All language subtitles for The.Advocate.1993.WEBRip.x264-ION10

[ Bells Ringing ]

[ Man ]
ROGER LANDRIER,

YOU ARE DECLARED ATTAINTED
AND CONVICTED OF CRIMES
AGAINST NATURE...

IN THAT YOU DID HAVE
CARNAL KNOWLEDGE
OF THE SHE-ASS HERE PRESENT.

AND THAT OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS,
YOU HAVE SIMILARLY
CONFOUNDED YOURSELF...

WITH A NUMBER OF BITCHES
OF YOUR OWN HOUSEHOLD,

AND WITH TWO EWES,

THE PROPERTY OF YOUR NEIGHBOR
DESCHAUFFEUR.

YOU ARE DELIVERED TO
THE MASTER OF HIGH WORKS

TO BE STRIPPED
AND HANGED BY THE NECK,

AND STRANGLED
UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD.

AS THE LAW REQUIRES,
YOUR COLLABORATOR, THE SHE-ASS,

WILL SUFFER THE SAME PENALTY
ON THE GIBBET BESIDE YOU.

THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON US.

[ Man ]
STOP! STOP!

STOP!

[ Man ] FATHER LUCIAN
OF THE VILLAGE OF EZIES

BRINGS A PETITION FROM
THE GOOD PEOPLE OF HIS PARISH.

"THIS DOCUMENT TESTIFIES TO
THE PREVIOUS GOOD CHARACTER

"OF THE BEAST HERE PRESENT,
KNOWN AS VIRGINIE,

"AND ATTESTS SHE
COULD NEVER HAVE WILLINGLY
PARTICIPATED IN

THE UNNATURAL ACT
FOR WHICH SHE IS CONDEMNED."

IT IS MY DIRECTION...

THAT THE PERSON OF
THE SHE-ASS WAS VIOLATED
WITHOUT HER CONSENT.

SHE IS RELEASED
WITHOUT STAIN TO HER CHARACTER.

PROCEED.

IN NOMINE PATRIS, ET FILII,
ET SPIRITUS SANCTI. AMEN.

[ Creaking, Crunching ]

[ Crow Caws ]

COME ON, NOW!
HUP! HUP!

HYAH!
COME ON THERE!

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1452,

I MATHIEU, LAWYER'’S CLERK,
LEFT THE FINE CITY OF PARIS...

TO ACCOMPANY MY YOUTHFUL MASTER,
THE ADVOCATE,

IN SEARCH OF
THE SIMPLE COUNTRY PLEASURES.

IT WAS MY MASTER'’S
FERVENT HOPE THAT IN
A MODEST RURAL PRACTICE...

HE MIGHT ESCAPE THE POLITICKING
AND CORRUPTION OF THE BIG CITY.

[ Passes Gas ]

FOR MY PART, I WAS DOUBTFUL
WHETHER AMONGST THE PEASANTRY...

AND THE WILES OF PONTHIEU...

WE'’D FIND ANYTHING APPROXIMATING
TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

BUT THEN,
I'’M NOT THE ADVOCATE.

[ Dogs Barking,
Hoofbeats ]

[ Dogs Barking Viscously ]

[ Horseman ]
HEY!

NO-O-O!

AHH!

I WAS ASLEEP,
WAS I?

- DID I MAKE A NOISE?
- MONSIEUR WAS DREAMING,
PERHAPS.

I DON'’T DREAM, MADAME.
WAS I SNORING? YES.

THEY'’VE STOPPED TO LET
THE HUNT GO BY.

[ Men Shouting ]

WHICH WAY?

MAITRE?

- [ Maitre ] WHOSE CASTLE IS IT?
- [ Woman ] THE SEIGNEUR
JEHAN D'’AUFERRE.

- HE'’S THE LORD OF ABBEVILLE,
MONSIEUR.
- MAITRE.

MONSIEUR IS AN ADVOCATE OF LAW,
SO MONSIEUR IS A MAITRE.

- WE'’LL BE WORKING IN ABBEVILLE.
- [ Woman ]
THEY HAVE A LAWYER THERE.

[ Advocate ]
NOW THEY'’VE TWO.

[ Advocate ]
SEVEN HOURS. WE COULD HAVE HAD
BETTER COMPANY.

THE WOMAN WAS
ENTERTAINING ENOUGH.

SHE SAID WHEN THE SEIGNEUR
GETS TIRED OF HUNTING DEER
AND WILD PIG,

- HE USES HUMAN QUARRY.
- I DIDN'’T HEAR THAT.

- YOU WERE ASLEEP, MAITRE.
- YOU'’LL HAVE TO GET USED TO
COUNTRY GOSSIP, MATHIEU.

BUT YOU'’LL FIND THEM
GOOD PEOPLE, REAL PEOPLE.

- EVENING!
- AH, SHOVE OFF!

[ Chuckles ]

[ Door Opens,
Closes ]

- SANCTUARY.
- [ Woman ]
MAITRE COURTOIS?

FROM PARIS?
YOU'’RE VERY WELCOME, MAITRE.

WE HAVE THE BEST ROOMS
FOR YOU,

AND ONE NEXT TO YOU
FOR YOUR SERVANT.

- MATHIEU'’S MY CLERK.
- [ Woman ]
HURRY UP, ISABELLE.

- NOW, YOU'’LL HAVE
SAUSAGE AND STEW?
- OH, YES.

NO! "UNDER GREEN LEAVES
BESIDE A NOISY BROOK,

"THE PEASANT GONTIER TOOK
HIS MEAL ON FRESH CHEESE,
APPLE AND PLUM,

"CHOPPED SHALLOTS ON
A CRUST OF GOOD BREAD,

WITH COURSE SALT,
THE BETTER TO DRINK."

NO SAUSAGE.

[ Men, Women Laughing ]

WHAT'’S THE ANIMAL
DOING HERE?

THE SEIGNEUR JEHAN D'’AUFERRE
HAS LOST HIS QUARRY.

LOOK AT THE WAY
SHE HOLDS HERSELF.

COUNTRY GIRLS,
MATHIEU.

- YOU CAN KEEP YOUR WHORES
IN SAINT-DENIS.
- OH, THANKS.

[ Growling ]

- GOOD GOD!
THAT DOG SMILED AT ME.
- '’COURSE HE DID, MAITRE.

I NEVER SAW
A DOG SMILE.

[ Laughing ]

I CURSE YOUR DINGLE DANGLE
PRICK, YOUR NASTY WRINKLED
LITTLE WICK!

GOD PAINTED MY SOUL BLACK,
MADAME, WHEN HE PUSHED ME UP...

- YOUR CRACK!
- [ Courtois ] TELL ME ABOUT
THE COUNTRY LAWYER.

[ Mathieu ]
HIS NAME'’S PINCHEON, AND HE'S
BEEN STATE PROSECUTOR 15 YEARS.

- AND HE'’S NO
COUNTRY LAWYER.
- YOU KNOW HIM?

IF HE'’S THE SAME PINCHEON,
HE'’S FROM PARIS, ILE DE LA CITE.

EVER SHALL THEY
RECONCILE THE COCK AND
CUNT THAT EACH REVILE.

- GOOD GOD!
- THE SIMPLE
COUNTRY PLEASURES.

OPPOSING NOW
AND EVERMORE--

- YOU'’VE SEEN HIM WORK,
THIS PINCHEON?
- HE'’S GOOD.

WAS GOOD, IF IT'’S HIM.
HE TOOK ON
THE MAITRE DELAMAIN.

CHEWED HIM UP AND
SPAT HIM OUT, THEY SAY.

SEE THE BUTCHER
HERE BELOW,

HIS BIG KNIFE SHARPENED
FOR THE BLOW.

- COURTROOM?
- WELL, PINCHEON COULD'’VE COME
UP AGAINST AN EASIER PROSECUTOR.

AH, MAITRE COURTOIS
FROM PARIS!

DOMINI.

ALBERTUS
OF THIS PARISH.

YOU MUST COME
AND VISIT ME, MAITRE.

ANYONE WHO'’S READ A BOOK
HAS BEEN SENT BY THE ALMIGHTY.
[ Chuckling ]

♪ [ Flute ]

[ Laughing ]
HE'’S VERY GOOD, THE PRIEST.

♪ [ Flute Continues ]

[ Flute Stops ]

HOW EXTRAORDINARY!

THE BLACKAMOORS,
ARE THEY?

NO, THEY'’RE FROM
LITTLE EGYPT.
[ Horse Whinnies ]

REACHED PARIS ALREADY,
SOME OF THEM.

[ Mathieu ]
SPREADING LIKE RATS.

[ Ducks Quacking,
Horse Whinnying ]

[ Courtois ]
MAITRE PINCHEON?

YES.

AH, MAITRE!
RICHARD COURTOIS.
I'’M THE NEW ADVOCATE.

I'’M LOOKING FORWARD
TO CROSSING SWORDS WITH YOU.

MAITRE.

- GOOD GOD!
- WE HAVEN'’T HAD A DEFENSE
ADVOCATE SINCE LAST SUMMER.

SOME OF THESE
HAVE BEEN WAITING
FOR FIVE, SIX MONTHS.

THEY'’LL BE PEASANT QUARRELS,
MATHIEU:

A METER HERE OR THERE OF
A BOUNDARY, A GRANDFATHER'’S
RIGHTS OF PASTURE.

- YOU'’LL HAVE TO
GET USED TO--
- MURDER.

- MURDER?
- A CUCKOLD...

SMASHED THE SKULL OF
HIS WIFE'’S FANCY MAN.

A RAPE HERE.
AND, AH, WITCHERY!

NO. THAT SHOULD BE
TRIED BY THE CHURCH.

