Introduction

Summary

In a village of fourteenth-century England, there is rumor about an affair. People described as good and upright in the community fill the air with gossip. A certain couple is engaged in fornication, they tell the bishop’s judge on his visit to check on talk about sinful behavior. The alleged offenders, whose names may have been Michael and Mary, are summoned before the traveling court where Michael readily admits that the charge is true. Mary’s sworn statement reveals an important difference, however, because in her opinion intercourse did not occur until the two had traded promises to marry.