc, voirȱPaulȱCourteault,ȱUnȱcadetȱdeȱGascogneȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle:ȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱ(Paris:ȱPicard,ȱ1909),ȱet JeanȬCharlesȱSournia,ȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonluc:ȱsoldatȱetȱécrivain.ȱ1500–1577ȱ(Paris:ȱFayard,ȱ1981).ȱPourȱune analyseȱgénéraleȱdesȱCommentaires,ȱvoirȱPaulȱCourteault,ȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱhistorien.ȱÉtudeȱcritique surȱleȱtexteȱetȱlaȱvaleurȱhistoriqueȱdesȱcommentairesȱ(1908;ȱGenève:ȱSlatkine,ȱ1970);ȱPierreȱMichel,ȱBlaise deȱMonluc.ȱTravauxȱdirigésȱd’agrégationȱ(Paris:ȱSEDES,ȱ1971);ȱÉtienneȱVaucheret,ȱ“Monlucȱ(Blaise de),”ȱ Dictionnaireȱ desȱ Lettresȱ Françaises.ȱ Leȱ XVIeȱ siècle,ȱ éd.ȱ Michelȱ Simoninȱ ([Paris]:ȱ Fayardȱ et Librairieȱ Généraleȱ Françaiseȱ –ȱ “Laȱ Pochotèque,”ȱ 2001),ȱ 840–44.ȱ Surȱ leȱ contexteȱ historiqueȱ de l’actionȱdeȱMonluc,ȱvoirȱnotammentȱArletteȱJouanna,ȱéd.,ȱHistoireȱetȱdictionnaireȱdesȱguerresȱde religionȱ(Paris:ȱRobertȱLaffont,ȱ1998),ȱetȱKevinȱGould,ȱCatholicȱActivismȱinȱtheȱSouthȬWestȱFrance, 1540–1570ȱ(Aldershot,ȱHampshire,ȱandȱBurlington,ȱVT:ȱAshgate,ȱ2006).

438

NicolasȱLombart

d’uneȱ digressionȱ surȱ laȱ nécessaireȱ réformeȱ deȱ laȱ justiceȱ duȱ royaume,ȱ décrite commeȱlente,ȱcoûteuse,ȱetȱinefficace.ȱDeȱfait,ȱMonlucȱestȱluiȬmême,ȱenȱtantȱque capitaineȱ etȱ lieutenantȱ duȱ roi,ȱ sansȱ cesseȱ confrontéȱ àȱ laȱ nécessitéȱ deȱ “rendre justice,”ȱetȱd’évaluerȱdansȱuneȱrelativeȱurgenceȱlesȱcrimesȱdesȱhuguenotsȱouȱdes catholiques—tousȱégalementȱsusceptiblesȱenȱcesȱtempsȱtroublésȱd’enfreindreȱlaȱloi (lesȱordonnancesȱetȱéditsȱroyaux)ȱetȱdeȱs’éleverȱainsiȱcontreȱl’autoritéȱduȱmonarque. Laȱ plupartȱ duȱ tempsȱ accompagnéȱ deȱ deuxȱ bourreaux,ȱ Monlucȱ procèdeȱ àȱ des jugementsȱexpéditifsȱetȱdesȱexécutionsȱsommaires,ȱconscientȱd’incarnerȱleȱ“bras deȱjustice”ȱduȱroiȱetȱdeȱreprésenterȱceȱfaisantȱenȱGuyenneȱleȱdernierȱrempartȱcontre uneȱpossibleȱséditionȱgénéralisée.ȱ LoinȱdeȱseȱlimiterȱàȱuneȱchroniqueȱmilitaireȱdesȱGuerresȱd’Italieȱ(LivresȱIȱàȱIV) puisȱdesȱGuerresȱCivilesȱ(LivresȱVȱàȱVII),ȱlesȱCommentairesȱpeuventȱdoncȱêtreȱlus, dansȱleurȱdeuxièmeȱpartieȱduȱmoins,ȱcommeȱuneȱvasteȱ“chroniqueȱjudiciaire.”ȱLa motivationȱ mêmeȱ deȱ l’ouvrageȱ renforceȱ cetteȱ dimension:ȱ Monluc,ȱ désormais éloignéȱdesȱchampsȱdeȱbataille,ȱentreprendȱd’écrireȱsesȱmémoiresȱpourȱrépondre àȱdesȱaccusationsȱdeȱconcussionȱetȱdeȱprévaricationȱémanantȱdeȱl’entourageȱduȱroi; commeȱ tousȱ lesȱ mémoiresȱ deȱ l’époque,ȱ lesȱ siensȱ constituentȱ d’abordȱ unȱ long plaidoyer,ȱlequelȱs’inscritȱexplicitementȱdansȱunȱ“simulacreȱdeȱprocès.”2ȱ Laissantȱ deȱ côtéȱ lesȱ aspectsȱ strictementȱ militairesȱ duȱ récit,ȱ ilȱ estȱ enȱ ceȱ sens intéressantȱd’étudierȱcomment,ȱàȱtraversȱl’écritureȱrétrospectiveȱdesȱCommentaires, Monlucȱrelateȱetȱcomprendȱcesȱcrimesȱetȱchâtimentsȱd’exception,ȱetȱcomment,ȱle tempsȱ aidant,ȱ estȱ analyséeȱ laȱ natureȱ précisémentȱ exceptionnelleȱ deȱ cetteȱ justice rendue.ȱDansȱcetteȱperspective,ȱlesȱquelquesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtimentsȱdisperséesȱdans lesȱlivresȱVȱàȱVIIȱdesȱCommentairesȱneȱpeuventȱêtreȱréduitesȱàȱdeȱsimplesȱanecdotes émaillantȱ leȱ récitȱ guerrierȱ pourȱ luiȱ donner,ȱ parȱ leurȱ cruautéȱ même,ȱ unȱ degré supplémentaireȱdeȱréalité;ȱellesȱconstituentȱbienȱauȱcontraireȱlesȱnoyauxȱépars d’uneȱméditationȱsurȱuneȱnécessaireȱréformeȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱduȱroiȱquiȱaboutit,ȱauȬ delàȱdeȱlaȱchroniqueȱréaliste,ȱàȱconstruireȱl’imageȱfantasmatique,ȱsouterraineȱmais cohérente,ȱd’uneȱjusticeȱidéaleȱoùȱs’imposeraitȱlaȱfigureȱquelqueȱpeuȱutopique d’unȱ jugeȬsoldatȱ apteȱ àȱ mêlerȱ vertusȱ guerrièresȱ etȱ compétencesȱ judiciaires. L’objectifȱ n’estȱ pasȱ deȱ discuterȱ laȱ légitimitéȱ éthiqueȱ desȱ exécutionsȱ cruellesȱ et expéditivesȱassuméesȱparȱMonlucȱ(cetteȱviolenceȱs’inscritȱdansȱleȱcontexteȱd’une

2

VoirȱNadineȱKupertyȬTsur,ȱSeȱdireȱàȱlaȱRenaissance.ȱLesȱmémoiresȱauȱXVIeȱsiècleȱ(Paris:ȱVrin,ȱ1997), 19–43,ȱetȱ“BlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱetȱAgrippaȱd’Aubigné:ȱdeuxȱcasȱextrêmesȱd’écritureȱdissidente,” Monluc,ȱd’Aubigné,ȱdeuxȱépées,ȱdeuxȱplumes,ȱéd.ȱJeanȱCubelierȱdeȱBeynacȱetȱClaudeȬGilbertȱDubois (Agen:ȱCentreȱMatteoȱBandello,ȱ1999),ȱ247–66.ȱSiȱlaȱlogiqueȱduȱplaidoyerȱappartientȱenȱpropreȱau genreȱnaissantȱdesȱ“mémoiresȱaristocratiques”ȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle,ȱlesȱCommentairesȱs’inscriventȱaussi dansȱlaȱtraditionȱplusȱancienneȱdesȱ“mémoiresȱmilitaires”ȱ(remontantȱauxȱCommentairesȱsurȱla GuerreȱdesȱGaulesȱdeȱCésarȱauxquelsȱleȱtitreȱdeȱMonlucȱfaitȱexplicitementȱréférence),ȱétudiésȱpar YuvalȱNoahȱHarari,ȱRenaissanceȱMilitaryȱMemoirs:ȱWar,ȱHistory,ȱandȱIdentity,ȱ1450–1600.ȱWarfare inȱHistoryȱ(Woodbridge,ȱUK,ȱandȱRochester,ȱVT:ȱTheȱBoydellȱPress,ȱ2004).

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

439

guerreȱcivileȱoùȱlesȱdeuxȱcampsȱsontȱrenvoyésȱdosȱàȱdos),3ȱmaisȱd’analyserȱles “microȬrécits”ȱdeȱchâtimentȱrestituésȱdansȱlesȱmémoiresȱcommeȱd’authentiques pointsȱd’articulationȱentreȱleȱrécitȱdeȱguerreȱetȱleȱdiscoursȱsurȱlaȱjustice,ȱentreȱle constatȱd’unȱhéroïsmeȱguerrierȱdéclinantȱetȱlaȱquêteȱd’unȱhéroïsmeȱjudiciaireȱinédit apteȱàȱrevaloriserȱl’“estat”ȱdeȱlaȱnoblesse.ȱ Soucieuxȱ deȱ s’inscrireȱ dansȱ unȱ courantȱ renouveléȱ deȱ l’écritureȱ deȱ l’Histoire (marquéȱparȱleȱréalisme,ȱunȱrefusȱd’idéalisationȱetȱunȱstyleȱbrut),4ȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonluc défendȱaussiȱuneȱutopieȱjudiciaireȱdontȱl’hypothétiqueȱefficacitéȱ(“essayée”ȱpar “nécessité”ȱauȱcoursȱdeȱsonȱinterventionȱenȱGuyenne)ȱviendraitȱfinalementȱenrayer lesȱvicissitudesȱdeȱl’Histoire.ȱAprèsȱavoirȱétudiéȱcommentȱlesȱrécitsȱdeȱchâtiment s’inscriventȱglobalementȱdansȱlaȱlogiqueȱdeȱlaȱchroniqueȱmilitaire,ȱonȱverraȱque leurȱmécaniqueȱnarrativeȱestȱanalogiqueȱd’unȱauthentiqueȱdiscoursȱsurȱlaȱjustice àȱlireȱenȱfiligraneȱdeȱlaȱrelationȱhéroïque.ȱPourȱMonluc,ȱlaȱjusticeȱd’exceptionȱpeut alorsȱjeterȱlesȱbasesȱd’uneȱutopieȱjudiciaireȱautourȱd’uneȱfigureȱinédite—maisȱdéjà anachroniqueȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱsiècle—deȱ“capitaineȬjusticier.”

MicroȬrécitsȱdeȱchâtiments:ȱdésordresȱduȱmondeȱ versusȱordreȱduȱrécit S’adressantȱauȱroiȱCharlesȱIXȱdansȱuneȱ“remontrance”ȱàȱlaȱfinȱdeȱsesȱCommentaires, BlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱévoqueȱrétrospectivementȱleȱsujetȱdeȱsonȱlivreȱenȱprétendantȱne s’êtreȱconsacréȱqu’àȱlaȱpeintureȱdeȱlaȱguerre: Jeȱlaisseȱleȱtortȱqueȱvousȱ[=ȱCharlesȱIX]ȱfaictesȱdeȱfaireȱcesȱbeauxȱedictsȱetȱdonnerȱtant d’advantageȱàȱvozȱennemis;ȱjeȱlaisseȱleȱdesordreȱdeȱvostreȱjusticeȱetȱdeȱvozȱfinances, etȱveuxȱseulement,ȱavecȱvostreȱpermission,ȱdireȱquelqueȱchoseȱquiȱconcerneȱlaȱcharge desȱarmes:ȱcarȱsiȱjeȱm’enfonçaisȱplusȱavantȱdansȱceȱquiȱaȱcauséȱlaȱruyneȱdeȱvostre royaume,ȱjeȱparleroisȱtropȱetȱnonȱpasȱdesȱpetitsȱ(800).

3

4

VoirȱPaulȱCourteault,ȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱhistorien,ȱ614–18ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ1),ȱetȱJeanȬCharlesȱSournia,ȱBlaise deȱMonluc,ȱ376–94ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ1),ȱquiȱmontrentȱbienȱqueȱlaȱ“légendeȱnoire”ȱdeȱMonlucȱs’estȱsurtout constituéeȱàȱpartirȱduȱXVIIIeȱsiècleȱchezȱcertainsȱauteursȱprotestants;ȱcertainementȱplusȱlucide quantȱàȱlaȱviolence,ȱ partagéeȱparȱlesȱdeuxȱcamps,ȱdesȱguerresȱciviles,ȱAubignéȱneȱcondamne jamaisȱ Monlucȱ dansȱ sonȱ Histoireȱ universelle,ȱ commeȱ l’aȱ soulignéȱ àȱ justeȱ titreȱ Andréȱ Thierry, “Monlucȱ etȱ d’Aubigné,”ȱ Bibliothèqueȱ d’Humanismeȱ etȱ Renaissanceȱ 33.3ȱ (1971):ȱ 505–24.ȱ Surȱ la difficultéȱàȱcondamnerȱtoutȱàȱfaitȱMonlucȱpourȱsonȱactionȱrépressive,ȱvoirȱenfinȱl’intelligenteȱmise auȱ pointȱ deȱ Jamesȱ J.ȱ Supple,ȱ “Monluc,ȱ Laȱ Boétieȱ etȱ laȱ justificationȱ deȱ laȱ violence,”ȱ Monluc, d’Aubigné,ȱdeuxȱépées,ȱdeuxȱplumes,ȱ89–107ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ2). VoirȱClaudeȬGilbertȱDubois,ȱLaȱconceptionȱdeȱl’HistoireȱenȱFranceȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle.ȱ1560–1610ȱ(Paris: Nizet,ȱ1977),ȱ219–51.ȱCeȱstyleȱsimpleȱadoptéȱparȱMonlucȱfutȱlouéȱdèsȱleȱXVIeȱsiècle,ȱparȱexemple parȱBrantôme.

440

NicolasȱLombart

Siȱ l’auteurȱ évoqueȱ sansȱ surpriseȱ laȱ “ruyne”ȱ deȱ laȱ Franceȱ pendantȱ lesȱ guerres civiles,ȱc’estȱparȱprétéritionȱqu’ilȱfautȱcomprendreȱlaȱprétendueȱmiseȱenȱretrait, dansȱleȱrécit,ȱduȱ“désordre”ȱdeȱlaȱ“justice”ȱetȱdesȱ“finances”ȱroyales:ȱenȱréalité, actionsȱ militaires,ȱ activitésȱ judiciairesȱ etȱ menéesȱ financièresȱ neȱ cessentȱ d’être articuléesȱdansȱlesȱCommentaires.ȱIlȱyȱaȱbienȱceȱqu’onȱpourraitȱappelerȱuneȱmémoire judiciaireȱ àȱ l’œuvreȱ auȱ cœurȱ desȱ mémoires,ȱ lesquelsȱ s’efforcentȱ deȱ conterȱ (et compter)ȱparȱleȱmenuȱlesȱactesȱdeȱjusticeȱauxquelsȱaȱparticipéȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱen tantȱqueȱreprésentantȱduȱroi.ȱ C’estȱdansȱleȱcadreȱd’uneȱjusticeȱdésorganiséeȱetȱfragilisée5ȱqu’apparaissentȱdonc lesȱquelqueȱdouzeȱrécitsȱdeȱchâtimentȱ(exclusivementȱdeȱprotestants6),ȱdontȱle capitaineȱgasconȱestȱàȱlaȱfoisȱacteurȱetȱnarrateur:7ȱ[1]ȱtroisȱchefsȱhuguenotsȱsont décapitésȱouȱpendus,ȱetȱunȱjeuneȱdiacreȱmortellementȱblessé,ȱleȱ20ȱfévrierȱ1562ȱà SaintȬMézardȱaprèsȱavoirȱmenéȱuneȱséditionȱcontreȱleurȱmaîtreȱM.ȱdeȱRouillac (483–85);ȱ[2]ȱ“cinqȱouȱsixȱhuguenots,”ȱdontȱleȱcapitaineȱMorellet,ȱsontȱpendusȱà Villeneuveȱleȱ3ȱmarsȱ1562ȱ(486–87);ȱ[3]ȱ“trenteȱouȱquarante”ȱhuguenotsȱ(enȱréalité dixȬneuf),ȱsontȱcondamnésȱpourȱséditionȱetȱpourȱl’assassinatȱdeȱM.ȱdeȱFumel,ȱet “pendusȱouȱmisȱsurȱlaȱroue”ȱàȱFumelȱleȱ11ȱmarsȱ1562ȱ(487–88);ȱ[4]ȱ“quatreȱouȱcinq desȱprincipauxȱseditieux”ȱsontȱcondamnésȱpourȱ“ruptureȱdesȱeglises,”ȱ“rapts”ȱet “volemens,”ȱetȱpendusȱàȱVillefrancheȬdeȬRouergueȱentreȱleȱ2ȱetȱleȱ11ȱavrilȱ1562 (494–95);ȱ[5]ȱdesȱhuguenotsȱséditieuxȱsontȱdécapitésȱenȱgrandȱnombreȱàȱToulouse, jugésȱparȱlesȱcapitouls,ȱleȱ23ȱmaiȱ1562ȱ(505–06);8ȱ[6]ȱ“soixanteȱouȱquatreȬvingts huguenots”ȱsontȱpendusȱàȱGironde,ȱprèsȱdeȱLaȱRéole,ȱpourȱséditionȱmilitaireȱen juilletȱ1562ȱ(528–29);ȱ[7]ȱ“quinzeȱouȱseize”ȱhuguenotsȱsontȱpendusȱleȱ31ȱjuilletȱ1562 àȱSauveterreȱpourȱséditionȱmilitaireȱ(529);ȱ[8]ȱ“quinzeȱouȱvingt”ȱhuguenots,ȱ“entre autresȱ tousȱ lesȱ officiersȱ duȱ Royȱ etȱ lesȱ consuls”ȱ etȱ leȱ capitaineȱ Héraud,ȱ ancien compagnonȱd’armesȱdeȱMonluc,ȱsontȱpendusȱàȱMonségurȱleȱ13ȱjuilletȱ1562ȱ(532); [9]ȱlesȱprisonniersȱdeȱTerraubeȱsontȱtuésȱetȱleurȱchefȱpendu,ȱetȱlesȱdeuxȱchefsȱde Lectoureȱ sontȱ pendusȱ leȱ 30ȱ septembreȱ 1562ȱ (551–52);ȱ [10]ȱ lesȱ séditieuxȱ deȱ La RocheȬChalaisȱsontȱ“accoustrezȱselonȱlaȱvieȱqu’ilsȱavoientȱmenée”ȱparȱlesȱsoldats deȱ Monlucȱ leȱ 6ȱ févrierȱ 1569ȱ (675–77);ȱ [11]ȱ lesȱ soldatsȱ deȱ laȱ garnisonȱ militaire huguenoteȱdeȱMontȬdeȬMarsanȱsontȱmassacrésȱ“parȱdespêche”ȱetȱ“souzȱpretexte 5

6

7

8

Surȱl’étatȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱXVIeȱsiècleȱenȱFrance,ȱvoirȱparȱexempleȱArletteȱLebigre,ȱLaȱjustice duȱroi.ȱLaȱvieȱjudiciaireȱdansȱl’ancienneȱFranceȱ(Paris:ȱÉditionsȱComplexe,ȱ1995),ȱ35–57,ȱetȱBenoît Garnot,ȱ Justiceȱ etȱ sociétéȱ enȱ France.ȱ XVIe–XVIIe–XVIIIeȱ sièclesȱ (Paris:ȱ Ophrys,ȱ 2000),ȱ passim.ȱ La critiqueȱduȱfonctionnementȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱestȱunȱlieuȱcommunȱlittéraireȱdepuisȱleȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱmais elleȱadopteȱunȱtonȱparticulièrementȱvirulentȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱXVIeȱsiècle:ȱvoirȱinfraȱn.ȱ29. Monlucȱ peutȱ cependantȱ libérerȱ desȱ protestantsȱ retenusȱ contreȱ laȱ loiȱ royaleȱ ouȱ exécuterȱ des catholiquesȱquiȱneȱrespectentȱpasȱlaȱloiȱroyale:ȱsurȱcesȱcasȱparticuliers,ȱvoirȱinfraȱn.ȱ17ȱetȱ18. Pourȱsignalerȱplusȱfacilementȱcesȱévénementsȱdansȱlaȱsuiteȱdeȱl’article,ȱchacunȱestȱiciȱnuméroté entreȱcrochets. Maisȱunȱdouteȱdemeureȱquantȱàȱl’implicationȱexacteȱdeȱMonlucȱdansȱcesȱexécutionsȱtoulousainesȱ: voirȱCommentaires,ȱ1204ȱn.ȱ3.

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

441

qu’ilsȱestoientȱsubjectsȱdeȱlaȱroyneȱdeȱNavarre”ȱleȱ20ȱseptembreȱ1569ȱ(724);ȱ[12] enfin,ȱtousȱlesȱhabitantsȱdeȱRabastens,ȱyȱcomprisȱlesȱfemmes,ȱsontȱpassésȱauȱfilȱde l’épéeȱouȱjetésȱparȱdessusȱlesȱmuraillesȱdeȱleurȱvilleȱpourȱl’avoirȱdéfendueȱleȱ23 juilletȱ1570ȱ(783–84). Quelquesȱremarquesȱs’imposent:ȱcesȱmicroȬrécitsȱdeȱchâtimentȱsontȱdispersés dansȱlaȱchroniqueȱmilitaireȱet,ȱloinȱdeȱlaȱdominer,ȱenȱparaissentȱàȱchaqueȱfoisȱune varianteȱouȱunȱprolongementȱponctuels.ȱLeurȱstatutȱnarratifȱn’estȱpasȱévident,ȱet Monlucȱsembleȱassurémentȱplusȱàȱl’aiseȱdansȱlaȱrelationȱd’unȱassautȱouȱd’une escarmoucheȱqueȱdansȱcelleȱd’uneȱpendaisonȱouȱd’uneȱdécapitation.ȱPourȱautant, laȱscèneȱinauguraleȱdeȱSaintȬMézardȱ[1]ȱouvreȱuneȱsorteȱdeȱmécaniqueȱimplacable deȱsubversion/répressionȱquiȱimprimeȱauȱrécitȱsonȱrythmeȱpropre.ȱEnȱoutre,ȱet paradoxalement,ȱchaqueȱscèneȱdeȱchâtimentȱseȱdétacheȱavecȱnettetéȱsurȱlaȱtoileȱde fondȱd’uneȱjusticeȱ(notammentȱpénale)ȱdontȱl’étatȱdeȱdéshérenceȱaȱdéjàȱétéȱévoqué plusȱhaut.ȱEnȱceȱsens,ȱlesȱmémoiresȱconstituentȱbienȱlaȱreconstitution,ȱparȱleȱrécit rétrospectifȱetȱautourȱduȱjeȱdeȱl’énonciation,ȱd’unȱordreȱperdu.ȱLeȱmicroȬrécitȱde châtimentȱapparaîtȱfinalementȱcommeȱunȱrepèreȱnarratifȱimportant—àȱcôtéȱdeȱla scèneȱdeȱbataille—dansȱlaȱreconstitutionȱdeȱcetȱordre. Dansȱl’économieȱgénéraleȱduȱrécitȱdeȱguerre,ȱcesȱscènesȱdeȱjusticeȱintroduisent cependantȱuneȱlégèreȱperturbation.ȱBienȱqu’inséréesȱauȱrécitȱprincipalȱdesȱassauts, bataillesȱ rangées,ȱ accrochages,ȱ reconnaissancesȱ etȱ mouvementsȱ tactiques,ȱ elles viennentȱ rompreȱ uneȱ possibleȱ héroïsationȱ deȱ laȱ relationȱ militaire;ȱ situéesȱ aux margesȱd’uneȱnarrationȱvirtuellementȱépique,ȱlesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtimentȱviennent rappelerȱqueȱleȱcodeȱdeȱlaȱguerreȱaȱchangé,ȱqueȱlaȱviolenceȱquiȱs’yȱexprimeȱne relèveȱplusȱdeȱceȱqueȱMonlucȱappelleȱ“leȱdroictȱdeȱlaȱguerre”ȱ(655)ȱouȱ“lesȱrègles ordinairesȱ deȱ laȱ guerre”ȱ (666),ȱ c’estȬàȬdireȱ leȱ codeȱ intériorisé,ȱ nonȱ écrit,ȱ deȱ la chevalerieȱetȱdeȱlaȱcourtoisie.9ȱAinsiȱMonlucȱprendȬilȱsoinȱdeȱrappelerȱlaȱdifférence entreȱ“guerresȱétrangères”ȱetȱ“guerresȱciviles,”ȱcesȱdernièresȱn’étantȱplusȱmenées selonȱdesȱprocéduresȱetȱunȱcodeȱreconnaissables: 9

Surȱcetȱancienȱcodeȱmartialȱquiȱnourritȱévidemmentȱlaȱconceptionȱmédiévaleȱdeȱlaȱguerre,ȱvoirȱpar exempleȱ Philippeȱ Contamine,ȱ Laȱ Guerreȱ auȱ Moyenȱ Âgeȱ (1980;ȱ Paris:ȱ Pressesȱ Universitairesȱ de France,ȱ2007),ȱnotammentȱI,ȱ8ȱ(“Guerreȱetȱpaix:ȱdroit,ȱéthiqueȱetȱchristianisme”)ȱetȱIII,ȱ10ȱ(“La guerre:ȱaspectsȱjuridiques,ȱéthiquesȱetȱreligieux”),ȱetȱlesȱcontributionsȱduȱvolumeȱWritingȱWar: MedievalȱLiteraryȱResponsesȱtoȱWarfare,ȱéd.ȱCorinneȱSaunders,ȱFrançoiseȱLeȱSaulxȱetȱNeilȱThomas (Woodbridge:ȱD.ȱS.ȱBrewer,ȱ2004).ȱParlantȱdeȱlaȱcaptureȱpuisȱdeȱlaȱrelaxeȱduȱcapitaineȱcatholique deȱLeberonȱparȱdesȱcapitainesȱhuguenots,ȱanciensȱcompagnonsȱdeȱguerreȱdeȱMonluc,ȱceȱdernier remarque:ȱ“Ceȱsontȱdesȱhonnestesȱcourtoisiesȱentreȱgensȱdeȱguerre”ȱ(Commentaires,ȱ747).ȱCeȱtype deȱnotationȱestȱfréquent,ȱMonlucȱconstatantȱ(etȱacceptantȱparfoisȱàȱcontreȱcœur)ȱl’évolutionȱdes techniquesȱdeȱcombatȱetȱsurtoutȱdeȱlaȱmentalitéȱduȱsoldatȱouȱduȱchefȱdeȱguerre:ȱvoirȱColette Demaizière,ȱ“Leȱvocabulaireȱdeȱl’hommeȱdeȱguerre,”ȱL’HommeȱdeȱguerreȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle,ȱéd.ȱGabrielȬ Andréȱ Pérouse,ȱ Andréȱ Thierry,ȱ etȱ Andréȱ Tournon.ȱ Actesȱ duȱ colloqueȱ deȱ l’Associationȱ RHR [Renaissance,ȱHumanisme,ȱRéforme],ȱCannes,ȱ1989ȱ(SaintȬÉtienne:ȱPublicationsȱdeȱl’Université deȱSaintȬÉtienne,ȱ1992),ȱ349–63ȱ(notammentȱ354–56),ȱetȱRobertȱKnecht,ȱ“Monlucȱetȱl’artȱmilitaire,” Monluc,ȱd’Aubigné,ȱdeuxȱépées,ȱdeuxȱplumes,ȱ111–20ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ2).

442

NicolasȱLombart Etȱ siȱ leȱ Royȱ eustȱ faitȱ payerȱ lesȱ compagnies,ȱ jeȱ n’eusseȱ permisȱ enȱ cesȱ guerresȱ de introduireȱ lesȱ rançonsȱ quiȱ ontȱ entretenuȱ laȱ guerre.ȱ Maisȱ leȱ gendarmeȱ nyȱ leȱ soldat n’estoitȱpayé.ȱIlȱestȱimpossibleȱd’yȱpourveoir,ȱencoresȱn’enȱyȱeustȬilȱguères;ȱc’estȱcela sansȱdouteȱquiȱaȱentretenuȱlaȱguerre.ȱCeȱn’estȱpasȱcommeȱauxȱguerresȱestrangères,ȱoù onȱcombatȱcommeȱpourȱl’amourȱetȱl’honneur;ȱmaisȱauxȱcivilesȱilȱfautȱestreȱouȱmaistre ouȱvalet,ȱveuȱqu’onȱdemeureȱsousȱmesmeȱtoit.ȱEtȱainsiȱilȱfautȱvenirȱàȱlaȱrigueurȱetȱàȱla cruauté;ȱautrementȱlaȱfriandiseȱduȱgainȱestȱtelleȱqueȱonȱdesireȱplustostȱlaȱcontinuation deȱlaȱguerreȱqueȱlaȱfinȱ(519).10

UneȱétudeȱrapideȱdesȱdouzeȱmicroȬrécits—etȱdeȱleursȱpointsȱcommuns—permet deȱ comprendreȱ ceȱ passageȱ desȱ loisȱ deȱ l’“amour”ȱ etȱ deȱ l’”honneur“ȱ àȱ celles, nécessaires,ȱdeȱlaȱ“rigueur”ȱetȱdeȱlaȱ”cruauté.“ȱCesȱchâtimentsȱsontȱrelatésȱtrès brièvementȱ (d’oùȱ l’expressionȱ retenueȱ deȱ microȬrécits),ȱ sansȱ luxeȱ deȱ détails: Monlucȱyȱpousseȱàȱl’excèsȱleȱprincipeȱduȱstyleȱsimpleȱetȱréalisteȱemblématiqueȱdu renouvellementȱdeȱl’écritureȱdeȱl’Histoireȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱsiècle.11ȱLeȱnarrateurȱprend cependantȱ leȱ tempsȱ d’indiquerȱ laȱ natureȱ duȱ crime,ȱ laȱ formeȱ duȱ châtiment (pendaisonȱouȱdécapitationȱmajoritairement,ȱmaisȱaussiȱdéfenestration,ȱsupplice deȱlaȱroueȱouȱpopulationȱpasséeȱauȱfilȱdeȱl’épée)ȱetȱuneȱjustificationȱdeȱlaȱpeine: Monlucȱtientȱsystématiquementȱàȱplacerȱsonȱactionȱsousȱl’autoritéȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱdu roi,ȱ etȱ elleȱ s’inscritȱ deȱ fait,ȱ dèsȱ queȱ possible,ȱ dansȱ leȱ cadreȱ desȱ institutions judiciaires.12ȱ Maisȱceȱquiȱfrappeȱdansȱlaȱconduiteȱduȱrécit,ȱc’estȱqueȱlaȱpremièreȱexécutionȱde SaintȬMézardȱ[1]ȱapparaîtȱfinalementȱcommeȱleȱparadigmeȱd’uneȱmêmeȱscène, répétéeȱavecȱtroisȱinvariants:ȱlaȱvitesseȱd’exécutionȱetȱleȱrefusȱd’uneȱprocédureȱtrop lourdeȱd’abordȱ(leȱchâtimentȱestȱréaliséȱ“sansȱsentenceȱnyȱécriture”ȱ[1],ȱ“sansȱtant languir”ȱ[2],ȱ“sansȱprocédure”ȱ[3],ȱ“sansȱautreȱcérémonie”ȱ[4],ȱ“dezȱleȱlendemain” [5],ȱ“sansȱdespendreȱpapierȱniȱancre”ȱ[7],ȱ“[avec]ȱuneȱtrèsȱbelleȱdespêche”ȱ[9],ȱ“par 10

11

12

Dansȱ uneȱ adresseȱ auȱ roiȱ quiȱ suitȱ l’évocationȱ deȱ laȱ batailleȱ deȱ Jarnacȱ (13ȱ marsȱ 1569),ȱ victoire catholiqueȱquiȱvitȱlaȱmortȱduȱprinceȱdeȱCondé,ȱMonluc,ȱquiȱdéploreȱlaȱmortȱdeȱceȱgrandȱchef protestant,ȱ plaideȱ l’utilitéȱ desȱ “guerresȱ estrangères,”ȱ quiȱ permettentȱ deȱ détournerȱ l’ardeur militaireȱhorsȱduȱroyaume:ȱvoirȱCommentaires,ȱ668–70.ȱS’ilȱs’agitȱd’unȱlieuȱcommunȱdesȱdiscours contreȱlesȱguerresȱciviles,ȱMonlucȱestȱcependantȱl’unȱdesȱseulsȱàȱpréférerȱauxȱ“guerresȱdeȱlaȱTerreȬ Saincteȱ[celles]ȱdesȱnouveauxȱmondesȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱcommeȱfaictȱleȱRoyȱd’Espagne”ȱ(Commentaires,ȱ669). Voir,ȱoutreȱClaudeȬGilbertȱDubois,ȱLaȱconceptionȱdeȱl’HistoireȱenȱFranceȱauȱXVIeȱsiècleȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4),ȱles propresȱ déclarationsȱ deȱ Monlucȱ àȱ laȱ finȱ desȱ Commentaires,ȱ 829–30;ȱ plusȱ loin,ȱ l’auteurȱ oppose significativementȱsonȱouvrageȱauxȱromans,ȱlaȱréalitéȱnueȱàȱlaȱfiction:ȱ“Neȱdesdaignez,ȱvousȱqui desirezȱ suivreȱ leȱ trainȱ desȱ armes,ȱ auȱ lieuȱ deȱ lireȱ desȱ Amadisȱ ouȱ Lancellots,ȱ d’employer quelqu’heureȱàȱmeȱcongnoistreȱdansȱceȱlivre”ȱ(833). Àȱ Fumelȱ [3],ȱ lesȱ protestantsȱ séditieuxȱ sontȱ jugésȱ coupablesȱ parȱ desȱ conseillersȱ duȱ siègeȱ du sénéchalȱd’AgenȱetȱàȱVillefrancheȬdeȬRouergueȱ[4],ȱparȱdeuxȱconseillersȱdeȱlaȱcourȱdeȱBordeaux (malgréȱlaȱrésistanceȱdeȱdeuxȱcommissairesȱduȱroi,ȱprobablementȱréformés);ȱlesȱexécutionsȱde Toulouseȱ[5]ȱsontȱorganiséesȱparȱlesȱcapitouls,ȱsansȱqueȱl’onȱsacheȱexactementȱquelleȱpartȱMonluc yȱaȱprise;ȱMonlucȱdoitȱaussiȱcomposerȱavecȱlesȱdeuxȱcommissairesȱduȱroi,ȱCompainȱetȱGirard, soupçonnésȱd’êtreȱhuguenots,ȱetȱsouventȱréticents.

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

443

despêche”ȱ[11]);ȱleȱrapportȱdeȱforceȱinduitȱparȱcetteȱvitesseȱensuite:ȱlaȱ“rage”ȱ(485) etȱlaȱ“rigueur”ȱ(784)ȱd’unȱcôté,ȱlaȱ“peurȱetȱlaȱfrayeur”ȱ(486)ȱdeȱl’autre,ȱdansȱla mesureȱoùȱilȱfaut,ȱditȱMonluc,ȱ“[tenir]ȱlesȱgensȱetȱleȱpeupleȱenȱcrainte”ȱ(488);13ȱle rapportȱdeȱforceȱsuggéréȱparȱcetteȱpratiqueȱduȱchâtimentȱenfin:ȱduȱcôtéȱdeȱMonluc, uneȱformeȱdeȱrévélationȱetȱunȱsouciȱdeȱsincérité,ȱduȱcôtéȱdesȱhuguenots,ȱdissimulation etȱmensonge.14ȱLesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtimentȱseȱdistinguentȱdoncȱdesȱscènesȱdeȱcombat enȱ ceȱ qu’ellesȱ neȱ sontȱ sujettesȱ qu’àȱ unȱ faibleȱ travailȱ deȱ variationȱ etȱ surtout d’ornementation.ȱMonlucȱrépèteȱuneȱscèneȱoriginelleȱdeȱjusticeȱqu’ilȱseȱrefuseȱà transformerȱenȱspectacle,ȱenȱ“scèneȱàȱfaire.”ȱIlȱn’yȱaȱchezȱluiȱaucuneȱcomplaisance pourȱ laȱ violenceȱ duȱ châtiment,ȱ lequelȱ estȱ commeȱ assuméȱ parȱ cetteȱ priseȱ de distanceȱ qu’impliqueȱ laȱ relativeȱ sobriétéȱ stylistique,15ȱ moinsȱ évidenteȱ dans certainesȱscènesȱdeȱcombatȱoùȱaffleureȱparfoisȱlaȱtentationȱdeȱl’épique.16ȱC’estȱdans cetteȱperspectiveȱqu’uneȱtypologieȱdesȱcrimesȱapparaîtȱnettementȱd’uneȱscèneȱà l’autre. Neȱpasȱtransformerȱlaȱpeineȱenȱspectacle,ȱenȱscèneȱpathétiqueȱdoncȱattendueȱpar leȱ lecteur,ȱ c’estȱ mettreȱ enȱ valeurȱ leȱ travailȱ deȱ laȱ loiȱ auxȱ dépensȱ duȱ travailȱ de l’écriture,ȱc’estȱévoquerȱlaȱcapacitéȱduȱchefȱdeȱguerreȱgasconȱàȱreconnaîtreȱsans passionȱleȱcrime—etȱlaȱcapacitéȱduȱnarrateurȱàȱrendreȱcompteȱsansȱexaltationȱde cetteȱreconnaissance.ȱLaȱsobriétéȱstylistiqueȱaȱpourȱeffetȱdeȱsuggérerȱlaȱlégalitéȱde chaqueȱpunitionȱetȱleȱlégalismeȱduȱcapitaineȬnarrateur,ȱunȱlégalismeȱquiȱapparaît plusȱ clairementȱ dansȱ d’autresȱ épisodes,ȱ enȱ faveurȱ desȱ protestants17ȱ ouȱ au 13

14

15

16

17

L’oppositionȱapparaîtȱexplicitementȱdansȱlesȱépisodesȱ[1],ȱ[2],ȱ[3],ȱ[4],ȱ[6],ȱ[8],ȱetȱ[12],ȱmaisȱelleȱest suggéréeȱpartoutȱparȱlaȱdescriptionȱduȱclimatȱdansȱlequelȱontȱlieuȱlesȱarrestations. Voirȱsurtoutȱlesȱépisodesȱ[1],ȱ[2],ȱ[4],ȱ[6],ȱ[7],ȱ[9],ȱetȱ[10].ȱL’auteurȱsuggèreȱcetteȱoppositionȱéthique auȬdelàȱdesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtiment,ȱcommeȱparȱexempleȱdansȱCommentaires,ȱ589–90:ȱMonlucȱdécrit lesȱnouvellesȱmenéesȱdesȱhuguenotsȱdansȱleȱSudȬOuest,ȱsignesȱavantȬcoureursȱdeȱtroubles,ȱmais aussiȱsonȱimpossibilitéȱàȱagirȱdansȱleȱcadreȱlégalȱdesȱéditsȱdeȱpaixȱdansȱlaȱmesureȱoùȱchezȱles ennemisȱtoutȱestȱfaitȱ“enȱcachette.” Surȱcetteȱabsenceȱdeȱcomplaisanceȱouȱd’idéalisationȱchezȱMonlucȱdansȱleȱrapportȱàȱlaȱviolenceȱde laȱguerre,ȱvoirȱaussiȱJeanȬClaudeȱArnould,ȱ“Pillage,ȱprofit,ȱpromotion:ȱl’hommeȱdeȱguerreȱd’après lesȱCommentairesȱdeȱMonluc,”ȱL’HommeȱdeȱguerreȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle,ȱ167–76ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ9),ȱnotammentȱ170: “Leȱdiscoursȱdeȱl’hommeȱdeȱguerreȱdémentȱàȱchaqueȱpageȱlesȱillusionsȱqueȱcréeȱceȱqueȱj’appellerai parȱcommoditéȱlaȱlittératureȱidéalisante.ȱPillageȱetȱprofitȱrévèlentȱd’abordȱlaȱvraieȱnatureȱdeȱla guerre:ȱc’estȱunȱsystèmeȱéconomique,ȱcertesȱparasitaireȱetȱimproductifȱpourȱlaȱplupart,ȱmaisȱqui aȱsesȱpropresȱlois.” L’auteurȱsembleȱainsiȱréserverȱsonȱsensȱdeȱl’héroïsationȱetȱdeȱl’agrandissementȱauȱrécitȱdeȱsa propreȱ mortȱ symboliqueȱ àȱ Rabastens,ȱ oùȱ ilȱ futȱ défiguréȱ parȱ uneȱ arquebusade:ȱ voirȱ Jacques Pineaux,ȱ“Mortȱetȱtransfigurationȱd’unȱhéros:ȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱàȱRabastens,”ȱÉtudesȱseiziémistes offertesȱàȱV.ȬL.ȱSaulnierȱ(Genève:ȱDroz,ȱ1980),ȱ347–53.ȱL’exploitationȱduȱtoposȱduȱsongeȱprémonitoire (Commentaires,ȱ 593–95)ȱ attesteȱ égalementȱ leȱ goûtȱ deȱ Monlucȱ pourȱ lesȱ procédésȱ littérairesȱ àȱ la mode:ȱvoirȱMauriceȱF.ȱVerdier,ȱ“LeȱsongeȱdeȱMonluc,”ȱBibliothèqueȱd’HumanismeȱetȱRenaissanceȱ37.1 (1975):ȱ7–14. Voirȱ Commentaires,ȱ 473.ȱ Deȱ manièreȱ habile,ȱ Monlucȱ placeȱ auȱ débutȱ duȱ livreȱ Vȱ leȱ récitȱ d’une libérationȱqu’ilȱfitȱdeȱdeuxȱprisonniersȱprotestants,ȱdétenusȱparȱlesȱgensȱdeȱjusticeȱàȱPlume,ȱcontre lesȱordonnancesȱroyalesȱ(quiȱinterdisentȱalorsȱlaȱdétentionȱ“pourȱfaitsȱdeȱreligion”).ȱIlȱrefuseȱaussi,

444

NicolasȱLombart

détrimentȱdesȱcatholiques.18ȱDeȱmanièreȱsignificative,ȱlaȱseuleȱoccurrenceȱduȱverbe “châtier”ȱdansȱlesȱlivresȱV–VIIȱdesȱCommentairesȱapparaîtȱdansȱunȱcontexteȱoùȱest soulignéeȱl’impartialitéȱdeȱMonluc.ȱAlorsȱqueȱleȱministreȱprotestantȱLaȱBarelleȱlui rendȱ visiteȱ pourȱ seȱ plaindreȱ desȱ destructionsȱ deȱ templesȱ “[lui]ȱ disantȱ queȱ les eglisesȱavoientȱestéȱfortȱaisesȱdeȱ[sa]ȱvenuëȱetȱdeȱlaȱchargeȱqueȱlaȱRoyneȱ[lui]ȱavoit baillé,ȱetȱqu’ilsȱs’assuroientȱd’avoirȱjusticeȱdeȱceuxȱquiȱlesȱavoientȱainsiȱmassacrez,” Monlucȱ“respondi[t]ȱqu’ilȱseȱpouvoitȱtenirȱpourȱcertainȱqueȱceuxȱquiȱauroientȱtort seroientȱ chastiez”ȱ (476).ȱ Maisȱ ensuiteȱ leȱ ministreȱ tenteȱ deȱ corrompreȱ Monluc, provoquantȱlaȱ“furie”ȱdeȱceȱdernier,ȱquiȱs’enȱprendȱphysiquementȱauȱpasteurȱpuis remarqueȱironiquement:ȱ“Celaȱmeȱdescriaȱfortȱparmyȱcesȱministres,ȱcarȱc’estoit crimeȱ deȱ lèzeȬmajestéȱ d’enȱ toucherȱ un”ȱ (477).ȱ Cetteȱ autreȱ scèneȱ inaugurale— Monlucȱrapporteȱpourȱlaȱpremièreȱfoisȱunȱéchangeȱverbalȱavecȱunȱprotestant—est elleȱaussiȱparadigmatiqueȱenȱceȱqu’elleȱtraduitȱleȱrapportȱconstantȱqueȱMonluc entretientȱauȱcrimeȱetȱàȱsaȱreconnaissance.ȱ Laȱcolèreȱn’yȱestȱpasȱsystématiquementȱuneȱpassionȱnégative,ȱmaisȱleȱsymptôme affectifȱ d’uneȱ identificationȱ presqueȱ instinctiveȱ d’unȱ crimeȱ perçuȱ dansȱ sa dimensionȱexclusivementȱpolitique:ȱl’usageȱparȱantiphraseȱdeȱl’expressionȱ“lèzeȬ majesté”ȱindiqueȱqueȱl’autoritéȱroyaleȱestȱleȱseulȱpointȱdeȱréférence,ȱl’uniqueȱpierre deȱtoucheȱdansȱl’évaluationȱd’uneȱsituationȱambiguë.ȱMonluc,ȱquiȱn’évoqueȱjamais desȱ questionsȱ deȱ théologieȱ ouȱ deȱ dogme,ȱ identifieȱ leȱ roi,ȱ laȱ loiȱ etȱ laȱ justice,ȱ et considèreȱqueȱlaȱséditionȱestȱexclusivementȱpolitique:ȱ“leȱmasqueȱestȱosté:ȱilȱn’est plusȱ questionȱ deȱ messeȱ ouȱ deȱ presche,ȱ c’estȱ àȱ laȱ personneȱ [duȱ roi]ȱ queȱ cela s’adresse”ȱ(609).19ȱDeȱfait,ȱlaȱ“colère,”ȱlaȱ“furie”ȱouȱlaȱ“rage”ȱsontȱrécurrentesȱdans lesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtiment.ȱ Cetteȱ passionȱ deȱ laȱ colère—propreȱ àȱ l’universȱ épique,ȱ oùȱ elleȱ joueȱ unȱ rôle profondémentȱstructurel20—estȱl’expressionȱextrême,ȱetȱévidemmentȱparadoxale, duȱ “bonȱ jugement,”ȱ uneȱ vertuȱ aussiȱ bienȱ judiciaireȱ queȱ guerrière,ȱ quiȱ permet d’identifierȱ leȱ crimeȱ communȱ ouȱ leȱ crimeȱ deȱ lèseȬmajestéȱ avecȱ uneȱ relative

18

19

20

enȱ1563,ȱdeȱsévirȱcontreȱlesȱBordelaisȱaccusésȱd’êtreȱréformés:ȱvoirȱCommentaires,ȱ472–73,ȱ478ȱet 577–79. VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ581.ȱMonlucȱraconteȱlaconiquementȱcommentȱilȱfitȱstrictementȱappliquerȱl’édit d’Amboiseȱ deȱ marsȱ 1563ȱ (lequelȱ interdisaitȱ àȱ toutȱ soldatȱ deȱ porterȱ lesȱ armes,ȱ saufȱ les gentilshommes),ȱenȱfaisantȱpendreȱdeuxȱsoldatsȱcatholiquesȱ“ayantȱtransgresséȱl’edict”ȱpuisȱdeux huguenotsȱ(paritéȱparfaite!),ȱquiȱpensaientȱpourtantȱ“eschapperȱàȱbonȱmarché.” Surȱceȱthème,ȱvoirȱJamesȱJ.ȱSupple,ȱ“Monluc,ȱLaȱBoétie,ȱetȱlaȱjustificationȱdeȱlaȱviolence,”ȱ99–101 (voirȱn.ȱ3). VoirȱparȱexempleȱBrunoȱMéniel,ȱ“Laȱcolèreȱdansȱlaȱpoésieȱépique,ȱdeȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyenȱÂgeȱàȱlaȱfin duȱXVIeȱsiècle:ȱunȱenversȱdeȱl’héroïsme?,”ȱCahiersȱdeȱRecherchesȱMédiévalesȱetȱHumanistesȱ11ȱ(2004): 37–48.

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

445

netteté—commeȱelleȱpermetȱd’évaluerȱlaȱsituationȱdeȱl’ennemiȱsurȱleȱchampȱde bataille.21 LesȱcrimesȱidentifiésȱparȱMonlucȱpeuventȱainsiȱêtreȱrépartisȱenȱseptȱcatégories, dontȱleȱclassementȱhiérarchiqueȱneȱpeutȱqu’êtreȱdifficilementȱétabliȱdansȱlaȱmesure oùȱilsȱsontȱtousȱégalementȱpunisȱdeȱmort.ȱMonlucȱneȱpunitȱqueȱdesȱcrimesȱqui affectentȱdirectementȱlaȱsûretéȱetȱl’autoritéȱpubliquesȱou,ȱceȱquiȱrevientȱauȱmême, laȱpersonneȱsymboliqueȱduȱroi:ȱl’injureȱverbaleȱàȱl’encontreȱduȱroiȱ(cf.ȱ[1]:ȱCharles IXȱestȱtraitéȱdeȱ“petitȱreyotȱdeȱmerde”ȱ(484));ȱl’assassinatȱdeȱseigneursȱ(dansȱles faits,ȱtousȱcatholiques:ȱcf.ȱ[2]ȱetȱ[3]);ȱleȱprêcheȱpublicȱetȱséditieuxȱ(cf.ȱ[2]ȱetȱ[3]:ȱpour Monluc,ȱparȱcetteȱprédication,ȱ“ilsȱ[lesȱhuguenots]ȱnousȱvouloientȱdonnerȱlaȱloy” (487));ȱlaȱdestructionȱdesȱbiens,ȱleȱpillage,ȱetȱleȱmassacreȱdeȱcatholiquesȱ(cf.ȱ[1],ȱ[4] etȱ[10]);ȱl’actionȱdissimuléeȱdansȱunȱbutȱséditieuxȱ(cf.ȱ[5]);ȱlaȱséditionȱdéclaréeȱet leȱsoulèvementȱmilitaireȱ(cf.ȱ[6],ȱ[7],ȱ[8],ȱ[10],ȱ[11]);ȱetȱenfin,ȱleȱrépublicanismeȱet l’athéismeȱ(cf.ȱ[10]:ȱ“c’estoientȱlibertinsȱetȱgensȱsansȱreligion”ȱ(676)ȱdéclareȬtȬonȱà proposȱdesȱinsurgés).ȱ Leȱrespectȱdeȱlaȱvolontéȱduȱroi,ȱdeȱsaȱparoleȱàȱtraversȱlaȱloi,ȱestȱvéritablement obsessionnelleȱchezȱMonluc,ȱpourȱquiȱlaȱcorruptionȱgénéraliséeȱduȱlangageȱestȱdéjà enȱsoiȱuneȱlèseȬmajestéȱ(“[Je]ȱmeȱdeliberayȱd’userȱdeȱtoutesȱlesȱcruautezȱqueȱje pourrois,ȱetȱmesmementȱsurȱceuxȱquiȱparloientȱcontreȱlaȱmajestéȱroyale,”ȱ483)ȱet expliqueȱlaȱpropensionȱdesȱprotestantsȱàȱlaȱduplicitéȱetȱauȱmensonge.22ȱÀȱl’inverse, luiȬmêmeȱchercheȱàȱfaireȱentendreȱsaȱvoixȱdansȱuneȱatmosphèreȱdeȱtumultes,ȱde dénonciationsȱ etȱ deȱ rumeurs,ȱ quiȱ vientȱ seȱ grefferȱ commeȱ parȱ maliceȱ surȱ le traditionnelȱpaysageȱsonoreȱdeȱlaȱguerre.23ȱPlacéeȱparȱdéfinitionȱauȱcœurȱdeȱla 21

22

23

VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ571–72.ȱAprèsȱleȱrécitȱdeȱlaȱpriseȱdeȱLectoure,ȱMonlucȱconseilleȱauxȱjeunes capitaines,ȱdansȱuneȱadresseȱdigressive,ȱdeȱn’observerȱjamaisȱqueȱparȱeuxȬmêmesȱlaȱpositionȱdes ennemisȱ(“Vosȱyeuxȱvoyentȱplusȱclairȱqueȱceuxȱd’autruiȱàȱceȱquiȱestȱnécessaire”),ȱmettantȱenȱavant lesȱ capacitésȱ deȱ “recognoissance”ȱ etȱ deȱ “bonȱ jugement”ȱ duȱ tacticien.ȱ Lesȱ jeuxȱ deȱ motȱ surȱ la capacitéȱàȱjugerȱ(d’uneȱsituationȱmilitaire,ȱd’unȱcrime)ȱsontȱfréquentsȱdansȱlesȱCommentaires. LeȱlivreȱVȱs’ouvreȱsurȱceȱconstatȱd’unȱlangageȱtotalementȱcorrompuȱchezȱlesȱprotestants;ȱvoir Commentaires,ȱ472:ȱ“Quelquesȱjoursȱaprèsȱmonȱretour,ȱj’entendoisȱdeȱtoutesȱpartsȱdeȱterribles langagesȱetȱd’audacieusesȱparolles,ȱqueȱlesȱministresȱquiȱportoientȱuneȱnouvelleȱfoyȱtenoient, mesmementȱcontreȱl’authoritéȱroyale.”ȱConstruitȱautourȱd’uneȱinjureȱcontreȱleȱroi,ȱleȱrécitȱde l’exécutionȱdeȱSaintȬMézardȱ[1]ȱaboutitȱàȱceȱconstat:ȱ“Ceȱn’estoitȱpasȱseulementȱlàȱqu’ilsȱtenoyent ceȱ langage,ȱ carȱ c’estoitȱ partout;”ȱ unȱ peuȱ plusȱ loin,ȱ leȱ lienȱ avecȱ leȱ goûtȱ duȱ secretȱ apparaît clairement:ȱ“Celaȱ[i.ȱe.ȱl’exécution]ȱfermaȱlaȱboucheȱàȱplusieursȱseditieux,ȱquiȱn’osoyentȱparlerȱdu Royȱqu’avecȱrespect;ȱmaisȱenȱsecretȱilsȱfaisoyentȱleursȱmenées”ȱ(Commentaires,ȱ484ȱetȱ485). VoirȱparȱexempleȱCommentaires,ȱ585ȱ:ȱ“LaȱFranceȱjouistȱcinqȱansȱdeȱceȱreposȱavecȱlesȱdeuxȱreligions [aprèsȱl’éditȱd’Amboiseȱdeȱmarsȱ1563].ȱToutesfois,ȱjeȱmeȱdoubtoisȱtousjoursȱqu’ilȱyȱavoitȱquelque anguilleȱsousȱroche;ȱmaisȱpourȱlaȱGuienneȱjeȱneȱcraignoisȱpasȱbeaucoup.ȱJ’avoisȱtousjoursȱl’œilȱau guet,ȱdonnantȱadvisȱàȱlaȱRoyneȱdeȱtoutȱceȱqueȱj’entendois,ȱavecȱtouteȱlaȱfidélitéȱdontȱjeȱmeȱpouvois adviser.ȱPendantȱceȱtemps,ȱleȱRoyȱvisitaȱsonȱroyaume.ȱEstantȱarrivéȱàȱThoulouse,ȱjeȱfuzȱbaiserȱles mainsȱàȱSaȱMajesté,ȱlaquelleȱmeȱfitȱplusȱhonorableȱrecueilȱqueȱjeȱneȱmeritois.ȱLesȱhuguenotsȱne faillirentȱàȱfaireȱleursȱpraticquesȱetȱmenées,ȱetȱmeȱfaisoientȱfauxȱfeuȱsouzȱmain,ȱcarȱàȱdescouvert ilsȱ n’osoientȱ leȱ faire;ȱ maisȱ jeȱ neȱ m’enȱ donnoisȱ pasȱ grandȱ peine.”ȱ L’auteurȱ évoqueȱ aussiȱ les bavardagesȱdeȱlaȱcourȱ(notammentȱdesȱdames),ȱquiȱpeuventȱcauserȱd’infinisȱdommages:ȱ“LeȱRoy

446

NicolasȱLombart

pratiqueȱjudiciaire,ȱlaȱparoleȱestȱconstammentȱmenacéeȱparȱlesȱdeuxȱvicesȱdeȱla “chattemite[erie]”ȱetȱdeȱl’“opiniastreté,”ȱc’estȬàȬdireȱparȱlaȱduplicitéȱdoucereuse24 etȱparȱl’obstinationȱaveugle.25ȱContreȱcetteȱperversionȱgénéraliséeȱduȱlangage,ȱla seuleȱ réponseȱ possibleȱ estȱ uneȱ formeȱ deȱ pragmatismeȱ judiciaireȱ queȱ rend nécessaireȱlaȱsituationȱexceptionnelleȱdeȱlaȱguerreȱcivile.

Uneȱjusticeȱpragmatique:ȱlaȱ“nécessité”ȱduȱchâtiment Leȱthèmeȱduȱchâtimentȱn’apparaîtȱassurémentȱpasȱdeȱmanièreȱincidenteȱauȱcœur deȱlaȱchroniqueȱdesȱguerresȱciviles.ȱL’enversȱdeȱceȱrécitȱmilitaire—etȱdesȱscènesȱde justiceȱqu’ilȱfaitȱponctuellementȱapparaître—estȱbienȱuneȱcritiqueȱdesȱpratiques judiciairesȱduȱtempsȱquiȱfinitȱparȱrendreȱvisibleȱchezȱMonlucȱunȱdiscoursȱsurȱla justice,ȱ sinonȱ légitime,ȱ duȱ moinsȱ cohérent.ȱ Siȱ lesȱ microȬrécitsȱ deȱ châtiment manifestentȱ unȱ rapportȱ essentiellementȱ pragmatiqueȱ deȱ Monlucȱ àȱ l’actionȱ de justice,ȱ cetteȱ actionȱ s’inscritȱ cependantȱ assezȱ clairementȱ dansȱ leȱ cadreȱ d’une critiqueȱ deȱ laȱ justiceȱ duȱ royaumeȱ fondéeȱ surȱ unȱ argumentaireȱ simpleȱ (voire simpliste)ȱ maisȱ quiȱ révèleȱ paradoxalementȱ uneȱ bonneȱ connaissanceȱ deȱ la juridictionȱfrançaiseȱetȱdeȱsesȱpossiblesȱdysfonctionnements.ȱ DèsȱleȱdébutȱduȱlivreȱV,ȱMonlucȱconstateȱamèrementȱqueȱceȱsontȱessentiellement desȱ gensȱ deȱ justiceȱ quiȱ passentȱ àȱ laȱ Réforme,ȱ associantȱ implicitementȱ laȱ faible

24

25

devroitȱcloreȱlaȱboucheȱauxȱdamesȱquiȱseȱmeslentȱdeȱparlerȱenȱsaȱcour;ȱdeȱlàȱviennentȱtousȱles rapports,ȱtoutesȱlesȱcalomnies.ȱUneȱbabillardeȱcausaȱlaȱmortȱdeȱmonsieurȱdeȱlaȱChastegneroye.ȱS’il m’eustȱvouluȱcroire,ȱetȱcinqȱouȱsixȱdeȱsesȱamis,ȱilȱeustȱdesmêléȱsaȱfuzéeȱcontreȱmonsieurȱdeȱJarnac d’autreȱsorte;ȱcarȱilȱcombattistȱcontreȱsaȱconscienceȱetȱperdistȱl’honneurȱetȱlaȱvie.ȱLeȱRoyȱleur devroitȱcommanderȱdeȱseȱmeslerȱdeȱleursȱaffaires.ȱJ’excepteȱcellesȱqueȱjeȱdois.ȱLeurȱlangueȱaȱcousté beaucoup,ȱetȱaprèsȱilȱn’estȱpasȱtemps,ȱcommeȱj’auȱdict”ȱ(Commentaires,ȱ617). VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ735:ȱ“LeȱcomteȱMongommeryȱ[=ȱchefȱprotestantȱenȱGuyenne]ȱvintȱàȱEuze,ȱet, commeȱilȱfustȱlàȱarrivé,ȱlesȱhuguenotsȱdeȱCondom,ȱquiȱestoientȱdemeurezȱsoubzȱl’edictȱduȱRoy [l’éditȱdeȱPaixȱdeȱLongjumeau,ȱduȱ23ȱmarsȱ1568],ȱayantȱfaictȱtousjoursȱlaȱchattemiteȱdeȱneȱvouloir prendreȱ lesȱ armes,ȱ seȱ couvrantȱ souzȱ laȱ promesseȱ duȱ Roy,ȱ lesquelsȱ avoientȱ estéȱ traictezȱ plus humainementȱqueȱlesȱcatholiquesȱmesmes,ȱprindrentȱlesȱarmesȱetȱallarentȱtrouverȱleȱcomteȱde MongommeryȱàȱEuze.”ȱMonlucȱreprocheȱsansȱcesseȱauxȱprotestantsȱdeȱprofiterȱdesȱéditsȱdeȱpaix pourȱpréparerȱsecrètementȱlaȱguerre. VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ532:ȱ“Leȱcapitaineȱquiȱcommandaitȱ[laȱplaceȱforteȱdeȱMonségur]ȱs’appelloitȱle capitaineȱHeraud,ȱquiȱavoitȱestéȱdeȱmaȱcompagnieȱàȱMoncallierȱetȱàȱAlbeȱlanceȱpassade,ȱunȱbrave soldatȱs’ilȱyȱenȱavoitȱenȱGuyenne,ȱetȱfustȱprisonnier.ȱBeaucoupȱdeȱgensȱleȱvouloientȱsauverȱpour saȱ vaillance;ȱ maisȱ jeȱ disȱ que,ȱ s’ilȱ eschappoit,ȱ ilȱ nousȱ feroitȱ testeȱ àȱ chasqueȱ village,ȱ etȱ queȱ je cognoissoisȱbienȱsaȱvaleur.ȱVoilàȱpourquoiȱjeȱleȱfisȱpendre.ȱIlȱpensoitȱtousjoursȱqueȱjeȱleȱsauvasse, pourȱceȱqueȱjeȱsçavoisȱbienȱqu’ilȱestoitȱvaillant;ȱmaisȱcelaȱleȱfistȱplustostȱmourir,ȱcarȱj’estoisȱbien asseuréȱqu’ilȱneȱseȱretourneroitȱjamaisȱdeȱnostreȱcosté,ȱparceȱqu’ilȱestoitȱfortȱopiniastreȱetȱcoifféȱde cesteȱreligion.ȱSansȱcelaȱjeȱl’eusseȱsauvé.”ȱOnȱnoteraȱl’importanceȱduȱregistreȱéthique,ȱl’opiniâtreté religieuseȱétantȱperçueȱcommeȱuneȱscandaleuseȱinversionȱdeȱlaȱvaillanceȱguerrière.

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

447

“nature”ȱdeȱcetteȱprofessionȱauȱdésirȱquasiȱmaladifȱdeȱ“nouveautez.”26ȱDeȱfait,ȱ“le peupleȱ [est]ȱ abandonnéȱ deȱ laȱ justiceȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .],ȱ etȱ n’yȱ avoitȱ sergentȱ quiȱ ozast entreprendreȱdeȱfaireȱexecutionsȱpourȱlesȱcatholiques,ȱsinonȱpourȱlesȱhuguenots seulement”ȱ(472);ȱbienȱplus,ȱlesȱprotestants—omniprésents,ȱenȱGuyenne,ȱdansȱles officesȱdeȱjustice—exploitentȱlaȱcomplexitéȱdesȱprocéduresȱjudiciairesȱàȱleurȱprofit, contreȱtouteȱformeȱd’impartialité.27ȱAuȱfurȱetȱàȱmesureȱqueȱleȱrécitȱprogresse,ȱle discoursȱcritiqueȱs’étoffe;ȱuneȱcourteȱdigressionȱduȱlivreȱVIȱ(déjàȱmentionnéeȱen introduction)ȱmériteȱainsiȱd’autantȱplusȱl’attentionȱduȱlecteurȱqu’elleȱfaitȱplutôt exception,ȱparȱlesȱthèmesȱabordés,ȱdansȱl’ensembleȱdesȱmémoiresȱdeȱlaȱfinȱdu siècle: EtȱpuisqueȱlaȱjusticeȱdeȱFranceȱestȱregieȱetȱgouvernéeȱparȱlesȱloixȱdesȱRomains,ȱc’est bienȱraisonȱqueȱlesȱroysȱdeȱFranceȱseȱgouvernentȱparȱleursȱcoustumes.ȱQueȱpleustȱà Dieuȱ queȱ leȱ roiȱ voulustȱ faireȱ parlerȱ deȱ luyȱ pourjamais,ȱ etȱ laisserȱ memoireȱ deȱ sa prudence,ȱ quiȱ seroitȱ àȱ jamaisȱ louée!ȱ C’estȱ qu’ilȱ fistȱ bruslerȱ tousȱ lesȱ livresȱ desȱ loix suivantȱlesquellesȱsaȱjusticeȱjuge,ȱetȱfaireȱuneȱjusticeȱtouteȱnouvelle,ȱjusteȱetȱsaincteȱcar j’oseroisȱdireȱqu’ilȱn’yȱaȱmonarqueȱenȱchrestientéȱquiȱs’aideȱdeȱcesȱloixȱqueȱlesȱroysȱde France;ȱ tousȱ lesȱ autresȱ ontȱ desȱ loixȱ faictesȱ parȱ euxȱ pourȱ abrégerȱ tousȱ procès,ȱ ouy mesmesȱBearnȱetȱLorraineȱ(quiȱsontȱauxȱdeuxȱcoingsȱduȱroyaume),ȱetȱqueȱlesȱprocès neȱpuissentȱdurerȱplusȱdeȱdeuxȱans.ȱSiȱleȱRoyȱfaisoitȱcela,ȱilȱseȱpourroitȱvanterȱd’avoir unȱmondeȱdeȱsoldatsȱquiȱseroientȱforcezȱdeȱprendreȱlesȱarmes,ȱpuisqu’ilsȱn’auroient queȱfaireȱauxȱpalais;ȱcarȱostezȱcesteȱvacation,ȱàȱquoyȱvoulezȬvousȱqu’unȱbonȱcœur nobleȱ etȱ genereuxȱ s’adonne,ȱ sinonȱ auxȱ armes?ȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .]ȱ Jeȱ croisȱ queȱ lesȱ deuxȱ tiers 26

27

VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ472:ȱ“Jeȱvoioisȱcroistreȱdeȱjourȱenȱjourȱleȱmal,ȱetȱneȱvoioisȱpersonneȱquiȱse monstratȱpourȱleȱRoi.ȱJ’oioisȱdireȱaussiȱqueȱlaȱpluspartȱdeȱtousȱceuxȱquiȱseȱmesloyentȱdesȱfinances estoyentȱdeȱcesteȱreligion,ȱcarȱleȱnaturelȱdeȱl’hommeȱestȱd’aimerȱlesȱnouveautez;ȱetȱleȱpis,ȱd’oùȱest procédéȱtoutȱleȱmalȬheur,ȱqueȱlesȱgensȱdeȱjusticeȱauxȱparlemens,ȱseneschaucéesȱetȱautresȱjuges abandonnoientȱlaȱreligionȱancienneȱetȱduȱRoyȱpourȱprendreȱlaȱnouvelle.”ȱUneȱquestionȱreste (malicieusement?)ȱenȱsuspend:ȱpassentȬilsȱàȱlaȱRéformeȱenȱraisonȱd’unȱ“naturel”ȱdéjàȱfaible,ȱou estȬceȱceȱchangementȱdeȱreligionȱquiȱlesȱaffaiblitȱensuite?ȱLeȱrôleȱimportantȱdesȱgensȱdeȱjustice dansȱlaȱdiffusionȱdeȱlaȱRéformeȱavaitȱétéȱégalementȱtrèsȱcritiquéȱparȱRonsard,ȱquiȱreprochaitȱaux “jugesȱ desȱ cités”ȱ leurȱ laxismeȱ et,ȱ bienȱ pire,ȱ leurȱ “connivence”ȱ avecȱ “leȱ Huguenotȱ mutin, l’heretiqueȱmechant”:ȱvoirȱDiscoursȱdesȱMisèresȱdeȱceȱTemps,ȱéd.ȱMalcolmȱSmithȱ(Genève:ȱDroz, 1979),ȱ 127–28ȱ (Remonstranceȱ auȱ peupleȱ deȱ France,ȱ v.ȱ 451–68).ȱ Ceȱ rôleȱ estȱ bienȱ attestéȱ parȱ les historiens,ȱmêmeȱsiȱMonlucȱleȱsurévalueȱsansȱdouteȱàȱdessein:ȱvoirȱparȱexempleȱArletteȱJouanna, LaȱFranceȱduȱXVIeȱsiècleȱ(Paris:ȱPressesȱUniversitairesȱdeȱFrance,ȱ1996),ȱ331. Remarquantȱenȱeffetȱqueȱlesȱ“judicature[s]ȱgrande[s]ȱ[ou]ȱpetite[s]”ȱsont,ȱenȱGuyenne,ȱquasiment toutesȱentreȱlesȱmainsȱdesȱprotestants,ȱMonlucȱinsisteȱsurȱlesȱfauxȱtémoignages,ȱintimidations contreȱlesȱcatholiques,ȱ“piperies,ȱrusesȱetȱfinesses”ȱdiversesȱquiȱdétournentȱlaȱjusticeȱauȱprofitȱde ceuxȱ deȱ laȱ nouvelleȱ religion,ȱ quiȱ neȱ cherchentȱ qu’àȱ gagnerȱ duȱ tempsȱ pourȱ échapperȱ aux jugementsȱ:ȱvoirȱCommentaires,ȱ486.ȱLaȱrelationȱduȱprocèsȱdeȱCahorsȱ(marsȱ1562),ȱdansȱlequelȱdes catholiquesȱsontȱjugésȱpourȱavoirȱattaquéȱdesȱprotestants,ȱestȱpourȱMonlucȱl’exempleȱmêmeȱde ceȱdétournementȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱparȱlaȱRéforme;ȱvoirȱCommentaires,ȱ488–89:ȱ“Ilsȱavoientȱsiȱbienȱfait qu’ilsȱavoyentȱappelléȱneufȱjugesȱouȱlieutenansȱdesȱsièges,ȱdontȱlesȱsixȱestoyentȱhuguenots,ȱetȱles troisȱilsȱlesȱavoyentȱsiȱfortȱintimidezȱdeȱleurȱgrandȱpuissanceȱetȱauthoritéȱqu’ilsȱdisoyentȱavoirȱen leurȱcharge,ȱqueȱnulȱd’euxȱn’osoitȱdireȱsinonȱcommeȱlesȱautres.”

448

NicolasȱLombart s’amusentȱenȱcesȱpalaisȱetȱplaidoyeries;ȱetȱcependant,ȱencorȱqu’ilsȱayentȱnaturellement bonȱcœur,ȱavecȱleȱtempsȱs’apoltronisent.ȱCeȱroyaumeȱseroitȱformidableȱauxȱestrangers. CombienȱseroitȬilȱricheȱetȱopulent!ȱcarȱtouteȱlaȱruineȱdeȱlaȱnoblesseȱneȱvientȱqueȱdes mauvaisȱconseilsȱqueȱlesȱadvocatsȱdonnentȱauxȱpartiesȱ(620–21).

Ceȱpassageȱestȱintéressantȱdansȱlaȱmesureȱoùȱilȱarticuleȱlaȱpratiqueȱconcrèteȱdu châtimentȱ chezȱ Monlucȱ àȱ uneȱ réflexionȱ surȱ l’institutionȱ d’uneȱ “justiceȱ toute nouvelle,ȱjusteȱetȱsaincte”ȱfondéeȱsurȱdeuxȱprincipes:ȱleȱrejetȱduȱdroitȱromainȱ(celui desȱ“livres,”ȱdesȱloisȱécritesȱetȱdeȱlaȱlongueurȱdesȱprocès)ȱauȱprofitȱdeȱlaȱcoutume (duȱ côtéȱ deȱ l’oralité,ȱ deȱ laȱ traditionȱ etȱ deȱ laȱ brièveté);ȱ etȱ laȱ diminutionȱ des “vacations”ȱ judiciaires—ilȱ yȱ aȱ tropȱ d’avocatsȱ dansȱ lesȱ palais—pourȱ libérer l’énergieȱguerrièreȱdeȱ“cœur[s]ȱnoble[s]ȱetȱgenereux”ȱaptesȱàȱprendreȱlesȱarmesȱau profitȱdeȱlaȱsauvegardeȱduȱroyaume.ȱ Leȱsouhaitȱdeȱ voirȱseȱdévelopperȱunȱdroitȱnationalȱ(fondéȱsurȱlaȱcoutumeȱet l’histoire)ȱmoinsȱprisonnierȱdeȱlaȱcomplexitéȱduȱdroitȱsavantȱestȱpartagéȱparȱun certainȱnombreȱdeȱjuristesȱgallicansȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱsiècle:28ȱleȱdiscoursȱdeȱMonluc, quoiqueȱpauvreȱenȱargumentsȱstrictementȱjuridiques,ȱs’inscritȱdoncȱparfaitement dansȱ unȱ débatȱ d’actualité.ȱ Surtout,ȱ ceȱ discoursȱ prendȱ toutȱ sonȱ sensȱ dansȱ la compositionȱd’ensembleȱdesȱmémoires:ȱsiȱlaȱcritiqueȱdeȱlaȱ“chicane”ȱ(laȱquerelle judiciaireȱsansȱfin),ȱunȱdéfautȱtypiquementȱfrançais,ȱestȱunȱlieuȱcommunȱdeȱla satireȱduȱmondeȱjudiciaire,29ȱelleȱfaitȱiciȱdirectementȱéchoȱàȱlaȱmécaniqueȱnarrative miseȱenȱplaceȱparȱleȱnarrateurȱdansȱsesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtiment. Monlucȱtraduitȱenȱeffetȱleȱmécanismeȱidéalȱdeȱceȱqueȱdoitȱêtreȱpourȱluiȱlaȱjustice enȱtermesȱdeȱmécaniqueȱduȱrécit:ȱsiȱ“nécessitéȱfaitȱloi,”ȱelleȱcommandeȱaussiȱla narration.30ȱChaqueȱmicroȬrécitȱdeȱchâtimentȱconstitueȱdeȱfaitȱuneȱréponseȱàȱlaȱfois 28

29

30

VoirȱparȱexempleȱJeanȬLouisȱThireau,ȱ“Droitȱnationalȱetȱhistoireȱnationale:ȱlesȱrecherchesȱérudites desȱfondateursȱduȱdroitȱfrançais,”ȱDroitsȱ38ȱ(2003):ȱ37–51ȱetȱJeanȬLouisȱGazzaniga,ȱ“Rédactionȱdes coutumesȱetȱcodification,”ȱDroitsȱ26ȱ(1997):ȱ71–80. VoirȱnotammentȱMichelȱdeȱMontaigne,ȱEssaisȱ[1595],ȱII,ȱ12,ȱéd.ȱDenisȱBjaï,ȱBénédicteȱBoudou,ȱJean CéardȱetȱIsabelleȱPantinȱ(Paris:ȱLibrairieȱGénéraleȱFrançaiseȱ–ȱ“LaȱPochotèque,”ȱ2001),ȱ902:ȱ“Les avocatsȱetȱlesȱjugesȱdeȱnotreȱtemps,ȱtrouventȱàȱtoutesȱcauses,ȱassezȱdeȱbiaisȱpourȱlesȱaccommoder oùȱbonȱleurȱsemble.ȱAȱuneȱscienceȱsiȱinfinie,ȱdépendantȱdeȱl’autoritéȱdeȱtantȱd’opinions,ȱetȱd’un sujetȱsiȱarbitraire,ȱilȱneȱpeutȱêtre,ȱqu’ilȱn’enȱnaisseȱuneȱconfusionȱextrêmeȱdeȱjugements.ȱAussi n’estȬilȱguèreȱsiȱclairȱprocès,ȱauquelȱlesȱavisȱneȱseȱtrouventȱdivers:ȱceȱqu’uneȱcompagnieȱaȱjugé, l’autreȱleȱjugeȱauȱcontraire,ȱetȱelleȬmêmeȱauȱcontraireȱuneȱautreȱfois.ȱDeȱquoiȱnousȱvoyonsȱdes exemplesȱordinaires,ȱparȱcetteȱlicence,ȱquiȱtacheȱmerveilleusementȱlaȱcérémonieuseȱautoritéȱet lustreȱdeȱnotreȱjustice,ȱdeȱneȱs’arrêterȱauxȱarrêts,ȱetȱcourirȱdesȱunsȱauxȱautresȱjuges,ȱpourȱdécider d’uneȱ mêmeȱ cause.”ȱ Siȱ Montaigneȱ neȱ cesseȱ deȱ critiquerȱ l’abondanceȱ contradictoireȱ desȱ lois françaises,ȱlaȱvénalitéȱdesȱavocats,ȱetȱleȱbavardageȱstérileȱdesȱprocès,ȱonȱnoteraȱtoutefoisȱque, contrairementȱ àȱ Monluc,ȱ ilȱ plaideȱ aussiȱ pourȱ uneȱ justiceȱ sansȱ cruauté:ȱ voirȱ Pierreȱ Michel, “L’hommeȱdeȱcolèreȱetȱl’hommeȱdeȱpaix!ȱMonluc,ȱMontaigne,”ȱBulletinȱdeȱlaȱSociétéȱdesȱAmisȱde Montaigneȱ2ȱ(1972),ȱ51–66,ȱetȱdansȱleȱprésentȱvolumeȱlaȱcontributionȱdeȱDenisȱBjaï. ClaudeȬGilbertȱ Duboisȱ établitȱ égalementȱ uneȱ analogieȱ entreȱ l’habiletéȱ tactiqueȱ deȱ Monlucȱ en termesȱmilitaires,ȱetȱsonȱhabiletéȱtactiqueȱenȱtermesȱdeȱcompositionȱnarrativeȱdesȱscènesȱdeȱguerre: voirȱ “Laȱ ruptureȱ duȱ pontȱ deȱ PortȬSainteȬMarieȱ (1569)ȱ d’aprèsȱ lesȱ Commentairesȱ deȱ Monluc,”

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

449

pragmatiqueȱetȱenȱquelqueȱsorteȱcontrainte,ȱobligée,ȱàȱl’incurieȱjudiciaire.ȱSiȱl’idée deȱ“nécessité,”ȱmaintesȱfoisȱrappeléeȱparȱMonlucȱauȱcoursȱdeȱsaȱchronique,31ȱest unȱargumentȱsouventȱutiliséȱparȱlesȱcriminelsȱdeȱguerre—adopterȱlaȱsolutionȱla moinsȱ pireȱ pourȱ unȱ résultatȱ plusȱ rapideȱ etȱ uneȱ plusȱ grandeȱ efficacité—elleȱ se traduitȱaussiȱdansȱl’ordreȱduȱrécitȱparȱlaȱmiseȱenȱplaceȱd’uneȱmêmeȱscénographie duȱchâtimentȱarticulantȱuneȱtemporalitéȱspécifiqueȱetȱlaȱmaîtriseȱd’unȱespace.ȱ Dansȱl’ordreȱduȱtemps,ȱonȱl’aȱvu,ȱMonlucȱinsisteȱsurȱlaȱrapiditéȱd’exécutionȱdu châtimentȱ quiȱ n’estȱ pasȱ uneȱ précipitationȱ (l’auteurȱ insisteȱ opportunémentȱ à d’autresȱendroitsȱdeȱsesȱmémoiresȱsurȱleȱfaitȱqu’ilȱsaitȱattendre)ȱmaisȱl’équivalent dansȱl’ordreȱjudiciaireȱdeȱlaȱvertuȱguerrièreȱdeȱ“diligence,”ȱmélangeȱdeȱvitesseȱet deȱprécision,ȱcapacitéȱd’anticipationȱdeȱl’actionȱennemie.32ȱGagnerȱduȱtempsȱpour moinsȱs’exposer,ȱenȱrevanche,ȱestȱleȱpropreȱduȱprotestantȱdupliceȱouȱdeȱl’hypocrite courtisan.33ȱDansȱl’ordreȱdeȱl’espace,ȱonȱnoteraȱlaȱcapacitéȱdeȱMonlucȱàȱadapter promptementȱ laȱ punitionȱ auȱ lieuȱ oùȱ ilȱ seȱ trouve—improvisantȱ uneȱ formeȱ de décorumȱjudiciaireȱauxȱdétailsȱparfoisȱsinistres.ȱ Leȱcapitaineȱgasconȱromptȱenȱeffetȱavecȱuneȱpratiqueȱancienne:ȱceȱn’estȱplusȱle suppliceȱquiȱestȱassujettiȱàȱunȱlieuȱprédéterminéȱ(leȱcentreȱdeȱlaȱcité,ȱlaȱplaceȱde grève,ȱ l’échafaudȱ .ȱ .ȱ .),ȱ maisȱ bienȱ leȱ lieuȱ quiȱ seȱ soumet,ȱ dansȱ l’urgenceȱ deȱ la situation,ȱ àȱ laȱ nécessitéȱ duȱ supplice.ȱ Laȱ plupartȱ desȱ scènesȱ révèlentȱ ainsi l’ajustementȱmacabreȱduȱchâtimentȱàȱlaȱconfigurationȱspécifiqueȱduȱsite:ȱ“[poussé] rudementȱenȱterre”ȱparȱMonluc,ȱleȱpremierȱsuppliciéȱdeȱSaintȬMézardȱ[1]ȱtombe deȱtelleȱsorteȱqueȱ“sonȱcolȱallaȱjustementȱsurȱleȱmorceauȱdeȱlaȱcroixȱdeȱpierreȱ[du cimetièreȱ catholique]ȱ [.ȱ .ȱ .]ȱ queȱ [lesȱ huguenots]ȱ avoientȱ rompue,”ȱ etȱ qu’ilȱ est aussitôtȱ décapité,ȱ ironieȱ duȱ sort,ȱ surȱ leȱ lieuȱ mêmeȱ deȱ l’exactionȱ deȱ ses coreligionnairesȱ (484ȱ etȱ 485);ȱ àȱ VillefrancheȬdeȬRouergueȱ [4],ȱ alorsȱ queȱ les commissairesȱduȱroi—soupçonnésȱd’êtreȱeuxȬmêmesȱprotestants—demandentȱla “relaxe”ȱdesȱ“séditieux”ȱjugésȱcoupablesȱdeȱpillageȱd’égliseȱparȱdeuxȱconseillers

31

32

33

Monluc,ȱd’Aubigné,ȱdeuxȱépées,ȱdeuxȱplumes,ȱ123–31ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ2).ȱSurȱleȱlienȱentreȱl’”habileȱmontage rhétorique”ȱduȱrécitȱdeȱguerreȱetȱlesȱnotionsȱdeȱ“compétence,ȱmériteȱetȱreconnaissance,”ȱvoirȱaussi NadineȱKupertyȬTsur,ȱ“ProfilȱetȱfonctionsȱduȱrécitȱdeȱguerreȱdansȱlesȱCommentairesȱdeȱMonluc,” LaȱLettreȱetȱleȱRécitȱdeȱguerreȱdansȱlesȱmémoiresȱd’Ancienȱrégime:ȱȱActesȱdesȱjournéesȱd’étudeȱdeȱNantes, 3–4ȱavrilȱ2003,ȱéd.ȱJeanȱGaraponȱ(Tours:ȱUniversitéȱdeȱToursȱ–ȱUFRȱdeȱLettres,ȱ2004),ȱ43–59. VoirȱparȱexempleȱCommentaires,ȱ822:ȱ“Laȱnecessitéȱdeȱlaȱguerreȱnousȱforce,ȱenȱdespitȱdeȱnousȬ memes,ȱàȱfaireȱmilleȱmaux,ȱetȱfaireȱnonȱplusȱd’estatȱdeȱlaȱvieȱdesȱhommesȱqueȱd’unȱpoulet.”ȱC’est significativementȱlaȱdernièreȱoccurrenceȱduȱmotȱnécessitéȱdansȱleȱlivre. Voirȱ parȱ exempleȱ Commentaires,ȱ 707:ȱ “Capitaines,ȱ encoresȱ queȱ ceȱ neȱ soitȱ pasȱ icyȱ deȱ grandes conquestesȱetȱbatailles,ȱsiȱpouvezȬvousȱapprendre,ȱaussiȱbienȱqu’enȱautresȱendroitsȱdeȱmonȱlivre, deȱquoyȱprofiteȱuneȱgrandeȱdiligenceȱ(jeȱsuisȱtousjoursȱsurȱcesteȱleçon,ȱonȱneȱlaȱvousȱsçauroitȱtrop repeter),ȱetȱcommeȱilȱfaitȱbonȱhazarderȱquandȱilȱestȱnecessaire.” Surȱlaȱcapacitéȱdesȱprotestantsȱàȱtemporiserȱdansȱlesȱprocès,ȱvoirȱsupraȱn.ȱ27.ȱMonlucȱironiseȱaussi surȱlesȱcourtisansȱcontrefaisantȱlesȱempressés,ȱalorsȱqu’ilsȱseȱperdentȱenȱbavardagesȱetȱconseils creux;ȱvoirȱCommentaires,ȱ591:ȱ“Cesȱmessieursȱlesȱcourtisans,ȱquiȱneȱmanièrentȱjamaisȱautreȱferȱque leursȱorlogesȱetȱmontres,ȱparlentȱcommeȱbonȱleurȱsemblent;ȱilsȱfontȱdesȱdemyȬdieuxȱetȱfontȱles empressez,ȱcommeȱsiȱrienȱn’estoitȱbienȱfaictȱs’ilȱneȱpassoitȱparȱleurȱteste.”

450

NicolasȱLombart

deȱlaȱcourȱdeȱBordeaux,ȱMonluc,ȱpassantȱoutre,ȱlesȱ“[fait]ȱpendreȱauxȱfenestresȱde laȱ maisonȱ deȱ laȱ ville”ȱ (495ȱ etȱ 496);ȱ àȱ Girondeȱ [6],ȱ lesȱ prisonniersȱ sontȱ pendus, lugubreȱcommerce,ȱ“auxȱpiliersȱdeȱlaȱhalle”ȱ(528).ȱDeȱmêmeȱqueȱleȱbonȱchefȱde guerreȱsaitȱs’adapterȱ auȱ terrainȱ(êtreȱ mobileȱetȱrapide),ȱdeȱmême,ȱl’hommeȱde justiceȱdoitȱpouvoirȱs’adapterȱàȱlaȱscèneȱimproviséeȱd’unȱsupplice. Ceȱ queȱ permetȱ enȱ faitȱ auȱ capitaineȬjusticier—etȱ aprèsȱ lui,ȱ auȱ narrateur—la maîtriseȱdeȱl’espaceȬtempsȱdeȱlaȱscèneȱjudiciaire,ȱc’estȱbienȱdeȱproduireȱàȱtravers sonȱactionȱrépressiveȱdesȱmarquesȱouȱempreintesȱdirectementȱperceptiblesȱdeȱla justiceȱroyale.ȱLoinȱdesȱ“sentences”ȱetȱ“escritures”ȱdesȱprocèsȱouȱdesȱplaidoiries infiniesȱdesȱavocatsȱ(quiȱbrouillentȱleȱmessage),ȱleȱlangageȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱdoitȱêtre immédiatementȱlisibleȱetȱtransparent.ȱCeȱquiȱidéalementȱdoitȱcaractériserȱlaȱjustice duȱroi,ȱc’estȱsaȱsimplicité:ȱévoquantȱsonȱentrepriseȱdeȱpacificationȱdeȱlaȱGuyenne aprèsȱlaȱsignatureȱdeȱlaȱpaixȱd’Amboiseȱ(15ȱmarsȱ1563),ȱMonlucȱconclutȱsurȱla réussiteȱdeȱcetteȱactionȱparȱuneȱsimpleȱéquivalence:ȱ“Bref,ȱleȱRoyȱyȱestoitȱrecongnu etȱ laȱ justiceȱ obéye”ȱ (581).ȱ Leȱ châtimentȱ relèveȱ alorsȱ d’uneȱ formeȱ d’éloquence naturelleȱ(celleȱ queȱ Monlucȱmanifesteȱaussiȱbienȱdansȱsesȱdiscoursȱauprèsȱdes coursȱsouverainesȱqueȱdansȱl’écritureȱdesȱmémoires34),ȱlaquelleȱproduitȱpourȱtous unȱsigneȱévident:ȱalorsȱqu’ilȱvientȱdeȱfaireȱprisonniersȱ“soixanteȱouȱquatreȬvingt huguenots”ȱàȱGirondeȱ[6],ȱMonlucȱprendȱsoinȱensuiteȱdeȱpréciser, Etȱm’enȱallayȱlà,ȱlesquelzȱfeysȱtousȱpendreȱauxȱpiliersȱdeȱlaȱhalle,ȱsansȱautreȱceremonie, quiȱdonnaȱuneȱpeurȱsiȱgrandeȱparȱtoutȱleȱpaysȱqu’ilsȱabandonnarentȱtoutȱleȱlongȱdeȱla rivièreȱdeversȱMarmandeȱetȱToneinsȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.].ȱOnȱpouvoitȱcognoistreȱparȱlàȱoùȱj’estoie passé,ȱ carȱ parȱ lesȱ arbres,ȱ surȱ lesȱ chemins,ȱ onȱ enȱ trouvoitȱ lesȱ enseignes.ȱ Unȱ pendu estonnoitȱplusȱqueȱcentȱtuezȱ(529).

AuȬdelàȱduȱprincipeȱdeȱlaȱguerreȱpsychologiqueȱetȱdeȱl’effetȱdeȱsignature,ȱMonluc utiliseȱleȱcorpsȱduȱsuppliciéȱcommeȱ“enseigne”35ȱtangibleȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱduȱroi:ȱà Terraubeȱ [9],ȱ enȱ représaillesȱ d’unȱ piègeȱ tenduȱ àȱ Monlucȱ parȱ lesȱ assiégésȱ de Lectoureȱsousȱcouvertȱdeȱvouloirȱparlementer,ȱlesȱprisonniersȱsontȱtués,ȱleȱchef pendu,ȱetȱtousȱlesȱcorpsȱ“[jetés]ȱdansȱleȱpuyȱdeȱlaȱville,ȱquiȱestoitȱfortȱprofond,ȱet s’enȱremplitȱtout,ȱdeȱsorteȱqueȱl’onȱlesȱpouvoitȱtoucherȱavecȱlaȱmain”ȱ(552);ȱpuis 34

35

Monlucȱ assumeȱ sonȱ styleȱ soldatesque,ȱ maisȱ enȱ constateȱ aussiȱ l’efficace;ȱ voirȱ parȱ exemple Commentaires,ȱ654:ȱ“Etȱcroyȱqueȱc’estȱuneȱtrèsȬbelleȱpartieȱàȱunȱcapitaineȱqueȱdeȱbienȱdire.ȱJeȱn’ay pasȱestéȱnourryȱpourȱcestȱeffect;ȱmaisȱencorȱayȬjeȱeuȱceȱbonheurȱdeȱpouvoirȱexprimerȱenȱtermeȱde soldatsȱceȱqueȱj’avoisȱàȱdireȱavecȱassésȱdeȱvéhémence,ȱquiȱsentoitȱleȱpaysȱd’oùȱjeȱsuisȱsorty.ȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.] Etȱcroyȱqu’unȱhommeȱquiȱaȱleuȱetȱretenuȱestȱplusȱcapableȱd’executerȱdeȱbellesȱentreprinsesȱqu’un autre.ȱSiȱj’enȱeusseȱeu,ȱj’enȱeusseȱfaitȱmonȱproffit;ȱencorȱavoisȬjeȱassésȱdeȱnaturelȱpourȱpersuader leȱsoldatȱdeȱvenirȱauȱcombat.”ȱSurȱl’importanceȱdesȱdiscoursȱdansȱlesȱCommentaires,ȱnotamment devantȱlaȱcourȱsouveraineȱdeȱBordeauxȱetȱlesȱnotablesȱagenais,ȱvoirȱinfraȱn.ȱ51ȱetȱ52. Monlucȱjoueȱsansȱdouteȱvolontairementȱdesȱmultiplesȱsensȱduȱmotȱenseigneȱqui,ȱdansȱlaȱlangue françaiseȱduȱXVIeȱsiècle,ȱsignifieȱentreȱautresȱ“drapeau,ȱétendardȱ(dansȱleȱlangageȱmilitaire)”ȱet “signe,ȱceȱquiȱestȱmanifesté,ȱmanifestation.”ȱL’analogieȱentreȱvertusȱguerrièresȱetȱvertusȱjudiciaires estȱprésenteȱauȱcœurȱmêmeȱduȱlexique.