IT'’S BEEN THERE, MAITRE.
THEY SENT IT BACK
TO THE CIVIL COURT.

HERE'’S A SODOMITE.
BUGGERED HIS DONKEY.

OH, NO.
DISPATCHED, THAT ONE.

GOOD GOD,
WHAT IS THIS?

MUST BE
THE COUNTRY AIR.

[ Laughing ]

[ Woman Screams ]
[ Man ] YOU SLUT!

YOU'’VE BEEN OFF
SCREWING HIM AGAIN,
HAVEN'’T YOU?

WHO IS THE BASTARD?

I'’LL KILL HIM!
I'’LL CUT HIS BALLS OFF!

CAN I HELP?

- AH, MAITRE COURTOIS!
- FATHER ALBERTUS.

I, UH--
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING!

JUST, UH, WALKING OFF
A HEAVY MEAL.

ARE YOU GOING TO TOWN?
OH, NO, NO.

YES. I-- WELL,
I HAVE TO. I, UH--

YOUR FUTURE HOME,
MAITRE.

THE BUILDER'’S DESIGN.

[ Courtois ] GENTLEMEN,
YOU'’VE HEARD THE MAITRE PINCHEON
ACCUSE MY CLIENT, VALLIERE,

THIS HONEST
AND GENTLE FARMER,

OF THE SAVAGE MURDER OF A MAN HE
BELIEVED TO BE HIS WIFE'’S LOVER.

THE MAITRE LAMENTS THAT
THE LAW DOES NOT PERMIT HIM...

TO CALL THE WIFE OF THE ACCUSED
TO GIVE TESTIMONY.

NEVERTHELESS, I ASK YOU
TO OBSERVE THE EVIDENCE
SHE PRESENTS TO YOU.

THERE, GENTLEMEN,
IS THE OBJECT OF DESIRE.

NOW, I DON'’T DOUBT THAT
THE BELDAME IS A DUTIFUL WIFE.

BUT I HAVE TO ASK YOU,
IS THIS A WOMAN FOR WHOM
THE CARNAL LUSTS OF ONE MAN...

AND THE HOT BLOOD
OF JEALOUSY IN ANOTHER
LED TO A TERRIBLE REVENGE?

TRUTH, AS ALWAYS, GENTLEMEN,
IS SIMPLE.

THE DECEASED WAS A DRUNK...
AND A THIEF.

SEVERAL WITNESSES
HAVE AVOWED IT.

HE CAME BY NIGHT
TO THE HOME OF THE ACCUSED,

WAS DISTURBED
IN THE ACT OF THEFT,

AND IN THE STRUGGLE WHICH
FOLLOWED, HIS DRUNKEN SKULL
BANGED AGAINST THE HEARTH...

AND HE EXPIRED.

THE ACCUSED
HAD NOTHING TO GAIN,

AND EVERYTHING TO LOSE
FROM THE DEATH
OF A SCOUNDREL.

IT IS YOUR PRIVILEGE NOW,
GENTLEMEN, TO SET HIM FREE.

IT IS IN
YOUR CAPABLE HANDS.

SO AVOWED
ON THE PART OF VALLIERE.

NOT AS SHARP AS YOU THOUGHT,
THE FAMOUS PINCHEON.

I OWE YOU MY LIFE,
MONSEIGNEUR.
I WON'’T FORGET IT.

THEY HAD A BAD CASE.
THE MAITRE DID HIS BEST WITH IT.

NO, NO THEY'’D HAVE STRUNG ME
UP IF YOU'’D NOT BEEN HERE,

AND ALL FOR THAT BASTARD!

I SHOULD'’VE DONE HIM
YEARS AGO.

ANYTHING YOU EVER WANT,
MAITRE, ASK FOR VALLIERE.

- MATHIEU, DO YOU
THINK, UH--
- YES, MAITRE.

THAT THE MAN REALLY
SCREWED HIS WIFE,
THAT LITTLE CHURCH MOUSE?

I GATHER THAT THE DECEASED
SCREWED QUITE A FEW WIVES,

INCLUDING THOSE
OF SEVERAL MEMBERS
OF THE JUDICIARY.

"JUST COUNTRY GOSSIP."

- WE SHOULD SEE THE WITCH.
THEY COULD BURN HER.
- THEY HANG THEM HERE.

WHERE IS YOUR GLORY,
BABYLON?

WHERE IS NOW NEBUCHADNEZZAR?
WHERE THE EVIL DOERS
OF TIMES PAST?

THE DEATH BY HANGING
ONLY THIS PAST MONTH
OF ROGER LANDRIER,

AND THE MIRACULOUS REPRIEVE
OF HIS OWN SHE-ASS
BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

SEE HOW WORMS DEVOUR
THE FAIR ABSALOM.

HER FLESH WAS SOFT.
BUT ALAS, HER BELLY...

GAPES WITH
THE CRUEL WOUNDS OF DEATH.
♪ [ Man Chanting ]

♪ [ Chanting Continues ]

- WHAT IS IT?
- OH, THE POOR LITTLE BOY.
THE BLOOD ON HIM!

WHAT HAPPENED?

- MUST'’VE HAD A BAD FALL.
HE LOOKED TERRIBLE.
- HE LOOKED DEAD.

LITTLE JEWISH BOY.
SHAME, THOUGH.

- HOW DO YOU KNOW
HE WAS JEWISH?
- THE MOTHER.

WHITE CIRCLE ON THE BREAST.
THEY MAKE THEM WEAR IT.

- HOW LONG HAVE
WE BEEN HERE, MATHIEU?
- ALL OF FIVE DAYS, MAITRE.

THE DEVIL'’S MARK,
MAITRE.

YOU SEE?
THE THIRD NIPPLE.

- THE WITCH'’S TEAT.
- I WAS A WET-NURSE,
MONSEIGNEUR.

THAT WAS A BIRTH MARK
BEFORE YOU STUCK
YOUR DAMN NEEDLES IN IT.

AND YOU KEEP HER NAKED,
DO YOU, LIKE AN ANIMAL?

SHE'’S PRICKED TWICE A DAY,
MAITRE.

IN CASES OF WITCHERY,
EVIDENCE MAY BE OBTAINED
BY DURESS,

AND THE PRISONER
WILL BE STRIPPED
FOR THE ORDEAL.

LABATIER SAYS I'’VE GOT TITS
LIKE A MILK COW.

LABATIER, YOU'’RE NOT
AN OFFICER OF THE INQUISITION.
YOU'’VE NO RIGHT.

OH, YES.
I'’M A LICENSED PRICKER.

LOOSE HER...
AND BRING HER CLOTHES NOW.

YES,
I SUCKLED LUCIFER.

BUT SINCE THEN I'’VE TASTED
OF THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
FROM HIS FIVE WOUNDS.

YOU DON'’T HAVE TO TALK
TO ME LIKE THAT.
I WANT HER DRESSED NOW!

I'’M NOT WITH THEM.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

PUT DOWN: THE BODY
IS BADLY MARKED,

THERE ARE SIGNS OF TORTURE
IN THE SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE.

MAITRE, I FLEW ON BEAMS
AND KISSED THE DEVIL'’S ASS,

- AND I'’LL BE HANGED
FOR IT.
-NO.

CHURCH HAS MADE YOU
EXCOMMUNICATE, AND PASSED
YOU OVER TO THE CIVIL COURT.

NOW, THE COURT IS NOT CONCERNED
WITH WITCHERY. WHAT YOU'’RE
ACCUSED OF IS MALEFICIUM:

THAT YOUR WITCHERY
CAUSED INJURY
TO YOUR NEIGHBORS.

IT'’S NOT A CIVIL OFFENSE
TO DO MAGIC.

- YOU UNDERSTAND?
- I HELPED THEM.

WHEN THE WOMEN
COULDN'’T STOP THEIR BLEEDING,

OR WHEN
THE CHILDREN WERE DYING--

YOU PUT A CURSE
ON YOUR NEIGHBOR,

- JEHAN LOURS.
- HE PULLED DOWN MY FENCE!

- CAUSED HIM TO BE IMPOTENT.
- HE HADN'’T HAD IT UP
FOR YEARS!

WELL, THAT COUNTS AS INJURY.
AND YOU "PROCURED
AND SUBORNED RATS...

TO BITE AND INFECT
JEHAN PERRINOT SO THAT
HE DIED OF A FATAL MIASMA."

IT WAS THE FALLING SICKNESS.
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT.

WELL, THAT'’S THE CHARGE
WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

NOW, IF I CAN GET YOU CLEAR
OF THE BUSINESS WITH THE RATS,

YOU'’LL CONFESS
TO THE OTHER COUNTS.

- THEY'’RE NOT CAPITAL.
- I DONE NO HARM.

TRUST ME, IT'’S AN ARRANGEMENT.
IT'’S HOW WE DO IT.

I'’M GOING TO TELL YOU
WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY.

YOU'’VE ANOTHER ONE
COME IN, MAITRE:
A CHILD KILLER.

- MURDERED
A LITTLE JEWISH BOY.
- MURDER, WAS IT?

THE WORST, MAITRE.

- LET'’S SEE HIM.
- HER, MAITRE.

I'’LL TAKE YOU
TO HER.

- WHAT IS THIS?
- YOUR CLIENT, MAITRE.

[ Squealing ]

COURTOIS, ARE YOU TELLING ME
YOU'’RE INNOCENT OF
THIS WHOLE PROCESS,

- THE ARRAIGNMENT
OF BEASTS?
- NO, SIR.

IT'’S JUST THAT IN THE CITY,
I'’VE NEVER HAD THE OCCASION
TO BE INVOLVED.

