Four-legged knight and the outcome of a strange but fair duel (5 photos)

God's judgment is a specific and frightening system for identifying guilty, which was practiced in the early Middle Ages. When conventional methods did not give results and did not help to prove guilt or innocence, the judges resorted to testing with water, fire, red-hot iron and other wild techniques.





Sometimes they helped. Sometimes not. But this case of God's judgment became unprecedented and once again proved the nobility of animals and deceit of people.



The story takes place in France in 1371. Served at court King Charles V, two knights - Aubrey de Montdidier and Richard de Maker. Men chatted, even made friends. But de Montdidier was distinguished by military talents, was more successful and enjoyed the favor of the king. De Maker envied his friend's luck. And once dealt with him while hunting in the forest of Bondi. Buried the body under the trees and filled the grave leaves.

The only witness to the atrocity was the hunting dog Aubrey nicknamed Brutus. The dog returned to the castle and was adopted by one of his friends deceased. She repeatedly tried to draw people's attention to the forest: she barked, dragged her by her clothes, stopped and looked around. Friends, suspecting that not everything was clear with the disappearance of Aubrey, followed her. And they found the grave of a knight.



Engraving "Dog from Montargis"

He himself attended the farewell ceremony for de Mondidier king. Next to which was the "inconsolable" Richard de Maker. Dog started to bark at him, rush and try to bite. No matter how driven away an angry animal, it returned again and again to its attempts.

The king considered. And ordered to hold a kind investigative experiment: lined up several dozen knights and ordered release Brutus. He ignored everyone and lashed out at Richard again.

Let there be judgment



Montargis, France

Then Karl decided to resort to God's judgment. dog and men were to fight on the island of Louvier on October 8, 1381. It seems that the dog had no chance, because he was opposed by a young one, well-trained knight, armed with a club for attack and a shield for guard. And the dog was given only a barrel without a bottom to find inside a brief respite from the blows.



Sculpture by Gustave Debry at Montargis

But when the animal was let off the leash, it attacked enemy with such fury and aggression that the courtiers could not restrain astonished exclamation. Soon the dog managed to jump up and grab Richard into the throat. He begged for mercy and confessed to the murder. By order of the king the murderer was hanged, and a stone image was dedicated to the devoted Brutus. An engraving of the faithful defender also adorned the wall of Montargis Castle.