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

451

quatreȱhuguenotsȱdeȱLectoureȱsontȱ“[pendus]ȱenȱunȱnoyerȱprèsȱdeȱlaȱville,ȱàȱla veuëȱdesȱennemis”ȱ(id.).ȱContreȱlesȱhuguenotsȱcachésȱderrièreȱleurȱ“mine”ȱ(590) duplice,ȱMonlucȱfaitȱtoucherȱetȱvoirȱlaȱjusticeȱroyale.ȱCeȱfaisant,ȱilȱrépondȱaussiȱaux “tristesȱ marques”ȱ (535)ȱ laisséesȱ partoutȱ parȱ lesȱ ennemisȱ duȱ royaume:ȱ églises pillées,ȱvillagesȱdévastés,ȱfamillesȱcatholiquesȱmassacrées.ȱ Pourȱautant,ȱleȱrécitȱneȱmentionneȱaucunȱréelȱacharnementȱsymboliqueȱsurȱles corpsȱtraduisantȱceȱqueȱDenisȱCrouzetȱappelleȱ“laȱportéeȱsacraleȱdesȱviolences catholiques”ȱdansȱleȱcontexteȱdesȱchâtimentsȱcollectifsȱetȱpopulaires,ȱorchestrés notammentȱparȱlaȱLigueȱàȱParis.36ȱDansȱleȱrécitȱproposéȱparȱMonluc,ȱleȱcorpsȱde l’adversaireȱestȱàȱlaȱfoisȱprésentȱetȱabsent:ȱilȱs’agitȱdeȱmontrerȱsimplementȱunȱsigne deȱ laȱ justiceȱ duȱ roi,ȱ sansȱ engagementȱ dansȱ uneȱ mystiqueȱ duȱ symboleȱ qui renverraitȱ àȱ laȱ colèreȱ deȱ Dieu.37ȱ Lesȱ “enseignes”ȱ laisséesȱ parȱ Monlucȱ sontȱ des “signesȱ duȱ roi”ȱ plusȱ queȱ desȱ “signesȱ deȱ Dieu,”38ȱ mêmeȱ s’ilȱ invoqueȱ iciȱ ouȱ là l’autoritéȱdivineȱpourȱjustifierȱsonȱaction;39ȱdeȱfait,ȱmalgréȱsesȱréticencesȱàȱl’égard duȱfondȱmêmeȱdesȱéditsȱroyauxȱ(qu’ilȱjugeȱtropȱtolérants),ȱsonȱactionȱvaȱbienȱdans leȱsensȱd’unȱrenforcementȱdeȱl’autoritéȱjudiciaireȱduȱroiȱàȱlaȱfinȱduȱsiècle,ȱunique etȱexclusive,ȱcontreȱlaȱdispersionȱdeȱtoutesȱlesȱautoritésȱlocalesȱouȱrégionales.40ȱLa justiceȱ estȱ uneȱ affaireȱ d’hommes,ȱ l’exerciceȱ duȱ châtimentȱ engageȱ dansȱ des situationsȱ concrètesȱ dontȱ ilȱ fautȱ pouvoirȱ assumerȱ dansȱ laȱ pratiqueȱ toutesȱ les dimensions:ȱc’estȱdoncȱàȱpartirȱdeȱl’ethosȱrenouveléȱdeȱl’hommeȱdeȱloiȱqueȱMonluc 36

37

38

39

40

DenisȱCrouzet,ȱ“Imaginaireȱduȱcorpsȱetȱviolenceȱauxȱtempsȱdesȱtroublesȱdeȱreligion,”ȱLeȱCorpsȱà laȱRenaissance.ȱActesȱduȱXXXeȱcolloqueȱdeȱToursȱ[2–11ȱjuilletȱ1987],ȱéd.ȱJeanȱCéard,ȱMarieȱMadeleine FontaineȱetȱJeanȬClaudeȱMargolinȱ(Paris:ȱAuxȱAmateurs,ȱ1990),ȱ115–27;ȱiciȱ116.ȱSurȱlaȱ“violence mystique”ȱetȱleȱ“prophétismeȱpanique”ȱdesȱcatholiquesȱdurantȱlesȱguerresȱdeȱreligion,ȱvoirȱsurtout duȱmêmeȱLesȱGuerriersȱdeȱDieu:ȱlaȱviolenceȱauȱtempsȱdesȱguerresȱdeȱreligionȱ(versȱ1525Ȭversȱ1610).ȱLes ClassiquesȱdeȱChampȱVallonȱ(1990;ȱSeyssel:ȱChampȱVallon,ȱ2005). Unȱrareȱexempleȱd’acharnementȱestȱceluiȱdesȱsoldatsȱdeȱMonlucȱ(nonȱdeȱMonlucȱluiȬmême)ȱcontre leȱ corpsȱ duȱ dénomméȱ Brusquin,ȱ maisȱ sansȱ aucuneȱ référenceȱ àȱ uneȱ dimensionȱ sacrale:ȱ voir Commentaires,ȱ677. Surȱcetteȱnotion,ȱoutreȱlesȱtravauxȱdeȱDenisȱCrouzetȱmentionnésȱn.ȱ36,ȱvoirȱMyriamȱYardeni, “GuerreȱdeȱpropagandeȱetȱsignesȱdeȱDieuȱàȱl’époqueȱdeȱlaȱligue,”ȱLesȱsignesȱdeȱDieuȱauxȱXVIeȱet XVIIeȱ siècles.ȱ Actesȱ duȱ colloqueȱ deȱ ClermontȬFerrand,ȱ éd.ȱ Guyȱ Demersonȱ etȱ Bernardȱ Dompnier (ClermontȬFerrand:ȱAssociationȱdesȱPublicationsȱdeȱlaȱFacultéȱdesȱlettresȱetȱsciencesȱhumainesȱde ClermontȬFerrand,ȱ1993),ȱ102–12. Voirȱ parȱ exempleȱ Commentaires,ȱ 521:ȱ “Parȱ làȱ onȱ pouvoitȱ jugerȱ queȱ [lesȱ protestants]ȱ estoient maistresȱ deȱ laȱ campagne,ȱ puisqu’ilsȱ osoientȱ menerȱ leȱ canon;ȱ etȱ siȱ Dieuȱ neȱ m’eustȱ inspiréȱ à m’opposerȱàȱeuxȱetȱfaireȱpendreȱceuxȱquiȱtomboientȱentreȱmesȱmains,ȱjeȱcroyȱqueȱtoutȱleȱpays estoitȱ perdu,ȱ carȱ laȱ douceurȱ deȱ Monsieurȱ deȱ Burieȱ [=ȱ lieutenantȱ généralȱ duȱ roiȱ enȱ Guyenne] n’estoitȱpasȱdeȱsaison.”ȱMaisȱinvoquerȱDieuȱpourȱlégitimerȱsonȱactionȱestȱunȱprocédéȱplutôtȱbanal àȱl’époque;ȱMonlucȱn’enȱabuseȱpas,ȱetȱassocieȱrarementȱcesȱmentionsȱd’unȱ“Dieuȱpartisan”ȱàȱune véhémenceȱmystique,ȱcommeȱchezȱbeaucoupȱd’autresȱauteursȱcatholiques;ȱenȱceȱsens,ȱnousȱne souscrivonsȱpasȱentièrementȱauȱjugementȱdeȱDenisȱCrouzetȱanalysantȱleȱsongeȱprophétiqueȱde MonlucȱdansȱLesȱGuerriersȱdeȱDieu,ȱ451–54ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ36). VoirȱsurȱceȱpointȱlaȱtrèsȱsuggestiveȱétudeȱdeȱPennyȱRoberts,ȱ“RoyalȱAuthorityȱandȱJusticeȱduring theȱFrenchȱReligiousȱWars,”ȱPastȱandȱPresentȱ184.1ȱ(2004):ȱ3–32.

452

NicolasȱLombart

vaȱ chercherȱ àȱ penserȱ uneȱ nouvelleȱ praxisȱ deȱ laȱ justice—uneȱ formeȱ d’utopie judiciaire?

Justiceȱd’exceptionȱouȱutopieȱjudiciaire?ȱL’ethosȱ duȱcapitaineȬjusticier Enȱplaçantȱsonȱactionȱdeȱjusticeȱsousȱleȱsigneȱdeȱlaȱnécessité,ȱMonlucȱs’impose commeȱ unȱ acteurȱ indispensableȱ deȱ laȱ justiceȱ royale.ȱ Bienȱ plus,ȱ enȱ évitant soigneusementȱ deȱ développerȱ ouȱ d’embellirȱ lesȱ microȬrécitsȱ deȱ châtiment,ȱ en suggérantȱqueȱceuxȬciȱseȱrattachentȱdeȱmanièreȱimprévueȱàȱlaȱlogiqueȱduȱrécitȱde guerreȱ traditionnel,ȱ ilȱ seȱ présenteȱ luiȬmêmeȱ commeȱ uneȱ figureȱ surprenanteȱ et originaleȱ duȱ mondeȱ judiciaire—maisȱ uneȱ figureȱ toujoursȱ centraleȱ grâceȱ à l’omniprésenceȱdeȱl’énonciateurȱdansȱlesȱCommentaires.ȱApteȱàȱprendreȱenȱcharge, grâceȱàȱlaȱdynamiqueȱdeȱl’écritureȱautobiographique,ȱuneȱmultiplicitéȱdeȱrôlesȱqui sontȱ autantȱ d’inscriptionsȱ dansȱ l’histoireȱ desȱ guerresȱ civilesȱ (chefȱ deȱ guerre, négociateur,ȱ diplomate,ȱ orateur,ȱ gestionnaire,ȱ maîtreȱ ouȱ pédagogueȱ enȱ art militaire,ȱpèreȱdeȱsoldat,ȱfrèreȱd’armes,ȱetc.),ȱilȱseȱcomposeȱaussiȱpeuȱàȱpeuȱune identitéȱ d’hommeȱ deȱ loi.ȱ Loinȱ d’êtreȱ revendiquéeȱ explicitement,ȱ cetteȱ identité judiciaireȱseȱdéfinitȱd’abordȱparȱdéfautȱdansȱleȱcontrasteȱsaisissantȱquiȱoppose Monlucȱauxȱavocatsȱouȱauxȱjugesȱquiȱapparaissentȱauxȱdétoursȱdesȱmémoires,ȱet sontȱ presqueȱ systématiquementȱ l’objetȱ deȱ vivesȱ critiques.ȱ Laȱ digressionȱ surȱ la réformeȱ deȱ laȱ justice,ȱ citéeȱ plusȱ haut,ȱ s’achevaitȱ naturellementȱ surȱ uneȱ satire généraleȱdesȱavocatsȱ“[s’amusant]ȱenȱcesȱpalaisȱetȱplaidoyeries”ȱetȱ“[donnant]ȱaux partiesȱ[de]ȱmauvaisȱconseils.”ȱÀȱlaȱfinȱduȱmêmeȱlivreȱVI,ȱleȱportraitȱchargeȱde l’avocatȱtoulousainȱCharlesȱduȱSaultȱinsisteȱsurȱlaȱ“méchanceté”ȱ(c’estȬàȬdireȱla malveillance)ȱpropreȱàȱcetteȱ“vacation:” EtȱceȱbonȱadvocatȱduȱSaultȱestoitȱleȱpremierȱquiȱpublioitȱmesȱlouangesȱparȱtouteȱla courtȱ[i.ȱe.,ȱdeȱjustice]ȱetȱville;ȱetȱasteure,ȱàȱsonȱdire,ȱjeȱneȱsuysȱqueȱungȱpillartȱetȱung larron.ȱCarȱd’unȱmeschantȱl’onȱn’enȱpeultȱtirerȱqueȱtouteȱmeschanceté,ȱdeȱlàȱ oùȱ la plupartȱdesȱgensȱdeȱsonȱpoilȱsontȱtaichésȱ(678).

IndépendammentȱduȱdifférendȱquiȱopposeȱMonlucȱàȱduȱSault,41ȱonȱnoteraȱiciȱla virulenceȱd’uneȱcritiqueȱélargieȱàȱtouteȱlaȱprofession—l’auteurȱjouantȱdeȱl’image duȱcolȱfourréȱemblématiqueȱdeȱl’habitȱdesȱhommesȱdeȱloiȱ(“desȱgensȱdeȱsonȱpoil”),

41

VoirȱCommentairesȱ1321ȱn.ȱ4:ȱ“DuȱSaultȱfutȱchargé,ȱleȱ28ȱavrilȱ1570,ȱdeȱporterȱauȱroiȱlesȱdoléances duȱParlementȱdeȱBordeauxȱcontreȱl’inactionȱdeȱMonluc.”

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

453

propiceȱàȱdesȱjeuxȱdeȱmotsȱtopiquesȱsurȱl’engagementȱ“fourré”ȱ(deȱpureȱforme)ȱde cetteȱprofession.42 Lesȱrécitsȱdeȱchâtimentȱs’inscriventȱdoncȱnonȱseulementȱdansȱleȱcadreȱd’uneȱcrise judiciaireȱgénéralisée,ȱmaisȱaussiȱdansȱleȱcadreȱplusȱsocialȱdeȱlaȱconcurrenceȱentre gensȱ deȱ “robeȱ courte”ȱ (laȱ noblesseȱ d’épée,ȱ àȱ laquelleȱ appartientȱ évidemment Monluc)ȱetȱgensȱdeȱ“robeȱlongue”ȱ(laȱnoblesseȱplusȱrécenteȱforméeȱauȱdroit43)ȱdans laȱmainmiseȱsurȱlesȱ“officesȱdeȱjudicature,”ȱautrementȱditȱlesȱofficesȱdeȱjustice accordésȱ parȱ leȱ roi.ȱ Cetteȱ concurrenceȱ apparaîtȱ explicitementȱ dansȱ une comparaisonȱàȱtraversȱlaquelleȱl’auteurȱseȱdéfend,ȱenȱtantȱqueȱsoldatȱetȱchef,ȱde vouloirȱprolongerȱlaȱguerreȱpourȱleȱplaisir: Onȱdictȱqueȱnousȱmesmes,ȱquiȱportonsȱlesȱarmes,ȱentretenonsȱlaȱguerreȱetȱvoulons alongerȱlaȱcouroye,ȱcommeȱonȱfaitȱauxȱpalaisȱlesȱprocès.ȱLeȱdiableȱemporteraȱtout.ȱSi n’ayȬjeȱjamaisȱeuȱcesteȱintention,ȱpouvantȱdireȱavecȱlaȱveritéȱqu’ilȱn’yȱaȱlieutenantȱde royȱenȱFranceȱquiȱaitȱplusȱfaictȱpasserȱd’huguenotsȱparȱleȱcouteauȱouȱparȱlaȱcordeȱque moy.ȱCeȱn’estoitȱpasȱvouloirȱentretenirȱlaȱguerreȱ(737).

Deuxȱmanièresȱdeȱfaireȱjusticeȱs’opposentȱnettementȱici,ȱdontȱuneȱseulementȱse veutȱ efficaceȱ enȱ cesȱ tempsȱ exceptionnelsȱ deȱ guerreȱ civile.ȱ Maisȱ c’estȱ dansȱ la remontranceȱfinaleȱauȱroiȱqu’apparaîtȱl’argumentȱcentralȱdeȱlaȱcritique,ȱMonluc rappelantȱfermementȱauȱmonarqueȱsonȱdevoirȱdeȱvigilanceȱetȱdeȱjugementȱdans laȱdistributionȱdesȱofficesȱdeȱjustice: Sire,ȱ quandȱ Vostreȱ Majestéȱ bailleȱ unȱ officeȱ deȱ présidentȱ ouȱ conseiller,ȱ lieutenant generalȱouȱquelqueȱautreȱofficeȱdeȱjudicature,ȱvousȱvousȱreservezȱqu’ilsȱneȱpourront exercerȱlaȱchargeȱqu’ilsȱneȱsoyentȱexaminezȱparȱvosȱparlements,ȱpleinsȱd’hommesȱfort sçavans;ȱetȱbienȱsouventȱvousȱordonnezȱqueȱvostreȱchancellierȱlesȱexamineraȱavantȱque lesȱparlemensȱlesȱvoyent,ȱafinȱqu’ilsȱjugentȱs’ilsȱsontȱcapablesȱetȱqu’ilsȱneȱpuissentȱerrer auȱ jugementȱ desȱ procezȱ deȱ vosȱ subjects,ȱ etȱ queȱ leȱ droictȱ soitȱ renduȱ àȱ quiȱ il appartiendra.ȱ C’estȱ uneȱ choseȱ bonneȱ etȱ juste,ȱ Sire,ȱ carȱ vousȱ nousȱ devezȱ laȱ justice droicteȱetȱauȱpoisȱdeȱlaȱbalance;ȱc’estȱlaȱpremièreȱchoseȱqueȱvousȱnousȱdevezȱ(801).

Onȱneȱsauraitȱfaireȱplusȱbelȱélogeȱduȱroiȱgarantȱdeȱtouteȱjustice,ȱparȱl’excellenceȱde sonȱchoix,ȱetȱparȱl’efficacitéȱ(théorique)ȱdesȱdifférentesȱinstancesȱdeȱcontrôleȱetȱde vérificationȱdeȱceȱchoix.ȱMaisȱloinȱd’évoquerȱleȱproblèmeȱendémiqueȱdeȱlaȱvénalité

42

43

EstȬceȱleȱcasȱlorsȱdeȱlaȱpriseȱdeȱMonségurȱ[8]?ȱVoirȱCommentaires,ȱ532:ȱ“Laȱtuerieȱduraȱjusquesȱà dixȱheuresȱouȱplus,ȱpourceȱqu’onȱlesȱcherchoitȱdansȱlesȱmaisonsȱ;ȱetȱenȱfutȱprinsȱquinzeȱouȱvingt seulement,ȱlesquelsȱnousȱfismesȱpendre,ȱetȱentreȱautresȱtousȱlesȱofficiersȱduȱRoyȱetȱlesȱconsuls, avecȱlesȱchapperonsȱsurȱleȱcol.ȱIlȱneȱseȱparloitȱpointȱdeȱrançon,ȱsinonȱpourȱlesȱbourreaux.”ȱLe chaperonȱ fourréȱ identifieȱ enȱ effetȱ traditionnellementȱ lesȱ docteursȱ enȱ droitȱ (etȱ désigneȱ par métonymieȱcesȱmêmesȱdocteurs). Peuȱaprèsȱlaȱcritiqueȱdeȱl’avocatȱDuȱSault,ȱMonlucȱconclutȱainsi:ȱ“Cesȱgensȱdeȱrobeȱlongueȱsont deȱfascheuseȱdesserre,ȱetȱnousȱbatentȱtousjoursȱdeȱleursȱprivilèges”ȱ(Commentaires,ȱ679).

454

NicolasȱLombart

desȱoffices44,ȱMonlucȱsuggèreȱplutôtȱiciȱqueȱlaȱjusticeȱestȱmenacéeȱdeȱdispersion entreȱlesȱmainsȱdesȱgensȱdeȱ“robeȱcourte,”ȱplusȱenclinsȱàȱmanifesterȱleurȱscience etȱleurȱéloquenceȱdansȱlesȱpalaisȱqu’àȱrendreȱbonneȱjustice.ȱDansȱunȱpaysȱoù,ȱselon Monluc,ȱleȱdroitȱestȱparȱessenceȱcoutumier,ȱoùȱseȱsitueȱleȱvraiȱsavoirȱjuridique,ȱqui peutȱleȱdétenir,ȱquiȱpeutȱenȱfaireȱbénéficierȱl’ensembleȱdesȱjusticiables?ȱMonlucȱne cesseȱdeȱciblerȱleȱmilieuȱrobin,ȱtoutȱenȱmettantȱenȱgardeȱlaȱvieilleȱnoblesseȱd’épée: d’unȱ côté,ȱ ilȱ reprocheȱ àȱ celleȬciȱ deȱ neȱ pasȱ suffisammentȱ s’impliquerȱ dansȱ les chargesȱ deȱ magistratȱ municipal45,ȱ etȱ deȱ l’autre,ȱ ilȱ constateȱ nonȱ sansȱ crainte l’influenceȱgrandissanteȱdeȱceluiȬlàȱàȱlaȱcour,ȱauȱdétrimentȱdeȱlaȱvraieȱsagesseȱdes “vieuxȱcapitaines.”46ȱSonȱinquiétudeȱestȱemblématiqueȱdeȱcetteȱpériodeȱtroubleȱde mutationȱ socialeȱ où,ȱ àȱ laȱ finȱ duȱ siècle,ȱ dansȱ leȱ milieuȱ deȱ laȱ noblesse,ȱ laȱ “robe longue”ȱ prendȱ peuȱ àȱ peuȱ leȱ pasȱ surȱ laȱ “courte,”ȱ leȱ livreȱ surȱ l’épée,ȱ leȱ cabinet d’étudeȱsurȱleȱchampȱdeȱbataille,ȱlaȱprocédureȱjudiciaireȱraisonnéeȱsurȱl’antique instinctȱdeȱjustice47. Monlucȱ chercheȱ moins,ȱ pourtant,ȱ àȱ maintenirȱ l’oppositionȱ entreȱ cesȱ deux “estats”ȱdeȱnoblesseȱqu’àȱlesȱfondreȱenȱuneȱseuleȱfigureȱdeȱcapitaineȬjusticier.ȱLa légitimitéȱd’uneȱtelleȱfigureȱreposeȱnécessairementȱsurȱunȱretourȱauxȱsourcesȱd’une justiceȱtraditionnelleȱoùȱl’éthiqueȱhéroïqueȱpeutȱseȱconfondreȱnaturellementȱavec l’éthiqueȱ judiciaire.ȱ Outreȱ saȱ référenceȱ constanteȱ àȱ laȱ coutume,ȱ déjàȱ relevée, Monlucȱneȱcesseȱdeȱ défendreȱleȱsermentȱetȱl’éloquenceȱnaturelle,ȱdeuxȱformes emblématiquesȱd’uneȱjusticeȱtraditionnelleȱetȱarchaïque,ȱmarquéesȱparȱl’oralitéȱet opposéesȱàȱtoutesȱlesȱ“escritures”ȱ(607),ȱenȱparticulierȱlesȱécrituresȱsavantesȱdu droitȱmoderne.ȱLeȱserment—qui,ȱdansȱleȱcasȱdesȱCommentaires,ȱmériteraitȱàȱluiȱseul uneȱétudeȱàȱpart—constitueȱlaȱformeȱlaȱplusȱancienneȱdeȱrésolutionȱdesȱlitiges (lorsqu’ilȱ estȱ assertoire)ȱ etȱ structureȱ fortementȱ lesȱ procéduresȱ judiciaires

44

45

46

47

VoirȱArletteȱLebigre,ȱLaȱjusticeȱduȱroi,ȱ58–83.ȱÀȱceȱproblèmeȱdeȱlaȱvénalitéȱdesȱofficesȱ(instauréeȱpar FrançoisȱIer)ȱs’ajouteȱsurtoutȱcelui,ȱplusȱépineux,ȱdeȱleurȱpatrimonialité:ȱenȱétantȱtransmisȱdeȱpère enȱfils,ȱl’officeȱéchappeȱtotalementȱauȱcontrôleȱdeȱl’État. VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ685:ȱ“Ilȱfautȱqueȱj’escriveȱenȱpassantȱuneȱchoseȱqueȱj’ayȱtousjoursȱditeȱetȱdiray tantȱ queȱ jeȱ vivray:ȱ queȱ laȱ noblesseȱ s’estȱ faictȱ grandȱ tortȱ etȱ dommageȱ deȱ desdaignerȱ ainsiȱ les chargesȱdesȱvilles,ȱprincipalementȱdesȱcapitalesȱcommeȱThoulouseȱetȱBordeausȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.].ȱCar,ȱrefusant cesȱchargesȱouȱlesȱlaissantȱprendre,ȱlesȱgensȱdeȱvilleȱs’emparentȱdeȱl’auctorité,ȱetȱquandȱnous arrivons,ȱilȱlesȱfautȱboneterȱetȱleurȱfaireȱlaȱcour.” VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ816:ȱ“Puisȱqueȱvousȱ[=ȱleȱducȱd’Anjou]ȱtenezȱsiȱgrandȱlieu,ȱd’oùȱdépendent toutesȱchargesȱquiȱprocèdentȱdesȱarmes,ȱetȱqu’ilȱfautȱqueȱnousȱtousȱmourionsȱauprèsȱdeȱvousȱpour leȱserviceȱduȱRoyȱetȱvostre,ȱilȱfautȱqueȱvousȱmettésȱtoutȱvostreȱsoinȱetȱvozȱpensersȱenȱnous,ȱqui suivonsȱlesȱarmes,ȱcarȱtousȱlesȱautresȱestatsȱneȱparticipentȱrienȱavecȱleȱvostre,ȱdeȱtantȱqueȱtoutȱle resteȱdependȱdesȱgensȱdeȱrobbeȱlongue;ȱilȱyȱenȱaȱprouȱauȱconseilȱduȱRoy;ȱvousȱn’avezȱrienȱà desmeslerȱavecȱeux,ȱcarȱonȱdict:ȱquiȱtropȱembrasseȱpeuȱestraint.” VoirȱArletteȱJouanna,ȱ“LaȱnoblesseȱfrançaiseȱetȱlesȱvaleursȱguerrièresȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle,”ȱL’Homme deȱguerreȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle,ȱ205–17,ȱenȱparticulierȱ213–16ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ9).

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

455

traditionnellesȱ (lorsqu’ilȱ estȱ promissoire),ȱ auȱ pointȱ d’êtreȱ omniprésentȱ dansȱ la justiceȱmédiévale.48ȱ Deȱmanièreȱsignificative,ȱMonlucȱplaceȱtoutȱsonȱrécitȱdesȱGuerresȱdeȱReligion sousȱleȱsigneȱd’unȱpremierȱsermentȱquiȱleȱlieȱindéfectiblementȱauȱroi.ȱAlorsȱqueȱles églisesȱ réformées,ȱ parȱ l’intermédiaireȱ duȱ capitaineȱ Sendat,ȱ luiȱ demandentȱ de promettreȱdeȱneȱpasȱprendreȱlesȱarmesȱcontreȱelles,ȱilȱrépondȱévidemmentȱenȱdroit neȱpouvoirȱêtreȱliéȱparȱdeuxȱsermentsȱcontradictoires:ȱ“CommentȱvoulezȬvousȱque laȱRoyneȱnyȱleȱRoy,ȱquandȱilȱseraȱgrand,ȱmeȱtiennentȱenȱreputationȱd’hommeȱde bien,ȱveuȱqueȱj’aurayȱfaictȱdeuxȱsermensȱl’unȱcontreȱl’autre”?ȱ(480).ȱLeȱrisqueȱn’est pasȱ seulementȱ celuiȱ duȱ déshonneur,ȱ maisȱ aussiȱ celuiȱ d’uneȱ désorganisation complèteȱd’unȱlienȱsocialȱpluriséculaire.49ȱEnȱceȱsens,ȱMonlucȱseȱdistingueȱdes princesȱetȱseigneursȱcalculateursȱdeȱl’entourageȱduȱroi,ȱcapablesȱdeȱproduireȱde fauxȱsermentsȱetȱdeȱvainsȱengagements.50ȱ Àȱl’opposéȱdeȱl’espaceȱcourtisanȱmarquéȱparȱlaȱcorruptionȱduȱlangageȱetȱdeȱla promesse,ȱlaȱGuyenneȱdevientȱunȱterritoireȱidéaliséȱoùȱlesȱsermentsȱauthentiques demeurentȱpossibles:ȱMonlucȱsaitȱmettreȱenȱscèneȱlaȱsolennitéȱdeȱsesȱinterventions devantȱlesȱcoursȱsouverainesȱ(ToulouseȱetȱBordeaux)ȱouȱlesȱnotablesȱdesȱvilles (Agen),ȱàȱtraversȱlesquellesȱestȱcenséȱapparaîtreȱnettementȱleȱlienȱétroitȱentreȱson éloquenceȱnaturelleȱ(déjàȱévoquée)ȱetȱunȱengagementȱvéridiqueȱpasséȱavecȱces autoritésȱurbaines.ȱÀȱBordeaux,ȱMonlucȱconvaincȱlesȱjuratsȱdeȱprendreȱlesȱarmes etȱdeȱmobiliserȱlaȱvilleȱcontreȱlaȱmenaceȱduȱprinceȱdeȱCondéȱetȱdesȱProvençaux, soulignantȱl’efficacitéȱimmédiateȱdeȱsaȱ“remonstrance,”51ȱenȱdépit,ȱouȱplutôtȱgrâce àȱlaȱforceȱdeȱpersuasionȱdeȱsonȱstyleȱsoldatesque.ȱEtȱc’estȱbienȱparȱsermentȱsolennel qu’ilȱ faitȱ promettreȱ auxȱ Agenaisȱ deȱ neȱ “rienȱ espargner”ȱ pourȱ combattreȱ la Réforme:52ȱ“Alors,ȱcommeȱj’avoyȱlevéȱlaȱmain,ȱjeȱleurȱfisȱleverȱlaȱleurȱetȱfaireȱle 48

49

50

51 52

Surȱl’importanceȱduȱsermentȱauȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱvoir:ȱLeȱSerment.ȱI,ȱSignesȱetȱfonctions,ȱéd.ȱRaymond Verdierȱ(Paris:ȱÉditionsȱduȱCentreȱNationalȱdeȱlaȱRechercheȱScientifique,ȱ1991);ȱSerment,ȱpromesse etȱengagement:ȱrituelsȱetȱmodalitésȱauȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱéd.ȱFrançoiseȱLaurent.ȱLesȱCahiersȱduȱCRISIMA, 6ȱ(Montpellier:ȱPressesȱUniversitairesȱdeȱlaȱMéditerranée,ȱ2008);ȱetȱOralitéȱetȱlienȱsocialȱauȱMoyen Âgeȱ (Occident,ȱ Byzance,ȱ Islam):ȱ paroleȱ donnée,ȱ foiȱ jurée,ȱ serment,ȱ éd.ȱ MarieȬFranceȱ Auzépyȱ et GuillaumeȱSaintȬGuillainȱ(Paris:ȱCentreȱdeȱRechercheȱd’HistoireȱetȱdeȱCivilisationȱdeȱByzance, 2008). VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ480:ȱ“QueȱdeviendrayȬjeȱpuisȱaprèsȱqueȱj’aurayȱperduȱmonȱhonneur,ȱmoyȱqui n’ayȱjamaisȱcombattuȱqueȱpourȱenȱacquerir?ȱJeȱneȱveuxȱpasȱdireȱseulementȱqueȱlesȱgentilshommes neȱmeȱvoudrontȱveoirȱauprèsȱd’eux,ȱmaisȱlesȱvilainsȱpropresȱneȱmeȱvoudroientȱveoirȱenȱleur compagnie.” VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ587–89.ȱMonlucȱévoqueȱlaȱsignatureȱdeȱlaȱdéclarationȱroyaleȱduȱ18ȱmarsȱ1565, parȱlaquelleȱlesȱprinces,ȱgrandsȱseigneurs,ȱgouverneurs,ȱetȱcapitainesȱdeȱcompagnieȱjurentȱ“estre liguezȱpourȱlaȱdeffenceȱdeȱlaȱcouronne”ȱetȱpromettentȱdeȱneȱs’associerȱenȱaucuneȱautreȱligue. Monluc,ȱprésent,ȱsouligneȱlesȱattitudesȱduplicesȱetȱlesȱfeintises,ȱsiȱbienȱqueȱmalgréȱlesȱ“serments,” “onȱyȱpeutȱveoirȱdesȱgensȱenȱblancȱetȱenȱnoir,ȱquiȱontȱestéȱparjuresȱàȱbonȱescient”ȱ(589).ȱSurȱla dégradationȱgénéraleȱdeȱlaȱfoiȱjurée,ȱvoirȱaussiȱCommentaires,ȱ605–06. VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ652–53. VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ741–42.

456

NicolasȱLombart

mesmeȱsermentȱqueȱj’avoisȱfaict”ȱ(742).ȱLeȱsensȱduȱdétailȱetȱdeȱlaȱgestuelleȱmérite d’êtreȱsouligné. Cesȱscènesȱsontȱessentiellesȱdansȱlaȱmesureȱoùȱellesȱconcourentȱàȱrendreȱvisible l’interventionȱ deȱ l’hommeȱ deȱ guerreȱ dansȱ unȱ lieuȱ oùȱ prévautȱ d’ordinaireȱ le langageȱ duȱ droit.ȱ Reprenantȱ l’imageȱ deȱ l’hommeȱ deȱ justiceȱ prêtȱ àȱ prendreȱ les armesȱ(déjàȱutiliséeȱdansȱsaȱdigressionȱcritiqueȱsurȱl’étatȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱduȱroyaume, étudiéeȱplusȱhaut),ȱMonlucȱinviteȱlesȱjuratsȱbordelaisȱàȱquitterȱlesȱpalaisȱpourȱles champsȱdeȱbataille,ȱàȱl’exempleȱdesȱ“anciensȱRomains,”ȱàȱlaȱfoisȱ“gensȱdeȱlettres” etȱcombattants: Messieurs,ȱleurȱdisȬje,ȱjeȱvoyȱbienȱàȱvozȱvisagesȱqueȱvousȱn’estesȱpasȱhommesȱpour vousȱlaisserȱbattre.ȱCeuxȱquiȱontȱlaȱbarbeȱetȱlaȱtesteȱblancheȱserontȱpourȱleȱconseil;ȱmais unȱbonȱnombreȱqueȱjeȱvoyȱicyȱsontȱpropresȱàȱporterȱlaȱpicque.ȱCombienȱpensezȬvous queȱcelaȱaccourageraȱleȱpeuple,ȱquandȱilȱverraȱceuxȱquiȱontȱpuissanceȱsurȱleurȱbienȱet surȱleurȱvieȱprendreȱlesȱarmesȱpourȱleurȱdeffence?ȱNulȱn’oseraȱgronder;ȱvozȱennemis serontȱenȱpeur,ȱquandȱilsȱoyrontȱqueȱlaȱcourȱdeȱParlementȱs’arme;ȱilsȱverrontȱqueȱc’est àȱbonȱescient.ȱEtȱpuisȱtantȱdeȱjeunesseȱqueȱj’ayȱveuȱdansȱvostreȱsalle,ȱentrantȱcéans, plusȱpropreȱàȱporterȱunȱcorceletȱqu’uneȱrobbeȱlongueȱ(652–53).

Laȱ simplicitéȱ desȱ oppositionsȱ encadrantȱ leȱ passageȱ (“testeȱ blanche”ȱ versus “picque”ȱetȱ“corcelet”ȱversusȱ“robbeȱlongue”)ȱpermetȱdeȱmêlerȱefficacementȱdeux universȱ deȱ valeurs,ȱ auȱ pointȱ deȱ neȱ plusȱ lesȱ distinguer.ȱ L’imageȱ deȱ l’avocatȱ de parlementȱarméȱfonctionneȱenȱfaitȱàȱlaȱmanièreȱd’unȱmiroir:ȱelleȱimposeȱcomme incontournable,ȱ enȱ sonȱ reflet,ȱ celleȱ duȱ capitaineȬjusticierȱ avecȱ laquelleȱ veut s’identifierȱMonluc.ȱDansȱsesȱMémoires,ȱleȱcapitaineȱgasconȱdépasseȱcependantȱla seuleȱ revendicationȱ d’uneȱ noblesseȱ d’épéeȱ exigeantȱ deȱ neȱ pasȱ êtreȱ cantonnée uniquementȱ dansȱ lesȱ emploisȱ militaires:53ȱ ilȱ suggère,ȱ bienȱ auȬdelà,ȱ queȱ vertus guerrièresȱetȱvertusȱjudiciairesȱsontȱlesȱmêmes,ȱqueȱl’ethosȱduȱcapitaineȱaccomplit pleinementȱl’ethosȱduȱjuge,ȱceȱqu’estȱbienȱsûrȱcenséeȱillustrerȱchaqueȱmicroȬscène deȱ châtiment.ȱ Lesȱ différentsȱ portraitsȱ éthiquesȱ duȱ soldatȱ généreuxȱ et vaillant—MonlucȱluiȬmêmeȱouȱd’autresȱcapitaines—dispersésȱdansȱlesȱmémoires peuventȱdoncȱêtreȱsystématiquementȱsoumisȱàȱuneȱdoubleȱlecture:ȱchaqueȱ“vertu” guerrièreȱpeutȱtrouverȱsonȱéquivalentȱdansȱl’ordreȱdeȱl’activitéȱjudiciaire—comme laȱ“diligence,”ȱdéjàȱétudiéeȱplusȱhaut.ȱUnȱportraitȱsynthétiseȱd’autantȱmieux,ȱvers laȱ finȱ desȱ Commentaires,ȱ cetȱ idéalȱ duȱ capitaineȬjusticier,ȱ qu’ilȱ estȱ dessinéȱ àȱ la lumièreȱd’AlexandreȱleȱGrandȱetȱdeȱCésar,ȱsubsumantȱdeȱfaitȱl’hommeȱdeȱguerre etȱl’hommeȱdeȱjusticeȱdansȱl’uniqueȱcatégorieȱduȱ“grandȱhomme:” 53

VoirȱArletteȱJouanna,ȱ“LaȱnoblesseȱfrançaiseȱetȱlesȱvaleursȱguerrièresȱauȱXVIeȱsiècle,”ȱ206ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ 47):ȱ“[Lesȱnobles]ȱestimentȱqu’ilȱestȱdeȱleurȱcompétenceȱdeȱrendreȱlaȱjustice,ȱetȱréclamentȱqueȱdes chargesȱleurȱsoientȱréservéesȱdansȱlesȱtribunauxȱdeȱbaillageȱouȱdeȱsénéchausséeȱetȱdansȱlesȱcours souveraines,ȱenȱparticulierȱlesȱParlements;ȱilsȱprotestentȱcontreȱlesȱinutilesȱcomplicationsȱduȱdroit, queȱlesȱgensȱdeȱrobeȱauraientȱintroduitesȱàȱdesseinȱdansȱleȱbutȱperversȱdeȱ‘bannirȱlaȱnoblesseȱdes judicatures’,ȱselonȱl’expressionȱdeȱJeanȱdeȱSaulxȬTavanes.”

CrimesȱetȱChâtimentsȱd’ExceptionȱenȱFrance

457

EnȱvainȱneȱportoitȱpasȱAlexandreȱleȱGrandȱlaȱdiviseȱqueȱj’ayȱdictȱcyȬdevant54.ȱRegardez lesȱCommentairesȱdeȱCesarȱetȱdeȱtousȱceuxȱquiȱontȱescritȱdeȱluy:ȱvousȱtrouverezȱqu’il donnaȱenȱsaȱvieȱcinquanteȬdeuxȱbatailles,ȱsansȱenȱperdreȱjamaisȱqueȱcelleȱdeȱDirache; etȱtrenteȱjoursȱaprèsȱilȱeustȱbienȱsaȱrevencheȱcontreȱPompée,ȱcarȱilȱgaignaȱuneȱgrand bataille,ȱoùȱilȱleȱdiffit.ȱVousȱneȱtrouverezȱpointȱqu’enȱcesȱcinquanteȬdeuxȱbataillesȱilȱaye combattuȱdeȱsesȱmainsȱtroisȱfois;ȱetȱparȱlàȱvousȱcognoistrezȱdoncquesȱqueȱtoutesȱses victoiresȱluyȱsontȱadvenuesȱpourȱestreȱdiligent,ȱvigilant,ȱetȱpromptȱexecuteurȱ(779).

Certes,ȱniȱAlexandreȱniȱCésarȱn’ontȱlaisséȱdeȱtracesȱdansȱl’histoireȱcommeȱgrands hommesȱ deȱ justiceȱ ouȱ commeȱ modèlesȱ d’équité,ȱ etȱ lesȱ troisȱ qualitésȱ ciȬdessus mentionnéesȱdeȱdiligence,ȱdeȱvigilanceȱetȱdeȱprompteȱexécutionȱrelèventȱd’abordȱde l’artȱdeȱlaȱguerre;ȱpourtant,ȱàȱlaȱrelectureȱdesȱdifférentesȱscènesȱdeȱchâtiment,ȱce sontȱ bienȱ cesȱ troisȱ qualitésȱ quiȱ sont,ȱ explicitementȱ ouȱ moinsȱ explicitement, largementȱ misesȱ enȱ œuvreȱ dansȱ l’actionȱ deȱ justiceȱ assuméeȱ alorsȱ parȱ Monluc, laquelleȱrequiertȱunȱsoinȱetȱuneȱapplicationȱactivesȱ(laȱdiligence),ȱuneȱdisposition àȱrepérerȱetȱidentifierȱleȱcrimeȱ(laȱvigilance),ȱetȱenfinȱuneȱcapacitéȱàȱleȱchâtierȱdans l’urgenceȱdeȱlaȱsituationȱ(laȱprompteȱexécution).ȱDeȱfait,ȱdansȱchacunȱdesȱmicroȬ récitsȱdeȱchâtimentȱl’auteurȱdesȱmémoiresȱréaliseȱimplicitementȱuneȱsynthèseȱentre l’idéalȱbelliqueux,ȱlaȱcompétenceȱjuridiqueȱetȱlaȱperformanceȱjudiciaire.ȱ Siȱuneȱtelleȱsynthèseȱpeutȱd’abordȱêtreȱperçueȱcommeȱleȱproduitȱ(artificiel)ȱde l’écritureȱrétrospective,ȱelleȱneȱlaisseraȱpourtantȱpasȱindifférents,ȱquelquesȱannées aprèsȱlaȱpublicationȱdesȱCommentaires,ȱNicolasȱetȱÉtienneȱPasquier:ȱestȬceȱvraiment unȱ hasardȱ siȱ sousȱ laȱ plumeȱ deȱ cesȱ deuxȱ éminentsȱ juristesȱ gallicansȱ etȱ robins, Monlucȱ“n’estȱpasȱseulementȱleȱchampionȱd’uneȱlittératureȱd’épéeȱnationale,ȱmais joueȱaussiȱpourȱleȱmilieuȱdeȱlaȱrobeȱgallicaneȱleȱrôleȱduȱmodèleȱsocialȱduȱparvenu honnêteȱetȱméritant”?55ȱLoinȱd’êtreȱsimplementȱpartisan,ȱleȱjugementȱélogieuxȱdes deuxȱ frèresȱ reflèteȱ laȱ personnalitéȱ complexeȱ deȱ Monluc,ȱ etȱ inviteȱ àȱ relireȱ ses mémoiresȱcommeȱuneȱœuvreȱcapableȱd’êtreȱéthiquementȱexemplaire,ȱetȱdépassant laȱdimensionȱdeȱlaȱsimpleȱchroniqueȱmilitaire. MonlucȱrêveȬtȬilȱsimplementȱuneȱutopieȱjudiciaire?ȱLaȱfigureȱduȱcapitaineȬjusticier estȬelleȱnécessairementȱchimérique?ȱEnȱunȱsensȱoui,ȱdansȱlaȱmesureȱoùȱl’héroïsme justicierȱqu’ilȱprôneȱneȱprendȱsensȱqueȱdansȱleȱcontexteȱdifficileȱdesȱGuerresȱde Religion,ȱoùȱseuleȱuneȱjusticeȱd’exceptionȱviolente,ȱgénéraliséeȱetȱsimplificatrice, peutȱréellementȱdominerȱleȱdésordreȱcivilȱpourȱfaireȱentendreȱquandȱmêmeȱlaȱvoix deȱlaȱLoiȱetȱduȱRoi.ȱLaȱremarqueȱquiȱconclutȱlaȱdernièreȱscèneȱdeȱchâtiment,ȱle 54

55

VoirȱCommentaires,ȱ708:ȱ“ceȱqueȱtuȱpeuxȱfaireȱaujourd’huy,ȱn’attensȱauȱlendemain.”ȱLaȱmême deviseȱavaitȱdéjàȱétéȱdonnéeȱdansȱdeuxȱautresȱ“remontrances”ȱauxȱcapitainesȱ(188ȱetȱ446). VoirȱDeniseȱCarabin,ȱ“LaȱréceptionȱposthumeȱdesȱCommentairesȱdeȱBlaiseȱdeȱMonlucȱchezȱÉtienne etȱNicolasȱPasquier:ȱnaissanceȱd’unȱsymboleȱpolitique,”ȱRevueȱd’HistoireȱLittéraireȱdeȱlaȱFranceȱ102 (2002),ȱ179–90;ȱiciȱ190.ȱÉtienneȱPasquierȱcommenteȱl’œuvreȱdeȱMonlucȱdansȱuneȱlettreȱ(publiée dansȱl’éditionȱposthumeȱdesȱLettres,ȱ1619),ȱetȱNicolasȱdansȱsonȱtraitéȱLeȱgentilhommeȱ(1611).

458

NicolasȱLombart

massacreȱdeȱRabastensȱ[12],ȱsonneȱàȱlaȱfoisȱcommeȱuneȱautoȬjustificationȱunȱpeu gênée,ȱunȱquasiȱaveuȱd’impuissance,ȱetȱleȱdésirȱpressantȱd’unȱauȬdelàȱdeȱlaȱjustice d’exception:ȱ “Neȱ pensezȱ pas,ȱ vousȱ quiȱ lirezȱ ceȱ livre,ȱ queȱ jeȱ fisseȱ faireȱ cette executionȱtantȱpourȱvangerȱmaȱblesseureȱqueȱpourȱdonnerȱespouventeȱàȱtoutȱle pays,ȱafinȱqu’onȱn’eustȱleȱcœurȱdeȱfaireȱtesteȱàȱnostreȱarméeȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.].ȱEtȱcommeȱilȱfaut deȱlaȱrigueurȱ(appellezȬlaȱcruauté,ȱsiȱvousȱvoulez),ȱaussiȱfaitȬilȱdeȱl’autreȱcostéȱde laȱdouceur”ȱ(784).ȱ Onȱ neȱ sauraitȱ mieuxȱ insisterȱ surȱ leȱ caractèreȱ provisoireȱ etȱ contraintȱ deȱ la situationȱdeȱguerreȱcivile.ȱPourtant,ȱMonlucȱfaitȱpreuveȱd’uneȱréelleȱluciditéȱdans sonȱdésirȱdeȱréformeȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱduȱroyaume,ȱidéalementȱfondéeȱsurȱuneȱéthique renouveléeȱdeȱl’hommeȱdeȱloi,ȱlaȱvalorisationȱd’uneȱéloquenceȱnaturelleȱetȱsincère, etȱlaȱrevendicationȱd’unȱdroitȱadaptéȱauȱpaysȱ(àȱtraversȱlaȱcoutume).ȱBeaucoupȱdes ajoutsȱapportésȱparȱMonlucȱàȱlaȱversionȱinitialeȱdeȱsonȱtexteȱ(dansȱlesȱlivresȱVȱàȱVII duȱmoins)ȱconcernentȱleȱfonctionnementȱdeȱlaȱjustice,ȱparfoisȱdansȱsesȱdétailsȱles plusȱconcrets:ȱauȱfurȱetȱàȱmesureȱqueȱleȱtempsȱpasse,ȱleȱcadreȱjudiciaireȱprendȱde l’ampleur,ȱ devientȱ presqueȱ aussiȱ importantȱ queȱ celuiȱ deȱ laȱ guerre,ȱ s’inscrit légitimementȱdansȱlesȱdébatsȱduȱtemps.ȱ Maisȱc’estȱauȱcœurȱmêmeȱdeȱl’écritureȱdesȱCommentairesȱqueȱseȱcristalliseȱcette refondationȱd’uneȱimageȱdeȱlaȱjustice.ȱL’intérêtȱmajeurȱduȱtexteȱdeȱMonlucȱestȱen effetȱdeȱprésenterȱcrimesȱetȱchâtimentsȱdansȱuneȱmatièreȱetȱuneȱmanièreȱbrutes (sinonȱbrutales),ȱàȱl’opposéȱduȱstyleȱampouléȱetȱpathétiqueȱdeȱl’historiographie officielleȱouȱdeȱlaȱrhétoriqueȱjuridiqueȱdesȱtraitésȱthéoriquesȱsurȱlaȱjustice.ȱPourȱle mémorialiste,ȱc’estȱauȱcœurȱdeȱl’événement,ȱpuisȱauȱcœurȱduȱrécitȱdesȱmémoires queȱseȱjoueȱconcrètementȱl’avenirȱdeȱl’actionȱjudiciaire.ȱLaȱscèneȱdeȱchâtiment, pourȱviolenteȱqu’elleȱsoit,ȱn’estȱpasȱpurementȱdécorative:ȱenȱelleȱseȱrenégocieȱsans cesseȱ (parceȱ qu’elleȱ s’inscritȱ dansȱ l’urgenceȱ etȱ leȱ caractèreȱ exceptionnelȱ deȱ la situationȱdeȱguerreȱcivile)ȱtouteȱlaȱlogiqueȱdeȱlaȱjustice,ȱdontȱelleȱestȱleȱnoyauȱàȱla foisȱnécessaireȱetȱredouté.

Chapterȱ19 MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock (BrighamȱYoungȱUniversity,ȱProvo,ȱUtah)

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

Sinceȱtheȱ1980’sȱwhenȱFoucaultȱfirstȱdiscussedȱtheȱprisonȱasȱaȱtheoreticalȱmodelȱfor socialȱcontrolȱinȱDisciplineȱandȱPunish,ȱvariousȱhistoriansȱhaveȱsimilarlyȱfocusedȱon theȱprisonȱasȱaȱsiteȱforȱpowerȱandȱmanipulation.1ȱUsingȱFoucault’sȱmodel,ȱscholars continuedȱtoȱdiscussȱprisonsȱasȱinstrumentsȱofȱauthoritarianȱcontrolȱinȱwhichȱthe inhabitantsȱwereȱconstantlyȱsubjectedȱtoȱexploitativeȱtyranny.ȱFeministȱhistorians ofȱtheȱprisonȱexpandedȱtheȱuseȱofȱthisȱtheoreticalȱmodelȱbyȱassertingȱthatȱpenal controlȱalsoȱcameȱinȱtheȱformȱofȱpatriarchalȱdominanceȱover,ȱandȱabuseȱof,ȱwomen prisoners.ȱIndeedȱmanyȱsocialȱhistoriesȱofȱfemaleȱinmatesȱhaveȱdemonstratedȱthat prisonsȱwereȱhorrifyingȱinstitutionsȱinȱwhichȱmenȱnotȱonlyȱhadȱcorrectiveȱcontrol overȱwomen,ȱbutȱviaȱthisȱcontrolȱtheyȱalsoȱseizedȱpowerȱoverȱwomen’sȱbodies.ȱFor women,ȱtheȱatrociousȱconsequencesȱofȱthisȱmaleȱdominationȱandȱmanipulation cameȱinȱtheȱformȱofȱbeingȱfrequentlyȱrapedȱorȱputȱintoȱserviceȱasȱaȱprostitute.ȱ TheȱoneȱearlyȱmodernȱexceptionȱtoȱthisȱpatriarchallyȬcontrolledȱpenalȱnightmare forȱ womenȱ wasȱ theȱ spinhuis,ȱ literallyȱ houseȱ forȱ spinning,ȱ establishedȱ in Amsterdamȱinȱ1597.ȱFromȱtheȱoutsetȱitȱwasȱfoundedȱasȱaȱseparateȱreformȱfacility forȱwomen,ȱwithȱbothȱfemaleȱandȱmaleȱoverseers,ȱsoȱthatȱinmatesȱdidȱnotȱfaceȱthe sameȱ dangersȱ ofȱ sexualȱ abuseȱ byȱ maleȱ prisonersȱ andȱ guards.ȱ Visualȱ imagery associatedȱwithȱtheȱspinhouseȱemphasizesȱitsȱuniqueȱcharacterȱasȱanȱinstitution ruledȱ byȱ women.ȱ Indeed,ȱ theȱ portraitsȱ ofȱ regentesses,ȱ orȱ governesses,ȱ ofȱ the institutionȱareȱsignificantȱindicatorsȱofȱthisȱfemaleȱauthorityȱandȱoversight.ȱThese visualȱ tributesȱ toȱ theȱ powerȱ andȱ dignityȱ ofȱ influentialȱ womenȱ wereȱ putȱ on prominentȱpublicȱdisplayȱwithinȱtheȱregents’ȱroomsȱofȱtheȱspinhouse.ȱInȱaddition,

1

MichelȱFoucault,ȱDisciplineȱandȱPunish:ȱTheȱBirthȱofȱtheȱPrisonȱ(Originallyȱpublishedȱinȱ1975ȱin FranceȱunderȱtheȱtitleȱSurveillerȱetȱpunir:ȱNaissanceȱdeȱlaȱPrison,ȱtranslatedȱintoȱEnglishȱinȱ1977;ȱNew York:ȱPantheonȱBooks,ȱ1977).

460

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

theseȱ largeȱ andȱ impressiveȱ paintingsȱ alsoȱ containȱ meaningfulȱ andȱ familiar signifiersȱ thatȱ furtherȱ referencedȱ theȱ powerȱ ofȱ womenȱ inȱ theȱ Dutchȱ cultureȱ of correction.ȱSomeȱsignifiersȱreferȱtoȱtraditionalȱthemesȱofȱstrongȱwomenȱwhoȱusurp maleȱauthority,ȱthusȱcallingȱattentionȱtoȱfemaleȱdominanceȱatȱtheȱspinhouse.ȱOther visualȱsignsȱinvokeȱallusionsȱtoȱtheȱserious,ȱhonorable,ȱandȱubiquitousȱimagesȱof femaleȱdomesticȱskillsȱproducedȱinȱtheȱDutchȱRepublicȱduringȱtheȱseventeenth century.ȱThroughȱtheseȱdualȱassociationsȱwithȱfemaleȱpowerȱandȱhonorability,ȱthe spinhouseȱescapedȱtheȱabsoluteȱcontrolȱofȱpatriarchyȱandȱitsȱassociatedȱ sexual abuse.ȱ Instead,ȱ theȱ institutionȱ wasȱ ableȱ toȱ focusȱ onȱ itsȱ originalȱ purpose—the reformȱofȱpoorȱandȱindolentȱwomenȱintoȱproductiveȱandȱskilledȱlaborersȱwithin Dutchȱsociety.ȱ ItȱisȱcrucialȱtoȱconsiderȱthisȱfoundingȱpurposeȱofȱtheȱAmsterdamȱspinhouseȱin orderȱ toȱ understandȱ itsȱ uniqueȱ positionȱ inȱ theȱ historyȱ ofȱ women’sȱ prisons.ȱ Its originsȱ wereȱ basedȱ onȱ theȱ assumptionȱ thatȱ womenȱ couldȱ beȱ reformed.ȱ Itȱ was createdȱasȱaȱcharitableȱinstitutionȱtoȱtakeȱpoorȱbeggarȱwomenȱoffȱtheȱstreetsȱand makeȱ themȱ intoȱ productiveȱ inhabitantsȱ byȱ teachingȱ themȱ skillsȱ thatȱ wouldȱ be usefulȱinȱsociety.ȱTheȱnameȱforȱtheȱinstitutionȱwasȱgivenȱbecauseȱwomenȱwere indeedȱemployedȱinȱspinning,ȱweaving,ȱsewing,ȱandȱlaceȬmakingȱinȱtheȱprison.ȱIn additionȱ toȱ poorȱ women,ȱ someȱ womenȱ wereȱ placedȱ thereȱ becauseȱ theyȱ were causingȱdifficultiesȱforȱtheirȱfamilies.ȱSomeȱofȱtheȱwomenȱwereȱkeptȱthereȱdayȱand night,ȱwhileȱothersȱwereȱallowedȱtoȱgoȱhomeȱatȱnightȱandȱstillȱothersȱwereȱallowed outȱduringȱtheȱdayȱtimeȱtoȱwork.2ȱTheȱinstitutionȱwasȱestablishedȱinȱtheȱformerȱSt. Ursulaȱ cloister,ȱ soȱ fromȱ itsȱ veryȱ originsȱ itȱ wasȱ foundedȱ atȱ aȱ siteȱ thatȱ was historicallyȱ andȱ culturallyȱ orientedȱ towardȱ femaleȱ powerȱ andȱ control.ȱ Being establishedȱasȱaȱfemaleȱcharitableȱasylum,ȱitȱcarriedȱhistoricalȱconnotationsȱasȱan institutionȱwhereȱwomenȱwereȱbroughtȱbackȱtoȱGod,ȱbroughtȱbackȱtoȱhonor,ȱand broughtȱbackȱtoȱchastityȱasȱtheyȱlearnedȱtoȱworkȱdiligentlyȱinȱaȱsoberȱandȱvirtuous environment.ȱ Asȱpreviouslyȱstated,ȱmostȱfeministȱdiscussionsȱofȱwomen’sȱimprisonmentȱindict patriarchyȱinȱitsȱinappropriateȱtreatmentȱofȱfemaleȱinmates.ȱTheseȱabusesȱrelateȱto theȱtraditionalȱcategorizationȱofȱwomenȱasȱweakȱandȱofȱaȱnaturallyȱevilȱnatureȱthat neededȱtoȱbeȱcontrolledȱbyȱmen.ȱMoreover,ȱtheseȱattitudesȱallowedȱmenȱtoȱhave controlȱoverȱwomen’sȱbodies.ȱLuciaȱZednerȱandȱHeidiȱLeeȱCainȱhaveȱarguedȱthat suchȱcontrolȱledȱtoȱconstantȱinstancesȱofȱwomenȱbeingȱrapedȱbyȱmaleȱguardsȱand fellowȱ maleȱ prisoners,ȱ dueȱ toȱ theȱ factȱ thatȱ menȱ andȱ womenȱ wereȱ frequently

2

PieterȱSpierenburgȱgivesȱaȱveryȱthoroughȱarchivalȱhistoryȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱandȱcomparesȱitȱto contemporaryȱinstitutionsȱinȱTheȱPrisonȱExperience:ȱDisciplinaryȱInstitutionsȱandȱTheirȱInmatesȱin EarlyȱModernȱEuropeȱ(Amsterdam:ȱAmsterdamȱUniversityȱPress,ȱAmsterdamȱAcademicȱȱArchive, 2007).

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

461

housedȱtogether.3ȱTheȱBridewellȱprisonȱofȱLondon,ȱforȱexample,ȱbecameȱaȱveritable brothelȱ withȱ womenȱ beingȱ coercedȱ byȱ threatsȱ andȱ beatingsȱ intoȱ prostituting themselvesȱ forȱ theȱ benefitȱ ofȱ menȱ atȱ theȱ prison.ȱ Inȱ theȱ Unitedȱ States,ȱ prison conditionsȱforȱwomenȱwereȱnotȱanyȱbetter.ȱAsȱwithȱmostȱEuropeanȱinstitutions, menȱandȱwomenȱwereȱhousedȱtogetherȱallowingȱforȱsexualȱabuseȱbyȱinmatesȱand guardsȱalike.ȱItȱwasȱnotȱuntilȱtheȱnineteenthȱcenturyȱthatȱconditionsȱforȱfemale prisonersȱimprovedȱinȱbothȱEuropeȱandȱAmerica.ȱMostȱofȱtheseȱearlyȱreformsȱwere initiatedȱbyȱmiddleȱclassȱwomen,ȱusuallyȱQuakersȱandȱUnitarians,ȱwhoȱwereȱalso activelyȱengagedȱinȱpromotingȱotherȱsocialȱagendasȱsuchȱasȱtemperanceȱandȱantiȬ slavery.ȱInȱtheȱUnitedȱStatesȱaȱgroupȱofȱtheseȱreformersȱestablishedȱtheȱPrison AssociationȱofȱNewȱYorkȱinȱorderȱtoȱimproveȱconditionsȱforȱfemaleȱprisonersȱin theȱcityȱjails.ȱInȱEnglandȱElizabethȱFryȱandȱherȱsupportersȱestablishedȱtheȱLadies Associationȱ forȱ theȱ Reformationȱ ofȱ Femaleȱ Prisonersȱ inȱ Newgateȱ forȱ aȱ similar purpose.ȱWithȱtheȱinterventionȱofȱtheseȱpowerfulȱwomen’sȱgroups,ȱofficialsȱsoon acquiescedȱandȱbeganȱtoȱestablishȱseparateȱwomen’sȱprisonsȱonȱbothȱsidesȱofȱthe Atlantic.ȱItȱisȱsignificantȱtoȱnote,ȱtherefore,ȱthatȱhistoricalȱimprovementȱforȱthe conditionsȱofȱfemaleȱprisonersȱusuallyȱdependedȱonȱtheȱpoliticallyȱpowerfulȱvoices ofȱeducatedȱwomen.4ȱ Inȱorderȱtoȱbetterȱcomprehendȱtheȱattitudesȱthatȱallowedȱforȱtheȱtypeȱofȱsexual abuseȱfoundȱinȱalmostȱallȱearlyȱmodernȱprisons,ȱitȱisȱimportantȱtoȱbeȱawareȱofȱthe generalȱ socialȱ categorizationȱ ofȱ womenȱ asȱ aȱ segmentȱ ofȱ cultureȱ thatȱ couldȱ be appropriatedȱbyȱmen.ȱThisȱallowedȱforȱtheȱmaltreatmentȱofȱwomenȱthatȱtookȱplace inȱtheȱprisonȱenvironment.ȱInȱaȱsocietyȱlikeȱtheȱDutchȱRepublic,ȱhowever,ȱwhere womenȱcouldȱnotȱbeȱsoȱeasilyȱpossessedȱbyȱmen,ȱwhereȱtheyȱhadȱmoreȱofȱaȱsocial voice,ȱ whereȱ theyȱ wereȱ constructorsȱ ofȱ societyȱ ratherȱ thanȱ merelyȱ being constructedȱbyȱthatȱsociety,ȱaȱuniqueȱcorrectionalȱinstitutionȱwasȱestablishedȱthat wasȱquiteȱenlightenedȱforȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod.ȱ Theȱ relativeȱ powerȱ ofȱ Dutchȱ womenȱ inȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ centuryȱ hasȱ been attributedȱtoȱaȱnumberȱofȱsocietalȱfactorsȱthatȱcenterȱonȱtheȱearlyȱdevelopmentȱof anȱurbanȱmiddleȱclassȱculture,ȱwhichȱinȱturnȱproducedȱmoreȱindependentȱwomen. Womenȱpubliclyȱassertedȱthemselvesȱfromȱtheȱveryȱestablishmentȱofȱtheȱrepublic, asȱmanyȱofȱthemȱattainedȱheroineȱstatusȱinȱtheȱwarȱforȱindependenceȱfromȱSpain.5ȱ

3

4

5

LuciaȱZedner,ȱ“WaywardȱSisters:ȱTheȱPrisonȱforȱWomen,”ȱTheȱOxfordȱHistoryȱofȱtheȱPrison:ȱThe PracticeȱofȱPunishmentȱinȱWesternȱSociety,ȱed.ȱNorvalȱMorrisȱandȱDavidȱJ.ȱRothmanȱ(NewȱYorkȱand Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1995),ȱ329–61;ȱHeidiȱLeeȱCain,ȱ“WomenȱConfinedȱbyȱPrisonȱBars andȱMaleȱImages,”ȱTexasȱJournalȱofȱWomenȱandȱtheȱLawȱ18ȱ(2008):ȱ103–24. Zedner,ȱ“WaywardȱSisters,”ȱ331–37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3);ȱCain,ȱ“WomenȱConfined,”ȱ106–09ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3); EstelleȱB.ȱFreedman,ȱTheirȱSisters’ȱKeepers:ȱWomen’sȱPrisonȱ Reformȱ inȱAmerica,ȱ1830–1930ȱ(Ann Arbor:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱMichiganȱPress,ȱ1981).ȱ AliceȱClareȱCarter,ȱ“MarriageȱCounselingȱinȱtheȱEarlyȱSeventeenthȱCentury:ȱEnglandȱandȱthe NetherlandsȱCompared,”ȱTenȱStudiesȱinȱAngloȬDutchȱRelations,ȱed.ȱJanȱA.ȱvanȱDorstenȱ(Leiden:

462

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Hajnalȱ attributesȱ aȱ greaterȱ equalityȱ betweenȱ menȱ andȱ womenȱ inȱ theȱ Dutch Republicȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱwomenȱoftenȱworkedȱandȱputȱoffȱmarriageȱuntilȱaȱlater age.6ȱ Inȱ addition,ȱ itȱ hasȱ beenȱ notedȱ thatȱ aȱ comparativelyȱ largeȱ numberȱ of householdsȱwereȱheadedȱbyȱsingleȱfemalesȱinȱthisȱsociety.7ȱOtherȱhistoriansȱhave discussedȱ theȱ evidenceȱ ofȱ women’sȱ greaterȱ powerȱ andȱ independenceȱ inȱ law, business,ȱandȱDutchȱcultureȱgenerally.8 Clearly,ȱ whenȱ womenȱ asȱ aȱ socialȱ categoryȱ wereȱ defined,ȱ atȱ leastȱ inȱ part,ȱ by women,ȱtheȱtraditionalȱpatternȱofȱmenȱcontrollingȱwomenȱwasȱdisrupted,ȱthus thwartingȱtheȱopportunitiesȱforȱmenȱtoȱsubjugateȱwomen.ȱAsȱColetteȱGuillaumin hasȱargued,ȱtheȱnaturalȱfactȱofȱbeingȱaȱwomanȱdidȱnotȱautomaticallyȱresultȱinȱthe controlȱofȱwomen;ȱitȱwasȱtheȱsocialȱsignificanceȱattachedȱtoȱwomenȱasȱbeingsȱwho couldȱbeȱdominatedȱthatȱledȱtoȱtheirȱappropriationȱbyȱmen.9ȱInȱtheȱinstanceȱof prisons,ȱthisȱwasȱconstitutedȱbyȱtheȱprostitutingȱofȱfemaleȱprisoners.ȱItȱisȱimportant toȱ understand,ȱ however,ȱ thatȱ signifiers,ȱ suchȱ asȱ theȱ categoryȱ “woman,”ȱ are

6

7

8

9

PublishedȱforȱtheȱSirȱThomasȱBrowneȱInstitute,ȱatȱtheȱUniversityȱPress;ȱLondon:ȱOxfordȱUniversity Press,ȱ1974),ȱ94–127;ȱMarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock,ȱ“TheȱComedyȱofȱtheȱShrew:ȱTheorizingȱHumorȱin EarlyȱModernȱNetherlandishȱArt,”ȱLaughterȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimes:ȱEpistemology ofȱaȱFundamentalȱHumanȱBehavior,ȱitsȱMeaning,ȱandȱConsequences,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱandȱMarilyn Sandidge.ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture,ȱ5ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalter deȱ Gruyter,ȱ 2010),ȱ 667–713;ȱ Marthaȱ Moffittȱ Peacock,ȱ “Proverbialȱ Reframing—Rebukingȱ and ReveringȱWomenȱinȱTrousers,”ȱJournalȱofȱtheȱWaltersȱArtȱGalleryȱ57ȱ(1999):ȱ13–34. Johnȱ Hajnal,ȱ “Europeanȱ Marriageȱ Patternsȱ inȱ Perspective,”ȱ Populationȱ inȱ History:ȱ Essaysȱ in Historicalȱ Demography,ȱ ed.ȱ Davidȱ Victorȱ Glassȱ andȱ Davidȱ Edwardȱ Charlesȱ Eversleyȱ (London: EdwardȱArnoldȱPublishers,ȱ1965),ȱ101–41. AdȱM.ȱvanȱderȱWoude,ȱ“VariationsȱinȱtheȱSizeȱandȱStructureȱofȱtheȱHouseholdȱinȱtheȱUnited ProvincesȱofȱtheȱNetherlandsȱinȱtheȱSeventeenthȱandȱEighteenthȱCenturies,ȱ“HouseholdȱandȱFamily inȱPastȱTime:ȱComparativeȱStudiesȱinȱtheȱSizeȱandȱStructureȱofȱtheȱDomesticȱGroupȱoverȱtheȱLastȱThree CenturiesȱinȱEngland,ȱFrance,ȱSerbia,ȱJapanȱandȱColonialȱNorthȱAmerica,ȱWithȱFurtherȱMaterialsȱfrom WesternȱEurope,ȱed.ȱPeterȱLaslettȱandȱRichardȱWallȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress, 1972),ȱ299–318. ForȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱgeneralȱculturalȱindependenceȱofȱwomenȱinȱtheȱDutchȱRepublicȱseeȱSimon Schama,ȱȈWivesȱandȱWantons:ȱVersionsȱofȱWomanhoodȱinȱSeventeenthȬCenturyȱDutchȱArt,ȈȱThe OxfordȱArtȱJournalȱ3.1ȱ(1980):ȱ5–13;ȱSimonȱSchama,ȱTheȱEmbarrassmentȱofȱRichesȱ(NewȱYork:ȱKnopf, 1987),ȱ384–91;ȱAliceȱClareȱCarter,ȱ“MarriageȱCounseling”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).ȱȱSeeȱalsoȱtheȱvariousȱessays inȱ Womenȱ ofȱ theȱ Goldenȱ Age:ȱ Anȱ Internationalȱ Debateȱ onȱ Womenȱ inȱ SeventeenthȬCenturyȱ Holland, EnglandȱandȱItaly,ȱed.ȱElsȱKloek,ȱNicoleȱTeeuwen,ȱandȱMarijkeȱHuismanȱ(Hilversum:ȱVerloren, 1994).ȱTheȱabsenceȱofȱstrongȱpatriarchyȱinȱDutchȱcultureȱisȱdiscussedȱinȱDonaldȱHaks,ȱHuwelijk enȱGezinȱinȱHollandȱinȱdeȱ17deȱenȱ18deȱEeuwȱ(Assen:ȱVanȱGorcumȇsȱHistorischeȱBibliotheek,ȱ1982). TheȱparticipationȱofȱDutchȱwomenȱinȱbusinessȱisȱdiscussedȱinȱDanielleȱvanȱdenȱHeuvel,ȱWomen andȱEntrepreneurship:ȱFemaleȱTradersȱinȱtheȱNorthernȱNetherlands,ȱc.ȱ1580–1815ȱ(Amsterdam:ȱAksant, 2007);ȱ Marthaȱ Moffittȱ Peacock,ȱ “Earlyȱ Modernȱ Dutchȱ Womenȱ inȱ theȱ City:ȱ Theȱ Imagingȱ of Economicȱ Agencyȱ andȱ Power,”ȱ Urbanȱ Spaceȱ inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ theȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Age,ȱ ed. AlbrechtȱClassenȱandȱMarilynȱSandidge.ȱFundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture, 4ȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalterȱdeȱGruyter,ȱ2009),ȱ667–711. ColetteȱGuillaumin,ȱRacism,ȱSexism,ȱPowerȱandȱIdeologyȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1995).

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

463

historicallyȱvariable.ȱTherefore,ȱinȱaȱsocioȬculturalȱsituationȱwhereȱtheȱtraditional patriarchalȱnotionsȱofȱwomenȱwereȱnotȱautomaticȱandȱwereȱinsteadȱconstantly challenged,ȱpatriarchalȱabilityȱtoȱappropriateȱwomen’sȱbodiesȱwasȱdiminished. Indeed,ȱ theȱ imagesȱ associatedȱ withȱ theȱ Amsterdamȱ spinhouseȱ areȱ compelling indicatorsȱofȱfemaleȱsubversionȱofȱtraditionalȱpatriarchy.ȱTheseȱimagesȱputȱwomen onȱmoreȱofȱanȱequalȱfootingȱwithȱmenȱasȱgovernors,ȱcaretakers,ȱandȱdisciplinarians ofȱtheȱwomenȱinmates.ȱTheyȱcontainȱtraditionalȱassignationsȱofȱfemaleȱpowerȱand control.ȱFurthermore,ȱtheseȱimagesȱwereȱassociatedȱwithȱpositiveȱandȱtraditional significationsȱofȱwomen’sȱeconomicȱvalueȱandȱsocioȬculturalȱcontributionsȱinȱterms ofȱ workȱ andȱ skill.ȱ Asȱ theȱ discreteȱ categoryȱ “woman”ȱ andȱ herȱ traditional characteristicsȱwereȱdeconstructedȱviaȱsuchȱimagery,ȱsexistȱideologiesȱandȱabilities toȱreduceȱ“woman”ȱtoȱsubjugatedȱobjectȱalsoȱdiminished.ȱ HenceȱweȱcomeȱtoȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱhowȱandȱwhyȱtheȱAmsterdamȱspinhouseȱwas suchȱaȱuniqueȱinstitutionȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod.ȱZednerȱwhoȱhasȱstudiedȱthe earlyȱ modernȱ prisonȱ fromȱ aȱ feministȱ perspectiveȱ calledȱ attentionȱ toȱ the exceptionalityȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱasȱtheȱfirst,ȱandȱforȱmanyȱyearsȱonly,ȱallȱfemale institution.10ȱ Evenȱ otherȱ spinhousesȱ inȱ Theȱ Dutchȱ Republicȱ andȱ Germany combinedȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱprisoners.11ȱManyȱfeministȱwritersȱonȱtheȱprisonȱhave indicatedȱtheȱpositiveȱnatureȱofȱseparatingȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱprisoners.ȱForȱwomen suchȱ separationȱ meantȱ thatȱ theyȱ didȱ notȱ haveȱ toȱ sufferȱ theȱ dangersȱ ofȱ being regularlyȱrapedȱandȱprostitutedȱbyȱmaleȱprisonersȱandȱguards.ȱThus,ȱinȱaddition toȱbeingȱseparatedȱfromȱmaleȱprisoners,ȱtheȱinstitutionȱwasȱoverseenȱbyȱbothȱa binnenmoeder,ȱindoorȱmother,ȱandȱaȱbinnenvader,ȱindoorȱfather.ȱ AsȱPieterȱSpierenburgȱhasȱdiscussed,ȱtheȱsystemȱthereforeȱreflectedȱtheȱmodel ofȱaȱfamily.12ȱHowever,ȱwhileȱheȱidentifiesȱthisȱasȱaȱpatriarchalȱmodel,ȱIȱwould suggestȱthatȱfemaleȱcontrolȱwithinȱtheȱdomesticȱfamilyȱenvironmentȱinȱtheȱDutch Republicȱwas,ȱinȱpractice,ȱevenȱgreaterȱthanȱthatȱofȱfathers.ȱInȱDutchȱsocietyȱgreat importȱ wasȱ givenȱ toȱ mothersȱ asȱ caretakersȱ andȱ rulersȱ ofȱ theȱ household. ContemporaryȱmoralistsȱlikeȱJacobȱCatsȱencouragedȱwomenȱtoȱsuperviseȱchildrenȱand servants,ȱandȱtoȱcontrolȱdomesticȱexpenses.ȱHusbandsȱwereȱinstructedȱtoȱleaveȱthe householdȱtoȱtheȱmanagementȱofȱtheirȱwives.ȱInȱfact,ȱdiscussionsȱofȱtheȱhousehold describeȱitȱasȱtheȱheerschappijȱorȱdominionȱofȱwomen.13ȱ Thisȱtermȱofȱpowerȱwasȱalsoȱappliedȱtoȱmaleȱrulers.ȱJohannȱvanȱBeverwijkȱgoes evenȱ furtherȱ inȱ hisȱ praiseȱ andȱ exaltationȱ ofȱ housewives.ȱ Heȱ firmlyȱ assertsȱ the importanceȱofȱfamilyȱandȱhome,ȱproclaimsȱtheȱfamilyȱtoȱbeȱtheȱfountainȱandȱoriginȱof

10 11 12 13

Zedner,ȱ“WaywardȱSisters,”ȱ329ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ3). Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperienceȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).ȱ Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ105–34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). JacobȱCats,ȱAlleȱdeȱWercken,ȱSoȱoudenȱalsȱnieuwe,ȱvanȱdeȱHeerȱIacobȱCats,ȱRidder,ȱoudtȱRaedtpensionaris vanȱHollandt,ȱ&c.ȱ(Amsterdam:ȱIanȱIacobszȱSchipper,ȱ1655),ȱHouwelick,ȱ79.ȱ

464

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

aȱ republic,ȱ andȱ statesȱ oneȱ mustȱ augmentȱ andȱ preserveȱ theȱ familyȱ asȱ oneȱ would governȱ andȱ protectȱ aȱ cityȱ orȱ state.ȱ Heȱ alsoȱ declaresȱ thatȱ theȱ housewife’sȱ reliable actionsȱ helpȱ layȱ theȱ foundationȱ forȱ aȱ wellȬorderedȱ society,ȱ heȱ considersȱ the housewife’sȱpowerȱgreat,ȱandȱheȱcomparesȱherȱdomainȱtoȱaȱkingdom.14 Aȱ surveyȱ ofȱ domesticȱ imageryȱ producedȱ duringȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ century underscoresȱtheȱprevalenceȱ ofȱtheseȱattitudes.ȱ Imagesȱofȱtheȱhomeȱrarelyȱcontain fathers,ȱandȱwhenȱtheyȱareȱpresent,ȱtheyȱareȱusuallyȱrelegatedȱtoȱanȱinsignificant position,ȱoftenȱinȱtheȱbackground,ȱofȱtheȱcomposition.ȱWomenȱdominateȱtheseȱscenes andȱtheyȱareȱfrequentlyȱshownȱinstructingȱchildren,ȱservants,ȱandȱvendorsȱinȱtheir duties.ȱAȱsignificantȱexampleȱofȱthisȱtypeȱofȱauthoritarianȱimageryȱisȱdepictedȱinȱa paintingȱofȱ1663ȱbyȱQuirijnȱvanȱBrekelenkamȱ(Fig.ȱ1).ȱHereȱtheȱmotherȱisȱenthroned inȱtheȱcenterȱofȱtheȱcompositionȱwithȱchildrenȱandȱmaidservantȱgatheredȱaround followingȱherȱexampleȱandȱattendingȱtoȱherȱcommands.ȱ If,ȱthen,ȱtheȱspinhouseȱfollowsȱaȱfamilialȱmodel,ȱitȱisȱimportantȱ thatȱ theȱ roleȱof motherȱnotȱbeȱunderestimatedȱinȱDutchȱsociety.ȱIndeed,ȱfromȱtheȱmomentȱofȱentry intoȱtheȱAmsterdamȱspinhouse,ȱoneȱencountersȱaȱloomingȱsenseȱofȱfemaleȱpower. Overȱtheȱdoorway,ȱaȱgroupȱofȱsculptedȱfiguresȱdoneȱbyȱHendrickȱdeȱKeyserȱinȱ1607 displaysȱtheȱkindȱofȱfemaleȱcorrectiveȱpowerȱexercisedȱwithinȱtheȱprisonȱ(Fig.ȱ2).ȱOn theȱleftȱaȱyoungȱwomanȱisȱseatedȱdutifullyȱspinningȱwhileȱaȱcatȱplayfullyȱinterferes withȱherȱtask.ȱTheȱyoungȱwomanȱtoȱtheȱrightȱappearsȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱlessȱdiligentȱinȱher laborȱ ofȱ producingȱ theȱ textileȱ drapedȱ fromȱ herȱ lapȱ toȱ theȱ basketȱ below.ȱ Sheȱ is shrinkingȱfromȱtheȱcastigatingȱblowsȱofȱtheȱwhipȱwieldedȱbyȱtheȱcentrallyȱplaced indoorȱmother.ȱHerȱdisciplinaryȱfunctionȱhasȱcausedȱsomeȱscholarsȱtoȱidentifyȱthis figureȱasȱcastigatio,ȱtheȱallegoricalȱrepresentationȱofȱpunishmentȱorȱchastisement.15 SuchȱanȱallegoricalȱsculptedȱfigureȱwithȱaȱwhipȱcanȱbeȱfoundȱinȱCornelisȱvanȱder Voort’sȱ1618ȱpaintingȱofȱtheȱregents,ȱorȱgovernors,ȱofȱtheȱmaleȱprison,ȱtheȱrasphuis.ȱIn addition,ȱtheȱinscriptionȱbeneathȱtheȱspinhouseȱportalȱsculptureȱwrittenȱbyȱPieter CorneliszȱHooftȱstressesȱthisȱpunitiveȱintent,ȱ“Doȱnotȱbeȱfrightened;ȱIȱamȱnotȱavenging wrongȱbutȱforcingȱtoȱdoȱgood;ȱmyȱhandȱisȱsevereȱbutȱmyȱmindȱisȱcompassionate.”16 Thusȱtheȱsculpturalȱgroupȱundoubtedlyȱservedȱtheȱfunctionȱofȱwarningȱinmatesȱand informingȱ theȱ publicȱ asȱ toȱ theȱ strictȱ femaleȱ powerȱ andȱ disciplineȱ enforcedȱ atȱ the institution. Theȱdevelopmentȱofȱregentȱandȱregentessȱgroupȱportraitsȱduringȱtheȱseventeenth centuryȱrevealsȱanȱevenȱmoreȱnoteworthyȱandȱrealisticȱexampleȱofȱtheȱassignationȱof

14

15

16

JohanȱvanȱBeverwijck,ȱVanȱdeȱWtnementheytȱdesȱVrouwelickenȱGeslachtsȱVerciertȱmetȱHistoryen,ȱende kopereȱPlaten;ȱalsȱoockȱLatijnsche,ȱendeȱNederlanscheȱVerssenȱvanȱMr.ȱCorn.ȱBoy,ȱvol.ȱ2ȱ(Dordrecht: HendrickȱvanȱEsch,ȱ1643),ȱ209–11.ȱ Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2);ȱNorbertȱE.ȱMiddelkoop,ȱGustaȱReichwein,ȱandȱ JudithȱvanȱGent,ȱDeȱOudeȱMeestersȱvanȱdeȱstadȱAmsterdam:ȱSchilderijenȱtotȱ1800ȱ(Bussum:ȱTHOTH; Amsterdam:ȱAmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum,ȱ2008),ȱ105. ThisȱtranslationȱwasȱprovidedȱbyȱSpierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

465

femaleȱ powerȱ toȱ theȱ spinhouse.ȱ Theȱ Dutchȱ wereȱ uniqueȱ amongȱ earlyȱ modern Europeanȱ societiesȱ inȱ grantingȱ womenȱ theȱ rightȱ toȱ serveȱ asȱ governessesȱ inȱ such prestigiousȱpublicȱpositions.17ȱTheȱregentsȱandȱregentessesȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱformed theȱmostȱpowerfulȱlayerȱofȱoversightȱforȱtheȱprison.ȱTheyȱwereȱtheȱindividualsȱthat communicatedȱ withȱ magistratesȱ toȱ discussȱ sentencesȱ andȱ punishmentsȱ forȱ the prisoners.18ȱTheyȱalsoȱoversawȱtheȱfinancesȱandȱmanagementȱofȱtheȱspinhouse.ȱAs wasȱcommonȱwithȱalmostȱallȱDutchȱgroupȱportraitsȱofȱregentsȱandȱregentessesȱof charitableȱinstitutions,ȱtheȱearliestȱportraitsȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱgovernorsȱseparated themȱbyȱsex.ȱForȱexample,ȱaȱ1628ȱpaintingȱbyȱNicolaesȱEliaszȱPickenoyȱdepictsȱthe regentsȱ(JanȱJanszȱvanȱDorhout,ȱGerbrantȱBrouwer,ȱHendrickȱBoelisz,ȱandȱHendrick DirckszȱMolenaer)ȱinȱfrontȱofȱaȱtable,ȱwithȱvariousȱmanagerialȱsignifiersȱonȱdisplay: theȱcoinsȱreferȱtoȱbothȱtheȱmonetaryȱtransactionsȱandȱcharityȱrelatedȱtoȱtheȱspinhouse, theȱledgersȱandȱwritingȱmaterialsȱalsoȱreferȱtoȱtheirȱfinancialȱresponsibilities,ȱtheȱbowl ofȱfoodȱreferencesȱtheȱcharitableȱdutyȱofȱprovidingȱsustenanceȱforȱtheȱprisoners,ȱand theȱindoorȱfatherȱbringingȱinȱaȱletterȱrefersȱtoȱtheirȱbusinessȱcommunicationsȱwith societyȱoutsideȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱ(Fig.ȱ3).19ȱ Theȱpaintingȱwithinȱaȱpaintingȱhungȱonȱtheȱbackȱwallȱfurtherȱsituatesȱtheȱregents inȱtheirȱdailyȱsupervisoryȱresponsibilities.ȱTheȱfourȱregentsȱareȱagainȱdepictedȱseated behindȱaȱdesk.ȱInȱfrontȱofȱthemȱmingleȱaȱcrowdȱofȱrespectableȬlookingȱcitizenry,ȱboth menȱandȱwomen,ȱwhoȱareȱpresumablyȱatȱtheȱprisonȱtoȱsurveyȱtheȱinstitutionȱandȱits inhabitants.20ȱForȱtheȱpaymentȱofȱtwoȱstuiversȱ(orȱoneȱtenthȱofȱaȱgulden),ȱtheȱpublic couldȱvisitȱandȱobserveȱtheȱworkingȱwomenȱofȱtheȱspinhouse.ȱThisȱwasȱanȱimportant sourceȱofȱrevenueȱforȱtheȱprison.21ȱ Inȱ parallelȱ fashion,ȱ theȱ regentessesȱ (Lysbethȱ Hendricusdrȱ Haeckȱ andȱ Styntje Thomas)ȱwereȱportrayed,ȱalongȱwithȱtheȱindoorȱmothers,ȱinȱaȱseparateȱpaintingȱwith similarȱmanagerialȱsignifiersȱbyȱDirckȱDirckszȱvanȱSantvoortȱinȱ1638ȱ(Fig.ȱ4).22ȱToȱthe 17 18 19

20

21 22

Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ107ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ106–09ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). Theȱ regentsȱ areȱ identifiedȱ inȱ theȱ onlineȱ catalogȱ ofȱ theȱ Amsterdamsȱ Historischȱ Museum, ahm.adlibsoft.com/ahmonline/advanced/detail.aspx#ȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱDec.ȱ10,ȱ2010).ȱ Itȱhasȱbeenȱsuggestedȱthatȱtheȱportraitȱwasȱmisidentifiedȱearlyȱon,ȱandȱthatȱtheseȱareȱactually regentsȱofȱtheȱorphanage.ȱThisȱargumentȱisȱprimarilyȱbasedȱonȱtheȱinclusionȱofȱaȱchildȱinȱthe paintingȱ onȱ theȱ backȱ wall.ȱ Accordingly,ȱ theȱ childȱ hasȱ presumablyȱ lostȱ itsȱ fatherȱ andȱ isȱ now accompaniedȱbyȱfamilyȱmembersȱtoȱtheȱorphanage.ȱThis,ȱhowever,ȱisȱaȱproblematicȱsuggestion inȱthatȱtheȱfiguresȱinȱtheȱpaintingȱareȱgroupedȱinȱpairsȱinȱconversationȱwithȱtheirȱpartnersȱbut payingȱnoȱattentionȱtoȱtheȱchild.ȱMoreover,ȱtheyȱareȱallȱfinelyȱdressed,ȱincludingȱtheȱchildȱandȱits presumedȱmother,ȱwhichȱdoesȱnotȱcorrespondȱtoȱotherȱdepictionsȱofȱorphans.ȱTheseȱvisitorsȱare obviouslyȱnotȱinȱneedȱofȱtheȱcharityȱonȱdisplayȱinȱtheȱforeground,ȱbutȱareȱinsteadȱwellȬtoȬdo citizenryȱwhoȱhaveȱcomeȱtoȱtheȱinstitutionȱinȱorderȱtoȱdiscussȱandȱobserve.ȱThisȱidentification debateȱisȱdiscussedȱinȱtheȱonlineȱcatalogȱofȱtheȱAmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum,ȱseeȱat: ahm.adlibsoft.com/ahmonline/advanced/detail.aspx#ȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱ12/9/2010).ȱ Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ90–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). TheȱregentessesȱareȱidentifiedȱinȱMiddelkoop,ȱOudeȱMeesters,ȱ99ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

466

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

right,ȱoneȱofȱtheȱindoorȱmothersȱbringsȱinȱaȱnoteȱtoȱtheȱseatedȱregentess.ȱTheȱdisplay ofȱcoinsȱonȱtheȱtableȱandȱtheȱledgerȱwithȱaȱlistȱofȱfoodstuffsȱsuggestȱthatȱsheȱisȱpaying theȱbillsȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱandȱprovidingȱsustenanceȱforȱtheȱinmates.ȱTheseȱareȱsimilar toȱtheȱsignifiersȱrepresentedȱinȱtheȱregents’sȱportrait.ȱAsȱwithȱtheȱregents,ȱtheirsȱwas aȱ societyȬrelated,ȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ anȱ intraȬinstitutional,ȱ managerialȱ function.ȱ Thereȱ is, however,ȱanȱimportantȱactivityȱtakingȱplaceȱinȱthisȱpaintingȱthatȱisȱnotȱtoȱbeȱfoundȱin theȱregentȱportrait;ȱthisȱisȱtheȱexaminationȱofȱtextiles.ȱTheȱregentessȱseatedȱatȱtheȱfar leftȱofȱtheȱpaintingȱtakesȱoutȱherȱspectaclesȱtoȱmoreȱcarefullyȱexamineȱtheȱtextileȱwork ofȱtheȱfemaleȱlaborersȱwithinȱtheȱprison.ȱAȱcardȱofȱlaceȱisȱbeingȱunwoundȱforȱher perusalȱbyȱanotherȱindoorȱmother.ȱTheȱtextilesȱmadeȱatȱtheȱspinhouseȱwereȱsoldȱtoȱthe publicȱinȱorderȱtoȱhelpȱsustainȱtheȱinstitution,ȱ butȱtheȱproceedsȱwereȱneverȱgreat enoughȱtoȱsupportȱtheȱinmates.23ȱThisȱportraitȱforcefullyȱemphasizesȱtheȱprimaryȱand originalȱfunctionȱofȱtheȱspinhouse—theȱreformȱofȱpoorȱwomenȱbyȱteachingȱthemȱa profitableȱskillȱinȱtextileȱproduction.ȱAndȱitȱappearsȱthatȱthisȱfunctionȱmostlyȱcame underȱtheȱcontrolȱandȱjurisdictionȱofȱtheȱregentessesȱandȱindoorȱmothers.ȱ Femaleȱlaborȱandȱfemaleȱpowerȱareȱalsoȱemphasizedȱinȱaȱlaterȱgroupȱportraitȱof spinhouseȱregentsȱbyȱKarelȱDujardinȱfromȱ1669ȱ(Fig.ȱ5).ȱAsȱwithȱtheȱpreviousȱregent portrait,ȱtheȱmenȱareȱsituatedȱaroundȱaȱtableȱinȱtheȱmannerȱofȱconductingȱaȱbusiness meeting.ȱTheȱfiguresȱincludedȱareȱMichaelȱTielensz,ȱCroockȱGeorge,ȱHenryȱBecker, JohnȱCommelin,ȱandȱMuilmanȱWillemȱdeȱJonge.24ȱTheȱindoorȱfatherȱonceȱagainȱhands themȱaȱcommunication.ȱWhatȱisȱnew,ȱinȱcontrastȱwithȱmostȱregentȱportraits,ȱisȱthe ratherȱprominentȱfemaleȱpresence.ȱInȱtheȱrightȱbackground,ȱtheȱindoorȱmotherȱis predominantlyȱsituatedȱsoȱthatȱsheȱalmostȱcompletelyȱfillsȱtheȱdoorway,ȱthusȱblocking theȱfigureȱofȱtheȱindoorȱfatherȱbehindȱher.ȱSheȱappearsȱtoȱbeȱaȱratherȱsturdyȱlooking figureȱcapableȱofȱtheȱnecessaryȱdisciplineȱinȱtheȱprison.ȱ Thereȱareȱthreeȱotherȱfemalesȱinȱtheȱportraitȱbutȱtheyȱareȱallegoricalȱcarvingsȱonȱthe backȱwallȱratherȱthanȱliveȱfigures.ȱTheȱpalatialȱdécorȱofȱtheȱsettingȱcorrespondsȱto contemporaryȱaccountsȱofȱtheȱgrandeurȱofȱtheȱnewȱspinhouse.ȱInȱactuality,ȱseveral foreignersȱdeclaredȱthatȱtheȱspinhouseȱdidȱlookȱmoreȱlikeȱaȱpalaceȱthanȱaȱhouseȱof correction.25ȱ Inȱ thisȱ fashion,ȱ theȱ Amsterdamȱ spinhouseȱ wasȱ onceȱ againȱ aȱ shining exceptionȱtoȱtheȱusualȱfilthȱandȱdisarrayȱthatȱcharacterizedȱmostȱearlyȱmodernȱprisons. Theȱthreeȱcarvedȱfiguresȱfurtherȱennobleȱtheȱinstitutionȱandȱtheȱworkȱdoneȱbyȱthe femaleȱinmates.ȱTheȱfigureȱonȱtheȱleftȱusesȱaȱdistaff;ȱtheȱwomanȱinȱtheȱcenterȱwinds thread;ȱ theȱ finalȱ figureȱ holdsȱ theȱ leavesȱ ofȱ theȱ flaxȱ plantȱ thatȱ wereȱ usedȱ inȱ the manufactureȱofȱlinen.ȱTheseȱloftyȱallegorizationsȱdignifyȱandȱassignȱvalueȱtoȱwomen’s

23 24

25

Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ115–34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2). Theȱ regentsȱ areȱ identifiedȱ inȱ theȱ onlineȱ catalogȱ ofȱ theȱ Rijksmuseum,ȱ Amsterdam www.rijksmuseum.nl/collectie/zoeken/asset.jsp?id=SKȬCȬ4&lang=nlȱ (lastȱ accessedȱ onȱ Dec.ȱ 10, 2010). Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ88ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

467

work,ȱthusȱemphasizingȱtheȱimportȱofȱtrainingȱtheȱinmates.ȱInȱspiteȱofȱtheseȱreferences toȱtheȱfemaleȱprisonersȱandȱtheirȱwork,ȱhowever,ȱtheȱmenȱareȱnotȱrepresentedȱas comingȱ inȱ directȱ orȱ inappropriateȱ contactȱ withȱ theȱ prisoners.ȱ Indeed,ȱ theȱ indoor motherȱ standsȱ asȱ aȱ guardianȱ atȱ theȱ doorȱ ofȱ theȱ innerȱ institution.ȱ Thusȱ theȱ order, propriety,ȱandȱhonorabilityȱofȱtheȱinstitutionȱareȱmaintained.ȱ Noneȱofȱtheseȱgroupȱportraits,ȱhowever,ȱpreparesȱusȱforȱtheȱsurprisingȱandȱunique groupȱportraitȱofȱcombinedȱregentessesȱ(CatharinaȱBrouwersȱandȱPietertjeȱdeȱVries) andȱregentsȱ(whoȱcannotȱbeȱspecificallyȱidentified)ȱthatȱwasȱpaintedȱbyȱBartholomeus vanȱderȱHelstȱinȱ1650,ȱsoonȱafterȱtheȱrebuildingȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱdueȱtoȱaȱfireȱthatȱtook placeȱinȱ1643ȱ(Fig.ȱ6).26ȱThisȱisȱonlyȱtheȱsecondȱinstanceȱinȱDutchȱgroupȱportraiture whereȱregentsȱandȱregentessesȱwereȱcombinedȱinȱtheȱsameȱimage.27ȱAndȱindeed,ȱthe regentessesȱareȱgivenȱequalȱfootingȱinȱthisȱportraitȱbyȱportrayingȱmalesȱandȱfemales inȱequalȱnumber,ȱinȱspiteȱofȱtheȱfactȱthatȱthereȱwereȱtwoȱregentessesȱandȱfourȱregents atȱtheȱtime.ȱThus,ȱtheȱwomenȱareȱnowȱtrulyȱgivenȱparallelȱpowerȱandȱprominenceȱin signifyingȱthatȱtheyȱequallyȱruleȱtheȱspinhouse.ȱFurthermore,ȱtheȱgroupingȱofȱthe figuresȱgivesȱsignificantȱprominenceȱtoȱtheȱoldestȱregentessȱofȱtheȱgroup,ȱCatharina Brouwers.ȱTheȱotherȱregentessȱandȱoneȱofȱtheȱregentsȱbothȱturnȱandȱlistenȱwithȱrapt attentionȱ toȱ Brouwersȱ whoȱ isȱ depictedȱ inȱ aȱ speakingȱ attitude.ȱ Sheȱ seemsȱ toȱ be directingȱtheȱmeetingȱandȱisȱgivenȱ“prideȱofȱplace”ȱinȱherȱthroneȬlikeȱchairȱatȱtheȱhead ofȱtheȱtable.ȱ Anotherȱaspectȱofȱthisȱpaintingȱthatȱsimilarlyȱconveysȱaȱsenseȱofȱfemaleȱpowerȱis foundȱinȱtheȱadjoiningȱviewȱbehindȱtheȱportraits.ȱTheȱmanagerialȱdutiesȱofȱtheȱindoor motherȱareȱportrayedȱasȱinȱtheȱearlierȱregentessȱportrait,ȱbutȱnowȱtheyȱareȱuniquely depictedȱasȱpartȱofȱtheȱdailyȱactivitiesȱinȱtheȱprison’sȱspinningȱroom.ȱItȱisȱaȱscene,ȱlike theȱ portalȱ sculpture,ȱ thatȱ emphasizesȱ theȱ strictȱ disciplineȱ andȱ controlȱ withinȱ the spinhouse.ȱOnceȱagain,ȱbutȱinȱaȱmoreȱrealisticȱmode,ȱthatȱdisciplineȱisȱinȱtheȱhandsȱof aȱwoman.ȱBehindȱtheȱdrapedȱcurtainȱtheȱworkȱofȱtheȱinmatesȱisȱputȱonȱdisplayȱforȱthe viewerȱ andȱ forȱ theȱ maleȱ andȱ femaleȱ prisonȱ visitorsȱ standingȱ behindȱ theȱ wooden railing.ȱWomenȱandȱmenȱbothȱcameȱasȱobservers,ȱbutȱtheyȱwereȱkeptȱapartȱfromȱthe prisonersȱviaȱaȱwall.ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱspinhouseȱbecameȱaȱfavoriteȱtouristȱstopȱduringȱthe seventeenthȱcenturyȱattractingȱvisitorsȱfromȱbothȱinsideȱandȱoutsideȱtheȱRepublic.28 Whileȱ theȱ firstȱ modernȱ reactionȱ toȱ suchȱ observationȱ mightȱ seemȱ cruelȱ and dehumanizing,ȱthereȱwasȱcertainlyȱvalueȱtoȱtheȱinnerȱworkingsȱofȱtheȱprisonȱsystem comingȱunderȱconstantȱpublicȱscrutiny.ȱItȱobviouslyȱinhibitedȱtheȱkindȱofȱabuseȱfound inȱotherȱpenalȱinstitutions.ȱ Inȱthisȱimage,ȱtheȱyoungȱfemalesȱinȱneedȱofȱreformȱareȱseatedȱinȱaȱlargeȱroomȱwith theirȱvariousȱtextileȱtasks,ȱlaceȬmakingȱandȱsewing,ȱinȱtheirȱlaps.ȱTheȱindoorȱmother’s

26 27 28

TheȱfiguresȱareȱidentifiedȱandȱdiscussedȱinȱMiddelkoop,ȱOudeȱMeesters,ȱ105ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Middelkoop,ȱOudeȱMeesters,ȱ104ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Spierenburg,ȱPrisonȱExperience,ȱ90–92ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ2).