MAITRE PINCHEON,
ARE YOU WITH ALL THIS?

DO YOU GO ALONG WITH BEING
THE LEARNED PROSECUTOR
OF A PIG?

- DO YOU HAVE WITNESSES?
- [ Labatier ] YES.

[ Courtois ]
THEY SAW THE CHILD KILLED?

I GATHER WHEN
THE BODY WAS FOUND,
A PIG WAS SEEN RUNNING OFF.

- A SIGN OF ITS GUILT,
DO YOU SUPPOSE?
- INDEED, MAITRE!

YOU KNOW THEY KEEP
THE ANIMAL IN THE JAIL
WITH THE OTHER PRISONERS?

IT'’S ALL ACCORDING
TO THE BOOK, MAITRE:

- SAME QUARTERS, SAME FOOD
THREE TIMES A DAY.
- THINK ON IT, COURTOIS.

THE ANIMAL HAS TO HAVE COUNSEL,
THE STATE PAYS YOUR FEE.

NOW, GENTLEMEN--

ON THE MATTER OF THE WOMAN,
THE ONE CHARGED WITH WITCHERY.

IF I CAN SATISFY THE COURT
ON THE MALEFICIUM,
THE BUSINESS WITH THE RATS,

- DO WE HAVE AN ARRANGEMENT?
- IF YOU CAN DISPROVE
THE RATS,

THEN I THINK THINGS
WOULD GO BETTER FOR HER
ON THE OTHER COUNTS.

SHE WOULD LOSE HER LAND,
OF COURSE, AND, UH--

WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY?

NOT A GREAT DEAL OF WITCHERY
IN THE CITY EITHER,
EH, COURTOIS?

HAVE YOU READ THE TEXT?

THE PONTHIEU LAW
CAN BE RATHER CONFOUNDING.

OH, I THINK THE CITY LAWYER
WILL ADAPT, A DAY AT A TIME,
MAITRE.

[ Woman ]
MARIA? MARIA!

[ Man ]
EXCUSE US, MAITRE.

IT'’S OUR PIG.
THEY TOOK OUR PIG.

I, I THOUGHT
YOU COULDN'’T, UM--

I THOUGHT YOUR RELIGION
DIDN'’T ALLOW IT.

THE MAITRE SHOULD NOT THINK
WE EAT ONLY CHILDREN.

WE LOST OUR RELIGION
MANY YEARS AGO,
AND 1,000 MILES AWAY.

I AM MAHMOUD.
MY SISTER IS SAMIRA.

- I CAN'’T HELP YOU.
- BUT WE GO TO THE COURT AND
THEY TELL US THAT YOU--

I AM NOT IN THEIR EMPLOY,
AND I DON'’T DEFEND PIGS.

MAITRE, THIS COULD
WORK IF WE--

- GOD PRESERVE US!
- ALL RIGHT, MATHIEU.

THEY CAN'’T STAY HERE.

OUR PIG DOES NOT RUN FREE.
SHE IS TIED UP ALL THE TIME.

- THEN THEY COME
TO TAKE HER AWAY.
- A BLACK SOW, PRICK EARS,

MARKED ON THE NETHER PART
OF THE EYE AND THE MOUTH.

- THREE WITNESSES SAW YOUR PIG
BY THE CHURCH.
- THEN WE ARE LYING TO YOU!

[ Whispering In Arabic ]
MY SISTER SAYS
IF IT'’S MONEY,

- SHE CAN GET SOME LITTLE MONEY.
- I'’LL BET SHE CAN.

NO. YOU'’VE LOST
YOUR PIG, THAT'’S ALL.

LEAVE THE TOWN,
GO AWAY,
BUY ANOTHER ONE.

I DID NOT GO THROUGH
ALL THIS TO BECOME
AN ADVOCATE FOR PIGS.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE RATS NOW, MAITRE?

[ Albertus ]
AS LONG AS I LIVE,
I'’LL NOT BELIEVE A WOMAN...

CAN FLY THROUGH THE AIR
LIKE A BLACKBIRD OR A HAWK.

AND WHEN THE POOR CREATURE
LIES DOWN IN HER BED TO SLEEP,

THE ENEMY WHO NEVER SLEEPS
COMES TO HER SIDE
TO CALL UP ILLUSIONS BEFORE HER.

NOW, HE DOES IT SO SUBTLETY
THAT SHE THINKS SHE DOES...

WHAT SHE ONLY DREAMS
SHE DOES.

SHE MIGHT DREAM THAT
SHE GOES FOR A RIDE
ON A BROOM OR A BEAM,

BUT THERE'’S NEITHER
BROOM NOR BEAM
CAN HOLD HER.

FATHER IGNATIUS PROVED
THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE CASE
OF WITCHCRAFT...

IN 50 YEARS IN ARRAS
BASED ON ANY REAL EVIDENCE.

THEY BURNT HIM TOO,
OF COURSE.

WOULD YOU SAY ALL THAT
IN COURT?

RICHARD, I LIKE IT HERE.
IT'’S A VERY NICE LIVING.

HAVING MY BALLS BURNT OFF
IN PUBLIC MIGHT TAKE SOME
OF THE PLEASURE OUT OF IT.

AAH!

IT'’S A GREAT LEVELER,
YOU SEE?

PEASANTS, FINE LADIES,
THIEVES, GENTLEFOLK.

- PRIESTS?
- YES... MEDICINAL REASONS.

I GET THIS RASH
AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

I THOUGHT NAKEDNESS WAS
AN ABOMINATION UNTO THE LORD.

ONLY THAT OF THY BROTHER...
AND SISTER.

MORNING, SISTER.

GOD, I THINK ABOUT THEM
ALL THE TIME.

- DO YOU EVER
GET OVER IT?
- NO.

IN HIS WISDOM, HE'’S SENT THEM
FOR OUR TEMPTATION.

AND BY HEAVENS,
HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING.

- A PIG.
- THEY WANT ME
TO DEFEND A PIG.

IT'’S MADNESS.
WHAT DO I DO?

MY SON, DON'’T ASK ME.
I'’M A COUNTRY PRIEST.

I STUDIED THEOLOGY AT RHEIMS,
LIBERAL ARTS AT OXFORD,
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY IN PARIS,

AND LOOK WHAT
I DO WITH IT!

DOMINI, IS IT A MORTAL SIN
TO SCREW MY SISTER-IN-LAW?

NO, MY SON.
IT'’S WHAT WE DEFINE
AS A SHAMEFUL ACT.

FATHER, DOES THE SOUL
CONSIST OF BREAD OR WIND?

WELL, TODAY IT'’S BREAD;
TOMORROW IT'’LL BE WIND.

IS IT A HERESY
TO HOLD A CANDLE
TO THE MOUTH OF A DYING MAN?

WELL, WHO CARES!
IF HE'’S DYING, YOU MIGHT AS WELL
STICK IT UP HIS ASS.

DO THE SOULS OF THE WICKED
PENETRATE THE BODIES
OF YOUNG WOMEN?

WELL, WHO WOULDN'’T
GIVEN HALF A CHANCE?

IS INTERCOURSE LESS OF A SIN
WITH A WIFE THAN A MISTRESS?

SINCE, MY CHILD, IN THE END
EVERYTHING IS FORBIDDEN,
THEN EVERYTHING IS ALLOWED.

WELL,
THAT'’S CATHARISM.

- THEY COULD REALLY
BURN YOU FOR THAT.
- IS IT?

OR SOPHISTRY?
ALL I'’M SAYING IS--

- WHAT HAS THIS TO DO
WITH A PIG?
- WELL, ALL I'’M SAYING IS,

THAT IN A WORLD
WHERE NOTHING IS REASONABLE,

IN THE END,
NOTHING CAN BE TRULY MAD.

[ Boniface ] LET ME UNDERSTAND
THIS, COURTOIS. IN ORDER
TO DISPROVE THE COUNT...

THAT THE WOMAN SUBORNED THE RATS
TO CAUSE HER NEIGHBOR'’S DEATH,

IT IS YOUR WISH THAT WE CALL
THOSE RATS AS WITNESSES?

AND HOW WOULD THE MAITRE
HAVE US EXECUTE THE WARRANT?

DO WE SEND ARMED SHERIFFS
TO ARREST THEM?

NO, MAITRE.
THEY MUST TESTIFY
OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL.

ROMAN LAW,
STATE OF PONTHIEU,

1432, IN THE CASE OF SUMMONSES
TO BE SERVED ON WITNESSES
OF NO FIXED ABODE:

"EXHIBITIAT IN
ARENAM PUBLICUM SUB-POENAS."

I ASK THAT NOTICES BE FIXED
TO BARN DOORS AND TO EVERY TREE,

EVERYWHERE THE RATS ARE KNOWN
TO CONGREGATE, SUMMONING THEM
TO APPEAR IN COURT.

[ Whispering ]
- IT CAN'’T WORK.
- IT MIGHT.

- DELAY AND CONFUSE.

[ Boniface ]
BAILIFF, PUT UP THE NOTICES.

WE WILL RECONVENE TOMORROW.

IF THE RATS DO NOT APPEAR,
THE COUNT WILL BE TAKEN
AS PROVEN.

YOUR WITNESSES, MAITRE.

THEY HAVE NOT ATTENDED.

- HOW CURIOUS!
- [ Laughter ]

AND THE NOTICES
WERE CLEARLY INSCRIBED
IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE?

THEN I THINK YOU ARE LOST
ON THAT COUNT.

- SHALL WE MOVE TO THE NEXT?
- [ Courtois ]
UH, NO. WITH RESPECT.

