Attitude to animals in the Middle Ages
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In the
Middle Ages church paid much attention to animals, long
"scientific" disputes were discussed about them. One held the opinion
that animals - God's creations that have "immortal soul", others like
the Italian cardinal Roberto Ballarmino, didn't believe in their afterlife and
therefore regrets for animals who are fated to live only on the earth, the
third held the opinion of the French monk Bonzho considering that animals are
devils.
Judicial
procedures over animals meet in the history of the Middle Ages. Pigs, bulls,
cows, mules, horses, cats, dogs and chicken most often appeared in similar
criminal procedure. Animals were considered as conscious beings and shall
answer to the law for any crime committed by them or the property harm done by
them to the person or the country.
The God's
court was applied to animals.
Before
saying a sentence, following words were sent to defendants: "You are the
God's creature, I respect you. You possess the Earth as well as me; I shouldn't
wish your death. But you harm and encroach on my heritage, you ruins my
vineyards, you devours my harvest. Thus you deprives harvest of my work.
Perhaps, I deserve it because I am no more not less as the unfortunate sinner.
In any case the right strong is the nefarious right. I will explain you your
fault, I will ask about God's mercy, I will specify the place where you will be
able to exist, and then you have to leave; if you will persist, then I will
damn you".
Also there
were judicial procedures against the whole mass of the animals belonging to
so-called dirty: mice, rats, moles, caterpillars, snakes. Animals were offered
to leave the earth of the defendant (a community, the state) and when they
refused they always damned and excommunicated from the church that was considered
as the most severe punishment. For example, the bishop of Lausanne in 1120 has
acted this way, having excommunicated caterpillars and field mice who didn’t
obey to a sentence of court and in the next year he has separated flies who
have got into church. The great Vicar in 1584 and 1585 has damned caterpillars
which have appeared in dioceses. Oten's bishop publicly declared a rat
excommunicated from church.
In medieval
judicial books has remained record about how the court has decided to declare
to call mice on all villages. However mice didn't appear on court. The lawyer
has screened them, having declared that it is difficult for mice to come: they
need to travel through the woods and ravines, streams and bogs, besides
continually they are trapped by enemies - cats, foxes, owls. At last, he has
delivered an ardent speech, proving that it is impossible to accuse all them
and it is necessary to ascertain individually guilt of each mouse. And as it
was impossible, judicial procedure had to be stopped. However, defend of the
clients was not always sucessful. Sometimes rats and mice were sentenced to
eviction. But always the court issued them charters of immunity that they were
not eaten on the road by cats.
In the 13th
century the pig has been sentenced to hanging in France for the fact that she
has eaten the issue.
In 1268 the
pig who has damaged the child has been condemned.
In 1314 the
bull has been sentenced to hanging for
hitting people.
In
1389 the horse who has killed the person
was executed.
In 1442 in
Zurich judged a wolf. It was brought on court in cage and placed intocentral
square where the court has taken place. The wolf was accused of murder of two
girls. He had hot defenders. Nevertheless he has been condemned and executed.
In the 15th
century a stallion was judged because of laziness and irascibility. By a court
decision he has been killed with a cudgel.
In 1796 in
Germany live bull was buried because of him reduction of scattle began.
Tylorsquat's
materials.
1 коммент.
I didn't understand, you didn't even leave a source beyond the names and dates, is there material that explains this in detail?
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