468

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

faceȱ displaysȱ herȱ angerȱ towardȱ oneȱ ofȱ theseȱ youngȱ workersȱ whoȱ evadesȱ the impendingȱblowȱofȱherȱoverseer.ȱTheȱindoorȱmotherȱisȱobviouslyȱchastisingȱtheȱyoung girl,ȱandȱtheȱpantoffel,ȱaȱwoman’sȱslipper,ȱinȱherȱhandȱindicatesȱtheȱcauseȱforȱtheȱyoung worker’sȱfear. Imagesȱofȱwomenȱusingȱtheirȱshoesȱasȱweaponsȱwereȱaȱcommonȱmetaphoricalȱtopos inȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ century.ȱ Theȱ pantoffel,ȱ orȱ woman’sȱ slipper,ȱ wasȱ aȱ signifierȱ of powerfulȱandȱoverbearingȱwomenȱbecauseȱitȱbecameȱaȱhandyȱdomesticȱweaponȱfor theȱ seventeenthȬcenturyȱ Dutchȱ woman.ȱ ȱ Inȱ art,ȱ thisȱ shoeȬweaponȱ wasȱ frequently wieldedȱ byȱ shrewishȱ housewivesȱ againstȱ theirȱ husbands.ȱ ȱ Indeed,ȱ “pantoffelheld” becameȱtheȱnicknameȱforȱaȱhenpeckedȱhusband,ȱwhichȱgaveȱriseȱtoȱtheȱexpression “Onderȱdeȱpantoffelȱzitten”ȱorȱ“toȱbeȱunderȱtheȱslipper,”ȱimplyingȱthatȱaȱmanȱwasȱruled byȱhisȱwife.29ȱȱ TheȱsatirizingȱofȱthisȱexpressionȱisȱtoȱbeȱfoundȱinȱaȱlateȱseventeenthȬcenturyȱprint byȱJacobȱGoleȱafterȱCornelisȱDusartȱ(Fig.ȱ7).ȱȱItȱisȱoneȱofȱfiveȱprintsȱinȱwhichȱeachȱofȱthe sensesȱisȱrepresentedȱbyȱaȱviragoȱwhoȱrulesȱoverȱherȱhusband.ȱȱTheȱprintȱofȱTactus,ȱor theȱsenseȱofȱtouch,ȱpicturesȱaȱterrifiedȱhusbandȱwhoȱfeelsȱpainȱwhileȱbeingȱstruckȱto theȱfloorȱbyȱhisȱwifeȱwhoȱbrandishesȱaȱpantoffel.ȱAnotherȱelementȱfrequentlyȱfoundȱin scenesȱofȱshrewish,ȱoverbearingȱwivesȱisȱtheȱbundleȱofȱbirchesȱhangingȱthreateningly aboveȱtheȱfireplaceȱasȱaȱsignȱofȱwhoȱcommandsȱtheȱhousehold.ȱȱBirchesȱwereȱusedȱfor theȱspankingȱofȱnaughtyȱchildren,ȱandȱasȱthisȱtaskȱusuallyȱfellȱtoȱtheȱwife,ȱtheȱbirches becameȱ anotherȱ handyȱ weaponȱ forȱ theȱ wifeȱ toȱ useȱ againstȱ herȱ husband.ȱ The expressionȱ“onderȱdeȱplakȱvanȱzijneȱvrouwȱzitten”ȱ(toȱbeȱunderȱtheȱstickȱorȱrodȱofȱhis wife)ȱmeantȱthatȱtheȱhusbandȱwasȱunderȱtheȱpowerȱofȱhisȱwife.30ȱBeneathȱtheȱbattling pairȱareȱinscriptionsȱinȱDutchȱandȱFrenchȱthatȱfurtherȱemphasizeȱtheȱpowerȱofȱthe womanȱandȱtheȱtotalȱsubjectionȱofȱtheȱhenpeckedȱhusband: DoorluchteȱVrouwen,ȱalȱmaaktȱuwȱbedryfȱveelȱspels, Uwȱdegen,ȱroeptȱQuirynȱwyktȱvoorȱdeȱmuiylȱvanȱEls! Haȱqueȱl’Atouchementȱmeȱblesse Destreȱdaubbeȱd’uneȱDiablesse. [Illustriousȱwomen,ȱalthoughȱyouȱmakeȱyourȱbusinessȱveryȱplayful, Quirynȱcallsȱout,ȱhisȱswordȱgivesȱwayȱtoȱtheȱslipperȱofȱEls! Ah,ȱhowȱtheȱtouchȱhurtsȱmeȱtoȱbeȱstruckȱbyȱaȱsheȱdevil.]

Consequently,ȱinȱvanȱderȱHelst’sȱgroupȱportraitȱofȱtheȱregentessesȱandȱregents,ȱthe pantoffelȱasȱsignifierȱofȱwomen’sȱpower,ȱbecomesȱanȱimportantȱallegorical,ȱasȱwellȱas

29

30

FrederikȱA.ȱStoett,ȱNederlandscheȱSpreekwoorden,ȱSpreekwijzenȱ,ȱUitdrukkingenȱenȱGezegden,ȱvol.ȱ2 (Zutphen:ȱW.ȱJ.ȱThieme,ȱ1923),ȱ138;ȱMatthiasȱdeȱVriesȱandȱLammertȱA.ȱteȱWinkel,ȱHetȱWoordenboek derȱNederlandscheȱtaal,ȱvol.ȱ12.1ȱ(TheȱHague:ȱM.ȱNijhoff,ȱ1882–),ȱ339 Stoett,ȱSpreekwoorden,ȱ2:138,ȱ164;ȱWoordenboekȱ,ȱ12.1:2186ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ28).

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

469

aȱrealistic,ȱindicatorȱofȱfemaleȱcontrolȱwithinȱtheȱspinhouse.31ȱThisȱsceneȱrecallsȱthe depictionsȱofȱwomenȱaggressivelyȱbattlingȱtheirȱhelplessȱpantoffelheldȱhusbands.ȱAnd interestingly,ȱlikeȱtheȱtypicalȱweakȱpantoffelheld,ȱtheȱindoorȱfatherȱinȱthisȱpaintingȱplays aȱsimilarlyȱinsignificantȱrole.ȱIsolatedȱfromȱtheȱfemaleȱprisoners,ȱheȱisȱsituatedȱinȱa separateȱroomȱtoȱtheȱfarȱrightȱofȱtheȱpaintingȱasȱheȱpassivelyȱconsultsȱaȱprisonȱledger thatȱpresumablyȱlistsȱtheȱinmatesȱofȱtheȱspinhouse.32ȱThus,ȱtheȱparallelingȱofȱfemale powerȱandȱcontrolȱinȱtheȱbackgroundȱwithȱfemaleȱauthorityȱinȱtheȱforegroundȱisȱa significantȱsubversionȱofȱtraditionalȱpatriarchy.ȱMoreȱparticularly,ȱitȱassertsȱtoȱthe viewerȱtheȱfactȱthatȱmenȱdoȱnotȱcontrolȱtheȱwomenȱofȱtheȱspinhouse;ȱmenȱareȱseparate andȱappropriateȱbystandersȱthatȱdoȱnotȱcomeȱintoȱdirectȱcontactȱwithȱtheȱwomen. Thereȱ isȱ oneȱ finalȱ unusualȱ detailȱ inȱ thisȱ paintingȱ andȱ thatȱ isȱ theȱ noteworthy inclusionȱofȱaȱfootȬwarmingȱstoveȱunderȱCatharinaȱBrouwers’sȱfeet.ȱThisȱisȱanȱobject notȱ onlyȱ absentȱ inȱ portraitsȱ ofȱ regentsȱ butȱ alsoȱ ofȱ regentesses.ȱ Itȱ is,ȱ however,ȱ a frequentȱmotifȱinȱDutchȱdomesticȱimagery.ȱTheȱfootȬwarmingȱstoveȱwasȱrepresented asȱaȱconstantȱcompanionȱtoȱwomenȱbusyȱwithȱtheȱproducingȱofȱtextilesȱinȱtheȱhome. Throughȱ theseȱ associations,ȱ vanȱ derȱ Helstȱ evocativelyȱ linksȱ theȱ nobilityȱ and honorabilityȱofȱallȱwomen’sȱworkȱwithinȱthisȱportrait.ȱTheȱworkȱofȱtheȱinmatesȱis recognizedȱasȱimportantȱlikeȱtheȱworkȱofȱtheȱmotherȱinȱtheȱDutchȱhome.ȱTheȱrevered regentesses,ȱtheȱindoorȱmother,ȱtheȱprisonersȱ(atȱleastȱtheȱobedientȱones),ȱandȱthe femaleȱviewersȱareȱallȱlinkedȱinȱpurposeȱviaȱtheseȱimportantȱandȱhonoredȱskillsȱof laceȬmaking,ȱweaving,ȱandȱsewing.ȱ Theȱ teachingȱ ofȱ theseȱ skillsȱ withinȱ theȱ prisonȱ byȱ theȱ indoorȱ motherȱ was metaphoricallyȱassociatedȱwithȱtheȱteachingȱofȱtheȱsameȱskillsȱbyȱtheȱmotherȱinȱthe home,ȱwhoȱalsoȱtaughtȱherȱchargesȱinȱaȱdisciplinedȱmanner.ȱThisȱsocietalȱimport givenȱtoȱmothersȱinȱDutchȱcultureȱisȱexemplifiedȱbyȱJacobȱCats’sȱtextȱHouwelickȱthat wasȱoneȱofȱtheȱmostȱpopularȱDutchȱtextsȱthroughoutȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱseventeenth century.ȱThisȱtextȱwasȱdedicatedȱtoȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱvariousȱstagesȱofȱaȱwoman’s life.ȱInȱoneȱofȱtheȱillustrationsȱtoȱCats’sȱtext,ȱtheȱexampleȱofȱtheȱinfluentialȱmotherȱis clearlyȱemulatedȱbyȱherȱdaughtersȱ(Fig.ȱ8).ȱOneȱdaughterȱdoesȱlaceworkȱwhileȱthe otherȱ spanksȱ herȱ “disobedient”ȱ doll.ȱ Itȱ isȱ significantȱ thatȱ theseȱ areȱ alsoȱ theȱ very activitiesȱemphasizedȱinȱtheȱspinhouseȱandȱcontrolledȱbyȱtheȱregentessesȱandȱthe indoorȱmothers.ȱThus,ȱthisȱrevealingȱportraitȱmeaningfullyȱintegratesȱaȱvarietyȱof visualȱsignifiersȱinȱanȱattemptȱtoȱcreateȱanȱoriginalȱandȱcompellingȱdeclarationȱofȱthe importȱofȱfemaleȱrolesȱforȱtheȱsocietyȱatȱlarge.ȱ

31

32

Theȱpresumedȱpreparatoryȱdrawingȱforȱthisȱbackgroundȱsceneȱinȱtheȱpaintingȱalsoȱdisplaysȱan indoorȱmotherȱdiscipliningȱwithȱherȱpantoffel.ȱTheȱdrawingȱisȱattributedȱandȱdiscussedȱinȱthe onlineȱcatalogȱofȱtheȱAmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseumȱat: ahm.adlibsoft.com/ahmonline/advanced/detail.aspx#ȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱDec.ȱ10,ȱ2010).ȱTheȱdrawing isȱinȱtheȱRijksprentenkabinetȱ(inv.ȱNr.ȱAȱ2789).ȱ Theȱinscriptionȱonȱtheȱbookȱreads,ȱ“AlphabetȱAnnoȱ1650,”ȱandȱthusȱitȱisȱpresumedȱtoȱbeȱaȱlisting ofȱincomingȱprisoners,ȱasȱdiscussedȱinȱMiddelkoop,ȱOudeȱMeesters,ȱ105ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

470

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Manyȱ scholarsȱ haveȱ discussedȱ Dutchȱ domesticȱ imageryȱ asȱ anȱ indicationȱ of patriarchalȱattitudes,ȱratherȱthanȱofȱfemaleȱpower.ȱTheyȱuseȱtheȱpopularityȱofȱCats’s moralizingȱtextȱadvocatingȱdomesticȱrolesȱforȱwomenȱasȱanȱindicatorȱthatȱmenȱmostly triedȱtoȱconfineȱwomenȱtoȱlowȱstatusȱtasksȱinȱtheȱhome.33ȱHowever,ȱtheȱdevotionȱof anȱentireȱtextȱtoȱtheȱdiscussionȱofȱordinaryȱwomen’sȱlivesȱmoreȱimportantlyȱreveals attitudesȱregardingȱtheȱsignificanceȱofȱwomenȱandȱtheirȱactivitiesȱforȱtheȱcultureȱat large.ȱAndȱwhileȱearlierȱseventeenthȬcenturyȱimagesȱandȱtextsȱmayȱhaveȱtakenȱonȱa moreȱmoralizingȱtone,ȱsuchȱexamplesȱsoonȱgaveȱwayȱtoȱmoreȱrealisticȱandȱennobling perspectivesȱ afterȱ midȬcentury.ȱ Itȱ wasȱ atȱ thisȱ pointȱ inȱ timeȱ thatȱ aȱ profusionȱ of domesticȱimagesȱwereȱcreatedȱstartingȱwithȱanȱinfluentialȱseriesȱofȱprintsȱonȱwomen’s workȱbyȱtheȱfemaleȱartistȱGeertruydtȱRoghmanȱdoneȱaboutȱ1650.34ȱHerȱdepictionȱof twoȱ womenȱ sewing,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ directlyȱ focusesȱ theȱ viewer’sȱ attentionȱ onȱ the concentratedȱgazeȱofȱtheȱwomanȱonȱtheȱleftȱspecificallyȱ(Fig.ȱ9).ȱOnlyȱtheȱnecessary detailsȱofȱtheȱwomen’sȱworkȱhaveȱbeenȱincluded:ȱcloth,ȱneedleȱandȱthread,ȱspool, scissors,ȱaȱlamp,ȱandȱaȱfootwarmingȱstoveȱwithȱaȱpokerȱforȱstirringȱtheȱcoals.ȱThe woman’sȱ avertedȱ gazeȱ suggestsȱ aȱ preoccupationȱ withȱ herȱ ownȱ thoughtsȱ and activities,ȱandȱcreatesȱaȱsenseȱofȱdiscreetnessȱinȱwhichȱtheȱfigureȱdoesȱnotȱdisplay herselfȱforȱtheȱmoralȱedificationȱorȱvoyeuristicȱgazeȱofȱtheȱviewer.ȱInstead,ȱtheȱviewing positionȱallowsȱtheseȱwomenȱtoȱgoȱaboutȱtheirȱconsequentialȱdailyȱtasksȱwithout becomingȱpatriarchalȱsymbols,ȱobjects,ȱorȱallegories.ȱMoreover,ȱtheȱdepictionsȱgive visibilityȱto,ȱandȱtherebyȱimportanceȱto,ȱtheȱdomesticȱworkȱperformed.ȱForȱthose womenȱfamiliarȱwithȱtheȱparticularȱtask,ȱitȱalsoȱlentȱsignificanceȱtoȱthatȱviewer’sȱwork.ȱ Thisȱ fascinationȱ with,ȱ andȱ respectȱ for,ȱ theȱ workȱ ofȱ womenȱ inȱ Dutchȱ societyȱ is indicatedȱbyȱtheȱlargeȱnumberȱofȱdomesticȱpaintingsȱproducedȱafterȱmidȱcentury. Someȱartistsȱdedicatedȱalmostȱtheirȱentireȱoeuvreȱtoȱtheseȱthemes.ȱInȱparticular,ȱthe highlyȱ skilledȱ andȱ extremelyȱ intricateȱ workȱ ofȱ laceȬmakingȱ becameȱ aȱ subjectȱ of fascinationȱforȱartists,ȱasȱinȱJohannesȱVermeer’sȱpaintingȱofȱaboutȱ1670ȱ(Fig.ȱ10).ȱLike Roghman,ȱVermeerȱfocusesȱourȱattentionȱonȱthisȱmesmerizingȱskillȱbyȱdirectingȱthe woman’sȱgaze,ȱandȱthusȱtheȱviewer’sȱgaze,ȱtoȱtheȱelaborateȱdisplayȱofȱthreadsȱand bobbins.ȱTheȱfigureȱisȱbroughtȱcloseȱsoȱthatȱherȱworkȱtakesȱplaceȱdirectlyȱinȱfrontȱof theȱviewerȱwhoȱinhabitsȱtheȱwoman’sȱsameȱspaceȱandȱwhoȱalmostȱparticipatesȱinȱthe

33

34

ForȱaȱdiscussionȱofȱtheȱhistoriographyȱofȱthisȱdebateȱseeȱMarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock,ȱ“Domesticityȱin theȱ Publicȱ Sphere,”ȱ Saints,ȱ Sinners,ȱ andȱ Sisters.ȱ Genderȱ andȱ Northernȱ Artȱ inȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Early Modernȱ Europe,ȱ ed.ȱ Janeȱ Carrollȱ andȱ Alisonȱ Stewartȱ (Burlington,ȱ VT,ȱ andȱ Aldershot,ȱ Hants, England:ȱAshgate,ȱ2003),ȱ44–68;ȱPeacock,ȱ“DutchȱWomenȱinȱtheȱCity,”ȱ667–71ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8).ȱThe mostȱ concentratedȱ studyȱ onȱ theȱ patriarchalȱ aspectsȱ ofȱ domesticȱ imageryȱ isȱ Wayneȱ Franits, ParagonsȱofȱVirtue:ȱWomenȱandȱDomesticityȱinȱSeventeenthȬCenturyȱDutchȱArtȱ(CambridgeȱandȱNew York:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1993).ȱ ForȱaȱmoreȱcompleteȱstudyȱofȱRoghman’sȱprintȱcycleȱseeȱMarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock,ȱ“Geertruydt RoghmanȱandȱtheȱFemaleȱPerspectiveȱinȱSeventeenthȬCenturyȱDutchȱGenreȱImagery,”ȱWoman’s ArtȱJournalȱ14.2ȱ(1993–1994):ȱ3–10;ȱPeacock,ȱ“Domesticity”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ33).ȱ

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

471

intriguingȱtask.ȱAgain,ȱthereȱisȱanȱabsenceȱofȱmoralizingȱandȱsymbolicȱdevices.ȱThe paintedȱ illusionȱ createsȱ theȱ effectȱ ofȱ observingȱ anȱ actualȱ womanȱ atȱ workȱ andȱ of recreatingȱtheȱexperienceȱofȱamazedȱadmirationȱstillȱfeltȱbyȱcontemporaryȱtourists gatheredȱaroundȱNetherlandishȱlaceȬmakersȱtoday.ȱ Theȱimportanceȱofȱteachingȱthisȱvaluableȱskillȱtoȱyoungȱwomenȱisȱtheȱsubjectȱofȱa paintingȱbyȱQuirijnȱvanȱBreklenkamȱdatedȱ1654ȱ(Fig.ȱ11).ȱAȱwomanȱisȱseatedȱinȱthe middleȱofȱtheȱcompositionȱhelpingȱthreeȱyoungȱpupilsȱtoȱlearnȱtheȱhighlyȱadmiredȱart ofȱlaceȬmaking.ȱItȱclearlyȱrepresentsȱaȱworkshopȱforȱtheȱtrainingȱofȱyoungȱlaceȬmakers dueȱtoȱtheȱnumerousȱbolsterȱcushionsȱatopȱtheȱshelfȱonȱtheȱbackȱwall.ȱConsequently, thereȱ areȱ clearȱ connectionsȱ betweenȱ thisȱ motherȱ andȱ theȱ indoorȱ motherȱ ofȱ the spinhouseȱwhoȱalsoȱinstructsȱherȱyoungȱcharges.ȱMoreover,ȱtheȱpantoffelȱisolatedȱin theȱ centralȱ foregroundȱ mayȱ indicateȱ moreȱ thanȱ theȱ naturalisticȱ removalȱ ofȱ the woman’sȱshoesȱinȱorderȱtoȱwarmȱherȱfeetȱonȱtheȱwoodenȱstove.ȱOnceȱagain,ȱitȱmay haveȱbeenȱaȱreferenceȱtoȱfemaleȱcontrol,ȱalbeitȱinȱaȱlessȱviolentȱfashion.ȱByȱassociation, then,ȱitȱcanȱbeȱassumedȱthatȱmanyȱwomenȱinvolvedȱwithȱtheȱmanagementȱand disciplineȱofȱtheȱspinhouseȱhadȱgoalsȱsimilarȱtoȱordinaryȱwomen—theȱtrainingȱof youngȱwomenȱtoȱplayȱusefulȱrolesȱinȱsocietyȱthroughȱtheȱrespectableȱfemaleȱwork ofȱtextileȱproduction.ȱ Otherȱempoweringȱdiscoursesȱinȱassociationȱwithȱwomen’sȱtextileȱproduction hadȱaȱlongȱhistoryȱinȱNetherlandishȱvisualȱtradition.ȱSpecifically,ȱtoolsȱlikeȱthe distaffȱusedȱforȱspinningȱcarriedȱcustomaryȱconnotationsȱofȱintimidatingȱfemale powerȱandȱsubversionȱfromȱaȱveryȱearlyȱperiod.ȱAlreadyȱinȱtheȱthirteenthȱand fourteenthȱcenturiesȱwomenȱareȱrepresentedȱinȱtheȱmarginsȱofȱmanuscriptsȱusing distaffsȱasȱweaponsȱinȱaȱ“BattleȱofȱtheȱSexes.”ȱInȱdepictionsȱofȱwildȱfolk,ȱcouples areȱoftenȱshownȱjoustingȱwithȱtheirȱcharacteristicȱandȱgenderedȱtools—theȱmale withȱ aȱ rakeȱ andȱ theȱ femaleȱ withȱ herȱ distaff.ȱ Fearȱ ofȱ theȱ subversiveȱ powerȱ of womenȱinȱconnectionȱwithȱthisȱfemaleȱtoolȱwasȱfurtherȱemphasizedȱbyȱimagesȱof distaffȬcarryingȱwitches.35ȱInȱoneȱofȱErasmus’sȱColloquiaȱtheȱconnectionȱbetween femaleȱinsubordinationȱandȱtheȱdistaffȱisȱmadeȱclear.ȱTwoȱfriends,ȱEulaliaȱand Xantippe,ȱ haveȱ aȱ conversationȱ regardingȱ theirȱ husbandsȱ inȱ whichȱ Xantippe describesȱhowȱherȱhusbandȱcomesȱhomeȱdrunkȱandȱbeatsȱher.ȱEulaliaȱexclaims,ȱ“A newȱsortȱofȱshield:ȱYouȱshouldȱhaveȱusedȱyourȱdistaffȱforȱaȱlance.”36ȱEvenȱinȱthe laterȱseventeenthȱcenturyȱwhenȱtheȱtoolȱwasȱbecomingȱsomewhatȱoldȱfashioned, theȱ distaffȱ wasȱ stillȱ usedȱ asȱ aȱ metaphorȱ forȱ womenȱ generallyȱ andȱ alsoȱ more specificallyȱforȱoverbearingȱfemales.ȱItȱisȱusedȱasȱsuchȱinȱanȱexpressionȱfoundȱin

35

36

Theȱ useȱ ofȱ theȱ distaffȱ inȱ suchȱ imagesȱ isȱ discussedȱ andȱ illustrated,ȱ forȱ example,ȱ inȱ Timothy Husband,ȱTheȱWildȱMan:ȱMedievalȱMythȱandȱSymbolismȱ(NewȱYork:ȱMetropolitanȱMuseumȱofȱArt, 1980),ȱ139–40.ȱ TheȱColloquiesȱofȱErasmus,ȱtrans.ȱCraigȱR.ȱThompsonȱ(Chicago:ȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress, 1965),ȱ117.

472

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

JacobȱCats’ȱRegelsȱvoorȱdeȱHuysȬhoudingeȱinȱSpreucken,ȱSpreeckȬworden,ȱenȱGedichten (RulesȱforȱHouseholdsȱinȱSayings,ȱProverbs,ȱandȱPoems): AlwaerȱdeȱspinȬrockȱdwinghtȱhetȱsweert, Daerȱstaetȱhetȱqualickȱmetȱdenȱweert. [Whereverȱtheȱdistaffȱdominatesȱtheȱsword, Thereȱthingsȱareȱgoingȱbadlyȱforȱtheȱheadȱofȱtheȱhousehold.]37

Distaffsȱwereȱalsoȱfrequentlyȱwieldedȱinȱdepictionsȱofȱtheȱproverbialȱ“Battleȱforȱthe Trousers.”ȱThisȱthemeȱmoreȱthanȱanyȱother,ȱbecameȱaȱwellȬknownȱmetaphorȱfor powerful,ȱoverbearingȱwomen.ȱInȱsuchȱscenes,ȱaȱwifeȱstrugglesȱtoȱwinȱtheȱpants, andȱthereforeȱtheȱpower,ȱfromȱherȱhusband.ȱTheȱexpressionȱ“Deȱbroekȱaanhebben” (“toȱhaveȱtheȱtrousersȱon”)ȱorȱ“Deȱbroekȱdragen”ȱ(“toȱwearȱtheȱpants”)ȱreferredȱto aȱ person’sȱ beingȱ masterȱ inȱ theȱ house.38ȱ Inȱ relationȱ toȱ thisȱ theme,ȱ Israelȱ van Meckenamȱputȱdistaffȱweaponryȱinȱtheȱhandsȱofȱaȱfearsomeȱwifeȱwhoȱbeatsȱher husbandȱtoȱtheȱgroundȱinȱaȱprintȱofȱca.ȱ1500ȱ(Fig.ȱ12).ȱInȱaddition,ȱsheȱholdsȱthe wristȱofȱherȱstrugglingȱcaptiveȱandȱevenȱstandsȱonȱhisȱfootȱtoȱmakeȱcertainȱthatȱhe doesȱ notȱ escapeȱ herȱ violentȱ blows.ȱ Inȱ frontȱ ofȱ theȱ kneelingȱ manȱ liesȱ aȱ formȱ of trousers—theȱ objectȱ ofȱ dispute.ȱ Theȱ presenceȱ ofȱ aȱ terribleȱ demonȱ revealsȱ the fearsomeȱnatureȱofȱwomenȱwhoȱusurpȱtraditionalȱpatriarchalȱpower.ȱ AtȱotherȱtimesȱtheȱBattleȱforȱtheȱTrousersȱtookȱplaceȱamongȱsevenȱwomenȱall battlingȱforȱtheȱprizedȱarticleȱofȱclothing.ȱThisȱmetaphoricalȱbattleȱthusȱsignified aȱ desireȱ toȱ winȱ theȱ manȱ andȱ toȱ thenȱ dominateȱ him.39ȱ Suchȱ aȱ combinationȱ of metaphorsȱisȱfoundȱinȱanȱillustrationȱtoȱAdriaenȱvanȱdeȱVenne’sȱTafereelȱvanȱde BelacchendeȱWereltȱ(PaintingȱofȱtheȱRidiculousȱWorld,ȱ1635).ȱTheȱcharactersȱinȱthe textȱareȱkermisȱguestsȱandȱthroughȱtheirȱconversation,ȱvanȱdeȱVenneȱmoralizes aboutȱtheȱfoolishȱbehaviorȱofȱtheȱworld.ȱOneȱofȱtheȱillustrationsȱdepictsȱaȱcomical battleȱwhereȱwomenȱuseȱbothȱtheȱdistaffȱandȱtheȱpantoffelȱasȱweaponsȱtoȱacquire theȱ trousersȱ (Fig.ȱ 13).ȱ Theȱ manȱ toȱ whomȱ theȱ trousersȱ belongȱ standsȱ inȱ the foregroundȱshowingȱgreatȱdismayȱoverȱtheirȱconduct.ȱInȱtheȱtext,ȱvanȱdeȱVenne includesȱseveralȱrelevantȱproverbsȱandȱexpressionsȱincludingȱ“LaetȱMannenȱbyȱde BroeckȱenȱWyveȱbyȱdeȱDoek”ȱ(“Letȱhusbandsȱwearȱtheȱpants,ȱandȱwivesȱwearȱthe apron”).40ȱ

37

38 39

40

Cats,ȱ Alleȱ deȱ Wercken.ȱ Spiegelȱ vanȱ denȱ Oudenȱ enȱ Nieuwenȱ Tijdt:ȱ Regelsȱ voorȱ deȱ HuysȬhoudingeȱ in Spreucken,ȱSpreeckȬwoorden,ȱenȱGedichten.ȱRakendeȱdeȱonderlingeȱplichtenȱtusschenȱmanȱenȱwijf,ȱ119ȱ(see noteȱ13).ȱ Stoett,ȱSpreekwoorden,ȱ1:140–41ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17). Forȱaȱmoreȱcompleteȱdiscussionȱofȱtheseȱtwoȱtypesȱofȱbattles,ȱseeȱPeacock,ȱ“ProverbialȱReframing” (seeȱnoteȱ5). AdriaenȱvanȱdeȱVenne,ȱTafereelȱvanȱdeȱBelacchendeȱWereltȱ(TheȱHague:ȱpublishedȱbyȱtheȱauthor, 1635),ȱ240.ȱ

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

473

Significationsȱofȱfemaleȱpowerȱviaȱtheȱdistaffȱareȱextendedȱtoȱtheȱspinningȱroom itselfȱinȱotherȱimagesȱofȱdominatingȱfemales.ȱThisȱwasȱaȱspaceȱruledȱbyȱwomen, andȱwhenȱmenȱwereȱpresentȱtheyȱusuallyȱsufferedȱtheȱbruntȱofȱfemaleȱtyranny.ȱA paintingȱbyȱPieterȱdeȱBlootȱemphasizesȱtheȱfemaleȱdominanceȱwithinȱtheȱspinning roomȱ(Fig.ȱ14).ȱOneȱpowerfulȱwomanȱisȱdepictedȱleadingȱanȱarmyȱofȱwomenȱasȱshe triumphantlyȱwavesȱaȱbannerȱbearingȱtheȱimageȱofȱaȱhand.ȱThisȱmotifȱindicates thatȱitȱisȱnowȱtheȱwomenȱwhoȱhaveȱtheȱpowerȱinȱdirectȱcontradictionȱtoȱtheȱnatural orderȱexpressedȱinȱtheȱsaying,ȱ“Manshandȱboven”ȱ(“Man’sȱhandȱabove”).41ȱAtȱthe right,ȱanotherȱfierceȱmobȱofȱwomenȱchaseȱaȱterrifiedȱmanȱwithȱaȱstick.ȱCentralȱto theȱsceneȱisȱaȱmanȱonȱbendedȱknee,ȱrespectfullyȱremovingȱhisȱhatȱandȱgivingȱthe womanȱ standingȱ overȱ himȱ theȱ “kissȱ ofȱ theȱ thumb.”ȱ Thisȱ wasȱ aȱ familiar metaphoricalȱgestureȱsignifyingȱaȱman’sȱsubmissionȱtoȱtheȱpowerȱofȱhisȱwife.42 Furtherȱindicationsȱofȱtheȱdominanceȱofȱwomenȱareȱpresentȱinȱtheȱforcingȱofȱmen toȱdoȱtraditionalȱfemaleȱchoresȱlikeȱspinning,ȱindicatedȱbyȱtheȱmanȱwithȱaȱwinder evadingȱtheȱblowsȱofȱhisȱconqueror’sȱstickȱtoȱtheȱleft,ȱorȱsweeping,ȱindicatedȱbyȱthe broomȱnearȱtheȱkneelingȱmanȱinȱtheȱforeground.ȱ Threeȱwomenȱatȱtheȱleftȱjoin forcesȱtoȱremoveȱtheȱman’sȱtrousersȱandȱpaddleȱhimȱasȱheȱfallsȱtoȱhisȱhandsȱand knees.ȱTheȱtongsȱwhichȱtheȱwomenȱuseȱforȱpunishingȱareȱaȱfamiliarȱreferenceȱto theirȱshrewishȱnaturesȱasȱtheȱDutchȱwordȱ“tang”ȱwasȱaȱnicknameȱforȱaȱshrewish woman.43ȱClearly,ȱtheȱspinningȱroomȱwasȱdesignatedȱasȱaȱplaceȱofȱfemaleȱpower whereȱmenȱhadȱtoȱobedientlyȱsubmitȱtoȱtheȱcontrolȱofȱwomen.ȱItȱisȱnotȱdifficultȱto understand,ȱthen,ȱwhyȱimagesȱofȱwomenȱinȱassociationȱwithȱtheȱspinhouseȱwere representedȱinȱsuchȱsurprisinglyȱdominatingȱways.ȱRepresentationsȱofȱregentesses andȱindoorȱmothersȱmustȱhaveȱsimilarlyȱsignifiedȱfemaleȱpowerȱandȱcontrol. Oneȱfinalȱassociationȱgivenȱtoȱtheȱdistaffȱwasȱasȱaȱsignifierȱofȱfemaleȱeconomic power.ȱ Whileȱ manyȱ modernȱ feministȱ historiansȱ ofȱ theȱ prisonȱ decryȱ the employmentȱofȱfemaleȱinmatesȱinȱtextileȱworkȱbecauseȱtheyȱconsiderȱitȱaȱlowlyȱand traditionalȱfeminineȱtask,ȱthisȱignoresȱtheȱvalueȱofȱsuchȱworkȱinȱaȱpreindustrial society.44ȱ Women’sȱ work,ȱ suchȱ asȱ producingȱ textiles,ȱ wasȱ notȱ anȱ insignificant contributionȱinȱDutchȱsociety.ȱThisȱwasȱtrueȱofȱwomenȱwhoȱworkedȱinȱpublicȱmills likeȱ theȱ Leidenȱ Lakenhalȱ orȱ whoȱ workedȱ inȱ theȱ homeȱ contributingȱ toȱ theȱ family economy.ȱIncreasinglyȱduringȱtheȱseventeenthȱcenturyȱwomenȱbeganȱtoȱparticipate veryȱactivelyȱasȱguildȱmembersȱinȱtheȱpublicȱtextileȱindustry.ȱWithȱsuchȱevidence,ȱit hasȱbeenȱarguedȱthatȱwomen’sȱlaborȱcontributedȱsignificantlyȱtoȱtheȱeconomicȱsuccess

41

42

43 44

Alfonsȱ deȱ Cock,ȱ Spreekwoordenȱ enȱ zegswijzenȱ overȱ deȱ vrouwen,ȱ deȱ liefde,ȱ enȱ hetȱ huwelijkȱ (Ghent: BoekdrukkersȬȱenȱUitgevershuisȱAd.ȱHoste,ȱ1911),ȱ60. WalterȱGibson,ȱ“SomeȱFlemishȱPopularȱPrintsȱfromȱHieronymusȱCockȱandȱHisȱContemporaries,” ArtȱBulletinȱ60.4ȱ(December,ȱ1978):ȱ673–81. Stoett,ȱSpreekwoorden,ȱ2:345–46ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ17).ȱ Cain,ȱ “Womenȱ Confined”ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 3);ȱ Maryȱ Bosworth,ȱ “Confiningȱ Femininity:ȱ Aȱ Historyȱ of Gender,ȱPowerȱandȱImprisonment,”ȱTheoreticalȱCriminologyȱ4.3ȱ(2000):ȱ265–84.

474

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

ofȱ theȱ Dutchȱ Goldenȱ Age.45ȱ Aȱ realizationȱ ofȱ femaleȱ economicȱ significanceȱ inȱ this regardȱisȱwitnessedȱinȱanȱanonymousȱNetherlandishȱallegoricalȱpaintingȱfromȱtheȱfirst halfȱofȱtheȱseventeenthȱcenturyȱentitledȱTheȱStruggleȱforȱDailyȱBread,ȱ(Fig.ȱ15)ȱwhere womenȱwithȱdistaffsȱcompeteȱwithȱmenȱwieldingȱtheȱtoolsȱofȱblacksmiths,ȱfishermen, soldiers,ȱcobblers,ȱtailors,ȱbakers,ȱetc.ȱforȱtheirȱportionȱofȱeconomicȱprosperityȱfromȱthe largeȱsack.ȱConsequently,ȱwomen’sȱtextileȱworkȱwasȱonceȱagainȱassociatedȱwithȱthe nobleȱlaborȱthatȱsoȱcharacterizedȱtheȱcultureȱofȱtheȱDutchȱRepublic.ȱAndȱitȱwasȱalso associatedȱwithȱtheȱpublicȱpowerȱandȱinfluenceȱofȱwomenȱinȱthisȱsociety.ȱThus,ȱtextile productionȱatȱtheȱspinhouseȱmustȱbeȱunderstoodȱtoȱhaveȱhadȱhonorable,ȱpowerful, andȱvaluableȱconnotationsȱinȱtheȱDutchȱculturalȱcontext.ȱ Clearly,ȱthereȱwereȱmanyȱsignificationsȱofȱhonorableȱfemaleȱpowerȱtoȱbeȱfoundȱin theȱimageryȱbothȱinȱfrontȱofȱandȱwithinȱtheȱAmsterdamȱspinhouse.ȱTheseȱreferences toȱfemaleȱcontrol,ȱandȱthereforeȱpropriety,ȱmustȱhaveȱsignificantlyȱinhibitedȱmale appropriationȱofȱwomenȱwithinȱtheȱinstitution.ȱItȱisȱwhyȱtheȱspinhouseȱwasȱsuchȱa uniqueȱinstitutionȱforȱitsȱtimeȱandȱwhyȱitȱwasȱnotȱimitatedȱforȱmanyȱyearsȱtoȱcome. Theȱfoundingȱofȱsuchȱanȱinstitutionȱnecessitatedȱaȱculturalȱcircumstanceȱinȱwhich women,ȱtheirȱskills,ȱandȱtheirȱpower,ȱwereȱgivenȱvoiceȱinȱtheȱconstructionȱofȱsocial institutions.ȱAsȱaȱconsequence,ȱwhenȱwomenȱprisonersȱwalkedȱthroughȱtheȱportalȱof theȱspinhouseȱtheyȱrealizedȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱnowȱunderȱfemaleȱcontrol.ȱAndȱwhileȱthat disciplineȱ wasȱ strict,ȱ itȱ wasȱ certainlyȱ moreȱ charitableȱ forȱ theȱ longȬtermȱ benefitȱ of womenȱprisonersȱthanȱtheȱpatriarchalȱbrothel/prisonsȱfoundȱinȱotherȱareasȱofȱearly modernȱEurope.ȱ

45

Iȱ discussedȱ theȱ economicȱ significanceȱ ofȱ womenȱ andȱ textileȱ productionȱ inȱ Peacock,ȱ “Dutch WomenȱinȱtheȱCity”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ8).ȱRecentȱscholarsȱwhoȱhaveȱresearchedȱDutchȱwomen’sȱeconomic contributionsȱ andȱ freedomsȱ include:ȱ Bibiȱ Saraȱ Panhuysen,ȱ Maatwerk:ȱ Kleermakers,ȱ Naaisters, Oudkleerkopersȱenȱdeȱgildenȱ(1500–1800)ȱ(Utrecht:ȱUniversityȱofȱUtrecht,ȱ2000);ȱAriadneȱSchmidt, “GildenȱenȱdeȱtoegangȱvanȱvrouwenȱtotȱdeȱarbeidsmarktȱinȱHollandȱinȱdeȱvroegmoderneȱtijd,” DeȱZeventiendeȱEeuwȱ23.2ȱ(2007):ȱ160–78;ȱLeoȱNoordegraffȱandȱJanȱLuitenȱvanȱZanden.ȱ“Early ModernȱEconomicȱGrowthȱandȱtheȱStandardȱofȱliving:ȱDidȱLaborȱBenefitȱfromȱHollandȇsȱGolden Age?,”ȱAȱMiracleȱMirrored:ȱTheȱDutchȱRepublicȱinȱEuropeanȱPerspective,ȱed.ȱKarelȱDavidsȱandȱJan Lucassenȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1995),ȱ426;ȱEliseȱvanȱNederveenȱMeerkerk, “SegmentationȱinȱtheȱPreȬIndustrialȱLaborȱMarket:ȱWomenȇsȱWorkȱinȱtheȱDutchȱTextileȱIndustry, 1581–1810,”ȱInternationalȱReviewȱofȱSocialȱHistoryȱ51.2ȱ(2006):ȱ189–216.

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

475

Fig.ȱ1:ȱQuiringhȱvanȱBrekelenkam,ȱInteriorȱwithȱThreeȱWomenȱandȱaȱLittleȱGirl,ȱ1663, Kunsthaus,ȱZürich

476

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ2:ȱHendrickȱdeȱKeyser,ȱSpinhuisȱPortalȱSculpture,ȱ1607,ȱAmsterdam

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

Fig.ȱ3:ȱNicolaesȱEliaszȱPickenoy,ȱRegentsȱofȱtheȱSpinhuis,ȱ1628,ȱAmsterdam, AmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum

477

478

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ4:ȱDirckȱDirckszȱvanȱSantvoort,ȱRegentessesȱofȱtheȱSpinhuis,ȱ1638,ȱAmsterdam, AmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

479

Fig.ȱ5:ȱKarelȱDujardin,ȱRegentsȱofȱtheȱSpinhuis,ȱ1669,ȱAmsterdam,ȱRijksmuseum

480

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ6:ȱBartholomeusȱvanȱderȱHelst,ȱTwoȱRegentessesȱandȱTwoȱRegentsȱofȱtheȱSpinhuis, 1650,ȱAmsterdam,ȱAmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

Fig.ȱ7:ȱJacobȱGoleȱafterȱCornelisȱDusart,ȱTactus,ȱAtlasȱvanȱStolk,ȱRotterdam

481

482

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ8:ȱAfterȱAdriaenȱvanȱdeȱVenne,ȱMoeder,ȱFromȱHouwelick,ȱ KoninklijkeȱBibliotheek,ȱTheȱHague

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

Fig.ȱ9:ȱGeertruydtȱRoghman,ȱTwoȱWomenȱSewing,ȱRijksprentenkabinet, Rijksmuseum,ȱAmsterdam

483

484

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ10:ȱJohannesȱVermeer,ȱLaceȬmaker,ȱTheȱLouvre,ȱParis

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

Fig.ȱ11:ȱQuiringhȱvanȱBrekelenkam,ȱLaceȬmaker’sȱSchool,ȱ1654,ȱ PresentȱLocationȱUnknown

485

486

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ12:ȱIsraelȱvanȱMeckenam,ȱBattleȱforȱtheȱTrousers,ȱ BibliothequeȱRoyaleȱAlbertȱIer,ȱBrussels

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

487

Fig.ȱ13:ȱAfterȱAdriaenȱvanȱdeȱVenne,ȱBattleȱforȱtheȱTrousers,ȱFromȱTafereelȱvanȱde BelacchendeȱWerelt,ȱ1635,ȱAtlasȱvanȱStolk,ȱRotterdam

488

MarthaȱMoffittȱPeacock

Fig.ȱ14:ȱPieterȱdeȱBloot,ȱSpinningȱRoom,ȱPresentȱLocationȱUnknown

TheȱAmsterdamȱSpinhuisȱandȱtheȱ“Art”ȱofȱCorrection

Fig.ȱ15:ȱAnonymous,ȱTheȱStruggleȱforȱDailyȱBread,ȱAmsterdam,ȱ AmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum

489

Chapterȱ20 ThomasȱWillard (UniversityȱofȱArizona,ȱTucson)

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen:ȱSomeȱCozenersȱin Shakespeare’sȱEngland

InȱReligionȱandȱtheȱDeclineȱofȱMagic,ȱtheȱBritishȱhistorianȱKeithȱThomasȱdevotesȱa chapterȱtoȱghostsȱandȱfairies,ȱandȱtheȱlastȱpagesȱofȱthatȱchapterȱtoȱcasesȱinvolving “fraudsȱandȱtricksters,ȱreadyȱtoȱexploitȱtheȱcredulityȱofȱtheirȱcontemporaries.”1 Writingȱfromȱanȱanthropologicalȱperspective,ȱThomasȱfollowsȱtheȱgeneralȱformula thatȱSirȱJamesȱGeorgeȱFrazerȱenunciatedȱinȱtheȱlastȱchapterȱofȱTheȱGoldenȱBough: “FromȱMagicȱthroughȱReligionȱtoȱScience.”2ȱAtȱleastȱheȱseesȱaȱcontinuumȱbetween medievalȱ magicȱ andȱ reformedȱ religionȱ andȱ “interconnections”ȱ withȱ theȱ New Science.3ȱHowever,ȱheȱseesȱnoȱprogressȱtakingȱplace.ȱHumanȱnatureȱbeingȱwhat itȱis,ȱpeopleȱwillȱalwaysȱfallȱforȱsomething,ȱwhetherȱitȱbeȱfromȱmagicȱorȱreligionȱor science.ȱȱAndȱtheȱharderȱtheyȱfall,ȱtheȱmoreȱdramaticȱtheirȱstories,ȱtheȱbetterȱsuited theyȱ areȱ forȱ dramaticȱ presentation,ȱ whetherȱ tragicȱ or,ȱ moreȱ often,ȱ comic.ȱ In Shakespeare’sȱEngland,ȱnoȱoneȱseemedȱmoreȱawareȱofȱtheȱcomicȱpossibilitiesȱthan theȱlearnedȱplaywrightȱBenȱJonson,ȱtoȱwhomȱThomasȱmakesȱpassingȱreference.ȱ Thomasȱ summarizesȱ aȱ halfȬdozenȱ storiesȱ ofȱ peopleȱ whoȱ wereȱ vulnerableȱ to swindlesȱbecauseȱtheyȱbelievedȱinȱfairies.ȱSuchȱbeliefȱwasȱwidespread,ȱheȱnotes, andȱ itȱ hadȱ stillȱ widerȱ recognitionȱ inȱ theȱ wayȱ ofȱ ourȱ Toothȱ Fairyȱ today.ȱ Inȱ A Midsummerȱ Night’sȱ Dream,ȱ firstȱ producedȱ inȱ 1594,ȱ theȱ toughȬmindedȱ Theseus dismissesȱtheȱevening’sȱentertainmentȱandȱurgesȱhisȱguestsȱtoȱbed,ȱsaying:ȱ“tis almostȱFairyȱtime.”4ȱHeȱhasȱnoȱbeliefȱinȱfairies;ȱheȱdoesȱnotȱthinkȱthemȱresponsible

1 2

3 4

KeithȱThomas,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱDeclineȱofȱMagicȱ(London:ȱWeidenfeldȱ&ȱNicolson,ȱ1971),ȱ732–34.ȱ SirȱJamesȱGeorgeȱFrazer,ȱTheȱGoldenȱBough:ȱAȱStudyȱinȱMagicȱandȱReligionȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork: Macmillan,ȱ1922),ȱ711. Thomas,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱDeclineȱofȱMagic,ȱ755–66ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). WilliamȱShakespeare,ȱTheȱCompleteȱWorks:ȱOriginalȱSpellingȱEdition,ȱed.ȱStanleyȱWellsȱandȱGary

492

ThomasȱWillard

forȱtheȱloveȱmatchesȱthatȱwereȱconvenientlyȱmadeȱtheȱnightȱbefore,ȱandȱheȱhardly expectsȱaȱfairyȱnamedȱPuckȱtoȱappearȱonȱtheȱsceneȱafterȱhisȱguestsȱretireȱforȱthe night.ȱ Butȱ Shakespeareȱ himselfȱ isȱ notȱ aȱ believer,ȱ simplyȱ aȱ userȱ andȱ shaperȱ of popularȱmyth. Inȱ Shakespeare’sȱ England—byȱ whichȱ Iȱ meanȱ roughlyȱ theȱ Elizabethanȱ and Jacobeanȱerasȱcoveringȱtheȱlastȱtwoȱdecadesȱofȱtheȱsixteenthȱcenturyȱandȱtheȱfirst twoȱdecadesȱofȱtheȱseventeenth—theȱcrimeȱofȱpreyingȱonȱpeople’sȱsuperstitions andȱ gullibilityȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ cheatȱ themȱ outȱ ofȱ goodsȱ andȱ moneyȱ wasȱ knownȱ as cozenage.ȱTheȱverbȱ‘toȱcozen’ȱisȱfirstȱrecordedȱinȱ1573,ȱperhapsȱderivedȱfromȱthe Italianȱcozzonareȱ(‘toȱcheat’).ȱTheȱnounȱ‘cozenage’ȱisȱrecordedȱaȱdecadeȱlater,ȱinȱa tractȱonȱpracticesȱthatȱtheȱPuritanȱPhilipȱStubbesȱregardedȱasȱ“abuses.”5ȱHowever, theȱwordsȱwereȱneverȱfarȱremovedȱfromȱtheȱolderȱ‘cousin’ȱandȱ‘cousinage,’ȱthe implicationȱbeingȱthatȱcountryȱcousinsȱwereȱexactlyȱtheȱsortȱofȱpeopleȱonȱwhich streetȬwiseȱcozenersȱlikedȱtoȱprey.6ȱCozenageȱwasȱtechnicallyȱaȱtypeȱofȱfraud,ȱand deliberateȱfraudȱatȱthat,ȱbutȱtheȱperpetratorsȱoftenȱescapedȱwithȱrelativelyȱlight punishmentsȱcomparedȱtoȱthoseȱgivenȱtoȱpeopleȱfoundȱguiltyȱofȱsimpleȱtheft. Unlikeȱmanyȱotherȱcrimesȱofȱfraud,ȱwhereȱtheȱunsuspectingȱvictimȱdidȱnothing toȱdeserveȱtheȱloss,ȱcozenageȱofȱpeopleȱwhoȱbelievedȱinȱfairiesȱoftenȱshowsȱgreed allȱaround:ȱgreedȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱpeopleȱhopingȱtoȱearnȱtheȱfairies’ȱfavorȱasȱwellȱas thoseȱwhoȱpreyedȱonȱthem.ȱTheirȱtwentyȬfirstȱcenturyȱcounterpartsȱareȱtheȱpeople whoȱwantȱtoȱbelieveȱtheȱemailȱfromȱwidowsȱofȱNigerianȱgenerals,ȱnotȱtheȱones whoseȱidentityȱisȱstolenȱwhileȱtheyȱsleep.ȱWeȱtendȱtoȱsayȱthatȱsuchȱvictimsȱ“had itȱcoming.”ȱWeȱmayȱsecretlyȱadmireȱtheȱconȱartists.ȱ Forȱthisȱreason,ȱthereȱwasȱaȱsteadyȱdemandȱforȱbroadsidesȱandȱpamphletsȱabout notableȱcozenersȱandȱactsȱofȱcozenage.7ȱTheȱfamousȱ“connyȬcatching”ȱpamphlets ofȱRobertȱGreene,ȱtheȱ“universityȱwit”ȱandȱplaywright,ȱpurportedȱtoȱexposeȱacts ofȱ“Coosenageȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱthatȱhathȱbroughtȱmanyȱignorantȱmenȱintoȱconfusion.”ȱOneȱtitle pageȱ announcedȱ aȱ workȱ offeredȱ asȱ aȱ publicȱ service,ȱ “Writtenȱ forȱ theȱ general benefitȱofȱallȱGentlemen,ȱCitizens,ȱApprentices,ȱCountryȱFarmers,ȱandȱyeomen, thatȱmayȱhapȱtoȱfallȱintoȱtheȱcompanyȱofȱsuchȱcooseningȱcompanions”ȱ(seeȱFig.ȱ1).8

5

6

7

8

Taylorȱ(Oxford:ȱClarendonȱPress,ȱ1986),ȱ374;ȱMidsummerȱNight’sȱDream,ȱ5.1.353.ȱSeeȱalsoȱNicolas Tredell,ȱ Shakespeareȱ Ȭȱ Aȱ Midsummerȱ Night’sȱ Dream.ȱ Readers’ȱ Guidesȱ toȱ Essentialȱ Criticism (Houndmills,ȱBasingstoke,ȱHampshire,ȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱPalgraveȱMacmillan,ȱ2010). TheȱOxfordȱEnglishȱDictionary,ȱ2ndȱed.ȱ(OxfordȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1989), “cozen”ȱv.ȱandȱ“cozenage”ȱn.ȱ1.ȱShakespeareȱusedȱtheȱverbȱ“toȱcozen”ȱinȱTheȱMerryȱWivesȱof Windsor,ȱ5.5.195;ȱShakespeare,ȱCompleteȱWorks,ȱ571ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). See,ȱe.g.,ȱtheȱbroadsheetȱballadȱTheȱCountreyȱCozen,ȱOr:ȱTheȱCraftyȱCityȱDameȱ(London:ȱP.ȱBrooksby, 1685). See,ȱe.g.,ȱTheȱElizabethanȱUnderworld:ȱAȱCollectionȱofȱTudorȱandȱEarlyȱStuartȱTractsȱandȱBalladsȱTelling ofȱtheȱLivesȱandȱMisdoingsȱofȱVagabonds,ȱThieves,ȱRoguesȱandȱCozeners,ȱandȱGivingȱSomeȱAccountȱofȱthe OperationȱofȱtheȱCriminalȱLaw,ȱed.ȱA.ȱV.ȱJudgesȱ(London:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1930). R[obert]ȱGreene,ȱAȱNotableȱDiscoueryȱofȱCoosenageȱ(London:ȱThomasȱNelson,ȱ1592).ȱGreenȱreleased

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

493

Manyȱlaterȱpamphletsȱbyȱlesser,ȱoftenȱanonymousȱwritersȱtookȱtheȱsameȱtack.ȱOf course,ȱ theȱ pamphletsȱ wereȱ writtenȱ andȱ publishedȱ toȱ makeȱ money,ȱ andȱ thus involvedȱ aȱ certainȱ amountȱ ofȱ cozenageȱ themselves.ȱ Likeȱ theȱ swindlersȱ they exposed,ȱtheyȱdependedȱonȱnovelty:ȱnewȱterms,ȱnewȱtricks,ȱnewȱstories.ȱ Take,ȱforȱexample,ȱthisȱpamphletȱofȱ1595ȱ(Fig.2).ȱTheȱtitleȱisȱveryȱthorough,ȱinȱthe mannerȱofȱtheȱtime:ȱ Theȱbrideling,ȱsadlingȱandȱryding,ȱofȱaȱrichȱchurleȱinȱHampshire,ȱbyȱtheȱsubtillȱpractise ofȱ oneȱ Iudethȱ Philips,ȱ aȱ professedȱ cunningȱ woman,ȱ orȱ fortuneȱ tellerȱ VVithȱ aȱ true discourseȱofȱherȱvnwomanlyȱvsingȱofȱaȱtrypeȱwife,ȱaȱwidow,ȱlatelyȱdwellingȱonȱthe backȱsideȱofȱS.ȱNicholasȱshamblesȱinȱLondon,ȱwhomȱsheȱwithȱherȱconferates,ȱlikewise cosoned:ȱforȱwhichȱfact,ȱsheeȱwasȱatȱtheȱSessionsȱhouseȱwithoutȱNewȬgateȱarraigned, whereȱsheȱconfessedȱtheȱsame,ȱandȱhadȱiudgementȱforȱherȱoffence,ȱtoȱbeȱwhipped throughȱtheȱcitie,ȱtheȱ14.ȱofȱFebruary,ȱ1594.9

TheȱtitleȱestablishesȱthatȱJudithȱPhilipsȱconfessedȱtoȱhavingȱcozenedȱtheȱwidowȱof aȱtripeȱmerchantȱandȱwasȱsentencedȱtoȱbeȱwhippedȱthroughȱtheȱstreetsȱofȱLondon. Itȱmakesȱforȱaȱgoodȱstory,ȱbutȱitȱisȱnotȱtheȱmainȱstory.ȱȱThatȱstoryȱisȱaboutȱthe cozeningȱ ofȱ aȱ “richȱ Churleȱ inȱ Hampshire,”ȱ forȱ whichȱ sheȱ wasȱ neitherȱ triedȱ in Londonȱnorȱconvictedȱandȱpunished,ȱhavingȱbeenȱcommittedȱoutsideȱtheȱcourt’s jurisdiction.ȱWeȱmightȱsayȱtheȱtitleȱisȱmisleading,ȱbutȱthereȱisȱnoȱdoubtȱthatȱthe pamphlet’sȱauthorȱandȱpublisherȱknewȱtheirȱmarket.ȱ Inȱbothȱinstances,ȱJudithȱexploitedȱtheȱfolkȱbeliefȱthatȱsomeȱpeopleȱhaveȱaȱtalent forȱfindingȱlostȱgoodsȱandȱhiddenȱtreasures.ȱOnȱeachȱoccasion,ȱsheȱpretendedȱto seeȱtheȱmarksȱofȱgoodȱfortuneȱinȱtheȱfaceȱofȱherȱvictim.ȱSheȱthenȱfoundȱaȱsmallȱsum ofȱmoneyȱthatȱsheȱhadȱhiddenȱandȱsetȱcertainȱconditionsȱforȱfindingȱtheȱrestȱofȱthe treasure.ȱTheȱHampshireȱmanȱhadȱtoȱletȱherȱsaddleȱhimȱupȱandȱrideȱhimȱaround aȱtreeȱbehindȱhisȱhouse.ȱHeȱthenȱhadȱtoȱwait,ȱwithȱtheȱsaddleȱstillȱinȱplace,ȱwhile sheȱmetȱinsideȱwithȱtheȱQueenȱofȱtheȱFairies.ȱNeedlessȱtoȱsay,ȱsheȱdisappeared, takingȱhisȱbestȱcandlesticksȱandȱsilverware. OneȱhistorianȱhasȱlikenedȱtheȱimageȱofȱJudithȱPhilipsȱbridlingȱtheȱ“richȱChurle” toȱcontemporaryȱillustrationsȱofȱtheȱWhoreȱofȱBabylonȱastrideȱtheȱbeastȱwithȱseven horns.10ȱPamelaȱBrownȱnotesȱthatȱPhilipsȱcarriesȱaȱmoneyȱbagȱwhereȱtheȱgreat whoreȱcarriesȱaȱcupȱofȱbloodȱ(Fig.ȱ3).ȱSurely,ȱthough,ȱthereȱisȱaȱcloserȱresemblance toȱaȱfamousȱillustrationȱfromȱtheȱatelierȱofȱAlbrechtȱDürer,ȱshowingȱPhyllis,ȱthe mistressȱorȱqueenȱofȱAlexanderȱtheȱGreat,ȱridingȱhisȱtutorȱAristotleȱ(Fig.ȱ4).ȱInȱthe medievalȱexemplum,ȱPhyllisȱtookȱoffenseȱatȱtheȱmoralȱpreceptsȱofȱAristotleȱand

9 10

threeȱfurtherȱpamphletsȱonȱtheȱsubjectȱinȱtheȱsameȱyear,ȱAȱDisputationȱbetweeneȱaȱHeeȱConnyȬcatcher, andȱaȱSheeȱConnyȬcatcher,ȱTheȱSecondȱandȱlastȱpartȱofȱConnyȬCatching,ȱandȱTheȱBlackeȱBookesȱMessenger. TheȱBrideling,ȱSadling,ȱandȱRydingȱofȱaȱRichȱChurleȱ(London:ȱWilliamȱBarley,ȱ1595). PamelaȱAllenȱBrown,ȱBetterȱaȱShrewȱthanȱaȱSheep:ȱWomen,ȱDrama,ȱandȱtheȱCultureȱofȱJestȱinȱEarly ModernȱEnglandȱ(IthacaȱandȱLondon:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2003),ȱ165.ȱSeeȱRevelationȱ17:1–6.ȱ

494

ThomasȱWillard

wantedȱtoȱpunishȱhim.ȱSheȱthereforeȱseducedȱhimȱand,ȱwhenȱheȱbeggedȱforȱsexual favors,ȱtoldȱhimȱheȱwouldȱhaveȱtoȱcomeȱcrawlingȱlikeȱaȱhorseȱbeforeȱsheȱwould touchȱhim.11ȱ Myȱguessȱisȱthatȱtheȱpamphlet’sȱfirstȱreadersȱtookȱatȱleastȱasȱmuchȱpleasureȱin theȱdescriptionsȱofȱtheȱcrimeȱasȱinȱthoseȱofȱtheȱpunishment.ȱTheyȱknewȱwhatȱit meantȱ toȱ beȱ whippedȱ throughȱ theȱ streets—aȱ punishmentȱ usuallyȱ givenȱ to discourageȱvagrancyȱandȱbegging,ȱthoughȱsometimesȱleadingȱupȱtoȱtheȱhanging treeȱatȱTyburn—andȱtheyȱwereȱeagerȱtoȱlearnȱhowȱthisȱcunningȱwomanȱfooledȱher victims.ȱ Theyȱ mayȱ haveȱ beenȱ delightedȱ toȱ hearȱ thatȱ sheȱ toldȱ theȱ richȱ manȱ in Hampshire,ȱwhoȱwasȱaȱsuspectedȱRomanȱCatholic,ȱthatȱsheȱhadȱcomeȱdirectly fromȱtheȱPopeȱandȱwouldȱswearȱonȱtheȱBibleȱthatȱsheȱhad,ȱwhenȱinȱfactȱsheȱhad justȱ desertedȱ herȱ husbandȱ inȱ London,ȱ whoseȱ nameȱ wasȱ Mr.ȱ Pope.ȱ Whenȱ she returnedȱtoȱLondonȱandȱmarriedȱaȱgunsmithȱnamedȱJohnȱPhilips,ȱsheȱdidȱnotȱtell himȱaboutȱherȱextraȱincome.ȱSheȱworkedȱwithȱotherȱconfederates. Oneȱcoupleȱteamedȱupȱasȱconsortsȱofȱtheȱfairies.ȱJohnȱandȱAliceȱWestȱwantedȱto stealȱ moneyȱ fromȱ aȱ simpleȱ butȱ wealthyȱ manȱ inȱ theȱ Londonȱ suburbȱ of Hammersmith,ȱbutȱknewȱtheȱdanger: becauseȱtheyȱknewȱcommonȱcousanagesȱhadȱforȱtheȱmostȱpartȱcommonȱdiscovery,ȱand soȱconsequentlyȱaȱcommonȱandȱordinaryȱpunishmentȱdenouncedȱagainstȱoffendersȱin thatȱ kinde,ȱ theyȱ thereforeȱ deuisedȱ aȱ newȱ forme,ȱ inȱ whichȱ forȱ theȱ strangenessȱ and varietieȱtheyȱcouldȱhardlyȱbeȱtraced.12

Theyȱdevisedȱaȱplotȱtoȱconvinceȱtheirȱvictimȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱ“familiarlyȱacquainted withȱtheȱKingȱandȱQueenȱofȱFairies”ȱandȱthatȱtheȱfairiesȱwantedȱ“toȱbestewȱgreat summesȱofȱgold”ȱonȱtheȱmanȱandȱhisȱwife.ȱȱFairiesȱwereȱcommonlyȱconsideredȱto beȱ theȱ sameȱ sizeȱ asȱ humans;ȱ theȱ tinyȱ creaturesȱ ofȱ literatureȱ andȱ artȱ from Shakespeareȱ toȱ Popeȱ toȱ Disneyȱ hadȱ yetȱ toȱ enterȱ theȱ popularȱ imagination.ȱ The Westsȱcameȱtoȱpublicȱnoticeȱafterȱtheyȱfledȱwithȱ£4ȱthatȱtheȱmanȱhadȱentrustedȱto them—theȱequivalentȱofȱ£600ȱinȱtoday’sȱcurrency.ȱAtȱtheirȱtrialȱinȱNewgate,ȱitȱwas revealedȱthatȱtheyȱsworeȱtheirȱvictimȱtoȱsecrecy,ȱthenȱarrangedȱ“ritesȱofȱsacrifice” inȱ whichȱ heȱ wasȱ relievedȱ ofȱ hisȱ bestȱ linenȱ andȱ someȱ gold.ȱ Whenȱ noȱ riches followed,ȱtheyȱofferedȱtheirȱvictimȱaȱrareȱvision: theyȱbroughtȱhimȱintoȱaȱvault,ȱwhereȱtheyȱshewedȱhimȱtwoȱattiredȱlikeȱtheȱKingȱand QueeneȱofȱFayries,ȱandȱbyȱthemȱlittleȱEluesȱandȱGoblings,ȱandȱinȱtheȱsameȱplaceȱan

11

12

Georgeȱ Sarton,ȱ “Phyllisȱ andȱ Aristotle,”ȱ Isisȱ 14.1ȱ (Mayȱ 1930):ȱ 8–19.ȱ Sartonȱ tracesȱ theȱ storyȱ of AlexanderȱandȱanȱeasternȱtemptressȱtoȱIndiaȱandȱPersia,ȱandȱsuggestsȱthatȱAristotleȱmayȱhave beenȱaddedȱtoȱtheȱstoryȱonȱtheȱinfluenceȱofȱtheȱSecretumȱSecretorum,ȱasȱtranslatedȱfromȱArabicȱby JohnȱofȱSevilleȱ(ca.ȱ1120).ȱHeȱalsoȱmentionsȱtheȱeighteenthȬcenturyȱparlorȱgameȱofȱ“Leȱcheval d’Aristote,”ȱtheȱloserȱofȱwhichȱhadȱtoȱcrawlȱaboutȱtheȱfloorȱcarryingȱaȱwomanȱonȱhisȱback.ȱȱȱ Theȱ Seuerallȱ Notoriousȱ andȱ levvdȱ Cousnagesȱ ofȱ Iohnȱ VVest,ȱ andȱ Aliceȱ VVestȱ (London:ȱ Edward Marchant,ȱ1613),ȱsig,ȱA4v.ȱ

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

495

infiniteȱcompanyȱofȱbags,ȱandȱuponȱthemȱwritten,ȱthisȱisȱforȱThomasȱMoore,ȱthisȱisȱfor hisȱwife,ȱbutȱwouldȱnotȱletȱhimȱtouchȱanyȱthing,ȱwhichȱgaveȱhimȱsomeȱincouragement, toȱhisȱalmostȱdispairingȱhopeȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.13ȱ

Aliceȱarrangedȱaȱsimilarȱvisionȱforȱtheȱcouple’sȱmaid: atȱlengthȱsheȱdrueȱtheȱmaidȱintoȱaȱdarkȱceller,ȱ&ȱbyȱsomeȱstrongȱillusionȱshewedȱtwo inȱstrangeȱhabitsȱwhomȱsheȱtermedȱtheȱK.ȱ&ȱQ.ȱofȱFayries,ȱ&ȱthemȱsoȱmuchȱimaginaed trasure,ȱthatȱtheȱmaidȱinsistedȱbeforeȱtheȱbenchȱthereȱcouldȱnotȱbeȱsoȱlittleȱasȱseuenteen hundredȱthousandȱpound,ȱalȱwhichȱthisȱcheatresseȱaffirmedȱwasȱforȱherȱmasterȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.14

TheȱWestsȱdemandedȱmoneyȱforȱanotherȱceremony,ȱthisȱoneȱdesignedȱtoȱappease Oberon,ȱtheȱFairyȱKing.ȱWhenȱtheyȱhadȱallȱtheyȱcouldȱhopeȱtoȱgetȱfromȱMoore, theyȱleftȱforȱLondonȱunderȱtheȱcoverȱofȱdarkness. TheȱsessionsȱcourtȱconvictedȱtheȱWestsȱofȱcozenage,ȱasȱcharged,ȱbutȱtheȱcourt recognizedȱthatȱAliceȱwasȱtheȱbrainsȱofȱtheȱoperationȱandȱsentencedȱherȱtoȱaȱstiffer punishment: sheȱwasȱconuictȱwithȱherȱhusband,ȱandȱiudgedȱtoȱbeeȱwhiptȱthroughȱLondon,ȱ&ȱcertain daiesȱtoȱstandȱonȱtheȱpillory,ȱwhichȱaccordingȱtoȱherȱiudgement,ȱhathȱtoȱtheȱexample ofȱallȱsuchȱpractisersȱbeeneȱperformed,ȱandȱsheȱyetȱtillȱfurtherȱeuidenceȱcanȱbeȱbrought againstȱher,ȱkeptȱstillȱaȱprisonerȱinȱNewgate.15

Sheȱhadȱpleadedȱthatȱsheȱandȱherȱhusbandȱshouldȱbeȱwhippedȱandȱpilloriedȱand thenȱreleased,ȱthatȱbeingȱaȱcommonȱpunishmentȱforȱpeopleȱwhoȱhadȱdoneȱasȱthey did.ȱButȱtheȱcourtȱsuspectedȱthatȱtheȱMooresȱwereȱnotȱtheirȱonlyȱvictims,ȱandȱthen sentencedȱAliceȱtoȱremainȱinȱprisonȱandȱregularlyȱonȱdisplayȱoutsideȱtheȱprison untilȱfurtherȱevidenceȱcouldȱbeȱgatheredȱ(seeȱFig.ȱ5).ȱByȱtheȱtimeȱtheȱpamphletȱon theirȱ crimesȱ wasȱ printed,ȱ elevenȱ otherȱ casesȱ hadȱ comeȱ toȱ light,ȱ withȱ victims rangingȱ fromȱ aȱ sailor’sȱ widowȱ andȱ aȱ goldsmith’sȱ apprenticeȱ toȱ aȱ country gentleman.ȱTheȱpamphleteerȱhadȱnoȱfinalȱwordȱonȱherȱsentence,ȱonlyȱaȱparting messageȱ toȱ readers:ȱ “Happyȱ areȱ theyȱ whomȱ otherȱ mensȱ harmesȱ doȱ makeȱ to beware.”16ȱTheȱmessageȱremainsȱaȱstapleȱofȱ“trueȱcrime”ȱjournalism.ȱȱ Noȱlevelȱofȱsocietyȱseemedȱimmune.ȱInȱaȱlawsuitȱfiledȱinȱtheȱCourtȱofȱChancery, inȱ1610,ȱaȱprominentȱfamilyȱinȱDorsetȱbroughtȱchargesȱagainstȱtwoȱneighborsȱwho hadȱ cheatedȱ theirȱ sonȱ outȱ ofȱ £6ȱ (£900ȱ inȱ today’sȱ currency)ȱ byȱ promisingȱ an introductionȱtoȱtheȱQueenȱofȱFairylandȱandȱtheȱassistanceȱofȱaȱlocalȱwizardȱwho wouldȱhelpȱwinȱherȱhandȱinȱmarriage.ȱAlthoughȱheȱhadȱstudiedȱatȱOxfordȱandȱthe MiddleȱTempleȱandȱknewȱhisȱwayȱaroundȱtheȱlawȱcourts,ȱhisȱfamilyȱdescribedȱthe

13 14 15 16

SeuerallȱNotoriousȱandȱlevvdȱCousanages,ȱsig.ȱB1vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12). SeuerallȱNotoriousȱandȱlevvdȱCousanages,ȱsig.ȱB2rȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12). SeuerallȱNotoriousȱandȱlevvdȱCousanages,ȱsigs.ȱB2r–vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12). SeuerallȱNotoriousȱandȱlevvdȱCousanages,ȱsig.ȱC4vȱ(seeȱnoteȱ12).

496

ThomasȱWillard

youthȱ asȱ “aȱ veryȱ fantasticallȱ andȱ humerousȱ felloweȱ byȱ hisȱ behaviour.”ȱ The imbalanceȱofȱofȱbodilyȱhumorsȱsuggestsȱsomeȱsortȱofȱhandicap,ȱphysicalȱorȱmental. Oneȱscholarȱinfersȱthatȱheȱwasȱepileptic.17ȱTheȱyoungȱman’sȱhandicap,ȱlikeȱtheȱtripe wife’sȱrecentȱlossȱofȱherȱhusband,ȱmadeȱtheȱcourtȱmoreȱsympathetic.ȱ TheȱcaseȱfromȱDorsetȱwasȱheardȱinȱFebruaryȱofȱ1610,ȱaȱfewȱweeksȱbeforeȱthe openingȱofȱtheȱtheaterȱseason.ȱLawyersȱandȱclerksȱwhoȱmadeȱtheirȱwayȱfromȱthe InnsȱofȱCourtȱtoȱtheȱnewȱBlackfriarsȱTheaterȱwouldȱhaveȱheardȱechoesȱofȱtheȱcase inȱ Benȱ Jonson’sȱ newȱ playȱ Theȱ Alchemist,ȱ oneȱ ofȱ theȱ greatȱ Englishȱ dramasȱ of cozenage.ȱInȱtheȱPrologue,ȱJonsonȱdescribesȱitȱasȱaȱplayȱofȱ“manners,ȱnowȱcalled humors,”18ȱ recallingȱ thatȱ peopleȱ withȱ anȱ excessȱ ofȱ blackȱ bileȱ wereȱ saidȱ toȱ be melancholicȱandȱproneȱtoȱsuperstition.ȱJonson’sȱmainȱcharacterȱisȱaȱcozenerȱnot unlikeȱtheȱDorsetȱwizardȱtoȱwhomȱyoungȱSirȱThomasȱsurrenderedȱhisȱgold.ȱThe similaritiesȱ areȱ closeȱ enoughȱ toȱ makeȱ oneȱ wonderȱ whetherȱ Jonsonȱ didȱ not interpolateȱtheȱstoryȱofȱanȱintroductionȱtoȱtheȱfairyȱqueenȱintoȱTheȱAlchemistȱatȱa relativelyȱlateȱstage,ȱthusȱfurtherȱextendingȱtheȱrangeȱofȱcheating,ȱorȱcozening,ȱthat theȱplayȱexposes.ȱ TheȱsceneȱisȱsetȱinȱaȱprivateȱhouseȱinȱtheȱBlackfriarsȱdistrictȱwhenȱtheȱnearbyȱlaw courtsȱareȱonȱvacation.ȱItȱisȱsummer,ȱandȱthereȱareȱrumorsȱofȱplagueȱinȱtheȱcity.ȱIn theȱowner’sȱabsence,ȱtheȱhousekeeperȱhasȱletȱinȱtwoȱconfederates:ȱaȱconfidence man,ȱ unlicensedȱ physician,ȱ andȱ sometimeȱ alchemistȱ calledȱ Dr.ȱ Subtleȱ andȱ a prostituteȱknownȱasȱDollȱCommon.ȱTheyȱareȱdescribedȱinȱtheȱprintedȱtextȱasȱ“A cheaterȱ andȱ hisȱ punkȱ whoȱ /ȱ .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ wereȱ becomeȱ /ȱ Coz’nersȱ atȱ large.”19ȱ The housekeeper,ȱorȱbutler,ȱisȱnamedȱJeremy,ȱbutȱisȱcalledȱFace,ȱperhapsȱtoȱindicateȱhis effronteryȱorȱcheek.20ȱAsȱtheȱactionȱbegins,ȱSubtleȱandȱFaceȱareȱinȱtheȱheatȱofȱan

17

18

19 20

C.ȱ J.ȱ Sisson,ȱ “Aȱ Topicalȱ Referenceȱ inȱ Theȱ Alchemist,”ȱ Johnȱ Quincyȱ Adamsȱ Memorialȱ Studies (Washington,ȱDC:ȱFolgerȱShakespeareȱLibrary,ȱ1948),ȱ739–41.ȱAlsoȱseeȱJosephȱT.ȱMcCullen,ȱJr., “ConferenceȱwithȱtheȱQueenȱofȱFairies:ȱAȱStudyȱofȱJonsonȇsȱWorkmanshipȱinȱ‘TheȱAlchemist’,” StudiaȱNeophilologicaȱ23.2ȱ(1950):ȱ87–95. BenȱJonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱed.ȱAlvinȱB.ȱKernan,ȱTheȱYaleȱBenȱJonsonȱ(NewȱHavenȱandȱLondon: YaleȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1974),ȱ25;ȱ“Prologue,”ȱ9.ȱAllȱquotationsȱfromȱtheȱplayȱfollowȱthisȱedition. UnlikeȱShakespeare,ȱJonsonȱcarefullyȱeditedȱhisȱownȱworks—andȱheȱcalledȱthemȱ“works.”ȱAct andȱlineȱnumbersȱdoȱnotȱvaryȱsignificantlyȱfromȱoneȱeditionȱtoȱanother.ȱForȱtheȱstillȬdefinitiveȱoldȬ spellingȱtext,ȱseeȱBenȱJonson,ȱed.ȱC.ȱH.ȱHerfordȱandȱPercyȱSimpson,ȱVol.ȱ5:ȱVolpone,ȱorȱTheȱFox; Epicoene,ȱorȱTheȱSilentȱWoman;ȱTheȱAlchemist;ȱCatilineȱ(Oxford:ȱClarendonȱPress,ȱ1937),ȱ273–407.In additionȱtoȱstudiesȱcitedȱinȱthisȱessay,ȱoneȱmayȱconsultȱJohnȱS.ȱMebane,ȱRenaissanceȱMagicȱandȱthe ReturnȱofȱtheȱGoldenȱAge:ȱTheȱOccultȱTraditionȱandȱMarlowe,ȱJonson,ȱandȱShakespeareȱ(Lincoln,ȱNE,ȱand London:ȱUniversityȱofȱNebraskaȱPress,ȱ1989),ȱ137–55;ȱMarionȱGibson,ȱWitchcraftȱandȱSocietyȱin EnglandȱandȱAmerica,ȱ1550–1750ȱ(Ithaca,ȱNY,ȱandȱLondon:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2003),ȱ199–205; andȱ Ryanȱ Curtisȱ Friesen,ȱ Supernaturalȱ Fictionȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Dramaȱ andȱ Cultureȱ (Brighton, England,ȱandȱPortland,ȱOR:ȱSussexȱAcademicȱPress,ȱ2010),ȱ165–89. Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ24;ȱ“TheȱArgument,”ȱ4–6ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). OxfordȱEnglishȱDictionary,ȱ“face”ȱn.ȱ3ȱfigȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5).ȱAlsoȱseeȱJonson’sȱdedicationȱtoȱLadyȱMary Wroth,ȱwhichȱconcludesȱwithȱaȱreferenceȱtoȱ“theȱambitiousȱfacesȱofȱtheȱtime:ȱwho,ȱtheȱmoreȱthey

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

497

argument,ȱshoutingȱthreatsȱandȱinsultsȱatȱeachȱother,ȱandȱDollȱisȱclearlyȱtheȱonly saneȱpersonȱinȱsight.ȱSheȱtriesȱtoȱsilenceȱtheȱtwoȱlestȱneighborsȱgetȱsuspicious,ȱand sheȱsucceedsȱonlyȱafterȱtheȱfirstȱvictimȱhasȱarrived.ȱ DapperȱisȱaȱyoungȱlawȱclerkȱwhomȱFaceȱmetȱtheȱnightȱbeforeȱatȱtheȱDagger TavernȱinȱHolborn,ȱnearȱtheȱInnsȱofȱCourt.ȱHeȱisȱaddictedȱtoȱgamblingȱandȱhopes thatȱheȱcanȱturnȱhisȱluckȱbyȱpersuadingȱtheȱdoctorȱtoȱgiveȱhimȱaȱfamiliarȱspirit.21 Subtleȱfeignsȱhorrorȱatȱtheȱprospect,ȱtellingȱFaceȱthatȱtheȱyouthȱwillȱ“winȱupȱallȱthe moneyȱinȱtheȱtown.”22ȱWhenȱFaceȱintervenes,ȱpassingȱalongȱsomeȱofȱDapper’s money,ȱ Subtleȱ explainsȱ thatȱ heȱ isȱ worriedȱ aboutȱ Dapper’sȱ physiognomy.ȱ The youthȱhasȱtheȱkindȱofȱ“complexionȱ/ȱTheȱQueenȱofȱFaeryȱloves.”23ȱOnlyȱafterȱmuch persuadingȱbyȱFace,ȱandȱmuchȱmoreȱmoneyȱfromȱDapper,ȱdoesȱSubtleȱagreeȱto introduceȱhimȱtoȱtheȱqueen.ȱThisȱqueenȱisȱDoll,ȱwhoȱisȱaȱ“quean”ȱinȱtheȱword’sȱold senseȱofȱprostitute.24ȱButȱfirstȱDapperȱmustȱgoȱthroughȱelaborateȱritualsȱtoȱpurify himself,ȱandȱseparateȱhimselfȱfromȱanyȱtaintȱofȱmoney. Itȱmayȱseemȱoddȱthatȱaȱplayȱaboutȱanȱalchemistȱshouldȱincludeȱfairies.ȱWeȱmust realize,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱJonsonȱandȱhisȱcontemporariesȱlumpedȱalchemy,ȱastrology, witchcraft,ȱandȱmuchȱmoreȱintoȱtheȱgeneralȱcategoryȱofȱmagic.ȱAlchemistsȱdealt withȱ natureȱ spiritsȱ andȱ astrologersȱ withȱ planetaryȱ spiritsȱ justȱ asȱ witchesȱ had commerceȱwithȱincubiȱandȱconjurersȱwithȱfairies.ȱTheȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱgoodȱand badȱmagiciansȱwasȱinȱtheȱfruitsȱofȱtheirȱlabor,ȱandȱsoȱwasȱthatȱbetweenȱtrueȱand falseȱ magicians.ȱ Allȱ possibilitiesȱ wereȱ thereȱ forȱ Jonson’sȱ audience;ȱ heȱ simply exploitedȱtheȱdramaticȱpossibilities.ȱInȱtheȱheatȱofȱtheȱargumentȱthatȱopensȱthe play,ȱFaceȱcallsȱSubtleȱ“Conjurer”ȱandȱ“Witch,”25ȱbutȱwhenȱDapperȱarrivesȱheȱis callingȱtheȱsameȱpersonȱaȱ“nobleȱDoctor.”26ȱAsȱoneȱrecentȱeditorȱhasȱexplained,ȱthe essentialȱpointȱofȱJonson’sȱ“performativeȱmagic”ȱisȱthatȱ“theȱaudienceȱdesiringȱthe entertainmentȱ believes,ȱ supports,ȱ participatesȱ in,ȱ andȱ applaudsȱ theȱ illusion.”27 SpectatorsȱcameȱtoȱtheȱtheaterȱforȱexactlyȱtheȱsameȱreasonȱthatȱMoore’sȱmaidȱwas drawnȱintoȱtheȱ“darkȱceller”:ȱtoȱwitnessȱaȱ“strongȱillusion.”ȱTheȱonlyȱdifferenceȱis

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

paint,ȱareȱtheȱlessȱthemselves”;ȱJonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ19ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18).ȱOneȱeditorȱhasȱsuggested thatȱJonsonȱmodeledȱFaceȱonȱJohnȱDee’sȱsometimeȱassistantȱEdwardȱKelly.ȱSeeȱR.ȱJ.ȱL.ȱKingsford, ed.,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱbyȱBenȱJonsonȱ(Cambridge:ȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1928),ȱxi.ȱOnȱDeeȱasȱtheȱpossible modelȱforȱSubtle,ȱseeȱnoteȱ49. Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.1.190–93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.2.77ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.2.104–05ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). SeeȱOxfordȱEnglishȱDictionary,ȱ“quean”ȱn.ȱ1;ȱseeȱ“common”ȱaȱ3ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ5). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.1.107ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.2.29ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). HelenȱOstovich,ȱed.,ȱJonson:ȱFourȱComedies:ȱVolpone,ȱorȱTheȱFox;ȱEpicoene,ȱorȱTheȱSilentȱWoman;ȱThe Alchemist;ȱ Bartholomewȱ Fairȱ (Londonȱ andȱ Newȱ York:ȱ Longman,ȱ 1997),ȱ 38.ȱ Alsoȱ seeȱ David Bevington,ȱ“TheȱMajorȱComedies,”ȱTheȱCambridgeȱCompanionȱtoȱBenȱJonson,ȱed.ȱRichardȱHarpȱand StanleyȱStewartȱ(CambridgeȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2000),ȱ72–89;ȱhereȱ81–85.