"IF A PERSON BE CITED TO APPEAR
AS WITNESS AT A PLACE TO WHICH
HE CANNOT COME WITH SAFETY,

HE MAY REFUSE
THE SAID SUMMONS OR WRIT."

I DRAW THE COURT'’S ATTENTION
TO THE UNWEARIED VIGILANCE...

OF THE MORTAL ENEMIES
OF THESE RATS:

THAT IS, EVERY CAT AND DOG
WHO LIE IN WAIT FOR THEM,
WITH FELL INTENT,

IN EVERY CORNER
AND PASSAGEWAY.

I SUBMIT THAT THE WITNESSES,
IN FEAR OF THEIR LIVES,

HAVE EXERCISED THEIR RIGHT
TO REFUSE THE SUMMONS.

[ Laughing ]

THERE ARE FURTHER MEASURES,
WHICH WILL, I REGRET, TAKE UP
MORE OF THE COURT'’S TIME.

[ Clears Throat ]
STRIKE THAT COUNT
OFF THE RECORD:

- SUBORNING THE RATS.
- THE REST OF
HER CONFESSION STANDS?

JEANNINE MARTIN,

IN THE MATTER OF CAUSING
MALEFICIUM TO YOUR NEIGHBORS,

YOU WILL BE DUCKED
AND EXHIBITED...

IN A HANGING CAGE
FOR A DAY AND A NIGHT.

THE LEARNED PROCURATORS
HAVE LEAVE TO GO...

WHILE I CONSIDER
THE SECOND JUDGMENT.

UH, THERE ARE NO MORE COUNTS,
MONSEIGNEUR.

OH, BUT I HAVE TO ENACT THE
VERDICT OF THE HOLY FATHERS.
I HAVE TO DO THAT, DON'’T I?

NOT YOUR CONCERN, MAITRE.
DON'’T WORRY.

YOU'’VE DONE WITH
THE TEMPORAL CHARGES.
YOU CAN'’T ACT FOR THE CHURCH.

THERE'’S NO COURT IN FRANCE--

YOU'’RE NOT IN THE FINE KINGDOM
OF FRANCE NOW.

WE HAVE THE PONTHIEU LAW HERE:
OUR LAW.

YOU SHOULD STUDY IT
FURTHER, PERHAPS.

IN YOUR DEPOSITION
TO THE HOLY FATHERS,

YOU CONFESSED THAT
AT THE AGE OF 34...

YOU MADE A COMPACT
WITH THE DEVIL,

AND TOOK A SPOON OF BLOOD
FROM YOUR BODY
TO SEAL THIS COMPACT.

WAIT. I MUST ASK LEAVE
TO EXAMINE THIS.

DID SHE NOT CONFESS THIS?
DID YOU?

- YES.
- SHE CONFESSES SHE CONFESSED.

BUT THEY SENTENCED HER.
SHE'’S EXCOMMUNICATE.

MAITRE, YOU WILL KEEP
YOUR SILENCE, OR YOU WILL LEAVE
THIS COURT.

JEANNINE MARTIN,

YOU'’LL BE TAKEN OUTSIDE
THE WALLS OF THIS TOWN...

WHERE YOU WILL BE
HANGED BY THE NECK,

AND STRANGLED
UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD.

- YOUR BODY
WILL BE BURNED.
- BUT THE MAITRE TOLD ME--

WAIT! THIS IS UNLAWFUL! WAIT!
YOU PROMISED HER HER LIFE.

NOW THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN
UNLAWFUL, WOULD IT NOT?
TAKE HER AWAY.

[ Cane Pounding ]

I DID ASK YOU
IF YOU'’D READ THE TEXT.

- THAT IS NOWHERE
IN THE ROMAN LAW.
- CUSTOM AND PRACTICE, MAITRE.

WHY DIDN'’T I KNOW THAT?

WHY DIDN'’T YOU?
[ Sighs ]

THERE IS DARKNESS
ALL ABOUT YOU.

YOU CAN BRING THE LIGHT.

LOOK TO THE BOY,
MAITRE!

LOOK TO THE BOY!

[ Coughing ]

[ Coughing ]

[ Courtois ]
YOU!

- WHAT ARE YOU
DOING THERE?
- WE'’RE BAPTIZING THEM.

SENDING THEM ON THEIR WAY,
ALL GOOD CHRISTIAN SOULS.

- THEY WERE GOING TO STOP HERE.
CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?
- [ Courtois ] SHERIFF!

THERE IS NO STATUTE
TO PREVENT THESE PEOPLE
FROM MAKING THEIR CAMP HERE.

OH, YES THERE IS-- MINE.

NO, SIR. THEY ARE OUTSIDE
THE WALLS OF THE TOWN.
AND I'’M AN ADVOCATE AT LAW

- AND YOU CANNOT PREVENT THEM.
NOW WHAT IS THIS?
- WATER AND LIME, MAITRE.

THEY'’VE COME UP FROM THE SOUTH.
THEY COULD BE CARRYING
THE BLACK DEATH.

I DO HAVE THE RIGHT.

YES. WELL, AFTER THAT YOU CAN
LEAVE THEM BE TO STOP HERE
OR GO ON. YOU UNDERSTAND?

AND YOU AND YOUR MEN
WILL NOT LAY
A FINGER ON THEM.

[ Men Groaning ]

[ Whinnying ]

[ Whinnying ]

[ Maria ]
WHAT WAS THAT, MAITRE?

YOU KNOW YOU TALK
IN YOUR SLEEP?

- WAS IT A NICE DREAM?
- WHAT?

NO. NO, IT WASN'’T, UM--

OH, NOW.
I THINK IT MUST'’VE BEEN.

IT'’S ALL RIGHT, MAITRE.
I'’VE GOT BROTHERS.

WELL, I DON'’T KNOW.

PAST FIRST LIGHT ALREADY,

AND I DO BELIEVE THE COCK'’S
ALL SET TO CROW AGAIN.

WASTE NOT, WANT NOT.

UGH!

[ Gasps ]

[ Panting, Moaning ]

[ Gasping ]

- [ Mathieu ]
MAITRE, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?
- YES!

[ Maria Groaning ]

OOH!

[ Crowing ]
OOH!

HMM.

"JEHAN D'’AUFERRE,
SEIGNEUR OF ABBEVILLE,

"ASKS THE MAITRE COURTOIS
TO ATTEND HIM TOMORROW...

BEFORE NOON,
IF HE WILL."

[ Girl Chortling ]

[ Man ]
HELLO.

COME AND JOIN ME,
MAITRE.

I WISH YOU LONG LIFE,
MONSEIGNEUR, I'’M...

[ Clears Throat ]
HONORED TO BE A GUEST
IN YOUR HOME.

THESE ARE BEAUTIFULLY--

MY WIFE CHOOSES THE DECORATIONS.
I'’M A MERCHANT TURNED FARMER,

ONE OF THE, WHAT THEY CALL,
THE NEW LORDS.

I MADE MY MONEY IN JOINVILLE.
I BOUGHT THE LAND HERE...

- AND THE TITLE
CAME WITH IT.
- SO, HOW LONG HAVE YOU--

SO, SINCE I AM
A HUMBLE MERCHANT,

I'’LL SAY WHAT I HAVE TO SAY,
AND THEN WE CAN TALK.

YOU'’VE, UH...

MADE A GOOD REPUTATION
IN THE TOWN.

THEY SAY YOU KNOW
THE COMMON LAW, AND YOU'’RE CLEAR
AND JUST IN YOUR DEALINGS.

THEY'’RE NOT USED TO THAT HERE.

AND PINCHEON HAS DONE
WELL ENOUGH FOR ME IN THE PAST.

BUT, WELL, HE'’S ONE
OF THE OLD SCHOOL.

HE'’S COLD MACKEREL.
DON'’T YOU THINK?

YES.

MONSEIGNEUR, I'’M HONORED BY
YOUR CONFIDENCE, BELIEVE ME.

ONLY THE SEIGNEUR
WILL UNDERSTAND THAT
I LEFT PARIS FOR A PURPOSE.

- I WANTED TO SERVE
THE PEOPLE, NOT THE--
- WHAT, THE PEASANTS?

WELL YES, THEM TOO,
B-BUT MAINLY--

FOUR HUNDRED LIVRE
A YEAR.

- EXCUSE ME?
THAT'’S DOUBLE
- WHAT I PAY PINCHEON.

FOUR TIMES WHAT YOU'’LL MAKE
DOING YOUR GOOD DEEDS.

[ Door Closes ]

WELL, THINK ABOUT IT.

SEIGNEUR, I ASK LEAVE
TO PETITION YOU
FOR THE LITTLE EGYPTIANS.

THEY'’VE BEEN SUBJECT DAILY
TO INSULTS, TWO OF THEIR MEN
WERE BADLY BEATEN.

THEY'’LL BE LEFT IN PEACE.

ARE YOU DEFENDING
THEIR PIG?

NO. THERE'’S
NO REASON TO.

THE REASON IS ORDER:
ORDER AND RULE.

TRYING A PIG
BRINGS ORDER?

YOU KNOW, MAITRE, THERE
ARE THINGS THAT A COUNTRY
LAWYER JUST HAS TO DO.

SO WHY DON'’T YOU
SAY YOUR PEACE,
PICK UP THE MONEY,

AND LET THEM
HANG THE BEAST?

IT'’S ONLY A PIG.

[ Bells Ringing ]

[ Creaking ]

HOW WAS SHE?

OH, SHE SPOKE.

SOMEBODY SHOUTED OUT,
"WHAT ABOUT THE WITCH'’S CURSE?"

EVERYBODY SHUSHED HIM UP.

AND THEN SHE JUST
STARED OUT AT THE CROWD...

