In a land on what is now the Mediterranean Riviera coast of France there was a lordship area that had been quite liberal in social affairs. This was frowned upon by the church and soon there was a change of lords and such liberties were quickly frowned upon and treated with harsh penalties.
It took little more than an accusation to become in trouble with the constable. Those who confessed and cooperated were granted a merciful execution.
If there was no confession or cooperation the condemned women would suffer a more brutal punishment. Instead of a private beheading… well, let us look in on Janine. She has been accused of being a lesbian. Janine bravely suffered her inquisition in the lord’s dungeon but never admitted any of her sexual activity and certainly would not name a lover.
At her trial Janine knelt naked in irons and would only answer “do to me as you wish… I will not entertain this court.”
Janine was found guilty based on the accusation of her sexual orientation and her refusal to cooperate with the court by not naming her lover. Janine is condemned to hang by her neck until she is dead. The execution will be done on the gallows in the field outside of town where market day happens weekly.
Janine is marched to the gallows wearing only the rope that binds her wrists behind her back. She is placed on a stool on the gallows’ deck and the hangman ties the rope around her neck.
I stand on a stool naked before the crowd except for the rope binding my wrists and the loose loop of rope around my neck. The constable reads what lies I have been convicted. The cleric prays to the crowd for my eternal damnation in hell. I am finally asked if I have any final words. I hide the fear that fills my gut and yell “You have taken everything from me but my past. Husbands I have slept with tell your wives. Wives I have slept with keep silent or you will hang like I…
-Janine
Janine has more to say but the hangman needs no tip to know it is kick the stool from beneath her feet. Her protests are cut short by the rope hangs her from her neck.
It is no merciful execution as Janine is still twitching when the bell tolls the quarter hour she has been hanged.
But what has this to do with Messa and Judith?
We will see soon!!!
It took little more than an accusation to become in trouble with the constable. Those who confessed and cooperated were granted a merciful execution.
If there was no confession or cooperation the condemned women would suffer a more brutal punishment. Instead of a private beheading… well, let us look in on Janine. She has been accused of being a lesbian. Janine bravely suffered her inquisition in the lord’s dungeon but never admitted any of her sexual activity and certainly would not name a lover.
At her trial Janine knelt naked in irons and would only answer “do to me as you wish… I will not entertain this court.”
Janine was found guilty based on the accusation of her sexual orientation and her refusal to cooperate with the court by not naming her lover. Janine is condemned to hang by her neck until she is dead. The execution will be done on the gallows in the field outside of town where market day happens weekly.
Janine is marched to the gallows wearing only the rope that binds her wrists behind her back. She is placed on a stool on the gallows’ deck and the hangman ties the rope around her neck.
I stand on a stool naked before the crowd except for the rope binding my wrists and the loose loop of rope around my neck. The constable reads what lies I have been convicted. The cleric prays to the crowd for my eternal damnation in hell. I am finally asked if I have any final words. I hide the fear that fills my gut and yell “You have taken everything from me but my past. Husbands I have slept with tell your wives. Wives I have slept with keep silent or you will hang like I…
-Janine
Janine has more to say but the hangman needs no tip to know it is kick the stool from beneath her feet. Her protests are cut short by the rope hangs her from her neck.
It is no merciful execution as Janine is still twitching when the bell tolls the quarter hour she has been hanged.
But what has this to do with Messa and Judith?
We will see soon!!!
..... but dont be astonished if Messa and Judith are in love : if they find that somebody could be guilty, they will condemn both, at least !