498

ThomasȱWillard

thatȱtheȱtheatergoersȱknewȱitȱtoȱbeȱanȱillusion,ȱwhileȱcharactersȱlikeȱDapperȱor victimsȱ likeȱ Mooreȱ didȱ not.ȱ Indeed,ȱ theȱ ritesȱ describedȱ inȱ eachȱ courtȱ caseȱ are remindersȱthatȱritualȱisȱcloselyȱalliedȱwithȱdrama,ȱifȱnotȱitsȱveryȱorigin.28ȱ WhileȱDapperȱisȱpreparingȱtoȱmeetȱtheȱqueen,ȱotherȱclientsȱappearȱatȱtheȱhouse. First,ȱthereȱisȱDrugger,ȱanȱapothecaryȱwhoȱwantsȱtoȱconfigureȱhisȱnewȱshopȱbyȱthe rulesȱ ofȱ geomancy,ȱ theȱ westernȱ formȱ ofȱ fengȱ shui.ȱ Thenȱ thereȱ isȱ Sirȱ Epicure Mammon,ȱwhoȱwantsȱtoȱlearnȱtheȱsecretȱofȱmakingȱgold.29ȱAsȱhisȱnameȱsuggests, heȱisȱanȱaristocratȱandȱwouldȱhaveȱbeenȱwellȱoffȱdidȱnotȱhisȱgreedȱcarryȱhimȱto Jonson’sȱ“cheater.”ȱHeȱisȱtheȱoneȱrepeatȱcustomerȱinȱtheȱplayȱandȱalreadyȱfancies himselfȱanȱadeptusȱminor.ȱSubtleȱsupposesȱthatȱheȱmustȱbeȱhandingȱoutȱchemical remediesȱtoȱhisȱsyphiliticȱfriendsȱatȱtheȱbrothelsȱandȱastrologicalȱcharmsȱtoȱthe womenȱheȱhopesȱtoȱseduce: MethinksȱIȱseeȱhimȱent’ringȱordinariesȱ[inns], Dispensingȱforȱtheȱpoxȱ[syphilis];ȱandȱplagueyȱ[plagueȬstricken]ȱhouses, Reachingȱforȱhisȱdoseȱ[chemicalȱpotion];ȱwalkingȱMoorfieldsȱforȱlepers, Andȱoff’ringȱcitizens’ȱwivesȱpomanderȱbracelets Asȱhisȱpreservative,ȱmadeȱofȱtheȱelixir.30

Mammonȱisȱwellȱintentioned,ȱatȱleast,ȱandȱSubtleȱimaginesȱhimȱhopingȱtoȱreform theȱworld: Iȱseeȱnoȱendȱofȱhisȱlabors.ȱHeȱwillȱmake Natureȱashamedȱofȱherȱlongȱsleep;ȱshallȱdoȱmoreȱthanȱShe InȱHerȱbestȱloveȱtoȱmankindȱeverȱcould. Ifȱhisȱdreamȱlast,ȱhe’llȱturnȱtheȱageȱtoȱgold.31

HeȱalsoȱdreamsȱofȱhavingȱaȱharemȱasȱlargeȱasȱSolomon’sȱwithȱgreatȱworksȱofȱerotic artȱonȱtheȱwalls.32ȱInȱshort,ȱheȱisȱtheȱperfectȱdupe,ȱconvincedȱthatȱheȱcanȱliveȱa heroicȱlifeȱwithȱtheȱaidȱofȱhisȱunworldlyȱguide.ȱWhenȱheȱfirstȱentersȱheȱexpectsȱto achieveȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ alchemicalȱ work,ȱ andȱ Subtleȱ continuesȱ preyingȱ onȱ this conviction.ȱTheȱlearnedȱdoctorȱusesȱaȱbarrageȱofȱalchemicalȱterminologyȱwhich, oneȱcriticȱsuggests,ȱservesȱasȱaȱkindȱofȱbewitchingȱenchantment.33

28

29

30 31 32 33

Theȱsecondaryȱliteratureȱonȱthisȱconnectionȱisȱvast,ȱgoingȱbackȱatȱleastȱtoȱCambridgeȱRitualistsȱlike JaneȱHarrisonȱandȱGilbertȱMurray,ȱbutȱextendingȱtoȱstudiesȱofȱdramaticȱworksȱinȱEnglandȱandȱin emergingȱnations.ȱSee,ȱe.g.,ȱRobertȱAckerman,ȱTheȱ Mythȱ andȱRitualȱSchool:ȱJ.ȱG.ȱFrazerȱandȱthe CambridgeȱRitualists,ȱTheoristsȱofȱMythȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2002).ȱ Thereȱareȱmanyȱstoriesȱofȱdupedȱaristocratsȱwhoȱdreamȱofȱrestoringȱtheirȱfortunes;ȱforȱoneȱofȱthe strangest,ȱseeȱtheȱcontributionȱbyȱLiaȱB.ȱRossȱinȱthisȱvolume.ȱ Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.4.18–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ1.4.25–28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ2.3.34–35ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). CharlesȱNichol,ȱTheȱChemicalȱTheatreȱ(London:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1980),ȱ97–100.ȱ

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

499

Otherȱcharactersȱareȱlessȱprincipled.ȱȱThereȱisȱAnanias,ȱaȱPuritanȱwithȱaȱsimilar wishȱtoȱtransmuteȱbaseȱmetals.ȱHeȱwillȱthusȱenrichȱhisȱcongregationȱand,ȱifȱheȱlives upȱtoȱhisȱbiblicalȱname,ȱhimselfȱasȱwell.34ȱLater,ȱthereȱisȱKastril,ȱanȱ“angryȱboy” whoȱwantsȱtoȱmarryȱoffȱhisȱwidowedȱsisterȱandȱturnȱherȱsmallȱdowryȱtoȱaȱprofit. Eachȱpersonȱwantsȱexactlyȱwhatȱtheȱthreeȱconfederatesȱwant:ȱriches.ȱTheȱscam works,ȱ inȱ eachȱ instance,ȱ becauseȱ Subtleȱ posesȱ asȱ aȱ simpleȱ doctorȱ whoȱ knows nothingȱaboutȱsuchȱbaseȱdesires.ȱTheȱfourȱ“humours”ȱareȱallȱrepresented.ȱKastril isȱcholeric,ȱangry,ȱasȱisȱtheȱhotȱheadedȱAnanias.ȱȱMammonȱisȱsanguine,ȱhopeful; hisȱfriendȱSurlyȱisȱphlegmatic,ȱdetached;ȱandȱDapperȱisȱsomewhatȱmelancholic aboutȱhisȱlosses,ȱthoughȱwithȱaȱsufficientȱstreakȱofȱhopeȱthatȱhisȱtypeȱwouldȱlater beȱcalledȱenthusiastic. Theȱactionȱreachesȱaȱcrisisȱinȱactȱ3,ȱwhenȱSubtleȱentersȱ“disguisedȱlikeȱaȱPriestȱof Faery.”35ȱHeȱisȱwearingȱaȱrobeȱwhich,ȱheȱsays,ȱtheȱqueenȱherselfȱgaveȱtoȱhim.36ȱAfter heȱhasȱqueriedȱDapperȱtoȱmakeȱsureȱthatȱtheȱritualȱhasȱbeenȱfollowed,ȱandȱafter FaceȱhasȱcheckedȱtoȱmakeȱsureȱDapper’sȱpocketsȱareȱempty,ȱDollȱfollowsȱinȱthe guiseȱofȱanȱelfȱplayingȱaȱcitternȱandȱthreateningȱtoȱbringȱmoreȱelvesȱtoȱpinchȱhim ifȱ heȱ hasȱ concealedȱ anyȱ riches.ȱ Subtleȱ tellsȱ Dapperȱ thatȱ theȱ queenȱ herselfȱ isȱ at supperȱandȱwillȱnotȱreceiveȱhimȱuntilȱlaterȱinȱtheȱday.ȱThatȱgivesȱtheȱconfederates moreȱtimeȱforȱtheirȱotherȱvictimsȱbeforeȱDapperȱisȱbroughtȱin,ȱblindfolded,ȱinȱthe penultimateȱscene.ȱDollȱnowȱenters,ȱdressedȱ“likeȱtheȱQueenȱofȱFaery.”37ȱAsȱDapper kissesȱherȱskirts,ȱsheȱintones:ȱ“Much,ȱnephew,ȱshaltȱthouȱwin;ȱmuchȱshaltȱthou spend;ȱ/ȱMuchȱshaltȱthouȱgiveȱaway;ȱmuchȱshaltȱthouȱlend.”38ȱDapperȱpromisesȱto shareȱhisȱfutureȱwinnings,ȱandȱtheȱconfederatesȱdemandȱearnestȱmoney.ȱBefore anythingȱcanȱbeȱarranged,ȱhowever,ȱthereȱisȱaȱgreatȱclamorȱasȱneighborsȱstormȱthe doorȱalongȱwithȱconstablesȱandȱtheȱownerȱofȱtheȱhouse.ȱ Soȱmuchȱforȱtheȱcrime,ȱbutȱwhatȱofȱtheȱpunishment?ȱUnlikeȱJudithȱPhilips,ȱDoll Commonȱescapesȱwhipping,ȱandȱindeedȱescapesȱLondonȱwithȱherȱloverȱSubtle.ȱFor Jonsonȱandȱhisȱurbaneȱaudience,ȱitȱseemsȱpunishmentȱenoughȱthatȱSubtleȱisȱforced outȱofȱLondonȱtoȱaȱprovincialȱsettingȱlikeȱChesterȱorȱYarmouth,39ȱhisȱschemesȱgone upȱinȱtheȱsmokeȱofȱhisȱalchemicalȱfire.40ȱTheȱownerȱcouldȱpressȱcharges,ȱbutȱheȱis aȱ manȱ ofȱ goodȱ humor,ȱ asȱ hisȱ nameȱ Lovewitȱ suggests.41ȱ Heȱ couldȱ dismissȱ his servantȱJeremy,ȱbutȱisȱdelightedȱbyȱtheȱman’sȱinventiveness,ȱespeciallyȱwhenȱhe takesȱtheȱwealthyȱwidowȱasȱhisȱwifeȱandȱgetsȱtheȱmoneyȱthatȱtheȱcozenersȱhad

34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41

SeeȱActsȱ9:ȱ1–20. Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱstageȱdirectionȱatȱ3.5.1ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱstageȱdirectionȱatȱ3.5.7–8ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱstageȱdirectionȱatȱ5.4.21ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ5.4.30–31ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ5.5.121–22ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ24;ȱ“TheȱArgument,”ȱ12ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱȱ5.5.144ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18).

500

ThomasȱWillard

alreadyȱtakenȱfromȱKastril.ȱIndeed,ȱLovewitȱisȱsoȱdelightedȱthatȱheȱtellsȱhisȱservant, “Iȱwillȱbeȱruledȱbyȱtheeȱinȱanything.”42ȱThisȱleavesȱJeremyȱtoȱdeliverȱtheȱfinalȱlines. Advancingȱtoȱtheȱfrontȱofȱtheȱstage,ȱheȱappealsȱtoȱtheȱaudienceȱandȱitsȱsenseȱof decorum.ȱHeȱhasȱescapedȱfromȱbothȱhisȱconfederatesȱandȱtheirȱdupes,ȱbutȱnotȱfrom thoseȱwhoȱobservedȱtheȱactsȱofȱcozenage.ȱHeȱthereforeȱtriesȱtoȱbuyȱthemȱoffȱwith promisesȱofȱsharingȱhisȱillȬgottenȱgainsȱwithȱthemȱandȱtheirȱtheaterȬgoingȱfriends. “Iȱputȱmyselfȱonȱyou,”ȱheȱsaysȱinȱtheȱplay’sȱconcludingȱlines: ȱȱandȱthisȱpelf, WhichȱIȱhaveȱgot,ȱifȱyouȱdoȱquitȱme,ȱrests Toȱfeastȱyouȱoften,ȱandȱinviteȱnewȱguests.ȱ43 Amongȱ theȱ manyȱ sourcesȱ ofȱ Jonson’sȱ learnedȱ satireȱ isȱ Erasmus’sȱ colloquyȱ De alcumista,ȱ inȱ whichȱ aȱ swindledȱ gentlemanȱ decidesȱ notȱ toȱ prosecuteȱ aȱ pretend alchemist.ȱTheȱspeakerȱwhoȱtellsȱtheȱtaleȱconsidersȱthisȱaȱwiseȱmove. Nay,ȱheȱgaveȱhimȱ[i.e.,ȱtheȱalchemist]ȱMoneyȱtoȱbearȱhisȱCharges,ȱandȱconjurȇdȱhimȱby allȱthatȱwasȱsacred,ȱnotȱtoȱspeakȱaȱWordȱofȱwhatȱhadȱhappenedȱbetweenȱthem.ȱAndȱin myȱOpinion,ȱitȱwasȱhisȱWisdomȱsoȱtoȱdo,ȱratherȱthanȱtoȱbeȱtheȱcommonȱLaughingȬstock .ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ44

InȱJonson’sȱplay,ȱLovewitȱservesȱasȱtheȱjudgeȱofȱtheȱcozenersȱandȱtheirȱvictims.ȱHe seemsȱcontentȱtoȱkeepȱanyȱillȬgottenȱgainsȱandȱtoȱletȱtheȱvictimsȱbeȱpunishedȱfor theirȱgreed,ȱwhichȱmadeȱthemȱvulnerableȱinȱtheȱfirstȱplace.ȱTheȱfinalȱlinesȱserveȱas aȱreminderȱthatȱtheȱplaygoersȱmustȱformȱtheȱ“country”—thatȱis,ȱtheȱjury—and passȱjudgmentȱonȱtheȱplayȱandȱitsȱcharacters.ȱTheȱcharactersȱrepresentȱaȱcrossȬ sectionȱofȱLondonȱlife,ȱwithȱtypesȱthatȱJonson‘sȱfirstȱaudiencesȱareȱexpectedȱto recognize.ȱIndeed,ȱTheȱAlchemistȱwasȱupdatedȱlaterȱinȱtheȱseventeenthȱcentury,ȱin JohnȱWilson’sȱRestorationȱcomedyȱTheȱCheats.45ȱTheȱallusionsȱremindȱusȱthatȱthere areȱ moreȱ foolsȱ waitingȱ toȱ beȱ swindledȱ andȱ moreȱ cozenersȱ toȱ swindleȱ them. Membersȱofȱtheȱaudienceȱcanȱbothȱprofitȱandȱprotectȱthemselvesȱbyȱknowingȱthe tricksȱofȱtheȱtrade.ȱMoreover,ȱtheȱmostȱdiscerningȱmembersȱofȱhisȱaudience,ȱwho buyȱhisȱpublishedȱplay,ȱareȱadvisedȱtoȱbeȱonȱguard.ȱ“Thouȱwereȱneverȱmoreȱfair inȱtheȱwayȱtoȱbeȱcozenedȱthanȱinȱthisȱageȱinȱpoetry,”ȱheȱcautions,ȱ“especiallyȱin plays.”ȱOneȱmustȱuseȱgoodȱjudgmentȱ inȱattendingȱplays,ȱasȱinȱdailyȱ life.ȱWith

42 43 44

45

Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ5.5.142ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱȱ5.5.163–65ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). Erasmus,ȱ“TheȱAlchymist,”ȱAllȱtheȱFamiliarȱColloquiesȱofȱDesideriusȱErasmus,ȱtrans.ȱN.ȱBailey,ȱ2nd ed.ȱ(London:ȱP.ȱKnaptonȱetȱal.,ȱ1733),ȱ270–79;ȱhereȱ279. ThomasȱWillard,ȱ“JohnȱWilson’sȱSatireȱofȱHermeticȱMedicine,”ȱLiteratureȱandȱMedicineȱDuringȱthe EighteenthȱCentury,ȱed.ȱMarieȱMulveyȱRobertsȱandȱRoyȱPorter,ȱWellcomeȱInstituteȱStudiesȱinȱthe HistoryȱofȱMedicineȱ(London:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1993),ȱ136–50.

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

501

plays,ȱsaysȱJonsonȱinȱtheȱverseȱprologue,ȱitȱisȱnotȱsoȱmuchȱaȱmatterȱofȱcrimeȱand punishmentȱasȱofȱ“vices”ȱandȱ“remedies.”46 Jonson’sȱAlchemistȱisȱaȱtourȱdeȱforceȱofȱesotericȱlearning.ȱOnceȱenteredȱonȱaȱcourse ofȱ esotericȱ study,ȱ aȱ potentialȱ alchemistȱ couldȱ turnȱ toȱ manyȱ subjects.ȱ Some alchemistsȱwereȱreputedȱtoȱhaveȱmadeȱFaustianȱbargainsȱtoȱfurtherȱtheirȱstudies, andȱallȱaspiringȱadeptsȱwereȱadvisedȱtoȱperformȱtheirȱchemicalȱoperationsȱatȱthe astrologicallyȱ appropriateȱ moment.ȱ Theȱ famousȱ astrologerȱ Williamȱ Lilly (1602–1681)ȱwroteȱthatȱheȱhadȱtriedȱseveralȱtimesȱtoȱcontactȱtheȱQueenȱofȱFairies, convincedȱthatȱsheȱcouldȱteachȱhimȱtheȱsecretsȱofȱhisȱart.47ȱFairiesȱandȱelvesȱwere saidȱtoȱbeȱmalevolentȱasȱoftenȱasȱtheyȱwereȱbenevolent,ȱandȱRobinȱGoodfellowȱwas aȱpopularȱtricksterȱfigureȱinȱEnglishȱfolklore.48 SomeȱliteraryȱhistoriansȱhaveȱtriedȱtoȱidentifyȱtheȱhistoricalȱmodelȱofȱJonson’s alchemistȱSubtle.ȱOneȱpopularȱcandidateȱisȱSirȱJohnȱDeeȱ(1527–ca.ȱ1608),ȱwhoȱonce servedȱasȱastrologerȱandȱgeographerȱforȱElizabethȱI.49ȱHowever,ȱhisȱonceȱelevated socialȱstatusȱandȱsubsequentȱdistanceȱfromȱLondonȱmakeȱhimȱseemȱaȱlessȱlikely choiceȱthanȱSimonȱFormanȱ(1552–1611),ȱwhoȱwasȱaȱgreatȱfrequenterȱofȱplaysȱand aȱconsultingȱastrologerȱtoȱsomeȱmembersȱofȱJonson’sȱaudiences.50ȱHisȱadviceȱon mattersȱofȱloveȱandȱfortuneȱwasȱsoughtȱoftenȱenoughȱthatȱJonsonȱreferredȱtoȱhim asȱ“OracleȬForman.”51ȱWhileȱForman’sȱbusinessȱwasȱclearlyȱthatȱofȱtakingȱmoney fromȱclientsȱwhoȱconsultedȱhim,ȱheȱclaimedȱskillȱatȱvariousȱmagicalȱarts,ȱincluding alchemy,ȱastrology,ȱnecromancy,ȱconjuring,ȱandȱdivination.52ȱHeȱwasȱknownȱtoȱbe aȱcunningȱman,ȱmuchȱasȱJudithȱPhilipsȱwasȱpresentedȱtoȱtheȱreadingȱpublicȱasȱ“a professedȱcunningȱwoman,ȱorȱfortuneȱteller.”53ȱUnlikeȱPhilips,ȱhowever,ȱheȱwas neverȱchargedȱwithȱswindling.ȱOnȱthoseȱoccasionsȱwhenȱheȱwasȱcalledȱuponȱto

46 47 48

49

50

51

52

53

Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ24;ȱ“TheȱPrologue,”ȱ14–15ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). WilliamȱLilly,ȱAutobiography;ȱcitedȱinȱThomas,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱDeclineȱofȱMagic,ȱ727ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1). SeeȱOxfordȱEnglishȱDictionary,ȱ“RobinȱGoodfellow,”ȱn.ȱShakespeare’sȱPuckȱisȱexplicitlyȱassociated withȱRobinȱGoodfellowȱinȱAȱMidsummerȱNight’sȱDream,ȱ2.1.34;ȱShakespeare,ȱCompleteȱWorks,ȱȱ357 (seeȱnoteȱ4). See,ȱe.g.,ȱFrancesȱA.ȱYates,ȱTheȱOccultȱPhilosophyȱinȱElizabethanȱEnglandȱ(London:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1979), 161.ȱ TheȱclaimȱisȱmadeȱwithoutȱsupportingȱevidenceȱinȱA[lfred].ȱL[eslie].ȱRowse,ȱSimonȱForman:ȱSex andȱSocietyȱinȱShakespeareȇsȱAgeȱ(London:ȱWeidenfeldȱ&ȱNicolson,ȱ1974),ȱ150.ȱTheȱShakespearean connectionȱisȱpursuedȱinȱCharlesȱNichol,ȱTheȱLodgerȱShakespeare:ȱHisȱLifeȱonȱSilverȱStreetȱ(NewȱYork: Viking,ȱ2007),ȱ112–27.ȱRecentȱstudiesȱofȱFormanȱincludeȱJudithȱCook,ȱDrȱSimonȱForman:ȱAȱMost NotoriousȱPhysicianȱ(London:ȱChattoȱ&ȱWindus,ȱ2001,ȱandȱLaurenȱKassell,ȱMedicineȱandȱMagicȱin Elizabethanȱ London:ȱ Simonȱ Forman:ȱ Astrologer,ȱ Alchemist,ȱ andȱ Physician,ȱ Oxfordȱ Historical Monographsȱ(Oxford:ȱClarendonȱPress,ȱ2005).ȱ BenȱJonson,ȱTheȱDevilȱIsȱanȱAss,ȱed.ȱWilliamȱSavageȱJohnson.ȱYaleȱStudiesȱinȱEnglish,ȱ29ȱ(New York:ȱHolt,ȱ1905),ȱ53;ȱ2.8.33.ȱSeeȱtheȱeditor’sȱnoteȱonȱ142. Thomas,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱDeclineȱofȱMagic,ȱ362–82ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1);ȱCook,ȱDr.ȱSimonȱForman,ȱ46–47ȱ(see noteȱ50). TheȱBrideling,ȱSadling,ȱandȱRydingȱofȱaȱRichȱChurleȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9).

502

ThomasȱWillard

testifyȱaboutȱhisȱpractice,ȱheȱprofessedȱtoȱfollowȱtheȱscienceȱofȱastrology,ȱandȱtoȱhis creditȱheȱinstructedȱtheȱgreatȱmathematicianȱRichardȱNapierȱinȱtheȱprinciplesȱof makingȱofȱhoroscopes. Formanȱkeptȱ“casebooks”ȱwithȱmeticulousȱrecordsȱofȱhisȱconsultations,ȱrecords whichȱsayȱmoreȱaboutȱtheȱfearsȱandȱdesiresȱofȱhisȱclientsȱthanȱaboutȱanyȱattempt toȱdeceiveȱthem.ȱHeȱwasȱsaidȱtoȱbeȱaȱpiousȱmanȱwhoȱspentȱlongȱhoursȱinȱprayer andȱmeditation,ȱandȱinȱthatȱrespectȱmayȱhaveȱservedȱasȱaȱmodelȱforȱtheȱswindler whoȱconvincesȱMammonȱthatȱheȱ“Hasȱwornȱhisȱkneesȱbareȱandȱhisȱslippersȱbald /ȱWithȱprayer.”54ȱFormanȱwasȱaȱformerȱschoolmaster,ȱtheȱauthorȱofȱaȱpamphletȱon determiningȱlongitude.55ȱLikeȱDee,ȱheȱwasȱaȱkeenȱstudentȱofȱesotericȱbooksȱandȱleft aȱgreatȱmanyȱnotesȱonȱhisȱreading.ȱItȱseemsȱthatȱheȱconvincedȱhimselfȱfirstȱthatȱhe wasȱskilledȱinȱtheȱoccultȱsciences,ȱandȱonlyȱthenȱdecidedȱheȱcouldȱbeȱofȱserviceȱto others.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱveryȱnatureȱofȱhisȱservicesȱinvitedȱskepticism,ȱandȱtheȱstories ofȱswindlersȱlikeȱJudithȱPhilipsȱandȱtheȱWestsȱmadeȱhimȱaȱpotentialȱmodelȱfor Jonson’sȱlearnedȱswindler. CozenageȱwasȱaȱnewȱwordȱinȱShakespeare’sȱday,ȱbutȱtheȱconceptsȱofȱcoveting andȱstealingȱwereȱasȱoldȱasȱtheȱDecalogue.ȱTheȱcozenersȱofȱtheȱeraȱsoughtȱeverȱnew schemesȱtoȱcheatȱtheirȱvictims,ȱandȱtheyȱoftenȱdidȱsoȱinȱtheȱhopeȱofȱgettingȱlighter punishments,ȱifȱcaught,ȱthanȱthoseȱgivenȱoutȱforȱsimpleȱtheft.ȱTheȱschemesȱhatched byȱJudithȱPhilipsȱinȱHampshire,ȱbyȱJohnȱandȱAliceȱWestȱinȱHammersmith,ȱandȱby stillȱotherȱconfederatesȱinȱDorsetȱappealedȱtoȱtheȱpopularȱimaginationȱprecisely becauseȱ theyȱ exploitedȱ popular,ȱ thoughȱ moribund,ȱ faithȱ inȱ theȱ existenceȱ and benevolenceȱ ofȱ fairies.ȱ Theȱ sameȱ schemesȱ exposedȱ theȱ foiblesȱ ofȱ theȱ victims, includingȱtheirȱsenseȱofȱselfȬimportanceȱandȱtheirȱdesireȱforȱunearnedȱriches.ȱAll ofȱwhichȱmadeȱsuchȱtalesȱofȱconȱartistsȱpimpingȱforȱtheȱfairiesȱanȱirresistibleȱtopic forȱ stageȱ satire.ȱShakespeareȱputȱtheȱfairyȱkingȱandȱqueenȱonȱtheȱstage,ȱinȱthe charactersȱ ofȱ Oberonȱ andȱ Titaniaȱ inȱ Aȱ Midsummerȱ Night’sȱ Dream,ȱ asȱ aȱ kindȱ of parallelȱ toȱ Theseusȱ andȱ Hippolyta,ȱ theȱ humanȱ kingȱ andȱ queenȱ inȱ theȱ play. Shakespeareȱadaptedȱ theȱRobinȱGoodfellowȱofȱlegendȱasȱhisȱPuck,ȱwhoȱinȱthe epilogueȱprovidedȱaȱfinalȱcommentȱonȱtheȱwholeȱstageȱillusion.ȱJonsonȱshowed howȱtheȱillusionȱworkedȱinȱtheȱhandsȱofȱaȱskilledȱcozenerȱlikeȱSubtle.ȱ Inȱhisȱalchemist,ȱJonsonȱhasȱcreatedȱaȱbrilliantȱbutȱdeeplyȱflawedȱcharacter,ȱwith anȱalmostȱpreternaturalȱtalentȱforȱdiscoveringȱaȱvictim’sȱweaknessȱandȱexploiting it.ȱ Meanwhile,ȱ heȱ hasȱ educatedȱ hisȱ audience,ȱ firstȱ inȱ “Theȱ Argument”ȱ spoken beforeȱ theȱ playȱ isȱ performedȱ andȱ thenȱ inȱ theȱ dedicationȱ andȱ “Theȱ Prologue” prefixedȱtoȱtheȱprintedȱplay,ȱsoȱthatȱitsȱmembersȱcanȱappreciateȱtheȱtrickeryȱwith

54 55

Jonson,ȱTheȱAlchemist,ȱ2.2.103–104ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ18). SimonȱForman,ȱTheȱGroundesȱofȱLongitudeȱ(London:ȱThomasȱDawson,ȱ1591).ȱFormanȱdescribed himselfȱonȱtheȱtitleȱpageȱasȱaȱ“StudentȱinȱAstronomieȱandȱPhysique,”ȱi.e.,ȱastrologyȱandȱmedicine, andȱheȱpromisedȱtoȱpublishȱfurtherȱbooksȱonȱastrologyȱ(sig.ȱA7v).

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

503

theȱconfidenceȱthatȱtheyȱwouldȱnotȱfallȱforȱanyȱofȱit.ȱTheȱamoralȱFaceȱstepsȱforward atȱtheȱend,ȱJonson’sȱmouthpieceȱandȱtheȱcharacterȱwhoȱhasȱbroughtȱtheȱothers togetherȱinȱtheȱplay’sȱaction.ȱȱAȱquickȱstudy,ȱheȱhasȱlearnedȱtheȱlingoȱofȱalchemy andȱSubtle’sȱotherȱarts.ȱȱHeȱhasȱaidedȱandȱabettedȱSubtleȱandȱDoll,ȱandȱisȱasȱguilty ofȱcozenageȱasȱthey;ȱhowever,ȱheȱhasȱanȱunderstandingȱmaster,ȱandȱheȱknows whenȱtoȱbreakȱhisȱtiesȱwithȱtheȱformerȱconfederatesȱandȱtheirȱvictims.ȱPerhapsȱhe hasȱtakenȱoffȱhisȱlaboratoryȱsmockȱbeforeȱheȱadvancesȱtoȱtheȱfrontȱofȱtheȱstageȱin theȱplay’sȱfinalȱmoment.ȱPerhapsȱheȱsubstitutesȱaȱpieceȱofȱhisȱlivery.ȱSurelyȱhe speaksȱforȱtheȱplaywrightȱasȱheȱinvitesȱtheȱaudienceȱtoȱpassȱjudgment.ȱ

504

ThomasȱWillard

Fig.ȱ1.ȱRobertȱGreene’sȱexposéȱofȱcozenage

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

Fig.ȱ2.ȱJudithȱPhilipsȱbridlingȱaȱrichȱman

505

506

ThomasȱWillard

Fig.ȱ3.ȱTheȱWhoreȱofȱBabylonȱbyȱAlbrechtȱDürer

PimpingȱforȱtheȱFairyȱQueen

Fig.ȱ4.ȱAristotleȱandȱPhyllisȱbyȱHansȱBaldungȱGrienȱinȱtheȱatelierȱofȱ AlbrechtȱDürer

507

508

ThomasȱWillard

Fig.ȱ5.ȱAliceȱWestȱandȱJohnȱWestȱinȱtheȱpillory

Chapterȱ21 DenisȱBjaï (Universitéȱd’Orléans/ȱANRȱJusLittera)

RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱ surȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels

LesȱréflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminelsȱluiȱsontȱinspiréesȱpar sesȱ lectures,ȱ juridiques,ȱ historiques,ȱ philosophiquesȱ (qu’ilȱ seraitȱ tropȱ longȱ de recenser),ȱ etȱ surtoutȱ parȱ sonȱ expérience,ȱ quinzeȱ ansȱ durant,ȱ deȱ magistrat,ȱ de praticienȱduȱdroit.ȱRappelonsȱqueȱMontaigneȱaȱd’abordȱétéȱconseillerȱàȱlaȱcourȱdes AidesȱdeȱPérigueuxȱ(compétenteȱenȱmatièreȱdeȱfiscalité),ȱpuis,ȱàȱlaȱsuppressionȱde celleȬci,ȱréaffectéȱàȱlaȱChambreȱdesȱRequêtesȱduȱParlementȱdeȱBordeaux,ȱdevenue ChambreȱdesȱEnquêtes,ȱquiȱtraitaitȱessentiellementȱdesȱlitigesȱdeȱdroitȱcivil.1ȱLes causesȱcriminellesȱétaient,ȱelles,ȱduȱressortȱdeȱlaȱGrand’Chambreȱouȱbienȱdeȱla Tournelle,ȱainsiȱdénomméeȱparceȱqueȱl’onȱyȱsiégeaitȱàȱtourȱdeȱrôle.2ȱSiȱMontaigne n’yȱaȱpeutȬêtreȱpasȱétéȱaffecté,ȱduȱmoinsȱaȬtȬilȱpuȱparticiperȱauxȱséancesȱplénières duȱParlement,ȱ“toutesȱchambresȱassemblées,”ȱoùȱl’onȱstatuaitȱsurȱlesȱaffairesȱles plusȱgraves,ȱselonȱuneȱprocédureȱunilatéraleȱprivantȱl’accuséȱd’avocatȱetȱexcluant toutȱappel.3ȱAussiȱlesȱexécutionsȱcapitalesȱneȱsontȬellesȱpasȱseulementȱprétexte,

1

2

3

SurȱMontaigneȱauȱParlementȱdeȱBordeauxȱet,ȱplusȱprécisément,ȱàȱlaȱChambreȱdesȱEnquêtes,ȱvoir AndréȱTournon,ȱMontaigneȱenȱtoutesȱlettresȱ(Paris:ȱBordas,ȱ1989),ȱ19–22;ȱetȱMontaigne:ȱLaȱgloseȱet l’essai,ȱsecondeȱéditionȱrevueȱetȱcorrigée.ȱÉtudesȱmontaignistes,ȱ37ȱ(1983;ȱParis:ȱChampion,ȱ2000), 185–202. Articleȱ”ParlementȱdeȱBordeaux“ȱdeȱl’Encyclopédie.ȱCf.ȱJeanȱBodin,ȱLaȱRépublique,ȱIV,ȱ6,ȱcitéȱpar Littré,ȱDictionnaireȱdeȱlaȱlangueȱfrançaise,ȱs.v.ȱTournelle:ȱ“Nosȱpèresȱontȱtrèsȱsagementȱordonnéȱque laȱ chambreȱ criminelleȱ desȱ parlementsȱ changeraȱ deȱ troisȱ enȱ troisȱ mois,ȱ quiȱ pourȱ cesteȱ cause s’appelleȱtournelle,ȱparceȱqueȱtousȱlesȱjugesȱdesȱautresȱchambresȱyȱjugentȱchacunȱenȱleurȱtour.” Suivantȱl’articleȱ162ȱdeȱl’ordonnanceȱdeȱVillersȬCotterêtsȱ(1539):ȱ“Enȱmatièreȱcriminelle,ȱneȱseront lesȱpartiesȱaucunementȱouïes,ȱetȱparȱleȱconseilȱneȱministèreȱd’aucunesȱpersonnes”ȱ(citéȱparȱGéralde Nakam,ȱ Lesȱ Essaisȱ deȱ Montaigneȱ miroirȱ etȱ procèsȱ deȱ leurȱ temps:ȱ témoignageȱ historiqueȱ etȱ création littéraire.ȱPublicationsȱdeȱlaȱSorbonneȱ/ȱSérieȱlittératureȱ/ȱ2ȱ;ȱ16ȱ[Paris:ȱNizet,ȱ1984],ȱ138,ȱn.ȱ266).ȱVoir

510

DenisȱBjaï

dansȱlesȱEssais,ȱàȱdévider—varianteȱburlesqueȱdesȱultimaȱverbaȱédifiantsȱprononcés parȱlesȱgrandsȱhommes—desȱbonsȱmotsȱprononcésȱsurȱl’échafaudȱ(parȱexemple, “Unȱautreȱdisoitȱauȱbourreauȱqu’ilȱneȱleȱtouchastȱpasȱàȱlaȱgorge,ȱdeȱpeurȱdeȱleȱfaire tressaillirȱdeȱrire,ȱtantȱilȱestoitȱchatouilleux”4),ȱouȱbienȱdesȱhistoiresȱsingulières, commeȱcelleȱdeȱceȱcondamnéȱàȱmortȱquiȱmourutȱsubitementȱàȱl’annonceȱdeȱsa grâce.5ȱAuȱdétourȱduȱtexte,ȱMontaigneȱlaisseȱentendreȱcombienȱilȱaȱpuȱluiȱcoûter d’assisterȱèsȱqualitésȱàȱdeȱtelsȱsupplices:ȱ“Lesȱexecutionsȱmesmeȱdeȱlaȱjustice,ȱpour raisonnablesȱqu’ellesȱsoient,ȱjeȱneȱlesȱpuisȱvoirȱd’uneȱveueȱferme.”6ȱ Maisȱ cesȱ arrêtsȱ sontȬilsȱ précisémentȱ raisonnables?ȱ Instruitȱ parȱ saȱ propre expérience,ȱ Montaigneȱ porteȱ unȱ jugementȱ lucideȱ surȱ lesȱ tragiquesȱ erreurs commisesȱparȱlaȱjusticeȱdeȱsonȱtemps.ȱDansȱleȱdernierȱchapitreȱdesȱEssais,ȱintitulé “Deȱl’Experience,”ȱilȱposeȱdeuxȱquestionsȱincisives,ȱdontȱlaȱgradationȱconstitueȱle plusȱterribleȱdesȱréquisitoires:ȱ“Combienȱavonsȱnousȱdescouvertȱd’innocensȱavoir estéȱpunisȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.];ȱetȱcombienȱyȱenȱaȬilȱeu,ȱqueȱnousȱn’avonsȱpasȱdescouvert?”7ȱEt Montaigneȱd’enchaînerȱsurȱuneȱhistoireȱsurvenueȱdeȱsonȱtempsȱetȱpeutȬêtreȱdans leȱressortȱmêmeȱduȱParlementȱdeȱBordeaux,ȱsousȱlesȱyeuxȱduȱmagistratȱqu’ilȱfut: desȱassassinsȱprésumésȱviennentȱd’êtreȱcondamnésȱàȱmortȱparȱleursȱjugesȱquand ceuxȬciȱapprennentȱque,ȱdansȱuneȱjuridictionȱvoisine,ȱonȱdétientȱdesȱprisonniers quiȱsontȱpassésȱauxȱaveuxȱetȱquiȱont,ȱsansȱleȱmoindreȱdouteȱpossible,ȱaccompliȱce forfait.ȱ Queȱ faire?ȱ Justiceȱ aȱ déjàȱ étéȱ rendue,ȱ desȱ jugesȱ neȱ sauraientȱ seȱ déjuger,ȱ les condamnésȱ àȱ mortȱ sontȱ doncȱ pendusȱ hautȱ etȱ court.ȱ “Somme,ȱ commente Montaigne,ȱcesȱpauvresȱdiablesȱsontȱconsacrezȱauxȱformulesȱdeȱlaȱjustice,”8ȱc’estȬàȬ direȱqu’ilsȱsontȱexécutésȱproprementȱpourȱlaȱforme,ȱsacrifiésȱàȱuneȱraisonȱjudiciaire quiȱ batȱ enȱ brècheȱ touteȱ normeȱ juridique.ȱ Leȱ contreȬexempleȱ deȱ Philippeȱ de Macédoine,ȱreprisȱdeȱPlutarque,9ȱquiȱsut,ȱdansȱunȱcasȱsemblable,ȱfaireȱrespecter

4

5 6 7 8

9

GastonȱZeller,ȱLesȱinstitutionsȱdeȱlaȱFranceȱauȱXVIeȱsiècleȱ(Paris:ȱPressesȱUniversitairesȱdeȱFrance, 1948),ȱ179. NousȱcitonsȱLesȱEssaisȱdansȱl’éditionȱJeanȱBalsamoȱetȱal.ȱdeȱlaȱ”BibliothèqueȱdeȱlaȱPléiade“ȱ(Paris: Gallimard,ȱ2007),ȱiciȱlivreȱI,ȱchapitreȱ40,ȱ259. I,ȱ20/21,ȱ99ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). II,ȱ11,ȱ452ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ13,ȱ1117ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ13,ȱ1117ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).ȱExempleȱdeȱcasȱ“perplexe”ȱsuivantȱSt.ȱGeonget,ȱ“Perplexitéȱetȱscepticisme dansȱlesȱEssaisȱouȱlaȱsourisȱouȱleȱverȱàȱsoieȱ(III,ȱ1),”ȱL’écritureȱduȱscepticismeȱchezȱMontaigne,ȱed. MarieȬLuceȱDemonetȱetȱAlainȱLegros.ȱTravauxȱd’ȱHumanismeȱetȱRenaissance,ȱ385ȱ(Genève:ȱDroz, 2004),ȱ143–57;ȱiciȱ151–52.ȱ(Onȱrétablira,ȱdansȱleȱtitreȱdeȱl’article,ȱlaȱréférenceȱcorrecteȱduȱchapitre: III,ȱ13.) DansȱLesȱdictsȱnotablesȱdesȱanciensȱRoys,ȱtrad.ȱJacquesȱAmyotȱdesȱŒuvresȱmoralesȱetȱmesléesȱ(Paris: MichelȱdeȱVascosan,ȱ1572),ȱ192B,ȱoùȱPlutarqueȱmetȱenȱscèneȱleȱjugementȱparȱPhilippeȱd’unȱcertain Meletas.ȱMaisȱMontaigne,ȱtoujoursȱsoucieuxȱdeȱneȱpasȱpasserȱpourȱunȱpédant,ȱparleȱdeȱ”Philippus, ouȱquelqueȱautre.”

RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels

511

l’arrêtȱtoutȱenȱdédommageantȱl’innocentȱcondamnéȱàȱtort,ȱcontrebalancerȱlaȱjustice parȱl’équité,ȱneȱsauraitȱfaireȱiciȱbalanceȱégale,ȱcarȱlaȱvieȱdeȱl’accuséȱn’étaitȱpasȱen jeu.ȱCeȱquiȱpermetȱàȱMontaigneȱdeȱpousserȱplusȱavantȱsonȱréquisitoireȱcontreȱles tribunauxȱduȱtemps:ȱ“Maisȱilȱ[Philippe]ȱavoitȱaffaireȱàȱunȱaccidentȱreparable;ȱles miensȱfurentȱpendusȱirreparablement.ȱCombienȱayȬjeȱveuȱdeȱcondemnationsȱplus crimineusesȱ queȱ leȱ crime?”10ȱ clausuleȱ ciseléeȱ autourȱ d’unȱ adjectifȱ rareȱ sousȱ sa plumeȱ(crimineux,ȱduȱlatinȱcriminosus,ȱpréféréȱiciȱàȱcriminel)11ȱetȱd’uneȱparonomase cinglanteȱintroduiteȱseulementȱdansȱleȱtoutȱdernierȱétatȱduȱtexte.12ȱ Confrontéȱàȱuneȱtelleȱsituation,ȱcommentȱleȱmagistratȱMontaigneȱs’estȬilȱluiȬ mêmeȱcomporté?ȱDansȱl’avantȬdernierȱchapitreȱdesȱEssais,ȱ“DeȱlaȱPhysionomie,” auxȱtoutesȱdernièresȱlignes,ȱilȱlaisseȱéchapperȱcetȱaveuȱlourdȱdeȱsens:ȱ“lorsȱque l’occasionȱm’aȱconviéȱauxȱcondemnationsȱcriminelles,ȱj’ayȱplustostȱmanquéȱàȱla justice.”13ȱLeȱjugeȱpénal,ȱaussiȱallergiqueȱàȱlaȱviolenceȱqueȱl’hommeȱprivé,ȱétait doncȱnaturellementȱportéȱàȱl’indulgence,ȱsinonȱpourȱleȱcrime,ȱduȱmoinsȱpourȱle criminel.ȱEtȱMontaigneȱs’autoriseȱd’uneȱsentenceȱbienȱfrappéeȱdeȱTiteȬLive,ȱqu’il réécritȱàȱlaȱpremièreȱpersonneȱpourȱlaȱfaireȱpleinementȱsienne,ȱsurȱlaȱdisproportion toujoursȱàȱcraindreȱentreȱleȱmalȱqueȱlesȱhommesȱsontȱcapablesȱdeȱcommettreȱet l’énergieȱnécessaireȱpourȱleȱréprimer:ȱUtȱmagisȱpeccariȱnolim,ȱquamȱsatisȱanimi,ȱad vindicandaȱpeccataȱhabeam,ȱ“Deȱsorteȱqueȱjeȱneȱvoudraisȱpasȱqu’ilȱseȱcommîtȱplusȱde fautesȱqueȱjeȱn’aiȱdeȱcourageȱpourȱlesȱpunir.”14 LesȱréflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminelsȱs’ordonnentȱautour deȱtroisȱquestionsȬclés:ȱunȱchâtimentȱpeutȬilȱêtreȱjuste?ȱpeutȬilȱêtreȱproportionné? peutȬilȱêtreȱutile?ȱPremièreȱquestion:ȱpeutȬilȱêtreȱjuste?ȱIlȱfautȱfaireȱd’abordȱlaȱpart desȱpassionsȱhumaines,ȱcommeȱlaȱcolère,ȱlaȱcruauté,ȱlaȱvengeance,ȱquiȱviennent toujoursȱinfluerȱsurȱlaȱsentence.ȱColèreȱduȱconsulȱromainȱPiso,ȱdansȱleȱchapitre consacréȱprécisémentȱàȱcetteȱpassion,ȱlequelȱs’emporteȱcontreȱunȱdeȱsesȱsoldats revenuȱseulȱduȱfourrageȱetȱsuspectéȱd’avoirȱtuéȱsonȱcompagnon;ȱilȱleȱcondamme àȱ mort,ȱ jusqu’àȱ ceȱ queȱ réapparaisseȱ l’autreȱ soldat,ȱ àȱ laȱ grandeȱ satisfactionȱ du bourreau,ȱquiȱpeutȱramenerȱl’unȱetȱl’autreȱvivants,ȱmaisȱàȱlaȱfureurȱredoubléeȱdu chef:

10 11

12

13 14

III,ȱ13,ȱ1117–1118ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Pasȱ d’autreȱ occurrenceȱ dansȱ lesȱ Essais,ȱ d’aprèsȱ laȱ Concordanceȱ deȱ Royȱ Leake.ȱ 2ȱ vol.ȱ Travaux d’HumanismeȱetȱRenaissance,ȱ187ȱ(Genève:ȱDroz,ȱ1981). Onȱlitȱdansȱlesȱmargesȱdeȱl’ExemplaireȱdeȱBordeaux:ȱ”CombienȱaiȬjeȱveuȱdeȱsentencesȱ[préféréȱà jugements]ȱ piresȱ queȱ leȱ crime.”ȱ Surȱ l’effortȱ deȱ Montaigneȱ pourȱ accentuerȱ l’expressionȱ deȱ sa réprobation,ȱvoirȱAndréȱTournon,ȱ«Justiceȱoblige»,ȱMontaigne:ȱlaȱjusticeȱ[BulletinȱdeȱlaȱSociétéȱdes AmisȱdeȱMontaigne,ȱ8eȱsérie,ȱnosȱ21–22ȱ(janvierȬjuinȱ2001)],ȱ71–79;ȱiciȱ71,ȱn.ȱ3. III,ȱ12,ȱ1110ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Leȱtexteȱlatinȱ(Histoireȱromaine,ȱXXIX,ȱxxi,ȱ11)ȱporteȱnolintȱetȱhabeant,ȱparȱréférenceȱauxȱLocriens, portésȱàȱl’indulgenceȱenversȱScipion.

512

DenisȱBjaï ilȱenȱfitȱtroisȱcoulpables,ȱparȱceȱqu’ilȱenȱavoitȱtrouvéȱunȱinnocent:ȱetȱlesȱfitȱdepescher tousȱtrois:ȱLeȱpremierȱsoldat,ȱparȱceȱqu’ilȱyȱavoitȱarrestȱcontreȱluy:ȱleȱsecondȱquiȱs’estoit egaré,ȱparȱceȱqu’ilȱestoitȱcauseȱdeȱlaȱmortȱdeȱsonȱcompagnon;ȱ etȱ leȱ bourreauȱpour n’avoirȱobeyȱauȱcommandementȱqu’onȱluyȱavoitȱfaict.15

Cruautéȱ desȱ tyransȱ quiȱ veulentȱ ôterȱ laȱ vieȱ àȱ leursȱ ennemisȱ enȱ lesȱ faisant affreusementȱsouffrirȱetȱquiȱrecherchentȱtousȱlesȱmoyensȱimaginablesȱ“d’alonger laȱmort”16:ȱCrésus,ȱenȱfaisantȱgratterȱetȱcarderȱtoutȱvifȱunȱgentilhomme;17ȱTibère, enȱ“fais[ant]ȱlierȱlaȱvergeȱàȱsesȱcriminels,ȱpourȱlesȱfaireȱmourirȱàȱfauteȱdeȱpisserȱ”18; etȱleȱsultanȱMehmetȱII,ȱenȱfaisantȱtrancherȱlesȱhommesȱenȱdeux,ȱauȱniveauȱdu diaphragme,ȱ“d’oùȱilȱarrivoit,ȱqu’ilsȱmourussentȱcommeȱdeȱdeuxȱmortsȱàȱlaȱfois: etȱvoyoitȬonȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱl’uneȱetȱl’autreȱpartȱpleineȱdeȱvie,ȱseȱdemenerȱlongȱtempsȱaprès presséeȱdeȱtourment.”19ȱ Vengeanceȱ desȱ commanditairesȱ mêmesȱ d’unȱ meurtreȱ surȱ ceuxȱ qu’ilsȱ ont employésȱàȱcetteȱfinȱetȱquiȱleurȱapparaissentȱparȱlaȱsuiteȱenȱêtreȱlaȱvivanteȱimage, doncȱleȱvivantȱreproche,ȱparȱexempleȱquandȱleȱmêmeȱMehmetȱIIȱlivreȱl’assassinȱde sonȱdemiȬfrèreȱàȱlaȱmèreȱdeȱceluiȬci,ȱquiȱ“ouvritȱàȱceȱmeurtrierȱl’estomach:ȱetȱtout chaudementȱdeȱsesȱmains,ȱfouillantȱetȱarrachantȱsonȱcœur,ȱleȱjettaȱmangerȱaux chiens.”20ȱSansȱcompterȱl’hypocrisieȱdesȱjuges,ȱquiȱpunissentȱvolontiersȱchezȱautrui uneȱ inconduiteȱ qu’euxȬmêmesȱ s’autorisent,ȱ commeȱ l’adultère,21ȱ ouȱ qui, circonstanceȱ aggravante,ȱ châtientȱ contreȱ leurȱ conscience:ȱ “telȱ condamneȱ les hommesȱàȱmourir,ȱpourȱdesȱcrimes,ȱqu’ilȱn’estimeȱpointȱfautes.”22 Ilȱ fautȱ faireȱ aussiȱ laȱ partȱ duȱ hasardȱ etȱ deȱ laȱ chance,ȱ doncȱ deȱ l’arbitraire,ȱ qui permetȱquelquefoisȱàȱunȱaccuséȱdeȱcroiserȱsurȱsonȱcheminȱunȱjugeȱceȱjourȬlàȱbien disposé,ȱquiȱneȱl’auraitȱpeutȬêtreȱpasȱétéȱlaȱveilleȱniȱneȱleȱseraitȱplusȱleȱlendemain. Montaigneȱyȱvoitȱmêmeȱl’origineȱd’uneȱsorteȱd’adageȱjudiciaireȱ(qu’ilȱsembleȱêtre toutefoisȱleȱseulȱàȱciter):ȱ“Enȱlaȱchicaneȱdeȱnosȱpalais,ȱceȱmotȱestȱenȱusage,ȱquiȱse ditȱdesȱcriminelsȱquiȱrencontrentȱlesȱjugesȱenȱquelqueȱbonneȱtrampe,ȱdouceȱet debonnaire,ȱgaudeatȱdeȱbonaȱfortuna,”23ȱmotȱlatinȱqueȱlesȱéditionsȱparuesȱduȱvivant deȱMontaigneȱfontȱsuivreȱdeȱsaȱtraduction,ȱ“qu’ilȱjouisseȱdeȱceȱbonheur.”ȱMaisȱla médailleȱaȱnaturellementȱsonȱreversȱetȱl’adage,ȱpourȱunȱaccuséȱconfrontéȱàȱun tribunalȱ moinsȱ bienveillant,ȱ pourraitȱ aussiȱ bienȱ s’inverserȱ enȱ unȱ doleatȱ deȱ mala fortuna!ȱ

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

II,ȱ31,ȱ754ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). II,ȱ27,ȱ737ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). P.ȱ738ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ4,ȱ879ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). II,ȱ27,ȱ737ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ1,ȱ839ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ9,ȱ1035ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ9,ȱ1035ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). II,ȱ12,ȱ598ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).

RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels

513

Enfinȱunȱchâtimentȱjusteȱdevraitȱrésulterȱd’unȱprocèsȱéquitable,ȱluiȬmêmeȱfondé surȱuneȱinstructionȱméthodiqueȱetȱsurȱleȱrespectȱduȱcontradictoire,ȱnonȱsurȱles simplesȱ suppositionsȱ ouȱ conjecturesȱ d’unȱ juge.ȱ Dansȱ l’affaireȱ Martinȱ Guerre, rendueȱ célèbreȱ parȱ lesȱ travauxȱ deȱ Natalieȱ Zemonȱ Davis,ȱ Montaigneȱ prendȱ ses distancesȱavecȱlesȱconclusionsȱhasardeusesȱduȱconseillerȱtoulousainȱJeanȱdeȱCoras, alorsȱenclinȱàȱexpliquerȱparȱlaȱmagie24ȱcetteȱtroublanteȱusurpationȱd’identitéȱentre GuerreȱetȱArnaudȱduȱTilh:ȱ“jeȱtrouvayȱbeaucoupȱdeȱhardiesseȱenȱl’arrestȱquiȱl’avoit condamnéȱàȱestreȱpendu.”25ȱLaȱhardiesse,ȱc’estȬàȬdireȱleȱcaractèreȱaventuré,ȱsinon erroné,ȱduȱjugementȱd’appel26ȱestȱiciȱd’autantȱmoinsȱrecevable,ȱadmissible,ȱqueȱla vieȱ d’unȱ hommeȱ estȱ enȱ jeu.ȱ “Àȱ tuerȱ lesȱ gens,ȱ ajouteȱ Montaigneȱ d’uneȱ plume cinglante,ȱilȱfautȱuneȱclairtéȱlumineuseȱetȱnette,”27ȱcommeȱenȱconvenaitȱluiȬmême Coras,ȱqueȱleȱtexteȱpourraitȱbienȱiciȱironiquementȱdémarquer.28ȱMaisȱnotreȱraison, infirmeȱetȱdéficiente,ȱnousȱprocureȬtȬelleȱjamaisȱdeȱtellesȱclartés?ȱMontaigneȱpeut àȱbonȱcompteȱrenchérir:ȱ“c’estȱmettreȱsesȱconjecturesȱàȱbienȱhautȱprix,ȱqueȱd’en faireȱcuireȱunȱhommeȱtoutȱvif.”29ȱ Enȱmatièreȱcriminelle,ȱleȱmoindreȱdouteȱdoitȱprofiterȱàȱl’accuséȱetȱconduireȱla courȱàȱsurseoirȱsonȱjugement,ȱàȱreconnaîtreȱplatementȱqu’elleȱneȱcomprendȱrienȱau casȱ quiȱ luiȱ estȱ soumis,ȱ ouȱ encore,ȱ commeȱ leȱ fitȱ àȱ Athènesȱ l’Aréopage,ȱ à reconvoquerȱ lesȱ partiesȱ àȱ échéanceȱ deȱ centȱ ans.ȱ Inséréeȱ dansȱ leȱ chapitreȱ “Des boyteux,”ȱcetteȱmiseȱenȱgardeȱcontreȱlesȱerreursȱjudiciairesȱn’aȱqueȱl’apparence d’uneȱdigression.ȱElleȱentretientȱavecȱleȱthèmeȬtitreȱunȱcertainȱrapport,ȱsinonȱun rapportȱcertain,ȱqueȱleȱdiligentȱlecteurȱestȱinvitéȱàȱdéceler.ȱPourȱNicolaȱPanichi,ȱ“les boiteuxȱ enȱ questionȱ sontȱ lesȱ juges,ȱ boiteuxȱ deȱ l’âme,ȱ ouȱ mieux,ȱ boiteuxȱ deȱ la conscienceȱetȱdeȱsesȱtribunaux,ȱboitantȱautantȱqueȱleursȱsentences.”30ȱMaisȱceȱsont lesȱEssaisȱtoutȱentiersȱquiȱrépercutentȱlaȱdémarcheȱclaudicanteȱdeȱlaȱjustice. Secondeȱ question,ȱ unȱ châtimentȱ peutȬilȱ êtreȱ proportionné?ȱ Montaigneȱ fixe clairementȱlaȱlimiteȱquiȱneȱdevraitȱjamaisȱêtreȱoutrepassée:ȱ“enȱlaȱjusticeȱmesme,

24

25 26

27 28

29 30

PointȱdeȱvueȱnuancéȱparȱÉmileȱV.ȱTelle:ȱ“Corasȱévoqueȱvigoureusement,ȱdansȱleȱtexteȱimprimé [deȱl’ArrestȱmemorableȱduȱParlementȱdeȱTolose],ȱlaȱpossibilitéȱdeȱsorcellerieȱmaisȱn’enȱfaitȱpasȱ‘cas’. Ilȱn’expliqueȱrienȱetȱneȱtenteȱpasȱdeȱrienȱexpliquerȱparȱlaȱmagie.ȱIlȱseȱpose,ȱouȱplutôt,ȱsoulèveȱla question”ȱ(“MontaigneȱetȱleȱprocèsȱMartinȱGuerre,”ȱBibliothèqueȱd’HumanismeȱetȱRenaissanceȱ37 [1975]:ȱ387–419;ȱiciȱ394). III,ȱ11,ȱ1077ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Surȱleȱsensȱexactȱdeȱceȱterme,ȱvoirȱKatherineȱAlmquist,ȱ“Montaigneȱetȱleȱplusȱsûr,”ȱMontaigne:ȱla justice,ȱ151–57;ȱiciȱ151ȱ(citéȱn.ȱ12);ȱetȱNicolaȱPanichi,ȱ“Laȱboiterieȱdeȱlaȱraison,”ȱ171–83;ȱiciȱ181. P.ȱ1078ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). “Esȱcausesȱcriminelles,ȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱilȱconvientȱlesȱpreuvesȱestreȱcertaines,ȱindubitables,ȱetȱplusȱclairesȱque leȱjourȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.],ȱlesȱtesmoins,ȱetȱpreuvesȱdoyventȱestreȱentieresȱetȱplusȱclaires,ȱetȱreluysantesȱqueȱle soleil”ȱ(reproduitȱparȱNicolaȱPanichi,ȱ“Laȱboiterieȱdeȱlaȱraison,”ȱarticleȱcitéȱ[n.ȱ26],ȱ179). P.ȱ1079ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Articleȱcité,ȱ173ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ26).

514

DenisȱBjaï

toutȱceȱquiȱestȱauȬdelàȱdeȱlaȱmortȱsimple,ȱmeȱsembleȱpureȱcruauté.”31ȱLaȱphrase seraȱ repriseȱ àȱ l’identiqueȱ dansȱ leȱ chapitreȱ 27ȱ duȱ mêmeȱ livre,ȱ parȱ unȱ effetȱ de symétrieȱsoigneusementȱménagé.32ȱPrésente,ȱàȱcetteȱdoubleȱplace,ȱdèsȱl’édition originaleȱduȱlivre,ȱelleȱretintȱfinȱ1580–débutȱ1581ȱl’attentionȱdeȱlaȱcensureȱromaine, commeȱleȱrapporteȱMontaigneȱluiȬmêmeȱdansȱsonȱJournalȱdeȱvoyage:ȱentreȱautres animadversions,ȱilȱseȱvitȱreprocherȱ“d’estimerȱcruautéȱceȱquiȱestȱauȬdelàȱdeȱmort simple.”33ȱL’exemplaireȱdesȱEssaisȱconfisquéȱàȱl’auteurȱàȱsonȱarrivéeȱàȱRomeȱavait étéȱsoumis,ȱenȱeffet,ȱàȱl’examenȱscrupuleuxȱd’unȱetȱmêmeȱdeȱdeuxȱcenseurs,ȱdont lesȱ observationsȱ critiques,ȱ conservéesȱ dansȱ lesȱ archivesȱ deȱ l’Index,ȱ ontȱ été récemmentȱretrouvées.34ȱ Toutȱ ceȱ passageȱ deȱ “Deȱ laȱ cruauté”ȱ futȱ traduitȱ enȱ italien,ȱ pourȱ enȱ souligner l’hétérodoxie,ȱparceȱqueȱMontaigneȱavaitȱcruȱbonȱd’ajouter:ȱ“Etȱnotammentȱàȱnous, quiȱdevrionsȱavoirȱrespectȱd’enȱenvoyerȱlesȱamesȱenȱbonȱestat;ȱceȱquiȱneȱseȱpeut, lesȱayantȱagitéesȱetȱdesesperéesȱparȱtourmensȱinsupportables.”ȱIlȱn’échappaȱpas auȱcenseurȱromainȱqueȱl’allusionȱpouvaitȱviserȱlesȱpratiquesȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱd’Église, enȱparticulierȱdeȱl’Inquisition,ȱquiȱs’arrogeaitȱleȱdroitȱdeȱtourmenterȱlesȱcorpsȱpour sauverȱ lesȱ âmes.35ȱ Finalementȱ dédouanéȱ parȱ leȱ Maîtreȱ duȱ Sacréȱ Palais,ȱ le dominicainȱSistoȱFabri,ȱetȱmêmeȱinvitéȱàȱsonȱdépartȱàȱneȱtenirȱnulleȱcompteȱdes ”sottises“ȱconsignéesȱdansȱceȱdocument,36ȱMontaigneȱamplifiera,ȱdeȱrééditionȱen réédition,ȱsaȱcondamnationȱdesȱchâtimentsȱinhumainsȱinfligésȱauxȱcondamnés.37 Qu’entendȬilȱauȱjusteȱparȱuneȱ”mortȱsimple“?ȱL’expressionȱseȱrencontreȱàȱquatre reprisesȱdansȱlesȱEssais,ȱtoujoursȱdansȱleȱtexteȱprimitifȱdeȱ1580,ȱlaȱpremièreȱfoisȱà proposȱdeȱcesȱgensȱduȱpeupleȱ”conduict[s]ȱàȱlaȱmort,ȱetȱnonȱàȱlaȱmortȱsimple,ȱmais mesléeȱdeȱhonte,ȱetȱquelquefoisȱdeȱgriefsȱtourmens.”38ȱGriefsȱtourmensȱici,ȱtourmens insupportablesȱdansȱleȱchapitreȱ”Deȱlaȱcruauté“ȱprécédemmentȱcité,ȱdésignentȱces

31 32

33 34

35

36 37

38

II,ȱ11,ȱ452ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). LeȱlivreȱIIȱcomptantȱenȱeffetȱtrenteȬseptȱchapitres,ȱleȱ11eȱseȱlitȱaprèsȱlesȱdixȱpremiers,ȱleȱ27eȱavant lesȱdixȱderniers.ȱJohnȱMcClellandȱvoitȱenȱrevancheȱdansȱcetteȱrépétition,ȱqueȱMontaigneȱaurait omisȱd’éliminer,ȱl’indiceȱd’uneȱcompositionȱdesȱEssaisȱàȱpartirȱdeȱbrouillons,ȱouȱ“brouillars”ȱ(“La traditionȱdeȱl’éditionȱcritiqueȱfaceȱauȱtexteȱdesȱEssais,”ȱÉditerȱlesȱEssaisȱdeȱMontaigne,ȱéd.ȱClaude BlumȱetȱAndréȱTournon.ȱÉtudesȱmontaignistes,ȱ28ȱ(Paris:ȱChampion,ȱ1997),ȱ203–26;ȱiciȱ223). ÉditionȱFrançoisȱRigolotȱ(Paris:ȱPressesȱUniversitairesȱdeȱFrance,ȱ1992),ȱ119. PièceȱpubliéeȱparȱPeterȱGodman,ȱTheȱSaintȱasȱCensor.ȱRobertȱBellarminȱbetweenȱInquisitionȱandȱIndex. StudiesȱinȱMedievalȱandȱReformationȱThought,ȱ80ȱ(LeidenȱandȱBoston:ȱBrill,ȱ2000),ȱDoc.ȱno.ȱ42, 339–42;ȱpuisȱparȱPhilippeȱDesan,ȱ”ApologieȱdeȱSebondȱouȱjustificationȱdeȱMontaigne?,”ȱMontaigne etȱ laȱ théologie,ȱ Travauxȱ d’Humanismeȱ etȱ Renaissance,ȱ 444ȱ (Genève:ȱ Droz,ȱ 2008),ȱ 175–200;ȱ ici 197–200. VoirȱAlainȱLegros,ȱ”Montaigneȱfaceȱàȱsesȱcenseursȱromainsȱdeȱ1581ȱ(miseȱàȱjour),”ȱBibliothèque d’HumanismeȱetȱRenaissanceȱ71.1ȱ(2009):ȱ7–33;ȱiciȱ26. Journalȱdeȱvoyage,ȱ131ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ33). Voirȱ Malcolmȱ Smith,ȱ Montaigneȱ andȱ theȱ Romanȱ Censors.ȱ Étudesȱ deȱ philologieȱ etȱ d’histoire,ȱ 37 (Genève:ȱDroz,ȱ1981),ȱch.ȱVI,ȱ“Humaneȱexecutions.” I,ȱ14,ȱ259ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).

RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels

515

raffinementsȱ sadiquesȱ dontȱ laȱ justiceȱ duȱ tempsȱ croitȱ bonȱ d’accompagnerȱ ses châtiments,ȱlàȱoùȱelleȱdevraitȱseȱcontenterȱdeȱfaireȱpasserȱlesȱcriminelsȱdeȱvieȱà trépas,ȱdeȱlesȱmettreȱ”simplement“ȱàȱmort.ȱC’estȱlaȱclémenceȱdeȱCésarȱquiȱestȱici alléguée:ȱ ayantȱforcéȱlesȱPyratesȱdeȱseȱrendreȱàȱluy,ȱquiȱl’avoientȱauparavantȱprisȱprisonnierȱet misȱàȱrançon;ȱd’autantȱqu’ilȱlesȱavoitȱmenassezȱdeȱlesȱfaireȱmettreȱenȱcroix,ȱilȱlesȱy condamna;ȱmaisȱceȱfutȱaprèsȱlesȱavoirȱfaictȱestrangler.ȱPhilomonȱsonȱsecretaire,ȱqui l’avoitȱvouluȱempoisonner,ȱilȱneȱleȱpunitȱpasȱplusȱaigrementȱqueȱd’uneȱmortȱsimple.39

—exactȱ décalqueȱ duȱ latinȱ deȱ Suétone,ȱ nonȱ grauiusȱ quamȱ simpliciȱ morteȱ puniit.40 Montaigneȱ développeȱ davantage,ȱ ajoutéȱ dansȱ lesȱ margesȱ deȱ l’Exemplaireȱ de Bordeaux,ȱ leȱ contreȬexempleȱ duȱ soldatȱ prisonnierȱ misȱ auȱ désespoirȱ parȱ de macabresȱpréparatifs41ȱqu’ilȱentendȱdepuisȱsaȱcellule.ȱLeȱmalheureuxȱtenteȱparȱtous lesȱmoyensȱdeȱseȱsupprimerȱluiȬmême,ȱjusqu’àȱseȱplanterȱunȱvieuxȱclouȱrouillé dansȱlaȱgorgeȱpuisȱdansȱleȱventre,ȱavantȱd’apprendre,ȱdéjàȱàȱmoitiéȱinconscient, ”qu’ilȱ n’estoitȱ condamnéȱ qu’àȱ avoirȱ laȱ testeȱ tranchée.”42ȱ Revirementȱ complet d’attitude:ȱilȱreprendȱcourage,ȱboitȱduȱvin,ȱremercieȱsesȱjuges,ȱcommeȱ”delivréȱde laȱ mortȱ pourȱ l’avoirȱ changée.”ȱ L’annonceȱ d’uneȱ mortȱ pureȱ etȱ simpleȱ l’aȱ fait paradoxalementȱrevenirȱàȱlaȱvie.43ȱCondamnerȱunȱhommeȱàȱlaȱpeineȱcapitaleȱne donneȱpasȱenȱeffetȱtousȱlesȱdroitsȱsurȱlui,ȱcommeȱceluiȱdeȱleȱdisséquerȱtoutȱvifȱdans l’intérêtȱdeȱlaȱmédecineȱouȱbienȱdeȱleȱlivrerȱauxȱjeuxȱduȱcirque,ȱàȱl’exempleȱdes anciens.44 Siȱ raffinementsȱ deȱ cruautéȱ ilȱ doitȱ yȱ avoir,ȱ enȱ vueȱ deȱ faireȱ impressionȱ surȱ le peuple,ȱceuxȬciȱdoiventȱs’exercer,ȱfaitȱvaloirȱMontaigne,ȱsurȱleȱcadavre,ȱnonȱsurȱle corpsȱvif.ȱIlȱditȱavoirȱassistéȱparȱhasardȱàȱRome,ȱenȱjanvierȱ1581,ȱàȱl’exécutionȱd’un scélératȱappeléȱCatenaȱ(deȱsonȱvraiȱnom,ȱBartolomeoȱVallante),ȱpenduȱpuisȱcoupé enȱ morceaux.ȱ Àȱ laȱ ”mortȱ simple“ȱ duȱ condamnéȱ succédaȱ doncȱ leȱ traitement ignominieuxȱetȱbarbareȱréservéȱàȱsaȱdépouille,ȱquiȱprovoquaȱdeȱvivesȱréactions parmiȱl’assistance.ȱ”Carȱleȱpeuple,ȱrapporteȱdansȱleȱJournalȱdeȱvoyageȱleȱsecrétaire deȱMontaigne,ȱquiȱn’avoitȱpasȱsentiȱdeȱleȱvoirȱestrangler,ȱàȱchaqueȱcoupȱqu’on donnoitȱpourȱleȱhacher,ȱs’escrioitȱd’uneȱvoixȱpiteuse.”45ȱNonȱqueȱlesȱexécutionsȱse

39 40

41

42 43 44 45

II,ȱ11,ȱ452ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Surȱlaȱréceptionȱdeȱl’historienȱlatinȱàȱlaȱRenaissance,ȱvoirȱl’étudeȱdeȱJessicaȱTvordi,ȱ”Constructing theȱEarlyȱModernȱCriminalȱthroughȱSuetonius:ȱTheȱCasesȱofȱBuckinghamȱandȱCastlehaven,“ȱdans notreȱvolume. Deȱ”roues,ȱclousȱetȱcroix,ȱpotences,ȱestrapadeȱpeutȬêtreȱouȱécartèlement“ȱ(GéraldeȱNakam,ȱLes EssaisȱdeȱMontaigne,ȱ325ȱ[voirȱn.ȱ3]). P.ȱ453ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). VoirȱG.ȱNakamȱ(citéeȱn.ȱ3),ȱ325–26. II,ȱ23,ȱ721ȱetȱ723ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Éd.ȱFrançoisȱRigolot,ȱ98ȱ(citéeȱn.ȱ33).

516

DenisȱBjaï

déroulassentȱtoujoursȱainsiȱàȱRome:ȱleȱmêmeȱsecrétaireȱditȱavoirȱencoreȱassisté,ȱce jourȬlà,ȱ àȱ laȱ miseȱ àȱ mortȱ deȱ deuxȱ frèresȱ assassinsȱ deȱ leurȱ maître,ȱ quiȱ furent successivementȱ tenaillés,ȱ amputésȱ duȱ poing,ȱ rouésȱ etȱ égorgés.ȱ Maisȱ c’estȱ bien l’exempleȱ deȱ Catenaȱ quiȱ estȱ reprisȱ dansȱ lesȱ Essais,ȱ àȱ laȱ faveurȱ d’uneȱ addition introduiteȱdansȱl’éditionȱdeȱ1582,ȱauȱretourȱduȱgrandȱvoyage:ȱ Jeȱ meȱ rencontrayȱ unȱ jourȱ àȱ Rome,ȱ surȱ leȱ pointȱ qu’onȱ deffaisoitȱ Catena,ȱ unȱ voleur insigne:ȱonȱl’estranglaȱsansȱaucuneȱemotionȱdeȱl’assistance,ȱmaisȱquandȱonȱvintȱàȱle mettreȱàȱquartiers,ȱleȱbourreauȱneȱdonnoitȱcoup,ȱqueȱleȱpeupleȱneȱsuivistȱd’uneȱvoix pleintive,ȱetȱd’uneȱexclamation,ȱcommeȱsiȱchacunȱeustȱprestéȱsonȱsentimentȱàȱcette charongne.46ȱ

DuȱJournalȱdeȱvoyageȱauxȱEssais,ȱduȱcompteȱrenduȱduȱsecrétaireȱauȱtémoignageȱde l’auteurȱréapparaissentȱlesȱmêmesȱélémentsȱnarratifs,ȱmaisȱrendusȱplusȱsignifiants parȱleȱtravailȱdeȱl’écriture:ȱl’étroiteȱconnexionȱétablieȱauȱmoyenȱduȱtourȱconsécutif entreȱ l’actionȱ duȱ bourreauȱ etȱ laȱ réactionȱ duȱ public,ȱ l’hyperbateȱ duȱ second syntagmeȱcirconstancielȱménagéeȱparȱlaȱponctuationȱetȱlaȱcomparaisonȱfinaleȱqui faitȱrevivreȱleȱcadavreȱàȱtraversȱchacunȱdesȱassistants.ȱNeȱsaurionsȬnous,ȱaprès tout,ȱnousȱcomporterȱaussiȱhumainementȱqueȱlesȱcannibalesȱduȱNouveauȱMonde, quiȱneȱfontȱrôtirȱetȱneȱmangentȱleursȱvictimesȱqu’uneȱfoisȱmortes?ȱÀȱdeuxȱreprises enȱ effetȱ Montaigneȱ opposeȱ cesȱ pratiquesȱ anthropophagiquesȱ auxȱ usagesȱ des peuplesȱditsȱcivilisésȱetȱlaȱcomparaisonȱneȱtourneȱpasȱàȱl’avantageȱdeȱcesȱderniers:ȱ Jeȱpense,ȱdéclareȬtȬilȱdansȱ“DesȱCannibales,”47ȱqu’ilȱyȱaȱplusȱdeȱbarbarieȱàȱmangerȱun hommeȱvivant,ȱqu’àȱleȱmangerȱmort,ȱàȱdeschirerȱparȱtourmensȱetȱparȱgehennes,ȱun corpsȱencoreȱpleinȱdeȱsentiment,ȱleȱfaireȱrostirȱparȱleȱmenuȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.]ȱqueȱdeȱleȱrostirȱet mangerȱaprèsȱqu’ilȱestȱtrespassé.48

Etȱ ilȱ revientȱ àȱ laȱ charge,ȱ pratiquementȱ dansȱ lesȱ mêmesȱ termes,ȱ dansȱ “Deȱ la cruauté”:ȱ“LesȱSauvagesȱneȱm’offensentȱpasȱtant,ȱdeȱrostirȱetȱmangerȱlesȱcorpsȱdes trespassez,ȱqueȱceuxȱquiȱlesȱtourmententȱetȱpersecutentȱvivans.”49 NeȱpourraitȬonȱmêmeȱseȱcontenterȱd’unȱchâtimentȱsymbolique,ȱquiȱréprimerait laȱ fauteȱ commiseȱ sansȱ attenterȱ àȱ laȱ personneȱ duȱ coupable?ȱ Montaigne,ȱ grand lecteurȱdesȱauteursȱanciensȱtraduitsȱparȱAmyot,ȱn’avaitȱpasȱmanquéȱdeȱrelever, dansȱDiodoreȱdeȱSicile,ȱlaȱcuisanteȱpunitionȱinfligéeȱauxȱlâchesȱparȱleȱlégislateur grecȱCharondas:ȱauȱlieuȱdeȱlesȱcondamnerȱàȱmort,ȱsuivantȱl’usage,ȱ“ilȱordonna

46 47

48 49

II,ȱ11,ȱ453ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). UnȱdesȱraresȱemploisȱduȱtourȱjeȱpenseȱqueȱdansȱLesȱEssaisȱ(quatreȱoccurrences,ȱquiȱneȱseȱrencontrent qu’auxȱlivresȱIȱetȱII,ȱdansȱleȱtexteȱprimitifȱdeȱ1580ȱensuiteȱconservé).ȱSurȱleȱmêmeȱsujet,ȱvoirȱl’étude d’Allisonȱ P.ȱ Coudert,ȱ “Theȱ Ultimateȱ Crime:ȱ Cannibalismȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Mindsȱ and Imaginations,”ȱdansȱnotreȱvolume. I,ȱ30,ȱ216ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). II,ȱ11,ȱ452ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).

RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels

517

seulementȱqu’ilsȱfussentȱparȱtroisȱjoursȱassisȱemmyȱȱlaȱplaceȱpublicque,ȱvestusȱde robeȱdeȱfemme,”50ȱc’estȬàȬdireȱsoumisȱàȱuneȱhumiliationȱtelleȱqueȱleȱrougeȱauȱfront neȱmanqueraitȱpasȱdeȱleurȱfaireȱrevenirȱleȱsangȱdansȱlesȱveines.ȱEtȱdansȱlesȱMoralia deȱ Plutarque,ȱ auȱ traitéȱ desȱ Dictsȱ notablesȱ desȱ anciensȱ Roys,ȱ ilȱ avaitȱ notéȱ cet apophtegmeȱ d’Artaxerxès,ȱ introduitȱ dansȱ “Deȱ laȱ cruauté”ȱ àȱ laȱ faveurȱ d’une additionȱdeȱ1588:ȱpourȱatténuerȱlaȱrigueurȱdesȱpremièresȱloisȱperses,ȱleȱgrandȱroi adaptaȱleȱchâtimentȱréservéȱauxȱmauvaisȱministres, ordonnantȱqueȱlesȱSeigneursȱquiȱavoyentȱfaillyȱenȱleurȱestat,ȱauȱlieuȱqu’onȱlesȱsouloit fouetter,ȱfussentȱdespouillés,ȱetȱleursȱvestemensȱfouettezȱpourȱeux;ȱetȱauȱlieuȱqu’on leurȱsouloitȱarracherȱlesȱcheveux,ȱqu’onȱleurȱostastȱleurȱhaultȱchappeauȱseulement.51ȱ

Leȱ châtimentȱ prendȱ iciȱ uneȱ formeȱ spectaculaire,ȱ quasiȱ théâtrale.ȱ Réduitȱ àȱ un simulacre,ȱilȱseȱcantonneȱdansȱl’ordreȱduȱsymbolique.52ȱEstȬilȱbesoinȱàȱlaȱjustice d’uneȱautreȱmiseȱenȱscène? Troisièmeȱetȱdernièreȱquestion:ȱunȱchâtimentȱpénalȱpeutȬilȱêtreȱutile,ȱetȱàȱqui?ȱLe seuilȱduȱchapitreȱ“Deȱl’artȱdeȱconferer,”ȱenȱtrompeȱl’œilȱcommeȱsouventȱdansȱLes Essais,ȱabordeȱlaȱquestionȱdeȱbiais.ȱMontaigneȱs’yȱamuseȱenȱeffetȱàȱopposerȱaux bellesȱ actionsȱ desȱ grandsȱ hommes,ȱ hautementȱ recommandables,ȱ sesȱ propres insuffisances,ȱquiȱindiquentȱduȱmoinsȱlaȱvoieȱàȱneȱpasȱsuivre.ȱMaisȱilȱneȱleȱfait qu’aprèsȱunȱdétourȱsoigneusementȱcalculéȱparȱlesȱfautesȱautrementȱrépréhensibles desȱcriminels:ȱ“C’estȱunȱusageȱdeȱnotreȱjustice,ȱd’enȱcondamnerȱaucuns,ȱpourȱle seulȱexempleȱdesȱautres.ȱOnȱneȱcorrigeȱpasȱceluyȱqu’onȱpend,ȱonȱcorrigeȱlesȱautres parȱluy.”53ȱ Enȱseȱrelisantȱlaȱplumeȱàȱlaȱmain,ȱMontaigneȱremplace,ȱdansȱl’Exemplaireȱde Bordeaux,ȱ“pourȱleȱseulȱexemple”ȱparȱ“pourȱl’advertissement”ȱetȱintercaleȱune nouvelleȱphraseȱ(quiȱappelaitȱlaȱcorrectionȱprécédente):ȱ“Deȱlesȱcondamner,ȱpar ceȱqu’ilsȱontȱfailly,ȱceȱseroitȱbestise,ȱcommeȱditȱPlaton:ȱCarȱceȱquiȱestȱfaict,ȱneȱse peutȱ deffaire:ȱ maisȱ c’estȱ afinȱ qu’ilsȱ neȱ faillentȱ plusȱ deȱ mesmes,ȱ ouȱ qu’onȱ fuye l’exempleȱdeȱleurȱfaute.”ȱLaȱréférenceȱàȱPlaton,ȱtiréeȱduȱProtagorasȱouȱdesȱLois,54

50 51

52

53 54

I,ȱ15,ȱ73ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). II,ȱ11,ȱ453–54ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).ȱHautȱchapeauȱestȱreprisȱd’Amyot,ȱquiȱdésigneȱainsiȱlaȱtiare,ȱenȱformeȱde turbanȱconique,ȱportéeȱparȱlesȱdignitairesȱperses. Sansȱqueȱsonȱefficacitéȱsoitȱmoindre:ȱreprenantȱl’anecdoteȱdansȱSurȱlesȱdélaisȱdeȱlaȱjusticeȱdivine,ȱch. 25,ȱ565A,ȱPlutarqueȱpréciseȱqueȱ“eulxȱ[lesȱcondamnés]ȱaiansȱlesȱlarmesȱauxȱyeuxȱcryentȱetȱprient queȱl’onȱcesse”ȱ(LesȱŒuvresȱmoralesȱetȱmeslées,ȱtrad.ȱAmyot,ȱ268Cȱ[citéeȱn.ȱ9]). III,ȱ8,ȱ965ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). Protagoras,ȱ324AB,ȱouȱLesȱLois,ȱ11,ȱ934A,ȱsuivantȱlesȱdiversȱéditeursȱmodernesȱdesȱEssais.ȱLesȱdeux textesȱsontȱenȱfaitȱassezȱproches,ȱquiȱsoulignentȱl’unȱetȱl’autreȱleȱcaractèreȱirréparableȱdeȱlaȱfaute commiseȱ(leȱjugeȱ”neȱsauraitȱfaireȱqueȱneȱseȱsoitȱpasȱproduitȱceȱquiȱaȱétéȱaccompli,”ȱProtagoras, 324B,ȱinȱŒuvresȱcomplètes,ȱtrad.ȱLéonȱRobin,ȱBibliothèqueȱdeȱlaȱPléiadeȱ[Paris:ȱGallimard,ȱ1950], t.ȱ1,ȱ93;ȱ”ceȱquiȱaȱeuȱlieu,ȱonȱneȱpourraȱjamaisȱempêcherȱqu’ilȱn’aitȱpasȱeuȱlieu,”ȱLesȱLois,ȱ11,ȱ934A,

518

DenisȱBjaï

vientȱnuancerȱlesȱassertionsȱpeutȬêtreȱtropȱabruptesȱduȱtexteȱdeȱ1588.ȱLeȱchâtiment peutȱamenderȱaussiȱleȱcriminel,ȱpourȱluiȱéviterȱdeȱretomberȱàȱl’avenirȱdansȱles mêmesȱtravers,ȱsiȱduȱmoinsȱunȱavenirȱluiȱestȱménagéȱparȱuneȱsentenceȱautreȱque capitale!ȱ Maisȱlaȱpremièreȱpunitionȱduȱcoupable,ȱc’estȱd’êtreȱtourmentéȱparȱleȱremords, poursuiviȱparȱsesȱpropresȱ“furiesȱvengeresses,”ȱcommeȱl’écritȱMontaigneȱdansȱle chapitreȱ“Deȱlaȱconscience,”ȱàȱpropos,ȱnonȱd’Oreste,ȱcommeȱonȱl’attendrait,ȱmais d’unȱ parricideȱ moinsȱ connu,ȱ leȱ Péonienȱ Bessus.ȱ CeluiȬci,ȱ selonȱ Plutarque,ȱ en abattantȱunȱnidȱauȱprétexteȱqueȱlesȱoisillonsȱneȱcessaientȱdeȱl’accuserȱduȱmeurtre deȱ sonȱ père,ȱ auraitȱ ainsiȱ révéléȱ unȱ crimeȱ jusqueȱ làȱ ignoré.55ȱ “Uneȱ Némèsis intérieure,ȱcommenteȱOlivierȱMillet,ȱseȱdéchaîneȱdansȱlaȱconscienceȱduȱcoupable, enȱattendantȱqueȱvienneȱl’heureȱduȱchâtimentȱextérieur.”56ȱElleȱseȱdéchaîneȱsitôt leȱforfaitȱcommis,ȱd’aprèsȱPlatonȱ(d’oùȱleȱmottoȱ“Laȱpeineȱsuyctȱleȱmalfaiteur,” attestéȱdansȱl’emblématiqueȱdeȱlaȱRenaissance),57ȱvoireȱconcomitammentȱsuivant Hésiodeȱ (“enȱ l’instantȱ etȱ quantȱ etȱ quantȱ leȱ peché”58),ȱ etȱ elleȱ finitȱ mêmeȱ par tourmenter,ȱsurȱleȱtardȱilȱestȱvrai,ȱleȱfameuxȱ”larron“ȱrencontréȱparȱMontaigneȱen Armagnacȱ etȱ dontȱ ilȱ résumeȱ plaisammentȱ l’existenceȱ dansȱ leȱ chapitreȱ ”Du repentir“:ȱaprèsȱavoirȱvoléȱtouteȱsaȱvie,ȱceȱpaysanȱmiséreuxȱfinalementȱenrichi consacreȱsesȱdernièresȱannéesȱàȱréparerȱleȱmalȱqu’ilȱaȱfaitȱàȱsesȱvictimesȱouȱàȱleurs descendants,ȱ àȱ chargeȱ pourȱ sesȱ propresȱ héritiersȱ deȱ poursuivreȱ laȱ tâche!59 Montaigneȱsaitȱbienȱceȱqueȱl’onȱseȱdoitȱàȱsoiȬmême,ȱsiȱl’onȱveutȱcomparaîtreȱlaȱtête hauteȱdevantȱleȱtribunalȱleȱplusȱrigoureuxȱquiȱsoit,ȱceluiȱdeȱsaȱpropreȱconscience:ȱ Laȱcondemnationȱqueȱjeȱfaisȱdeȱmoy,ȱestȱplusȱvifveȱetȱroide,ȱqueȱn’estȱcelleȱdesȱjuges, quiȱ neȱ meȱ prennentȱ queȱ parȱ leȱ visageȱ deȱ l’obligationȱ commune:ȱ l’estreinteȱ deȱ ma conscienceȱplusȱserrée,ȱetȱplusȱsevere.60

Leȱchâtimentȱpénal,ȱquiȱfaitȱtropȱsouventȱdisparaître,ȱavecȱleȱcrime,ȱleȱcriminelȱluiȬ même,ȱ aȬtȬilȱ duȱ moinsȱ valeurȱ exemplaireȱ pourȱ lesȱ autresȱ hommes?ȱ L’ancien magistratȱestȱloinȱd’enȱêtreȱpersuadé.ȱDansȱleȱchapitreȱ”Queȱnotreȱdesirȱs’accroist parȱ laȱ malaisance,”ȱ ilȱ s’interrogeȱ mêmeȱ surȱ lesȱ possiblesȱ effetsȱ perversȱ deȱ la sanction,ȱfaisantȱsienneȱ”l’opinionȱd’unȱancien,ȱqueȱlesȱsupplicesȱaiguisentȱlesȱvices

55 56 57

58

59 60

t.ȱ2,ȱ1078)ȱetȱlaȱdoubleȱportéeȱdeȱlaȱpeine,ȱàȱlaȱfoisȱpourȱleȱcoupableȱdansȱl’avenirȱetȱpourȱlesȱautres hommesȱdansȱl’immédiat. II,ȱ5,ȱ385ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). ”Lesȱemblèmesȱdeȱlaȱjustice,”ȱMontaigne:ȱlaȱjustice,ȱ39–52;ȱiciȱ44ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ12). Aneau,ȱImaginationȱpoetiqueȱ(Lyon:ȱMacéȱBonhomme,ȱ1556),ȱ40ȱ(citéȱparȱOlivierȱMillet,ȱ42ȱetȱ44 [voirȱn.ȱ56]). II,ȱ5,ȱ385ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).ȱMontaigneȱcontinueȱiciȱdeȱdémarquerȱPlutarque,ȱSurȱlesȱdélaisȱdeȱlaȱjustice divine,ȱVIII,ȱ553F,ȱdansȱlaȱtraductionȱd’Amyot. III,ȱ2,ȱ852–53ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ9,ȱ1012ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).

RéflexionsȱdeȱMontaigneȱsurȱleȱchâtimentȱdesȱcriminels

519

plustostȱqu’ilsȱneȱlesȱamortissent:ȱQu’ilsȱn’engendrentȱpointȱleȱsoingȱdeȱbienȱfaire [.ȱ.ȱ.]:ȱmaisȱseulementȱunȱsoingȱdeȱn’estreȱsurprisȱenȱfaisantȱmal.”61ȱL’auteurȱancien alléguéȱestȱSénèqueȱquiȱsoutientȱdansȱleȱDeȱclementia62ȱqueȱlaȱrépressionȱencourage sommeȱtouteȱleȱdélit,ȱenȱavançantȱl’exempleȱduȱparricide,ȱrépriméȱseulementȱà partirȱdeȱClaudeȱetȱdèsȱlorsȱmultipliéȱsousȱsonȱrègneȱ(parricidæȱcumȱlegeȱcœperunt, etȱillisȱfacinusȱpœnaȱmonstrauit,ȱlesȱparricidesȱontȱcommencéȱavecȱlaȱloiȱetȱlaȱsanction aȱ donnéȱ l’idéeȱ duȱ forfait).ȱ Maisȱ sousȱ leȱ couvertȱ deȱ l’auteurȱ ancien,ȱ c’estȱ bien l’auteurȱmoderneȱquiȱpousseȱplusȱavantȱl’argument:ȱlaȱmenaceȱduȱchâtiment,ȱloin deȱdétournerȱduȱmal,ȱn’enȱrendȱleȱcontrevenantȱqueȱplusȱingénieuxȱàȱéviterȱdeȱse faireȱprendre.ȱCeȱqueȱMontaigneȱcraintȱsurtout,ȱc’estȱqueȱleȱsangȱn’appelleȱleȱsang, avecȱleȱrisque,ȱenȱpériodeȱdeȱguerreȱcivile,ȱdeȱlâcherȱlaȱbrideȱauxȱpulsionsȱlesȱplus sadiques.63ȱÀȱlaȱfinȱdeȱ”DeȱlaȱPhysionomie,”ȱaprèsȱ avoirȱlaisséȱéchappéȱl’aveu qu’enȱmatièreȱcriminelleȱilȱavaitȱpuȱluiȱarriverȱdeȱmanquerȱàȱlaȱjusticeȱenȱprenant enȱ considérationȱ l’hommeȱ davantageȱ queȱ laȱ faute,ȱ ilȱ introduitȱ cetteȱ ultime addition:ȱ Lesȱjugementsȱordinaires,ȱs’exasperentȱàȱlaȱpunitionȱparȱl’horreurȱduȱmeffaict.ȱCela mesmeȱrefroiditȱleȱmien.ȱL’horreurȱduȱpremierȱmeurtre,ȱm’enȱfaictȱcraindreȱunȱsecond. Etȱlaȱlaideurȱdeȱlaȱpremiereȱcruautéȱm’enȱfaictȱabhorrerȱtouteȱimitation.64

LeȱmagistratȱetȱMontaigneȱontȱtoujoursȱétéȱdeux,ȱetȱilȱrépugneȱàȱl’hommeȱprivéȱde voirȱlaȱjusticeȱappliquerȱlaȱloiȱduȱtalion,ȱtuerȱàȱsonȱtourȱceluiȱquiȱaȱtué,ȱreproduire laȱcruautéȱqu’elleȱprétendȱprécisémentȱextirper.ȱ”Miseȱenȱcauseȱradicaleȱdeȱlaȱpeine deȱ mort,”ȱ suivantȱ Géraldeȱ Nakam,ȱ exceptionnelleȱ chezȱ unȱ magistratȱ deȱ la Renaissance.65 Niȱjustesȱniȱproportionnésȱniȱutiles,ȱlesȱchâtimentsȱinfligésȱparȱlaȱjusticeȱdeȱson tempsȱ sontȱ doncȱ jugésȱ sévèrementȱ parȱ l’ancienȱ conseillerȱ auȱ Parlementȱ de Bordeaux.ȱ Neȱ faudraitȬilȱ pasȱ punirȱ davantageȱ lesȱ mauvaisȱ jugesȱ queȱ leurs malheureusesȱvictimes,ȱàȱl’instarȱdeȱceuxȱdeȱSocrate,ȱmisȱensuiteȱauȱbanȱdeȱlaȱcité etȱquiȱfinirentȱparȱseȱpendre?66ȱMontaigneȱluiȬmême,ȱ”encoreȱviergeȱdeȱprocès,“67 quiȱn’aȱencoreȱcomparuȱdevantȱaucunȱtribunal,ȱ”pourȱquelqueȱcauseȱqueȱceȱsoit,

61 62 63 64 65

66 67

II,ȱ15,ȱ653ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). I,ȱXXIII,ȱ1. II,ȱ11,ȱ454ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ12,ȱ1110ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). “‘L’injusteȱtenuȱpourȱjuste’,ȱouȱlaȱperversionȱdesȱmentalités,”ȱMontaigne:ȱlaȱjustice,ȱ119–31;ȱiciȱ120 (voirȱn.ȱ12).ȱPourȱleȱ(quasiȬ)consensusȱdesȱhommesȱduȱtempsȱsurȱlaȱpeineȱdeȱmort,ȱvoirȱduȱmême auteur,ȱLesȱEssaisȱdeȱMontaigne,ȱ138–39ȱ(citéȱn.ȱ3). III,ȱ12,ȱ1101ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ10,ȱ1063ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).

520

DenisȱBjaï

ouȱmienne,ȱouȱtierce,ȱouȱcriminelle,ȱouȱcivile,“68ȱentendȱbienȱneȱjamaisȱencourir pareilȱrisque.ȱ Dansȱ unȱ systèmeȱ judiciaireȱ fondéȱ surȱ laȱ suspicionȱ générale,ȱ leȱ mieuxȱ qu’on puisseȱattendreȱd’unȱjuge,ȱc’estȱdeȱressortirȱindemneȱd’entreȱsesȱgriffes,ȱsansȱmême espérerȱvoirȱsonȱdommageȱréparé.ȱ”Nostreȱjustice,ȱrésumeȱMontaigneȱdansȱ‘De l’Experience’,ȱ neȱ nousȱ presenteȱ queȱ l’uneȱ deȱ sesȱ mains;ȱ etȱ encoreȱ laȱ gauche: Quiconqueȱ ilȱ soit,ȱ ilȱ enȱ sortȱ avecquesȱ perte.”69ȱ Leȱ gentilhommeȱ périgourdin comprendȱ etȱ partageȱ lesȱ appréhensionsȱ deȱ sesȱ paysans.ȱ Quandȱ ceuxȬciȱ lui rapportentȱavoir,ȱdansȱuneȱforêtȱsienne,ȱlaisséȱagoniserȱunȱhommeȱagresséȱsansȱlui porterȱsecours,ȱdeȱcrainteȱd’avoirȱmailleȱàȱpartirȱavecȱlaȱjustice,ȱilȱn’yȱtrouveȱrien àȱredire,ȱparceȱqu’ilȱsait,ȱcommeȱeux,ȱqueȱ”cetȱofficeȱd’humanité,ȱlesȱeustȱmisȱen peine.”70ȱ Plusȱ fondamentalement,ȱ lesȱ Essaisȱ posentȱ laȱ questionȱ deȱ savoirȱ siȱ nousȱ ne sommesȱpasȱtousȱdesȱdélinquantsȱenȱpuissance,ȱsusceptiblesȱd’êtreȱsanctionnésȱun jourȱouȱl’autreȱparȱlaȱjustice.ȱÀȱyȱregarderȱdeȱprès,ȱdansȱuneȱsociétéȱauxȱnormes juridiquesȱdeȱplusȱenȱplusȱcomplexes,ȱquiȱpeutȱseȱvanterȱdeȱn’avoirȱjamaisȱenfreint quelqueȱrègleȱqueȱceȱsoit?ȱ”Ilȱn’estȱsiȱhommeȱdeȱbien,ȱrépondȱMontaigneȱenȱnotre nom,ȱ qu’ilȱ metteȱ àȱ l’examenȱ desȱ loixȱ toutesȱ sesȱ actionsȱ etȱ pensées,ȱ quiȱ neȱ soit pendableȱdixȱfoisȱenȱsaȱvie.”71ȱJugesȱouȱjusticiables,ȱnousȱneȱsommesȱdécidément tousȱqueȱduȱgibierȱdeȱpotence!

68 69

70 71

III,ȱ13,ȱ1118ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ13,ȱ1118ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).ȱCf.,ȱentreȱautresȱtextes,ȱlaȱdiatribeȱdeȱMonlucȱcontreȱlesȱinterminables procèsȱduȱtemps:ȱ”Laȱruyneȱvientȱaussiȱbienȱàȱceluyȱquiȱgaigneȱqu’àȱceluyȱquiȱpert;ȱcarȱilsȱ[les avocats]ȱtirentȱlesȱprocèsȱenȱsiȱgrandeȱlongueurȱque,ȱquandȱceluyȱquiȱaȱgaignéȱconteȱl’argentȱqu’il aȱdespandu,ȱilȱtrouveȱavoirȱplusȱmisȱqueȱgaigné,ȱoutreȱleȱtempsȱqu’ilȱaȱperdu“ȱ(Commentaires,ȱéd. PaulȱCourteault.ȱBibliothèqueȱdeȱlaȱPléiadeȱ(Paris:ȱGallimard,ȱ1964),ȱ621). P.ȱ1117ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4). III,ȱ9,ȱ1036ȱ(voirȱn.ȱ4).