- AND SHE SAID, NO, SHE WOULDN'’T
PUT A CURSE ON THE TOWN.
- I WILL NOT CURSE THIS TOWN.

- BUT SHE LEFT IT A BLESSING.
- I WILL LEAVE IT WITH A
BLESSING.

- [ Maria ]
SHE SAID--
- THESE ARE BAD TIMES,

AND THERE'’LL BE MORE BEFORE
YOUR DAY OF DELIVERANCE.

THEN I SEE THERE WILL COME
A FINE KNIGHT...

IN ARMOR THAT SHINES
LIKE THE SUN.

AND HE WILL CARRY THE WEAPONS
OF STRENGTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

AND HE'’LL DELIVER YOU
FROM YOUR LYING AND YOUR EVIL,

AND MAKE THIS A FIT PLACE
FOR ALL OF YOU.

[ Maria ]
THE BELLS STOPPED FOR A TIME.

WHEN THE HANGMAN LET HER DOWN,
NOBODY MOVED, SHOUTED, NOTHING.

DON'’T SEE MANY
FINE KNIGHTS THESE DAYS.

MAYBE SHE MEANT YOU.

MADNESS.

- WILL YOU GET ME
SOME SILK?
- WHAT?

FROM PARIS.
I'’VE NEVER HAD SILK.

WILL YOU?

MADNESS.

[ Howling ]

[ Squeaking ]

OH, NO!

SHH.

YOU CAN'’T STAY HERE,
PLEASE.

[ Gasps ]

NO.

I WANT YOU TO GO.

- UNTIL YOU SAY YES.
- [ Mathieu Knocking ]
MAITRE?

YES? NO!
I THOUGHT YOU
COULDN'’T SPEAK, UM--

- MAITRE,
I CAN'’T FIND THEM.
- WH-WHAT?

THE LAMARTIN PAPERS.
MAITRE?

LEAVE THEM
'’TIL THE MORNING.

"LEAVE THEM
'’TIL THE MORNING."

I DON'’T WANT YOU
TO DO THIS.

- I THINK YOU DO.
- [ Sighs ]

YOU'’D SELL YOURSELF
FOR A PIG?

THE PIG IS
EVERYTHING WE HAVE--

ALL OUR MONEY, AND IN WINTER
OUR FOOD '’TIL THE SPRING.

IF THEY KILL THE PIG,
WE HAVE NOTHING.

YOU CAN WORK TO BUY
ANOTHER ONE.

HALF A YEAR.

NO.

YOU MAKE ME FEEL BAD,
MAITRE.

IT'’S MY FAULT, I THINK.

BUT STILL,
YOU MAKE ME FEEL BAD.

NOW HE GETS WARM.

WHAT IS HE?

I'’LL THINK ABOUT
THE, UH... PIG.

UH--

- MY GOD!
WHY DIDN'’T YOU?
- I--

DON'’T THEY SAY THE DEVIL'S
IN BLACK PEOPLE?

WELL, YES...
AND IN CATS AND RATS,

AND THE OWL THAT SITS
ON THE ROOF, AND THE BLACK
DOG THAT CROSSES YOUR PATH.

BUT THAT'’S FOR
THE PEASANTS, MY SON.

- HOW DOES A PRIEST
GET WOMEN?
- FEAR OF ETERNAL DAMNATION.

SOME PRIESTS SELL ABSOLUTION
FOR MONEY,

BUT WHEN IT'’S ONE OF THESE
SWEET, YOUNG GOODWIVES
COME TO CONFESSION--

YOU DON'’T!

- YOU THREATEN THEM
TO GET THEM INTO BED?
- THEY KNOW IT'’S ALL A GAME.

AND THE THREAT
ABSOLVES THEM FROM GUILT.

- THERE MUST BE
PRIESTS IN HELL.
- CAN'’T LIVE FOR 'EM.

I THINK THE TIME MIGHT BE
BETTER FOR IT, YOU KNOW:

THE PIG,
GETTING IT DONE WITH.

ALBERTUS, IS THERE SOMETHING
I SHOULD KNOW?

THIS IS MY LADY,
CATHERINE D'’AUFERRE.

GERARD, MY SON,
AND MY DAUGHTER ROSALINE,

KNOWN TO THE VERY FEW
WHO LOVE HER AS FILETTE.

I DO HOPE MAITRE THE ADVOCATE
WILL NOT CAPTURE ME,

AND PUT ME IN
A CLOSE PRISON.

MADEMOISELLE,
IT WOULD BE BETTER TO FALL
CAPTIVE INTO YOUR HANDS,

AND I THINK YOUR PRISON
WOULD NOT BE SO HARD.

[ Chortling ]

RESPOND TO THE MAITRE'’S
PRETTY SPEECH.

DO NOT BE TOO SURE,
MAITRE COMTOIS...

- COURTOIS.
- COURTOIS.

FOR INDEED, I HAVE
RECENTLY SEEN ONE I COULD
WISH TO MAKE A PRISONER.

WOULD YOU MAKE A COLD CELL
TO KEEP HIM?

NOT AT ALL. THE CELL I
WOULD PUT HIM IN IS WARM INDEED,

- AND HE COULD WISH
NEVER TO COME OUT AGAIN.
- [ Mother Whispering ] FILETTE.

YOU ARE TOO FORWARD,
YOUNG WOMAN.

FOR GOD'’S SAKE!
THE MORE SPEED,
THE BETTER AT HER AGE.

- ASK HIM.
- HMM?

ASK HIM.

OH, MY SON LIKES TO HUNT.
WANTS TO KNOW
IF YOU'’D JOIN HIM.

UH, NO.

EXCUSE ME.
I, I DON'’T.

SEIGNEUR, WE WISH YOU LONG LIFE,
AND YOUR LADY TOO.

YES, YES.
SIT DOWN, POICCARD.

THAT'’S MY WIFE'S ASTROLOGER.

SHE'’S MY SISTER-IN-LAW,
YOU KNOW.

- UH?
- MY WIFE.
MY SISTER-IN-LAW.

DISPENSATION FROM THE POPE.
COST ME AN ESTATE.

UM, HER FIRST HUSBAND,
YOUR BROTHER, DIED?

YES... SADLY.

DO YOU HAVE A WOMAN, ASIDE
FROM SERVANT GIRLS AND THE
ODD BLACK WHORE, OF COURSE?

- DOES OUR LITTLE
FILETTE PLEASE YOU?
- [ Chortling ]

SORRY,
I WOULDN'’T PRESUME--
PRESUME ALL YOU LIKE.

YOU'’RE AN EDUCATED MAN.
SHE'’S PAST 20 YEARS OLD.

SHE'’S NO TITLE WITH HER,
AND I'’M LOSING HOPE... FAST.

I KNOW SHE BRAYS
LIKE A SHE-ASS,

BUT SHE'’S THAT GOOD,
SWEATY FLESH ON HER.

SEE THE PEARLS TOP OF
THE DUGS? ALWAYS FOUND
THAT MOST CHARMING IN WOMEN.

AND THAT PARTICULAR
SLY LOOK SOME OF THEM
HAVE IN THE EYES.

MEANS THEY'’RE
PERMANENTLY MOIST
BETWEEN THE HAMS.

AH, ONE OF MY MORE
YOUTHFUL SENESCHALS. HE'’S
THE BURSAR OF MY BROTHERHOOD.

- BROTHERHOOD?
- YES.

IT'’S A KIND OF GUILD.
OH!

AND SHE COMES WITH
500 HECTARES OF LAND,

IN ADDITION TO THE, UM,
TERRITORY ON VIEW.

THERE'’S ENOUGH THERE
FOR TWO PIGS.
TAKE IT.

WE'’LL HAVE OUR PIG.

PLEASE JUST TAKE IT
AND GO.

RUN AWAY?

- YOU ARE THE FIRST MAN
WHO SAID NO TO ME.
- I'’M SURE.

SO WHY ARE YOU SO GENEROUS
NOW, MAITRE, FOR NO RETURN?

- I WANT TO HELP.
- NO, YOU WANT RID OF US,
AND YOU PAY FOR IT.

DO YOU HAVE PLANS
THAT OUR PIG WILL SPOIL?

I DON'’T KNOW.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE
THE MAN OF CONVICTION.

I DON'’T BELONG HERE.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE
SIMPLE AND PEACEFUL,

BUT IT'’S FULL OF FEAR,
THIS PLACE.

WHERE DO YOUR PEOPLE
COME FROM?

CHALDEA, IZMIR,

GUZRATE FROM THE LAND
OF THE INDUS, AND THE NILE.

MY GRANDFATHER
WAS FROM TATTA.

- I WAS BORN ON THE ROAD.
- WHERE?

JUST OUTSIDE
PERPIGNAN.

[ Whinnying ]

THE VISITING MAGISTRATE,
THE MAITRE BONIFACE.
[ Cane Pounding ]

IN THE MATTER OF
THE STATE VS. THE PIG,
FIRST DISPUTATION.

DOES THE ANIMAL
HAVE COUNSEL? GOOD.
PINCHEON?

ONLY TO SAY, MONSEIGNEUR,
THAT THE OFFENSE IS COMPOUNDED,

IN THAT HAVING MURDERED
THE CHILD,

THE PIG ATE A PORTION
OF ITS BODY...
ALTHOUGH IT WAS FRIDAY.

- WHAT?
- THE CONSUMPTION
OF FLESH...

ON THIS DAY
BEING CONTRARY...

TO CHRISTIAN ORDINANCE
OF JEJUNUM SEXTAE.

[ Laughs ]

UH, FIRST BOOK
OF THE PANDECTS:

NO ANIMAL THAT LACKS
INTELLIGENCE, REASONING,
QUOD SENSU CARET,

CAN BE SAID TO HAVE
WILLFULLY CAUSED INJURY.

