10. The Sow of Savigny (1457)
In 1457, Savigny, France, held a sensational trial involving a sow and her piglets, accused of killing a child. The court found the mother guilty and sentenced her to execution, while the piglets were acquitted due to insufficient evidence. This case was meticulously documented and is frequently referenced in discussions about animal trials. It reveals the detailed—and sometimes surprisingly nuanced—approach medieval courts took toward such proceedings. Read more
