The Criminal Prosecution and Capital Punishment of Animals
E. P. Evans
History
Book language: English
269 pages
E. P. Evans's historical study examines animal trials in Europe, mainly in the medieval and early modern periods. It surveys legal records in which animals were prosecuted, excommunicated, or sentenced for damage or death, and reflects on the beliefs behind such practices. It is worth listening to for its view of law, religion, and popular mentality in the past.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OF ANIMALS BY THE SAME AUTHOR ANIMAL SYMBOLISM IN ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE. Fully illustrated. In one Vol. Crown 8vo. Price 9s. EVOLUTIONAL ETHICS AND ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY. In one Vol. Crown 8vo. Price 9s. LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN Larger Image Execution of a Sow.
THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OF ANIMALS BΏ E. P. EVANS AUTHOR OF “ANIMAL SYMBOLISM IN ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE,” “EVOLUTIONAL ETHICS AND ANIMAL PSYCHOLOGY,” ETC., ETC. Larger Image LONDON WILLIAM HEINEMANN MCMVI Copyright 1906 by William Heinemann CONTENTS INTRODUCTION
Sources—Amira’s distinction between retributive and preventive processes—Addosio’s incorrect designation of the latter as civil suits—Inconsistent attitude of the Church in excommunicating animals—Causal relation of crime to demoniacal possession—Squatter sovereignty of devils—Aura corrumpens—Diabolical infestation and lack of ventilation
—“Bewitched kine”—Greek furies and Christian demons—
Homicidal bees, laying cocks and crowing hens—Theory of the personification of animals—Beasts in Frankish, Welsh, and old
German laws—Animal prosecutions and witchcraft—The
Mosaic code in Christian courts—Pagan deities as demons—
Born malefactors among beasts—The theory of punishment in modern criminology p. 1
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