MONSEIGNEUR,
JUSTICE IS LIKE NATURE...

WHICH, THE PHILOSOPHERS AFFIRM,
CAN DO NOTHING IN VAIN--

NIHIL OPERANTUR
FRUSTRA.

NOW I ASK YOU,
CAN ANYTHING BE MORE FUTILE
THAN TO SUMMONS...

A BRUTE BEAST
INTO THIS SOLEMN ASSEMBLY
TO SIT IN JUDGMENT UPON IT?

THE CRIMINAL CHARGE MAY ONLY
BE BROUGHT AGAINST ONE CAPABLE
OF ENTERING INTO A COVENANT.

YOU CANNOT SUMMONS
A SIX-YEAR-OLD CHILD,
NOR A LUNATIC!

- HOW CAN ONE, THEN,
POSSIBLY ARRAIGN A DUMB ANIMAL?
- [ Boniface ] PINCHEON?

GENTLEMEN,

MURDER IS MURDER,
WHETHER IT BE COMMITTED...

BY A HALF-WITTED MAN
OR A PIG OF PRODIGIOUS LEARNING.

THE MAITRE KNOWS
THERE ARE PRECEDENTS FOR
THE TRIAL OF BRUTE BEASTS:

THAT SOME ANIMALS
ARE BORN WITH EVIL WITHIN THEM.

BORN CRIMINAL.

WE SAY AN EYE FOR AN EYE,

A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH,
STRIPE FOR A STRIPE.

THERE IS A CASE
TO ANSWER.

DICO QUOD SIC.

[ Boniface ]
THE CHARGE
WILL BE PROSECUTED...

EIGHT DAYS
FROM TODAY.

WE'’RE WAITING LEAVE
TO BURY THE BOY, MAITRE.

BEING A HEATHEN,
HE HAS TO GO OUTSIDE THE WALLS.

YOU REALLY THINK A PIG
KILLED A CHILD THIS BIG,
NINE, TEN YEARS OLD?

IT HAS HAPPENED, MAITRE.
PIGS, DOGS, BULLS.

IT DOES HAPPEN.
[ Footsteps ]

[ Courtois ]
YOU'’RE THE
APOTHECARY SURGEON?

NOW LOOK.

THE FLESH IS CUT HERE
AND HERE.

DID YOU EVER SEE
WOUNDS LIKE THIS
CAUSED BY AN ANIMAL?

WOULDN'’T YOU SAY,
THERE'’S...
NOT ENOUGH TEARING.

I-IT'’S TOO, UM--

IT IS POSSIBLE, MAITRE.
A BEAST WITH SHARP TEETH.

BUT THEN THE BLOOD
WAS BLACK.

- WHEN?
- WHEN I FIRST SAW
THE CORPSE.

- YOU SAW HIM
AFTER HE WAS KILLED?
- OH, YES.

HE HAD BEEN DEAD
FOR MANY HOURS.

- SO HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED
IN ANOTHER PLACE ENTIRELY?
- THAT IS POSSIBLE.

OR THE DEATH OCCURRED--
I COULDN'’T SAY FOR SURE, NO.

- I WANT TO CALL YOU
AS A WITNESS.
- THAT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE.

LIKE THE UNFORTUNATE CHILD HERE,
I WAS BORN A JEW.

MY TESTIMONY CANNOT BE HEARD
IN A CHRISTIAN COURT.

[ Seigneur ] THEY TELL ME
YOU'’RE BEING DILIGENT
ON THE PART OF THE PIG.

SHOULD I NOT BE,
SEIGNEUR?

I THINK YOU ARE NOT YET
QUITE AT EASE WITH US.
THE COUNTRY GOSSIP IS IT?

[ Filette ]
NO!

[ Seigneur ] I KNOW THE
PEASANTS LIKE TO TALK OF
DARK DEEDS IN HIGH PLACES.

BUT IT'’S NOT ALWAYS
AS IT SEEMS.

NOW, ON THE MATTER
OF THE PIG.

IT SEEMS OF NO CONSEQUENCE,
BUT THE BOY'’S DEATH
WAS UNNATURAL.

AND A KIND OF FEAR
SPREADS HERE... EASILY.

BEST IF IT'’S
DONE WITH QUICKLY.

AND IF THE ANIMAL'’S
INNOCENT?

I KNOW YOU'’VE BEEN TUMBLING
THE BLACK WOMAN.
EVERYBODY KNOWS.

SO, FOR GOD'’S SAKE,

JUST LET'’S PAY HER OFF QUIETLY
AND LET IT GO.

I TRIED THAT.

SHE ASKED ME WHAT PLANS OF
MINE THE PIG WOULD SPOIL.

BUT THE MATTER WILL
BE DECIDED BEFORE A JUDGE
AND JURORS, NOT BETWEEN US.

I HAVE ONE OTHER...

ANCIENT RIGHT.

JEHAN D'’AUFERRE,

SEIGNEUR OF ABBEVILLE
AND TOQUIN,

WILL HIMSELF PRESIDE
IN THE MATTER OF THE
STATE VS. THE PORKER.

[ Pounding ]

GENTLEMEN.

MONSEIGNEUR,

THE PLAINT HERE
BEFORE THESE HONORABLE
AND LEARNED GENTLEMEN...

IS THAT ON THE
THIRD FRIDAY OF APRIL--

[ Continues Remarks]

IT FLED LIKE A GUILTY THING.

SO, YOU HAVE A CLOSE
ACQUAINTANCE WITH PORKERS?

TELL ME, HOW DOES A PIG LOOK
WHEN SHE HAS THE AIR
OF A GUILTY THING?

WELL,
SHE RAN FAST!

HOW FAST,
THIS IMPRESSIVELY
WELL-FATTENED PORKER?

DID SHE TROT,
CANTER, GALLOP, MONSIEUR?

SHE MOVED QUICKLY.

- FOR A PIG, THAT IS.
- [ Chuckling ]

[ Courtois ]
AND THE FACE
IS FAMILIAR TO YOU...

OUT OF THE HUNDREDS OF PIGS
RUNNING LOOSE IN THIS PROVINCE?

THERE'’S NOT MANY BLACK HOGS.
I'’VE NEVER SEEN ONE
MARKED LIKE HER.

- AND YOU SAW HER WITHIN
THE PRECINCTS OF THE CHAPEL?
- NO, OUTSIDE.

OUTSIDE? HOW FAR OUTSIDE?

SHE WAS WANDERING AROUND
THE LITTLE SQUARE BEHIND THE--

SO, HAVING BROKEN OFF
FROM ITS GALLOP OR TROT,

SHE BEGAN TO WANDER,
THIS GUILTY PIG.

GENTLEMEN, THIS IS INSANE!
I ASK FOR A DEPOSITION
FROM THE APOTHECARY SURGEON--

DENIED, MAITRE.

YOU REALIZE THAT IF
YOU LIE HERE UNDER OATH...

YOU WILL PAY THE PRICE
WITH YOUR IMMORTAL SOUL.

PERHAPS HIS COSTS ON THAT
HAVE ALREADY BEEN MET.

- THAT SHOULD BE STRICKEN.
- HAVE YOU BEEN SUBORNED,
YOU AND THE OTHERS?

STRIKE THAT
FROM THE RECORD.

BIG PIG, BLACK HOG,

AND SHE WAS MARKED ON
THE NETHER PART OF THE EYE,
AND SHE WAS RUNNING--

- LIKE A GUILTY THING.
- LIKE A GUILTY THING.

THEY'’RE WORD PERFECT,
THESE WITNESSES. SPEAK
THEIR LINES LIKE BORN ACTORS.

I DON'’T SEE WHAT THIS
TELLS US, COURTOIS.
THAT THEY'’VE BEEN SCHOOLED?

- IT IS POSSIBLE.
- IT DOESN'’T SEEM MUCH OF
A POINT TO ME. GO ON.

[ Courtois ]
MARKED ON THE NETHER PART
OF THE EYE.

TURN AWAY, WILL YOU?
FACE OVER THERE.

WHICH SIDE?
NO, DON'’T TURN BACK.

LEFT OR RIGHT?
WHICH SIDE?

LEFT.

LOOKING AT THE PIG,
THE PATCH WAS ON THE LEFT?

- YES.
- THANK YOU.

JUST A MINUTE.
TURN TO FACE ME.

NOW, I NOTICED
WHEN YOU TOOK THE OATH--

NO, BETTER.
FACE YOUR GOOD NEIGHBORS.

NOW RAISE
YOUR LEFT HAND.

THANK YOU.

NOW THEN, SINCE COURTOIS'’
EXAMINATION HAS TAKEN
THE BEST PART OF THE DAY,

WE'’LL RECONVENE
AFTER THE SABBATH.

JESUS MARIA.

WELL, MAITRE,
RISING UP LIKE A CATHEDRAL.

YOU SAID I'’D HAVE A ROOF
BY TODAY! THERE ISN'’T
A WALL TO PUT IT ON.

IT'’S THE TIMBER.
IT'’S HARD TO GET THE TIMBER.

AND WITH THE PRICE OF THE CLAY
GOING UP DAILY--

[ Workman ]
HEY! OVER HERE.

[ Builder ]
MUST HAVE BEEN NINE OR TEN.

HAVE CHILDREN GONE MISSING
HERE IN THE LAST YEAR?

THE LEVY BOY
LAST SUMMER.

A JEWISH BOY?
THAT AGE?

RECKON A WOLF TOOK HIM.
NOTHING LEFT OF HIM NOW.

MAITRE,
A MATTER OF TWO HUNDRED SOUS.

