Women and the Law in 14th-Century England

In November 1394 Robert Polidod and his wife Margery, both of Nottingham, complained in the city’s  borough court that Richard Hawkburn and his wife Alice owed them 22d for ale and a cash loan. Though Richard and Alice denied owing the money, an inquisition jury was summoned and reported that they did.  The couple were …

Was Oscar Wilde Fairly Tried?

On 25 May 1895 Oscar Wilde and his co-defendant Alfred Taylor were convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour.  The key evidence against them came from their former associates – “renters” Charles Parker, Fred Atkins and Alfred Wood who testified that Wilde had committed “indecent acts” with them and …