A SODOMY SCANDAL ON THE EVE OF THE FRENCH WARS OF RELIGION

Abstract This article uncovers a sodomy scandal that took place in the Benedictine abbey of Morigny, on eve French Wars Religion, order to tackle an apparently simple yet persistent question history early modern criminal justice. Why, despite all formal and informal obstacles their way, did plaintiffs bring charges before court this period? The investigates led conviction public execution abbey's porter Pierre Logerie, known as ‘the gendarme Morigny’, situates it wider patterns justice well developing spiritual crisis civil wars during mid-sixteenth century. Overall, demonstrates how period could prove useful resolving disputes, even crimes scandalous difficult articulate sodomy, but only when interests local elites strongly aligned with those courts where sought