Chapterȱ22 AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert (UniversityȱofȱCalifornia,ȱDavis)

TheȱUltimateȱCrime:ȱCannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModern MindsȱandȱImaginations

FromȱtheȱtaleȱofȱSaturnȱeatingȱhisȱchildrenȱtoȱtheȱchildȬeatingȱwitchȱofȱnursery stories,ȱ fromȱ Pliny’sȱ dogȬfacedȱ peopleȱ feastingȱ onȱ humanȱ fleshȱ toȱ Christian depictionsȱ ofȱ theȱ devilȱ asȱ aȱ cannibalistic,ȱ defecatingȱ monsterȱ andȱ Freud’s convictionȱ thatȱ civilizationȱ beganȱ whenȱ aȱ bandȱ ofȱ brothersȱ ateȱ dearȱ oldȱ dad, imagesȱofȱcannibalismȱhaveȱobsessedȱtheȱwesternȱimagination.ȱButȱnewȱkindsȱof cannibalsȱ andȱ newȱ formsȱ ofȱ cannibalismȱ appearedȱ inȱ earlyȱ modernȱ Europe especiallyȱ suitedȱ toȱ theȱ profoundȱ changesȱ inȱ mentalȱ andȱ materialȱ lifeȱ that accompaniedȱtheȱdiscoveryȱofȱtheȱNewȱWorld,ȱtheȱreligiousȱconflictsȱgeneratedȱby theȱ Reformationȱ andȱ CounterȬReformation,ȱ andȱ theȱ emergenceȱ ofȱ aȱ consumer society.ȱ Hereȱ theȱ cannibalȱ becomesȱ aȱ proteanȱ figure:ȱ onȱ theȱ oneȱ hand,ȱ he representsȱtheȱprimitiveȱ“other,”ȱaȱsavageȱmemberȱofȱaȱregressiveȱsociety,ȱwho stoodȱinȱstarkȱoppositionȱtoȱtheȱprogressiveȱenterpriseȱsocietyȱofȱtheȱEuropeans; butȱonȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱandȱonȱaȱsubconsciousȱlevelȱthatȱgraduallyȱemergedȱintoȱthe consciousnessȱ ofȱ atȱ leastȱ someȱ people,ȱ theȱ newȬworldȱ cannibalsȱ wereȱ mere pussycats,ȱandȱsometimesȱnobleȱpussycats,ȱinȱcomparisonȱtoȱaȱnewerȱandȱmore viciousȱkindȱofȱcannibal,ȱthoseȱrapaciousȱcolonialists,ȱimperialists,ȱandȱcapitalists, whoȱliterallyȱdevouredȱtheȱpeoplesȱwhoȱstoodȱinȱtheirȱway.ȱ ChristianityȱandȱChristianȱconflictȱfurtherȱcomplicatedȱtheȱcomplexȱmeaningȱof cannibalismȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod.ȱReligiousȱfanaticsȱonȱbothȱsidesȱofȱthe religiousȱ divideȱ wereȱ likenedȱ toȱ cannibalsȱ asȱ theyȱ tortured,ȱ mutilated,ȱ and murderedȱtheirȱreligiousȱenemies.ȱTheȱFrenchȱHuguenotȱJeanȱdeȱLéryȱ(1536–1613) claimedȱthatȱtheȱliversȱandȱheartsȱofȱtheȱProtestantsȱslainȱonȱSt.ȱBartholomew’s DayȱwereȱeatenȱbyȱtheirȱCatholicȱkillers,ȱwhileȱtheȱCatholicȱauthorȱofȱThéatreȱdes

522

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert 1

cruautezȱdesȱHereticquesȱdeȱnostreȱtemps ȱadvisedȱreadersȱtoȱ“hardenȱtheirȱhearts” beforeȱtheyȱlookedȱatȱimagesȱofȱProtestantsȱdismemberingȱlittleȱCatholicȱbabies andȱforcingȱaȱpriestȱtoȱeatȱhisȱownȱroastedȱgenitals.ȱTheȱparallelȱbetweenȱChristian communionȱandȱcannibalȱfeastsȱwasȱrelentlesslyȱstressedȱbyȱProtestants,ȱwhoȱused theȱ analogyȱ toȱ ridiculeȱ theȱ Catholicȱ doctrineȱ ofȱ theȱ transubstantiationȱ ofȱ the EucharistȱbreadȱandȱwineȱintoȱtheȱbodyȱandȱbloodȱofȱChrist.ȱ Butȱ Protestantȱ attacksȱ onȱ theȱ Eucharistȱ ignoredȱ theȱ factȱ thatȱ inȱ additionȱ to everythingȱelseȱcannibalismȱwasȱaȱpowerfulȱformȱofȱnostalgiaȱappealingȱtoȱthose disaffectedȱ Europeansȱ whoȱ feltȱ themselvesȱ trappedȱ inȱ aȱ Hobbesianȱ worldȱ of unfetteredȱindividualismȱdrivenȱbyȱwillȱandȱappetite.ȱForȱmanyȱpeople,ȱandȱnot justȱCatholics,ȱtheȱGodȱwhoȱnourishedȱhisȱchildrenȱfromȱhisȱownȱbodyȱandȱblood wasȱaȱpotentȱimageȱofȱtheȱmagnitudeȱofȱdivineȱlove,ȱmercy,ȱandȱforgiveness.ȱAnd theȱchildrenȱwhoȱpartookȱofȱhisȱbodyȱsymbolizedȱsoulsȱreturningȱtoȱtheȱoriginal stateȱofȱunityȱbetweenȱmanȱandȱGodȱshatteredȱbyȱtheȱFall.ȱ Inȱ short,ȱ oneȱ mightȱ sayȱ thatȱ duringȱ theȱ earlyȱ modernȱ periodȱ theȱ issueȱ of cannibalismȱwasȱlargelyȱtransformedȱfromȱaȱstoryȱaboutȱnonȬEuropeanȱ“others” toȱaȱstoryȱaboutȱEuropeansȱthemselves,ȱalthoughȱinȱrealityȱstoriesȱaboutȱ“others” areȱalwaysȱinȱaȱprofoundȱsenseȱaboutȱoneself.2ȱButȱtheȱcannibalȱdidȱcomeȱhomeȱto roostȱ inȱ veryȱ tangibleȱ waysȱ duringȱ theȱ earlyȱ modernȱ period.ȱ Theȱ issueȱ of cannibalismȱbecameȱinvolvedȱinȱdebatesȱaboutȱwhatȱcharacterizedȱhumanȱnature asȱwellȱasȱtheȱstateȱofȱnature,ȱnotȱtoȱmentionȱtheȱnatureȱofȱtheȱstate.ȱWereȱhumans innatelyȱ violentȱ andȱ theȱ stateȱ ofȱ natureȱ aȱ generalizedȱ warȱ ofȱ allȱ againstȱ allȱ as RobertȱBurtonȱ(1577–1640)ȱmaintained,ȱwhenȱheȱdescribedȱtheȱoutsideȱworldȱasȱa “Market”ȱinȱwhichȱ“weȱmaul,ȱpersecute,ȱandȱstudyȱhowȱtoȱsting,ȱgall,ȱandȱvexȱone anotherȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱpreyingȱuponȱandȱdevouring,ȱasȱsoȱmanyȱravenousȱbirds?”3ȱOrȱwere humansȱ basicallyȱ goodȱ andȱ theirȱ “fall”ȱ intoȱ societyȱ theȱ causeȱ ofȱ theirȱ moral turpitude,ȱasȱRousseauȱandȱothersȱarguedȱwhoȱdeploredȱtheȱdogȬeatȬdogȱworld ofȱanȱemergingȱconsumerȱsociety?ȱAndȱwhatȱaboutȱgovernments?ȱDidȱtheyȱsave usȱ fromȱ ourȱ ownȱ cannibalisticȱ tendencies,ȱ asȱ Hobbesȱ believed,ȱ orȱ were governmentsȱthemselvesȱcannibalsȱparȱexcellence,ȱwhoȱdevouredȱtheirȱcitizensȱin theirȱquestȱforȱpowerȱandȱdominion?ȱ Atȱtheȱheartȱofȱtheseȱquestionsȱlayȱaȱmoreȱfundamentalȱoneȱaboutȱwhatȱexactly constitutedȱ theȱ “self”ȱ bothȱ inȱ thisȱ worldȱ andȱ theȱ next.ȱ Givenȱ theȱ richnessȱ and

1

2

3

ThéatreȱdesȱCruautezȱdesȱHereticquesȱdeȱnostreȱtemps.ȱTraduitȱduȱLatinȱ[ofȱR.ȱV.,ȱi.e.,ȱR.ȱVerstegan] (Anvers:ȱA.ȱHubert,ȱ1607ȱ[1588]). Hillerbrand,ȱHansȱJ.,ȱ“Theȱ‘Other’ȱinȱtheȱAgeȱofȱtheȱReformation:ȱReflectionsȱonȱSocialȱControlȱand DevianceȱinȱtheȱSixteenthȱCentury.ȱInfiniteȱBoundaries:ȱOrder,ȱDisorder,ȱandȱReorderȱinȱEarlyȱModern GermanȱCulture,ȱed.ȱMaxȱReinhartȱ(Kirksville,ȱMO:ȱSixteenthȱCenturyȱJournalȱPublishers,ȱ1998), 245–69. RobertȱBurton,ȱTheȱAnatomyȱofȱMelancholyȱ(London:ȱPrintedȱandȱtoȱbeȱsoldȱbyȱHen.ȱCripsȱ&ȱLodo: Lloyd,ȱ1652),ȱ407.

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

523

complexityȱ ofȱ theȱ ideaȱ ofȱ cannibalism,ȱ oneȱ canȱ agreeȱ withȱ Catalinȱ Avramescu whenȱ heȱ pointsȱ outȱ thatȱ theȱ cannibalȱ isȱ “oneȱ ofȱ theȱ greatȱ forgottenȱ figuresȱ of philosophy.”4ȱ Theȱ multifariousȱ waysȱ cannibalsȱ haveȱ beenȱ portrayedȱ andȱ the conundrumsȱtheirȱexistenceȱhaveȱraisedȱtellsȱusȱaȱgreatȱdealȱaboutȱhowȱweȱhave arrivedȱ whereȱ weȱ areȱ today;ȱ andȱ nowhereȱ areȱ cannibalsȱ moreȱ apparentȱ and significantȱ thanȱ inȱ theȱ earlyȱ modernȱ period,ȱ whenȱ theirȱ presenceȱ castsȱ aȱ long shadowȱoverȱtheȱbirthȱofȱtheȱmodernȱworldȱwithȱitsȱnewlyȱemergingȱideasȱofȱthe self,ȱtheȱnation,ȱtheȱnatureȱofȱreligion,ȱandȱtheȱeffectsȱofȱaȱcapitalistȱeconomy. *ȱ*ȱ*ȱ Althoughȱtheȱthemeȱofȱcannibalismȱisȱanȱancientȱone,ȱtheȱsubjectȱdidȱnotȱcomeȱinto itsȱownȱuntilȱtheȱpublicationȱofȱ WilliamȱArens’sȱTheȱManȬEatingȱMythȱinȱ1979. Arguingȱthatȱtheȱideaȱofȱsavageȱcannibalismȱhadȱlittleȱbasisȱinȱrealityȱandȱwas,ȱin fact,ȱ simplyȱ aȱ wayȱ forȱ Westernersȱ toȱ demonizeȱ theȱ “other”ȱ inȱ orderȱ toȱ justify colonialism,ȱconquest,ȱandȱevenȱextermination,ȱArens’sȱbookȱcausedȱaȱfuror.ȱWhile heȱconcededȱthatȱsomeȱformsȱofȱ“ritualȱanthropophagy”ȱorȱactualȱcannibalismȱmay haveȱexistedȱunderȱextremeȱcircumstancesȱ(likeȱshipwrecks),ȱheȱinsistedȱthatȱfor theȱmostȱpartȱtheȱmythȱofȱcannibalismȱwasȱnothingȱshortȱofȱaȱtoolȱofȱempire,ȱbeȱit inȱtheȱrealȱworldȱorȱtheȱworldȱofȱacademiaȱandȱtheȱdisciplineȱofȱanthropology. Arens’sȱthesisȱwasȱexcoriatedȱbyȱMarshallȱSahlins,ȱamongȱothers,ȱwhoȱequatedȱhis denialȱofȱcannibalismȱwithȱtheȱpostmodernistȱtendencyȱtoȱquestionȱtheȱtruthȱof anything,ȱincludingȱtheȱHolocaust.5ȱ Theȱ stakesȱ inȱ theȱ debateȱ wereȱ obviouslyȱ high,ȱ andȱ sinceȱ theȱ publicationȱ of Arens’sȱbookȱmuchȱvaluableȱworkȱhasȱbeenȱdoneȱtoȱexplainȱwhyȱtheȱcannibalȱis theȱobjectȱofȱsuchȱ“aȱveritableȱfixation”ȱandȱwhyȱtheȱfantasyȱofȱcannibalismȱhas beenȱ“aȱpsychicȱstructureȱofȱlongȱduration”ȱinȱtheȱWestȱfromȱbothȱaȱpsychological andȱhistoricalȱpointȱofȱview.6ȱObviouslyȱtheȱhistoricalȱpartȱofȱtheȱanalysisȱisȱmost germaneȱtoȱthisȱessay,ȱbutȱbeforeȱgettingȱtoȱthatȱaȱwordȱmustȱbeȱsaidȱaboutȱthe undeniableȱfactȱthatȱallȱofȱusȱstartȱoffȱasȱcannibalsȱeatingȱourȱmothersȱandȱtrying toȱingestȱtheȱworldȱasȱwell.ȱAsȱweȱlearnȱfromȱGreekȱmythology,ȱthisȱisȱnotȱaȱoneȬ wayȱstreet.ȱInfanticideȱandȱcannibalismȱappearȱtoȱbeȱpatriarchalȱprerogativesȱatȱthe

4

5

6

CatalinȱAvramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱtrans.ȱAlistairȱIanȱBlythȱ(2003;ȱPrinceton andȱOxford:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2009),ȱ2. Marshallȱ Sahlins,ȱ “Artificiallyȱ Maintainedȱ Controversies:ȱ Globalȱ Warmingȱ andȱ Fijian Cannibalism,”ȱAnthropologyȱTodayȱ19ȱ(Juneȱ2003):ȱ3–5ȱ(partȱ1);ȱ(partȱ2)ȱAnthropologyȱTodayȱ6.19 (2003):ȱ21–23.Theȱgeneralȱconsensusȱnowȱisȱthatȱcannibalismȱdidȱandȱinȱsomeȱplacesȱstillȱexists, butȱthatȱitȱwasȱalsoȱusedȱasȱaȱwayȱtoȱdemonizeȱnativesȱandȱjustifyȱcolonialism.ȱCf.ȱKatherineȱBiber, “CannibalismȱandȱColonialism,”ȱSydneyȱLawȱReviewȱ27ȱ(2005):ȱ623–37.ȱ Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ10ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4);ȱGananathȱObeyesekere,ȱCannibal Talk:ȱTheȱManȬEatingȱMythȱandȱHumanȱSacrificeȱinȱtheȱSouthȱSeasȱ(Berkeley:ȱUniversityȱofȱCalifornia Press,ȱ2005),ȱ28.

524

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

veryȱ heartȱ ofȱ theȱ establishmentȱ ofȱ theȱ divineȱ pantheonȱ describedȱ inȱ Hesiod’s Theogonyȱ asȱ Saturnȱ eatsȱ hisȱ childrenȱ andȱ theȱ Titansȱ Dionysius.ȱ Freudȱ tookȱ the argumentȱmanyȱstepsȱfurtherȱinȱTotemȱandȱTabooȱbyȱarguingȱthatȱtheȱritualȱmurder ofȱ theȱ fatherȱ andȱ theȱ eatingȱ ofȱ hisȱ fleshȱ byȱ hisȱ sonsȱ createdȱ theȱ guiltȱ that sublimatedȱtheȱviolenceȱuponȱwhichȱcivilizationȱwasȱbuilt.ȱForȱFreudȱindividuals recapitulatedȱthisȱoriginaryȱactȱofȱcannibalismȱinȱaȱfigurativeȱratherȱthanȱaȱliteral wayȱasȱtheyȱprogressedȱfromȱtheȱoralȱtoȱtheȱanalȱandȱfinallyȱtoȱtheȱgenitalȱstageȱof development.ȱButȱnoȱstageȱwasȱeverȱcompletelyȱleftȱbehind.ȱEvenȱaȱsatisfactory attainmentȱofȱtheȱgenitalȱstageȱinvolvesȱanȱunsuccessfulȱattemptȱtoȱrecreateȱthe absoluteȱintimacyȱbetweenȱmotherȱandȱbaby,ȱaȱshadowȱofȱwhichȱisȱcapturedȱinȱthe Englishȱlanguageȱofȱlove,ȱwhichȱisȱrepleteȱwithȱmetaphorsȱofȱeatingȱandȱdevouring theȱlovedȱone,ȱwhoȱamongȱotherȱthingsȱisȱaȱ“sweetieȱpie”ȱgoodȱenoughȱtoȱeat.ȱIn Englishȱconsuming,ȱconsumption,ȱandȱconsummationȱareȱasȱapplicableȱtoȱsexȱas theyȱ areȱ toȱ eating.ȱ Butȱ evenȱ theȱ mostȱ intenseȱ andȱ passionateȱ loveȱ failsȱ to reestablishȱtheȱcompleteȱunityȱthatȱexistedȱbetweenȱmotherȱandȱbaby.ȱ Consequently,ȱinȱsomeȱcasesȱtheȱthwartedȱdesireȱforȱunityȱmanifestsȱitselfȱinȱan adult’sȱaggressiveȱattemptȱtoȱconsumeȱtheȱother.ȱForȱFreud,ȱhumanȱbeingsȱare pulledȱinȱtwoȱdirections,ȱtheȱdesireȱforȱautonomyȱthatȱmovesȱusȱforwardȱandȱthe desireȱforȱunityȱthatȱinvolvesȱregressionȱorȱwhatȱFreudȱcameȱtoȱcallȱ“theȱdeath drive”ȱ(Todestrieb).7ȱMovingȱtoȱtheȱpresent,ȱweȱmightȱwellȱaskȱwhatȱisȱresponsible forȱourȱcontemporaryȱfascinationȱwithȱvampireȱcannibals?ȱWhatȱcanȱHannibal Lecter,ȱaȱmanȱofȱgreatȱrefinementȱasȱwellȱasȱtaste,ȱtellȱusȱaboutȱtheȱconsuming passionsȱthatȱconsumeȱusȱasȱwellȱasȱthoseȱlambs,ȱwhoseȱsilenceȱisȱdeafening?ȱThe historyȱofȱcannibalismȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiodȱcanȱtellȱusȱaȱlotȱaboutȱboth. Asȱ manyȱ scholarsȱ haveȱ pointedȱ out,ȱ duringȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ andȱ eighteenth centuriesȱcuriosityȱisȱremovedȱfromȱtheȱcatalogueȱofȱvicesȱandȱlegitimatedȱasȱa suitableȱresponseȱtoȱtheȱavalancheȱofȱnewsȱcomingȱintoȱEuropeȱfromȱtheȱexplosion ofȱtravelȱliteratureȱcombinedȱwithȱtheȱpublicationȱofȱnewȱasȱwellȱasȱoldȱscientific andȱliteraryȱtexts.8ȱUnlikeȱmanyȱofȱhisȱmoreȱconservativeȱcontemporariesȱFrancis

7

8

Freudȱfirstȱrefersȱtoȱtheȱ“deathȱdrive”ȱinȱhisȱBeyondȱtheȱPleasureȱPrinciple.ȱTheȱStandardȱEditionȱof theȱCompleteȱPsychologicalȱWorksȱofȱSigmundȱFreud,ȱvol.ȱXVIII,ȱȱed.ȱJamesȱStracheyȱ(London:ȱHogarth Press,ȱ1955ȱ[firstȱpublishedȱinȱGermanȱinȱ1920]),ȱ38–41,ȱ49–57;ȱMaggieȱKilgour,ȱFromȱCommunion toȱCannibalism:ȱAnȱAnatomyȱofȱMetaphorsȱofȱIncorporationȱ(Princeton:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress, 1990),ȱ245;ȱLeonȱRappoport,ȱ“ChampagneȱSlippers,ȱtheȱTwinkieȱDefense,ȱandȱHeȬManȱDiets,”ȱid., HowȱWeȱEat:ȱAppetite,ȱCulture,ȱandȱtheȱPsychologyȱofȱFoodȱ(Toronto:ȱECWȱPress,ȱ2003),ȱ161–82.ȱ PaulaȱFindlen,ȱPossessingȱNature:ȱMuseums,ȱCollecting,ȱandȱScientificȱCultureȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱItaly (Berkeley:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1994);ȱStephenȱGreenblatt,ȱMarvelousȱPossessions:ȱThe WonderȱofȱtheȱNewȱWorldȱ(Chicago:ȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1991);ȱBarbaraȱBenedict,ȱCuriosity: AȱCulturalȱHistoryȱofȱEarlyȱModernȱInquiryȱ(ChicagoȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress, 2001);ȱ Neilȱ Kenny,ȱ Theȱ Usesȱ ofȱ Curiosityȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Franceȱ andȱ Germanyȱ (Oxford:ȱ Oxford UniversityȱPress,ȱ2004);ȱNicholasȱDew,ȱ“ReadingȱTravelsȱinȱtheȱCultureȱofȱCuriosity:ȱThévenot’s CollectionȱofȱVoyages,”ȱJournalȱofȱEarlyȱModernȱHistoryȱ10.1–2ȱ(2006):ȱ40–59.

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

525

Baconȱ (1561–1626)ȱ enthusiasticallyȱ embracedȱ theȱ extensionȱ ofȱ intellectual boundariesȱthatȱcameȱwithȱthisȱnewȱinformation:ȱ Norȱshouldȱweȱignoreȱtheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱdistantȱvoyagesȱandȱoverlandȱtravelsȱwhich haveȱbecomeȱfrequentȱinȱourȱday,ȱhaveȱopenedȱupȱandȱrevealedȱtoȱusȱmanyȱthingsȱin Natureȱwhichȱcanȱthrowȱnewȱlightȱonȱphilosophy.ȱAndȱsurelyȱitȱwouldȱbeȱdisgraceful inȱaȱtimeȱwhenȱtheȱregionsȱofȱtheȱmaterialȱglobe,ȱthatȱisȱofȱtheȱearth,ȱtheȱseasȱandȱstars haveȱbeenȱopenedȱupȱfarȱandȱwideȱforȱusȱtoȱsee,ȱifȱtheȱlimitsȱofȱourȱintellectualȱworld wereȱrestrictedȱtoȱtheȱnarrowȱdiscoveriesȱofȱtheȱancients.9ȱ

Theȱ verseȱ fromȱ Daniel:ȱ “manyȱ shallȱ runȱ toȱ andȱ froȱ andȱ knowledgeȱ shallȱ be increased”ȱ (Dan.ȱ 12:4)ȱ appealedȱ toȱ Baconȱ andȱ throughȱ himȱ toȱ Thomasȱ Sprat (1635–1713).ȱSpratȱusedȱitȱasȱaȱmottoȱonȱtheȱfrontispieceȱofȱhisȱhistoryȱofȱEngland’s RoyalȱSocietyȱ(1667),ȱwhichȱheȱillustratedȱwithȱaȱshipȱsailingȱsuggestivelyȱthrough theȱpillarsȱofȱHerculesȱandȱthusȱsymbolicallyȱsurpassingȱtheȱancientsȱinȱtheȱquest forȱknowledge.ȱTheȱwideningȱofȱintellectualȱboundariesȱwelcomedȱbyȱBaconȱand Spratȱwasȱnotȱpositivelyȱconstruedȱbyȱeveryone,ȱhowever,ȱandȱweȱcanȱseeȱthis reluctanceȱinȱtheȱliteratureȱdealingȱwithȱallegedȱcannibals.ȱ JonathanȱZ.ȱSmithȱhasȱemphasizedȱtheȱimportanceȱofȱplaceȱinȱbothȱaȱculture’s andȱ anȱ individual’sȱ selfȬperception.ȱ Sinceȱ socialȱ changeȱ isȱ inseparableȱ from symbolicȱchange,ȱtheȱquestionȱpeopleȱaskȱandȱneedȱtoȱanswerȱtoȱensureȱaȱstable existenceȱisȱ“whereȱdoȱIȱstand?”ȱAsȱSmithȱsays:ȱ“Atȱtheȱheartȱofȱtheȱissueȱofȱchange areȱtheȱsymbolicȬsocialȱquestions:ȱWhatȱisȱtheȱplaceȱonȱwhichȱIȱstand?ȱWhatȱareȱmy horizons?ȱ Whatȱ areȱ myȱ limits?”10ȱ Theseȱ wereȱ preciselyȱ theȱ questionsȱ that preoccupiedȱand,ȱinȱmanyȱcases,ȱterrifiedȱindividualsȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱworld asȱtheyȱclearedȱawayȱtheȱdebrisȱofȱoutmodedȱsymbolicȱstructuresȱandȱstruggled toȱbuildȱnewȱonesȱsuitableȱforȱaȱchangingȱworld.ȱSmithȱemphasizesȱhowȱdifficult thisȱis:ȱ“Toȱchangeȱstanceȱisȱtoȱtotallyȱalterȱone’sȱsymbolsȱandȱtoȱinhabitȱaȱdifferent world.”11ȱWhatȱcausedȱindividualsȱtoȱchangeȱtheirȱstandȱonȱmanyȱkeyȱissuesȱwas theȱ increasingȱ incoherenceȱ inȱ theȱ symbolicȱ systemsȱ governingȱ contemporary culture,ȱaȱdisjunctionȱrevealingȱtheȱlackȱofȱfitȱbetweenȱtheȱvariousȱelementsȱwithin theȱ prevailingȱ systemsȱ ofȱ classification,ȱ beȱ theyȱ social,ȱ intellectual,ȱ economic, political,ȱorȱreligious.ȱ WhatȱthinkingȱEuropeansȱwereȱforcedȱtoȱconfrontȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod wasȱtheȱbreakdownȱofȱpreviouslyȱestablishedȱboundariesȱbothȱinȱtheȱheavensȱand onȱearthȱandȱbetweenȱheavenȱandȱearthȱasȱtheȱAristotelianȬPtolemaicȱworldview gaveȱwayȱtoȱtheȱCopernican.ȱOnceȱtheȱearthȱwasȱrecognizedȱasȱaȱplanetȱlikeȱevery

9

10

11

FrancisȱBacon,ȱNewȱOrganum.ȱWithȱOtherȱPartsȱofȱtheȱGreatȱInstauration,ȱtrans.ȱandȱed.ȱPeterȱUrbach andȱJohnȱGibsonȱ(ChicagoȱandȱLaȱSalle:ȱOpenȱCourt,ȱ1994),ȱBk.ȱ1,ȱCh.ȱ84,ȱ93. JonathanȱZ.ȱSmith,ȱ“TheȱInfluenceȱofȱSymbolsȱonȱSocialȱChange:ȱAȱPlaceȱonȱWhichȱtoȱStand,”Map isȱnotȱTerritoryȱ(ChicagoȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1978),ȱ143. Smith,ȱ“TheȱInfluenceȱofȱSymbolsȱonȱSocialȱChange,”ȱ143ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ10).

526

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

other,ȱwhereȱwasȱheavenȱandȱhowȱwasȱitȱtoȱbeȱdistinguishedȱfromȱearth?ȱWithȱthe voyagesȱofȱdiscoveryȱandȱsettlementsȱinȱtheȱAmericasȱwhatȱhadȱpreviouslyȱbeen consideredȱ theȱ dangerous,ȱ unfathomableȱ marginsȱ ofȱ theȱ knownȱ worldȱ were absorbedȱ intoȱ theȱ culturalȱ center,ȱ butȱ notȱ withoutȱ considerableȱ confusionȱ and muchȱopposition.ȱ Establishingȱbordersȱandȱboundaries,ȱwhichȱisȱessentiallyȱtoȱdemarcateȱoneȱthing fromȱanother,ȱhasȱbeenȱaȱfundamentalȱaspectȱofȱhumanȱsocietyȱfromȱtheȱbeginning ofȱrecordedȱhistoryȱandȱaȱnecessaryȱone;ȱforȱasȱStructuralismȱmadeȱclear,ȱwithout differenceȱthereȱcanȱbeȱnoȱmeaning.ȱPoststructuralismȱhas,ȱhowever,ȱmuddiedȱthe watersȱbyȱquestioningȱtheȱveryȱdichotomiesȱstructuralistsȱdeemedȱbasicȱaspectsȱof humanȱthought—dichotomiesȱsuchȱasȱnature/culture,ȱcenter/periphery/,ȱvoice/ writing,ȱcooked/raw,ȱpublic/private,ȱspirit/flesh,ȱhigh/low,ȱmale/female.ȱInȱJacques Derrida’sȱviewȱallȱtheseȱbinaryȱoppositionsȱcanȱbeȱsummedȱupȱinȱaȱsingleȱone, inside/outside,ȱ butȱ thisȱ oppositionȱ itselfȱ isȱ slipperyȱ andȱ alwaysȱ inȱ dangerȱ of collapsingȱbecauseȱwhatȱappearsȱtoȱbeȱoutsideȱanyȱgivenȱsystemȱofȱthoughtȱis alreadyȱfullyȱinside.12ȱForȱthisȱveryȱreasonȱtheȱmostȱinterestingȱbinaryȱopposition forȱthisȱessayȱisȱinside/outsideȱsinceȱcannibalismȱinvolvesȱeating,ȱandȱtheȱactȱof eatingȱ isȱ theȱ mostȱ basicȱ modelȱ forȱ theȱ dissolutionȱ ofȱ boundariesȱ andȱ the incorporationȱofȱforeignȱelementsȱintoȱanȱindividual,ȱgroup,ȱorȱsociety.ȱ Eatingȱisȱthereforeȱaȱpotentiallyȱdangerousȱactȱandȱfoodȱaȱpotentȱsymbolȱfor whateverȱisȱabsorbedȱfromȱoutside,ȱwhetherȱphysicallyȱorȱmentally,ȱliterallyȱor metaphorically.ȱFoodȱisȱmoreȱthanȱaȱsubstance;ȱitȱisȱanȱattitude,ȱaȱcircumstance, evenȱaȱlanguage.13ȱOneȱisȱremindedȱofȱcertainȱEnglishȱphrasesȱsuchȱas,ȱtoȱ“hunger” andȱ“thirst”ȱforȱGod.ȱWeȱalsoȱ“hunger”ȱandȱ“thirst”ȱafterȱknowledgeȱandȱtruth andȱ inȱ soȱ doingȱ mayȱ readȱ “voraciously,”ȱ “biteȱ offȱ moreȱ thanȱ weȱ canȱ chew,” “swallowȱ aȱ storyȱ whole,”ȱ “ruminate”ȱ overȱ anȱ issue,ȱ “digestȱ anȱ argument,” “assimilateȱ aȱ source,”ȱ andȱ emergeȱ withȱ “halfȬbaked”ȱ ideasȱ orȱ muchȱ “mental nourishment”ȱandȱ“foodȱforȱthought.”ȱSomethingȱmayȱlookȱtoȱyouȱ“goodȱenough toȱeat,”ȱwhileȱothersȱmightȱdismissȱitȱasȱ“indigestible.”ȱConsequently,ȱindividuals haveȱorȱdoȱnotȱhaveȱ“goodȱtaste.”ȱWeȱmightȱgoȱfurtherȱandȱsayȱthatȱtoȱeatȱorȱnot toȱ eatȱ isȱ theȱ realȱ existentialȱ question.ȱ Mostȱ societiesȱ areȱ thereforeȱ carefulȱ to determineȱnotȱonlyȱwithȱwhomȱoneȱeatsȱandȱhowȱoneȱeatsȱbutȱwhatȱoneȱeats.ȱ Whileȱ maintainingȱ theȱ integrityȱ andȱ purityȱ ofȱ individualȱ bodiesȱ wasȱ an importantȱaspectȱofȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱlife,ȱmaintainingȱtheȱboundaries ofȱ theȱ bodyȱ politicȱ orȱ theȱ bodyȱ ofȱ Christendomȱ wasȱ equallyȱ important.ȱ Mary

12

13

JacquesȱDerrida,ȱ“Structure,ȱSign,ȱandȱPlayȱinȱtheȱDiscourseȱofȱtheȱHumanȱScience,”ȱWritingȱand Difference,ȱtrans.ȱAlanȱBassȱ(Chicago:ȱChicagoȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1978),ȱ278–95. ClaudeȱLéviȬStrauss,ȱ“LeȱTriangleȱculinaire,”ȱL’Arcȱ(AixȬenȬProvence)ȱ26ȱ(1965):ȱ19–29.ȱForȱan Englishȱversion,ȱseeȱ“TheȱCulinaryȱTriangle,”ȱFoodȱandȱCulture:ȱAȱReader,ȱed.ȱCaroleȱCounihan (LondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2008),ȱ28–35.

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

527

DouglasȱhasȱshownȱthatȱtheȱJewishȱdietaryȱlawsȱdidȱnotȱaffectȱindividualsȱalone; theȱsameȱsubstancesȱthatȱwereȱprohibitedȱentryȱintoȱanȱindividual’sȱbodyȱwereȱalso prohibitedȱ fromȱ enteringȱ theȱ precinctsȱ ofȱ theȱ templeȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ theȱ bordersȱ of Israel.14ȱInȱtheȱmedievalȱandȱevenȱmoreȱsoȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiodȱEuropeans wereȱdeeplyȱconcernedȱwithȱestablishingȱandȱmaintainingȱborders.ȱTheȱfearȱthat theseȱbordersȱhadȱbeenȱpenetratedȱandȱtheȱbodyȱpoliticȱinfiltratedȱandȱpoisoned byȱ sinisterȱ externalȱ forcesȱ providedȱ theȱ foundationȱ forȱ theȱ attacksȱ onȱ Jews, heretics,ȱandȱwitches.ȱFromȱtheȱthirteenthȱandȱwellȱintoȱtheȱeighteenthȱcenturies aȱ keyȱ characteristicȱ ofȱ theseȱ threateningȱ externalȱ forcesȱ wasȱ theirȱ alleged cannibalism.ȱInȱhisȱChronicaȱMajoraȱ(1243)ȱtheȱBenedictineȱmonkȱMatthewȱParisȱ(ca. 1200–1259)ȱdescribedȱtheȱMongoliansȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱterms:ȱ“TheȱTartarȱchiefs, withȱtheȱhoundishȱcannibals,ȱtheirȱfollowers,ȱfedȱuponȱtheȱfleshȱofȱtheirȱcarcasses, asȱifȱtheyȱhadȱbeenȱbread,ȱandȱleftȱnothingȱbutȱbonesȱforȱtheȱvultures.”15ȱPogroms againstȱ theȱ Jewsȱ wereȱ launchedȱ onȱ theȱ groundsȱ thatȱ they,ȱ too,ȱ practiced cannibalism.16ȱTheȱwitchȱhuntsȱofȱtheȱsixteenthȱandȱseventeenthȱcenturiesȱwere fueledȱ byȱ theȱ convictionȱ thatȱ witchesȱ wereȱ notoriousȱ eatersȱ ofȱ humanȱ flesh, especiallyȱtheȱfleshȱofȱinnocentȱchildren.ȱ Theȱ concernȱ withȱ purgingȱ hereticsȱ andȱ pagansȱ fromȱ withinȱ theȱ bodyȱ of Christendomȱ occurredȱ atȱ theȱ sameȱ timeȱ thatȱ theȱ realȱ meaningȱ ofȱ theȱ central Christianȱrite,ȱtheȱEucharisticȱmeal,ȱwasȱbeingȱdebated.ȱFromȱtheȱfourthȱLateran Councilȱ(1215)ȱon,ȱtheȱdoctrineȱofȱtransubstantiation,ȱinȱwhichȱtheȱwaferȱandȱwine wereȱliterallyȱtransformedȱintoȱtheȱbodyȱandȱbloodȱofȱChristȱatȱtheȱexactȱmoment theȱofficiatingȱpriestȱpronouncedȱtheȱwordsȱ“Hocȱestȱenimȱcorpusȱmeum;ȱhicȱest enimȱcalixȱsanguinisȱmei,”ȱbecameȱcentralȱinȱtheȱdevelopmentȱofȱCatholicȱtheology andȱ theȱ institutionȱ ofȱ theȱ priesthood.ȱ Eucharistȱ miraclesȱ beganȱ toȱ proliferate, becomingȱ theȱ subjectȱ ofȱ visions,ȱ sermons,ȱ andȱ paintings.ȱ Earlyȱ inȱ theȱ fifteenth centuryȱColetteȱofȱCorbie,ȱforȱexample,ȱhadȱaȱvisionȱofȱJesusȱinȱaȱchaffingȱdish, carvedȱupȱintoȱfragmentsȱofȱbloodiedȱmeat.ȱGodȱinformedȱherȱthatȱhumanȱsinȱwas responsibleȱforȱJesus’sȱcruelȱdismemberment.17ȱInȱhisȱDialogusȱMiraculorum,ȱCaesar ofȱHeisterbachȱ(ca.ȱ1180–ca.ȱ1240)ȱstressesȱtheȱbeneficialȱeffectȱtheseȱmiraclesȱhad inȱinculcatingȱtheȱrealityȱofȱtransubstantiationȱinȱtheȱmindsȱofȱtheȱfaithful:ȱ“[t]he Saviourȱcondescends.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtoȱshowȱtheȱrealityȱofȱHisȱbodyȱinȱthisȱsacramentȱtoȱgood priestsȱinȱorderȱthanȱtheyȱmayȱbeȱcomforted;ȱtoȱthoseȱwhoȱareȱwaveringȱinȱtheir faithȱthatȱtheyȱmayȱbeȱstrengthened;ȱtoȱthoseȱwhoȱareȱlivingȱillȱthatȱtheyȱmayȱbe

14

15

16

17

MaryȱDouglas,ȱ“DecipheringȱaȱMeal,”ȱImplicitȱMeanings:ȱSelectedȱEssaysȱinȱAnthropologyȱ(London andȱNewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ1999),ȱ231–51. Merralȱ Llwelynȱ Price,ȱ Consumingȱ Passions:ȱ Theȱ Usesȱ ofȱ Cannibalismȱ inȱ Lateȱ Medievalȱ andȱ Early ModernȱEuropeȱ(NewȱYorkȱandȱLondon:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2003),ȱ7. Normanȱ Cohn,ȱ Europe’sȱ Innerȱ Demons:ȱ Anȱ Inquiryȱ Inspiredȱ byȱ theȱ Greatȱ WitchȬHuntȱ (London: Heineman,ȱ1975),ȱ8. Price,ȱConsumingȱPassions,ȱ27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15).

528

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

warned.”18ȱThisȱwasȱexactlyȱwhatȱhappenedȱinȱBolsenaȱinȱ1263ȱtoȱaȱpriestȱwho doubtedȱtransubstantiationȱbutȱregainedȱhisȱfaithȱwhenȱheȱsawȱthatȱJesusȱwas reallyȱpresentȱinȱtheȱcommunionȱwafer.19ȱPriceȱclaimsȱthatȱtheȱbloodierȱtheȱmiracle, theȱbetter: .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ amongȱ theȱ holy,ȱ theȱ especiallyȱ goryȱ andȱ gruesomeȱ visionsȱ andȱ miraclesȱ were receivedȱ notȱ withȱ horrorȱ andȱ disgust,ȱ butȱ withȱ joyȱ andȱ desire.ȱ Theȱ cannibalistic implicationsȱofȱfeedingȱonȱtheȱbodyȱofȱaȱsacrificedȱgodȱareȱembracedȱandȱelaborated onȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.20

Theȱideaȱofȱtransubstantiationȱdidȱnotȱsitȱwell,ȱhowever,ȱwithȱmostȱProtestants. Zwingliȱ drewȱ aȱ directȱ parallelȱ betweenȱ Catholicsȱ andȱ Cannibals:ȱ transubȬ stantiationȱwasȱnotȱ“onlyȱimpiousȱbutȱalsoȱfoolishȱandȱmonstrous,ȱunlessȱperhaps oneȱ isȱ livingȱ amongstȱ theȱ Anthrophagi.”21ȱ Theȱ Calvinistȱ Léryȱ drewȱ theȱ same connection:ȱ “Theyȱ [Catholics]ȱ wantedȱ notȱ onlyȱ toȱ eatȱ theȱ fleshȱ ofȱ Jesusȱ Christ grosslyȱ ratherȱ thanȱ spiritually,ȱ butȱ whatȱ wasȱ worse,ȱ likeȱ theȱ savagesȱ named Ouetaca,ȱ ofȱ whomȱ Iȱ haveȱ alreadyȱ spoken,ȱ theyȱ wantedȱ toȱ chewȱ andȱ swallow raw.”22ȱInȱhisȱpoemȱ“TheȱHolyȱEucharistȱandȱtheȱPapishȱBreadenȱGod”ȱ(1625), ThomasȱTurkeȱridiculesȱtransubstantiation: AsȱonȱtheȱwhaleȱdidȱJonas,ȱsoȱtheyȱeat Himȱupȱalive,ȱbodyȱandȱsoul,ȱasȱmeat Asȱmenȱeatȱoysters,ȱsoȱonȱHimȱtheyȱfeed; Wholeȱandȱalive,ȱandȱrawȱandȱyetȱnotȱbleed. Thisȱcookery,ȱvoidȱofȱhumanity IsȱheldȱinȱRomeȱforȱsoundȱdivinity.23

MiltonȱtookȱtheȱideaȱofȱCatholicȱcannibalismȱtoȱitsȱlogicalȱconclusion:ȱ TheȱMassȱbringsȱdownȱChrist’sȱbodyȱfromȱitsȱsupremeȱexaltationȱatȱtheȱrightȱhandȱof God.ȱItȱdragsȱitȱbackȱtoȱearth,ȱthoȱitȱhasȱsufferedȱeveryȱpainȱandȱhardshipȱalready,ȱto aȱstateȱofȱhumiliationȱevenȱmoreȱwretchedȱandȱdegradingȱthanȱbefore:ȱtoȱbeȱbroken onceȱmoreȱandȱcrushedȱandȱground,ȱevenȱbyȱtheȱfangsȱofȱbrutes.ȱThen,ȱwhenȱitȱhas beenȱdrivenȱthroughȱallȱtheȱstomach’sȱfilthyȱchannelsȱitȱshootsȱitȱout—oneȱshudders evenȱtoȱmentionȱit—intoȱtheȱlatrine.24

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Price,ȱConsumingȱPassions,ȱ28ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Raphael’sȱfrescoȱofȱthisȱsceneȱ(1512)ȱcanȱbeȱseenȱinȱtheȱVatican. Price,ȱConsumingȱPassions,ȱ31ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15),ȱ31. Price,ȱConsumingȱPassions,ȱ109ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Price,ȱConsumingȱPassions,ȱ109ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ15). Kilgour,ȱFromȱCommunionȱtoȱCannibalism,ȱ83ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7)ȱ. Kilgour,ȱFromȱCommunionȱtoȱCannibalism,ȱ84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

529

EmployingȱtheȱFreudianȱnotionȱofȱprojection,ȱPeterȱHulmeȱconsidersȱtheȱgrowing concernȱwithȱcannibalismȱonȱtheȱpartȱofȱEuropeansȱaȱdirectȱconsequenceȱofȱthis insistenceȱonȱtheȱliteralȱinterpretationȱofȱtransubstantiation: .ȱ.ȱ.ȱboundariesȱofȱcommunityȱareȱoftenȱcreatedȱbyȱaccusingȱthoseȱoutsideȱtheȱboundary ofȱtheȱveryȱpracticeȱonȱwhichȱtheȱintegrityȱofȱtheȱcommunityȱisȱfounded.ȱThisȱisȱatȱone andȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱbothȱaȱpsychicȱprocess—involvingȱrepressionȱandȱprojection—and anȱideologicalȱprocessȱwherebyȱtheȱsuccessȱofȱtheȱprojectionȱconfirmsȱtheȱneedȱforȱthe communityȱtoȱdefendȱitselfȱagainstȱtheȱprojectedȱthreat,ȱtherebyȱclosingȱtheȱcircleȱand perpetuatingȱit.25

MaggieȱKilgourȱtakesȱaȱslightlyȱdifferentȱapproach,ȱattributingȱtheȱfascinationȱof Europeansȱ withȱ cannibalismȱ toȱ theirȱ ownȱ fierceȱ desireȱ toȱ incorporateȱ other culturesȱandȱtheȱprojectionȱinvolvedȱinȱthisȱwish.ȱTheȱaccusationȱofȱcannibalism againstȱnewȱworldȱculturesȱwasȱundoubtedlyȱaȱusefulȱformȱofȱprojection,ȱmaking theȱassimilation,ȱevenȱobliteration,ȱofȱtheseȱculturesȱmoreȱpalatable,ȱoneȱmightȱsay.ȱ WhatȱbothȱHulme’sȱandȱKilgour’sȱanalysisȱleavesȱoutȱisȱtheȱfactȱthatȱEuropeans practicedȱrealȱcannibalismȱonȱaȱroutineȱbasis.ȱFromȱearliestȱtimesȱfragmentsȱofȱthe humanȱbodyȱwereȱroutinelyȱincorporatedȱintoȱmedicines.ȱMedicalȱvampirismȱwas aȱ factȱ ofȱ life.ȱ Theȱ medicinalȱ propertiesȱ ofȱ bloodȱ wereȱ universallyȱ recognized. AccordingȱtoȱtheȱRomanȱphysicianȱCelsus,ȱwarmȱbloodȱfromȱwoundedȱgladiators orȱexecutedȱcriminalsȱcuredȱepilepsy.ȱManyȱChristiansȱwereȱconvincedȱthatȱJews requiredȱtheȱbloodȱofȱyoungȱChristiansȱtoȱhealȱtheirȱinnumerableȱinfirmities.26ȱThe greatȱRenaissanceȱPlatonistȱMarsilioȱFicinoȱwasȱconvincedȱthatȱoldȱmenȱcouldȱbe rejuvenatedȱ byȱ suckingȱ bloodȱ directlyȱ fromȱ theȱ veinȱ ofȱ aȱ healthyȱ youth.ȱ In ProtestantȱareasȱofȱGermanyȱtheȱbloodȱofȱthoseȱbeheadedȱwasȱsoldȱandȱsometimes drunkȱonȱtheȱspotȱbyȱepilepticsȱandȱotherȱinvalids.ȱTheȱlastȱrecordedȱexampleȱof thisȱpracticeȱoccurredȱinȱMarburgȱa.ȱd.ȱL.ȱ(northȱofȱFrankfurt)ȱinȱ1865.ȱTheȱpractice wasȱ lessȱ prevalentȱ inȱ Catholicȱ areas,ȱ butȱ atȱ theȱ executionȱ ofȱ Louisȱ XVIȱ people dippedȱhandkerchiefs,ȱrags,ȱandȱevenȱaȱpairȱofȱdiceȱinȱtheȱroyalȱbloodȱtoȱabsorbȱits curativeȱvalue.27ȱ Rightȱ upȱ toȱ theȱ nineteenthȱ centuryȱ cow’sȱ bloodȱ wasȱ consideredȱ aȱ cureȱ for anemia.ȱ Inȱ pastȱ agesȱ medicinesȱ wereȱ alsoȱ concoctedȱ fromȱ theȱ bonesȱ ofȱ buried corpses.ȱ“Mummy”ȱwasȱanotherȱfavoriteȱmedicalȱingredient.ȱThisȱcameȱfromȱthe fleshȱofȱaȱmummifiedȱcorpse,ȱandȱitȱwasȱappliedȱbothȱtopicallyȱandȱingestedȱasȱa cureȱ forȱ bruising.ȱ Francisȱ Baconȱ claimedȱ thatȱ mummyȱ hasȱ greatȱ forceȱ in

25

26

27

PeterȱHulme,ȱColonialȱEncounters:ȱEuropeȱandȱtheȱNativeȱCaribbean,ȱ1492–1797ȱ(London:ȱMethuen, 1986),ȱ85. Davidȱ Biale,ȱ Bloodȱ andȱ Belief:ȱ Theȱ Circulationȱ ofȱ aȱ Symbolȱ betweenȱ Jewsȱ andȱ Christiansȱ (Berkeley: UniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ2008). Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ90–93ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).ȱCf.ȱRichardȱJ.ȱEvans,ȱRituals ofȱRetribution:ȱCapitalȱPunishmentȱinȱGermany,ȱ1600–1987ȱ(Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1996).

530

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

staunchingȱblood.ȱTheȱgreatȱsixteenthȱcenturyȱmedicalȱinnovatorȱParacelsusȱ(who calledȱhimselfȱthatȱtoȱemphasizeȱhisȱsuperiorityȱtoȱtheȱRomanȱphysicianȱCelsus) wasȱaȱdevoteeȱofȱmummy:ȱ“Ifȱdoctorsȱwereȱawareȱofȱtheȱpowerȱofȱtheȱsubstance, noȱbodyȱwouldȱbeȱleftȱonȱtheȱgibbetȱforȱmoreȱthanȱthreeȱdays.”ȱ Aȱspecialȱkindȱofȱfungusȱorȱ“mossȱofȱtheȱskull”ȱcalledȱ“usnea”ȱwasȱalsoȱhighly regarded.ȱItȱgrewȱonȱtheȱheadsȱofȱdeadȱorȱexecutedȱcadaversȱandȱwasȱusedȱtoȱstop hemorrhaging.ȱItȱwasȱheartilyȱendorsedȱbyȱJ.ȱB.ȱvanȱHelmont,ȱRichardȱBaxter,ȱand RobertȱBoyle,ȱamongȱothers.ȱBoyleȱclaimedȱheȱcuredȱhisȱnoseȱbleedsȱwithȱusnea. Kingȱ Charlesȱ IIȱ wasȱ soȱ devotedȱ toȱ theȱ “spiritȱ ofȱ theȱ skull”ȱ thatȱ heȱ paidȱ the physicianȱWilliamȱGoddardȱsixȱthousandȱpoundsȱforȱtheȱrecipeȱandȱpreparedȱit frequentlyȱinȱhisȱprivateȱlaboratory.ȱItȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱthingȱheȱaskedȱforȱwhenȱhe wokeȱupȱ“feelingȱghastly”ȱfourȱdaysȱbeforeȱhisȱdeathȱonȱFebruaryȱ2,ȱ1685.28 RobertȱBoyleȱrecognizedȱ howȱ hypocriticalȱitȱwasȱforȱEuropeansȱtoȱcondemn cannibalsȱ whenȱ theyȱ wereȱ cannibalsȱ themselves.ȱ Asȱ heȱ says,ȱ weȱ condemn cannibals,ȱbutȱweȱgiveȱinfantsȱmother’sȱmilk,ȱwhichȱisȱ“butȱblanchedȱblood.”ȱWe useȱmummyȱinȱmedicines;ȱweȱdrinkȱourȱownȱboys’ȱurineȱ“toȱpreventȱscurveyȱand theȱ Gout.”ȱ Weȱ useȱ Albymȱ Graecum,ȱ otherwiseȱ knownȱ asȱ dogȱ feces,ȱ forȱ sore throats;ȱsheep’sȱdungȱisȱmixedȱwithȱcheeseȱinȱHollandȱ“toȱgiveȱthemȱaȱcolourȱand aȱrelish;”ȱandȱweȱeatȱoystersȱwholeȱandȱgreenȱdungȱoutȱofȱlobsters.29ȱNoneȱofȱthese pertinentȱ observationsȱ didȱ muchȱ toȱ lessenȱ theȱ dichotomyȱ thatȱ theȱ majorityȱ of EuropeansȱsawȱbetweenȱthemselvesȱandȱtheȱNewȱWorld’sȱcannibalȱ“others.” GreenblattȱmakesȱtheȱcogentȱobservationȱthatȱhoweverȱmuchȱEuropeansȱmay haveȱ wantedȱ toȱ discoverȱ whatȱ wasȱ realȱ aboutȱ theȱ nativesȱ andȱ culturesȱ they encountered,ȱaccessȱtoȱsuchȱrealityȱwasȱinevitablyȱmediatedȱthroughȱpreconceived notions.ȱ Columbus,ȱ forȱ exampleȱ wasȱ notȱ aȱ neutralȱ observerȱ butȱ likeȱ every EuropeanȱhadȱcomeȱtoȱtheȱAmericasȱwithȱaȱheadȱfullȱofȱideasȱfromȱHerodotus, Pliny,ȱMarcoȱPolo,ȱandȱaȱhostȱofȱotherȱancientȱandȱmedievalȱcommentatorsȱasȱto whatȱlayȱbeyondȱtheȱknownȱworld.ȱAllȱthisȱinformationȱwasȱthenȱfilteredȱthrough theȱ Christianȱ storyȱ ofȱ theȱ fallȱ andȱ redemption.ȱ Whileȱ heȱ initiallyȱ viewedȱ the IndiansȱasȱmodernȱinhabitantsȱofȱtheȱGardenȱofȱEdenȱbecauseȱofȱtheirȱnakedness, generosity,ȱandȱinnocence,ȱuponȱfurtherȱreflectionȱheȱconcludedȱthatȱwhatȱheȱhad reallyȱ discoveredȱ wasȱ aȱ decadentȱ civilizationȱ ofȱ naked,ȱ cannibalisticȱ savages, whoseȱgenerosityȱwasȱaȱsignȱofȱtheirȱstupidityȱandȱwhoȱdeservedȱtoȱbeȱenslaved becauseȱ theyȱ wereȱ viciousȱ andȱ degenerate.ȱ Asȱ Hulmeȱ pointsȱ out,ȱ thisȱ rapid reassessmentȱwasȱonlyȱpossibleȱbecauseȱColumbusȱwasȱableȱtoȱgiveȱupȱhisȱpositive visionȱofȱtheȱnatives,ȱtheȱvisionȱsuppliedȱbyȱMarcoȱPolo,ȱandȱreplaceȱitȱwithȱtheȱa

28

29

RichardȱSugg,ȱ“CorpseȱMedicine:ȱMummies,ȱCannibals,ȱandȱVampires,”ȱTheȱLancet,ȱvol.ȱ371,ȱissue 9630ȱ(Juneȱ2008):ȱ2078–79;ȱid.ȱMummies,ȱCannibalsȱandȱVampires:ȱtheȱHistoryȱofȱCorpseȱMedicineȱfrom theȱRenaissanceȱtoȱtheȱVictoriansȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2011). Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,174ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

531

negativeȱHerodoteanȱvision.ȱConsequently,ȱheȱcouldȱmoveȱfromȱcomelyȱnativeȱto dangerousȱcannibalȱwithȱrelativeȱease.30ȱByȱtheȱtimeȱColumbusȱwroteȱhisȱfamous letterȱtoȱtheȱSovereignsȱFerdinandȱandȱIsabellaȱ(15ȱFebruaryȱ1493)ȱaȱfurtherȱchange inȱhisȱviewȱofȱtheȱnativesȱhadȱoccurred.ȱAllȱcontradictionsȱhadȱbeenȱsmoothedȱout. Theȱnativesȱwereȱnowȱbifurcatedȱintoȱdocile,ȱgentleȱones,ȱwhoȱwillȱbecomeȱgood Christianȱsubjects,ȱandȱbadȱCaribsȱorȱcannibals,ȱwhoȱwillȱnot: .ȱ .ȱ .ȱ theȱ radicalȱ dualismȱ ofȱ theȱ Europeanȱ responseȱ toȱ theȱ nativeȱ Caribbean—fierce cannibalȱ andȱ nobleȱ savage—hadȱ suchȱ obviousȱ continuitiesȱ withȱ theȱ classical Mediterraneanȱparadigmȱthatȱitȱisȱtemptingȱtoȱseeȱtheȱwholeȱintricateȱwebȱofȱcolonial discourseȱ asȱ weavingȱ itselfȱ inȱ itsȱ ownȱ separateȱ spaceȱ entirelyȱ unaffectedȱ byȱ any observationȱofȱorȱinterchangeȱwithȱnativeȱCaribbeanȱcultures.31

Inȱtruth,ȱuntilȱtheȱeighteenthȱcenturyȱitȱwasȱtheȱrareȱEuropeanȱlikeȱMontaigneȱwho couldȱ trulyȱ entertainȱ theȱ ideaȱ ofȱ theȱ nobleȱ savageȱ inȱ anythingȱ moreȱ thanȱ a rhetoricalȱsense,ȱandȱevenȱinȱtheȱeighteenthȱcenturyȱtheȱnobleȱsavageȱwasȱmoreȱof aȱ strawȱ figureȱ orȱ deviceȱ toȱ highlightȱ theȱ failingsȱ ofȱ Europeanȱ societyȱ thanȱ a reflectionȱofȱreality.ȱAsȱinȱColumbus’sȱcaseȱtheȱsuperiorityȱofȱtheȱEuropeanȱ“Us” versusȱtheȱcannibalȱ“Them”ȱreassertedȱitselfȱwhenȱchallengedȱinȱanyȱsubstantial way,ȱleadingȱtoȱaȱreaffirmationȱofȱtheȱsuperiorȱbeauty,ȱintelligence,ȱandȱmorality ofȱtheȱEuropeansȱinȱcontrastȱtoȱtheȱmentalȱinferiority,ȱimmorality,ȱandȱuglinessȱof theȱnatives.32ȱ Oneȱ powerfulȱ wayȱ inȱ whichȱ Europeanȱ superiorityȱ wasȱ establishedȱ wasȱ by stressingȱ theȱ inherentȱ femininityȱ ofȱ theȱ newȱ worldȱ inhabitants.ȱ Inȱ theȱ last paragraphȱofȱhisȱletterȱtoȱtheȱSovereigns,ȱColumbusȱassertsȱthatȱ“theȱislandȱofȱthe Indies,ȱclosestȱtoȱSpain,ȱisȱpopulatedȱentirelyȱbyȱwomen,ȱwithoutȱaȱsingleȱman,ȱand theirȱ comportmentȱ isȱ notȱ feminine,ȱ butȱ ratherȱ theyȱ useȱ weaponsȱ andȱ other masculineȱpractices.”ȱTheyȱwereȱthereforeȱjustȱlikeȱtheȱAmazons,ȱwhoseȱdefeat markedȱ theȱ riseȱ ofȱ Greekȱ civilization.33ȱ Theȱ authorȱ ofȱ “Theȱ Chronicleȱ ofȱ the

30

31 32

33

Hulme,ȱColonialȱEncounters,ȱ31–32ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25).ȱPriceȱraisesȱtheȱquestionȱofȱhowȱColumbusȱcould haveȱknownȱthereȱwereȱcannibalsȱsinceȱtheȱinterpreterȱaccompanyingȱhimȱonȱhisȱfirstȱvoyageȱwas aȱConversoȱwithȱsomeȱknowledgeȱofȱArabicȱbutȱnoneȱofȱnativeȱCaribbeanȱlanguage.ȱColumbus admitsȱ theȱ impossibilityȱ ofȱ communicating:ȱ “Iȱ doȱ notȱ knowȱ theȱ language;ȱ theȱ peopleȱ doȱ not understandȱ me,ȱ norȱ Iȱ them,ȱ norȱ anyȱ ofȱ myȱ company”ȱ (Journal,ȱ 27ȱ November,ȱ citedȱ inȱ Price, Consumingȱ Passions,ȱ 85ȱ [seeȱ noteȱ 14]).ȱ Atȱ firstȱ Columbusȱ wasȱ skepticalȱ thatȱ theȱ nativesȱ were cannibals,ȱbutȱwhatȱfinallyȱconvincedȱhimȱtheyȱwereȱwasȱtheirȱuglinessȱ(JournalȱentryȱforȱJanuary 13,ȱcitedȱinȱPrince,ȱConsumingȱPassions,ȱ39–40ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ14]).ȱTheȱconnectionȱbetweenȱbeauty,ȱtruth, reason,ȱandȱvirtueȱgoesȱbackȱtoȱPlatoȱandȱhadȱobviousȱramificationsȱthroughoutȱwesternȱhistory forȱthoseȱdeemedȱuglyȱlikeȱcannibals. Hulme,ȱColonialȱEncounters,ȱ47ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25).ȱ Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ “Theȱ Perceptionȱ ofȱ Americaȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Germanȱ Literature:ȱ From SebastianȱBrantȱtoȱLohenstein,”ȱNeuphilologischeȱMitteilungenȱ95ȱ(1994):ȱ337–52. MargaretȱZamorra,ȱ“Columbus’sȱ‘LetterȱtoȱtheȱSovereigns’:ȱAnnouncingȱtheȱDiscovery,”ȱNew WorldȱEncounters,ȱed.ȱStephenȱGreenblattȱ(Berkeley:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1995),ȱ8.

532

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

AnonymousȱConquistador”ȱclaimsȱthatȱinȱtheȱNewȱWorldȱ“theȱmenȱhaveȱaȱcustom ofȱurinatingȱsittingȱdown,ȱlikeȱourȱwomen,ȱandȱtheȱwomenȱstandingȱup.”ȱ PatriciaȱdeȱFuentes,ȱwhoȱeditedȱandȱtranslatedȱthisȱChronicle,ȱsaysȱtheȱremark wasȱintendedȱasȱaȱwitticism,34ȱbutȱasȱweȱknowȱfromȱFreudȱjokesȱrevealȱaȱgreatȱdeal aboutȱ theȱ mentalȱworldȱofȱtheȱjokester,ȱinȱthisȱcaseȱaȱEuropeanȱwhoȱnaturally equatedȱ femininityȱ withȱ inferiorityȱ andȱ consideredȱ aȱ societyȱ inȱ whichȱ women ruledȱorȱactedȱlikeȱmenȱasȱutterlyȱpervertedȱandȱupsideȬdown.35ȱNonȬEuropeans occupiedȱtheȱsameȱsymbolicȱspaceȱasȱEuropeanȱwomen.ȱTheyȱwereȱpartȱofȱnature and,ȱlikeȱwomen,ȱeitherȱpassiveȱandȱchildlikeȱorȱdangerousȱandȱaggressive.36ȱInȱher importantȱbookȱGenderȱandȱtheȱPoliticsȱofȱHistory,ȱJoanȱWallachȱScottȱestablishedȱthe factȱthatȱgenderȱisȱaȱprimaryȱwayȱofȱsignifyingȱrelationshipsȱofȱpower.37ȱItȱshould comeȱasȱnoȱsurpriseȱthenȱthatȱtheȱiconicȱimageȱofȱVespucciȱdiscoveringȱAmerica byȱTheodorȱGalleȱ (afterȱ aȱ sketchȱbyȱJanȱvanȱdeȱStraet)ȱhasȱaȱfullyȱ clothedȱand armoredȱVespucciȱencounteringȱnakedȱAmerica,ȱwhoȱrisesȱfromȱherȱhammockȱas ifȱbeingȱawakenedȱintoȱrealityȱfromȱherȱprimitiveȱtorporȱ(Fig.ȱ1). ȱInȱthisȱillustrationȱAmericaȱisȱsurroundedȱbyȱexoticȱfloraȱandȱfauna,ȱandȱamong theȱfaunaȱareȱcannibals,ȱwhoȱappearȱinȱtheȱbackgroundȱatȱtheȱexactȱcenterȱofȱthe picture.ȱ Thereȱ oneȱ seesȱ aȱ groupȱ ofȱ cannibalȱ womenȱ tendingȱ aȱ barbecueȱ of dismemberedȱhumanȱlimbs.ȱTheȱfactȱthatȱtheȱNewȱWorldȱwasȱnamedȱafterȱtheȱold worldȱ explorerȱ Amerigoȱ Vespucciȱ (1454–1512)ȱ impliesȱ thatȱ priorȱ toȱ hisȱ arrival Americaȱ hadȱ noȱ pastȱ orȱ future.ȱ Thisȱ isȱ indeedȱ theȱ “writingȱ thatȱ conquers,”ȱ as MichelȱdeȱCerteauȱclaims.38ȱForȱtoȱnameȱsomethingȱisȱtoȱestablishȱitsȱidentity,ȱand Europeansȱwereȱtheȱonesȱwhoȱmostȱsuccessfullyȱdidȱthis.ȱTheyȱconsideredȱthe NewȱWorldȱvirginȱterritory,ȱandȱlikeȱanyȱvirginȱsheȱneededȱaȱmanȱtoȱmakeȱher fertileȱ andȱ useful.ȱ Ralegh’sȱ descriptionȱ ofȱ Guianaȱ employsȱ overtlyȱ sexual metaphorsȱ toȱ whetȱ theȱ appetitesȱ ofȱ theȱ Europeansȱ heȱ hopedȱ wouldȱ investȱ in colonialȱadventures: .ȱ.ȱ.ȱGuianaȱisȱaȱcountryȱthatȱhathȱgotȱherȱmaydenhed,ȱneverȱsact,ȱturned,ȱnorȱwrought, theȱfaceȱofȱtheȱearthȱhathȱnotȱbeneȱtorne,ȱnorȱtheȱvirtueȱandȱsaltȱofȱtheȱsoyleȱspentȱby

34

35

36

37 38

PatriciaȱdeȱFuentes,ȱed.ȱandȱtrans,ȱTheȱConquistadores:ȱFirstȱPersonȱAccountsȱofȱtheȱConquestȱofȱMexico (NewȱYork:ȱOrion,ȱ1963),ȱ180.ȱ TheȱthemeȱofȱinversionȱisȱtreatedȱinȱNatalieȱZ.ȱDavis,ȱ“WomenȱonȱTop,”ȱSocietyȱandȱCultureȱin Earlyȱ Modernȱ Franceȱ (Stanford:ȱ Stanfordȱ Universityȱ Press,ȱ 1975),ȱ ch.ȱ 5;ȱ Theȱ Reversibleȱ World: SymbolicȱInversionȱinȱArtȱandȱSociety,ȱed.ȱBarbaraȱBabcockȱ(Ithaca,ȱNY:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress, 1978). HelenȱCarr,ȱ“Woman/Indian:ȱ‘TheȱAmerican’ȱandȱhisȱOthers,”ȱEuropeȱandȱItsȱOthers,ȱed.ȱFrancis Barkerȱ(Colchester:ȱUniversityȱofȱEssex,ȱ1985),ȱ50. JoanȱWallachȱScott,ȱGenderȱandȱtheȱPoliticsȱofȱHistoryȱ(NewȱYork:ȱColumbiaȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1999). MichelȱdeȱCerteau,ȱTheȱWritingȱofȱHistory,ȱtrans.ȱTomȱConleyȱ(NewȱYork:ȱColumbiaȱUniversity Press,ȱ1988),ȱxxv:ȱ“Thisȱisȱwritingȱthatȱconquers.ȱItȱwillȱuseȱtheȱNewȱWorldȱasȱifȱitȱwereȱaȱblank, “savage”ȱpageȱonȱwhichȱWesternȱdesireȱwillȱbeȱwritten.”

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

533

manurance,ȱtheȱgravesȱhaveȱnotȱbeneȱopenedȱforȱgolde,ȱtheȱminesȱnotȱbrokenȱwith sledges,ȱnorȱtheirȱImagesȱpuldȱdowneȱoutȱofȱtheirȱtemples.ȱItȱhathȱneverȱbeneȱentred byȱanyȱarmieȱorȱstrength,ȱandȱneverȱconqueredȱorȱpossessedȱbyȱanyȱChristianȱPrince.39

ItȱwasȱnormalȱforȱEuropeanȱdiscoverers,ȱcolonists,ȱandȱimperialistsȱtoȱidentifyȱland withȱfemaleȱbodiesȱandȱcolonizationȱwithȱsexualȱmastery.40ȱ Thus,ȱwhenȱEuropeansȱwroteȱaboutȱtheȱNewȱWorldȱandȱtheȱpeopleȱinhabiting itȱandȱwhenȱEuropeanȱartistsȱillustratedȱtheseȱnarratives,ȱwhatȱbothȱwritersȱand artistsȱwereȱdepictingȱhadȱmoreȱtoȱdoȱandȱsayȱaboutȱthemselvesȱthanȱtheȱpeople andȱplacesȱtheyȱencountered.ȱThisȱisȱespeciallyȱapparentȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱtheȱmultiȬ volumeȱ seriesȱ ofȱ narrativesȱ andȱ engravingsȱ publishedȱ byȱ Theodoreȱ deȱ Bry (1528–1596)ȱandȱmembersȱofȱhisȱfamilyȱbetweenȱ1590ȱandȱ1634ȱandȱknownȱunder theȱ rubricȱ ofȱ theȱ “Greatȱ Voyages.”ȱ Inȱ herȱ analysisȱ ofȱ theȱ deȱ Bryȱ illustrations BernadetteȱBucherȱgoesȱasȱfarȱasȱtoȱsayȱthatȱEuropeansȱlikeȱtheȱdeȱBrysȱsimply couldȱnotȱseeȱwhatȱnativeȱAmericansȱlookedȱlike:ȱ“Oneȱisȱimmediatelyȱstruckȱby theȱ inabilityȱ ofȱ theȱ Europeanȱ draftsmenȱ toȱ graspȱ theȱ physicalȱ differencesȱ that distinguishȱAmerindiansȱfromȱEuropeansȱorȱotherȱpeoples.”41ȱDurer,ȱforȱexample, onlyȱrecognizedȱ“twoȱspeciesȱofȱmankind,ȱwhitesȱandȱnegroes.”ȱNativeȱAmericans orȱpeopleȱfromȱtheȱOrientȱwereȱnotȱonȱDurer’sȱmentalȱmap.42ȱJeanȱdeȱLéryȱadmits thatȱheȱhadȱgreatȱproblemsȱdepictingȱnativeȱAmericans:ȱ AlthoughȱIȱdiligentlyȱperusedȱandȱmarkedȱthoseȱbarbarianȱpeople,ȱforȱaȱwholeȱyear together,ȱwhereinȱIȱlivedȱamongstȱthem,ȱsoȱIȱmightȱconceiveȱinȱmyȱmindȱaȱcertain proportionȱofȱthem,ȱyetȱIȱsay,ȱbyȱreasonȱofȱtheirȱdiverseȱgesturesȱandȱbehaviors,ȱutterly differentȱfromȱours,ȱitȱisȱaȱveryȱdifficultȱmatterȱtoȱexpressȱtheirȱtrueȱproportion.43

Itȱ wasȱ notȱ justȱ theȱ physicalȱ natureȱ ofȱ theȱ Amerindiansȱ thatȱ escapedȱ European perception,ȱbutȱtheȱlookȱofȱtheȱlandȱandȱcultureȱasȱwell.44ȱTheȱdeȱBryȱnarratives andȱtheirȱaccompanyingȱillustrationsȱdoȱnotȱshowȱusȱtheȱrealȱnatureȱofȱIndianȱlife orȱ theȱ realȱ lookȱ ofȱ theȱ physicalȱ beingsȱ whoȱ livedȱ thatȱ lifeȱ butȱ aȱ European interpretationȱofȱbothȱinȱtheȱlightȱofȱEuropeanȱinterestsȱandȱconcerns.ȱCannibalism wasȱoneȱofȱtheȱprimaryȱfiltersȱthroughȱwhichȱtheseȱconcernsȱwereȱmediated.ȱThe deȱ Bryȱ engravingsȱ leftȱ outȱ theȱ vibrantȱ colorsȱ andȱ frescosȱ characteristicȱ of

39

40

41

42 43

44

Citedȱ inȱ Louisȱ Montrose,ȱ “Theȱ Workȱ ofȱ Genderȱ inȱ theȱ Discourseȱ ofȱ Discovery,”ȱ Newȱ World Encounters,ȱ12ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ332). ReferringȱtoȱEricȱPartridge’sȱShakespeare’sȱBawdyȱ(1948),ȱMontroseȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱbothȱ“country” andȱ“countryȱmatters”ȱplayȱoffȱtheȱwordȱ“cunt”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ39). Bernadetteȱ Bucher,ȱ Iconȱ andȱ Conquest:ȱ Aȱ Structuralȱ Analysisȱ ofȱ theȱ Illustrationsȱ ofȱ deȱ Bry’sȱ Great Voyagesȱ(Chicago:ȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱChicagoȱPress,ȱ1981),ȱ32. Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ32ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41). MichaelȱAlexander,ȱed.,ȱDiscoveringȱtheȱNewȱWorld.ȱBasedȱonȱtheȱWorksȱofȱTheodoreȱdeȱBryȱ(New York:ȱHarperȱ&ȱRow,ȱ1976),ȱ7–8. Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).

534

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

Mesoamericanȱtemplesȱandȱcities,ȱtransformingȱthemȱintoȱaȱseriesȱofȱ“poorȱhuts orȱ scaffoldings.”ȱ Theȱ Mexicanȱ jewelryȱ soȱ admiredȱ byȱ Dürerȱ isȱ replacedȱ by “shoddyȬlookingȱobjects.”ȱAllȱinȱall,ȱtheȱengravingsȱdegradeȱ“theȱimageȱofȱthe NewȱWorldȱandȱdullsȱitȱfromȱtheȱoutset,ȱaffectingȱitȱnotȱonlyȱasȱaȱculturalȱwhole butȱasȱaȱnaturalȱenvironmentȱofȱtropicalȱlandscape.”45ȱ Theȱ deȱ Bry’sȱ volumesȱ furtherȱ reflectȱ theȱ family’sȱ Protestantȱ biasȱ andȱ the emotional,ȱfinancial,ȱandȱpoliticalȱinterestsȱofȱDutchȱandȱEnglishȱProtestantsȱas theyȱstruggledȱwithȱtheȱSpanishȱforȱdominionȱinȱtheȱAmericas.46ȱThisȱbiasȱexplains theȱchangingȱcharacterȱofȱtheȱdepictionsȱofȱtheȱAmerindiansȱasȱoneȱmovesȱfrom theȱ firstȱ volumesȱ toȱ laterȱ ones,ȱ especiallyȱ volumeȱ 9.ȱ Inȱ theȱ firstȱ volumes,ȱ the relationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱEnglishȱsettlersȱandȱAlgonquianȱIndiansȱofȱVirginiaȱis idealized,ȱasȱisȱtheȱrelationshipȱbetweenȱtheȱFrenchȱHuguenotȱcolonistsȱandȱthe TimuscuaȱIndiansȱofȱFlorida.ȱAlthoughȱtheȱTimucuaȱareȱdescribedȱasȱdoingȱcruel thingsȱ suchȱ asȱ sacrificingȱ newbornȱ infants,ȱ scalpingȱ enemies,ȱ andȱ axingȱ a Frenchmanȱtoȱdeath,ȱtheyȱareȱromanticizedȱandȱdepictedȱinȱtheȱGreekȱmodeȱand shownȱ welcomingȱ theȱ Englishȱ andȱ Frenchȱ withȱ openȱ armsȱ asȱ theyȱ establish amicableȱrelationsȱwithȱthem.47ȱ Theȱ thirdȱ volumeȱ isȱ devotedȱ toȱ theȱ cannibalȱ tribesȱ ofȱ Brazil,ȱ theȱ famous Tupinambá,ȱwhoȱcapturedȱandȱthreatenedȱtoȱeatȱHansȱStaden.ȱTheȱdepictionȱofȱthe Indiansȱ hereȱ isȱ moreȱ aggressive,ȱ bloody,ȱ andȱ savage,ȱ andȱ thisȱ continuesȱ in volumesȱfourȱthroughȱsevenȱbutȱwithȱtheȱmitigatingȱfactorȱthatȱtheseȱpartsȱofȱthe “GreatȱVoyage”ȱdealȱwithȱSpanishȱincursionsȱintoȱtheȱAmericas.ȱWhatȱweȱfindȱin theseȱ volumesȱ isȱ anȱ indictmentȱ byȱ Protestantsȱ ofȱ theȱ tyrannyȱ ofȱ Spanish CatholicismȱandȱtheȱdevilishȱcrueltyȱofȱtheȱSpanish,ȱwhichȱbyȱimplicationȱmakes fruitfulȱcooperationȱwithȱtheȱnativesȱimpossible.ȱByȱstressingȱtheȱenslavementȱof theȱnativesȱandȱtheȱhorribleȱtorturesȱinflictedȱonȱthemȱbyȱtheirȱCatholicȱenslavers, deȱ Bry’sȱ illustrations,ȱ evenȱ moreȱ thanȱ theȱ textsȱ themselves,ȱ contributedȱ toȱ the spreadȱofȱtheȱfamousȱ“blackȱlegend”ȱexcoriatingȱtheȱSpanishȱconquistadores.ȱHere theȱ Spanishȱ areȱ depictedȱ asȱ theȱ realȱ cannibalsȱ andȱ whateverȱ awfulȱ thingsȱ the nativesȱmayȱhaveȱdoneȱisȱlargelyȱexplainedȱasȱaȱreactionȱagainstȱtheȱunspeakable crueltyȱofȱtheirȱtormentors.ȱ Weȱ knowȱ fromȱ Lasȱ Casasȱ andȱ otherȱ criticsȱ thatȱ theȱ Spanishȱ engagedȱ in horrendousȱactsȱofȱviolenceȱagainstȱtheȱnatives,ȱbutȱwhatȱisȱsoȱinterestingȱaboutȱde Bry’sȱ illustrationsȱ isȱ thatȱ theȱ wholeȱ arsenalȱ ofȱ torturesȱ inflictedȱ onȱ Protestant “heretics”ȱ byȱ theȱ Inquisitionȱ inȱ Europeȱ appearȱ inȱ anȱ Americanȱ setting—

45 46

47

Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ34ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41). Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ9ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).ȱTheodoreȱdeȱBry,ȱtheȱpatriarchȱofȱtheȱfamily,ȱwasȱa ProtestantȱandȱnativeȱofȱLiège.ȱHeȱhadȱbeenȱexiledȱforȱhisȱreligion,ȱsettlingȱfirstȱinȱStrasbourgȱand finallyȱinȱFrankfurt,ȱbothȱcentersȱofȱtheȱProtestantȱbookȱtrade. Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ14–15,ȱ46ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

535

flagellation,ȱgarroting,ȱtheȱstrappado,ȱburningȱatȱtheȱstake,ȱandȱtheȱwaterȱtorture, togetherȱwithȱotherȱactsȱofȱcrueltyȱconsistentȱwithȱmilitaryȱconquest,ȱtheȱmassacre ofȱwomenȱandȱchildren,ȱburningȱwholeȱvillages,ȱthrowingȱsodomitesȱtoȱtheȱdogs, pillagingȱtowns,ȱrape,ȱandȱforcedȱlaborȱ(Fig.ȱ2ȱ&ȱ3).48ȱNotȱonlyȱareȱtheȱSpanish depictedȱasȱbeingȱunnecessarilyȱcruelȱbutȱtheyȱareȱlicentiousȱasȱwell.ȱWhileȱthey areȱ shownȱ tryingȱ toȱ seduceȱ Indianȱ woman,ȱ theȱ Englishȱ inȱ earlierȱ volumesȱ are modelsȱ ofȱ propriety.ȱ Forȱ example,ȱ oneȱ illustrationȱ depictsȱ theȱ Englishȱ settlers sendingȱ anȱ emissaryȱ toȱ askȱ forȱ Pocahontas’sȱ handȱ inȱ marriage.49ȱ Theȱ overall impressionȱgivenȱbyȱtheseȱillustrationsȱisȱthatȱtheȱSpanishȱareȱinfinitelyȱmoreȱevil thanȱ theȱ Indians.ȱ Evenȱ whenȱ theȱ latterȱ roastedȱ theirȱ conquerorsȱ onȱ grillsȱ and pouredȱmoltenȱgoldȱdownȱtheirȱthroats,ȱtheȱviewerȱconcludesȱthatȱsomeȱkindȱof justiceȱisȱinvolved. ItȱisȱnotȱthatȱtheȱIndiansȱareȱgivenȱaȱcompletelyȱfreeȱpassȱbyȱdeȱBry.ȱEvenȱinȱthe illustrationsȱinȱvolumesȱthreeȱthroughȱsevenȱthatȱsoȱclearlyȱcondemnȱtheȱSpanish, theȱIndiansȱareȱpresentedȱasȱtheȱdangerous,ȱunpredictableȱ“other.”ȱButȱonceȱagain, whatȱ isȱ especiallyȱ interestingȱ isȱ theȱ wayȱ theirȱ “otherness”ȱ isȱ communicated throughȱmotifsȱandȱthemesȱthatȱareȱalreadyȱfamiliarȱtoȱEuropeansȱfromȱtheirȱown historyȱofȱviolenceȱandȱcruelty.ȱOneȱparticularȱmotifȱsingledȱoutȱbyȱBucherȱthat willȱ resonateȱ withȱ anyoneȱ whoȱ hasȱ studiedȱ theȱ Europeanȱ witchȱ huntsȱ ofȱ the sixteenthȱandȱseventeenthȱcenturies,ȱisȱ“theȱwomanȱwithȱsaggingȱbreasts”ȱ(Figȱ4). Sheȱ appearsȱ inȱ theȱ thirdȱ volumeȱ ofȱ theȱ Greatȱ Voyagesȱ forȱ theȱ firstȱ time,ȱ but reappearsȱthereafter.ȱNotȱonlyȱdoȱherȱpendulousȱbreastsȱconnectȱherȱwithȱtheȱlongȬ establishedȱiconographyȱofȱtheȱEuropeanȱwitchȱbutȱso,ȱofȱcourse,ȱdoesȱherȱage,ȱher wrinkles,ȱherȱwispyȱhair,ȱherȱbrutishȱlook,ȱandȱherȱcannibalisticȱinstincts.ȱ TheȱEuropeanȱwitchȱwasȱtheȱcannibalȱparȱexcellence.ȱSheȱkidnapped,ȱtortured, cooked,ȱandȱateȱdismemberedȱinfants,ȱrelishedȱtheȱgrilledȱpenisesȱofȱbewitchedȱor glamorizedȱmales,ȱandȱfoundȱherȱstewsȱandȱbrewsȱofȱsimmeredȱbodyȱpartsȱjustȱas fingerȬlickingȱ goodȱ asȱ herȱ Amerindianȱ counterparts.ȱ Femaleȱ cannibalsȱ inȱ the Americasȱlovedȱpreciselyȱtheȱsameȱthings.ȱLikeȱwitchesȱtheyȱwereȱsaidȱtoȱlove

48

49

HistoriansȱdifferȱinȱtheirȱestimationȱofȱtheȱeffectȱtheȱInquisitionȱhadȱonȱtheȱlivesȱofȱtheȱnatives.ȱJ. JorgeȱKlorȱdeȱAlvaȱemphasizesȱtheȱsmallȱnumberȱofȱIndiansȱbroughtȱbeforeȱtheȱInquisitionȱbefore 1571,ȱwhenȱaȱlawȱwasȱpassedȱremovingȱIndiansȱfromȱitsȱjurisdiction.ȱSeeȱ“ColonizingȱSouls:ȱThe FailureȱofȱtheȱIndianȱInquisitionȱandȱtheȱRiseȱofȱPenitentialȱdiscipline,”ȱCulturalȱEncounters:ȱThe ImpactȱofȱtheȱInquisitionȱinȱSpainȱandȱtheȱNewȱWorld,ȱed.ȱMaryȱElizabethȱPerryȱandȱAnneȱJ.ȱCruz (Berkeley:ȱUniversityȱofȱCaliforniaȱPress,ȱ1991),ȱ3–22.ȱRobertoȱMorenoȱdeȱlosȱArcosȱarguesȱthat whileȱtheȱnativesȱwereȱnotȱsubjectȱtoȱtheȱInquisition,ȱtheyȱwereȱsubjectȱtoȱaȱsimilarȱinstitutionȱwith variousȱ names:ȱ Officeȱ ofȱ Provisorȱ ofȱ Natives,ȱ Tribunalȱ ofȱ theȱ Faithȱ ofȱ theȱ Indians,ȱ Secular Inquisition,ȱ Vicarageȱ ofȱ theȱ Indians,ȱ Natives’ȱ Courts,ȱ andȱ thatȱ thisȱ institutionȱ generatedȱ an enormousȱnumberȱofȱtrials,ȱbutȱveryȱfewȱhaveȱsoȱfarȱcomeȱtoȱlight.ȱSeeȱhisȱarticleȱinȱtheȱsame volumeȱ“NewȱSpain’sȱInquisitionȱforȱIndiansȱfromȱtheȱSixteenthȱtoȱtheȱNineteenthȱCentury,” 23–36. Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ10ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).

536

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

bloodȱandȱfat,ȱand,ȱasȱoneȱcanȱseeȱinȱFig.ȱ4,ȱtheyȱlickedȱtheirȱfingersȱgreedilyȱtoȱget theȱveryȱlastȱdropȱofȱboth,ȱanȱindicationȱperhapsȱofȱdecayedȱorȱnonȬexistentȱteeth.50 TheȱactiveȱandȱaggressiveȱroleȱthatȱwitchesȱplayedȱinȱtheȱOldȱWorldȱandȱcannibal womenȱ inȱ theȱ Newȱ representedȱ theȱ antithesisȱ ofȱ Europeanȱ normsȱ ofȱ political authorityȱ andȱ genderȱ relationships,ȱ anotherȱ clearȱ indicationȱ ofȱ aȱ topsyȬturvey worldȱgoneȱmad. Anȱ evenȱ moreȱ frighteningȱ imageȱ ofȱ aȱ womanȱ withȱ longȱ pendulousȱ breasts appearsȱinȱtheȱfrontispieceȱtoȱtheȱthirteenthȱvolumeȱofȱtheȱdeȱBryȱseriesȱasȱpartȱof aȱmonstrousȱcoupleȱwithȱhypertrophiedȱsexualȱorgansȱ(Fig.ȱ5).ȱTheȱwoman’sȱlong pendulousȱbreastsȱhangȱbelowȱherȱwaist,ȱtheirȱlengthȱextendedȱbyȱlongȱnipples likeȱ theȱ teatsȱ ofȱ cows.ȱ Herȱ maleȱ counterpartȱ wearsȱ aȱ penisȱ sheath.ȱ Bothȱ have sharpenedȱfingerȱandȱtoenailsȱlikeȱanimalȱclaws.ȱFromȱtheirȱcheeks,ȱears,ȱnostrils andȱchinsȱhangȱmiceȱandȱfrogs,ȱwhichȱfurtherȱenhanceȱtheirȱgrotesqueȱandȱbrutish appearance.51 Whenȱ itȱ cameȱ toȱ eating,ȱ itȱ wasn’tȱ justȱ cookedȱ bodyȱ partsȱ thatȱ Amerindian cannibalsȱingestedȱwithȱsuchȱevidentȱrelish;ȱtheyȱalsoȱlovedȱwhatȱwasȱraw,ȱraw fleshȱtoȱbeȱexact,ȱanȱadditionalȱsignȱthatȱtheyȱwereȱbeyondȱtheȱpaleȱofȱcivilization. InȱoneȱengravingȱDutchmenȱwatchȱasȱaȱcannibalȱmotherȱprovidesȱherȱoffspring withȱaȱrawȱbirdȱtoȱassuageȱtheirȱhungerȱ(Fig.ȱ6): Sheȱtoreȱtheȱrestȱofȱtheȱbirdȱintoȱpiecesȱwithȱherȱteeth,ȱbitingȱintoȱitȱsoȱthatȱtheȱblood ranȱdownȱherȱbreasts.ȱTheȱchildrenȱdidȱtheȱsame,ȱandȱateȱtheȱbirdȱraw.ȱOneȱofȱthem wasȱaȱfourȬyearȬoldȱgirl,ȱtheȱotherȱwasȱnotȱmoreȱthanȱsixȱmonthsȱold,ȱbutȱheȱalready hadȱaȱnumberȱofȱteethȱandȱcouldȱwalkȱbyȱhimself.ȱTheyȱremainedȱquiteȱseriousȱwhile theyȱ ate,ȱ andȱ theȱ womanȱ showedȱ notȱ theȱ slightestȱ smileȱ inȱ spiteȱ ofȱ theȱ sailors’ outburstsȱofȱlaughter.52

AnotherȱengravingȱprovidesȱevidenceȱofȱhowȱdeeplyȱEuropeanȱperceptionsȱofȱthe Amerindianȱcannibalsȱwasȱfilteredȱthroughȱtheirȱownȱhistoricalȱexperiencesȱand expectations.ȱ Hereȱ weȱ seeȱ aȱ nakedȱ cannibalȱ Pandora.ȱ Nothingȱ isȱ saidȱ inȱ the accompanyingȱtextȱaboutȱPandora,ȱbutȱanȱincidentȱisȱdescribedȱbyȱtheȱDutchman SebaldȱdeȱWeert,ȱduringȱwhichȱheȱwasȱaccostedȱbyȱaȱoldȱwomenȱwithȱsagging breasts,ȱwhoȱcarriedȱaȱbox.ȱAfterȱcirclingȱaroundȱhimȱthreeȱtimes,ȱsheȱknocked threeȱtimesȱonȱtheȱlid,ȱcreatingȱaȱcloudȱofȱashesȱthatȱcoveredȱdeȱWeert’sȱclothing. Whatȱtheȱpreciseȱmeaningȱofȱherȱactionȱwas,ȱnoȱoneȱknew,ȱbutȱbyȱtheȱtimeȱthis incidentȱwasȱillustratedȱinȱtheȱdeȱBryȱvolumes,ȱtheȱwomanȱhadȱbecomeȱaȱnew worldȱPandora,ȱasȱoneȱlearnsȱfromȱtheȱcaptionȱȱ(Fig.ȱ7).ȱ 50

51 52

ȱ Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ49ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).ȱTheȱimageȱofȱtheȱfemaleȱdevourerȱisȱtheȱnegativeȱside ofȱtheȱarchetypeȱofȱtheȱgood,ȱnurturingȱmother.ȱTheȱvoraciousȱmouthȱisȱconflatedȱwithȱtheȱvagina dentata,ȱorȱ“toothedȱvagina,”ȱthatȱseducesȱasȱitȱdevours.ȱCf.ȱErichȱNeumann,ȱTheȱGreatȱMother, trans.ȱRalphȱManheimȱ(Princeton:ȱPrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1955),ȱ168. Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ136–37ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41). Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ90ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

537

DoraȱandȱErwinȱPanofskyȱhaveȱshownȱthatȱthereȱwasȱaȱrevivalȱofȱiconographic andȱ literaryȱ interestȱ inȱ theȱ mythȱ ofȱ Pandoraȱ inȱ theȱ sixteenthȱ century.53ȱ The PanofskysȱattributedȱthisȱtoȱErasmus’sȱreferenceȱtoȱtheȱPandoraȱmythȱunderȱthe adage,ȱ “Giftsȱ fromȱ enemiesȱ areȱ notȱ gifts,”ȱ anȱ adageȱ accuratelyȱ encapsulating Europeanȱ viewsȱ ofȱ cannibalȱ Amerindians.54ȱ Aȱ furtherȱ indicationȱ ofȱ how profoundlyȱ Europeanȱ depictionsȱ ofȱ cannibalsȱ reflectedȱ theirȱ ownȱ psychesȱ and culturalȱconcernsȱcomesȱinȱtheȱdepictionȱofȱpaganȱidols.ȱAnȱengravingȱofȱthese idolsȱisȱnotȱhardȱtoȱreadȱinȱtermsȱofȱtheȱstandardȱattributesȱofȱtheȱChristianȱdevil. Theyȱareȱallȱthere:ȱhoofs,ȱhorns,ȱserpentineȱtail,ȱandȱpitchfork. WhatȱweȱseeȱinȱtheȱdeȱBryȱengravingsȱisȱaȱreflectionȱofȱEuropean,ȱinȱthisȱcase ProtestantȱEuropean,ȱconcernsȱandȱobsessionsȱgraftedȱontoȱinformationȱcoming fromȱtheȱNewȱWorld.ȱThisȱbecomesȱespeciallyȱclearȱbyȱtheȱninthȱvolumeȱofȱthe Greatȱ Voyages,ȱ whenȱ theȱ illustratorsȱ becomeȱ lessȱ kindȱ toȱ theȱ cannibals.ȱ As Protestantȱ involvementȱ inȱ theȱ colonial/imperialȱ enterpriseȱ becameȱ greater,ȱ the depictionȱ ofȱ theȱ nativesȱ grewȱ moreȱ negative.ȱ Protestantsȱ neededȱ aȱ reasonȱ to demonizeȱtheȱ“other”ȱwhoȱrefusedȱtoȱgoȱgentlyȱintoȱthatȱdarkȱnight,ȱandȱthey foundȱitȱinȱtheirȱjustificationȱofȱwhyȱsuchȱpeopleȱdeservedȱtoȱbeȱdominatedȱand exterminatedȱwhenȱnecessary:ȱtheyȱwereȱcannibals.ȱ Theȱ reluctanceȱ orȱ inabilityȱ ofȱ menȱ likeȱ Columbusȱ toȱ fullyȱ appreciateȱ the implicationsȱ ofȱ theirȱ ownȱ experiencesȱ hasȱ ledȱ someȱ historiansȱ toȱ takeȱ aȱ more cautiousȱpositionȱonȱtheȱdestabilizingȱeffectsȱofȱtheȱinformationȱexplosionȱthatȱhit EuropeȱinȱtheȱRenaissanceȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod.ȱInȱtheirȱviewȱtheȱpowerȱof traditionȱandȱauthorityȱwasȱmoreȱdurableȱthanȱmanyȱscholarsȱrealize.55ȱButȱwhile itȱ isȱ undoubtedlyȱ trueȱ thatȱ Europeansȱ wereȱ reluctantȱ toȱ abandonȱ inherited structuresȱofȱknowledgeȱorȱgiveȱupȱtheirȱownȱinflatedȱsenseȱofȱthemselves,ȱchange didȱoccur,ȱandȱradicalȱchangeȱatȱthat,ȱespeciallyȱwhenȱitȱcameȱtoȱrefashioningȱsuch basicȱconceptsȱsuchȱasȱGod,ȱman,ȱandȱnature.ȱAsȱtheȱanxietyȱofȱtheȱlateȱmedieval periodȱgaveȱwayȱtoȱtheȱcatastrophicȱreligiousȱandȱpoliticalȱwarfareȱendemicȱinȱthe sixteenthȱandȱseventeenthȱcenturies,ȱtheȱdebateȱaboutȱtheȱnatureȱofȱmanȱandȱthe stateȱofȱnatureȱbecameȱincreasinglyȱpessimisticȱandȱapocalyptic.ȱ Asȱtheȱbordersȱofȱtheȱknownȱworldȱexpanded,ȱtheyȱincludedȱdiabolicalȱfigures fromȱ theȱ ancientȱ worldȱ andȱ theȱ medievalȱ imaginationȱ togetherȱ withȱ newly 53

54 55

DoraȱandȱErwinȱPanofsky,ȱPandora’sȱBox:ȱTheȱChangingȱAspectsȱofȱaȱMythicalȱSymbolȱ(Princeton: PrincetonȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1962);ȱȱJorgeȱCañizaresȬEsguerra,ȱPuritanȱConquistadors:Iberianizingȱthe Atlantic,ȱ1550Ȭ1700ȱ(Stanford:ȱStanfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱclaimsȱPuritanȱandȱSpanishȱview ofȱAmerindiansȱwereȱsimilar. Bucher,ȱIconȱandȱConquest,ȱ94–95ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ41). AnthonyȱGrafton,ȱwithȱAprilȱShelfordȱandȱNancyȱSiraisi,ȱNewȱWorlds,ȱAncientȱTexts:ȱTheȱPowerȱof TraditionȱandȱtheȱShockȱofȱDiscoveryȱ(Cambridge,ȱMA,ȱandȱLondon:ȱTheȱBelknapȱPressȱofȱHarvard UniversityȱPress,ȱ1992);ȱCannibalismȱandȱtheȱColonialȱWorld,ȱed.ȱFrancisȱBarker,ȱPeterȱHulme,ȱand MargaretȱIversen.ȱCulturalȱMargins,ȱ5ȱ(CambridgeȱandȱNewȱYorkȱ:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress, 1998).

