ABSTRACT
Like modern film audiences, those listening to literature in the Middle Ages enjoyed nothing better than a good courtroom drama, preferably spiced with some sex or violence:
Perrot, who devoted his cunning art to putting into verse the deeds of Reynard and his dear crony Isengrin, left out the best part of his matter when he forgot about the lawsuit brought for judgment in the court of Noble the lion concerning the gross fornication perpetrated by Reynard, that master of iniquity, against Lady Hersent the she-wolf. 1
In the same period, legal metaphors structured or were incorporated within writings on many subjects, human and divine. 2 Participation in legal matters was widespread. A significant proportion of the male population participated in court decisions, a much larger proportion was involved in the maintenance of law and order.