During the Middle Ages, it was not uncommon for offending animals or insects to be put on Trial before judge and jury.
The trial was treated as seriously as if it were a human in the dock! And that animals were morally and legally responsible for their actions.
Pig
The Plaintiff: French Family
The Defendant: A Pig
The Charge: The pig was accused with unauthorised entry a house whereupon the pig did willfully disfigure the face of a child, as a result of these injuries the child then departed this life.
The Verdict: Guilty - The pig failed to adequately defend itself in court.
Punishment: Death by Hanging
Caterpillars
The Plaintiff: The Grand Vicar of Valence, France
The Defendant: Caterpillars
The Charge: The caterpillars were willfully causing destruction of the Grand Vicar's crops. Failure of the caterpillars to appear in the dock in accordance with the Court Order meant that a lawyer had to be appointed by the court to defend them.
The Verdict: Guilty as charged (the appointed lawyer failed to make a good case on the caterpillar's behalf)
Punishment: Banishment from the Diocese.
Rats
The Plaintiff: Barley Growers of Autun, France
The Defendant: Rats
The Charge: Burglary of barley - When the impudent rats failed to appear in court, a young lawyer by the name of Chassenee was appointed to defend the rodents. He was determined to make a name for himself in court - Chassenee first argued that the case involved all the rats in diocese, therefore they must ALL appear in the dock - when they failed to appear in accordance with their summons, he argued that under the law, the rats were entitled to protection to and from court, so not appeared as they were scared of being caught by wild cats on route to court.
The Verdict: Unknown - (but every felon wanted to hire Chassenee)
Weevils
The Plaintiff: Vineyard Growers - St Julien, France
The Defendant: Weevils
The Charge: Destruction of Vines / Grapes
The Verdict: Guilty - A proclamation was issued by the Judge that the offending Weevils must desist their illegal activities with immediate effect.
Punishment: None (as amazingly the weevils disappeared)
Mosquitoes
The Plaintiff: The People of Mayenne - France
The Defendant: Mosquitoes
The Charge: Causing a public nuisance by swarming and biting
The Verdict: Not Guilty (the mosquitoes failed to appear in court and a lawyer was appointed who pleaded such a convincing case, that the townsfolk took pity on the flying nuisances).
Rooster
The Plaintiff: The City of Basal, Switzerland
The Defendant: A Rooster
The Charge: Indulging in Sorcery - based upon the fact that it laid eggs - and an egg laid by a rooster is prized by sorcerers
The Verdict: Guilty as charged
Punishment: Death - by burning at the stake.