538

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

discoveredȱgroupsȱthatȱappearedȱequallyȱthreatening.ȱItȱwasȱamongȱtheseȱthatȱthe cannibalȱ emergedȱ asȱ theȱ mostȱ potentȱ symbolȱ ofȱ theȱ chaosȱ causedȱ byȱ the breakdownȱofȱauthorityȱandȱhierarchicalȱrelationships.ȱCommentingȱonȱtheȱneed forȱgovernmentalȱauthorityȱHugoȱGrotiusȱdeclared,ȱ“IfȱthereȱwereȱnoȱSovereign Power,ȱweȱshouldȱswallowȱupȱoneȱanotherȱalive.”56ȱWithȱtheȱvalueȱofȱhindsight andȱinȱtheȱfaceȱofȱtheȱcontinuingȱstrugglesȱoverȱreligionȱonȱtheȱcontinentȱandȱin England,ȱRobertȱBoltonȱwarnedȱhisȱparishionersȱofȱtheȱdangersȱofȱanarchy:ȱ“Take Sovereigntyȱfromȱtheȱfaceȱofȱtheȱearth,ȱandȱyouȱturnȱitȱintoȱaȱcockpit.ȱMenȱwould becomeȱcutȬthroatsȱandȱcannibalsȱoneȱuntoȱanother.ȱWeȱshouldȱhaveȱaȱveryȱhell uponȱearth,ȱandȱtheȱfaceȱofȱitȱcoveredȱwithȱblood,ȱasȱitȱonceȱwasȱwithȱwater.”57ȱ Withoutȱsovereigntyȱandȱtheȱsocialȱhierarchyȱitȱentailsȱmenȱwouldȱbeȱthrown intoȱaȱstateȱofȱnatureȱofȱtheȱkindȱmadeȱallȱtooȱfamiliarȱbyȱtheȱwarsȱofȱreligionȱin sixteenthȱcenturyȱFrance,ȱtheȱThirtyȱYears’ȱWarȱinȱGermany,ȱandȱtheȱCivilȱWarȱin England.ȱInȱtheȱmindsȱofȱmanyȱofȱhisȱcontemporaries,ȱThomasȱHobbes’sȱviewȱof theȱstateȱofȱnatureȱasȱ“nasty,ȱbrutish,ȱandȱshort”ȱfitȱtheirȱownȱexperiences,ȱandȱin thisȱ contextȱ theȱ ideaȱ ofȱ naturalȱ lawȱ madeȱ littleȱ sense,ȱ althoughȱ mostȱ people continuedȱtoȱbelieveȱinȱtheȱexistenceȱofȱaȱbasicȱnaturalȱlaw,ȱhoweverȱmuchȱitȱwas abrogatedȱbyȱtheȱperversityȱofȱtheȱhumanȱwill.58ȱ Evenȱ legitimateȱ governmentalȱ authority,ȱ whichȱ manyȱ consideredȱ theȱ only possibleȱbulwarkȱagainstȱtheȱlawlessȱanarchyȱofȱtheȱstateȱofȱnature,ȱbeganȱtoȱraise alarms.ȱTheȱmotifȱofȱaȱraftȱofȱcannibalsȱadriftȱonȱtheȱseaȱbecomesȱaȱstockȱthemeȱin novelsȱandȱtravelȱdiaries,ȱleadingȱtoȱdiscussionsȱaboutȱpropertyȱlawȱandȱtheȱright ofȱselfȬpreservationȱatȱtheȱexpenseȱofȱweakerȱindividuals.59ȱTheȱideaȱthatȱauthority isȱpredicatedȱonȱnaturalȱorȱsupernaturalȱlawȱgivesȱwayȱtoȱtheȱsecularȱviewȱthat superiorȱpowerȱandȱconquestȱlegitimizesȱtheȱsubordinationȱofȱoneȱgroupȱorȱnation toȱanother,ȱwhichȱwasȱessentiallyȱHobbes’sȱposition.ȱ Butȱ notȱ everyoneȱ agreed,ȱ andȱ inȱ thisȱ regardȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ cannibalsȱ and cannibalismȱwasȱcrucialȱinȱsettingȱtheȱlimitsȱofȱanyȱoneȱgroup’sȱorȱperson’sȱpower. JeanȱBodin,ȱforȱexample,ȱexcoriatedȱtheȱtyrantȱasȱoneȱwhoȱ“drinkethȱhisȱsubject’s blood,ȱgnawethȱtheirȱbones,ȱandȱoutȱofȱthemȱalsoȱsuckethȱevenȱtheȱmarrow,ȱsoȱby allȱmeanesȱseekingȱtoȱweakenȱthem.”60ȱUnlikeȱtheȱclassicalȱstateȱpredicatedȱon 56

57

58

59

60

Grotius,ȱOnȱtheȱRightsȱofȱWarȱandȱPeaceȱ(London:ȱprintedȱforȱD.ȱBrown;ȱT.ȱWard;ȱandȱW.ȱMeares, 1715),ȱvol.ȱ1,ȱ182.ȱCitedȱinȱAvramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ9ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). RobertȱBolton,ȱ“AȱSermoneȱPreachedȱbyȱRobertȱBolton,ȱ1621.”ȱCitedȱinȱAvramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectual HistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ9ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Avramescuȱpointsȱoutȱthatȱinȱtheȱ16thȱandȱ17thȱcenturiesȱaȱnumberȱofȱworksȱwereȱpublished emphasizingȱtheȱdiversityȱandȱstrangenessȱofȱdifferentȱpeoplesȱandȱtheirȱcustomsȱ(17).ȱInȱhis EssaysȱonȱtheȱLawȱofȱNature,ȱforȱexample,ȱLockeȱdevotedȱaȱnumberȱofȱpagesȱtoȱstrangeȱcustoms, concludingȱthatȱtheȱlawȱofȱnatureȱisȱnotȱ“writtenȱinȱtheȱheartsȱofȱmen.”ȱ Pufendof,ȱ Onȱ theȱ Dutyȱ ofȱ Manȱ andȱ Citizenȱ accordingȱ toȱ Naturalȱ Law.ȱ Citedȱ inȱ Avramescuȱ An IntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ27ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ202ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

539

promotingȱtheȱgoodȱlifeȱthroughȱjustice,ȱtheȱriseȱofȱtheȱmodernȱbureaucraticȱstate provokedȱ profoundȱ anxieties,ȱ toȱ suchȱ aȱ pointȱ thatȱ theȱ stateȱ itselfȱ beginsȱ toȱ be imaginedȱ asȱ aȱ cannibal.ȱ Theȱ supportȱ governmentsȱ gaveȱ toȱ aȱ nation’sȱ military ambitionsȱledȱBaronȱd’Holbachȱ(1723–1789)ȱtoȱdescribeȱtheȱleadersȱasȱtheȱ“Caribs orȱtrueȱcannibals”ȱbecauseȱofȱtheȱeaseȱwithȱwhichȱtheyȱsacrificeȱtheirȱcitizens.61ȱIn hisȱessayȱPerpetualȱPeace:ȱAȱPhilosophicalȱSketchȱ(1795),ȱImmanuelȱKantȱcompares theȱ“savageȱNationsȱofȱEurope”ȱtoȱthoseȱinȱAmerica,ȱremarkingȱonȱtheȱformer’s greaterȱinhumanityȱbecauseȱinsteadȱofȱeatingȱtheirȱenemies,ȱtheyȱuseȱthemȱtoȱfight furtherȱdestructiveȱwars: TheȱmainȱdifferenceȱbetweenȱtheȱsavageȱnationsȱofȱEuropeȱandȱthoseȱofȱAmericaȱisȱthat whileȱ someȱ Americanȱ tribesȱ haveȱ beenȱ entirelyȱ eatenȱ upȱ byȱ theirȱ enemies,ȱ the Europeansȱknowȱhowȱtoȱmakeȱbetterȱuseȱofȱthoseȱtheyȱhaveȱdefeatedȱthanȱmerelyȱby makingȱaȱmealȱofȱthem.ȱTheyȱwouldȱratherȱuseȱthemȱtoȱincreaseȱtheȱnumberȱofȱtheir ownȱsubjects,ȱtherebyȱaugmentingȱtheirȱstockȱofȱinstrumentsȱforȱconductingȱevenȱmore extensiveȱwars.62

Theȱ commercialȱ conquestȱ thatȱ followedȱ onȱ theȱ heelsȱ ofȱ explorationȱ and colonizationȱwasȱnoȱlessȱcannibalisticȱinȱitsȱeffects,ȱaccordingȱtoȱEuropeanȱcritics ofȱboth.ȱReflectingȱonȱtheȱcatastrophicȱeconomicȱconsequencesȱofȱtheȱenclosure movement,ȱ Thomasȱ Moreȱ (1478–1535)ȱ describesȱ howȱ sheepȱ haveȱ turnedȱ into cannibals:ȱtheȱ“sheepȱthatȱwereȱwontȱtoȱbeȱsoȱmeekȱandȱtameȱandȱsoȱsmallȱeaters, now,ȱasȱIȱhearȱsay,ȱbeȱbecomeȱsoȱgreatȱdevourersȱandȱsoȱwild,ȱthatȱtheyȱeatȱupȱand swallowȱdownȱtheȱveryȱmenȱthemselves.”63ȱItȱwasȱtheȱlandowners,ȱofȱcourse,ȱwho grazedȱtheirȱflocksȱonȱlandȱappropriatedȱfromȱtheȱcommonsȱwhoȱwereȱtheȱreal cannibals,ȱnotȱtheȱsheep.ȱ“HomoȱEconomicus”ȱwasȱnotȱsuchȱaȱprettyȱsight,ȱnorȱwas emergingȱcannibalȱcapitalism.ȱAsȱMontaigneȱ(1533–1592)ȱwroteȱinȱhisȱessayȱ“Of Carriages”ȱ(1585–1588): Whoȱeverȱsetȱtheȱutilityȱofȱcommerceȱandȱtradingȱatȱsuchȱaȱprice?ȱSoȱmanyȱcitiesȱrazed, soȱmanyȱnationsȱexterminated,ȱsoȱmanyȱmillionsȱofȱpeopleȱputȱtoȱtheȱsword,ȱandȱthe richestȱandȱmostȱbeautifulȱpartȱofȱtheȱworldȱturnedȱupsideȱdown,ȱforȱtheȱtrafficȱof pearlsȱandȱpepper.64

Inȱanȱearlierȱessayȱ“OfȱCannibals”ȱ(1578–1580)ȱMontaigneȱwasȱequallyȱbluntȱabout exactlyȱwhoȱtheȱrealȱcannibalsȱwere:ȱ Iȱthinkȱthereȱisȱmoreȱbarbarityȱinȱeatingȱaȱmanȱaliveȱthanȱinȱeatingȱhimȱdead;ȱand tearingȱbyȱtorturesȱandȱtheȱrackȱaȱbodyȱstillȱfullȱofȱfeeling,ȱinȱroastingȱaȱmanȱbitȱbyȱbit,

61 62 63 64

Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ260ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ261–62ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ253ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Montaigne,ȱTheȱCompleteȱWorks,ȱtrans.ȱDonaldȱM.ȱFrame.ȱEveryman’sȱLibraryȱ(NewȱYork:ȱAlfred A.ȱKnopf,ȱ2003),ȱ844

540

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert inȱhavingȱhimȱbittenȱandȱmangledȱbyȱdogsȱandȱswineȱ(asȱweȱhaveȱnotȱonlyȱreadȱbut seenȱwithinȱfreshȱmemory,ȱnotȱamongȱancientȱcivilizations,ȱbutȱamongȱneighborsȱand fellowȱ citizens,ȱ andȱ whatȱ isȱ worse,ȱ onȱ theȱ pretextȱ ofȱ pietyȱ andȱ religion),ȱ thanȱ in roastingȱandȱeatingȱhimȱafterȱheȱisȱdead.ȱ65

TheȱSpanishȱplaywrightȱLopeȱdeȱVegaȱ(1562–1635)ȱacceptedȱtheȱwidespreadȱidea thatȱ theȱ Newȱ Worldȱ wasȱ theȱ dwellingȱ placeȱ ofȱ theȱ devilȱ andȱ nativeȱ religion idolatry,ȱbutȱinȱhisȱplayȱTheȱNewȱWorldȱ(1614),ȱbothȱtheȱfigureȱofȱtheȱIdolatryȱand theȱDevilȱshowȱtheȱConquistadoresȱforȱwhatȱtheyȱreallyȱare,ȱandȱthisȱdoesȱnot includeȱbeingȱemissariesȱofȱtheȱtrueȱreligion.ȱAsȱIdolatryȱimplores: Doȱnotȱallow,ȱOȱProvidence, Thisȱinjusticeȱtoȱbeȱdoneȱtoȱme Forȱtheyȱareȱimpelledȱtoȱundertakeȱthisȱfeat Byȱvilestȱgreed.ȱUnderȱreligion’sȱcloak Theyȱgoȱtoȱseekȱsilver,ȱgold Andȱtreasureȱhiddenȱdeep.

TheȱDevilȱconcurs:ȱ“TheyȱareȱnotȱbourneȱthereȱbyȱChristianity/ȱbutȱbyȱgoldȱand greed.”66ȱTheȱsecondȱactȱendsȱwithȱtheȱnativeȱleaderȱDuncanquelinȱorderingȱan underlingȱtoȱkillȱfourȱofȱhisȱfattestȱservantsȱandȱbarbecueȱthemȱforȱtheȱSpaniards travelingȱwithȱColumbus.ȱAlthoughȱmanyȱEuropeansȱbelievedȱthatȱeatingȱflesh madeȱcannibalsȱstupid,ȱthisȱparticularȱcannibalȱhadȱnoȱtroubleȱrecognizingȱtheȱreal motivesȱofȱtheȱEuropeanȱexplorers:ȱ“TheseȱSpaniards,ȱcovetingȱtheȱgoldȱofȱyour Indies,ȱpretendȱtoȱbeȱsaints,ȱfeignȱChristianȱdecorum,/ȱWhileȱothersȱcomeȱtoȱtake awayȱ yourȱ treasure.”67ȱ Michaelȱ deȱ Carvajal’sȱ fascinatingȱ playȱ Complaintȱ ofȱ the IndiansȱinȱtheȱCourtȱofȱDeathȱ(1557)ȱhasȱtheȱChiefȱofȱtheȱIndiansȱquestionȱSpanish justice: .ȱ.ȱ.ȱBut,ȱDeath,ȱexplainȱtoȱus whyȱwhenȱweȱworshippedȱotherȱgods, bestial,ȱfalse,ȱandȱrude, notȱoneȱofȱthoseȱwhoȱthroughȱourȱlandsȱhaveȱpassed didȱslaughter,ȱplunder,ȱorȱwageȱfoulȱwars againstȱus.ȱButȱnow,ȱalas!ȱThatȱweȱareȱChristians itȱseemsȱthatȱlawlessȱaction,ȱmurders,ȱflames, atrocitiesȱandȱburningȱcoalsȱrainȱdownȱuponȱourȱhearthsȱforȱthisȱdarkȱ

65 66

67

Montaigne,ȱTheȱCompleteȱWorks,ȱ189ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ64). SusanȱCastillo,ȱPerformingȱAmerica:ȱColonialȱEncountersȱinȱNewȱWorldȱWriting,ȱ1500–1786ȱ(London andȱNewȱYork:ȱRoutledge,ȱ2006),ȱ91–92. Castillo,ȱPerformingȱAmerica,ȱ100ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ66).ȱManyȱpeopleȱbelievedȱthatȱeatingȱhumanȱfleshȱwas unnaturalȱandȱconsequentlyȱproducedȱnauseaȱandȱillness,ȱespeciallyȱvenerealȱdisease.ȱMarcoȱPolo claimedȱthatȱpeopleȱwhoȱconsumedȱrawȱfleshȱbecameȱcoarse,ȱstupid,ȱandȱimpotentȱ(Avramescu, AnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,163ȱ[seeȱnoteȱ4]).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

541 lucre.68

Aȱ centuryȱ andȱ aȱ halfȱ laterȱ Jonathanȱ Swiftȱ (1667–1745)ȱ isȱ evenȱ fiercerȱ inȱ his denunciationȱofȱtheȱrapacityȱofȱEuropeanȱcolonizers: Aȱ crewȱ ofȱ Piratesȱ areȱ drivenȱ byȱ aȱ stormȱ theyȱ knowȱ notȱ whither;ȱ atȱ lengthȱ aȱ boy discoversȱlandȱfromȱtheȱtopȬmast;ȱtheyȱgoȱonȱshoreȱtoȱrobȱandȱPlunder;ȱtheyȱseeȱan harmlessȱpeople,ȱareȱentertainedȱwithȱkindness,ȱtheyȱgiveȱtheȱcountryȱaȱnewȱname, takeȱformalȱpossessionȱofȱitȱforȱtheirȱKing,ȱtheyȱsetȱupȱaȱrottenȱplankȱorȱstoneȱforȱa memorial,ȱtheyȱmurderȱtwoȱorȱthreeȱdozenȱofȱtheȱNatives,ȱbringingȱawayȱaȱcouple moreȱbyȱForceȱforȱaȱsample,ȱreturnȱhome,ȱandȱgetȱtheirȱPardon.ȱHereȱcommencesȱa newȱ dominionȱ acquiredȱ withȱ aȱ titleȱ byȱ Divineȱ right.ȱ Shipsȱ areȱ sentȱ withȱ theȱ first opportunity;ȱtheȱnativesȱdrivenȱoutȱorȱdestroyed,ȱtheirȱPrincesȱtorturedȱtoȱdiscover theirȱgold;ȱaȱfreeȱlicenseȱgivenȱtoȱallȱActsȱofȱinhumanityȱandȱlust;ȱtheȱEarthȱreeking withȱtheȱbloodȱofȱitsȱinhabitants:ȱandȱthisȱexecrableȱcrewȱofȱbutchersȱemployedȱinȱso piousȱanȱExpedition,ȱisȱaȱmodernȱcolonyȱsentȱtoȱconvertȱandȱcivilizeȱanȱidolatrousȱand barbarousȱpeople.69

Theȱ critiqueȱ ofȱ colonialismȱ andȱ imperialismȱ foundȱ itsȱ mostȱ accomplished spokespersonȱinȱJosephȱConradȱ(1857–1924),ȱwhoȱlaysȱbareȱtheȱcannibalisticȱnature ofȱEuropeanȱcolonialismȱinȱHeartȱofȱDarkness,ȱaȱdevastatingȱpictureȱofȱwhatȱBelgian imperialismȱdidȱtoȱtheȱCongo,ȱandȱinȱhisȱpenetratingȱportraitȱofȱKurtz,ȱforȱwhom “my”ȱ hadȱ becomingȱ theȱ operatingȱ wordȱ asȱ inȱ “myȱ ivory,”ȱ “myȱ station,”ȱ “my river.”ȱEverythingȱbelongedȱtoȱKurtz,ȱandȱanythingȱthatȱstoodȱinȱtheȱwayȱofȱhis imperialȱselfȱdeservedȱextermination.ȱAsȱPhillipsȱcomments:ȱ“Theȱfantasyȱofȱtotal incorporationȱ isȱ weddedȱ toȱ theȱ fantasyȱ ofȱ absoluteȱ possession;ȱ thusȱ ‘oral’ȱ and ‘anal’ȱvaluesȱmeetȱonȱtheȱplaneȱofȱcapitalistȱutopia.”70ȱ Thisȱ analysisȱ certainlyȱ fitsȱ theȱ descriptionȱ ofȱ Kurtzȱ givenȱ byȱ Marlowe,ȱ the narratorȱ inȱ Conrad’sȱ story:ȱ “Iȱ sawȱ himȱ openȱ hisȱ mouthȱ wide—itȱ gaveȱ himȱ a weirdlyȱvoraciousȱaspect,ȱasȱthoughȱheȱwantedȱtoȱswallowȱallȱtheȱair,ȱallȱtheȱearth, allȱtheȱmenȱbeforeȱhim.”71Europeansȱtendedȱtoȱseeȱtheȱhistoricalȱantecedentsȱof KurtzȱandȱcannibalisticȱcapitalistsȱinȱtheȱstereotypeȱofȱtheȱJewishȱmerchantsȱand moneylenders,ȱwhoȱappearȱinȱMarloweȱandȱShakespeareȱandȱantisemiticȱliterature acrossȱEurope.ȱAsȱSalerioȱsaysȱinȱTheȱMerchantȱofȱVenice,ȱShylockȱmightȱappearȱto beȱ“aȱcreatureȱthatȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱbearsȱtheȱshapeȱofȱman”ȱbutȱheȱ“isȱsoȱkeenȱandȱgreedy”ȱin hisȱdevotionȱtoȱmanȬeatingȱthatȱheȱisȱactuallyȱsubȬhumanȱandȱbeyondȱtheȱbounds

68 69 70

71

Castillo,ȱPerformingȱAmerica,ȱ84ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ66). JonathanȱSwift,ȱGulliver’sȱTravelȱ(London:ȱCRWȱpublishingȱLimited,ȱ2004),ȱpt.ȱ4,ȱch.ȱ12,ȱ363. JerryȱPhillips,ȱ“CannibalismȱquaȱCapitalism:ȱTheȱMetaphoricsȱofȱAccumulationȱinȱMarx,ȱConrad, Shakespeare,ȱandȱMarlowe,”ȱCannibalismȱandȱtheȱColonialȱWorld,ȱed.ȱFrancisȱBarker,ȱPeterȱHulme, andȱMargaretȱIversenȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱ190. JosephȱConrad,ȱHeartȱofȱDarkness,ȱed.ȱPaulȱB.ȱArmstrong.ȱAȱNortonȱCriticalȱEditionȱ(NewȱYorkȱand London:ȱW.ȱW.ȱNortonȱ&ȱCompany,ȱ2006),ȱ59.

542

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

ofȱanyȱhumanȱcommunity.ȱHeȱisȱtheȱ“cutthroatȱdog,”ȱandȱ“wolf,”ȱ(iii.1.47)ȱwhoȱis “starved”ȱandȱ“ravenous”ȱ(iv.1.137–38).ȱ InȱTheȱJewȱofȱMaltaȱBarnabasȱconformsȱtoȱtheȱstereotype,ȱ proudlyȱ admitting, “whenȱweȱgrinȱweȱbite”ȱ(ii.iii.20–22).ȱSinglingȱoutȱtheȱJewsȱwasȱasȱunfairȱinȱthe earlyȱ modernȱ periodȱ asȱ itȱ isȱ today.ȱ Forȱ whatȱ reallyȱ beganȱ theȱ marchȱ toward cannibalȱ capitalismȱ wasȱ notȱ Jewishȱ moneylending,ȱ butȱ theȱ emergenceȱ of “possessiveȱindividualism”ȱdescribedȱbyȱC.P.ȱMacphersonȱinȱhisȱbookȱTheȱPolitical TheoryȱofȱPossessiveȱIndividualismȱ(1962).ȱ Historiansȱdisagreeȱaboutȱexactlyȱwhenȱpossessiveȱindividualismȱemerged,ȱbut theyȱagreeȱthatȱitȱwasȱbasedȱonȱtheȱideaȱthatȱtheȱindividualȱwasȱtheȱproprietorȱof hisȱownȱperson,ȱfreeȱfromȱdependenceȱonȱothersȱandȱowingȱlittleȱorȱnothingȱto society.ȱ Bakhtinȱ considersȱ theȱ Renaissanceȱ theȱ periodȱ inȱ whichȱ theȱ individual brokeȱ awayȱ fromȱ theȱ community,ȱ butȱ datingȱ theȱ Renaissanceȱ isȱ notoriously difficultȱsinceȱsomeȱpeopleȱclaimȱitȱbeganȱinȱItalyȱinȱtheȱmidȱfourteenthȱcenturyȱbut onlyȱ emergedȱ inȱ northernȱ Europeȱ andȱ Englandȱ inȱ theȱ timeȱ ofȱ Cervantesȱ and Shakespeare.ȱ Itȱ isȱ perhapsȱ moreȱ helpfulȱ toȱ seeȱ possessiveȱ individualismȱ as emergingȱ graduallyȱ duringȱ theȱ earlyȱ modernȱ period,ȱ fosteredȱ byȱ bothȱ the breakdownȱofȱtheȱorganicȱmodelȱofȱtheȱuniverseȱcharacteristicȱofȱtheȱAristotelian worldviewȱ andȱ theȱ shatteringȱ ofȱ theȱ idealȱ ofȱ Christianȱ unityȱ duringȱ the Reformation.ȱ Protestantism,ȱ especiallyȱ inȱ theȱ Calvinistȱ formsȱ thatȱ hadȱ such influenceȱonȱtheȱtwoȱgreatȱeconomicȱpowersȱofȱtheȱseventeenthȱandȱeighteenth centuries,ȱ Englandȱ andȱ Holland,ȱ effectivelyȱ placedȱ religiousȱ authorityȱ inȱ the individual,ȱwhoseȱrelationshipȱwithȱGodȱwasȱdirectȱandȱunmediatedȱbyȱaȱreligious institutionȱ orȱ priest.ȱ Theȱ organicȱ modelȱ ofȱ theȱ bodyȱ politicȱ wasȱ replacedȱ byȱ a contractualȱoneȱpredicatedȱonȱtheȱideaȱthatȱanȱindividualȱhadȱtheȱdutyȱandȱright toȱ freelyȱ followȱ hisȱ ownȱ selfȬinterest.ȱ Thisȱ providedȱ theȱ foundationȱ forȱ the emergingȱcapitalistȱandȱconsumerȱsociety. IanȱWattȱwasȱtheȱfirstȱtoȱseeȱDefoe’sȱnovelȱRobinsonȱCrusoeȱasȱsomethingȱofȱa capitalistȱmanifesto.ȱButȱheȱalsoȱclaimedȱthatȱtheȱbookȱwasȱaȱdeeplyȱreligiousȱfable ofȱPuritanȱspiritualȱlife.72ȱMoreȱrecentȱcommentatorsȱhaveȱbeenȱlessȱkindȱtoȱthe bookȱ asȱ wellȱ asȱ toȱ Crusoe’sȱ character.ȱ Theyȱ haveȱ emphasizedȱ whatȱ Watt overlooked,ȱnamelyȱtheȱwayȱtheȱthemeȱofȱcannibalismȱstructuresȱtheȱstoryȱand revealsȱCrusoe’sȱstateȱofȱmind.ȱFromȱtheȱmomentȱCrusoeȱseesȱtheȱfootprintȱonȱthe sand,ȱ heȱ isȱ convincedȱ theȱ cannibalsȱ willȱ return,ȱ andȱ heȱ spendsȱ everyȱ nightȱ in expectationȱofȱ“beingȱmurderedȱandȱdevouredȱbeforeȱmorning”ȱ(ch.ȱ14).ȱWhenȱhe returnsȱ toȱ theȱ beachȱ andȱ findsȱ “skulls,ȱ hands,ȱ feet,ȱ andȱ otherȱ bonesȱ ofȱ human bodies”ȱ(ch.ȱ15)—ȱtheȱremnantsȱofȱcannibalȱfeast—heȱisȱcompletelyȱoverwhelmed, rushingȱtoȱoneȱofȱhisȱhidingȱplacesȱandȱfranticallyȱbuildingȱanȱenormousȱwallȱto

72

Hulme,ȱColonialȱEncounters,ȱ179,ȱ176ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

543

protectȱhimself,ȱevenȱthoughȱtheȱplaceȱisȱsoȱsecludedȱthatȱnoȱoneȱinȱallȱlikelihood wouldȱeverȱfindȱit.ȱ Crusoeȱadmitsȱthatȱ“inȱtheȱdayȱgreatȱtroublesȱoverwhelmedȱmyȱmind,ȱandȱinȱthe nightȱIȱdreamedȱoftenȱofȱkillingȱtheȱsavages,ȱandȱofȱtheȱreasonȱwhyȱIȱmightȱjustify theȱdoingȱofȱit”ȱ(ch.ȱ16).ȱThisȱisȱveryȱoddȱbehaviorȱindeedȱforȱaȱmanȱdescribedȱby earlierȱcommentatorsȱasȱtheȱprototypeȱforȱ“HomoȱEconomicus,”ȱthatȱmodelȱof healthyȱ selfȬsufficiencyȱ andȱ theȱ rationalȱ calculatorȱ ofȱ hisȱ ownȱ selfȬinterest.ȱ As PearlmanȱsaysȱinȱhisȱfascinatingȱpsychoanalyticȱstudyȱofȱCrusoe,ȱheȱhadȱplentyȱof placesȱtoȱhideȱonȱtheȱisland,ȱsoȱbothȱhisȱfantasiesȱaboutȱtheȱdangersȱtheȱcannibals presentedȱ andȱ hisȱ eventualȱ murderȱ ofȱ themȱ wereȱ completelyȱ unnecessary. Pearlmanȱ isȱ astonishedȱ thatȱ noȱ oneȱ beforeȱ himȱ investigatedȱ theȱ cannibalistic fantasiesȱuponȱwhichȱtheȱnovelȱisȱbasedȱ orȱspeculatedȱaboutȱwhatȱ theyȱreveal aboutȱCrusoe’sȱcharacter.73ȱ Whileȱcannibalismȱandȱviolenceȱareȱmajorȱthemesȱinȱtheȱnovel,ȱPearlmanȱpoints outȱtheȱabsenceȱofȱsex,ȱpassion,ȱandȱromanceȱofȱanyȱkindȱandȱseesȱthisȱasȱaȱsignȱof Crusoe’sȱimmaturityȱandȱpersistentȱchildishness.ȱViolenceȱinȱconjunctionȱwithȱa senseȱofȱterrifyingȱimpotenceȱisȱ“theȱessenceȱofȱhisȱ[Crusoe’s]ȱpersonality”ȱandȱan indicationȱthatȱheȱhasȱbasicallyȱfailedȱtoȱgrowȱup:ȱ“.ȱ.ȱ.ȱtheȱtwoȱcharacteristicsȱof everyȱinfant,ȱfantasiedȱimpotenceȱandȱpowerlessȱrage,ȱappearȱinȱtheȱolderȱCrusoe asȱ theȱ dispositionȱ towardsȱ theȱ analogousȱ polarȱ attitudesȱ ofȱ dominanceȱ and violence.”74ȱLikeȱanȱinfant,ȱCrusoeȱfearsȱthatȱcannibals,ȱwhoȱlikeȱmothersȱthreaten toȱengulf,ȱabsorb,ȱandȱdevourȱhim,ȱbutȱheȱalsoȱwantsȱtoȱdoȱexactlyȱtheȱsameȱthing toȱthemȱandȱtheȱworldȱatȱlarge.ȱTheȱonlyȱsolutionȱheȱcanȱcomeȱupȱwithȱisȱtoȱbuild aȱhugeȱwallȱthatȱessentiallyȱshoresȱupȱhisȱweakȱsenseȱofȱselfȱandȱselfȱesteem.ȱWhat, Pearlmanȱasks,ȱdoesȱitȱtellȱusȱthatȱRobinsonȱCrusoeȱisȱtheȱmostȱpopularȱnovelȱin English?ȱItȱtellsȱusȱsomethingȱaboutȱourselvesȱthatȱweȱshouldȱknowȱbutȱdon’tȱwant toȱadmit,ȱnamelyȱthatȱ“HomoȱEconomicus”ȱhasȱdeepȱexistentialȱproblems: TheȱmysteryȱisȱnotȱthatȱthisȱisȱtheȱmostȱpopularȱnovelȱinȱEnglish,ȱbutȱthatȱsoȱmany readersȱhaveȱblindedȱthemselvesȱtoȱtheȱcharacterȱofȱtheȱhero.ȱCrusoeȱisȱcertainlyȱa powerfulȱandȱpropheticȱfigure.ȱHeȱisȱaȱradicalȱindividualistȱandȱtheȱprototypeȱofȱaȱnew economicȱ man,ȱ butȱ heȱ isȱ alsoȱ anȱ authoritarianȱ ofȱ aȱ dangerousȱ kindȱ andȱ an unredeemed,ȱuncivilizedȱcolonialist.ȱForȱwhenȱtheȱnovelȱisȱstrippedȱofȱitsȱethnocentric biases,ȱwhatȱisȱleftȱisȱtheȱessenceȱofȱtheȱcolonialȱencounter.ȱAȱweakȱindividual,ȱunable toȱsucceedȱinȱhisȱownȱcountry,ȱofȱrestlessȱandȱunstableȱcharacter,ȱmovesȱtoȱanȱexotic localeȱ whereȱ theȱ technologicalȱ advantageȱ ofȱ hisȱ civilizationȱ givesȱ himȱ immediate superiorityȱoverȱtheȱindigenousȱpopulation.ȱThereȱheȱexploitsȱtheȱland,ȱslaughtersȱthe heathensȱandȱmakesȱinstrumentsȱ(militaryȱandȱotherwise)ȱofȱselectedȱconverts.ȱHe despisesȱtheȱnatives,ȱbutȱisȱalsoȱterrifiedȱofȱthem,ȱandȱisȱpreparedȱtoȱjustifyȱmassacre ifȱ heȱ canȱ fantasizeȱ aȱ threatȱ toȱ himself.ȱ Itȱ isȱ onȱ thisȱ foundationȱ thatȱ expansionȱ and 73 74

ElihuȱPearlman,ȱ“RobinsonȱCrusoeȱandȱtheȱCannibals,”ȱMosaicȱ10.1ȱ(Fallȱ1976):ȱ39–55.ȱ Pearlman,ȱ“RobinsonȱCrusoeȱandȱtheȱCannibals,”ȱ40ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ73).

544

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert colonialismȱisȱreared,ȱandȱitȱisȱforȱtheseȱreasonsȱthatȱRobinsonȱCrusoeȱdemandsȱour continualȱattention.75

Pearlman’sȱdiscussionȱofȱCrusoe’sȱweakȱegoȱstructureȱbringsȱusȱtoȱoneȱofȱtheȱmost crucialȱissuesȱthatȱcomesȱupȱinȱconnectionȱwithȱcannibalism,ȱandȱthatȱisȱtheȱissue ofȱwhatȱexactlyȱconstitutesȱtheȱ“self”ȱbothȱwhileȱlivingȱandȱafterȱdeath.76ȱSince mostȱChristiansȱacceptedȱtheȱideaȱofȱbodilyȱresurrection,ȱhowȱcouldȱtheȱbodiesȱof cannibalizedȱindividualsȱbeȱresurrected?ȱAugustineȱraisesȱtheȱcaseȱofȱaȱstarving manȱ whoȱ eatsȱ another.ȱ Inȱ whatȱ bodyȱ willȱ theȱ manȱ whoȱ hasȱ beenȱ eatenȱ be resurrected?ȱWillȱhisȱfleshȱbeȱrestored?ȱIfȱitȱis,ȱwon’tȱthatȱleaveȱholesȱinȱtheȱbody ofȱtheȱcannibal?77ȱ ThomasȱAquinasȱ(d.ȱ1273)ȱtookȱupȱtheȱperplexingȱcaseȱofȱtheȱidentityȱofȱaȱchild ofȱcannibalȱparents.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱreigningȱmedicalȱtheoryȱofȱtheȱtime,ȱderived fromȱtheȱsecondȱcenturyȱRomanȱphysicianȱGalen,ȱbothȱmaleȱandȱfemaleȱparents produceȱseminalȱfluid,ȱandȱthisȱfluidȱisȱformedȱfromȱeveryȱorganȱandȱlimbȱinȱthe body.ȱSinceȱtheȱseminalȱfluidȱofȱtheȱcannibalȱparentsȱwasȱproducedȱfromȱtheir physicalȱbodies,ȱatȱleastȱsomeȱofȱitȱhadȱtoȱhaveȱbeenȱderivedȱfromȱtheȱfleshȱofȱthose theyȱhadȱeatenȱandȱincorporatedȱintoȱtheirȱownȱbodies.ȱȱSo,ȱwhoȱexactlyȱwereȱthe parentsȱofȱtheȱchild?ȱ InȱAȱVoyageȱtoȱtheȱMoonȱCyranoȱdeȱBergeracȱproposesȱaȱthoughtȱexperiment alongȱtheseȱveryȱlines:ȱSupposeȱyouȱeatȱaȱMuslim,ȱheȱsuggests.ȱOnceȱdigested,ȱthe Muslimȱisȱtransformedȱintoȱflesh,ȱblood,ȱandȱsperm.ȱIfȱyouȱthenȱhaveȱaȱchild,ȱisȱit ChristianȱorȱMuslim,ȱandȱwhatȱwillȱhappenȱtoȱtheȱchildȱonȱtheȱDayȱofȱJudgment? SinceȱitȱisȱbothȱMuslimȱandȱChristian,ȱwillȱitȱbeȱdamnedȱandȱsavedȱatȱtheȱsame time?ȱTheȱcomplicationsȱcannibalismȱposedȱwereȱinnumerable.ȱToȱgiveȱaȱfurther example:ȱwhatȱifȱanȱanimalȱateȱaȱperson,ȱbutȱthenȱlaterȱanotherȱpersonȱateȱthat animal?ȱThomasȱBrowneȱgoesȱevenȱfurther,ȱtakingȱliterallyȱtheȱbiblicalȱphraseȱ“all fleshȱ isȱ grass”ȱ (Isa.ȱ 40:ȱ 6)ȱ toȱ argueȱ thatȱ weȱ areȱ allȱ cannibalsȱ andȱ virtuallyȱ eat ourselves: Allȱfleshȱisȱgrasse,ȱisȱnotȱonelyȱmetaphorically,ȱbutȱliterallyȱtrue,ȱforȱallȱtheseȱcreatures weȱbeholdȱareȱbutȱtheȱherbsȱofȱtheȱfield,ȱdigestedȱintoȱfleshȱinȱthem,ȱorȱmoreȱremotely carnifiedȱinȱourȱselves.ȱNayȱfurther,ȱweȱareȱwhatȱweȱallȱabhorre,ȱAnthropophagiȱand Cannibals,ȱdevourersȱnotȱonelyȱofȱmen,ȱbutȱofȱourȱselves;ȱandȱthatȱnotȱinȱanȱallegory, butȱaȱpositiveȱtruth;ȱforȱallȱtheȱmassȱofȱfleshȱthatȱweeȱbehold,ȱcameȱinȱatȱourȱmouths;ȱ

75 76

77

Pearlman,ȱ“RobinsonȱCrusoeȱandȱtheȱCannibals,”ȱ54–55ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ73). TheȱfollowingȱsectionȱisȱdeeplyȱindebtedȱtoȱAvramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱch. 5ȱ“TheȱPredicamentsȱofȱIdentity”ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4),ȱwhereȱheȱlaysȱoutȱtheȱproblemsȱcannibalismȱposes forȱtheȱnotionȱofȱbodilyȱresurrection. Augustine,ȱCityȱofȱGod,ȱbookȱXXII,ȱchapterȱ12.

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

545

thisȱframeȱweȱlookȱupon,ȱhathȱbeenȱuponȱourȱtrenchers;ȱinȱbrief.ȱWeȱhaveȱdevour’dȱour selvesȱandȱyetȱdoeȱliveȱandȱremayneȱourȱselvesȱ(ourȱselvesȱisȱtwoȱwords).78

Numerousȱattemptsȱwereȱmadeȱtoȱsolveȱtheȱconundrumsȱcannibalismȱposedȱfor theȱideaȱofȱbodilyȱresurrection.ȱSomeȱarguedȱthatȱcannibalsȱcannotȱassimilateȱbody partsȱ orȱ thatȱ theyȱ canȱ onlyȱ assimilateȱ nonȬessentialȱ parts.ȱ Othersȱ claimedȱ that wheneverȱhumansȱeatȱunnaturalȱfood,ȱtheyȱwouldȱbeȱstruckȱbyȱnausea,ȱwhich leadsȱtoȱAvramescu’sȱwryȱcomment,ȱ“Nauseaȱthusȱhasȱanȱeschatologicalȱvirtue.”79 Stillȱothers,ȱlikeȱAugustine,ȱbelievedȱthatȱtheȱfleshȱaȱcannibalȱabsorbedȱwouldȱbe returnedȱtoȱitsȱrightfulȱownerȱatȱtheȱdayȱofȱresurrection,ȱandȱwhateverȱgapsȱand holesȱwereȱleftȱinȱtheȱbodyȱofȱtheȱcannibalȱwouldȱbeȱfilledȱupȱbyȱGod.80ȱ Suchȱanswersȱappearedȱlessȱandȱlessȱconvincingȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod,ȱand theȱideaȱthatȱtheȱentireȱphysicalȱbodyȱwouldȱbeȱresurrectedȱdeclinedȱaccordingly. Inȱtheȱarticleȱonȱ“Resurrection”ȱinȱtheȱFrenchȱEncylopédie,ȱtheȱauthorȱturnedȱtoȱthe philosopherȱLeibnizȱforȱhelp,ȱarguingȱthatȱallȱtheȱessentialȱpartsȱofȱtheȱbodyȱwere foundȱinȱitsȱoriginalȱsingleȱmonad,ȱfromȱwhichȱeverythingȱdeveloped.ȱThusȱthis “seed”ȱwillȱbeȱresurrected,ȱaȱsortȱofȱprototypeȱorȱblueprintȱorȱtheȱbody,ȱbutȱnotȱthe entireȱphysicalȱbodyȱitself.ȱInterestinglyȱenoughȱSamuelȱClarke,ȱwhoȱsidedȱwith NewtonȱandȱnotȱLeibnizȱinȱtheȱdebateȱoverȱwhoȱinventedȱcalculus,ȱtookȱtheȱsame position:ȱ“Noȱmanȱcanȱsayȱ‘tisȱimprobable,ȱ(andȱtheyȱwhoȱhaveȱbeenȱmostȱandȱbest versedȱinȱmicroscopicalȱobservationsȱthinkȱitȱmoreȱthanȱprobable,)ȱthatȱtheȱoriginal Stamina,ȱwhichȱcontainsȱallȱandȱeveryȱoneȱofȱtheȱsolidȱpartsȱandȱvesselsȱofȱthe body,ȱnotȱexceptingȱevenȱtheȱminutestȱnervesȱandȱfibresȱareȱthemselvesȱtheȱentire Body.”81ȱ Thisȱideaȱfitȱinȱwithȱwhatȱwasȱknownȱatȱtheȱtimeȱasȱtheȱ“preformationȱtheory,” accordingȱtoȱwhichȱtheȱbodyȱunfolds;ȱitȱdoesȱnotȱdevelopȱbyȱaddingȱmatterȱasȱthe rivalȱtheoryȱofȱepigenesisȱwouldȱhaveȱit.ȱInȱhisȱPhysicoȬTheologicalȱConsiderations aboutȱtheȱPossibilityȱofȱtheȱResurrectionȱ(1675),ȱRobertȱBoyleȱturnedȱtoȱhisȱchemical expertiseȱtoȱprovideȱexamplesȱofȱhowȱbodilyȱresurrectionȱmightȱoccurȱevenȱinȱthe caseȱofȱcannibalismȱorȱinȱtheȱmoreȱwidespreadȱcaseȱofȱtheȱbodilyȱdecomposition thatȱnaturallyȱoccursȱafterȱburial.ȱWhileȱonȱnumerousȱoccasionsȱheȱreiteratesȱthe ideaȱ thatȱ Godȱ isȱ allȬpowerfulȱ andȱ couldȱ thereforeȱ reuniteȱ theȱ partsȱ ofȱ an individual’sȱbodyȱwhateverȱtheȱsituationȱmightȱbe—heȱrefersȱtoȱEzekiel’sȱvision ofȱtheȱvalleyȱofȱdeadȱmen’sȱbonesȱresurrectedȱbyȱGodȱ(Ez.ȱ37)—heȱalsoȱsuggests thatȱchemistryȱprovidesȱtheȱusefulȱexampleȱofȱtheȱwayȱgoldȱdissolvedȱinȱacquaȱregis canȱ beȱ recoveredȱ throughȱ theȱ processȱ ofȱ precipitation.ȱ Botanyȱ andȱ alchemy

78

79 80 81

ThomasȱBrowne,ȱReligioȱMedici,ȱed.ȱJeanȬJacquesȱDeonainȱ(Cambridge:ȱCambridgeȱUniversity Press,ȱ1955),ȱsec.ȱxxxvii,ȱ49. Avramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ132ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4). Augustine,ȱCityȱofȱGod,ȱch.ȱXXII,ȱsectionȱ20. SamuelȱClarke,ȱTheȱWorksȱofȱSamuelȱClarke,ȱ4ȱvols.ȱ(London:ȱJ.ȱ&ȱP.ȱKnapton,ȱ1738),ȱvol.ȱ2,ȱ690.

546

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

provideȱsimilarȱexamplesȱofȱhowȱplantȱformsȱcanȱbeȱresurrectedȱfromȱtheirȱashes.82 Heȱalsoȱoffersȱcasesȱinȱwhichȱmilkȱtastesȱofȱaȱplantȱeatenȱbyȱtheȱcowȱandȱofȱpigs whoseȱfleshȱtastesȱofȱtheȱfishȱtheyȱhaveȱeatenȱtoȱshowȱthatȱtheȱparticlesȱofȱaȱbody persist. LibertinesȱandȱskepticsȱlikeȱdeȱBergeracȱlovedȱtoȱexploitȱtheȱkindȱofȱconundrums broughtȱupȱsoȱclearlyȱbyȱcannibalismȱinȱtheȱcaseȱofȱresurrection.ȱWeȱhaveȱalsoȱseen howȱ entwinedȱ theȱ issueȱ ofȱ cannibalismȱ wasȱ withȱ theȱ Catholicȱ doctrineȱ ofȱ the Eucharist.ȱ Theȱ illustrationȱ ofȱ transubstantiationȱ satirizedȱ byȱ Hogarthȱ (Fig.ȱ 8) providesȱaȱclearȱindicationȱofȱwhatȱatȱleastȱoneȱEnglishȱProtestantȱthoughtȱabout thisȱcentralȱCatholicȱdoctrine.ȱTheȱScottishȱProtestantȱDavidȱHumeȱalsoȱenjoyed tacklingȱ theȱ problemȱ ofȱ transubstantiationȱ fromȱ theȱ angleȱ ofȱ cannibalism.ȱ In Hume’sȱNaturalȱHistoryȱofȱReligion,ȱaȱpriestȱasksȱaȱTurkȱafterȱheȱhasȱconvertedȱto Christianityȱandȱreceivedȱtheȱsacrament,ȱ“Howȱmanyȱgodsȱareȱthere?”ȱTheȱTurk replies:ȱ“Noneȱatȱallȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱ.ȱYouȱhaveȱtoldȱmeȱallȱalongȱthatȱthereȱisȱbutȱoneȱGod:ȱAnd yesterdayȱIȱateȱhim.”83ȱWhatȱbetterȱplaceȱtoȱendȱanȱessayȱaboutȱtheȱultimateȱcrime ofȱcannibalismȱinȱtheȱmindsȱandȱimaginationsȱofȱearlyȱmodernȱEuropeans.

82

FrançoisȱSecret,ȱ“Palingenesis,ȱAlchemyȱandȱMetempsychosisȱinȱRenaissanceȱMedicine,”Ambix 26ȱ(1979ȱJuly):ȱ81–92.

83

Hume,ȱDialoguesȱandȱNaturalȱHistoryȱofȱReligionȱ(Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1993),ȱ167–68. CitedȱinȱAvramescu,ȱAnȱIntellectualȱHistoryȱofȱCannibalism,ȱ153ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ4).

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

547

Fig.ȱ1:ȱAmerigoȱVespucciȱ“discovering”ȱAmerica.ȱEngravingȱbyȱTheodorȱGalle, ca. 1580 (after a drawing by Jan van der Straet, c. 1575)

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ ȱ

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ ȱ

548

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

Fig.ȱ2:ȱTheȱCrueltiesȱofȱdeȱSoto.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary, Chicago.ȱAyerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ5

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

549

Fig.ȱ3:ȱSodomitesȱsavagedȱbyȱdogs.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary, Chicago.ȱAyerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ4ȱ

550

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

Fig.ȱ4:ȱTheȱwomanȱwithȱsaggingȱbreasts.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberry Library,ȱChicago,ȱAyerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ3

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

551

Fig.ȱ5:ȱFrontispiece.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary,ȱChicago.ȱAyer 110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ13

552

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

Fig.ȱ6:ȱWomanȱwithȱrawȱbird.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary, Chicago. Ayer 110 B 1590, vol. 9

ȱ

ȱ

ȱ ȱ

ȱ

ȱ

CannibalismȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱMindsȱandȱImaginations

553

Fig.ȱ7:ȱPandora.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary,ȱChicago.ȱAyerȱ110ȱB 1590,ȱvol.ȱ9

554

AllisonȱP.ȱCoudert

Fig.ȱ8:ȱWilliamȱHogarth,ȱTransubstantiationȱSatirizedȱ(1794)ȱ

Chapterȱ23ȱ EvelyneȱLuef (UniversityȱofȱVienna,ȱAustria)

PunishmentȱPostȱMortemȱ–ȱTheȱCrimeȱofȱSuicideȱin EarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

Onȱ Februaryȱ 21stȱ 1710ȱ theȱ juryȱ membersȱ ofȱ theȱ lowerȱ courtȱ (häradsting)ȱ in Nordingrå,ȱaȱvillageȱinȱtoday’sȱVästernorrlandȱcounty,ȱSweden,ȱassembledȱforȱan extraordinaryȱcourtȱ(extraordinarieȱorȱurtimaȱting)ȱtoȱdiscussȱtheȱsuicideȱofȱfiftyȬ yearȬoldȱunmarriedȱmaidservantȱKarinȱMickelsdotter,ȱwhoȱhadȱhangedȱherselfȱon Februaryȱ7th.1 Likeȱotherȱoffensesȱthatȱwereȱrelevantȱunderȱcivilȱorȱcriminalȱlaw,ȱsuicideȱleftȱits marksȱinȱtheȱrecordsȱthatȱdocumentȱtheȱworkȱofȱpremodernȱjudicature.ȱOfȱcourse, theȱsuicideȱofȱKarinȱMickelsdotterȱwasȱnotȱaȱsingularȱcase.ȱArchivesȱinȱAustriaȱand Swedenȱ conserveȱ aȱ vastȱ rangeȱ ofȱ sourceȱ materialȱ whichȱ canȱ beȱ analyzedȱ with regardȱtoȱtheȱquestionȱofȱhowȱselfȬinflictedȱdeathȱwasȱperceivedȱandȱsanctioned inȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ andȱ eighteenthȱ century.ȱ Criminalȱ courtȱ recordsȱ (e.g.,ȱ court protocols,ȱ files,ȱ letters)ȱ producedȱ byȱ secularȱ andȱ ecclesiasticalȱ authoritiesȱ are invaluableȱsourcesȱthatȱinformȱusȱaboutȱtheȱworkȱthatȱwasȱconductedȱbyȱearly modernȱ courts.ȱ Moreover,ȱ theyȱ indirectly—throughȱ witnessȱ accountsȱ and statementsȱ givenȱ beforeȱ theȱ court—provideȱ anȱ insightȱ intoȱ theȱ livesȱ ofȱ early modernȱ womenȱ andȱ men,ȱ theirȱ attitudes,ȱ conflicts,ȱ sorrows,ȱ andȱ hopes.ȱ The GermanȱhistorianȱGerdȱSchwerhoffȱcharacterizesȱcriminalȱcourtȱrecordsȱasȱmultiȬ

1

ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSödraȱÅng.ȱAȱIȱa:10ȱMkȱD52268ȱ8/24,ȱNordingrå, Februaryȱ21,ȱ1710.ȱConcerningȱtheȱcalendarȱdatesȱgivenȱinȱthisȱpaper,ȱitȱisȱimportantȱtoȱconsider thatȱAustriaȱfollowedȱtheȱGregorianȱcalendarȱfromȱ1582ȱandȱSwedenȱfromȱ1753.ȱFromȱ1700ȱuntil 1712ȱSwedenȱfollowedȱitsȱownȱSwedishȱcalendar,ȱwhichȱwasȱoneȱdayȱaheadȱofȱtheȱJulianȱcalendar. See:ȱLemmaȱ“Kronologi,”ȱNordiskȱfamiljebok.ȱKonversationslexikonȱochȱRealencyklopedi.ȱ2ndȱedition, Vol.ȱ15ȱ(Stockholm:ȱNordiskȱfamiljeboksȱförlagsȱaktiebolag,ȱ1911),ȱ42,ȱorȱonlineȱat: ȱhttp://runeberg.org/nfbo/0037.htmlȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱNovemberȱ1,ȱ2010).

556

EvelyneȱLuef

perspectiveȱsourcesȱthatȱallowȱusȱtoȱexamineȱtheȱculturalȱvaluesȱofȱpremodern individuals.2ȱ However,ȱ theȱ informationȱ providedȱ inȱ documentsȱ thatȱ were producedȱinȱaȱjudicialȱcontextȱhasȱtoȱbeȱinterpretedȱwithȱdueȱdiligence:ȱItȱoften containsȱtestimoniesȱloggedȱandȱeditedȱbyȱthirdȱparties,ȱusuallyȱrepresentingȱthe authority’sȱ perspective,ȱ andȱ thusȱ needsȱ toȱ beȱ analyzedȱ critically.ȱ When investigatingȱjudicialȱrecordsȱoneȱneedsȱtoȱkeepȱinȱmindȱtoȱwhatȱendȱandȱunder whichȱ circumstances,ȱ intentionsȱ orȱ evenȱ manipulationsȱ theseȱ documentsȱ were produced.3ȱBearingȱthisȱinȱmind,ȱtheȱquestionȱisȱnotȱtoȱwhatȱdegreeȱtestimonies, statementsȱorȱotherȱinformationȱcontainedȱinȱcriminalȱcourtȱrecordsȱareȱ“true,” authentic,ȱrightȱorȱwrong.ȱRather,ȱinsightȱcanȱbeȱgainedȱintoȱwhatȱwasȱplausible, utterable,ȱ andȱ thinkableȱ forȱ contemporaries,ȱ andȱ howȱ theyȱ explainedȱ and perceivedȱsuicide. ThoughȱtheȱactȱofȱselfȬkillingȱmayȱbeȱtimeless,ȱtheȱperceptionȱofȱandȱattitudes towardsȱ suicideȱ changedȱ notablyȱ duringȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ theȱ centuriesȱ andȱ the phenomenonȱhasȱprovedȱtoȱbeȱaȱproductiveȱtopicȱofȱhistoricalȱresearch.ȱInȱrecent years,ȱaȱrangeȱofȱhistoricalȱandȱmentalȬhistoricalȱstudiesȱonȱtheȱsubject,ȱfocusing onȱ differentȱ regions,ȱ timeȱ framesȱ andȱ aspects,ȱ haveȱ significantlyȱ changedȱ and broadenedȱ ourȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ handlingȱ andȱ perceptionȱ ofȱ suicideȱ inȱ the premodernȱworld.4ȱTakingȱupȱaȱcomparativeȱapproachȱIȱwillȱdiscussȱsuicideȱin earlyȱmodernȱruralȱAustriaȱandȱSwedenȱinȱtheȱcontextȱofȱcrimeȱandȱpunishment inȱ thisȱ paper.5ȱ Basedȱ onȱ normativeȱ textsȱ andȱ judicialȱ recordsȱ Iȱ willȱ askȱ what constitutedȱsuicideȱasȱaȱcrimeȱandȱhowȱindividualsȱwhoȱcommittedȱsuicideȱwere punished.ȱ Byȱ doingȱ so,ȱ Iȱ hopeȱ toȱ drawȱ attentionȱ toȱ theȱ challengingȱ processȱ of description,ȱascriptionȱandȱinterpretationȱwithinȱtheȱlimitsȱofȱearlyȱmodernȱlegal normȱandȱpractice. Inȱtoday’sȱWesternȱsocietiesȱsuicideȱandȱsuicideȱattemptȱareȱinȱgeneralȱexempt fromȱjudicialȱpunishment.ȱInȱearlyȱmodernȱEurope,ȱhowever,ȱsuicideȱprimarily wasȱ perceivedȱ asȱ aȱ felony,ȱ aȱ sinfulȱ deedȱ andȱ aȱ crimeȱ againstȱ God,ȱ natureȱ and

2

3

4

5

Gerdȱ Schwerhoff,ȱ Aktenkundigȱ undȱ gerichtsnotorisch:ȱ Einführungȱ inȱ dieȱ Historischeȱ KriminaliȬ tätsforschung.ȱHistorischeȱEinführungen,ȱ3ȱ(Tübingen:ȱEditionȱDiskord,ȱ1999),ȱ155. See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱUlrikeȱGleixner,ȱ“GeschlechterdifferenzenȱundȱdieȱFaktizitätȱdesȱFiktionalen:ȱZur DekonstruktionȱfrühneuzeitlicherȱVerhörprotokolle,”ȱWerkstattGeschichteȱ11.4ȱ(1995):ȱ65–71. See,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ theȱ reviewȱ papersȱ byȱ Róisínȱ Healy,ȱ “Suicideȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ andȱ Modern Europe,”ȱTheȱHistoricalȱJournalȱ49.3ȱ(2006):ȱ903–19,ȱandȱDavidȱLederer,ȱ“SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModern Centralȱ Europe:ȱ Aȱ Historiographicalȱ Review,”ȱ Germanȱ Historicalȱ Instituteȱ Londonȱ Bulletinȱ 38.2 (2006):ȱ 33–46.ȱ Seeȱ alsoȱ Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ “Desperateȱ Lovers,ȱ Suicidalȱ andȱ Murderous:ȱ Early ModernȱDawnȱSongsȱandȱBallads,”ȱNeuphilologischeȱMitteilungenȱ100.2ȱ(1999):ȱ207–26. Moreȱprecisely,ȱIȱstudyȱtheȱAustrianȱarchduchiesȱaboveȱandȱbelowȱtheȱriverȱEnnsȱandȱtheȱSwedish Västernorrlandsȱlän.

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

557

society.ȱ Bothȱ suicideȱ andȱ suicideȱ attemptȱ wereȱ criminallyȱ prosecuted.ȱ They resultedȱnotȱonlyȱinȱlegalȱconsequencesȱbutȱwereȱalsoȱsociallyȱstigmatized. Theȱquestionȱifȱandȱunderȱwhatȱcircumstancesȱitȱisȱlegitimateȱtoȱendȱone’sȱown lifeȱ hasȱ beenȱ discussedȱ forȱ hundredsȱ ofȱ years.ȱ Whileȱ inȱ antiquityȱ suicideȱ was toleratedȱtoȱaȱcertainȱdegreeȱitsȱperceptionȱincreasinglyȱnarrowedȱinȱtheȱMiddle Ages.6ȱ Theȱ banȱ onȱ suicideȱ inȱ theȱ earlyȱ modernȱ periodȱ thusȱ continuedȱ aȱ long traditionȱ ofȱ primarilyȱ negativeȱ attitudeȱ towardsȱ selfȬinflictedȱ death.ȱ Especially Augustine’sȱ(354–430)ȱconceptionȱofȱsuicideȱremainedȱpowerfulȱthroughoutȱthe MiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱtimes.7ȱHeȱclearlyȱtookȱtheȱpositionȱagainst suicideȱunderȱallȱcircumstancesȱinȱTheȱCityȱofȱGod,ȱinvokingȱtheȱcommandment: “Youȱshallȱnotȱkillȱ(murder),”ȱthusȱequatingȱsuicideȱwithȱmurder.8ȱ Suicideȱwasȱsanctionedȱbyȱcanonȱlawȱforȱtheȱfirstȱtimeȱthroughȱdecisionsȱthat wereȱpromulgatedȱatȱtheȱcouncilȱofȱOrléansȱ(533)ȱandȱtheȱcouncilȱofȱBragaȱ(561), whereȱ suicidesȱ wereȱ deniedȱ ceremonialȱ rites.9ȱ However,ȱ accordingȱ toȱ Karsten Pfannkuchenȱthisȱappliedȱonlyȱtoȱthoseȱwhoȱwillfullyȱandȱwhileȱofȱsoundȱmind tookȱtheirȱownȱlives,ȱwhereasȱsuicideȱcommittedȱoutȱofȱinsanityȱorȱnegligenceȱwas notȱ sanctioned.10ȱ Inȱ theȱ thirteenthȱ centuryȱ Thomasȱ Aquinasȱ (1224/1225–1274) outlinedȱthreeȱmainȱargumentsȱagainstȱsuicide,ȱconsideringȱselfȬkillingȱasȱaȱsin

6

7

8

9

10

Nicoleȱ Zeddies,ȱ “Verwirrteȱ oderȱ Verbrecher?ȱ Dieȱ Beurteilungȱ desȱ Selbstmordesȱ vonȱ der Spätantikeȱ bisȱ zumȱ 9.ȱ Jahrhundert,”ȱ Trauer,ȱ Verzweiflungȱ undȱ Anfechtung:ȱ Selbstmordȱ und Selbstmordversucheȱ inȱ mittelalterlichenȱ undȱ frühneuzeitlichenȱ Gesellschaften,ȱ ed.ȱ Gabrielaȱ Signori. ForumȱPsychohistorie,ȱ3ȱ(Tübingen:ȱEditionȱDiskord,ȱ1994),ȱ55–90.ȱSeeȱalsoȱAlexanderȱMurray’s comprehensiveȱseriesȱSuicideȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.ȱVolumeȱI:ȱTheȱViolentȱagainstȱThemselvesȱ(Oxford: OxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1998),ȱandȱSuicideȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges.ȱVolumeȱII:ȱTheȱCurseȱonȱSelfȬMurder (Oxford:ȱOxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2000). See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱZeddies,ȱ“VerwirrteȱoderȱVerbrecher?,”ȱ67ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ6),ȱandȱVeraȱLind,ȱSelbstmord inȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeit:ȱDiskurs,ȱLebensweltȱundȱkulturellerȱWandel.ȱVeröffentlichungenȱdesȱMaxȬ PlanckȬInstitutsȱfürȱGeschichte,ȱ146ȱ(Göttingen:ȱVandenhoeckȱ&ȱRuprecht,ȱ1999),ȱ21–23. Augustineȱargues:ȱ“Itȱonlyȱremainsȱforȱusȱtoȱapplyȱtheȱcommandment,ȱ‘Thouȱshaltȱnotȱkill,’ȱtoȱman alone,ȱoneselfȱandȱothers.ȱAnd,ȱofȱcourse,ȱoneȱwhoȱkillsȱhimselfȱkillsȱaȱman.”ȱCitationȱfromȱSaint Augustine,ȱTheȱCityȱofȱGod.ȱBooksȱI–VII,ȱtrans.ȱDemetriusȱB.ȱZemaȱandȱGeraldȱG.ȱWalshȱwithȱan introductionȱbyȱEtienneȱGilson.ȱTheȱFathersȱofȱtheȱChurch.ȱAȱNewȱTranslation,ȱ8ȱ(Washington, DC:ȱTheȱCatholicȱUniversityȱofȱAmericaȱPress,ȱ1977),ȱI,ȱ20. Seeȱ Zeddies,ȱ “Verwirrteȱ oderȱ Verbrecher?,”ȱ 67–69ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 6)ȱ andȱ Karstenȱ Pfannkuchen, Selbstmordȱ undȱ Sanktionen:ȱ Eineȱ rechtshistorischeȱ Betrachtungȱ unterȱ besondererȱ Berücksichtigung ostpreußischerȱBestimmungenȱ(Berlin:ȱLogos,ȱ2008),ȱ37–39. SeeȱPfannkuchen,ȱSelbstmordȱundȱSanktionen,ȱ38–39ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9).

558

EvelyneȱLuef

againstȱnature,ȱsocietyȱandȱGod,11ȱaȱviewȱthatȱprevailedȱasȱtheȱalmostȱexclusive positionȱthroughoutȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiod. TheȱperceptionȱandȱassessmentȱofȱsuicideȱinȱpremodernȱEuropeȱwas—ifȱnot entirely—atȱleastȱtoȱaȱhighȱdegreeȱcoinedȱbyȱtheȱprevailingȱChristianȱworldȱview thatȱ penetratedȱ almostȱ everyȱ aspectȱ ofȱ life.ȱ Likeȱ manyȱ otherȱ crimes,ȱ e.g. blasphemy,ȱtheftȱfromȱaȱchurch,ȱmurderȱorȱadultery,ȱsuicideȱwasȱaȱphenomenon positionedȱ atȱ theȱ interfaceȱ betweenȱ religionȱ andȱ theȱ state.ȱ Constitutingȱ bothȱ a crimeȱandȱ aȱ sin,ȱ itȱconcernedȱecclesiasticalȱasȱwellȱasȱsecularȱspheres,ȱbutȱwas judgedȱ byȱ worldlyȱ courtsȱ accordingȱ toȱ provisionsȱ inȱ secularȱ penalȱ codes.12ȱ Of course,ȱ theseȱ “secular”ȱ penalȱ codesȱ alsoȱ wereȱ basedȱ onȱ Christianȱ valuesȱ and norms.ȱThisȱbecomesȱparticularlyȱapparent,ȱforȱinstance,ȱinȱanȱappendixȱcontaining extractsȱfromȱtheȱfiveȱbooksȱofȱMosesȱthatȱtheȱSwedishȱkingȱKarlȱIXȱaddedȱtoȱhis ratificationȱofȱtheȱSwedishȱpenalȱcodeȱinȱ1608. However,ȱselfȬinflictedȱdeathȱdidȱnotȱinȱanyȱcaseȱconstituteȱaȱcriminalȱact.ȱAs mentionedȱabove,ȱtheȱearlyȱsanctionsȱbyȱcanonȱlawȱappliedȱonlyȱtoȱthoseȱwho willfullyȱ andȱ whenȱ inȱ one’sȱ rightȱ mindȱ endedȱ theirȱ livesȱ voluntarily.ȱ Inȱ the criminalizationȱofȱsuicideȱbothȱtheȱAustrianȱandȱtheȱSwedishȱpenalȱcodesȱfollowed thisȱdivisionȱofȱsanity/insanity.13ȱInȱtheȱarchduchyȱAustriaȱthreeȱpenalȱcodesȱwere 11

12

13

SummaȱTheologica,ȱPartȱIIȱQuestionȱ64ȱarticleȱ5:ȱ“Suicideȱisȱcompletelyȱwrongȱforȱthreeȱreasons. First,ȱeverythingȱnaturallyȱlovesȱitself,ȱandȱitȱisȱforȱthisȱreasonȱthatȱeverythingȱnaturallyȱseeksȱto keepȱitselfȱinȱbeingȱandȱtoȱresistȱhostileȱforces.ȱSoȱsuicideȱrunsȱcounterȱtoȱone’sȱnaturalȱinclination, andȱalsoȱtoȱthatȱcharityȱbyȱwhichȱoneȱoughtȱtoȱcherishȱoneself.ȱSuicideȱis,ȱtherefore,ȱalwaysȱa mortalȱsinȱinȱsoȱfarȱasȱitȱstultifiesȱtheȱlawȱofȱnatureȱandȱcharity.ȱSecond,ȱeveryȱpartȱbelongsȱtoȱthe wholeȱinȱvirtueȱofȱwhatȱitȱis.ȱButȱeveryȱmanȱisȱpartȱofȱtheȱcommunity,ȱsoȱthatȱheȱbelongsȱtoȱthe communityȱ inȱ virtueȱ ofȱ whatȱ heȱ is.ȱ Suicideȱ thereforeȱ involvesȱ damagingȱ theȱ community,ȱ as Aristotleȱmakesȱclearȱ(EthicsȱV,ȱ11).ȱThird,ȱlifeȱisȱaȱgiftȱmadeȱtoȱmanȱbyȱGod,ȱandȱitȱisȱsubjectȱto himȱwhoȱisȱmasterȱofȱdeathȱandȱlife.ȱTherefore,ȱaȱpersonȱwhoȱtakesȱhisȱownȱlifeȱsinsȱagainstȱGod,ȱjust asȱheȱwhoȱkillsȱanother’sȱslaveȱinjuresȱtheȱslave’sȱmaster,ȱorȱjustȱasȱheȱwhoȱusurpsȱjudgmentȱinȱa matterȱoutsideȱhisȱauthorityȱalsoȱcommitsȱaȱsin.ȱAndȱGodȱaloneȱhasȱauthorityȱtoȱdecideȱaboutȱlife andȱdeath,ȱasȱheȱdeclaresȱinȱDeuteronomy,ȱIȱkillȱandȱIȱmakeȱalive.”ȱ(Deut.ȱ32,ȱ39).ȱCitedȱfromȱSt. ThomasȱAquinas,ȱSummaȱTheologiae.ȱVolumeȱ38.ȱ“Injustice”ȱ(2a2ae.ȱ63–79).ȱLatinȱtextȱandȱEnglish translation,ȱIntroductions,ȱNotes,ȱAppendicesȱandȱGlossariesȱ(LondonȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱBlackfriars inȱconjunctionȱwithȱMcGrawȬHillȱandȱEyreȱ&ȱSpottiswoode,ȱLondon,ȱ1975),ȱ33. SeeȱSusanneȱHehenberger,ȱ“EntfremdungȱvonȱGott?ȱGotteslästerungȱundȱKirchendiebstahlȱvor weltlichenȱGerichtenȱimȱ18.ȱJahrhundert,”ȱErmitteln,ȱFahndenȱundȱStrafen:ȱKriminalitätshistorische Studienȱvomȱ16.ȱbisȱzumȱ19.ȱJahrhundert,ȱed.ȱAndreaȱGriesebnerȱandȱGeorgȱTschannettȱ(Vienna: Löcker,ȱ2010),ȱ141–63;ȱhereȱ141–43. Theȱcriminalȱcodesȱthemselves,ȱhowever,ȱwereȱofȱveryȱdifferentȱcharacterȱforȱinstanceȱwithȱregard toȱtheirȱextentȱandȱdegreeȱofȱdetail.ȱForȱaȱmoreȱdetailedȱreviewȱofȱtheȱprovisionsȱconcerning suicideȱinȱSwedenȱconferȱGöranȱInger,ȱ“Rättenȱöverȱegetȱlivȱochȱöverȱegenȱkropp,”ȱKungl[iga] HumanistiskaȱVetenskapsȬSamfundetȱiȱUppsala.ȱÅrsbokȱ1985ȱ(Uppsala:ȱAlmqvistȱ&ȱWiksell,ȱ1986), 79–105,ȱandȱAnnȬSofieȱOhlander,ȱ“SuicideȱinȱSweden:ȱAȱSocialȱHistory,”ȱDeath:ȱtheȱPublicȱand Privateȱ Spheres,ȱ ed.ȱ Johnȱ Rogers.ȱ Meddelandeȱ frånȱ Familjehistoriskaȱ projektet,ȱ Historiska institutionen,ȱUppsalaȱuniversitet,ȱ6ȱ(Uppsala:ȱUppsalaȱuniversitet,ȱ1986),ȱ1–52.ȱForȱAustria,see StefanȱSchima,ȱ“DieȱrechtlicheȱEntwicklungȱdesȱBestattungswesensȱimȱSpannungsfeldȱzwischen

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

559

effectiveȱ fromȱ theȱ midȱ seventeenthȱ centuryȱ toȱ theȱ lateȱ eighteenthȱ century:ȱ the Ferdinandeaȱ(1656),14ȱnamedȱafterȱHolyȱRomanȱEmperorȱandȱArchdukeȱofȱAustria FerdinandȱIIIȱandȱappliedȱtoȱAustriaȱbelowȱtheȱriverȱEnns;ȱtheȱsoȱcalledȱLeopoldina (1675)15ȱforȱAustriaȱaboveȱtheȱriverȱEnns,ȱwhichȱwasȱnamedȱafterȱHolyȱRoman EmperorȱandȱArchdukeȱofȱAustriaȱLeopoldȱI.ȱTheȱprovisionsȱconcerningȱsuicide areȱalmostȱidenticalȱinȱbothȱpenalȱcodes.16ȱInȱtheȱeighteenthȱcenturyȱbothȱterritorial penalȱcodesȱwereȱsupersededȱbyȱtheȱcodeȱreferredȱtoȱasȱTheresiana17ȱ(1768),ȱnamed afterȱHolyȱRomanȱEmpressȱconsortȱandȱarchduchessȱMariaȱTheresia,ȱandȱinȱeffect fromȱ1770ȱuntilȱ1787.ȱ Theȱ aboveȱ mentionedȱ distinctionȱ betweenȱ premeditatedȱ suicideȱ andȱ suicide committedȱoutȱofȱanȱinfirmityȱofȱmind,ȱmelancholy,ȱandȱillnessȱwasȱcommonȱtoȱall threeȱpenalȱcodes.ȱOnlyȱthoseȱwhoȱkilledȱthemselvesȱ“außȱbösemȱWillen/ȱund gottloserȱVerzweiflung”ȱ(“outȱofȱmaliceȱwillȱandȱgodlessȱdespair”)18ȱshouldȱreceive severeȱ andȱ infamousȱ punishment.ȱ Theirȱ bodiesȱ shouldȱ beȱ handledȱ byȱ the executionerȱ likeȱ “unvernünftigesȱ Vieh”ȱ (“unreasoningȱ brutes”).ȱ Bothȱ the FerdinandeaȱandȱtheȱLeopoldinaȱalsoȱstipulatedȱforfeitureȱinȱcasesȱofȱpremeditated suicide.ȱHowever,ȱsuicideȱcommittedȱoutȱofȱanȱinfirmityȱofȱmind,ȱmelancholyȱand illnessȱwasȱnotȱtoȱbeȱpunished.ȱTheseȱpeopleȱshouldȱbeȱgrantedȱaȱsilentȱfuneralȱin consecratedȱground,ȱi.e.,ȱwithoutȱanyȱceremonialȱritesȱandȱinȱaȱsecludedȱspotȱofȱthe cemetery. ForȱSwedenȱtheȱrelevantȱpenalȱcodeȱwasȱKristofersȱlandslag,ȱinstitutedȱbyȱunion KingȱChristopherȱofȱBavariaȱinȱ1442.ȱExpandedȱbyȱtheȱaboveȱmentionedȱappendix thisȱcodeȱwasȱconfirmedȱandȱreȬpublishedȱbyȱtheȱSwedishȱkingȱKarlȱIXȱinȱ1608.19

14

15

16 17

18 19

Kircheȱ undȱ Staat.ȱ Dasȱ Tauziehenȱ umȱ dasȱ Suizidantenbegräbnisȱ undȱ derȱ Konfliktȱ umȱ die Feuerbestattung,”ȱFreundȱHein?ȱTodȱundȱRitualȱinȱderȱGeschichte,ȱed.ȱWolfgangȱHameter,ȱMeta NiederkornȬBruck,ȱ andȱ Martinȱ Scheutzȱ (Innsbruck,ȱ Vienna,ȱ andȱ Bozen:ȱ Studienverlag,ȱ 2007), 135–56,ȱandȱEvelyneȱLuef,ȱ“…ȱboshaftigȱdenȱentsetzlichenȱselbstmordȱangethann:ȱSelbsttötungȱals strafrechtlichesȱ Deliktȱ imȱ frühneuzeitlichenȱ Österreich,”ȱ Ermitteln,ȱ Fahndenȱ undȱ Strafen:. KriminalitätshistorischeȱStudienȱvomȱ16.ȱbisȱzumȱ19.ȱJahrhundert,ȱed.ȱAndreaȱGriesebnerȱandȱGeorg Tschannettȱ(Vienna:ȱLöcker,ȱ2010),ȱ165–90. Ferdinandeaȱ (1656):ȱ “LandȬGerichtsȬOrdnung:ȱ Deßȱ ErzȬHerzogthumbsȱ Oesterreichȱ unterȱ der Ennß,”ȱCodexȱAustriacusȱ1ȱ(Vienna:ȱVoigt,ȱ1704),ȱ659–729. Leopoldinaȱ (1675):ȱ Desȱ Ihroȱ Römisch=Kayserlich=undȱ Königlich=Catholischenȱ Majestätȱ Leopoldi ErtzherzogensȱzuȱÖsterreichȱUnsersȱAllergnädigestȱgemachteȱSatzungen,ȱWieȱauchȱunterschiedlicheȱin diesemȱLandȱeingeführteȱOrdnungen,ȱSammtȱeinemȱausführlichenȱRegisterȱüberȱalleȱhierinȱvorkommende MaterienȱzuȱgelegentlichemȱGebrauchȱderenȱhierländigenȱGerichts=Persohnenȱbeygerucketȱwordenȱ(Linz: Feichtinger,ȱ1736). Ferdinandeaȱ(1656),ȱarticleȱ69ȱandȱLeopoldinaȱ(1675),ȱpartȱIII,ȱarticleȱ11. Theresianaȱ (1768):ȱ Constitutioȱ Criminalisȱ Theresiana.ȱ Peinlicheȱ Gerichtsordnung.ȱ Vollständiger Nachdruckȱ derȱ Trattnerschenȱ Erstausgabe.ȱ Viennaȱ 1769ȱ (Graz:ȱ Akademischeȱ DruckȬȱ und Verlagsanstalt,ȱ1993). Allȱtranslationsȱgivenȱinȱroundȱbracketsȱareȱmine. Kristofersȱlandslagȱ(1608):ȱSwerikesȱrijkesȱlandsȬlag,ȱsomȱafȱrijksensȱrådȱblefȱöfwerseddȱochȱförbättrat:ȱoch

560

EvelyneȱLuef

TheȱsubsequentȱSwerigesȱRikesȱLagȱ(1734)ȱwasȱeffectiveȱfromȱSeptemberȱ1736ȱuntil theȱnewȱcriminalȱlawȱofȱ1864ȱwentȱintoȱforce.20ȱAlsoȱtheȱSwedishȱlawȱdistinguished betweenȱpremeditatedȱsuicideȱandȱsuicideȱcommittedȱoutȱofȱanȱinfirmityȱofȱmind. Thoseȱwhoȱtookȱtheirȱownȱlivesȱshould—accordingȱtoȱKristofersȱlandslag—beȱburnt atȱtheȱstakeȱinȱtheȱwoods.21ȱYet,ȱpeopleȱwhoȱcommittedȱsuicideȱoutȱofȱanȱinfirmity ofȱmindȱwereȱtoȱbeȱburiedȱoutsideȱtheȱcemetery.ȱInȱeitherȱcaseȱtheȱheirsȱinherited theȱpropertyȱofȱtheȱdeceased,ȱi.e.,ȱunlikeȱinȱAustriaȱ(untilȱ1770)ȱforfeitureȱwasȱnot partȱ ofȱ Swedishȱ law.ȱ However,ȱ evenȱ thoughȱ thisȱ penalȱ codeȱ wasȱ theoretically effectiveȱ untilȱ 1736,ȱ severalȱ resolutionsȱ atȱ theȱ endȱ ofȱ theȱ seventeenthȱ andȱ the beginningȱofȱtheȱeighteenthȱcenturyȱalteredȱtheseȱprovisions:ȱResolutionsȱfrom 1700ȱandȱ1701ȱprescribedȱthatȱpremeditatedȱsuicidesȱshouldȱnoȱlongerȱbeȱcremated butȱ buriedȱ inȱ theȱ woods,ȱ resolutionsȱ fromȱ 1695,ȱ 1700ȱ andȱ 1701ȱ declaredȱ that suicidesȱ dueȱ toȱ insanityȱ shouldȱ beȱ buriedȱ inȱ theȱ cemeteryȱ inȱ silenceȱ andȱ atȱ a secludedȱ spot.22ȱ Inȱ practice,ȱ however,ȱ theseȱ resolutionsȱ hadȱ alreadyȱ been implementedȱ forȱ quiteȱ someȱ timeȱ beforeȱ theirȱ formalȱ announcement. Consequently,ȱtheȱnewȱpenalȱcodeȱofȱ1734,ȱwhichȱstipulatedȱthatȱpremeditated suicidesȱnoȱlongerȱshouldȱbeȱcrematedȱbutȱburiedȱinȱtheȱwoods,ȱmerelyȱstated whatȱhadȱbeenȱcommonȱpracticeȱforȱquiteȱsomeȱtime.23 Theȱfactȱthatȱaȱdifferenceȱwasȱmadeȱbetweenȱpremeditatedȱsuicidesȱ(feloȱdeȱse) andȱsuicidesȱcommittedȱoutȱofȱanȱinfirmityȱofȱmindȱ(nonȱcomposȱmentis)ȱinȱallȱabove mentionedȱcriminalȱcodesȱshowsȱthatȱsuicideȱperȱseȱwasȱnotȱaȱfelonyȱaccordingȱto theȱletterȱofȱtheȱlaw,ȱonlyȱsuicidesȱthatȱwereȱcommittedȱwithȱintentȱandȱwhenȱof soundȱmind.24ȱOr,ȱinȱotherȱwords,ȱoneȱmightȱsayȱthatȱsuicideȱwasȱaȱfelonyȱthat, underȱcertainȱcircumstances,ȱlostȱitsȱcriminalȱstatus,ȱbecameȱexcusableȱandȱwas regardedȱratherȱasȱanȱindicatorȱofȱaȱmentalȱillness.ȱYet,ȱitȱisȱsafeȱtoȱsay,ȱthatȱsome kindȱofȱstigmaȱwasȱattachedȱalsoȱtoȱ“nonȬcriminalȱsuicides”ȱasȱ“silentȱburials,”

20

21 22 23 24

afȱk.ȱChristofer,ȱSwerikes,ȱDanmarks,ȱNorikes,ȱWendesȱochȱGöthaȱkonung,ȱpalatzȬgrefweȱwidhȱReen,ȱoch hertighȱafȱBeijeren,ȱåromȱefterȱC.ȱB.ȱ1442.ȱstadfäst:ȱsåȱockȱafȱmenigeȱSwerikesȱrijkesȱständerȱsamtyckt,ȱgillat ochȱwedertagen,ȱefterȱthenȱstormächtige,ȱhöghborneȱfurstesȱochȱherres,ȱherrȱCarlsȱthenȱnijondes,ȱSwerikes, Göthes,ȱWendes,ȱfinnars,ȱcarelers,ȱlapparsȱiȱnorlanden,ȱtheȱcaijaners,ȱochȱestersȱiȱLiflandȱ&c.ȱkonungs, nådigeȱbefalning,ȱåhrȱ1608.ȱafȱtrycketȱvtgången,ȱed.ȱPetterȱAbrahamssonȱ(Stockholm:ȱafȱdirecteuren JohanȱHenrichȱWernerȱmedȱegenȱbekostnad,ȱ1726). SwerigesȱRikesȱLagȱ(1734):ȱSverigesȱRikesȱLag.ȱGilladȱochȱantagenȱpåȱriksdagenȱårȱ1734.ȱTillȱ250Ȭårsdagen avȱ lagensȱ tillkomstȱ efterȱ denȱ förstaȱ iȱ antikvaȱ trycktaȱ upplagenȱ avȱ årȱ 1780.ȱ Medȱ inledningȱ avȱ Stig Jägerskiöld.ȱUtgivenȱiȱfacsimileȱ1984.ȱSkrifterȱutgivnaȱavȱInstitutetȱförȱrättshistoriskȱforskning grundatȱavȱGustavȱochȱCarinȱOlin.ȱSerienȱ1,ȱRättshistorisktȱbibliotekȱ(Stockholm:ȱInstitutetȱför rättshistoriskȱforskning,ȱ1984). Kristofersȱlandslagȱ(1608),ȱHögmålsbalken,ȱSectionȱ4ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19). Kristofersȱlandslagȱ(1608),ȱHögmålsbalken,ȱSectionȱ4ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19). SwerigesȱRikesȱLagȱ(1734):ȱMissgärningsbalken,ȱSectionȱ13ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ20). AlthoughȱnotȱuncommonȱinȱotherȱEuropeanȱcountries,ȱsuchȱdifferentiation,ȱforȱinstance,ȱwasȱnot madeȱinȱtheȱduchiesȱofȱSchleswigȱandȱHolstein.ȱSeeȱLind,ȱSelbstmordȱinȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeit,ȱ340–45 (seeȱnoteȱ7).

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

561

whetherȱ inȱ orȱ outsideȱ theȱ cemetery,ȱ stillȱ mustȱ beȱ regardedȱ asȱ milderȱ formsȱ of sanctioning.25 Theȱdistinctionȱofȱ“twoȱkindsȱofȱsuicide”ȱinȱnormativeȱtexts,ȱwhereofȱonlyȱone constitutedȱaȱcriminalȱoffense,ȱmakesȱtheȱmatterȱratherȱcomplicatedȱandȱraises questionsȱaboutȱhowȱtheseȱprovisionsȱshouldȱandȱcouldȱbeȱfollowedȱinȱpractice. Forȱobviousȱreasons,ȱindividualsȱwhoȱhadȱcommittedȱsuicideȱcouldȱnoȱlongerȱbe questionedȱwithȱregardȱtoȱtheirȱ(criminal)ȱoffenseȱandȱasȱtoȱwhatȱmotivatedȱtheir selfȬdestructiveȱact—exceptȱinȱcasesȱwhenȱtheyȱsurvivedȱtheȱsuicideȱattempt.ȱNor wasȱ itȱ possibleȱ toȱ examineȱ aȱ suicide’sȱ stateȱ ofȱ mindȱ atȱ theȱ timeȱ ofȱ theȱ deed retrospectively.ȱApartȱfromȱthat,ȱsinceȱthereȱisȱnoȱpreciseȱdefinitionȱofȱwhatȱmode ofȱ behaviorȱ wasȱ classifiedȱ asȱ “normal”ȱ orȱ “abnormal,”ȱ “insane”ȱ andȱ “melanȬ cholic,”ȱtheȱdeterminationȱwasȱaȱmatterȱofȱconstructionȱandȱinterpretation.ȱInȱhis studyȱonȱ“spiritualȱphysic”ȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱBavaria,ȱDavidȱLedererȱpointsȱoutȱthe strikinglyȱdifferentiatedȱvocabularyȱthatȱcontemporariesȱusedȱtoȱdescribeȱaȱbroad rangeȱofȱmentalȱafflictions.26ȱHeȱalsoȱremindsȱus,ȱthatȱ“[t]heȱcultureȱofȱinsanity manifestsȱ itselfȱ inȱ aȱ communityȱ relatingȱ throughȱ sharedȱ valuesȱ ofȱ normal behavior.”27 Withoutȱ delvingȱ furtherȱ intoȱ theȱ realmȱ ofȱ penalȱ law,ȱ thisȱ shortȱ reviewȱ of provisionsȱconcerningȱsuicideȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱAustrianȱandȱSwedishȱpenalȱcodes showsȱthatȱsuicideȱwasȱascribedȱtoȱeitherȱaȱcriminalȱmindȱorȱtoȱaȱstateȱofȱmental infirmity.ȱTheȱlatterȱboreȱnoȱlegalȱconsequencesȱbutȱwasȱneverthelessȱstigmatized. Theȱlegalȱnormsȱthusȱprovidedȱaȱwideȱscopeȱforȱinterpretation.ȱInȱtheȱfollowingȱI willȱ addressȱ howȱ thisȱ roomȱ forȱ constructionȱ wasȱ filledȱ withȱ meaningȱ inȱ legal practice.ȱHowever,ȱbeforeȱturningȱtoȱthisȱquestion,ȱIȱwillȱgiveȱaȱbriefȱoutlineȱofȱthe administrativeȱprocedureȱwhichȱproducedȱtheȱunprintedȱsourcesȱIȱwillȱdrawȱupon inȱmyȱfurtherȱdiscussion. InȱruralȱSwedenȱallȱsuicidesȱwereȱinvestigatedȱbyȱtheȱcourtsȱofȱfirstȱinstanceȱ(lower courts),ȱtheȱsoȬcalledȱhäradsrättȱorȱhäradsting,ȱwhichȱalsoȱreachedȱaȱ(preliminary) verdict.ȱUntilȱ1720ȱthisȱverdictȱhadȱtoȱbeȱapprovedȱbyȱtheȱcompetentȱhighȱcourt (hovrätt).ȱForȱtheȱcaseȱhistoriesȱmentionedȱinȱthisȱpaperȱthisȱwasȱtheȱSveaȱhigh

25

26

27

AlexanderȱKästner,ȱ“TödlicheȱGeschichte(n):ȱSelbsttötungenȱundȱSuizidversucheȱinȱKursachsen 1547–1815,”ȱPh.D.ȱdiss.,ȱTechnischeȱUniversitätȱDresden,ȱ2009,ȱ484. DavidȱLedererȱdefinesȱspiritualȱphysicȱasȱaȱ“specificȱformȱofȱmentalȱhealthȱcareȱ[that]ȱfellȱwithin theȱpurviewȱofȱtheȱclergy.”ȱDavidȱLederer,ȱMadness,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱStateȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope: AȱBavarianȱBeacon.ȱNewȱStudiesȱinȱEuropeanȱHistoryȱ(Cambridge,ȱNewȱYork,ȱMelbourne,ȱetȱal.: CambridgeȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2006),ȱ1.ȱThisȱspiritualȱartȱorȱpracticeȱofȱtreatingȱafflictionsȱofȱtheȱsoul includedȱremediesȱsuchȱasȱauricularȱconfession,ȱpilgrimage,ȱandȱexorcism. Lederer,ȱMadness,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱState,ȱ3ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ26).