- WHAT?
- FOR THE CLAY. MAITRE!

THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO
WITH THE PRESENT BUSINESS.

THE LEVY BOY
HAS BEEN MISSING
FOR TEN MONTHS OR MORE.

EXACTLY.
THEY'’RE BOTH JEWISH CHILDREN,
BOTH ABOUT THE SAME AGE.

IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THEY
BOTH DIED BY THE SAME HAND,
AND THE PIG IS INNOCENT!

- I ASK FOR
AN ADJOURNMENT.
- MONSEIGNEUR,

THE COSTS TO THE STATE
IN THIS CASE
ARE ALREADY PRODIGIOUS.

- I HAVE THINGS TO FIND OUT.
- BY QUESTIONING
A LITTLE HEAP OF BONES?

- NO, I DON'’T THINK SO.
- WHAT DO WE ALL
THINK THIS IS?

TWO CHILDREN HAVE DIED HERE.
WHAT KIND OF GAME
ARE WE PLAYING?

IN THAT COURTROOM,
YOU'’RE A JUDGE. YOU'RE
SWORN TO A SOLEMN DUTY.

AND I'’M AN ADVOCATE AT LAW,
AND I'’M TELLING YOU
I DO HAVE THE RIGHT.

SEVEN DAYS.

HOW LONG
HAS HE BEEN HERE,
THE SILENT ONE UPSTAIRS?

NOT LONG.
BUT THE SEIGNEUR'’S MAN, IS HE
KEEPING AN EYE ON ALL OF US?

- HOW LONG?
- MAITRE, HE CAME ONLY
DAYS BEFORE WE DID.

- FIVE MONTHS THEN, NO LONGER?
- DO WE TAKE THE LAND CLAIM,
LES EZIES?

ANY OTHER STRANGERS IN TOWN?
WHAT ABOUT THE PLAYERS?
OH, NO.

DIRECTLY FROM THE PRESSES,
MONSEIGNEUR.

THE TORTURE OF JEANNINE
THE WITCH AND HER
DEATH AGONY ON THE SCAFFOLD.

- LEAVE US.
- MANY OTHERS
OF FAIR LADIES UNDER DURESS.

BOTH JEWISH CHILDREN,
BOTH AROUND THE SAME AGE.

PERSECUTION
OF THE JEWS OF MAINZ
BY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS.

PERSECUTION
OF THE CHRISTIANS OF MAINZ
BY THE JEWS THEREOF.

GO AWAY!

"THE MURDER OF
A YOUNG JEWISH CHILD...

BY ONE OF THE DIA--"

"DIABOLICAL FLEMISH BROTHERHOODS
IN THE GODLESS CITY
OF DEN HAAG."

[ Mathieu ]
D'’AUFERRE HAS
A BROTHERHOOD.

YES. WHY SHOULD A LORD
RUN A GUILD?

WHAT DO THEY DO THERE?

IT'’S ALL RIDDLES,
PLAY LITTLE BOYS. GAMES.

THINK OF THE OLD ORDERS,
THE MOST SECRET ONES:

THE CATHARS
AND THE TEMPLARS.

THEY TAUGHT US IN SCHOOL
THAT THE KING OF FRANCE...

BURNT EVERY LAST HERETIC
THREE GENERATIONS AGO.

BUT WHAT IF SOME MADMEN KEEP
THE FAITH? BRING THEM BACK
TO LIFE A HUNDRED YEARS ON?

IT'’S A CATHAR FAMILY.

D'’AUFERRE.
THEY WERE CATHARS.

- HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?
- IT'’S MY JOB, MAITRE.
I'’M YOUR CLERK.

FIND OUT WHEN THEY MEET.

[ Filette ]
WHICH WOULD YOU PREFER,
RICHARD--

A WIFE WHO WAS TRUE
AND VIRTUOUS,

THOUGH YOUR NEIGHBORS
CALLED HER A FALSE WOMAN;

OR A WIFE WHOM YOU KNEW
TO BE FALSE,

THOUGH SHE SEEMED VIRTUOUS
TO ALL THE WORLD?

SORRY.
A WIFE?

[ Seigneur ]
THAT'’S THE WAY, COURTOIS.

- [ Heavy Breathing,
Whispering ]
- WHAT?

NOT HERE.

OH, SHIT.

YOU SEEM WELL AT HOME NOW,
MAITRE.

[ Bell Ringing ]

[ Man ]
WOOD, WODE,

VERMILION, MADDER,

WOOL COMBS, TEASELS.

[ Second Man ]
WE CAN'’T ASK MORE FROM THE TOWN.
THEY'’VE DONE ENOUGH.

[ Seneschal ]
LINEN: TWO LIVRES,
DOZEN BOLTS.

[ Seigneur ]
TOO MUCH! WHO ARE THEY?
THE MERCHANTS FROM SAXONY.

[ Seigneur ] HALF A LIVRE.
HOW MUCH IS OUR OWN?
HALF.

[ Seigneur ]
HALF THAT OR
THEY CAN TAKE IT TO PARIS.

NO, I DON'’T LIKE THAT.
I WON'’T HAVE IT.

[ Man ]
GREASE, SOAP, MUSLIN.

DO WE GO WITH AQUITAINE
WITH THE TAXES?
THE CORN TITHES SET THE SAME?

[ Continues Chatting ]

- NO, WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT.
I WON'’T GO BACK ON THAT.
- [ Man ] THEY CAN FORCE US.

THEY'’VE NO CONTROL OVER US.
I DON'’T CARE WHO THEY ARE.
[ Creaking Noise ]

DO WE AGREE
TO STAY AS WE ARE?

[ Organ Pipes
Resounding Loudly ]

[ Pipes Resounding,
Music Playing ]

♪
[ Dogs Barking ]

EXCUSE ME, I--

[ Chortling ]

[ Chortling Continues ]

- I THINK YOU'’RE LOST,
MAITRE.
- LOST?

ARE YOU NOT?

THERE'’S THE DOOR.

[ Seigneur ]
WHAT DID YOU HEAR?

VERY LITTLE.
ARE YOU A CATHAR?

MY GRANDFATHER WAS ONE OF
THE LAST. HAD HIS LEGS
BURNT OFF BY GOOD KING PHILIP.

- WHAT VERY LITTLE DID YOU HEAR?
- UM, ABOUT PRICES.
THE PRICE OF LINEN.

SOMETHING ABOUT
THE ANNUAL TITHE.

- IS THAT IT,
THE BROTHERHOOD?
- WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?

DRINKING THE BLOOD
OF VIRGINS?

GOOD GOD, LOOK AT THEM.
THEY'’VE ALL ONE LEG
IN THE GRAVE ALREADY.

IT'’S HOW WE KEEP CONTROL--
ORDER AND RULE.

WE FIX TITHES AND PRICES
FOR THE WHOLE PROVINCE.

STOP THE FOREIGN MERCHANTS
UNDERSELLING.
YOU LOOK TERRIBLE.

A LITTLE FEVER.

MIND YOU, YOU CAN HAVE
YOUR TONGUE CUT OUT IF
YOU THINK TO TELL THE TALE.

WE SHOULDN'’T MEET NOW
UNTIL IT'’S OVER.

- WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
- IT'’S NOT WHAT WE'VE DONE.
IT'’S WHAT THEY THINK WE'VE DONE.

LOOK I HAVE TO--
I WANT YOU!

- I CAN'’T THINK
OF ANYTHING ELSE.
- NOT NOW. I SAID IT.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?
YOU DISTURB ME. I--

ALL OF IT! I WANTED
TO MAKE IT WORK HERE,
AND IT'’S FALLING APART.

ALL OF IT!

WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?

WELL NOW, THE MAITRE
BEEN DIPPING HIS FINGERS...

IN HIS LITTLE EGYPTIAN
CASSEROLE, HAS HE?

SWEET, BUT STINKING,
IS IT, THE LITTLE
BLACK CRACK ON HER?

TOOTH FOR TOOTH, MAITRE.
STRIPE FOR STRIPE.

[ Albertus ]
I SEE A DARK SHADOW
BEHIND YOU, MY SON.

IT SEEMS TO TAKE THE FORM
OF A GREAT BLACK GOAT.

CAN IT BE YOUR
LITTLE MASTER SATAN?

-GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS, DOMINI.
-THIS IS MY BUSINESS, SHERIFF.

SHOULD THE PRIEST OF THIS PARISH
NOT WITNESS TO THE HOLY FATHERS

WHAT HE SEES
WITH HIS OWN EYES?

YOU SEE, IT WORKS.

STAY WITH ME TONIGHT.

WHEN YOU ASKED ME
IF I LIED TO YOU--

JUST TONIGHT.

STAY IN ME.

"THOU ART BLACK BUT COMELY,
MY SISTER, MY WIFE;

THOU HAST--"

[ Laughing ]

♪ [ Humming ]

SO, DOMINI, AN ANIMAL
HAS NO SOUL AND CANNOT
THEREFORE BE EXCOMMUNICATED.

NO. IT MAY BE ANATHEMATIZED.
IT'’S A FINE DISTINCTION.

I BELIEVE CLERICS
ARE UNDECIDED AS TO WHETHER
A WOMAN HAS A SOUL.

RATHER ELDERLY CLERICS,
I THINK, MAITRE.

THE CHILD WAS JEWISH,
WAS HE NOT?

IS THE CRIME OF THE BEAST
LESS THAN IF
HE HAD BEEN A CHRISTIAN?

I CAN'’T SAY!

A JEW MAY BE
BELOW THE CHRISTIAN
IN DIVINE ORDER,

BUT HE'’S CERTAINLY ABOVE
THE GOAT AND THE ASS.