562

EvelyneȱLuef

courtȱinȱStockholm,ȱfoundedȱinȱ1614.ȱSinceȱ1720,ȱtheȱrulingȱofȱtheȱhäradsrättȱserved asȱaȱfinalȱjudgment.28 Likeȱotherȱoffensesȱthatȱwereȱrelevantȱunderȱcivilȱorȱcriminalȱlaw,ȱsuicidesȱwere documentedȱinȱtheȱhäradsrätt’sȱprotocol,ȱtheȱsoȱcalledȱ“judgmentȱbook”ȱ(dombok). SuchȱjudgmentȱbooksȱwereȱmaintainedȱbyȱallȱlowerȱcourtsȱinȱSwedenȱandȱcontain informationȱaboutȱwhereȱandȱwhenȱtheȱcourtȱconvened,ȱtheȱnamesȱofȱtheȱusually twelveȱjuryȱmembersȱ(nämndemän)ȱpresent,ȱandȱprovideȱaȱsummaryȱofȱtheȱoral testimoniesȱandȱstatementsȱthatȱwereȱpresentedȱbeforeȱtheȱcourt.ȱTheȱentryȱfor eachȱ caseȱ heardȱ usuallyȱ closesȱ withȱ aȱ resolution,ȱ i.e.,ȱ theȱ judgmentȱ thatȱ was pronouncedȱbyȱtheȱlowerȱcourt.ȱAȱfairȱhandȱcopyȱofȱtheseȱjudgmentȱbooksȱhadȱto beȱsubmittedȱtoȱtheȱhighȱcourtȱforȱscrutinyȱonceȱaȱyear.ȱBesidesȱtheseȱjudgment booksȱ Iȱ drawȱ uponȱ lettersȱ sentȱ fromȱ theȱ Sveaȱ highȱ courtȱ toȱ theȱ regional administrativeȱunitȱ(GävleborgsȱLänsȱLandskansli),ȱwhichȱuntilȱ1720ȱcontainedȱthe finalȱverdict. Inȱ Austriaȱ theȱ administrativeȱ organizationȱ wasȱ lessȱ wellȬstructuredȱ thanȱ in Sweden.ȱ However,ȱ alsoȱ inȱ theȱ Austrianȱ archduchiesȱ aȱ distinctionȱ wasȱ drawn betweenȱtwoȱlevelsȱofȱjurisdiction:ȱlowȱjusticeȱ(niedereȱGerichtsbarkeit)ȱandȱhigh justiceȱ(höhereȱGerichtsbarkeit).ȱLowȱjusticeȱwasȱheldȱbyȱtheȱGrundherrschaft,ȱnoble orȱclericalȱmanorialȱlords,ȱwhoȱexercisedȱjurisdictionȱoverȱhisȱorȱherȱsubjects.ȱIt generallyȱinvolvedȱcausaeȱminores,ȱe.g.,ȱpettyȱtheftȱorȱinsults,ȱi.e.,ȱaffairsȱthatȱwere settledȱbyȱlimitedȱfines,ȱshortȬtimeȱincarcerationȱand/orȱlightȱcorporalȱpunishment. Highȱjustice,ȱonȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱwasȱexercisedȱbyȱtheȱLandgericht.ȱTheseȱ“land courts”ȱtooȱwereȱheldȱbyȱeitherȱnobleȱorȱclericalȱproprietors—thenȱcalledȱ“freie Landgerichte”ȱ (“freeȱ landȱ courts”)—or,ȱ whenȱ theȱ Landgerichtȱ directlyȱ was subordinatedȱtoȱtheȱsovereignȱ(LandesfürstȱorȱLandesfürstin),ȱtermedȱ“landesfürstȬ lichesȱLandgericht.”ȱ Inȱgeneral,ȱtheȱLandgerichteȱwereȱinȱchargeȱofȱcausaeȱmaiores,ȱusuallyȱidenticalȱto theȱcrimesȱlistedȱinȱtheȱterritorialȱpenalȱcodes,ȱandȱhadȱtheȱauthorityȱtoȱimpose aggravatedȱcorporalȱpunishmentȱandȱtheȱdeathȱpenalty.ȱDependingȱonȱtheȱkind ofȱLandgerichtȱ(“freies”ȱorȱ“landesfürstlichesȱLandgericht”),ȱtheȱprovinceȱandȱthe crimeȱinȱquestion,ȱtheyȱinȱturnȱwereȱsubordinatedȱtoȱhigherȱrankingȱadministrative andȱjudicialȱauthorities.29ȱWithȱregardȱtoȱsuicideȱtheȱjurisdictionȱwasȱsplitȱbetween theȱGrundherrschaftȱandȱtheȱLandgericht.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱaboveȬmadeȱdistinction,

28 29

Kristofersȱlandslagȱ(1608),ȱHögmålsbalken,ȱSectionȱ4ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ19). See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱAndreaȱGriesebnerȱandȱSusanneȱHehenberger,ȱ“EntscheidungȱüberȱLeibȱund Leben:ȱRechtsgutachterȱinȱfrühneuzeitlichenȱMalefizprozessenȱimȱErzherzogtumȱ Österreich,” ExpertenȱundȱExpertenwissenȱinȱderȱStrafjustizȱvonȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeitȱbisȱzurȱModerne,ȱed.ȱAlexander KästnerȱandȱSylviaȱKesperȬBiermann.ȱEditionenȱ+ȱDokumentationen,ȱ1ȱ(Leipzig:ȱMeineȱVerlag, 2008),ȱ17–31.

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

563

nonȬcriminalȱsuicidesȱwereȱaȱmatterȱofȱtheȱGrundherrschaft,ȱtheȱlocalȱauthorities; premeditatedȱsuicides,ȱhowever,ȱwereȱsubjectedȱtoȱhighȱjustice,ȱtheȱLandgericht.ȱ Notȱ surprisingly,ȱ thisȱ arrangementȱ createdȱ confusionȱ inȱ itsȱ practical implementation,ȱ andȱ theȱ sourceȱ materialȱ containsȱ severalȱ examplesȱ where GrundherrschaftȱandȱLandgerichtȱdisagreedȱaboutȱtheirȱrespectiveȱrightsȱandȱduties, andȱultimatelyȱaboutȱtheȱquestionȱofȱjurisdiction.ȱGenerally,ȱlocalȱauthoritiesȱhad toȱreportȱallȱcasesȱofȱsuicideȱtoȱtheȱresponsibleȱLandgericht.ȱHowever,ȱaȱthorough investigationȱbyȱtheȱLandgerichtȱshouldȱonlyȱbeȱconductedȱinȱcasesȱwhenȱthereȱwas reasonableȱ suspicionȱ ofȱ aȱ premeditatedȱ suicide.ȱ Thisȱ suggestsȱ thatȱ theȱ local authoritiesȱ hadȱ importantȱ influenceȱ onȱ howȱ aȱ suicideȱ wasȱ presentedȱ when reportedȱtoȱtheȱLandgericht,ȱandȱthusȱwhetherȱanȱinvestigationȱwasȱopenedȱorȱa silentȱburial,ȱmaybeȱwithoutȱfurtherȱinvestigation,ȱwasȱauthorized.ȱWeȱcanȱalso assumeȱthatȱthisȱarrangementȱwasȱreflectedȱinȱtheȱwrittenȱdocumentsȱthatȱwere producedȱinȱtheȱcourseȱofȱanȱinvestigation.ȱAfterȱall,ȱtheȱinspectionȱofȱtheȱcorpse inȱanȱassumedȱnonȬcriminalȱsuicideȱwasȱnotȱnecessarilyȱfollowedȱbyȱanyȱfurther investigation,ȱ thusȱ producingȱ lessȱ “paperwork”ȱ foundȱ inȱ today’sȱ archives. Consequently,ȱ concentratingȱ onȱ documentsȱ producedȱ inȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ an investigationȱconductedȱbyȱaȱLandgerichtȱinȱmyȱarchivalȱresearch,ȱIȱassumeȱthat materialsȱ concerningȱ suspectedȱ premeditatedȱ suicidesȱ primarilyȱ appear.ȱ The sourceȱ materialȱ forȱ Austriaȱ thatȱ Iȱ willȱ drawȱ uponȱ inȱ thisȱ paperȱ rangesȱ from protocolȱbooksȱandȱinterrogationȱprotocolsȱtoȱwrittenȱcommunicationȱbetween authorities. Whileȱdifferentȱadministrativeȱandȱjudicialȱsystemsȱwouldȱmakeȱaȱquantitative comparisonȱbetweenȱtheȱtwoȱstudyȱregionsȱdifficult,ȱtheseȱdifferencesȱbenefitȱmy qualitativeȱanalysisȱonȱhowȱsuicideȱwasȱperceivedȱandȱpunishedȱinȱearlyȱmodern Austriaȱ andȱ Sweden.ȱ Theȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ theȱ “other”ȱ producesȱ multiple perspectives,ȱwhichȱallowȱmeȱtoȱapproachȱtheȱrespectivelyȱ“other”ȱmaterialȱwith freshȱeyes.30ȱHavingȱconcentratedȱonȱtheȱnormativeȱandȱadministrativeȱaspectsȱof suicideȱsoȱfar,ȱweȱnowȱturnȱtoȱtheȱpracticalȱlevelȱinȱtheȱfollowingȱsection. Sometimesȱ theȱ firstȱ stepȱ forȱ theȱ courtȱ wasȱ toȱ establishȱ ifȱ anȱ individualȱ had committedȱsuicideȱinȱtheȱfirstȱplaceȱorȱifȱs/heȱhadȱdiedȱinȱanȱaccident,ȱofȱnatural causes,ȱ orȱ hadȱ becomeȱ aȱ homicideȱ victim.ȱ Thisȱ wasȱ notȱ alwaysȱ anȱ easy undertaking.ȱTheȱlatterȱwasȱrelativelyȱrareȱbutȱwasȱforȱinstanceȱtheȱcaseȱinȱthe investigationȱ ofȱ theȱ suddenȱ deathȱ ofȱ 41Ȭyearȱ oldȱ masterȱ carpenterȱ Johann

30

MichaelȱWernerȱandȱBénédicteȱZimmermann,ȱ“BeyondȱComparison:ȱHistoireȱcroiséeȱandȱthe ChallengeȱofȱReflexivity,”ȱHistoryȱandȱTheoryȱ45ȱ(2006):ȱ30–50.

564

EvelyneȱLuef

PfundbauerȱfromȱAustriaȱaboveȱtheȱriverȱEnns.31ȱJohannȱPfundbauerȱdiedȱinȱ179232 afterȱbeingȱsickȱforȱseveralȱdays.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱcourtȱrecords,ȱbeforeȱhisȱdeath heȱhadȱmentionedȱtoȱseveralȱpeopleȱthatȱheȱsuspectedȱhisȱwifeȱofȱhavingȱpoisoned hisȱbeer.ȱAfterȱhisȱdeathȱanȱautopsyȱwasȱorderedȱandȱtheȱsuspicionȱofȱpoisoning wasȱ confirmedȱ whenȱ arsenicȱ wasȱ foundȱ inȱ hisȱ body.ȱ Inȱ theȱ courseȱ ofȱ the investigation,ȱwitnessȱstatementsȱconfirmedȱanȱunhappyȱmarriageȱbetweenȱJohann Pfundbergerȱandȱhisȱwife,ȱbutȱalsoȱreferredȱtoȱsuicideȱthreatsȱthatȱheȱhadȱuttered beforeȱhisȱdeathȱandȱrevealedȱthatȱheȱhadȱaȱdrinkingȱproblem.ȱThus,ȱtheȱcourtȱwas notȱsureȱifȱsomeoneȱ(hisȱwifeȱwasȱtheȱmainȱsuspect)ȱhadȱpoisonedȱhim,ȱorȱifȱhe himselfȱ wasȱ responsibleȱ forȱ hisȱ death.ȱ Unfortunatelyȱ theȱ incomplete documentationȱofȱtheȱcaseȱleavesȱusȱinȱtheȱdarkȱwithȱregardȱtoȱtheȱoutcomeȱofȱthe investigation. Alsoȱ interestingȱ inȱ thisȱ regardȱ isȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ Jonȱ Zachrissonȱ from Ångermannland,ȱ Sweden.33ȱ Inȱ Aprilȱ 1711ȱ heȱ endedȱ upȱ withȱ aȱ mysteriously inflictedȱcutȱtoȱhisȱthroatȱthatȱcausedȱhisȱdeathȱsomeȱdaysȱlater.ȱJonȱZachrisson claimedȱthatȱanȱunknownȱmanȱhadȱtriedȱtoȱstealȱhayȱfromȱhisȱhayrickȱand,ȱinȱthe courseȱofȱfisticuffs,ȱwoundedȱhim.ȱOnȱhisȱdeathbedȱheȱrepeatedȱhisȱversionȱofȱthe eventsȱforȱtheȱparishȱpriest,ȱbutȱtheȱstoryȱdidȱnotȱwithstandȱcloserȱscrutiny.ȱThe häradsrättȱsuspectedȱJonȱofȱsuicideȱandȱruledȱthatȱheȱshouldȱbeȱburiedȱinȱtheȱwoods byȱtheȱexecutioner.ȱInȱitsȱrevisionȱtheȱhighȱcourtȱacknowledgedȱtheȱhäradsrätt’s reasoning,ȱadmittingȱthatȱJonȱmightȱhaveȱmadeȱupȱtheȱstoryȱinȱorderȱtoȱachieveȱa Christianȱburial.ȱHowever,ȱinȱtheȱopinionȱofȱtheȱhighȱcourtȱtheȱevidenceȱdidȱnot satisfyȱaȱ“högmålssak,”ȱmeaningȱaȱmatterȱofȱcapitalȱcrime.ȱJonȱZachrisson’sȱcase wasȱnotȱfreeȱofȱdoubtȱandȱthusȱtheȱhighȱcourtȱextenuatedȱtheȱlowerȱcourt’sȱverdict andȱgrantedȱhimȱaȱsilentȱburialȱatȱaȱmarginalȱspotȱinȱtheȱcemetery.34 Whileȱhomicideȱcasesȱonlyȱrarelyȱwereȱdisguisedȱasȱsuicidesȱandȱviceȱversa, courtsȱmoreȱoftenȱhadȱtoȱdecideȱifȱtheyȱwereȱdealingȱwithȱsuicideȱorȱaccidental death.ȱSuddenȱdeathȱespeciallyȱbyȱindividualsȱwho,ȱforȱexample,ȱdrowned,ȱfroze toȱdeath,ȱorȱwereȱkilledȱbyȱaȱfallȱfromȱgreatȱheightȱwereȱalwaysȱsuspiciousȱtoȱa

31

32

33

34

OberösterreichischesȱLandesarchiv,ȱsubsequentlyȱȱreferredȱtoȱasȱOÖLA,ȱHAȱPuchheim,ȱSchachtelȱ44 Bundȱ61ȱNr.ȱ42. Inȱ1792ȱtheȱJosephinaȱ(1787)ȱwasȱtheȱcodeȱinȱeffectȱinȱtheȱAustrianȱarchduchies.ȱJosephinaȱ(1787): “AllgemeinesȱGesetzbuchȱüberȱVerbrechenȱundȱderselbenȱBestrafungȱ(1787),”ȱJosephȱdesȱZweyten Römischenȱ Kaisersȱ Gesetzeȱ undȱ Verfassungenȱ imȱ Justiz=Fache.ȱ Fürȱ Böhmen,ȱ Mähren,ȱ Schlesien, OesterreichȱobȱundȱunterȱderȱEnns,ȱSteyermark,ȱKärnthen,ȱKrain,ȱGörz,ȱGradisca,ȱTriest,ȱTyrolȱundȱdie Vorlande.ȱInȱdemȱsiebentenȱJahreȱseinerȱRegierung.ȱJahrgangȱvonȱ1786ȱbisȱ1787ȱ(Vienna:ȱKaiserlichȬ KöniglicheȱHofȬȱundȱStaatsȬAerarialȬDruckerei,ȱ1817),ȱ7–60ȱ,orȱhttp://alex.onb.ac.at/ȱ(lastȱaccessed onȱNovemberȱ1,ȱ2010). ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSödraȱÅng.ȱAȱIȱa:10ȱMkȱD52268ȱ12/24,ȱSidensiö, Mayȱ3,ȱ1711. ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSkrivelserȱfrånȱSveaȱhovrättȱtillȱGävleborgsȱLäns Landskansliȱ1635–1736,ȱDIIa:14ȱMkȱS10553ȱ1/10,ȱMayȱ25,ȱ1711.

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

565

certainȱdegree.35ȱInȱSeptemberȱ1763,ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱcottagerȱandȱtailorȱCatharina Pührnsteinerinȱ wasȱ foundȱ drownedȱ inȱ aȱ weir.36ȱ Aȱ preservedȱ letterȱ thatȱ was presumablyȱ sentȱ fromȱ theȱ localȱ authorityȱ (Grundherrschaft)ȱ toȱ theȱ Landgericht depictsȱ andȱ interpretsȱ theȱ circumstancesȱ ofȱ herȱ death.ȱ Theȱ writerȱ ofȱ theȱ letter providesȱthreeȱargumentsȱthatȱpointȱtowardsȱaȱpremeditatedȱsuicideȱandȱnine argumentsȱ inȱ Catharina’sȱ defense,ȱ emphasizingȱ mitigatingȱ circumstancesȱ and suggestingȱ herȱ innocence.ȱ Theȱ aggravatingȱ factorsȱ citedȱ wereȱ thatȱ Catharina repeatedlyȱlamentedȱherȱpovertyȱandȱtheȱillnessesȱofȱherȱchildren.ȱMoreover,ȱshe hadȱnotȱtakenȱtheȱusualȱwayȱfromȱherȱhouseȱtoȱtheȱweirȱonȱtheȱnightȱofȱherȱdeath, leadingȱtheȱwriterȱtoȱconcludeȱthatȱsheȱmustȱhaveȱhadȱsomethingȱ“evilȱonȱher mind.”ȱ Asȱforȱmitigatingȱcircumstancesȱheȱmentionedȱherȱ(1)ȱChristianȱandȱedifying conduct,ȱ (2)ȱ theȱ factȱ thatȱ sheȱ hadȱ livedȱ peacefullyȱ andȱ inȱ harmonyȱ withȱ her husbandȱandȱtheȱwholeȱneighborhoodȱasȱwellȱasȱtheȱ(3)ȱloveȱandȱcareȱsheȱhad shownȱforȱherȱconstantlyȱsickȱchildren.ȱMoreover,ȱthoughȱlamentingȱherȱpoverty, (4)ȱ sheȱ hadȱ neverȱ utteredȱ anyȱ wordsȱ ofȱ desperation,ȱ andȱ (5)ȱ accordingȱ toȱ the deceased’sȱ husbandȱ andȱ theȱ localȱ “baderin”ȱ (theȱ wifeȱ ofȱ theȱ barberȱ surgeon), Catharinaȱhadȱbeenȱsickȱbeforeȱherȱdeath.ȱTheȱwriterȱofȱtheȱletterȱfinallyȱoffered anȱalternativeȱtoȱtheȱsuicideȱscenarioȱbyȱsuggestingȱ(6)ȱthatȱCatharinaȱmightȱhave fallenȱbyȱaccidentȱintoȱtheȱweirȱonȱherȱwayȱtoȱseeȱacquaintances,ȱtoȱwhomȱshe wantedȱtoȱ“pourȱherȱheartȱout”ȱ(“ihrȱherzȱauszuschitten”).ȱHeȱmoreoverȱargued, thatȱ(7)ȱsheȱcouldȱhaveȱdrownedȱherselfȱmoreȱeasilyȱinȱaȱriverȱthatȱsheȱhadȱtoȱcross beforeȱsheȱcameȱtoȱtheȱweir.ȱ Sinceȱsheȱdidȱnotȱdrownȱherselfȱatȱtheȱfirstȱopportunityȱtheȱwriterȱpresumedȱthat sheȱdidȱnotȱhaveȱ“evilȱinȱmind”ȱ(“nichtsȱüblesȱwirdȱgedachtȱhaben”)ȱwhenȱshe passedȱtheȱweir,ȱandȱthatȱsheȱmustȱhaveȱfallenȱintoȱtheȱwaterȱbyȱaccident.ȱThis theoryȱwas,ȱinȱhisȱopinion,ȱalsoȱsupportedȱbyȱtheȱ“fact”ȱthatȱ(8)ȱCatharinaȱwas foundȱlyingȱonȱherȱback,ȱwhileȱinȱcasesȱofȱ“malicious”ȱdrowningȱaȱpersonȱwas alwaysȱfoundȱfaceȱdown.ȱFinallyȱ(9)ȱanȱamulet,ȱalthoughȱnoȱscapular,ȱwasȱfound onȱher.ȱForȱcontemporariesȱthisȱusuallyȱindicatedȱhopeȱandȱfaithȱandȱthusȱmade despairȱanȱunlikelyȱmotiveȱforȱaȱsuicide. TheȱwriterȱofȱthisȱletterȱclearlyȱadvocatedȱleniencyȱforȱCatharinaȱPührnsteinerin. AlthoughȱCatharina’sȱbehaviorȱshortlyȱbeforeȱherȱdeathȱpointedȱtowardsȱsuicide withȱ intent,ȱ theȱ writerȱ raisedȱ doubtȱ byȱ providingȱ anȱ alternativeȱ scenarioȱ and emphasizedȱherȱChristianȱlifestyle,ȱmoralȱconductȱandȱgoodȱintegrationȱintoȱthe

35

36

See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱBodilȱE.ȱB.ȱPersson,ȱ“Drunknadȱellerȱdränkt?ȱPlötsligaȱoväntadeȱdödsfallȱiȱSkåne 1704–1718,”ȱDenȱfrivilligaȱdöden:ȱSamhälletsȱhanteringȱavȱsjälvmordȱiȱhistorisktȱperspektiv,ȱed.ȱBirgitta Odén,ȱBodilȱE.ȱB.ȱPersson,ȱandȱYvonneȱMariaȱWernerȱ(Stockholm:ȱBokförlagetȱCuraȱiȱsamarbete medȱForskningsrådsnämnden,ȱ1998),ȱ101–208. OÖLA,ȱHAȱOberwallseeȬEschlberg,ȱSchachtelȱ27.

566

EvelyneȱLuef

localȱcommunity.ȱTheseȱpersonalȱcharacteristicsȱwereȱmoreȱimportant,ȱitȱseems, thanȱtheȱactualȱevent. Theȱexamplesȱpresentedȱdemonstrateȱthatȱtheȱcauseȱofȱdeathȱwasȱnotȱalways clearȱandȱtoȱaȱcertainȱdegreeȱwasȱdeterminedȱbyȱascriptionsȱandȱinterpretations. Doubtȱwasȱanȱimportantȱaspectȱinȱtheȱinvestigationȱofȱsuddenȱdeathȱandȱsuicide andȱ courtsȱ bothȱ inȱ Austriaȱ andȱ Swedenȱ wereȱ urgedȱ toȱ judgeȱ inȱ favorȱ ofȱ the defendantȱinȱdoubtfulȱcases.37ȱHowever,ȱreasonableȱdoubtȱwasȱaȱprivilegeȱthatȱwas notȱgrantedȱtoȱeveryone.ȱAȱchargeȱofȱpremeditatedȱsuicideȱwasȱoftenȱassociated withȱsinȱandȱpoorȱmoralȱconduct.ȱThus,ȱitȱwasȱnotȱunusualȱthatȱone’sȱlifestyle codeterminedȱ theȱ judgmentȱ withȱ regardȱ toȱ theȱ causeȱ ofȱ death.ȱ Goodȱ moral conductȱ andȱ acknowledgedȱ conformistȱ behaviorȱ increasedȱ theȱ chancesȱ for lenience;ȱyet,ȱitȱwasȱnoȱguaranty. TheȱcaseȱofȱCatharinaȱPührnsteinerinȱalsoȱremindsȱusȱthatȱitȱisȱimpossibleȱto gaugeȱaccuratelyȱtheȱnumberȱofȱunrecognizedȱsuicides.ȱInȱourȱanalysesȱweȱdepend onȱcasesȱofȱselfȬinflictedȱdeathȱthatȱwereȱreadilyȱidentifiableȱorȱatȱleastȱsuspect. Onceȱ establishedȱ asȱ aȱ suicide,ȱ authoritiesȱ thenȱ hadȱ toȱ tackleȱ theȱ processȱ of interpretation.ȱ Inȱ orderȱ toȱ makeȱ theȱ aboveȱ describedȱ distinctionȱ between premeditatedȱsuicideȱandȱsuicideȱdueȱtoȱanȱinfirmityȱofȱmindȱitȱwasȱcrucialȱto determineȱwhyȱsomeoneȱhadȱtakenȱhis/herȱownȱlife. Toȱrevealȱtheȱreasonȱorȱmotivationȱthatȱledȱtoȱaȱsuicide,ȱtheȱinvestigationȱsought toȱestablishȱtheȱcircumstancesȱofȱtheȱsuicideȱandȱtheȱperson’sȱstateȱofȱmindȱatȱthe timeȱofȱtheȱdeed.ȱAuthoritiesȱinterrogatedȱfamilyȱmembers,ȱneighborsȱandȱoften inquiredȱaboutȱtheȱmoralȱconductȱofȱtheȱdeceasedȱwithȱtheȱparishȱpriest.ȱAlthough theȱ verdict,ȱ i.e.,ȱ theȱ burialȱ decision,ȱ wasȱ reachedȱ byȱ secularȱ authorities,ȱ inȱ the courseȱofȱtheȱinvestigationȱtheȱopinionȱofȱtheȱecclesiasticalȱauthorities,ȱsuchȱasȱthe parishȱpriest,ȱwasȱofȱgreatȱimportance.38 Letȱ usȱ returnȱ toȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ Karinȱ Mickelsdotterȱ thatȱ wasȱ mentionedȱ inȱ the beginningȱofȱthisȱpaperȱinȱorderȱtoȱillustrateȱthisȱdecisionȱmakingȱprocessȱinȱaȱcase ofȱ apparentȱ suicide.39ȱ Accordingȱ toȱ theȱ judgmentȱ bookȱ theȱ extraordinary assembledȱcourtȱproceededȱasȱfollows:ȱFirst,ȱtwoȱjuryȱmembersȱwhoȱhadȱbeenȱsent forȱbyȱtheȱdeceased’sȱbrotherȱtheȱdayȱafterȱtheȱtragicȱoccurrenceȱreportedȱonȱtheir

37

38

39

ForȱAustriaȱsee,ȱforȱinstance,ȱFerdinandeaȱ(1656),ȱarticleȱ69,ȱ§ȱ9;ȱLeopoldinaȱ(1675),ȱpartȱIII,ȱarticleȱ11, §ȱ9ȱandȱTheresianaȱ(1768),ȱarticleȱ93,ȱ§ȱ4.ȱForȱSwedenȱseeȱSwerigesȱRikesȱLagȱ(1734),ȱ“domarregler” (“rulesȱforȱjudges”),ȱnumberȱ31. See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱAlexanderȱKästner,ȱ“ExpertenȱfürȱeinȱgutesȱLeben:ȱZurȱRolleȱvonȱlutherischen PfarrernȱinȱUntersuchungsverfahrenȱnachȱSelbsttötungenȱ(Kursachsenȱ1700–1815),”ȱExpertenȱund ExpertenwissenȱinȱderȱStrafjustizȱvonȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeitȱbisȱzurȱModerne,ȱed.ȱAlexanderȱKästnerȱand SylviaȱKesperȬBiermann.ȱEditionenȱ+ȱDokumentationen,ȱ1ȱ(Leipzig:ȱMeineȱVerlag,ȱ2008),ȱ85–98. ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSödraȱÅng.ȱAȱIȱa:10ȱMkȱD52268ȱ8/24,ȱNordingrå, Februaryȱ21,ȱ1710ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ1).

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

567

externalȱ inspectionȱ ofȱ theȱ deadȱ bodyȱ andȱ theȱ scene.ȱ Thereafter,ȱ Karin Mickelsdotters’ȱmother,ȱMäritȱErsdotter,ȱstatedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱnoticedȱnothingȱout ofȱtheȱordinaryȱtheȱdayȱherȱdaughterȱdied.ȱAllegedlyȱKarinȱhadȱdevotionallyȱread herȱmorningȱprayersȱandȱhadȱcarriedȱoutȱsomeȱregularȱhouseholdȱchoresȱbefore sheȱwentȱtoȱaȱseparateȱroomȱtoȱlieȱdownȱforȱaȱwhile.ȱWhenȱherȱmotherȱcameȱto lookȱ inȱ onȱ herȱ aboutȱ thirtyȱ minutesȱ later,ȱ sheȱ foundȱ herȱ daughterȱ dead.ȱ On inquiry,ȱtheȱjuryȱaffirmedȱthatȱKarinȱMickelsdotterȱindeedȱnotȱonlyȱhadȱbeenȱable toȱreadȱ“inȱtheȱbook”ȱ(i.e.,ȱtheȱcatechism)ȱbutȱhadȱalsoȱbeenȱdiligentȱinȱsinging. Moreover,ȱnoneȱofȱtheȱassembledȱpeopleȱcouldȱrecallȱanyȱmisconductȱonȱherȱpart; onȱtheȱcontrary,ȱtheyȱallȱconfirmedȱherȱ“still”ȱ(i.e.,ȱgood)ȱlifestyleȱandȱagreedȱthat sheȱhadȱneverȱtalkedȱunreasonably.ȱ However,ȱtheȱprotocolȱalsoȱmentionsȱthatȱKarinȱalreadyȱsomeȱthirtyȱyearsȱago hadȱcomplainedȱtoȱherȱmotherȱandȱbrotherȱaboutȱbeingȱanxiousȱandȱsaddened withoutȱanyȱapparentȱreason.ȱTheseȱrecurringȱafflictionsȱpromptedȱherȱbrotherȱto askȱtheȱchaplainȱtoȱtalkȱtoȱherȱandȱconsoleȱher.ȱButȱaccordingȱtoȱtheȱprotocolȱwhich presumablyȱfollowsȱtheȱstatementȱofȱherȱbrother,ȱevenȱafterȱtheȱspiritualȱhelpȱof theȱclericȱtheȱanxietyȱreturned,ȱleavingȱherȱfearfulȱandȱfeelingȱatȱaȱloss.ȱOnȱJanuary sixthȱKarinȱhadȱreceivedȱHolyȱCommunionȱatȱchurchȱforȱtheȱlastȱtime.ȱChaplain PetrusȱHernäus,ȱwhoȱapparentlyȱwasȱpresentȱatȱtheȱexamination,ȱaffirmedȱthat Karin’sȱ brotherȱ hadȱ approachedȱ himȱ fiveȱ yearsȱ agoȱ withȱ regardȱ toȱ hisȱ sister’s condition.ȱIndeed,ȱheȱhadȱtriedȱtoȱconsoleȱherȱandȱconfirmedȱthatȱsheȱsuffered fromȱanxietyȱandȱmelancholy.ȱIfȱherȱconditionȱhadȱworsenedȱorȱimprovedȱoverȱthe years,ȱheȱdidȱnotȱknow,ȱbutȱheȱreinforcedȱthatȱsheȱknewȱherȱ“christendomsȱstycke” (“Christendom’sȱpieces”)ȱbetterȱthanȱheȱhadȱexpected.ȱ Twoȱotherȱmenȱ fromȱtheȱsameȱvillageȱtestifiedȱthatȱsheȱhadȱbeenȱ“opasslig” (“indisposed”)ȱforȱaȱcoupleȱofȱyears,ȱbutȱtheyȱdidn’tȱknowȱwhatȱexactlyȱcausedȱher toȱfeelȱthatȱway.ȱTheyȱdidȱassert,ȱhowever,ȱthatȱKarinȱhadȱalwaysȱbeenȱofȱsound mind.ȱFinallyȱKarin’sȱbrotherȱOlofȱrequestedȱthatȱhisȱsister’sȱdeadȱbodyȱbeȱhandled byȱherȱclosestȱrelativesȱandȱburiedȱinȱsilenceȱatȱtheȱnorthernȱsideȱofȱtheȱcemetery withoutȱtheȱusualȱceremony,ȱarguingȱthatȱsheȱhadȱtakenȱherȱownȱlifeȱinȱaȱstateȱof severeȱmelancholy.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱhäradsrättȱpronouncedȱaȱdifferentȱjudgment:ȱThe courtȱacknowledgedȱtheȱbrother’sȱrequestȱ“äfterȱhonȱuthiȱettȱstarckȱmelancolie tagitȱlyfwettȱafȱsigȱsielf,ȱochȱsådanȱswårmodigheetȱiämbwählȱförȱsiukdomȱräcknas kanȱhosȱdenȱsomȱmanȱingenȱmisgiärningȱwetȱmed”ȱ(“becauseȱsheȱtookȱherȱownȱlife inȱaȱstateȱofȱsevereȱmelancholyȱandȱsuchȱmelancholyȱcanȱbeȱregardedȱasȱanȱillness ifȱtheȱpersonȱhasȱnotȱbeenȱknownȱforȱanyȱmisdeeds”).ȱ Nevertheless,ȱtheȱhäradsrättȱfollowedȱtheȱSwedishȱpenalȱcodeȱwhichȱprescribed thatȱsuicidesȱshouldȱbeȱburiedȱinȱtheȱwoodsȱunlessȱitȱwasȱobviousȱthatȱtheyȱhad beenȱcompletelyȱoutȱofȱtheirȱminds.ȱForȱtheȱcourtȱthisȱhadȱnotȱbeenȱtheȱcaseȱwith Karinȱwhoȱapparentlyȱhadȱbeenȱmelancholic,ȱbutȱstillȱofȱsoundȱmind.ȱThereforeȱthe häradsrättȱsawȱnoȱotherȱchoiceȱthanȱtoȱdetermineȱthatȱtheȱexecutionerȱshouldȱbury

568

EvelyneȱLuef

herȱinȱtheȱwoods.ȱKnowingȱthatȱtheȱverdictȱwasȱsentȱtoȱtheȱhighȱcourtȱforȱrevision andȱconfirmationȱtheȱhäradsrättȱpresumablyȱanticipatedȱaȱmilderȱjudgmentȱbyȱthe superordinatedȱ instance.ȱ Andȱ indeed,ȱ inȱ aȱ writingȱ byȱ Gabrielȱ Falkenberg, presidentȱofȱtheȱSveaȱhighȱcourtȱatȱtheȱtime,ȱtoȱtheȱregionalȱadministrationȱofȱthe districtȱcourtȱfromȱMarchȱ3,ȱ1710,ȱtheȱjudgmentȱwasȱmodified:ȱArguingȱthatȱKarin Mickelsdotterȱhadȱsufferedȱfromȱ“hierteängslan”ȱ(“heartȬanxiety”)ȱandȱmelancholy soȱsevereȱthatȱaȱclericȱhadȱtoȱvisitȱher,ȱand,ȱconsideringȱthatȱsheȱotherwiseȱhad livedȱaȱstillȱandȱgodȬfearingȱlife,ȱtheȱhighȱcourtȱruledȱthatȱherȱbodyȱshouldȱbe handledȱbyȱherȱrelativesȱandȱgrantedȱherȱaȱburialȱatȱaȱremoteȱplaceȱinȱtheȱcemetery inȱsilence.40ȱInȱtheȱend,ȱtheȱrequestȱofȱtheȱdeceased’sȱbrotherȱwasȱfulfilled. InȱsomeȱregardsȱtheȱdocumentationȱofȱKarin’sȱsuicideȱinȱtheȱjudgmentȱbookȱis representativeȱforȱmanyȱdocumentedȱsuicideȱcasesȱinȱSweden.ȱConstitutiveȱand recurringȱfactorsȱthatȱareȱmentionedȱincludeȱanȱemphasisȱonȱtheȱperson’sȱmoral conduct,ȱ questionsȱ concerningȱ churchȱ attendance,ȱ his/herȱ knowledgeȱ ofȱ the scriptureȱandȱwhenȱhe/sheȱlastȱreceivedȱHolyȱCommunion.ȱAlsoȱimportantȱwas howȱ wellȱ theȱ deceasedȱ hadȱ beenȱ integratedȱ inȱ theȱ localȱ communityȱ andȱ how he/sheȱgotȱalongȱwithȱfamily,ȱneighborsȱandȱfriends.ȱTheȱsameȱaspects,ȱasȱweȱhave seen,ȱwereȱalsoȱofȱimportanceȱinȱassessingȱtheȱAustrianȱCatharinaȱPührnsteinerin’s drowning,ȱmentionedȱabove.ȱItȱappearsȱasȱifȱconsiderationȱofȱtheseȱfactorsȱwasȱa commonȱ denominatorȱ throughoutȱ earlyȱ modernȱ Europe.41ȱ Ofȱ course, contemporariesȱwereȱwellȱinformedȱofȱtheȱpossibleȱconsequencesȱofȱaȱsuicide,ȱas OlofȱMickelson’sȱrequestȱforȱaȱfuneralȱinȱsilenceȱindicates.ȱThus,ȱweȱshouldȱassume thatȱ statementsȱ givenȱ beforeȱ courtȱ wereȱ atȱ least,ȱ toȱ aȱ certainȱ degree, strategic—peopleȱknewȱwhatȱtoȱemphasizeȱandȱwhatȱtoȱconcealȱinȱorderȱtoȱlead anȱinvestigationȱinȱaȱcertainȱdirection. Itȱ isȱ alsoȱ interestingȱ toȱ noteȱ thatȱ theȱ häradsrätt,ȱ althoughȱ apparentlyȱ wellȬ disposedȱ towardsȱ Karin,ȱ didȱ notȱ acceptȱ melancholyȱ asȱ aȱ sufficientȱ excuseȱ but insistedȱ onȱ insanity—whateverȱ thatȱ conceptȱ mayȱ haveȱ implied—asȱ theȱ only pardonableȱexplanationȱforȱsuicide.ȱInterestingly,ȱbothȱtheȱpreliminaryȱverdictȱby theȱhäradsrättȱandȱtheȱfinalȱverdictȱbyȱtheȱhovrättȱregardedȱmelancholyȱonlyȱin conjunctionȱwithȱanȱotherwiseȱ“good”ȱlifestyleȱasȱanȱargumentȱforȱlenience. Why,ȱ then,ȱ wasȱ theȱ häradsrättȱ soȱ strictȱ inȱ itsȱ judgmentȱ andȱ insistedȱ onȱ the disposingȱofȱtheȱbodyȱinȱtheȱwoods?ȱInȱhisȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolumeȱChristopher R.ȱClasonȱdistinguishesȱbetweenȱ“theȱletterȱofȱtheȱlaw”ȱandȱ“theȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlaw” asȱtwoȱanalyticalȱcategories.42ȱApplyingȱthisȱdistinctionȱtoȱearlyȱmodernȱSwedish

40

41

42

ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSkrivelserȱfrånȱSveaȱhovrättȱtillȱGävleborgsȱLäns Landskansliȱ1635–1736,ȱDIIa:13ȱMkȱS21057ȱ12/14,ȱMarchȱ3,ȱ1710. See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱKästner,ȱTödlicheȱGeschichte(n),ȱ443–46ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25),ȱandȱLind,ȱSelbstmordȱinȱder FrühenȱNeuzeit,ȱ360–62ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7). SeeȱChristopherȱR.ȱClason’sȱcontributionȱtoȱthisȱvolume.

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

569

judicatureȱsuggestsȱthatȱtheȱdistrictȱcourtsȱhadȱtoȱstickȱcloseȱtoȱtheȱletterȱofȱtheȱlaw whileȱtheȱinterpretationȱofȱtheȱspiritȱofȱtheȱlawȱwasȱreservedȱforȱtheȱhighȱcourt, whichȱalsoȱheldȱtheȱcompetenceȱtoȱshowȱlenience.43ȱYet,ȱtheȱinfluenceȱofȱtheȱlower courtsȱonȱtheȱfinalȱjudgmentȱisȱnotȱtoȱbeȱunderestimated.ȱAfterȱall,ȱinȱSwedenȱthe highȱ courtȱ basedȱ itsȱ decisionȱ entirelyȱ onȱ documentsȱ thatȱ wereȱ producedȱ and transmittedȱbyȱtheȱlowerȱcourts.ȱInȱAustriaȱtoo,ȱtheȱLandgerichteȱtoȱaȱhighȱdegree wereȱreliantȱonȱtheȱcooperationȱwithȱtheȱGrundherrschaft. Theȱexamplesȱhighlightedȱhereȱprovideȱinsightsȱintoȱtheȱlegalȱprocessesȱthat constructedȱandȱlabeledȱselfȬinflictedȱdeathȱasȱeitherȱaȱcriminalȱorȱnonȬcriminalȱact. Inȱtheȱfollowingȱsectionȱweȱwillȱturnȱtowardsȱtheȱpunitiveȱaspectsȱofȱsuicide. Thereȱ isȱ neitherȱ aȱ simpleȱ norȱ aȱ singleȱ answerȱ toȱ theȱ questionȱ whyȱ itȱ was consideredȱ toȱ beȱ soȱ importantȱ toȱ prosecuteȱ andȱ punishȱ suicides.ȱ Presumably, ecclesiasticalȱ andȱ secularȱ authoritiesȱ wereȱ strivingȱ toȱ stigmatizeȱ theȱ deedȱ asȱ a felonyȱandȱaȱsinȱinȱorderȱtoȱmakeȱclearȱthatȱonlyȱGodȱorȱtheȱsovereign,ȱinȱhisȱplace, hadȱtheȱpowerȱandȱcontrolȱoverȱaȱsubject’sȱlife,ȱdeathȱandȱbody.ȱInȱthisȱregardȱthe legalȱconsequencesȱofȱaȱsuicideȱcanȱbeȱinterpretedȱasȱdisplayȱofȱpower.ȱAtȱtheȱsame timeȱ theȱ deterrentȱ effectȱ ofȱ theȱ dishonorableȱ andȱ ignominiousȱ intermentȱ was intendedȱtoȱkeepȱsubjectsȱfromȱcommittingȱsuicide. However,ȱfocusingȱonlyȱonȱtheȱinterestsȱofȱauthoritiesȱdoesȱnotȱsuffice:ȱPopular beliefsȱandȱsuperstitionsȱassociatedȱsuicideȱwithȱdisastersȱandȱmisfortune.ȱTheȱfear thatȱ theȱ burialȱ ofȱ aȱ suicideȱ inȱ theȱ cemeteryȱ wouldȱ causeȱ badȱ weatherȱ orȱ crop failuresȱwasȱwidespread.ȱHence,ȱsometimesȱindividualsȱorȱcommunitiesȱsupported orȱinsistedȱuponȱexcludingȱtheȱbodyȱofȱaȱsuicideȱfromȱburialȱinȱtheȱcemetery.ȱTo stateȱthatȱtheȱdishonorableȱdisposalȱofȱaȱsuicide’sȱbodyȱwasȱsolelyȱdrivenȱbyȱthe ecclesiasticalȱandȱsecularȱauthoritiesȱhoweverȱwouldȱbeȱoverlyȱsimplisticȱbecause, inȱsomeȱcases,ȱtheȱcommunityȱdemandedȱthatȱtheȱbodiesȱofȱsuicidesȱbeȱhandled disgracefully.ȱ Thisȱwas,ȱforȱexample,ȱtheȱcaseȱinȱ1754ȱwhenȱaȱfemaleȱtailorȱcommittedȱsuicide inȱaȱsmallȱvillageȱinȱAustriaȱaboveȱtheȱEnns.44ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱadministratorȱof theȱ Landgericht,ȱ whoȱ conductedȱ theȱ investigation,ȱ theȱ womanȱ hadȱ been melancholicȱ forȱ aȱ while.ȱ Sheȱ hadȱ beenȱ passiveȱ andȱ unableȱ toȱ workȱ forȱ weeks despiteȱbeingȱinȱgoodȱphysicalȱhealth.ȱMoreover,ȱsheȱhadȱactivelyȱtriedȱtoȱimprove herȱconditionȱbyȱbloodlettingȱandȱprayingȱtheȱrosary.ȱSinceȱnoȱobjectionȱwasȱraised

43

44

Seeȱ Yvonneȱ Mariaȱ Werner,ȱ “Självmordȱ iȱ detȱ storaȱ nordiskaȱ krigetsȱ skugga:ȱ Enȱ analysȱ av självspillingsmålenȱ vidȱ Götaȱ hovrättȱ 1695–1718,”ȱ Denȱ frivilligaȱ döden:ȱ Samhälletsȱ hanteringȱ av självmordȱiȱhistorisktȱperspektiv,ȱed.ȱBirgittaȱOdén,ȱBodilȱE.ȱB.ȱPerssonȱandȱYvonneȱMariaȱWerner (Stockholm:ȱBokförlagetȱCuraȱiȱsamarbeteȱmedȱForskningsrådsnämnden,ȱ1998),ȱ31–99.ȱYvonne MariaȱWernerȱobservesȱaȱtendencyȱtowardȱmoreȱlenienceȱshownȱbyȱtheȱGötaȱhighȱcourtȱduring theȱperiodȱsheȱinvestigates. OÖLA,ȱHAȱPuchheim,ȱSchachtelȱ43ȱBundȱ60ȱNr.ȱ29.

570

EvelyneȱLuef

byȱtheȱpriestȱeither,ȱtheȱwomanȱwasȱgrantedȱaȱChristianȱburialȱ“withoutȱpomp” inȱexactȱaccordanceȱwithȱterritorialȱlaw.ȱ However,ȱtheȱattemptȱtoȱburyȱtheȱwomanȱfailedȱwhenȱallegedlyȱaboutȱhundred arousedȱparishionersȱrestrainedȱtheȱpallbearersȱfromȱenteringȱtheȱcemetery.ȱThe administratorȱ firstȱ triedȱ toȱ negotiateȱ withȱ theȱ enragedȱ crowdȱ andȱ suggested buryingȱ theȱ womenȱ outsideȱ theȱ cemetery,ȱ inȱ theȱ placeȱ ofȱ burialȱ reservedȱ for “inculpable,”ȱi.e.,ȱunbaptizedȱchildren,ȱbutȱevenȱthisȱconcessionȱdidȱnotȱsufficeȱto appeaseȱtheȱmob.ȱAccordingȱtoȱtheȱpreservedȱdocumentsȱtheȱprotestersȱdidȱnot challengeȱ theȱ rulingȱ ofȱ theȱ Landgerichtȱ identifyingȱ melancholyȱ andȱ insanityȱ as causesȱforȱherȱsuicide.ȱNeverthelessȱtheyȱwantedȱtoȱpreventȱtheȱburial,ȱfearingȱbad thunderstormsȱ asȱ itsȱ consequence,ȱ aȱ beliefȱ thatȱ wasȱ referredȱ toȱ asȱ “sträflicher aberglaube”ȱ(“criminalȱsuperstition”)ȱinȱtheȱadministrator’sȱwriting.ȱOpposition againstȱ aȱ suicide’sȱ burialȱ inȱ theȱ cemeteryȱ didȱ notȱ necessarilyȱ culminateȱ inȱ a cemeteryȱrevoltȱbutȱcouldȱtakeȱmoreȱsubtleȱforms.ȱInȱMayȱ1769,ȱforȱexample,ȱseven menȱ appearedȱ inȱ personȱ beforeȱ theȱ priestȱ inȱ theȱ upperȱ Austrianȱ townȱ of Gmunden,ȱurgingȱtheȱclericȱnotȱtoȱburyȱtheȱbodyȱofȱtheȱsuicideȱFranzȱKemptner inȱtheȱcemetery.45ȱ Cemeteryȱ revoltsȱ andȱ otherȱ formsȱ ofȱ influencingȱ aȱ suicide’sȱ burialȱ wereȱ not uncommonȱinȱcentralȱEurope.46ȱTheyȱdemonstrateȱthatȱparishȱcommunitiesȱwere notȱalwaysȱinȱagreementȱwithȱtheȱverdictȱreachedȱbyȱtheȱauthorities,ȱandȱwould underȱ certainȱ circumstancesȱ takeȱ mattersȱ intoȱ theirȱ ownȱ hands.ȱ Ofȱ course,ȱ as AlexanderȱKästnerȱpointsȱout,ȱrevoltsȱwereȱratherȱrareȱoccurrencesȱcomparedȱto theȱnumberȱofȱburialsȱwithoutȱanyȱincidents.47ȱYet,ȱtheseȱtumultsȱsuggestȱthatȱthe criminalizationȱandȱpunishmentȱofȱsuicideȱwasȱtoȱaȱcertainȱdegreeȱsupportedȱby theȱpopulation.48 ItȱseemsȱasȱifȱsimilarȱprotestsȱwereȱnotȱunȬheardȱofȱinȱSwedenȱeither,49ȱandȱthe caseȱ ofȱ Annaȱ Olofsdotterȱ demonstratesȱ theȱ connectionȱ betweenȱ suicideȱ and

45 46

47 48

49

OÖLA,ȱHAȱEbenzweier,ȱSchachtelȱ2. See,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ Lind,ȱ Selbstmordȱ inȱ derȱ Frühenȱ Neuzeit,ȱ 457–62ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 7);ȱ Davidȱ Lederer, “AufruhrȱaufȱdemȱFriedhof:ȱPfarrer,ȱGemeindeȱundȱSelbstmordȱimȱfrühneuzeitlichenȱBayern,” Trauer,ȱ Verzweiflungȱ undȱ Anfechtung:ȱ Selbstmordȱ undȱ Selbstmordversucheȱ inȱ mittelalterlichenȱ und frühneuzeitlichenȱGesellschaften,ȱed.ȱGabrielaȱSignori.ȱForumȱPsychohistorie,ȱ3ȱ(Tübingen:ȱEdition Diskord,ȱ1994),ȱ189–209ȱandȱKästner,ȱTödlicheȱGeschichte(n),ȱ235–40ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25). Kästner,ȱTödlicheȱGeschichte(n),ȱ236ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25). MichaelȱMacDonaldȱandȱTerenceȱR.ȱMurphy,ȱforȱinstance,ȱstateȱforȱeighteenthȬcenturyȱEngland aȱgrowingȱdivergencyȱinȱtheȱperceptionȱofȱsuicideȱbetweenȱ“commonȱpeople”ȱandȱtheȱeducated upperȱ classes.ȱ Seeȱ Michaelȱ MacDonaldȱ andȱ Terenceȱ R.ȱ Murphy,ȱ “Dieȱ Säkularisierungȱ des Selbstmords:ȱLiteraten,ȱRechtsgelehrteȱundȱreligiöseȱFanatikerȱimȱfrühneuzeitlichenȱEngland,” Trauer,ȱVerzweiflungȱundȱAnfechtung:ȱSelbstmordȱundȱSelbstmordversucheȱinȱmittelalterlichenȱundȱfrühȬ neuzeitlichenȱ Gesellschaften,ȱ ed.ȱ Gabrielaȱ Signori.ȱ Forumȱ Psychohistorie,ȱ 3ȱ (Tübingen:ȱ Edition Diskord,ȱ1994),ȱ233–81. See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱWerner,ȱ“Självmordȱiȱdetȱstoraȱnordiskaȱkrigetsȱskugga,”ȱ49–50ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ43).

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

571

misfortuneȱinȱpopularȱbeliefȱasȱexpressedȱbyȱtheȱsuicidalȱwomanȱherself.50ȱInȱMay 1713ȱ60ȬyearȬoldȱAnnaȱOlofsdotterȱwentȱintoȱtheȱwoodsȱandȱstabbedȱherselfȱinȱthe throat.ȱAȱlittleȱwhileȱlater,ȱtheȱinjuredȱwomanȱwasȱfoundȱbyȱherȱdaughterȬinȬlaw andȱtheȱneighbourȱHansȱPärsson.ȱAtȱfirstȱAnnaȱdidȱnotȱwantȱtoȱacceptȱtheirȱhelp andȱtriedȱtoȱsendȱthemȱawayȱsayingȱ“rörȱintetȱmedȱmig,ȱtyȱdetȱärȱgiort,ȱsomȱgiort är”ȱ(“don’tȱtouchȱme,ȱwhat’sȱdoneȱisȱdone”).ȱHansȱPärssonȱneverthelessȱreached outȱtoȱherȱandȱaskedȱifȱsheȱwantedȱtoȱcomeȱbackȱwithȱhimȱtoȱhisȱhome.ȱAccording toȱtheȱjudgmentȱbookȱAnnaȱOlofsdotterȱansweredȱ“attȱgårdenȱblirȱolyckelig,ȱom honȱ kommerȱ hem”ȱ (“thatȱ theȱ farmȱ wouldȱ becomeȱ unfortunate,ȱ ifȱ sheȱ came home”).ȱNotȱuntilȱHansȱPärssonȱassuredȱherȱthatȱthisȱwouldȱnotȱbeȱtheȱcaseȱdid sheȱfinallyȱgoȱwithȱthem.ȱNineȱdaysȱlaterȱsheȱdiedȱasȱaȱresultȱofȱherȱinjuries. Theseȱexamplesȱshowȱthatȱsuicideȱconcernedȱnotȱonlyȱthoseȱwhoȱwereȱcloseȱto theȱ deceasedȱ orȱ wereȱ somehowȱ involvedȱ inȱ theȱ legalȱ proceeding.ȱ Toȱ aȱ certain degreeȱselfȬinflictedȱdeathȱwasȱaȱmatterȱofȱpublicȱinterestȱthatȱconcernedȱaȱwider circleȱofȱpeopleȱwhoȱconsideredȱthemselvesȱtoȱbeȱaffectedȱbyȱtheȱincident,ȱandȱthus alsoȱtookȱinterestȱinȱtheȱoutcomeȱofȱtheȱinvestigation. However,ȱgenerallyȱtheȱrightȱtoȱjudgeȱandȱpunishȱaȱsuicideȱwasȱreservedȱforȱthe secularȱauthorities.ȱIndeed,ȱtheȱideaȱofȱpunishingȱaȱdeadȱpersonȱappearsȱstrange fromȱ today’sȱ perspective.ȱ Neverthelessȱ earlyȱ modernȱ justiceȱ foundȱ waysȱ and meansȱtoȱchastiseȱindividualsȱwhoȱhadȱendedȱtheirȱownȱlives.ȱInȱtheȱfollowingȱI willȱbrieflyȱbroachȱdifferentȱaspectsȱofȱpunishmentȱthatȱaffectedȱtheȱgoods,ȱthe body,ȱtheȱsoul,ȱandȱtheȱremembranceȱofȱtheȱdeceased. Asȱoutlinedȱabove,ȱAustrianȱ(butȱnotȱSwedish)ȱlawȱsanctionedȱpremeditated suicideȱ withȱ forfeitureȱ untilȱ theȱ Theresianaȱ cameȱ intoȱ effectȱ inȱ 1770.51ȱ Studies conductedȱbyȱVeraȱLindȱforȱSchleswigȬHolstein,52ȱDavidȱLederer53ȱforȱBavaria,ȱand Alexanderȱ Kästnerȱ forȱ Kursachsen54ȱ showȱ thatȱ confiscationȱ wasȱ aȱ ratherȱ rare occurrenceȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱcentralȱEurope.ȱHowever,ȱtheȱAustrianȱsourceȱmaterial containsȱevidenceȱthatȱthisȱprovisionȱinȱfactȱwasȱimplementedȱinȱpractice.ȱEven thoughȱitȱisȱnotȱyetȱclearȱtoȱwhatȱextentȱforfeitureȱwasȱexecuted,ȱtheȱmaterials indicateȱ thatȱ itȱ wasȱ notȱ aȱ rareȱ phenomenon.ȱ Inȱ theȱ caseȱ ofȱ Jacobȱ Pauer,ȱ for example,ȱwhoȱinȱ1762ȱ“wickedly”ȱdrownedȱhimselfȱinȱAustriaȱbelowȱtheȱEnns,ȱthe Landgerichtȱ inȱ aȱ letterȱ toȱ theȱ Grundherrschaftȱ explicitlyȱ reservedȱ itsȱ rightȱ to confiscateȱ hisȱ bequestȱ withȱ referenceȱ toȱ theȱ respectiveȱ paragraphsȱ inȱ the Ferdinandea.55ȱ

50

51 52 53 54 55

ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSödraȱÅng.ȱAȱIȱa:11ȱMkȱD52269ȱ4/19+5/19,ȱNora, Mayȱ18,ȱ1713. SeeȱalsoȱPfannkuchen,ȱSelbstmordȱundȱSanktionen,ȱ88–91ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ9). Lind,ȱSelbstmordȱinȱderȱFrühenȱNeuzeit,ȱ340–47ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ7). Lederer,ȱMadness,ȱReligionȱandȱtheȱState,ȱ251ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ26). Kästner,ȱTödlicheȱGeschichte(n),ȱ143ȱ(seeȱnoteȱ25). NiederösterreichischesȱLandesarchiv,ȱhenceȱforwardȱreferredȱtoȱasȱNÖLA,ȱHAȱRaabs,ȱKartonȱ44.

572

EvelyneȱLuef

Inȱ 1687ȱ theȱ inheritanceȱ ofȱ theȱ suicideȱ Thomasȱ Auerȱ wasȱ confiscatedȱ byȱ the Landgericht.56ȱHowever,ȱdueȱtoȱtheȱpovertyȱofȱhisȱwifeȱandȱtwoȱyoungȱchildren,ȱthe Landgerichtȱdidȱnotȱinsistȱonȱtheȱtwoȱthirdsȱofȱhisȱbequestȱwhichȱitȱwouldȱhave beenȱentitledȱtoȱbyȱlaw.ȱInsteadȱanȱindividualȱsolutionȱwasȱnegotiatedȱwithȱthe widow.ȱAlsoȱtheȱsonȱofȱtheȱsuicideȱJohannȱMayrȱhadȱtoȱturnȱinȱtwoȱthirdsȱofȱhis inheritanceȱtoȱtheȱLandgerichtȱinȱ1723.57ȱInȱtheȱcaseȱofȱStephanȱPühringer58ȱwho killedȱhimselfȱinȱ1686,ȱaȱconflictȱhadȱarisenȱbetweenȱtheȱGrundherrschaftȱandȱthe Landgericht.ȱ Againstȱ theȱ opinionȱ ofȱ theȱ Landgericht,ȱ theȱ Grundherrschaftȱ was convincedȱthatȱheȱhadȱcommittedȱsuicideȱoutȱofȱanȱinfirmityȱofȱmindȱandȱthus rejectedȱtheȱLandgericht’sȱclaimȱforȱjurisdiction,ȱwhichȱwouldȱhaveȱincludedȱthe rightȱtoȱconfiscateȱtwoȱthirdsȱofȱhisȱbequestȱifȱaȱcaseȱpremeditatedȱsuicideȱwas proven.ȱTheseȱfewȱexamplesȱshowȱthatȱforfeitureȱinȱtheȱAustrianȱarchduchiesȱwas anȱoptionȱuntilȱtheȱTheresianaȱcameȱintoȱforce.59ȱ Generallyȱ theȱ financialȱ aspectȱ ofȱ suicideȱ wasȱ aȱ pointȱ ofȱ contentionȱ between differentȱauthorities.ȱApartȱfromȱforfeiture,ȱwhereȱtheȱGrundherrschaftȱhadȱaȱstrong interestȱtoȱkeepȱtheȱmoneyȱwithinȱtheirȱownȱHerrschaft,ȱmonetaryȱquestionsȱplayed anȱimportantȱroleȱinȱmanyȱrespects.ȱLikeȱinȱotherȱcriminalȱcasesȱconductedȱbyȱthe Landgericht,ȱ theȱ delinquentsȱ themselvesȱ hadȱ toȱ compensateȱ allȱ costsȱ incurred duringȱtheȱtrialȱandȱtheȱinvestigation.ȱInȱtheȱcaseȱofȱsuicideȱthisȱmoneyȱusuallyȱwas takenȱfromȱtheȱdeceased’sȱbequest.ȱHowever,ȱimpecuniousȱsuicidesȱwhichȱdidȱnot haveȱtheȱmeansȱtoȱpayȱtheseȱexpensesȱincurredȱcostsȱthatȱtheȱauthorityȱinȱcharge hadȱtoȱpay.ȱThus,ȱsometimesȱconflictsȱbetweenȱdifferentȱauthoritiesȱwouldȱarise becauseȱneitherȱofȱthemȱwantedȱtoȱbeȱresponsibleȱforȱretrievingȱaȱdeadȱbodyȱand theȱassociatedȱcosts.60 Bothȱ inȱ Austriaȱ andȱ Sweden,ȱ theȱ bodiesȱ ofȱ premeditatedȱ suicidesȱ shouldȱ be handledȱ byȱ theȱ executioner.ȱ Austrianȱ lawsȱ explicitlyȱ stateȱ thatȱ theyȱ shouldȱ be draggedȱ throughȱ theȱ streetsȱ orȱ carriedȱ onȱ theȱ “Schindkarren”ȱ (“executioner’s cart”)ȱtoȱtheȱplaceȱwhereȱtheȱcorpseȱshouldȱbeȱ“vertilgt”ȱ(“exterminated”).ȱOnȱthe otherȱhand,ȱthoseȱtoȱwhomȱaȱsilentȱburialȱhadȱbeenȱgrantedȱshouldȱbeȱtakenȱcare ofȱbyȱfamilyȱmembers,ȱneighborsȱorȱotherȱ“honest”ȱpeople.ȱYet,ȱonceȱagain,ȱthe informationȱ containedȱ inȱ archivalȱ recordsȱ blursȱ theȱ distinctionȱ between

56 57 58 59

60

NÖLA,ȱKGAȱKrems,ȱHSȱ173/102,ȱfol.ȱ31v–33v. NÖLA,ȱKGAȱKrems,ȱHSȱ173/102,ȱfol.ȱ184–85. OÖLA,ȱHAȱEbenzweier,ȱSchachtelȱ2,ȱNr.ȱ12. TheȱTheresianaȱstipulatedȱconfiscationȱonlyȱinȱcasesȱwhenȱsuicidesȱpriorȱtoȱtheȱselfȬkillingȱhad committedȱaȱcrimeȱthatȱwasȱpunishedȱwithȱforfeiture.ȱHence,ȱforfeitureȱasȱaȱpunishmentȱapplied noȱlongerȱtoȱtheȱactȱofȱselfȬkillingȱbutȱtoȱtheȱpriorȱcommittedȱcrime.ȱSeeȱTheresianaȱ(1768),ȱarticle 93,ȱsectionȱ7. Thisȱconcernedȱnotȱonlyȱtheȱbodiesȱofȱsuicidesȱbut,ȱforȱinstance,ȱalsoȱunknownȱdeadȱpersonsȱthat wereȱfoundȱonȱtheȱroadside,ȱespeciallyȱinȱcasesȱwhenȱtheȱborderȱbetweenȱtwoȱLandgerichtȱdistricts wasȱunclear.

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

573

premeditatedȱsuicideȱandȱnonȬcriminalȱsuicideȱtoȱaȱcertainȱdegree.ȱInȱpractice,ȱa wideȱscopeȱofȱreactions,ȱrequestsȱandȱindividualȱsolutionsȱwereȱapplied. Generally,ȱpremeditatedȱsuicidesȱwereȱtoȱbeȱhandledȱbyȱdishonorableȱpeople, inȱmostȱcasesȱtheȱexecutioner.ȱHowever,ȱdelinquentsȱwhoȱcommittedȱsuicideȱto skirtȱ punishmentȱ whileȱ underȱ arrestȱ enduredȱ evenȱ harsherȱ treatment.ȱ Their corpsesȱcouldȱbeȱexposedȱtoȱphysicalȱpunishmentȱpostȱmortem.ȱInȱVienna,ȱinȱ1704 oneȱcaseȱisȱdocumentedȱwhereȱaȱmurdererȱwhoȱcommittedȱsuicideȱwasȱdragged toȱtheȱplaceȱofȱexecutionsȱwhereȱhisȱheadȱwasȱseveredȱwithȱaȱdiggingȱshovelȱbyȱthe executioner.61ȱAnȱanonymousȱscriptȱfromȱ1781ȱreportsȱonȱaȱpresumedȱmurderer andȱthiefȱwhoȱwasȱcarriedȱtoȱtheȱplaceȱofȱexecutionsȱandȱlashedȱtoȱtheȱbreaking wheelȱaboveȱwhichȱaȱgallowsȱwasȱerected.62ȱ Suchȱ aggravatedȱ measuresȱ wereȱ inȱ accordanceȱ withȱ theȱ aboveȱ mentioned Austrianȱcriminalȱcodesȱuntilȱ1787,63ȱandȱinȱuseȱalsoȱinȱotherȱEuropeanȱcountries.64 Swedishȱlawsȱdidȱnotȱexplicitlyȱprescribeȱsuchȱaggravatedȱpunishments.ȱHowever, someȱofȱmyȱSwedishȱcaseȱhistoriesȱshowȱthatȱinȱpracticeȱpeopleȱwhoȱcommitted suicideȱ whileȱ underȱ arrestȱ orȱ afterȱ escapingȱ fromȱ arrestȱ hadȱ toȱ fearȱ harsher treatment.ȱTheȱseventyȬyearȱoldȱformerȱsoldierȱPerȱJönssonȱLustig,ȱforȱinstance, hadȱbeenȱaccusedȱofȱtheftȱbutȱmanagedȱtoȱfleeȱfromȱarrestȱinȱ1709.ȱSeveralȱdays afterȱ hisȱ escapeȱ heȱ wasȱ foundȱ deadȱ withȱ whatȱ appearedȱ toȱ beȱ aȱ selfȬinflicted woundȱinȱtheȱthroat.ȱInȱtheȱendȱtheȱexecutionerȱwasȱinstructedȱtoȱburyȱhisȱbody underȱtheȱgallowsȱandȱnot,ȱasȱotherwiseȱcommon,ȱinȱtheȱwoods.65 Anotherȱpossibleȱconsequenceȱofȱsuicideȱthatȱshouldȱbeȱmentionedȱatȱthisȱpoint forȱ theȱ sakeȱ ofȱ completenessȱ wasȱ theȱ possibilityȱ toȱ transferȱ theȱ bodyȱ ofȱ a premeditatedȱsuicideȱtoȱtheȱuniversity’sȱanatomyȱdepartment.66ȱIfȱandȱtoȱwhat

61

62

63

64

65

66

MyȱthanksȱtoȱSusanneȱHehenbergerȱforȱthisȱreference.ȱSeeȱtheȱonlineȱdatabaseȱKriminalitätȱinȱund umȱWienȱ1703–1803:ȱEineȱDatenbank,ȱhttp://www.univie.ac.at/iefnȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱOctoberȱ21, 2010). Anonymous,ȱ Derȱ sträflicheȱ Selbstmord,ȱ oderȱ dieȱ unmenschlicheȱ Mordthatȱ vonȱ Johannȱ S.ȱ verübet, (Vienna:ȱJahnischeȱUniversitätsȬBuchdruckerei,ȱ1781). TheȱJosephinaȱ(1787)ȱstipulatedȱthatȱinȱsuchȱcasesȱtheȱactualȱbodyȱshouldȱnotȱbeȱviolated,ȱinstead aȱ noteȱ withȱ theȱ nameȱ ofȱ theȱ suicideȱ andȱ his/herȱ committedȱ crimesȱ shouldȱ beȱ attachedȱ toȱ the gallowsȱandȱthusȱmadeȱpublic.ȱSeeȱJosephinaȱ(1787),ȱpartȱ1,ȱsectionȱ124. See,ȱforȱinstance,ȱMachielȱBosman,ȱ“TheȱJudicialȱTreatmentȱofȱSuicideȱinȱAmsterdam,”ȱFromȱSin toȱInsanity:ȱSuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope,ȱed.ȱJeffreyȱR.ȱWattȱ(Ithaca,ȱNY:ȱCornellȱUniversityȱPress, 2004),ȱ9–24. ForskningsarkivetȱUmeåȱuniversitetsbibliotek,ȱSkrivelserȱfrånȱSveaȱhovrättȱtillȱGävleborgsȱLäns Landskansliȱ1635–1736,ȱDIIa:13ȱMkȱS10552ȱ11/14,ȱNovemberȱ25,ȱ1709. Forȱaȱmoreȱdetailedȱdiscussionȱsee,ȱforȱinstance,ȱKästner,ȱTödlicheȱGeschichte(n),ȱ244–325ȱ(seeȱnote 25)ȱandȱJuliaȱSchreiner,ȱJenseitsȱvomȱGlück:ȱSuizid,ȱMelancholieȱundȱHypochondrieȱinȱdeutschsprachigen Textenȱ desȱ spätenȱ 18.ȱ Jahrhunderts.ȱ Ancienȱ Régime,ȱ Aufklärungȱ undȱ Revolution,ȱ 34ȱ (Munich: Oldenbourg,ȱ2003),ȱ32–55.

574

EvelyneȱLuef

degreeȱthisȱoptionȱwasȱappliedȱinȱpracticeȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden stillȱneedsȱfurtherȱscrutiny.67 However,ȱtheȱviolentȱhandlingȱofȱtheȱbodyȱwasȱonlyȱoneȱaspectȱofȱpunishment. Inȱ timesȱ whenȱ religionȱ dominatedȱ lifeȱ andȱ theȱ afterlifeȱ wasȱ consideredȱ more importantȱthanȱtheȱhereȱandȱnowȱbyȱmanyȱpeople,ȱtheȱwhereaboutsȱofȱtheȱsoul wasȱmostȱlikelyȱdeemedȱmoreȱimportantȱthanȱtheȱhandlingȱofȱtheȱphysicalȱbody. TheȱprevailingȱstanceȱofȱtheȱCatholicȱChurchȱonȱsuicideȱwasȱoutlinedȱaboveȱwith theȱ positionsȱ ofȱ Augustineȱ andȱ Thomasȱ Aquinas—premeditated,ȱ intentional, desperateȱsuicideȱwasȱconsideredȱaȱheinousȱsinȱwithȱsevereȱconsequencesȱforȱthe deceased’sȱsoul.ȱOnȱtheȱotherȱhand,ȱinȱherȱarticleȱonȱsuicideȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges, GabrielaȱSignoriȱemphasizesȱtheȱgrowingȱinfluenceȱofȱtheȱconceptsȱofȱpurgatory andȱgrace.68ȱAsȱtheseȱconceptsȱremainedȱpowerfulȱinȱtheȱearlyȱmodernȱperiodȱone cannotȱ excludeȱ theȱ possibilityȱ thatȱ contemporaryȱ Catholicsȱ drewȱ hopeȱ forȱ a suicide’sȱsoulȱfromȱtheȱgraceȱofȱGodȱorȱtheȱVirginȱMary. InȱSwedenȱLutheranismȱwasȱadoptedȱinȱtheȱfirstȱhalfȱofȱtheȱsixteenthȱcentury andȱmoreȱorȱlessȱcompletelyȱenforcedȱbyȱtheȱendȱofȱtheȱcentury.ȱMartinȱLuther’s positionȱ onȱ suicideȱ wasȱ somewhatȱ inconclusive.ȱ Heȱ tooȱ emphasizedȱ the individual’sȱobligationȱtoȱconserveȱone’sȱownȱlife.ȱAtȱtheȱsameȱtimeȱheȱstressedȱthe powerȱ ofȱ theȱ devilȱ overȱ aȱ suicide,ȱ suggestingȱ thatȱ atȱ theȱ timeȱ ofȱ theȱ deedȱ the individualȱdidȱnotȱpossessȱfreeȱwill.ȱHowever,ȱevenȱthoughȱMartinȱLutherȱoften arguedȱthatȱleniencyȱshouldȱbeȱshownȱbyȱecclesiasticalȱauthorities,ȱheȱnevertheless agreedȱonȱtheȱpunishmentȱimposedȱbyȱsecularȱauthorities.69 Hence,ȱbyȱcommittingȱsuicideȱbothȱCatholicsȱandȱLutheransȱputȱtheirȱsouls,ȱthe prospectȱofȱsalvation,ȱandȱeternalȱlifeȱatȱrisk.ȱInȱanȱatmosphereȱwhereȱsalvation

67

68

69

ForȱAustria,ȱaȱregulationȱfromȱ1742ȱstipulatedȱthatȱtheȱLandgerichteȱhadȱtoȱdeliverȱtheȱbodiesȱof executedȱcriminalsȱforȱanatomicȱstudies,ȱifȱrequestedȱbyȱtheȱuniversity.ȱHowever,ȱitȱisȱyetȱunclear ifȱandȱtoȱwhatȱdegreeȱthisȱincludedȱpremeditatedȱsuicides.ȱSeeȱSammlungȱallerȱk.ȱk.ȱVerordnungen undȱGesetzeȱvomȱJahreȱ1740ȱbisȱ1780,ȱdieȱunterȱderȱRegierungȱderȱRegierungȱdesȱKaisersȱJosephȱdesȱII. theilsȱnochȱganzȱbestehen,ȱtheilsȱzumȱTheileȱabgeändertȱsind,ȱalsȱeineȱHilfsȬȱundȱErgänzungsbuchȱzuȱdem Handbucheȱ allerȱ unterȱ derȱ Regierungȱ desȱ Kaisersȱ Josephsȱ desȱ II.ȱ fürȱ dieȱ k.ȱ k.ȱ Erbländerȱ ergangenen VerordnungenȱundȱGesetzeȱinȱeinerȱchronologischenȱOrdnung,ȱed.ȱJosephȱKropatschek.ȱVol.ȱ1ȱ(Vienna: Mößle,ȱ1786),ȱ7,ȱnr.ȱ7ȱorȱhttp://alex.onb.ac.atȱ(lastȱaccessedȱonȱNov.ȱ1,ȱ2010).ȱForȱSweden,ȱaȱroyal letterȱfromȱ1747ȱexplicitlyȱstipulatedȱthatȱtheȱbodiesȱofȱsuicidesȱandȱchildrenȱbornȱoutȱofȱwedlock hadȱtoȱbeȱdeliveredȱtoȱtheȱuniversitiesȱinȱUppsala,ȱLundȱandȱTurkuȱandȱtheȱCollegiumȱMedicum inȱStockholm,ȱifȱrequired.ȱSeeȱEvaȱÅhrén,ȱDeath,ȱModernity,ȱandȱtheȱBody:ȱSwedenȱ1870–1940,ȱtrans. DanielȱW.ȱOlson.ȱRochesterȱStudiesȱinȱMedicalȱHistory,ȱ15ȱ(2002;ȱRochester,ȱNY:ȱUniversityȱof RochesterȱPress,ȱ2009),ȱ21. GabrielaȱSignori,ȱ“RechtskonstruktionenȱundȱreligiöseȱFiktionen:ȱBemerkungenȱzurȱSelbstmordfȬ rageȱimȱMittelalter,”ȱTrauer,ȱVerzweiflungȱundȱAnfechtung:ȱSelbstmordȱundȱSelbstmordversucheȱin mittelalterlichenȱundȱfrühneuzeitlichenȱGesellschaften,ȱed.ȱGabrielaȱSignori.ȱForumȱPsychohistorie,ȱ3 (Tübingen:ȱEditionȱDiskord,ȱ1994),ȱ9–54. ForȱaȱdetailedȱdiscussionȱofȱMartinȱLuther’sȱposition,ȱseeȱKästner,ȱTödlicheȱGeschichte(n),ȱ94–105 (seeȱnoteȱ25).

SuicideȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱAustriaȱandȱSweden

575

playedȱaȱmajorȱroleȱtheȱwhereaboutsȱofȱtheȱsoulȱwasȱanȱimportantȱissue;ȱsome suicidalȱpeopleȱtriedȱtoȱarrangeȱtheirȱdeathȱwithoutȱactuallyȱharmingȱthemselves directly.ȱTheȱphenomenon,ȱreferredȱtoȱasȱe.g.ȱ“indirect”ȱorȱ“concealed”ȱsuicide, “suicidalȱmurder”70ȱorȱ“suicideȱbyȱproxy,”71ȱbearsȱwitnessȱthatȱindividualsȱwould notȱrefrainȱfromȱexceptionalȱmeansȱinȱorderȱtoȱendȱtheirȱlivesȱwithoutȱdyingȱat theirȱownȱhands.ȱBothȱCatholicȱandȱLutheranȱbelieversȱoccasionallyȱcommittedȱor confessedȱtoȱcapitalȱcrimes,ȱe.g.ȱchildȱmurder,ȱbestialityȱorȱblasphemy,ȱwithȱthe purposeȱofȱbeingȱexecutedȱbyȱtheȱauthority.72ȱTheyȱthusȱavoidedȱcommittingȱthe sinȱofȱ‘selfȬmurder’ȱandȱsavedȱtheirȱsoulȱbyȱconfessingȱtheirȱsinsȱandȱreceiving absolutionȱbeforeȱexecution.73 Ofȱcourse,ȱweȱdon’tȱknowȱhowȱimportantȱtheȱconceptȱofȱsalvationȱactuallyȱwas toȱtheȱmenȱandȱwomenȱwhoȱtookȱtheirȱownȱlives,ȱorȱifȱtheyȱatȱallȱwereȱconcerned withȱ thatȱ question.ȱ Itȱ canȱ beȱ assumed,ȱ though,ȱ thatȱ inȱ aȱ religiouslyȱ charged atmosphereȱuncertaintyȱregardingȱtheȱwhereaboutsȱofȱtheȱsoulȱpostȬmortemȱwas aȱconcernȱforȱ manyȱpeople.ȱThisȱconcernȱunderliesȱtheȱpunitiveȱcharacterȱofȱa disgracefulȱburialȱoutsideȱtheȱcemetery.ȱForȱtheȱfateȱofȱtheȱsoulȱaȱChristianȱfuneral wasȱofȱgreatȱimportance.ȱForȱCatholicsȱtheȱconsecratedȱgroundȱofȱtheȱcemetery, prayers,ȱsongsȱandȱintercessionsȱofȱtheȱfaithfulȱwereȱthoughtȱtoȱprovideȱsupport forȱtheȱdeceased.ȱTheȱdeedsȱofȱtheȱbereavedȱwereȱthoughtȱtoȱshortenȱtheȱtimeȱin purgatoryȱforȱtheȱdeceasedȱandȱthusȱhelpȱtheȱsoulȱonȱitsȱwayȱtoȱeternity.ȱInȱthis regardȱtheȱbanȱonȱprovidingȱauxiliaryȱspiritualȱmeansȱmustȱhaveȱbeenȱaȱsevere punishmentȱbothȱforȱtheȱdeceased,ȱwhoȱknewȱaboutȱtheȱconsequencesȱforȱhisȱsoul andȱforȱthoseȱwhoȱcouldȱnotȱinterveneȱforȱtheȱreposeȱofȱtheȱsoulȱofȱtheȱdeceased. Toȱaȱcertainȱextentȱtheȱinterdictionȱofȱauxiliaryȱspiritualȱmeansȱaffectedȱnotȱonly premeditatedȱsuicidesȱthatȱwereȱexcludedȱfromȱtheȱcemeteriesȱandȱhandledȱbyȱthe executionerȱbutȱalsoȱthoseȱwhoȱwereȱgrantedȱaȱfuneralȱinȱsilence. Unlikeȱ theirȱ Catholicȱ counterpartsȱ Lutheranȱ cemeteriesȱ inȱ Swedenȱ wereȱ not consecrated,ȱwhichȱinȱtheoryȱmadeȱtheȱgroundȱinȱandȱoutsideȱtheȱcemeteryȱthe same.ȱNonethelessȱtheȱcemeteryȱwasȱalsoȱconsideredȱaȱspecialȱandȱhonoredȱplace

70

71

72

73

Seeȱ Arneȱ Jansson,ȱ Fromȱ Swordsȱ toȱ Sorrow:ȱ Homicideȱ andȱ Suicideȱ inȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Stockholm. StockholmȱStudiesȱinȱEconomicȱHistory,ȱ30ȱ(Stockholm:ȱAlmqvistȱ&ȱWiksell,ȱ1998),ȱ49–69. Seeȱ Kathyȱ Stuart,ȱ “Suicideȱ byȱ Proxy:ȱ Theȱ Unintendedȱ Consequencesȱ ofȱ Publicȱ Executionsȱ in EighteenthȬCenturyȱGermany,”ȱCentralȱEuropeanȱHistoryȱ41ȱ(2008):ȱ413–45. Withȱ regardȱ toȱ falseȱ confessionȱ inȱ theȱ contextȱ ofȱ bestialityȱ see,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ Jonasȱ Liliequist, “Bekännelsen,ȱ dödenȱ ochȱ makten:ȱ Enȱ studieȱ iȱ socialȱ kontrollȱ medȱ utgångspunktȱ från tidelagsbrottetȱiȱ1600Ȭȱochȱ1700ȬtaletsȱSverige,”ȱHistoriaȱNu:ȱ18ȱUmeåforskareȱomȱdetȱförflutna.ȱEn vänbokȱtillȱKerstinȱStrömbergȬBack.ȱForskningsrapporterȱfrånȱHistoriskaȱInstitutionenȱvidȱUmeå universitet,ȱ4ȱ(Umeå:ȱHistoriskaȱinstitutionenȱUmeåȱuniversitet,ȱ1988),ȱ143–70. Forȱanȱexcellentȱdiscourseȱanalysisȱapproachȱtoȱthisȱphenomenon,ȱseeȱJürgenȱMartschukat,ȱ“Ein FreitodȱdurchȱdieȱHandȱdesȱHenkers:ȱErörterungenȱzurȱKomplementaritätȱvonȱDiskursenȱund PraktikenȱamȱBeispielȱvonȱ‘MordȱausȱLebensȬÜberdruß’ȱundȱTodesstrafeȱimȱ18.ȱJahrhundert,” ZeitschriftȱfürȱHistorischeȱForschungȱ27.1ȱ(2000):ȱ53–74.

576

EvelyneȱLuef

byȱLutherans.74ȱItȱcanȱbeȱassumedȱthatȱforȱsuicidesȱandȱtheirȱfamiliesȱitȱmadeȱan importantȱdifferenceȱwhetherȱtheyȱwereȱburiedȱinȱtheȱcemeteryȱorȱoutside.ȱAfter all,ȱtheȱspatialȱsegregationȱofȱpremeditatedȱsuicidesȱfromȱthoseȱwhoȱdiedȱaȱ“good Christianȱdeath”ȱsymbolizedȱalsoȱtheȱexclusionȱfromȱtheȱChristianȱcommunityȱin death.ȱTheȱcemeteryȱwasȱaȱcommunityȱplaceȱtoȱrememberȱtheȱdeadȱwhereasȱsome remote,ȱunidentifiedȱspotȱinȱtheȱwoodsȱexcludedȱtheȱcommunityȱfromȱanyȱfurther contactȱwithȱtheȱdeceased.ȱTheȱsameȱappliesȱtoȱtheȱinterdictionȱofȱburialȱrites.ȱEven thoughȱ Lutheransȱ didȱ notȱ believeȱ inȱ theȱ auxiliaryȱ effectȱ ofȱ prayers,ȱ songsȱ and intercessionsȱbecauseȱsalvationȱcouldȱbeȱachievedȱsolelyȱbyȱGod’sȱgrace,ȱburial ritesȱstillȱplayedȱanȱimportantȱroleȱforȱtheȱfamilyȱwhoȱderivedȱcomfortȱfromȱthem. InȱthisȱpaperȱsuicideȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱAustriaȱandȱSwedenȱhasȱbeenȱapproached fromȱaȱbroadȱperspective.ȱLikeȱinȱotherȱcountries,ȱauthoritiesȱbothȱinȱAustriaȱand Swedenȱ hadȱ toȱ dealȱ withȱ suicideȱ asȱ aȱ societalȱ phenomenonȱ thatȱ wasȱ relevant underȱ criminalȱ law.ȱ Inȱ theȱ firstȱ partȱ ofȱ thisȱ paper,ȱ attentionȱ hasȱ beenȱ directed towardsȱtheȱlegalȱnormsȱthatȱconstructedȱsuicideȱasȱaȱcrimeȱandȱtheȱadministrative proceduresȱofȱaȱsuicideȱinvestigation.ȱDespiteȱallȱdistinctionsȱinȱtheȱdetails,ȱthe provisionsȱconcerningȱsuicideȱinȱAustrianȱandȱSwedishȱjudicialȱnormsȱshareȱthe sameȱgeneralȱnotion.ȱByȱdifferentiatingȱbetweenȱpremeditatedȱsuicidesȱ(feloȱdeȱse) andȱsuicidesȱcommittedȱofȱunsoundȱmindȱ(nonȱcomposȱmentis)ȱaȱwideȱscopeȱfor constructionȱ andȱ interpretationȱ wasȱ created.ȱ Whileȱ judicialȱ normsȱ provide guidelinesȱforȱtheȱhandlingȱofȱsuicideȱcasesȱonȱaȱmoreȱabstractȱlevel,ȱimplementing theseȱnormsȱinȱpracticeȱwasȱaȱcomplexȱprocessȱofȱinterpretation.ȱ Theȱsecondȱpartȱofȱtheȱpaperȱfocusedȱonȱtheȱpunitiveȱcomponentsȱofȱsuicideȱand itsȱimplementationȱinȱpractice.ȱAgainstȱtheȱbackgroundȱofȱtheȱtwoȱdifferentȱstudy areasȱ andȱ religiousȱ denominationsȱ bothȱ similaritiesȱ andȱ differencesȱ haveȱ been revealed.ȱGenerally,ȱtheȱinterpretationȱofȱselfȬinflictedȱdeathȱwasȱcloselyȱconnected toȱone’sȱlifestyle,ȱsuggestingȱaȱhighȱdegreeȱofȱflexibilityȱwithȱregardȱtoȱtheȱrules applicable.ȱ Thus,ȱ toȱ aȱ certainȱ degree,ȱ aȱ suicide’sȱ descriptionsȱ andȱ ascriptions servedȱasȱretrospectiveȱassessmentsȱofȱhowȱwellȱanȱindividualȱhadȱlivedȱhisȱorȱher lifeȱinȱconformityȱwithȱtheȱprevalentȱrulesȱsetȱbyȱsociety.ȱStudyingȱsuicideȱinȱearly modernȱtimesȱmakesȱitȱclearȱthatȱcrimeȱandȱpunishmentȱnotȱonlyȱconcernedȱthe hereȱandȱnowȱbutȱalsoȱtheȱfateȱofȱtheȱsoulȱinȱtheȱafterlife.ȱDealingȱwithȱsuicideȱas aȱhistoricalȱphenomenonȱremindsȱusȱthatȱcertainȱactionsȱperȱseȱareȱnotȱcriminal, butȱthatȱtheyȱareȱcriminalizedȱinȱaȱspecificȱhistoricalȱcontextȱandȱsociety,ȱandȱthat theseȱassessmentsȱareȱsubjectȱtoȱhistoricalȱchange.

74

See,ȱ forȱ instance,ȱ Werner,ȱ “Självmordȱ iȱ detȱ storaȱ nordiskaȱ krigetsȱ skugga,”ȱ 35ȱ (seeȱ noteȱ 43). YvonneȱMariaȱWernerȱsuggestsȱthatȱsomeȱformer,ȱCatholicȱcustomsȱpersistedȱuntilȱlongȱafterȱthe reformation.ȱThus,ȱcemeteriesȱwereȱcontinuouslyȱperceivedȱasȱ“consecrated”ȱplacesȱbyȱmany people.

ListȱofȱIllustrations

IllustrationsȱforȱBirgitȱWiedl’sȱarticle: Fig.ȱ1:ȱStiftsmuseumȱKlosterneuburg,ȱIngeȱKitlitschka,ȱKlosterneuburg.ȱPortable altarȱ (aroundȱ 1470)ȱ withȱ fourȱ paintingsȱ (upperȱ left:ȱ spontaneousȱ ignitionȱ of candles,ȱupperȱright:ȱtheȱJewȱholdingȱtheȱhost,ȱbottomȱleft:ȱtwoȱblindȱregainȱtheir sight,ȱbottomȱright:ȱtwoȱcrippledȱareȱcured) Figs.ȱ2ȱ–ȱ13:ȱStadtmuseumȱKorneuburg.ȱCycleȱofȱpaintings,ȱoil,ȱ1660,ȱelevenȱofȱthe originallyȱtwelveȱpaintingsȱthatȱwereȱonȱdisplayȱinȱtheȱcloisterȱofȱtheȱmonastery ofȱKorneuburg,ȱnowȱkeptȱatȱtheȱMunicipalȱMuseum. Fig.ȱ2:ȱ“1301,ȱtheȱJewȱZerklinȱmadeȱaȱChristianȱsellȱaȱholyȱhostȱwaferȱforȱmoney andȱaȱcoat.”ȱBackground,ȱleft:ȱZerkelȱoffersȱaȱredȱcoatȱandȱmoneyȱtoȱtheȱChristian. [Noȱdonation] Fig.ȱ3:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱChristianȱsellsȱtheȱhostȱtoȱZerkelȱtheȱJewȱforȱmoneyȱandȱaȱcoat.” Donatedȱ byȱ Wenzeslausȱ Melzer,ȱ CRSAȱ [=ȱ Canonȱ Regular],ȱ parishȱ priestȱ of Korneuburg Fig.ȱ4:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱJewȱZerkelȱthrowsȱtheȱhostȱintoȱtheȱwellȱinȱtheȱpresenceȱofȱthe JewȱScholasticus.” Donatedȱ byȱ Blasiusȱ Vitalisȱ Seywald,ȱ imperialȱ Salzgegenschreiberȱ (officialȱ atȱ the imperialȱsaltȱauthority) Fig.ȱ5:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱJewȱScholasticusȱretrievesȱtheȱhostȱfromȱtheȱwell,ȱandȱtheȱJew Zerkelȱtrodsȱonȱit.” Onȱtheȱbaseȱofȱtheȱwell:ȱ“Johannȱ Georgȱ Rekinger,ȱ(memberȱof)ȱtheȱlocalȱinner councilȱwhoȱrecoveredȱtheȱclothȱwhichȱtheȱmostȱholyȱhostȱhadȱbeenȱwrappedȱin andȱ whichȱ hadȱ beenȱ hiddenȱ inȱ theȱ localȱ parishȱ churchȱ forȱ innumerableȱ years, throughȱdivineȱdirection.”

578

Illustrations

Fig.ȱ6:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱJewȱZerkelȱshowsȱitȱ[=ȱtheȱhost]ȱtoȱaȱChristianȱsoȱthatȱheȱshould throwȱtheȱhostȱtogetherȱwithȱaȱwhiteȱclothȱintoȱtheȱDanube,ȱbutȱtheȱChristianȱdid notȱtakeȱtheȱhost.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱ[inscriptionȱfaded]ȱJacobȱSn[.ȱ.ȱ.]hacknerȱ[.ȱ.ȱ.] Fig.ȱ7:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱtwoȱJewsȱZerkelȱandȱtheȱScholasticusȱcryȱandȱfalselyȱcomplain, asȱifȱtheȱChristianȱhadȱcarriedȱtheȱhostȱintoȱtheirȱhouse.”ȱBackground:ȱOneȱofȱthe Jewsȱappearsȱonȱtheȱthresholdȱwithȱtheȱhostȱwrappedȱinȱcloth.ȱDonatedȱbyȱPaulus Müller,ȱsenatorȱofȱKorneuburg Fig.ȱ8:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱtwoȱJewsȱZerkelȱandȱScholasticusȱagainȱthrowȱtheȱhostȱandȱthe clothȱtoȱtheȱfloorȱandȱtreadȱonȱitȱinȱanger.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱWenzislausȱDyrnwald, notaryȱpublicȱandȱsyndicȱatȱKorneuburg Fig.ȱ9:ȱ“Here,ȱanȱangelȱguidesȱaȱbackerȱcalledȱLuderichȱ[!]ȱfromȱtheȱbakeryȱtoȱthe JewȱZerkel’sȱhouseȱsoȱthatȱheȱshouldȱpickȱupȱtheȱhost;ȱbutȱasȱheȱwasȱscared,ȱthe hostȱmiraculouslyȱappearedȱbetweenȱhisȱfingersȱ[barelyȱreadable].”ȱBackground: Theȱbakerȱstoopsȱdownȱtoȱpickȱupȱtheȱhost.ȱ[Noȱdonation] Fig.ȱ10:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱbakerȱputsȱtheȱhostȱwithȱutmostȱreverenceȱandȱobeisanceȱonȱthe stonyȱ doorstep,ȱ whereuponȱ theȱ hostȱ sweatedȱ bloodȱ andȱ wasȱ thuslyȱ found.” Background:ȱLedȱbyȱtheȱangel,ȱtheȱbakerȱcarriesȱtheȱhost.ȱDonation:ȱcoatȱofȱarms andȱinitialsȱCFVSȱ(accordingȱtoȱZeissl,ȱDasȱehemaligeȱAugustinerkloster,ȱ30ȱ[seeȱnote 33],ȱtheȱcoatȱofȱarmsȱpointsȱatȱtheȱfamilyȱofȱDachsenbeck) Fig.ȱ 11:ȱ “Here,ȱ waxȱ candlesȱ igniteȱ uponȱ beingȱ shownȱ theȱ hostȱ andȱ theȱ bloodȬ stainedȱcloth.”ȱDonatedȱbyȱJohannȱNußdorfer,ȱnotaryȱpublicȱatȱKorneuburg Fig.ȱ12:ȱ“Here,ȱtheȱblindȱareȱhealedȱbyȱbeingȱshownȱtheȱhostȱandȱbyȱapplicationȱof theȱcloth.”ȱ[Theȱbeardedȱmanȱappearsȱtoȱbeȱhandicapped.]ȱDonatedȱbyȱGeorgius Eberschwanger

IllustrationsȱforȱMarthaȱPeacock’sȱarticle: Figureȱ1:ȱQuiringhȱvanȱBrekelenkam,ȱInteriorȱwithȱThreeȱWomenȱandȱaȱLittleȱGirl, 1663,ȱKunsthaus,ȱZürich Figureȱ2:ȱHendrickȱdeȱKeyser,ȱSpinhuisȱPortalȱSculpture,ȱ1607,ȱAmsterdam Figureȱ 3:ȱ Nicolaesȱ Eliaszȱ Pickenoy,ȱ Regentsȱ ofȱ theȱ Spinhuis,ȱ 1628,ȱ Amsterdam, AmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum

Illustrations

579

Figureȱ 4:ȱ Dirckȱ Dirckszȱ vanȱ Santvoort,ȱ Regentessesȱ ofȱ theȱ Spinhuis,ȱ 1638, Amsterdam,ȱAmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum Figureȱ5:ȱKarelȱDujardin,ȱRegentsȱofȱtheȱSpinhuis,ȱ1669,ȱAmsterdam,ȱRijksmuseum Figureȱ 6:ȱ Bartholomeusȱ vanȱ derȱ Helst,ȱ Twoȱ Regentessesȱ andȱ Twoȱ Regentsȱ ofȱ the Spinhuis,ȱ1650,ȱAmsterdam,ȱAmsterdamsȱHistorischȱMuseum Figureȱ7:ȱJacobȱGoleȱafterȱCornelisȱDusart,ȱTactus,ȱAtlasȱvanȱStolk,ȱRotterdam Figureȱ 8:ȱ Afterȱ Adriaenȱ vanȱ deȱ Venne,ȱ Moeder,ȱ Fromȱ Houwelick,ȱ Koninklijke Bibliotheek,ȱTheȱHague Figureȱ 9:ȱ Geertruydtȱ Roghman,ȱ Twoȱ Womenȱ Sewing,ȱ Rijksprentenkabinet, Rijksmuseum,ȱAmsterdam Figureȱ10:ȱJohannesȱVermeer,ȱLaceȬmaker,ȱTheȱLouvre,ȱParis Figureȱ11:ȱQuiringhȱvanȱBrekelenkam,ȱLaceȬmaker’sȱSchool,ȱ1654,ȱPresentȱLocation Unknown Figureȱ12:ȱIsraelȱvanȱMeckenam,ȱBattleȱforȱtheȱTrousers,ȱBibliothequeȱRoyaleȱAlbert Ier,ȱBrussels Figureȱ13:ȱAfterȱAdriaenȱvanȱdeȱVenne,ȱBattleȱforȱtheȱTrousers,ȱFromȱTafereelȱvanȱde BelacchendeȱWerelt,ȱ1635,ȱAtlasȱvanȱStolk,ȱRotterdam Figureȱ14:ȱPieterȱdeȱBloot,ȱSpinningȱRoom,ȱPresentȱLocationȱUnknown Figureȱ 15:ȱ Anonymous,ȱ Theȱ Struggleȱ forȱ Dailyȱ Bread,ȱ Amsterdam,ȱ Amsterdams HistorischȱMuseum

IllustrationsȱforȱThomasȱWillard’sȱarticle: Figureȱ1:.ȱRobertȱGreene’sȱexposéȱofȱcozenage Figureȱ2:ȱJudithȱPhilipsȱbridlingȱaȱrichȱman

580

Illustrations

Figureȱ3:ȱTheȱWhoreȱofȱBabylonȱbyȱAlbrechtȱDürer Figureȱ4:ȱAristotleȱandȱPhyllisȱbyȱHansȱBaldungȱGrienȱinȱtheȱatelierȱofȱAlbrecht Dürer Figureȱ5:ȱAliceȱWestȱandȱJohnȱWestȱinȱtheȱpillory

IllustrationsȱforȱAllisonȱP.ȱCoudert’sȱarticle: Fig.ȱ1:ȱAmerigoȱVespucciȱ“discovering”ȱAmerica.ȱEngravingȱbyȱTheodorȱGalle,ȱc. 1580ȱ(afterȱaȱdrawingȱbyȱJanȱvanȱderȱStraet,ȱc.ȱ1575).ȱReproducedȱbyȱcourtesyȱofȱthe TrusteesȱofȱtheȱBritishȱMuseum Fig.ȱ2:ȱTheȱCrueltiesȱofȱdeȱSoto.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary,ȱChicago. Ayerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ5 Fig.ȱ 3:ȱ Sodomitesȱ savagedȱ byȱ dogs.ȱ Photoȱ Courtesyȱ ofȱ Theȱ Newberryȱ Library, Chicago.ȱAyerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ4ȱ Fig.ȱ4:ȱTheȱwomanȱwithȱsaggingȱbreasts.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary, Chicago,ȱAyerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ3 Fig.ȱ5:ȱFrontispiece.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary,ȱChicago.ȱAyerȱ110 Bȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ13 Fig.ȱ6:ȱWomanȱwithȱrawȱbird.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary,ȱChicago. Ayerȱ110ȱBȱ1590,ȱvol.ȱ9 Fig.ȱ7:ȱPandora.ȱPhotoȱCourtesyȱofȱTheȱNewberryȱLibrary,ȱChicago.ȱAyerȱ110ȱB 1590,ȱvol.ȱ9 Fig.ȱ 8:ȱ Williamȱ Hogarth,ȱ Transubstantiationȱ Satirizedȱ (1794).ȱ Reproducedȱ by CourtesyȱofȱtheȱTrusteesȱofȱtheȱBritishȱMuseum

Contributors

ROSAȱ ALVAREZȱ PEREZ,ȱ Assistantȱ professorȱ ofȱ Frenchȱ atȱ Southernȱ Utah University.ȱSheȱhasȱpublishedȱtheȱfollowingȱentries,ȱ“TheȱBiblicalȱJudith”;ȱ“Jewish Tradition,ȱ Genderȱ andȱ Women”;ȱ “Rabelais”;ȱ “Judaism”;ȱ “Jewishȱ Women’s League”ȱ inȱ theȱ Encyclopediaȱ ofȱ Sexȱ andȱ Gender,ȱ editedȱ byȱ Fedwaȱ Maltiȱ Douglas (2007).ȱSheȱalsoȱhasȱpublishedȱseveralȱarticlesȱonȱaspectsȱofȱtheȱexchangesȱbetween Jewishȱ womanȱ andȱ Christianȱ societyȱ inȱ medievalȱ northernȱ Franceȱ (suchȱ asȱ in Urbanȱ Space,ȱ ed.ȱ Albrechtȱ Classen,ȱ 2009).ȱ Sheȱ isȱ presentlyȱ workingȱ onȱ several projects:ȱ aȱ bookȱ projectȱ thatȱ recoversȱ theȱ finalȱ yearsȱ ofȱ Jewishȱ women moneylendersȱ inȱ Parisȱ beforeȱ theȱ finalȱ expulsionȱ ofȱ 1394;ȱ andȱ anȱ articleȱ that examinesȱaȱpeculiarȱculturalȱeventȱinȱeighteenthȬcenturyȱLondon:ȱanȱorganized boxingȱmatchȱbetweenȱaȱJewishȱandȱaȱChristianȱwomanȱ(basedȱonȱaȱnewspaper clippingȱ ofȱ theȱ period).ȱ Inȱ parallel,ȱ sheȱ isȱ alsoȱ workingȱ onȱ aȱ translationȱ ofȱ Art profaneȱetȱreligionȱpopulaireȱauȱmoyenȱâgeȱbyȱClaudeȱGaignebetȱandȱJ.ȱDominique Lajoux. JOHNȱBEUSTERIENȱisȱanȱAssociateȱProfessorȱofȱSpanishȱatȱTexasȱTechȱUniversity.ȱ Publicationsȱ includeȱ Anȱ Eyeȱ onȱ Race:ȱ Perspectivesȱ fromȱ Theaterȱ inȱ Imperialȱ Spain (BucknellȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2006)ȱandȱanȱeditedȱvolumeȱofȱessaysȱentitledȱDeathȱand AfterlifeȱinȱtheȱEarlyȱModernȱHispanicȱWorldȱ(UniversityȱofȱMinnesotaȱPress,ȱ2010). Beusterienȱisȱcurrentlyȱinterestedȱinȱtheȱstudyȱofȱanimalsȱinȱdifferentȱcontextsȱin theȱ medievalȱ andȱ earlyȱ modernȱ SpanishȬspeakingȱ world.ȱ Heȱ isȱ completingȱ a manuscriptȱentitledȱAmorȱperro:ȱAnimalȱStudiesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱSpain.ȱȱHeȱisȱalso beginningȱ anotherȱ projectȱ onȱ theȱ arrivalȱ ofȱ Europeanȱ animalsȱ toȱ theȱ North AmericanȱSouthwest. DENISȱBJAÏ,ȱancienȱélèveȱdeȱlȇÉcoleȱNormaleȱSupérieure,ȱprofesseurȱdeȱlittérature françaiseȱ àȱ l’Institutȱ Universitaireȱ deȱ Formationȱ desȱ Maîtresȱ deȱ l’Université d’Orléans,ȱaȱconsacréȱsaȱthèseȱdeȱdoctoratȱàȱlaȱpoésieȱépiqueȱdeȱlaȱRenaissanceȱ(La Franciadeȱsurȱleȱmétier:ȱRonsardȱetȱlaȱpratiqueȱduȱpoèmeȱhéroïque,ȱ2001)ȱetȱcoȬéditéȱLes EssaisȱdeȱMontaigne,ȱauȱLivreȱdeȱPoche,ȱsousȱlaȱdirectionȱdeȱJeanȱCéard.ȱIlȱvient deȱ terminer,ȱ enȱ collaboration,ȱ uneȱ nouvelleȱ éditionȱ critiqueȱ deȱ Laȱ Sepmaineȱ de GuillaumeȱduȱBartasȱ(3ȱvol.,ȱsousȱpresse)ȱetȱtravailleȱégalementȱsurȱlesȱrapports

582

Contributors

entreȱdroitȱetȱlittératureȱauȱseinȱdeȱl’équipeȱJusLittera,ȱpourȱl’AgenceȱNationaleȱde laȱRecherche. CHRISTOPHERȱR.ȱCLASONȱisȱProfessorȱofȱGermanȱatȱOaklandȱUniversityȱin Rochester,ȱMichigan.ȱTheȱfocusȱofȱhisȱresearchȱinȱMedievalȱStudiesȱhasȱbeenȱon Gottfried’sȱTristanȱundȱIsoldeȱandȱWolfram’sȱParzival.ȱȱHeȱhasȱparticipatedȱinȱtwo previousȱArizonaȱColloquia,ȱandȱheȱȱhasȱcontributedȱarticlesȱonȱtheȱlanguageȱof power,ȱ andȱ onȱ eroticismȱ andȱ theȱ fulfillmentȱ ofȱ desireȱ inȱ Tristan.ȱ Heȱ hasȱ also publishedȱarticlesȱonȱGottfriedȇsȱcontinuators,ȱonȱRomanticȱandȱmodernȱreception ofȱmedievalȱepics,ȱandȱonȱbedsȱandȱmaterialȱcultureȱinȱGermanȱliteratureȱofȱthe Middleȱ Ages.ȱ Heȱ isȱ aȱ pastȱ Presidentȱ ofȱ theȱ Internationalȱ Tristanȱ Societyȱ and presentlyȱisȱservingȱasȱanȱAssistantȱEditorȱofȱGermanȱcontributionsȱtoȱtheȱjournal Tristania.ȱClasonȱhasȱcontributedȱseveralȱarticlesȱtoȱtheȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱStudies (ed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen),ȱandȱheȱisȱtheȱcollaboratorȱwithȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱinȱthe publicationȱ ofȱ Ruralȱ Spaceȱ inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Time.ȱ Hisȱ other researchȱinterestsȱconcentrateȱonȱGermanȱRomanticȱnarrative,ȱandȱheȱisȱcurrently engagedȱ inȱ aȱ bookȱ projectȱ onȱ complexityȱ theoryȱ andȱ ecocriticismȱ inȱ E.ȱ T.ȱ A. Hoffmann’sȱDieȱLebensȬAnsichtenȱdesȱKatersȱMurrȱandȱDieȱElixiereȱdesȱTeufels. ALBRECHTȱCLASSENȱisȱUniversityȱDistinguishedȱProfessorȱofȱGermanȱStudies atȱ Theȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Arizona.ȱ Heȱ hasȱ publishedȱ moreȱ thanȱ fiftyȱ books,ȱ most recentlyȱTheȱMedievalȱChastityȱBelt:ȱAȱMythȬMakingȱProcessȱ(2007),ȱTheȱPowerȱofȱa Woman’sȱ Voiceȱ (2007);ȱ theȱ Englishȱ translationȱ ofȱ theȱ poemsȱ byȱ Oswaldȱ von Wolkensteinȱ (1376/77Ȭ1445)ȱ (2008);ȱ aȱ bookȱ onȱ SixteenthȬCenturyȱ Germanȱ Jest Narrativesȱ (Deutscheȱ Schwankliteratur,ȱ 2009);ȱ Liedȱ undȱ Liederbuchȱ inȱ derȱ Frühen Neuzeit,ȱ togetherȱ withȱ Lukasȱ Richter,ȱ 2009,ȱ andȱ Tiereȱ alsȱ Freundeȱ imȱ Mittelalter, togetherȱwithȱGabrielaȱKompatscherȱandȱPeterȱDinzelbacherȱ(2010).ȱInȱ2011ȱhe publishedȱhisȱlatestȱbook,ȱSexȱimȱMittelalter.ȱAmongȱtheȱvolumesȱthatȱheȱhasȱedited recentlyȱareȱWordsȱofȱLoveȱandȱLoveȱofȱWordsȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱRenaissance (2008),ȱSexualityȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimeȱ(2008),ȱUrbanȱSpaceȱinȱthe MiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimeȱ(2009),ȱWarȱandȱPeaceȱ(2011),ȱandȱRuralȱSpaceȱin theȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimeȱ(2012).ȱAȱthreeȬvolumeȱHandbookȱofȱMedieval Studiesȱ (withȱ Walterȱ deȱ Gruyter)ȱ appearedȱ inȱ 2010.ȱ Inȱ 2008ȱ theȱ Universityȱ of Arizonaȱbestowedȱuponȱhimȱitsȱhighestȱawardȱforȱresearch,ȱtheȱ“Henryȱ&ȱPhyllis Kofflerȱ Award.”ȱ Inȱ 2004ȱ theȱ Germanȱ governmentȱ awardedȱ himȱ withȱ the BundesverdienstkreuzȱamȱBandȱ(OrderȱofȱMerit),ȱitsȱhighestȱcivilianȱaward.ȱHeȱhas alsoȱreceivedȱnumerousȱteachingȱandȱserviceȱawardsȱoverȱtheȱlastȱtwoȱdecades, mostȱ recentlyȱtheȱ“FiveȱStarȱFacultyȱAward”ȱ(2009).ȱHeȱisȱservingȱasȱeditorȱof TristaniaȱandȱeditorȱofȱMediaevistik.ȱForȱmanyȱyearsȱheȱhasȱbeenȱtheȱpresidentȱof theȱ Arizonaȱ chapterȱ ofȱ theȱ Americanȱ Associationȱ ofȱ Teachersȱ ofȱ German,ȱ and

Contributors

583

recentlyȱcompletedȱhisȱfunctionȱasȱPresident/PastȱPresidentȱofȱtheȱRockyȱMountain ModernȱLanguageȱAssociation.ȱ ALLISONȱP.ȱCOUDERTȱreceivedȱherȱPh.D.ȱfromȱtheȱWarburgȱInstitute,ȱUniversity ofȱ London.ȱ Sheȱ currentlyȱ holdsȱ theȱ Paulȱ andȱ Marieȱ Castelfrancoȱ Chairȱ inȱ the Historyȱ ofȱ Christianityȱ atȱ theȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Californiaȱ atȱ Davis.ȱ Herȱ focusȱ of interestȱ isȱ onȱ theȱ interactionȱ betweenȱ religionȱ andȱ scienceȱ inȱ theȱ West,ȱ withȱ a specialȱemphasisȱonȱJewishȱcontributionsȱtoȱscienceȱandȱonȱwomenȱandȱgender issues.ȱHerȱmostȱrecentȱbook,ȱReligion,ȱMagic,ȱandȱScienceȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope andȱAmerica,ȱwasȱpublishedȱbyȱPraegerȱinȱ2011.ȱHerȱotherȱpublishedȱworkȱincludes LeibnizȱandȱtheȱKabbalahȱ(Dordrecht:ȱKluwer,ȱ1995)ȱandȱTheȱImpactȱofȱtheȱKabbalahȱin theȱ17thȱCentury:ȱTheȱLifeȱandȱThoughtȱofȱFrancisȱMercuryȱvanȱHelmont,ȱ1614Ȭ1698 (Leidenȱ andȱ Boston:ȱ Brill,ȱ 1999).ȱ Amongȱ herȱ recentȱ articlesȱ are,ȱ “Laughingȱ at CredulityȱandȱSuperstitionȱinȱtheȱLongȱEighteenthȱCentury,”ȱLaughterȱinȱtheȱMiddle AgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimesȱ(2010);ȱ“Sewers,ȱCesspools,ȱandȱ Privies:ȱWasteȱas RealityȱandȱMetaphorȱinȱPreȬmodernȱEuropeanȱCities,”ȱUrbanȱSpaceȱinȱtheȱMiddle Agesȱ andȱ theȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Ageȱ (2009);ȱ andȱ ȱ “Probingȱ Womenȱ andȱ Penetrating WitchcraftȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope,”ȱHiddenȱIntercourse:ȱErosȱandȱSexualityȱinȱthe HistoryȱofȱWesternȱEsotericismȱ(2008).ȱ JOHNȱ GOUGH,ȱ Aȱ nativeȱ ofȱ Saltȱ Lakeȱ City,ȱ Utahȱ andȱ aȱ graduateȱ inȱ French LiteratureȱfromȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱUtah,ȱJohnȱGoughȱhasȱjustȱcompletedȱhisȱfirst year’sȱcourseworkȱatȱNYUȱinȱtheirȱFrenchȱLiteratureȱPh.D.ȱProgram.ȱJohn’sȱcurrent areasȱ ofȱ interestȱ andȱ researchȱ includeȱ Frenchȱ Revolutionaryȱ Theatre,ȱ spatial approachesȱandȱinterpretationsȱofȱtheȱnovelsȱofȱMadameȱdeȱLafayette,ȱasȱwellȱas PainȱandȱitsȱfunctionȱinȱMedievalȱandȱContemporaryȱFrenchȱLiterature.ȱ STACEYȱ L.ȱ HAHNȱ isȱ Associateȱ Professorȱ ofȱ Frenchȱ atȱ Oaklandȱ Universityȱ in Rochester,ȱ Michigan,ȱ whereȱ sheȱ teachesȱ Frenchȱ languageȱ andȱ literature.ȱ She receivedȱherȱdoctorateȱfromȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱWisconsinȬMadisonȱinȱ1988.ȱHer fieldȱofȱinterestȱisȱmedievalȱFrenchȱproseȱromance,ȱparticularlyȱtheȱLancelotȬGrail Cycleȱ andȱ Jeanȱ d’Arras’sȱ Romanȱ deȱ Mélusine.ȱ Herȱ mostȱ recentȱ articlesȱ include “FeminineȱSexualityȱinȱtheȱLancelotȬGrailȱCycle,”ȱSexualityȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱand Earlyȱ Modernȱ Times:ȱ Newȱ Approachesȱ toȱ aȱ Fundamentalȱ CulturalȬHistoricalȱ and LiteraryȬAnthropologicalȱTheme,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(BerlinȱandȱNewȱYork:ȱWalter deȱGruyter,ȱ2008),ȱ485Ȭ502;ȱandȱ“TheȱEnigmaticȱContoursȱofȱtheȱBedȱinȱYaleȱ229,” Essaysȱ onȱ theȱ ‘Lancelot’ȱ ofȱ Yaleȱ 229,ȱ ed.ȱ Elizabethȱ M.ȱ Willinghamȱ (Turnhout, Belgium:ȱBrepols,ȱ2007),ȱ69Ȭ88.ȱ

584

Contributors

JEANȱ E.ȱ JOSTȱisȱProfessorȱofȱEnglishȱatȱBradleyȱUniversityȱwhereȱsheȱteaches graduateȱandȱundergraduateȱcoursesȱonȱChaucer,ȱArthurianȱLiterature,ȱOldȱand MiddleȱEnglishȱsurveys,ȱMedievalȱDrama,ȱandȱMiddleȱEnglishȱromance.ȱSheȱhas publishedȱTenȱMiddleȱEnglishȱArthurianȱRomances;ȱAȱReferenceȱGuideȱandȱeditedȱa collectionȱ calledȱ Chaucer’sȱ Humor:ȱ Criticalȱ Essays.ȱ Currentlyȱ sheȱ isȱ editingȱ the Southernȱ Recensionȱ ofȱ theȱ Prickeȱ ofȱ Conscience.ȱ Herȱ articlesȱ haveȱ considered Chaucer’sȱPerformativeȱCriseyde,ȱmasculinitiesȱinȱtheȱFriar’sȱandȱSummoner’sȱTales, variousȱMiddleȱEnglishȱromancesȱ(ȱAmisȱandȱAmiloun,ȱAwntyrsȱoffȱArthurȱatȱthe TerneȱWathelyne,ȱTheȱTurkeȱandȱGowin,ȱTristanȱandȱIsolt),ȱtheȱpoeticsȱofȱsexualȱdesire inȱtheȱMerchantsȱTale,ȱTheȱUnȬChaucerianȱTaleȱofȱBeryn,ȱandȱlatelyȱTheȱGawainȱPoet. HerȱlastȱNEHȱonȱtheȱOldȱFrenchȱFabliauxȱhasȱprovidedȱaȱnewȱinterestȱwhichȱshe isȱpursuing.ȱ JOLANTAȱN.ȱKOMORNICKAȱisȱaȱPh.D.ȱcandidateȱinȱHistoryȱatȱBostonȱUniversity (expectedȱcompletion:ȱ2011).ȱHerȱdissertationȱfieldȱconcernsȱcrimesȱofȱlèseȬmajesté inȱ Franceȱ underȱ theȱ firstȱ threeȱ Valoisȱ kingsȱ (1328–1380).ȱ Herȱ areasȱ ofȱ research includeȱ judicialȱ procedureȱ inȱ medievalȱ France,ȱ particularlyȱ theȱ relationship betweenȱtheoryȱandȱpractice,ȱtheȱlanguageȱofȱcrimeȱandȱitsȱdeployment,ȱandȱthe historyȱofȱtorture.ȱSheȱhasȱpublishedȱonȱtheȱhistoriographyȱofȱJewsȱinȱPoland,ȱthe roleȱofȱtheȱdevilȱinȱtheȱtrialȱbyȱordeal,ȱandȱtheȱorcȱbodyȱinȱtheȱworkȱofȱJ.ȱR.ȱR. Tolkien NICOLASȱ LOMBART,ȱ ancienȱ élèveȱ deȱ l’Écoleȱ Normaleȱ Supérieureȱ de Fontenay/SaintȬCloud,ȱmaîtreȱdeȱconférencesȱdeȱlittératureȱfrançaiseȱduȱXVIeȱsiècle àȱl’Universitéȱd’Orléans,ȱaȱconsacréȱsaȱthèseȱdeȱdoctoratȱauȱgenreȱdeȱl’hymneȱdans laȱpoésieȱfrançaiseȱdeȱlaȱRenaissanceȱ(2004)ȱetȱparticipéȱàȱl’éditionȱcollectiveȱde L’artȱpoétiqueȱfrançaisȱ(1596)ȱdeȱPierreȱLaudunȱd’Aigaliersȱ(STFM,ȱ2001).ȱSesȱarticles portentȱprincipalementȱsurȱleȱlyrismeȱdeȱcélébration,ȱlesȱrapportsȱentreȱlittérature etȱpolitique,ȱetȱlaȱpoétiqueȱdeȱlaȱpoésieȱàȱlaȱRenaissance.ȱIlȱprépareȱactuellement, enȱcollaboration,ȱuneȱéditionȱcritiqueȱduȱRecueilȱdeȱl’origineȱdeȱlaȱlangueȱetȱpoésie françoise,ȱrymeȱetȱromansȱdeȱClaudeȱFauchetȱ(1581)ȱetȱdeȱl’Académieȱdeȱl’artȱpoétique deȱ Pierreȱ deȱ Deimierȱ (1610).ȱ Ilȱ travailleȱ aussiȱ surȱ lesȱ rapportsȱ entreȱ droitȱ et littératureȱauȱseinȱdeȱl’équipeȱJusLitteraȱpourȱl’AgenceȱNationaleȱdeȱlaȱRecherche. EVELYNEȱLUEFȱisȱaȱPhDȱstudentȱatȱtheȱDepartmentȱofȱHistory,ȱUniversityȱof Vienna,ȱ Austria,ȱ currentlyȱ workingȱ onȱ suicideȱ inȱ earlyȱ modernȱ Austriaȱ and Sweden.ȱSheȱreceivedȱherȱMagisterȱdegreesȱinȱHistoryȱandȱScandinavianȱStudies fromȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱVienna,ȱfocusingȱonȱdomesticȱviolenceȱinȱhistoricalȱand literaryȱcontexts.ȱInȱtheȱcourseȱofȱherȱstudiesȱsheȱhasȱconductedȱresearchȱatȱthe UniversitiesȱofȱUmeåȱandȱGothenburg,ȱSweden.ȱHerȱcurrentȱresearchȱinterests

Contributors

585

includeȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱtheȱbody,ȱgenderȱstudies,ȱasȱwellȱasȱearlyȱmodernȱlegalȱand criminalȱhistoryȱwithȱaȱspecialȱfocusȱonȱhistoricalȱsuicideȱstudies. KATHLEENȱM.ȱLLEWELLYNȱisȱAssociateȱProfessorȱofȱFrenchȱandȱInternational StudiesȱatȱSaintȱLouisȱUniversity.ȱSheȱhasȱpublishedȱarticlesȱonȱL’Heptaméronȱof MargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȱ(suchȱasȱinȱApproachesȱtoȱteachingȱMargueriteȱdeȱNavarreȇs Heptameron,ȱed.ȱColetteȱH.ȱWinn,ȱ2007),ȱtheȱpoetryȱofȱMadeleineȱdesȱRochesȱand GabrielleȱdeȱCoignard,ȱandȱonȱtheȱwidowȱinȱearlyȱmodernȱFrenchȱliteratureȱ(such asȱinȱAimerȱetȱMourir:ȱLove,ȱDeath,ȱandȱWomenȇsȱLivesȱinȱTextsȱofȱFrenchȱExpression, ed.ȱ Eileneȱ HoftȬMarchȱ andȱ Judithȱ Hollandȱ Sarnecki,ȱ 2009).ȱ Sheȱ isȱ currently workingȱ onȱ aȱ bookȱ onȱ representationsȱ ofȱ theȱ biblicalȱ figureȱ ofȱ Judithȱ inȱ early modernȱFrenchȱliterature. SUSANNAȱNIIRANENȱstudiedȱhistory,ȱRomanceȱphilology,ȱandȱjournalismȱatȱthe Universityȱ ofȱ Jyväskylä,ȱ Finland,ȱ whereȱ sheȱ receivedȱ herȱ Master’sȱ degreeȱ and Ph.D.,ȱfocusingȱonȱtheȱOccitanȱwomenȱtroubadours,ȱtrobairitz:ȱȈMiroirȱdeȱmeыriteȈ: valeursȱsociales,ȱrôlesȱetȱimageȱdeȱlaȱfemmeȱdansȱlesȱtextesȱmeыdieыvauxȱdesȱtrobairitzȱ(2009: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978Ȭ951Ȭ39Ȭ3509Ȭ2ȱ).ȱȱSinceȱ2005,ȱsheȱhasȱbeenȱaȱmemberȱof theȱprojectȱPhilosophicalȱPsychology,ȱMoralityȱandȱPoliticsȱResearchȱUnit,ȱtheȱcentreȱof excellenceȱinȱresearchȱfundedȱbyȱtheȱAcademyȱofȱFinland.ȱSheȱhasȱeditedȱaȱwideȬ rangingȱ Handbookȱ ofȱ Medievalȱ Studiesȱ (2009,ȱ withȱ Markoȱ Lambergȱ andȱ Anu Lahtinen,ȱfirstȱpublishedȱmedievalist’sȱmanualȱinȱtheȱFinnishȱlanguage).ȱSheȱhas publishedȱ articlesȱ dealingȱ withȱ variousȱ aspectsȱ ofȱ troubadoursȱ andȱ medieval literatureȱinȱvariousȱanthologies.ȱHerȱmostȱrecentȱpublicationsȱincludeȱanȱarticle dedicatedȱtoȱtheȱtroubadourȱPeireȱVidal:ȱ“PeireȱVidalȱ–ȱAȱFoolȱandȱaȱTroubadour” inȱBehavingȱLikeȱFools:ȱVoice,ȱGesture,ȱandȱLaughterȱinȱTexts,ȱManuscripts,ȱandȱEarly Books,ȱ ed.ȱ byȱ Lucyȱ Perryȱ andȱ Alexanderȱ Schwartz,ȱ 2010).ȱ Herȱ currentȱ areasȱ of interestȱ andȱ researchȱ includeȱ medievalȱ andȱ earlyȱ modernȱ medicalȱ recipe collectionsȱandȱtheirȱrelationȱtoȱtheȱphenomenonȱofȱvernacularizationȱasȱwellȱas toȱhumanȱconceptionȱofȱwellȬbeing.ȱSheȱisȱcurrentlyȱworkingȱonȱaȱbookȱprojectȱon Mentalȱ(Dis)ordersȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges. MARTHAȱMOFFITTȱPEACOCKȱisȱProfessorȱofȱArtȱHistoryȱatȱBrighamȱYoung University.ȱ Sheȱ receivedȱ herȱ Ph.D.ȱ fromȱ Theȱ Ohioȱ Stateȱ Universityȱ inȱ 1989, specializingȱ inȱ theȱ historyȱ ofȱ seventeenthȬcenturyȱ Dutchȱ art.ȱ Herȱ researchȱ has particularlyȱcenteredȱonȱtheȱrelationshipȱofȱartȱtoȱtheȱlivesȱofȱwomen—bothȱas artistsȱandȱsubjectsȱinȱart—inȱtheȱDutchȱRepublic.ȱSheȱhasȱpublishedȱaȱnumberȱof articlesȱandȱessaysȱinȱbothȱinternationalȱandȱnationalȱartȱhistoricalȱjournalsȱand booksȱincluding:ȱ“DomesticityȱinȱtheȱPublicȱSphere,”ȱSaints,ȱSinners,ȱandȱSisters. GenderȱandȱNorthernȱArtȱinȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱEurope,ȱed.ȱJaneȱCarrollȱand Alisonȱ Stewart,ȱ 2003;ȱ “Hoorndragersȱ andȱ Hennetasters:ȱ Theȱ Oldȱ Impotent

586

Contributors

CuckoldȱasȱOtherȱinȱNetherlandishȱArtȱandȱFarce,”ȱOldȱAgeȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱand Renaissance,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2007;ȱ“EarlyȱModernȱDutchȱWomenȱinȱtheȱCity,” UrbanȱSpaceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱEarlyȱModernȱAge,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2009; andȱ “Compatibleȱ Charactersȱ inȱ Contrastingȱ Cultures:ȱ Hieronymusȱ Boschȱ and JacopoȱBellini,”ȱNord/SudȱII,ȱUniversityȱofȱPaduaȱ(ȱ2008).ȱCurrently,ȱsheȱisȱworking onȱaȱbook,ȱHeroines,ȱHarpiesȱandȱHousewives:ȱWomenȱofȱConsequenceȱinȱtheȱDutch GoldenȱAge. DANIELȱ F.ȱ PIGGȱ isȱ aȱ Professorȱ ofȱ Englishȱ atȱ Theȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Tennesseeȱ at MartinȱwhereȱheȱteachesȱChaucer,ȱmedievalȱBritishȱliterature,ȱandȱhistoryȱofȱthe Englishȱlanguage.ȱHeȱhasȱpublishedȱwidelyȱinȱEnglishȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱranging fromȱBeowulfȱtoȱMalory’sȱWorks.ȱHeȱhasȱpublishedȱarticlesȱdealingȱwithȱvarious aspectsȱofȱmasculinityȱinȱhistoricalȱcontextsȱinȱChaucer’sȱCanterburyȱTalesȱandȱin theȱ presentationȱ ofȱ Beowulfȱ inȱ variousȱ anthologiesȱ availableȱ toȱ highȱ school students.ȱHisȱmostȱrecentȱpublicationsȱincludeȱanȱarticleȱdedicatedȱtoȱLangland’s PiersȱPlowmanȱandȱOldȱAgeȱthatȱappearedȱinȱtheȱcollectionȱofȱessaysȱarisingȱfrom theȱ 2006ȱ Internationalȱ Symposiumȱ onȱ theȱ Representationȱ ofȱ Oldȱ Agesȱ inȱ the MiddleȱAgesȱandȱRenaissanceȱ(ed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2007).ȱHeȱalsoȱpublishedȱan essayȱonȱmercantileȱmasculinityȱrepresentedȱinȱChaucer’sȱCook’sȱTaleȱinȱaȱcollection ofȱ essaysȱ arisingȱ fromȱ theȱ 2008ȱ Internationalȱ Symposiumȱ onȱ Urbanȱ Spaceȱ (ed. AlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2009);ȱthenȱonȱissuesȱofȱmasculinityȱandȱsexualȱperformanceȱof SirȱGarethȱinȱMalory’sȱTaleȱofȱSirȱGarethȱforȱSexualityȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarly ModernȱTimesȱ(ed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2008).ȱHeȱhasȱalsoȱcontributedȱtoȱtheȱHandbook ofȱMedievalȱStudiesȱ(ed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2010)ȱonȱscholarlyȱstudiesȱofȱmasculinity studiesȱandȱsocialȱconstructionism.ȱMoreover,ȱheȱisȱalsoȱworkingȱonȱaȱbookȱonȱthe culturalȱ poeticsȱ ofȱ Piersȱ Plowmanȱ andȱ onȱ articlesȱ onȱ Theȱ Dreamȱ ofȱ theȱ Roodȱ and identityȱformation. BERNARDȱ RIBÉMONTȱ estȱ professeurȱ deȱ littératureȱ médiévaleȱ àȱ l’Université d’Orléansȱ(France).ȱIlȱestȱleȱfondateurȱetȱleȱdirecteurȱdeȱpublicationȱdesȱCahiersȱde RecherchesȱMédiévalesȱetȱHumanistesȱetȱdirigeȱplusieursȱcollectionsȱscientifiquesȱsur laȱ périodeȱ médiévaleȱ (Honoréȱ Champion,ȱ Klincksieck).ȱ Ilȱ estȱ l’auteurȱ deȱ 130 articlesȱsurȱleȱMoyenȱÂge,ȱetȱaȱécritȱetȱdirigéȱuneȱtrentaineȱd’ouvrages.ȱSpécialiste desȱencyclopédiesȱmédiévalesȱetȱdeȱlaȱlittératureȱdeȱlaȱfinȱduȱMoyenȱÂgeȱ(Christine deȱ Pizanȱ enȱ particulier),ȱ ilȱ travailleȱ essentiellementȱ surȱ lesȱ relationsȱ entreȱ la littératureȱetȱlesȱsavoirsȱsavants,ȱlaȱpolitiqueȱetȱl’histoire.ȱDepuisȱpeu,ȱilȱs’intéresse particulièrementȱauxȱrelationsȱentreȱleȱdroitȱetȱlaȱlittérature,ȱenȱparticulierȱdansȱla chansonȱ deȱ geste;ȱ ilȱ dirigeȱ leȱ projetȱ Juslitteraȱ deȱ l’Agenceȱ Nationaleȱ pourȱ la Rechercheȱ(http://bernard.ribemont.neuf.fr).

Contributors

587

LIAȱB.ȱROSSȱholdsȱaȱPh.D.ȱinȱEuropeanȱHistoryȱ(Medievalȱ&ȱEarlyȱModern)ȱfrom theȱUniversityȱofȱNewȱMexicoȱwhereȱsheȱworksȱfullȬtimeȱasȱcomputerȱanalystȱand (inȱtheȱpast)ȱasȱpartȬtimeȱasȱhistoryȱinstructor.ȱSheȱspecializesȱinȱculturalȱstudies ofȱfifteenthȬcenturyȱFrance,ȱBurgundy,ȱandȱEnglandȱandȱisȱanȱactiveȱmemberȱof theȱCentreȱeuropéenȱd’étudesȱbourguignonnes.ȱAfterȱherȱbookȱRevisitingȱDecadence:ȱa Behavioralȱ Interpretationȱ ofȱ FifteenthȬCenturyȱ Historicalȱ Narrativeȱ (2009)ȱ sheȱ has contributedȱtoȱseveralȱvolumesȱinȱtheȱseriesȱ“FundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarly Modernȱ Culture,”ȱ editedȱ byȱ Albrechtȱ Classenȱ andȱ Marilynȱ Sandidge,ȱ most recentlyȱtoȱtheȱvolumeȱonȱLaughterȱ(2010). MARIAȱCECILIAȱRUIZȱteachesȱatȱUniversityȱofȱSanȱDiego.ȱȱSheȱhasȱpublishedȱa bookȱonȱDonȱJuanȱManuel,ȱLiteraturaȱyȱpolítica:ȱelȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱestadosȱyȱelȱLibroȱdeȱlas armasȱdeȱdonȱJuanȱManuelȱ(ScriptaȱHumanística,ȱ1990),ȱandȱanȱarticle,ȱ“Elȱhumorȱen elȱLibroȱdelȱcaualleroȱetȱdelȱescudero,ȱelȱLibro de los estadosȱyȱelȱLibroȱenfenidoȱdeȱdon JuanȱManuel”ȱ(Estudiosȱalfonsinosȱyȱotrosȱescritos:ȱenȱhomenajeȱaȱJohnȱEstenȱKellerȱyȱa AnibalȱA.ȱBiglieri,ȱNationalȱEndowmentȱforȱtheȱHumanities,ȱ1991).ȱȱRecentȱpapers givenȱonȱdonȱJuanȱManuelȱhaveȱbeen:ȱ“Nature,ȱManȱandȱMoralityȱinȱdonȱJuan Manuel’sȱLibroȱdelȱcaualleroȱetȱdelȱescudero”ȱandȱ“ReligionȱinȱdonȱJuanȱManuel:ȱFaith andȱAmbition.”ȱȱSheȱisȱcurrentlyȱworkingȱonȱknighthood,ȱreadershipȱandȱreligion inȱdonȱJuanȱManuel. CONNIEȱ L.ȱ SCARBOROUGHȱ (Ph.D.ȱ 1983ȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Kentucky)ȱ teachesȱ at TexasȱTechȱUniversity.ȱMostȱrecentlyȱsheȱpublishedȱaȱbook,ȱAȱHolyȱAlliance:ȱAlfonso X’sȱPoliticalȱUseȱofȱMarianȱPoetry.ȱAmongȱherȱpreviousȱbooksȱisȱaȱcriticalȱeditionȱof theȱLibroȱdeȱlosȱexenplosȱporȱa.b.cȱandȱWomenȱinȱThirteenthȬCenturyȱSpain.ȱSheȱhas publishedȱarticlesȱinȱtheȱvolumesȱthatȱresultedȱfromȱpreviousȱsymposiaȱorganized byȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱonȱWordsȱofȱLoveȱandȱLoveȱofȱWords,ȱOldȱAge,ȱandȱSexuality.ȱShe hasȱalsoȱpublishedȱmostȱrecentlyȱanȱarticleȱinȱMedievaliaȱentitledȱ“AnotherȱLook atȱtheȱEncounterȱwithȱtheȱSerranasȱinȱtheȱLibroȱdeȱbuenȱamor.”ȱSheȱhasȱalsoȱanȱarticle inȱAlcanateȱ(Spain),ȱ“LaȱvozȱpersonalȱdeȱAlfonsoȱXȱenȱunaȱcantigaȱmurciana.”ȱShe hasȱarticlesȱforthcomingȱinȱCelestinesca,ȱHispanicȱResearchȱJournal,ȱRomanceȱNotes, andȱMediaevistik.ȱHerȱnewȱresearchȱprojectȱisȱanȱapplicationȱofȱecocriticalȱtheories toȱworksȱofȱMedievalȱSpanishȱliterature. SCOTTȱL.ȱTAYLOR,ȱPh.D.,ȱJ.D.,ȱisȱaȱretiredȱattorney,ȱcurrentlyȱteachingȱhistory andȱ politicalȱ scienceȱ atȱ Pimaȱ Communityȱ College,ȱ Tucson,ȱ Arizona.ȱ ȱ Heȱ has authoredȱaȱnumberȱofȱpapersȱandȱarticlesȱdealingȱwithȱaspectsȱofȱmedievalȱlaw, includingȱ“LawyersȱonȱtheȱMargins:ȱGenderedȱImagesȱofȱtheȱLegalȱVocationȱin MedievalȱFrance,”ȱ75thȱannualȱmeetingȱofȱtheȱMedievalȱAcademyȱofȱAmerica, Austin,ȱTexas,ȱAprilȱ13–16,ȱ2000,ȱandȱ“Reason,ȱRhetoricȱandȱRedemption:ȱȱThe teachingȱofȱlawȱandȱtheȱPlanctusȱMariaeȱinȱtheȱLateȱMiddleȱAges,”ȱ20thȱannual

588

Contributors

MiddleȱAgesȱConference,ȱFordhamȱUniversity,ȱMarchȱ24–25,ȱ2000,ȱpublishedȱin MedievalȱEducation,ȱed.ȱRonaldȱB.ȱBegleyȱandȱJosephȱW.ȱKoterski,ȱS.J.ȱȱFordham SeriesȱinȱMedievalȱStudies,ȱ4ȱ(NewȱYork:ȱFordhamȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ2005),ȱasȱwell asȱhisȱdissertation,ȱ“MaryȱbetweenȱGodȱandȱtheȱDevil:ȱȱJurisprudence,ȱTheology andȱSatireȱinȱBartoloȱofȱSassoferrato’sȱProcessusȱSathane”(UniversityȱofȱArizona, 2005).ȱȱHisȱreviewsȱhaveȱappearedȱinȱTheologicalȱStudies,ȱandȱheȱhasȱcontributedȱto aȱnumberȱofȱotherȱWalterȱdeȱGruyterȱpublications,ȱincludingȱOldȱAgeȱinȱtheȱMiddle AgesȱandȱtheȱRenaissance,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(2007),ȱandȱLaughterȱinȱtheȱMiddle AgesȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱTimes,ȱed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(2010);ȱseveralȱentries,ȱincluding thoseȱonȱmedievalȱlawȱandȱpoliticalȱtheoryȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAges,ȱinȱtheȱHandbookȱof Medievalȱ Studies,ȱ ed.ȱ Albrechtȱ Classenȱ (2010);ȱ andȱ “Theȱ Conquestȱ ofȱ Sodom:ȱ SymbiosisȱofȱCalumnyȱandȱCanonȱinȱtheȱJusȱBelliȱfromȱIrelandȱtoȱtheȱIndies,”ȱin WarȱandȱPeace:ȱȱNewȱPerspectivesȱinȱEuropeanȱHistoryȱandȱLiterature,ȱ700Ȭ1800,ȱed. NadiaȱMargolisȱandȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(2011),ȱasȱwellȱasȱ“Usosȱrerumȱrusticarum: Malaeȱ consuetudines,ȱ maleȱ usosȱ legeȱ andȱ Peasantȱ Rebellionȱ asȱ Resistanceȱ or AdaptationȱtoȱLegalȱChange,”ȱinȱtheȱforthcomingȱvolumeȱRuralȱSpaceȱinȱtheȱMiddle Agesȱ andȱ Earlyȱ Modernȱ Age:ȱ Theȱ Spatialȱ Turnȱ inȱ Premodernȱ Studies,ȱ ed.ȱ Albrecht ClassenȱinȱcollaborationȱwithȱChristopherȱR.ȱClason. JESSICAȱ TVORDIȱ earnedȱ herȱ Ph.D.ȱ inȱ Englishȱ Literatureȱ atȱ theȱ Universityȱ of Arizonaȱinȱ2002.ȱHerȱpublicationsȱincludeȱarticlesȱonȱShakespeareȱinȱMaidsȱand Mistresses,ȱCousinsȱandȱQueens:ȱWomenȇsȱAlliancesȱinȱEarlyȱModernȱEngland,ȱedited byȱSusanȱFryeȱandȱKarenȱRobertsonȱ(OxfordȱUniversityȱPress,ȱ1999)ȱandȱinȱThe JournalȱofȱtheȱWoodenȱOȱ(2008),ȱasȱwellȱasȱaȱforthcomingȱarticleȱonȱThomasȱCarew’s CoelumȱBritannicumȱinȱQuidditas.ȱRecentlyȱsheȱalsoȱcontributedȱanȱarticleȱonȱRobert HerrickȱtoȱRuralȱSpaceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱEarlyȱModernȱTimeȱ(ed.ȱAlbrecht Classen,ȱ2012).ȱSheȱisȱcurrentlyȱworkingȱonȱaȱbookȬlengthȱprojectȱthatȱexamines howȱpostȬReformationȱanxietiesȱaboutȱinstitutionalȱpolitics,ȱcivicȱmorality,ȱand nationalȱboundariesȱinform,ȱandȱareȱinformedȱby,ȱearlyȱmodernȱdiscoursesȱon genderȱ andȱ sexualȱ deviance.ȱ Sheȱ holdsȱ theȱ positionȱ ofȱ Assistantȱ Professorȱ of EnglishȱatȱSouthernȱUtahȱUniversity,ȱwhereȱsheȱteachesȱcoursesȱonȱShakespeare, Milton,ȱ andȱ poetics,ȱ andȱ alsoȱ servesȱ regularlyȱ asȱ aȱ guestȱ lecturerȱ forȱ theȱ Utah ShakespeareanȱFestivalȇsȱCampȱShakespeareȱseries. PATRICIAȱA.ȱTURNINGȱ(Ph.D.ȱ2007,TheȱUniversityȱofȱCalifornia,ȱDavis)ȱteaches medievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱEuropeanȱhistoryȱcoursesȱatȱArizonaȱStateȱUniversity. Inȱ 2009,ȱ sheȱ receivedȱ Theȱ L.ȱ Christianȱ Smithȱ Teachingȱ Excellenceȱ Award, Presentedȱ byȱ Phiȱ Alphaȱ Theta.ȱ ȱ Sheȱ publishedȱ anȱ articleȱ inȱ theȱ volumeȱ that resultedȱfromȱpreviousȱsymposiaȱorganizedȱbyȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱonȱUrbanȱSpace inȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱEarlyȱModernȱAge.ȱSheȱhasȱalsoȱrecentlyȱpublishedȱan articleȱ inȱ Frenchȱ Historyȱ entitled,ȱ “Theȱ Rightȱ toȱ Punish:ȱ Jurisdictionalȱ Disputes

Contributors

589

betweenȱRoyalȱandȱMunicipalȱOfficialsȱinȱMedievalȱToulouse.”ȱSheȱisȱcurrently finishingȱ herȱ manuscript,ȱ “Fearȱ Notȱ theȱ Madnessȱ ofȱ theȱ Ragingȱ Mob:”ȱ Municipal Officials,ȱTheirȱPublicȱandȱtheȱNegotiationȱofȱJusticeȱinȱMedievalȱ Languedoc,ȱforȱthe publicationȱofȱresearchȱfundedȱbyȱtheȱBirgitȱBaldwinȱFellowship,ȱpresentedȱbyȱthe MedievalȱAcademyȱofȱAmerica.ȱHerȱnextȱprojectȱisȱanȱexaminationȱofȱwomenȱin medievalȱprisons.ȱ BIRGITȱWIEDLȱisȱaȱresearchȱfellowȱatȱtheȱInstituteȱofȱJewishȱHistoryȱinȱAustria, St.ȱ Pölten,ȱ andȱ aȱ lecturerȱ atȱ theȱ Universityȱ ofȱ Salzburg.ȱ Sheȱ studiedȱ History, GermanȱandȱRussianȱPhilologyȱatȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱSalzburgȱ(MasterȱandȱPhD), andȱHistoryȱandȱArchivisticsȱatȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱViennaȱ(Master).ȱHerȱmainȱfield ofȱresearchȱisȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱJewsȱinȱmedievalȱAustria,ȱurbanȱhistory,ȱandȱeconomic history.ȱSheȱisȱtheȱauthorȱofȱAlltagȱundȱRecht.ȱAspekteȱderȱAlltagsȬȱundȱRechtsgeȬ schichteȱ imȱ Handwerkȱ (2006),ȱ andȱ hasȱ publishedȱ aȱ numberȱ ofȱ articlesȱ onȱ the economic,ȱurban,ȱandȱsocialȱhistoryȱofȱJewsȱinȱmedievalȱAustriaȱasȱwellȱasȱedited anthologiesȱ onȱ thatȱ topic.ȱ Togetherȱ withȱ Evelineȱ Brugger,ȱ sheȱ conductsȱ the researchȱprojectȱ“DocumentsȱonȱJewishȱHistoryȱinȱMedievalȱAustria,”ȱfundedȱby theȱ Austrianȱ Scienceȱ Fundȱ (FWF),ȱ whichȱ aimsȱ atȱ collectingȱ charters, historiographic,ȱ andȱ literaryȱ documentsȱ thatȱ bearȱ referenceȱ toȱ Austrianȱ Jews. Volumesȱ1ȱandȱ2ȱofȱthisȱcollectionȱhaveȱalreadyȱbeenȱpublishedȱ(EvelineȱBrugger andȱBirgitȱWiedl,ȱRegestenȱzurȱGeschichteȱderȱJudenȱinȱÖsterreichȱimȱMittelalter.ȱVol 1:ȱVonȱdenȱAnfängenȱbisȱ1338.ȱVol.ȱ2:ȱ1339–1365.ȱ2005,ȱ2010;ȱvolumeȱ3ȱisȱcurrently beingȱcompleted.ȱOnlineȱ(forȱfreeȱdownload)ȱat: http://www.injoest.ac.at/projekte/laufend/mittelalterliche_judenurkunden/).ȱShe hasȱbeenȱaȱregularȱcontributorȱtoȱtheȱvolumesȱinȱtheȱbookȱseriesȱ“Fundamentals ofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture.” THOMASȱWILLARDȱteachesȱEnglishȱliteratureȱatȱTheȱUniversityȱofȱArizona.ȱHe hasȱeditedȱtheȱalchemicalȱwritingsȱofȱJeanȱd’Espagneȱ(2000).ȱHisȱoccasionalȱessays onȱaspectsȱofȱRosicrucianismȱhaveȱappearedȱinȱPapersȱofȱtheȱBibliographicalȱSociety ofȱ Americaȱ (1984),ȱ Theorienȱ vomȱ Ursprungȱ derȱ Spracheȱ (1989),ȱ Secretȱ Texts:ȱ The LiteratureȱofȱSecretȱSocietiesȱ(1995),ȱandȱMysticalȱMetalȱofȱGold:ȱEssaysȱonȱAlchemyȱand RenaissanceȱCultureȱ(2007).ȱHeȱhasȱalsoȱeditedȱaȱcollectionȱofȱwritingsȱbyȱandȱabout Northropȱ Fryeȱ (1991),ȱ andȱ hasȱ publishedȱ moreȱ thanȱ aȱ dozenȱ essaysȱ onȱ Frye’s criticism.ȱSomeȱofȱhisȱarticlesȱappearedȱinȱFrench,ȱsuchȱasȱinȱÉsotérisme,ȱgnosesȱ& imaginaireȱ symboliqueȱ (2001).ȱ Heȱ hasȱ contributedȱ repeatedlyȱ toȱ theȱ volumes dedicatedȱtoȱTheophrastusȱvonȱHohenheim,ȱed.ȱbyȱAlbrechtȱClassenȱ(Religionȱund Gesundheit,ȱ2011;ȱandȱWahresȱ LebenȱundȱTodȱvomȱ16.ȱJahrhundertȱbisȱzurȱNeuzeit, 2012).ȱHeȱalsoȱcontributedȱmostȱrecentlyȱtoȱRuralȱSpaceȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱEarly ModernȱTimeȱ(ed.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱ2012).

Index

AbbeyȱofȱMaillezais 93–94,ȱ104,ȱ105 Abélard 100 DerȱAckermannȱausȱBöhmen 135,ȱ137 Adamȱd’Hordain 208 adultery 231Ȭ33,ȱ243 Aeneas 87 Aesop 248,ȱ280 AgobardȱofȱLyon 111 AimericȱdeȱPeguilhan 48 AlanusȱAnglicus 191 AlbigensianȱCrusade 49,ȱ54–55,ȱ 57,ȱ284,ȱ291 AlbrechtȱI 328–29 AlbrechtȱII 321,ȱ325Ȭ27,ȱ329 AlbrechtȱV 329–30 AlbrechtȱIIȱofȱSaxonyȬWittenberg 326 AlbrechtȱvonȱHegerloch 139 alcahuetas 412–13 TheȱAlchemist 24,ȱ496Ȭ502 AlexanderȱII 112 AlexanderȱtheȱGreat 456,ȱ493 AlfonsoȱII 48 AlfonsoȱX 17–18,ȱ225Ȭ27, ȱ232,ȱ241,ȱ243Ȭ46 Alfred 115,ȱ120 AmbraserȱHeldenbuch 152 Ambrose,ȱSaint 302–03, ȱ314,ȱ317Ȭ22,ȱ325 AmbroseȱofȱHeiligenkreuz 302–03, ȱ314,ȱ317 AmiȱetȱAmile 34 Amplumus,ȱRobert 207

AndréȱdeȱLavalȬLohéac

367, ȱ369,ȱ400 AndréȱdeȱMonchy 201 ApostolicȱPenitentiary 8 Aquinas,ȱThomas 544,ȱ557,ȱ558 Aristotle 491,ȱ493–94, ȱ496–502,ȱ507 ArnaldusȱdeȱSantoȱMartino 293 ArnaudȱVigier 197 ArthurȱdeȱRichemont 366,ȱ374 Aspremont 39Ȭ41 AssizeȱofȱClarendon 116 AssizeȱofȱNorthampton 116 assurément 190,ȱ192,ȱ216,ȱ222 AucassinȱetȱNicolette 145 Auer,ȱThomas 572 Augustine,ȱSaint 408,ȱ557 AymardȱJohanninȱofȱCahors 205 Bacon,ȱFrancis 525,ȱ529 Baillés,ȱGuillemet 207 Balladeȱdesȱpendus 159–60, ȱ163–64,ȱ173 Balladeȱdesȱlanguesȱennuyeuses 171 Baronȱd’Holbach 539 Barrau,ȱGuillaume 291 baston 286 BaudoinȱdeȱSebourc 37 Baxter,ȱRichard 530 Beaumanoir 123 Becker,ȱHenry 466 beguine 249,ȱ263Ȭ67,ȱ273 BenedictȱXII 326 BernardȱdeȱCastanet 295

592 BernardȱofȱClairvaux 143 Bertha 306,ȱ308,ȱ323 Bertram,ȱWayne 381,ȱ384 BertranȱdeȱBorn 48 Bible 120–21,ȱ123–24 binnenmoeder 463 binnenvader 463 TheȱBirthȱofȱtheȱNation 405 Blanchet,ȱEustache 371,ȱ374,ȱ388 Blouyn,ȱJean 381 Bluebeard 360,ȱ398–99 Bodin,ȱJean 538 Boelisz,ȱHendrick 465 Bolton,ȱRobert 538 BonifaceȱVIII 118 BonifaceȱofȱMonteferrat 56 Boquet,ȱJean 200 laȱBoucherie 289 Bouteiller,ȱJean 30,ȱ35 Boyle,ȱRobert 530,ȱ545 Breslau 330 Bridewellȱprison 461 Britton 119,ȱ126–27 Brouwer,ȱGerbrant 465 Brouwers,ȱCatharina 467,ȱ469 Brown,ȱDan 87 Bruno 309 BrunoȱvonȱBrennenberg 138 Brutus 87 Bry,ȱTheodoreȱde 533–34 Buchet,ȱAndré 365 TheȱBurialȱofȱCountȱOrgaz 408 Burton,ȱRobert 522 CaesarȱofȱHeisterbach 527 Caesar 438,ȱ456–57,ȱ515 cannibalism 25,ȱ27 CanterburyȱTales 20,ȱ347–48,ȱ350 CantigasȱdeȱSantaȱMaria 228,ȱ232, ȱ234,ȱ241Ȭ43 Capetianȱkingdom 284 CarminaȱBurana 13

Index Carvajal,ȱMichaelȱde 540 casȱroyaux 191Ȭ93,ȱ195,ȱ196 Castigosȱ eȱ documentosȱ delȱ reyȱ don Sancho 228,ȱ233 Catena 515–16 CatherineȱdeȱThouars 362,ȱ400 Cats,ȱJacob 463 Caxton 126 Celsus 529–30 chansonȱdeȱgeste 12,ȱ29–30,ȱ32, ȱ34,ȱ37,ȱ41–42 ChansonȱdeȱRoland 13,ȱ32,ȱ38 Chapeillon,ȱGuillaume 382 characterȱassassination 249,ȱ270Ȭ73 Charlemagne 228 CharlesȱVII 363–64,ȱ367,ȱ372,ȱ399 CharlesȱII 530 CharlesȱduȱSault 452 CharlesȱIX 439,ȱ445 CharlesȱofȱValois 201 CharlesȱIV 199,ȱ202 CharroiȱdeȱNîmes 31 Chartier,ȱJacques 399 Chartier 21 chastity 418–19,ȱ434 ChâteauȱNarbonnais 290,ȱ293–94 Châtelet 281,ȱ287,ȱ289 Châtellerault 51 Chaucer 20,ȱ21 Chaucer,ȱGeoffrey 347Ȭ51, ȱ353–54,ȱ356Ȭ58 TheȱCheats 500 ChevalerieȱOgier 31 LeȱChevalierȱdeȱlaȱcharrete 15 Christ 87,ȱ98 ChristopherȱofȱBavaria 559 ChronicaȱMajora 527 TheȱCityȱofȱGod 557 CivilȱWar 538 Clarke,ȱSamuel 545 ClementȱV 10

Index TheȱClerk’sȱTale 348,ȱ357 coblas 57–58 ColdardȱdeȱGisors 290 ColetteȱofȱCorbie 527 Columbus 530–31,ȱ537,ȱ540 Commelin,ȱJohn 466 Commentaires 23,ȱ437Ȭ58 ComplaintȱofȱtheȱIndiansȱinȱ theȱCourtȱofȱDeathȱ 540 CompteȱdeȱPoitiers 122 compurgation 175 ElȱCondeȱLucanor 18,ȱ234,ȱ247–48, ȱ250Ȭ66,ȱ268Ȭ77,ȱ279–80 Conrad,ȱJoseph 541 conversos 408 Corrillaut,ȱÉtienne 365 costellum 291 Coudrette 91 CouncilȱofȱWorms 112 CouronnementȱdeȱRenart 141 coutumes 291 Coutumierȱd’Artois 32,ȱ36 Lesȱcoutumesȱd’Alzen 115 CoutumesȱdeȱBeauvaisis 34–35, ȱ 189–90,ȱ194,ȱ199,ȱ210,ȱ214 cozeners 491,ȱ492,ȱ499–500,ȱ502 Croesus 512 Crónicaȱabreviada 233 custodiesȱplacitorumȱcoronae 117 CyranoȱdeȱBergerac 544 Dahmer,ȱJeffrey 362,ȱ376 David,ȱKing 87,ȱ88 deȱJonge,ȱMuilmanȱWillem 466 deȱLaȱTrémoille 363–64,ȱ366,ȱ389 Deȱodioȱetȱatia 117 Deȱclementia 519 Deȱalcumista 500 deceit 247,ȱ256,ȱ278 Decretum 112 Dee,ȱJohn 501 Defoe,ȱDaniel 542

593 DerȱarmeȱHeinrich Derrida,ȱJacques devil

14,ȱ66Ȭ70 526 248,ȱ249,ȱ260Ȭ62, ȱ264Ȭ68,ȱ276,ȱ278 DialogusȱMiraculorum 527 Dickens,ȱCharles 404 DictsȱnotablesȱdesȱanciensȱRoys 510, ȱ517 Dujardin,ȱKarel 466,ȱ479 Dürer,ȱAlbrecht 493,ȱ506–07,ȱ533 Düring 138 Dusart,ȱCornelis 468,ȱ481 Eadmer 115 EaucourtȬl’Abbaye 201 Ebermannus 309 edeleȱherzen 81 EdwardȱIII 195 EdwardȱtheȱConfessor 115 EikeȱvonȱRepgow 3,ȱ16 Eleigh 237 Elias,ȱNorbert 136 ElizabethȱI 501 LesȱEncoupementsȱdeȱlaȱCorone 109 enqueteurs 117 envejos 60 ErasmusȱofȱRotterdam 471,ȱ500 esguard 115 Espéculo 226 Essais 509Ȭ11,ȱ513Ȭ17,ȱ519,ȱ520 Estoireȱd’Engleis 115 ÉtablissementsȱdeȱSaintȬLouis 212 EtienneȱdeȱBourbon 52 Exceptiones 117–18 Expilly,ȱClaude 126 fabliaux 347 Faidit,ȱGaucelm 47,ȱ56,ȱ60,ȱ61 FaustȱPartȱ1 71 fautorȱiudeorum 328 feloȱdeȱse 560,ȱ576 feminization 434 fengȱshui 498

594 Ferdinand FerdinandȱIII Ferdinandea Fernandes,ȱGarci FernandoȱdeȱRojas

531 559 559,ȱ566,ȱ571 233 22,ȱ406–07, ȱ409,ȱ411,ȱ412 Ficino,ȱMarsilio 529 Figueira 55 Fleet 282,ȱ286,ȱ291–92 Fleta 127 Folc,ȱRaimon 48–49 Folenfant,ȱJean 294 Forgery 190,ȱ195–96,ȱ203Ȭ07, ȱ209,ȱ213Ȭ16,ȱ222,ȱ223 Forman,ȱSimon 501–02 Fortescue 126 Foucault 459 FourthȱLateranȱCouncil 7,ȱ110, ȱ114,ȱ118 fox 248–49,ȱ251Ȭ54,ȱ258 francusȱhomo 119 FrederickȱII 55 Friedrich 303–04,ȱ306Ȭ08,ȱ313,ȱ323 Frisians 228 Froissart,ȱJean 125 FueroȱdeȱCuenca 225–26,ȱ231,ȱ238 FueroȱdeȱSepúlveda 231,ȱ237 FueroȱReal 225–26,ȱ238 fueros 231 Gaimar 115 Galian,ȱJacques 206 Galle,ȱTheodor 532,ȱ547 Gamelyn 175Ȭ88 Gamelyn 16 GastonȱII 203,ȱ213 GävleborgsȱLänsȱLandskansli 562, ȱ 564,ȱ568,ȱ573 Gaydon 33,ȱ34 gelos 60 GeoffreyȱBigȱTooth 87,ȱ88,ȱ90–91 GeoffreyȱofȱLusignan 94

Index GeoffreyȱII,ȱDukeȱofȱBrittany 56 GeoffroiȱdeȱVigeois 52 GeoffroiȱleȱGros 52 geomancy 498 George,ȱCroock 466 GeraldȱofȱWales 145 GérardȱdeȱGalles 52 GerbertȱdeȱMontreuil 122 Gertrud 309 Gertrudis 308 Gesera 312,ȱ329,ȱ330 AȱGestȱofȱRobinȱHood 177,ȱ188 Gielée,ȱJaquemart 141 GillesȱdeȱSillé 365 GillesȱdeȱRais 21,ȱ359Ȭ76,ȱ378,ȱ380, ȱ382Ȭ84,ȱ386Ȭ91,ȱ393Ȭ95,ȱ398Ȭ401 GiovanniȱdeȱLegnano 111 Girard,ȱBishopȱofȱAngoulême 50,ȱ51 GirartȱdeȱVienne 31 GirartȱdeȱRoussillon 13,ȱ30,ȱ31,ȱ36 Glanvill 117 Goddard,ȱWilliam 530 Gole,ȱJacob 468,ȱ481 Goodfellow,ȱRobin 501–02 GormondaȱdeȱMonpeslier 54Ȭ56,ȱ60 Gottesurteil 111 GottfriedȱvonȱStraßburg 14, ȱ66,ȱ80,ȱ125 Goya 406,ȱ411 Gratian 112–13 Greene,ȱRobert 492 GregoryȱXI 114 Griart,ȱHenriet 365 laȱGriesche 289 Grimaut,ȱGui 201 Griselda 357 Grotius,ȱHugo 538 Grundherrschaft 562–63, ȱ565,ȱ569,ȱ571,ȱ572 GuerresȱdeȱReligion 437, ȱ451,ȱ454,ȱ457

Index Gui,ȱBernard Guiȱd’Apremont GuibertȱdeȱNogent GuilhelmaȱMonja GuilhemȱdeȱBergueda

294 202 52 56 47Ȭ49, ȱ59–60,ȱ64 GuilhemȱRainolȱd’At 57 GuilhemȱdeȱlaȱTor 46 GuilhemȱdeȱCabestanh 13 GuilhemȱdeȱFigueira 13 GuilhemȱdeȱCabestanh 46 GuillaumeȱdeȱDecken 210Ȭ12 Guillaume,ȱbishopȱofȱLéon 373 GuillaumeȱdeȱDole 121 GuiotȱdeȱProvins 120–21 GuyȱofȱWarwick 89,ȱ90 Hadrian 229 Haeck,ȱLysbethȱHendricusdr 465 hanging 287 häradsrätt 561–62,ȱ564,ȱ567–68 häradsting 555,ȱ561 DerȱarmeȱHartmann 145 HartmannȱvonȱAue 14, ȱ66–67,ȱ72,ȱ75–76 HeartȱofȱDarkness 541 HeinrichȱderȱGlichezare 15,ȱ131 HeinrichȱderȱTeichner 15 HeinrichȱvonȱMelk 145 HelioȱdeȱManso 296 Helmbrecht 15,ȱ131,ȱ134,ȱ139,ȱ152Ȭ58 HendrickȱdeȱKeyser 464,ȱ476 HenryȱII 116 Heptaméron 22–23, ȱ415Ȭ29,ȱ431,ȱ434–35 Hesiode 518,ȱ523 HicquetȱdeȱBrémont 365 HildebertȱdeȱLavardin 52 HistoriaȱNovarum 115 Hobbes 522 Hogarth 524,ȱ546,ȱ554 Hohenstaufen 146,ȱ158

595 HonoriusȱIII 114 HorologiumȱSapientiae 135,ȱ136 host 19,ȱ20,ȱ24 hostia 306,ȱ308,ȱ318,ȱ331 hostiaȱmirifica 318 Houwelick 463,ȱ469,ȱ482 hovrätt 561,ȱ564,ȱ568–69,ȱ573 HugoȱvonȱTrimberg 132 Hume,ȱDavid 546 HuonȱdeȱBordeaux 31 Hutterin,ȱAlheit 309 identityȱtheft 249,ȱ270–71 incest 233–34 infanticide 227–28,ȱ234 ingratitude 249,ȱ270,ȱ274,ȱ277 InnocentȱIII 116,ȱ118 inquisition 405Ȭ07 intentio 70 Isabella 531 iudiciumȱDei 15,ȱ115,ȱ123 jailers 281,ȱ284Ȭ89,ȱ293–94,ȱ297 jails 284–85,ȱ288,ȱ290,ȱ293 Jeanȱd’Arras 14,ȱ89,ȱ91 JeanȱdeȱMeun 124 JeanȱLeȱFerron 373,ȱ383 JeanȱVȱofȱBrittany 364,ȱ367, ȱ369,ȱ374 JeanȱdeȱMeun 349 JeanȱdeȱMalestroit 367,ȱ369, ȱ373,ȱ399 JeanȱdeȱCraon 362Ȭ65,ȱ375,ȱ396 JehanȱdeȱCarrouges 125 Jephthah 348,ȱ354Ȭ56,ȱ358 TheȱJewȱofȱMalta 542 JoanȱofȱArc 20–21, ȱ359Ȭ61,ȱ363,ȱ372 JohanetaȱdeȱSantolo 292 JohannesȱvonȱTepl 137 JohannesȱdeȱManso 296 JohanniȱdeȱBarra 294 Johannis,ȱGuillelmus 296

596 JohnȱStowe JohnȱofȱSalisbury Jonson,ȱBen JourdainȱdeȱBlaye Jourdainȱdeȱl’Isle JourdainȱdeȱBlaye Judensau jugementȱdeȱDieu

186 145,ȱ206–07 24,ȱ496 31,ȱ34,ȱ36,ȱ37 199,ȱ202 13 133 118,ȱ121–22, ȱ125Ȭ29 LesȱJuliaȱMajestatis 195 Justinian 189 Juvenal,ȱJean 125 Kant,ȱImmanuel 539 KarlȱIX 558–59 Kempe,ȱMargery 289 Klett,ȱKonrad 324 Koloman 309 KonradȱofȱLeobendorf 322 KonradȱanȱderȱHochstrass 302, ȱ304Ȭ09,ȱ321Ȭ25,ȱ333 Korneuburg 299,ȱ301Ȭ04, ȱ 306,ȱ308–09,ȱ311Ȭ14,ȱ317Ȭ19, ȱ 321,ȱ322,ȱ324Ȭ28,ȱ330Ȭ33, ȱ 335–36,ȱ340–41,ȱ344 Kristofersȱlandslag 559–60,ȱ562 LaȱCelestina 22 LaaȱanȱderȱThaya 312,ȱ321,ȱ328 Lais 16 Lakenhal,ȱLeiden 473 Lancelot 87,ȱ88,ȱ96,ȱ98–99,ȱ104 LancelotȬGrailȱCycle 88,ȱ96,ȱ98–99 Landgericht 562–63,ȱ565,ȱ569Ȭ72 Langland,ȱWilliam 28 Languedoc 282,ȱ284–85,ȱ297 LasȱCasas 534 LasȱSieteȱPartidas 17–18 lauzengiers 60 LeȱRomanȱdeȱTristan 15 Leibniz 545 Leobendorf 304,ȱ322,ȱ325 LeonhardȱMeurlȱzuȱLeonbach 152

Index LeopoldȱI 559 Leopoldina 559,ȱ566 Léry,ȱJeanȱde 521,ȱ533 Léry 521,ȱ528,ȱ533 LèseȬmajesté 17,ȱ189Ȭ96, ȱ 200,ȱ202,ȱ204–05,ȱ209–10, ȱ213–14,ȱ216,ȱ219Ȭ22 LexȱCorneliaȱdeȱSicarriss 195,ȱ229 LexȱPompeiaȱdeȱParricidiis 229 LexȱJuliaȱMajestatis 194 Libroȱdeȱlosȱexenlosȱporȱa.b.c. 232 LibroȱdeȱApolonio 233–34 Lilly,ȱWilliam 501 Lithgow,ȱWilliam 167 Livy 20,ȱ124,ȱ348–49,ȱ351 Lohengrin 124 LopeȱdeȱVega 540 LouisȱIX 117,ȱ120 LouisȱX 198 LouisȱXVI 529 LouisȱdeȱNevers 201,ȱ210 Lucanorȱ(seeȱElȱCondeȱLucanor) Lusignan 87,ȱ89,ȱ91, ȱ93–94,ȱ97Ȭ99,ȱ105–06 Lustig,ȱPerȱJönsson 573 Luther,ȱMartin 574 Mabbe,ȱJohn 408 Magnus,ȱAlbertus 351 Magret,ȱGuilhem 47,ȱ57,ȱ59 Maillezais 88,ȱ93–94,ȱ104–05 Maissau 309 MalleusȱMalificarum 407 Malory 126,ȱ356 Manesse 137Ȭ39,ȱ143 Manuel,ȱJuan 18,ȱ247Ȭ50,ȱ253Ȭ65, ȱ267–68,ȱ273,ȱ280 Map,ȱWalter 145 Mareuil,ȱHenriȱde 205 MargueriteȱdeȱNavarre 22–23, ȱ415Ȭ35 Maria,ȱviscountessȱofȱVentadorn 56

Index MariaȱTheresia 559 Marie 362,ȱ368,ȱ372–373,ȱ387,ȱ400 MarieȱdeȱFrance 158 MäritȱErsdotter 567 Marlowe 541 Marquard 307,ȱ324,ȱ333 Marquesia 295 MartinȱV 330 MaryȱMagdalene 87 Mastaroza 296 MatildaȱHerewardȱofȱBranndeston 290 MaximilianȱI 152 Mayr,ȱJohann 572 MehmetȱII 512 mementoȱmori 163,ȱ173 Mickelsdotter,ȱKarin 555,ȱ566Ȭ68 Milton 528 AȱMidsummerȱNight’sȱDream 491–92,ȱ501–02 minnegrotte 84 MiracleȱdeȱThéophile 93 Mirakelbuch 331 Molenaer,ȱHendrickȱDircksz 465 MoniageȱGuillaume 33 Monja,ȱGuillelma 61 Monluc,ȱBlaiseȱde 23,ȱ437Ȭ58 Montaigne 24–25, ȱ509Ȭ20,ȱ531,ȱ539–40 Montanier,ȱÉtienne 211 Moralia 517 More,ȱThomas 539 LeȱMorteȱd’Arthur 356 murumȱstrictum 295 nämndemän 562 Napier,ȱRichard 502 NaturalȱHistoryȱofȱReligion 546 Neckinger,ȱJohannȱGeorg 331 Neidhart 138,ȱ144 Newgate 282,ȱ286, ȱ288–89,ȱ461,ȱ494–95

597 Newton,ȱIsaac 135,ȱ545 NicholasȱArnaud 210Ȭ12 NicholasȱI 111 Nicolas 437,ȱ457 nonȱcomposȱmentis 560,ȱ576 oblata 318,ȱ321 Ogier 31,ȱ32 TheȱOldȱCuriousityȱShop 404 Olof 567–68 ordeal 110,ȱ112Ȭ19, ȱ121–22,ȱ124,ȱ128 Ordinesȱiudiciorum 109,ȱ110 ordoȱScietiam 118 ordo 65,ȱ67,ȱ75,ȱ80 orpȱapel 115 OttoȱvonȱZelking 309 OttoȱanȱdemȱRoßmarkt 304–05, ȱ323–24,ȱ333 OttoȱII 325 paleae,ȱNobilisȱhomo 112 pantoffelheld 469 Papiensis,ȱOtto 117 Paris,ȱMatthew 527 parricide 519 Pärsson,ȱHans 571 Parzival 14,ȱ16,ȱ66,ȱ70,ȱ72Ȭ79,ȱ85 Passau 318–19,ȱ321,ȱ325Ȭ27,ȱ330 Pauer,ȱJacob 571 Paulus 229 PèlerinageȱdeȱCharlemagne 31 Pero 309,ȱ324 PerpetualȱPeace 539 Peter,ȱBishopȱofȱPoitiers 50,ȱ51 Pfundbauer,ȱJohann 564 PhilipȱtheȱFair 198 PhilipȱV 198 PhilipȱVIȱValois 17,ȱ189 PhilipȱtheȱFair 127 PhilipȱtheȱBold 198 Philippa 51,ȱ52 PhilippeȱdeȱBeaumanoir 30,

598 ȱ34Ȭ36,ȱ189 510 494 493,ȱ499, ȱ501–02,ȱ505 TheȱPhysician’sȱTale 20–21,ȱ347–48, ȱ350–51,ȱ353Ȭ358 PhysicoȬTheologicalȱConsiderations 545 Pickenoy,ȱNicolaesȱEliasz 465,ȱ477 Pierreȱdeȱl’Hôpital 375,ȱ381,ȱ383 PierreȱtheȱChanter 100 PiersȱPlowman 28 PlacitaȱCorone 109,ȱ126,ȱ127 Plato 517–18 Pliny 530 Plutarch 510,ȱ517–18 poenaȱcullei 229,ȱ241 poètesȱmaudits 43–44,ȱ47,ȱ63 Polo,ȱMarco 530,ȱ540 PonsȱdeȱCapduelh 48 Mr.ȱPope 494 Prégent,ȱJean 382–83 prisonȱwarden 19 prison 281Ȭ97 privilegium 215 ProseȱTristan 98 Protagoras 517 Pucelle,ȱGerard 116 Pühringer,ȱStephan 572 Pührnsteinerin,ȱCatharina 565–66 Pulkau 321,ȱ324Ȭ28,ȱ331 Quiȱpresbiterum 112 Raimbautȱd’Aurenga 46 Raimonȱd’Avinho 47,ȱ57–58 RaimonȱVI 48 RaimonȱdeȱMiraval 49 RaoulȱdeȱCambrai 32 rape/raptus 4Ȭ6,ȱ8,ȱ11,ȱ21, ȱ235Ȭ42,ȱ347,ȱ356–57 RaymondȱVII 120

PhilippeȱofȱMacedon Philips,ȱJohn Philips,ȱJudith

Index RaymundusȱBonhomme 291Ȭ93,ȱ296 RaymundusȱdeȱSantoȱPaulo 296 razo 47,ȱ49,ȱ56,ȱ61–63 RegistreȱCriminelȱdeȱlaȱJustice 237, ȱ239 Registreȱdeȱl’OfficialitéȱdeȱCerisy 236 ReinhardȱFuchs 15,ȱ131,ȱ134, ȱ 140Ȭ42,ȱ148,ȱ157,ȱ158 ReinmarȱvonȱBrennenberg 138 Renart 121 RenartȱleȱBestourné 141 RenartȱleȱNouvel 141 RenaudȱdeȱPressigny 210,ȱ212 RenautȱdeȱMontauban 32 RenéȱdeȱLaȱSuze 367,ȱ369, ȱ387,ȱ400 Renerus 116 DerȱRenner 132 Reus,ȱKonrad 306Ȭ08,ȱ323 Ribaldus 305 RichardȱIȱofȱEngland 56 RichardȱCoeurȱdeȱLion 47,ȱ48 Ried,ȱHans 152 Rintfleisch 310 RoberdȱofȱCisyle 89–90 RobertȱtheȱDevilȱ(leȱDiable) 14,ȱ 87Ȭ91,ȱ101,ȱ103,ȱ105Ȭ07 RobinȱHood 177,ȱ182,ȱ188 RobinsonȱCrusoe 542Ȭ44 RogerȱdeȱBricqueville 365,ȱ368 Roghman,ȱGeertruydt 470,ȱ483 RoiȱFloreȱetȱlaȱbelleȱJeanne 122 Romanȱdeȱlaȱrose 348,ȱ351 LeȱRomanȱdeȱMélusine 14,ȱ88, ȱ90–91 RomanȱdeȱRenart 140–41 RomanȱdeȱlaȱRose 121,ȱ124 Romanȱdeȱlaȱviolette 122 Romulart,ȱRobin 365 Rossignol,ȱJean 365 Röttingen 310

Index Rousseau 522 Rubey,ȱPetrus 296 Rudel,ȱJaufre 46 Rudger 320 RudolfȱI 328 RudolfȱIII 318Ȭ20,ȱ322,ȱ326Ȭ28 Rufus,ȱWilliam 115 Rutebeuf 93,ȱ141 Sachsenspiegel 3,ȱ6,ȱ114 sacoȱbenito 405 SaintȱLouis 191,ȱ198–99,ȱ213 SaintȬGermainȬdesȬPrès 289 Saladin 248,ȱ263,ȱ264,ȱ267Ȭ70 Samadet,ȱPierre 205–06 sambenito 405–06 Sarrasinȱd’Angle 198 Schoderleh,ȱChunzelinus 309 Schottenstift 320 Seneca 519 Seuseȱ(seeȱSuso) SevenȱDeadlyȱSins 28 Shakespeare 491,ȱ492,ȱ494,ȱ496, ȱ501–02,ȱ541–42 shame 267,ȱ269–70 Shellerin 306 Shem,ȱHeinrich 307–08,ȱ333 Sidlin 306,ȱ313,ȱ323 Sidlo 305,ȱ307 SieteȱPartidas 225Ȭ27,ȱ229–30, ȱ235,ȱ238–39,ȱ241,ȱ244Ȭ46 Sifridus 306,ȱ309,ȱ323 SimonȱdeȱMontfort 290 SirȱYsumbras 89,ȱ90 SirȱGowther 89–90,ȱ97,ȱ101,ȱ107 sirventesȱcontraȱRoma 54 Socrates 519 Sommeȱrural 35 Spinhuis 23–24,ȱ27,ȱ459,ȱ476Ȭ80 Sprat,ȱThomas 525 St.ȱPölten 299,ȱ301,ȱ319,ȱ328 StephanȱV 111

599 Sternberg 330 LeȱStinche 286,ȱ288 TheȱStricker 145,ȱ158 TheȱStruggleȱforȱDailyȱBread 474, ȱ489 Stubbes,ȱPhilip 492 Sueton 515 suicide 20,ȱ26,ȱ555Ȭ66,ȱ568Ȭ76 Suso,ȱHenry 135Ȭ37 SwerigesȱRikesȱLag 560,ȱ566 Swift,ȱJonathan 541 SynodȱofȱSeligenstadt 112 Tasch,ȱRapoto 324 Tasco 309 Tertullian 353 Testament 2,ȱ8,ȱ16,ȱ21,ȱ159,ȱ163Ȭ73 TheȱNewȱWorld 521,ȱ524, 531Ȭ35,ȱ537,ȱ540 ThéatreȱdesȱcruautezȱdesȱHereticquesȱ deȱnostreȱtemps 522 theft 247Ȭ49,ȱ251Ȭ54,ȱ256, ȱ257,ȱ260,ȱ262–63,ȱ268, ȱ 270–71,ȱ273Ȭ75,ȱ277,ȱ280 Theresiana 559,ȱ566,ȱ571–72 Thibaultȱd’Aucigny 166,ȱ168 thief 247Ȭ50,ȱ252–53,ȱ257–58, ȱ260–61,ȱ263–64,ȱ267–68,ȱ271 ThirtyȱYears’ȱWar 538 Thomas,ȱStyntje 465 SaintȱThomas 122 Tiberius 512 Tielensz,ȱMichael 466 torture 245 TotemȱandȱTaboo 524 Toulouse 19,ȱ284,ȱ285,ȱ290Ȭ97 traïson 193 TreatyȱofȱMeaux 120 TristanȱundȱIsolde 14,ȱ66,ȱ80–81, ȱ122,ȱ124–25 trobairitz 44,ȱ54,ȱ56,ȱ59Ȭ63 troubadours 13,ȱ43Ȭ49,ȱ52Ȭ64

600 trouvères 43 truth 253Ȭ55,ȱ259,ȱ269–70,ȱ278–79 Turke,ȱThomas 528 Turlande,ȱPierreȱde 202–03 UlfardȱdeȱGhistelles 200 Vallante,ȱBartolomeo 515 vanȱBeverwijk,ȱJohann 463 vanȱBrekelenkam,ȱQuirijn 464,ȱ471 vanȱDorhout,ȱJanȱJansz 465 vanȱHelmont,ȱJ.ȱB. 530 vanȱMeckenam,ȱIsrael 472,ȱ486 vanȱSantvoort,ȱDirckȱDircksz 465, ȱ478 vanȱdeȱStraet,ȱJan 532 vanȱdeȱVenne,ȱAdriaen 472 vanȱderȱHelst,ȱBartholomeus 467, ȱ480 vanȱderȱVoort,ȱCornelis 464 vandalisms 203 Verlaine,ȱPaul 44 Vermeer 470,ȱ484 Vespucci 532,ȱ547 vicini 117 vida 46Ȭ49,ȱ52–53,ȱ55Ȭ57,ȱ59Ȭ61,ȱ63 Vidal,ȱPeire 48,ȱ59 Villon,ȱFrançois 16,ȱ43–45,ȱ64, ȱ 159–60,ȱ163–64,ȱ170,ȱ172 Virgil 409,ȱ410 VitalisȱDurandi 296 Vitalis,ȱBerengaria 296 Vitalis,ȱOrderic 51,ȱ52 AȱVoyageȱtoȱtheȱMoon 544 Vries,ȱPietertjeȱde 467 WachsmutȱvonȱMühlhausen 138 Wallsee 309 WaltherȱvonȱderȱVogelweide 148–49,ȱ156 wardens 281,ȱ283,ȱ285Ȭ89,ȱ297 Webbe,ȱMargaret 237 Weert,ȱSebaldȱde 536 Weikersdorf 321,ȱ326

Index WernerȱvonȱElmendorf 145 WernhardȱofȱPrambach 321 WernherȱderȱGartenære 15,ȱ131, ȱ 134,ȱ139,ȱ142,ȱ152Ȭ57 West,ȱAlice 494,ȱ502 West,ȱJohn 494,ȱ502 WilliamȱofȱMalmesbury 50Ȭ52 WilliamȱofȱSaintȬThierry 143 WilliamȱIX,ȱDukeȱofȱAquitaine 13 WilliamȱIXȱofȱPoitiers 49 Wilson,ȱJohn 500 WitchesȱinȱtheȱAir 411 WitigoȱofȱBruck 309 WolframȱvonȱEschenbach 14,ȱ16, ȱ 66,ȱ72,ȱ75,ȱ77,ȱ79,ȱ124 Zachrisson,ȱJon 564 Zerkel 301,ȱ302,ȱ305Ȭ08, ȱ312Ȭ14,ȱ317,ȱ321,ȱ332–33,ȱ335Ȭ41 Zorzi,ȱBartolomeo 47 Zwingli 528

AcknowledgmentȱandȱGratitude

Theȱ currentȱ volumeȱ alreadyȱ makesȱ upȱ theȱ eleventhȱ volumeȱ inȱ ourȱ series “FundamentalsȱofȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱCulture.”ȱItȱisȱnotȱevenȱthatȱlong agoȱ thatȱ Dr.ȱ Heikoȱ Hartmann,ȱ thenȱ EditorȬinȬChiefȱ atȱ Deȱ Gruyterȱ (nowȱ with AkademieȱVerlag),ȱandȱDr.ȱAlbrechtȱClassen,ȱUniversityȱDistinguishedȱProfessor atȱtheȱUniversityȱofȱArizona,ȱagreedȱonȱlaunchingȱthisȱseries.ȱReallyȱtheȱveryȱfirst volume,ȱChildhoodȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱandȱtheȱRenaissanceȱ(2005)ȱhadȱnotȱevenȱyet beenȱpartȱofȱit,ȱbutȱifȱweȱincludeȱitȱinȱourȱcalculation,ȱtheȱpresentȱvolumeȱwould countȱasȱtheȱtwelfthȱ(no.ȱ1ȱwasȱmyȱmonographȱTheȱPowerȱofȱaȱWoman’sȱVoiceȱin MedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModernȱLiteratures,ȱ2007).ȱMoreover,ȱseveralȱotherȱvolumesȱare alreadyȱinȱpreparationȱforȱpublication,ȱandȱothersȱareȱcurrentlyȱinȱtheȱplanning stages.ȱSoȱitȱseemsȱaȱveryȱgoodȱtimeȱbrieflyȱtoȱreflectȱbackwardsȱandȱtoȱexpressȱmy gratitudeȱbothȱtoȱtheȱmanyȱcontributorsȱandȱtoȱDeȱGruyterȱandȱitsȱwonderfulȱstaff bothȱ inȱ Berlinȱ andȱ inȱ Tübingen.ȱ Theȱ collaborationȱ hasȱ beenȱ marvelousȱ and unparalleled.ȱWeȱcanȱallȱbeȱveryȱproudȱofȱtheȱseries,ȱwhichȱhasȱcoveredȱmany fundamentalȱaspectsȱofȱmedievalȱandȱearlyȱmodernȱcultureȱandȱwillȱaddressȱmany moreȱinȱtheȱfuture.ȱ Althoughȱ notȱ partȱ ofȱ ourȱ series,ȱ inȱ 2010ȱ appearedȱ inȱ printȱ theȱ threeȬvolume HandbookȱofȱMedievalȱStudies:ȱTermsȱ–ȱMethodsȱ–ȱTrends,ȱed.ȱbyȱAlbrechtȱClassen, andȱcurrentlyȱtheȱnewȱproject,ȱHandbookȱofȱMedievalȱCulture,ȱalsoȱed.ȱbyȱAlbrecht Classen,ȱisȱfullyȱonȱitsȱway.ȱThisȱclearlyȱmeansȱthatȱMedievalȱandȱEarlyȱModern Studiesȱareȱaliveȱandȱwellȱinȱtermsȱofȱresearch,ȱsoȱweȱcanȱonlyȱhopeȱthatȱthisȱwill alsoȱ translateȱ intoȱ renewedȱ studentȱ interestsȱ andȱ supportȱ byȱ academic administrationsȱworldwide,ȱnotȱtoȱspeakȱofȱtheȱbroaderȱpublic.ȱOurȱpresentȱis,ȱas allȱtheseȱeffortsȱandȱendeavorsȱilluminateȱonlyȱtooȱvividly,ȱdeeplyȱdeterminedȱby theȱpremodernȱworld,ȱandȱweȱwouldȱallȱbeȱwellȱadvisedȱtoȱheedȱcarefullyȱthe messagesȱfromȱtheȱpastȱinȱorderȱtoȱforgeȱaheadȱintoȱtheȱfuture.ȱHumanȱculture, philosophy,ȱreligion,ȱliterature,ȱandȱtheȱartsȱasȱdevelopedȱinȱtheȱMiddleȱAgesȱand earlyȱ modernȱ timesȱ haveȱ alwaysȱ embracedȱ theȱ physicalȱ andȱ theȱ spiritual,ȱ so whetherȱweȱlookȱatȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱmentalityȱorȱtheȱhistoryȱofȱeverydayȱculture, fundamentalȱaspectsȱfromȱthatȱepochȱcontinueȱtoȱbeȱofȱcentralȱrelevanceȱforȱus todayȱandȱtomorrow.ȱ

602

AcknowledgmentȱandȱGratitude

IȱwouldȱlikeȱtoȱexpressȱmyȱparticularȱgratitudeȱtoȱmyȱsteadyȱandȱwonderfulȱcoȬ editorȱofȱthisȱseries,ȱProf.ȱMarilynȱSandidge,ȱwhoseȱcalmȱandȱreliableȱsupportȱhas beenȱanȱincredibleȱcontributionȱthroughout.ȱMyȱrecentȱcoȬeditorsȱofȱindividual volumes,ȱProf.ȱChristopherȱR.ȱClasonȱandȱProf.ȱConnieȱScarborough,ȱalsoȱdeserve particularȱacknowledgment.ȱChristineȱHaenschel,ȱformerlyȱatȱDeȱGruyter,ȱandȱher successor,ȱDanielȱGietz,ȱhaveȱbeenȱasȱcompetentȱandȱsupportiveȱasȱSusanneȱMang andȱManuelaȱGerlof.ȱIȱcannotȱgiveȱenoughȱwordsȱofȱpraiseȱandȱthanksȱtoȱallȱof them.ȱ Butȱ thereȱ areȱ manyȱ otherȱ peopleȱ inȱ theȱ backgroundȱ whoȱ alsoȱ have contributedȱinȱmanyȱdifferentȱways,ȱandȱIȱoweȱthemȱallȱmyȱgratitude.ȱIȱwouldȱalso likeȱtoȱacknowledgeȱmanyȱofȱtheȱregularȱcontributorsȱtoȱourȱvolumes,ȱbutȱthatȱlist wouldȱ simplyȱ growȱ tooȱ longȱ atȱ thisȱ point.ȱ Theyȱ allȱ knowȱ howȱ muchȱ Iȱ have appreciatedȱandȱcontinueȱtoȱappreciateȱtheirȱscholarlyȱwork,ȱtheirȱpatienceȱwith myȱconstantlyȱnaggingȱquestions,ȱinquiries,ȱrequests,ȱandȱ(hopefully)ȱconstructive criticism,ȱandȱhowȱmuchȱIȱhaveȱfeltȱhonoredȱtoȱeditȱtheirȱsubsequentlyȱimpressive, polished,ȱandȱthoroughlyȱrevisedȱpieces.ȱDr.ȱHartmann,ȱhowever,ȱonceȱagain,ȱas aȱkindȱofȱ“spiritusȱrector”ȱforȱourȱseriesȱandȱthenȱalsoȱforȱtheȱHandbookȱofȱMedieval Studies,ȱdeservesȱtoȱbeȱmentionedȱoneȱmoreȱtime.ȱHeȱhasȱcontributedȱinȱmany waysȱtoȱtheȱwellȬbeingȱofȱMedievalȱStudiesȱinȱGermanyȱandȱonȱaȱglobalȱlevel.ȱ Weȱhaveȱalwaysȱtriedȱtoȱachieveȱperfection,ȱbutȱnobodyȱisȱperfect.ȱNevertheless, theȱgoalȱremainsȱtoȱachieveȱtheȱhighestȱpossibleȱscholarlyȱquality,ȱandȱifȱweȱhave failed,ȱthenȱweȱhopeȱthatȱourȱreadersȱattributeȱthisȱsimplyȱtoȱtheȱfactȱthatȱweȱare human,ȱafterȱall.ȱ Butȱtheseȱwordsȱareȱnotȱsupposedȱtoȱbeȱanȱepitaph,ȱonȱtheȱcontrary.ȱWeȱareȱinȱthe midstȱnowȱofȱaȱflourishingȱscholarlyȱbookȱseries,ȱandȱweȱallȱlookȱforwardȱtoȱmany moreȱvolumesȱtoȱcomeȱforwardȱsinceȱthereȱareȱstillȱsoȱmanyȱotherȱfundamental aspectsȱ ofȱ humanȱ existenceȱ inȱ theȱ Middleȱ Agesȱ andȱ earlyȱ modernȱ timeȱ toȱ be covered.ȱItȱisȱaȱgreatȱhonorȱtoȱbeȱpublishedȱbyȱDeȱGruyter. Iȱdoȱnotȱwantȱtoȱconcludeȱtheseȱbriefȱremarksȱwithoutȱaȱquietȱbutȱdeeplyȱfeltȱthank youȱtoȱtheȱcentralȱmainstayȱinȱmyȱlifeȱwithoutȱwhomȱnothingȱwouldȱbeȱreally possibleȱ orȱ matterȱ forȱ me,ȱ myȱ belovedȱ wifeȱ Carolyn,ȱ companion,ȱ friend,ȱ and motherȱofȱourȱsonȱStephan.ȱWhatȱwouldȱweȱbothȱbeȱwithoutȱhim?