ON A LEVEL, PERHAPS,
WITH THE DOG?

WELL, IT IS ONLY 30 YEARS
SINCE A CITIZEN OF PARIS...

WAS BURNT FOR SODOMY BECAUSE
HE COHABITED WITH A JEWESS.

IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE
ON A LEVEL...

OF COPULATION
WITH A DOG.

INTERESTING, DOMINI.

SO A MAN KNOWN TO HAVE LAIN
WITH A HEATHEN WOMAN MIGHT
FORFEIT HIS LIFE FOR IT.

BUT NOT TODAY,
I WOULD HOPE, MONSEIGNEUR.

WELL... ARE YOU FINISHED,
MAITRE?

ARE YOU TELLING US, DOMINI,
THAT IN YOUR THEOLOGY...

IT IS FUTILE TO
ANATHEMATIZE OR EXECUTE...

AN INSENTIENT BEAST?

N-NO, NO.

THE BEAST MAY CONTAIN A DEVIL,
AND IT'’S THE DEVIL WE CURSE
AND THE VESSEL WE DESTROY.

A DEVIL IN THE PIG?
A DEVIL IN THE CAT
THAT STEALS THE FISH?

IN THE LOCUST THAT
DESTROYS THE HARVEST?

IS THE LOCUST BIG ENOUGH
TO CONTAIN A DEVIL, DOMINI?
A FLY?

INTERESTING POINT
ABOUT THE FLY.

IT WAS DEBATED FOR THREE DAYS
AT A CONVOCATION IN RHEIMS,

AND NO CONCLUSION REACHED.

YOU DON'’T REALLY BELIEVE
EVERYTHING YOU'’VE BEEN
SAYING IN HERE, DO YOU?

THIS IS MONSTROUS!

DO YOU, DOMINI?

OH, I BELIEVE IT, MAITRE.

EVERY WORD OF IT.

[ Pincheon ]
GENTLEMEN,

ANY MAN'’S DEATH IS
TERRIBLE, INEXPLICABLE.

THE DEATH OF A CHILD,

EVEN A HEBREW CHILD,

MAITRE, MORE SO.

IT CAUSES US TO QUESTION
THE NATURAL LAW,

TO PONDER IN OUR ANGUISH
THE PURPOSES OF GOD HIMSELF.

WHERE IS ORDER...
AND RULE?

AND WHAT DO WE DO
WHEN FACED...

WITH THE UNKNOWN
AND THE UNKNOWABLE?

WE GIVE OURSELVES
UP TO FEAR!

EVERY DAY,
EVERY ONE OF US...

AWAITS IN TERROR...

SOME NEW CHAOS,
SOME NEW DARKNESS.

IT IS THE CURSE
OF OUR TIMES,

GENTLEMEN.

NOT THE BLACK DEATH,

BUT FEAR...
SO MUCH THE BLACKER.

AND WHAT,
ASIDE FROM OUR PRAYERS,

CAN HELP US
TO BEAR THIS BURDEN?

I WOULD SAY TO YOU...

THE LAW!

THE LAW IS NOT ONLY
PUNISHMENT AND RETRIBUTION.

THE LAW CAN PURGE THE DEED,

PUT AN END TO THE CHAPTER,
CLOSE THE BOOK!

WHEN WE SEE
JUSTICE DONE,

WE GO BACK
TO OUR DAILY LIVES...

KNOWING AT LEAST THAT
THE NEXT TIME THE FEARS COME,

THEY WILL BE SUBJECT...

TO THE SAME
IMMUTABLE PROCESS.

A CHILD IS DEAD.

KILLING THE PIG
WON'’T BRING IT BACK.

BUT IT WILL,
FOR THE REST OF US SAY:

IT IS DONE THIS TIME,
AND PROPERLY DONE.

FOR NOW...

THE CIRCLE
IS FULL AGAIN.

COMPLETE.

MAITRE COURTOIS?

[ Bells Ringing ]

WE WAVE OUR REPLICATION,
ASK FOR THE COURT'’S MERCY.

THEN I BELIEVE
WE MAY PROCEED TO JUDGMENT.

- THE BELLS.
- WHAT BELLS?

THE FESTIVAL OF THE ADVENT
HAS BEGUN.

JUDGMENT AFTER THE FIRST
WEEK IS OUT.

JESUS MARIA.

WELL, YOU WERE BORN
TO PREACH ARMAGEDDON.

I'’D SWEAR YOU
ALMOST BELIEVED IT.

[ Pincheon ]
OH, I BELIEVE IT...

OR I WOULDN'’T
PROSECUTE.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW
YOUR FUTURE, COURTOIS?

LOOK AT ME.

I AM WHAT WILL BECOME
OF MAITRE COURTOIS,

THE COUNTRY LAWYER,
IN 20 YEARS.

WELL... 30 YEARS.

YOU'’LL DO WELL HERE.

YOU LEARN FAST AND...
YOU'’RE GOOD.

BUT IT'’S PEARLS
TO SWINE, YOU KNOW.

THAT'’S WHAT THEY ARE,
THESE POOR COUNTRY FOLK.

SUSPICIOUS,
SUPERSTITIOUS, SELFISH,

LUBRICOUS,
SALT OF THE EARTH,

SCUM OF THE EARTH.

GO BACK TO THE CITY
WHERE YOU BELONG.

DON'’T GROW OLD AND TIRED
IN A PLACE LIKE THIS.

- YOU'’LL NEVER GO BACK?
- UH-UH. NO.

THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY
NOW IN PARIS,

BUT SOMEHOW I DON'’T THINK
THEY LOVE THE LAW.

I THINK YOU DO.

ONCE PERHAPS.

BUT NOW--

I CAN'’T REMEMBER NOW.

PINCHEON,

THERE WERE THINGS BEHIND
ALL THIS NEITHER OF US KNEW.

NO,

MAITRE.

♪ [ "Tota Pulchraes" ]

♪

THIS IS THE REAL INFERNO
OF JEHAN D'’AUFERRE.

A FEW HECTARES OF
GOOSE-BUMPED FLESH,
ILLUSTRATING...

THE ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION
OF POWER.

- DISAPPOINTING, I KNOW.
- IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY
ABOUT YOUR HUNT?

- MY--
- THE CHASE.

THEY SAY YOU USE HUMAN
QUARRY FOR THE CHASE.

OH! I DID ONCE, YES.
MADE QUITE A SCANDAL.

- TO THE DEATH?
- GOOD GOD, NO.
I'’M NOT A BARBARIAN. NO!

THERE WERE A FEW BUMPS
AND BRUISES, BUT
THEY WERE WELL PAID FOR IT.

♪ [ "De Tous Bien Pleure" ]

♪

[ Barking ]

- DID YOU REMEMBER
THE SILK, MAITRE?
- WHAT? MARIA!

SILK FROM PARIS!

UH, NO.

- OH, WELL.
MAYBE SOON.
- YES.

[ Seigneur ]
LOOK AT THEM.

THE FORBIDDEN FRUITS,
THEY THINK ALL THIS IS.

BUT YOU AND I KNOW,
COURTOIS,

THAT THE ONLY ENTERTAINMENT
WORTH THE COIN...

IS OFFERED BY THE
TRUE OBJECT OF DESIRE.

♪

DON'’T WORRY.
SHE'’S HERE WILLINGLY.
I TOLD YOU I PAY WELL.

[ Woman Laughing ]

SAMIRA!

WELL NOW,
WHAT CAN WE DO?

- THE BOY ASSAULTED HER.
- A HAZARD OF HER PROFESSION,
I'’D HAVE THOUGHT.

SHE DIDN'’T KNOW WHO HE WAS.
LET HER GO, PLEASE.

WHAT WAS THAT, COURTOIS?
I DON'’T THINK WE HEARD YOU.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT
THE FUTURE. THERE'’S
STILL TIME TO SETTLE THINGS.

YOU WOULDN'’T BE EXPECTED TO GIVE
UP ALL YOUR LITTLE WEAKNESSES,

JUST BE CIRCUMSPECT ABOUT THEM.

AND OF COURSE, YOU'’D UNDERSTAND
WHERE YOUR LOYALTIES LIE.

DIVINE ANIMAL, A LITTLE WILD.
I CAN SEE THE TEMPTATION.

LET HER GO...
IN THE MORNING.

THE GUARD CAN MAKE USE
OF HER '’TIL THEN...
IF THEY'’RE NOT TOO DRUNK.

[ Speaking Arabic ]

[ Hissing ]

[ Shrieking ]

WHAT DID YOU SAY IN THERE?
THE CURSE?

IT'’S... WHAT YOU CALL IT?
FOR CHILDREN?

- NURSERY RHYME?
- IT'’S THE WAY
YOU SAY IT.

[ Courtois ]
COME AND DRINK WITH ME,
MONSIEUR.

HERE'’S TO THE EYES AND EARS
OF JEHAN D'’AUFERRE.

YOU CAN TELL HIM HE'’S WON.
YOU'’VE ALL WON.

TELL HIM THE ADVOCATE
IS GOING BACK TO THE BIG CITY.

BUT I THINK ALL YOU
GOOD CHRISTIANS LOOK ON...

WHILE THE DEVIL
WALKS ABOUT AND ABOUT
IN YOUR NEAT LITTLE TOWN.

AND THERE'’S NOT ONE OF YOU
DARES SPEAK.

YOU'’VE SEEN EVERYTHING HERE,
MONSEIGNEUR CREEPER
IN THE DARK.

HAVE YOU SEEN ONE MAN
WITHOUT FEAR?

YOU'’RE A MELANCHOLY FELLOW,
MATHIEU.

IT'’S OUR LAST NIGHT.
SHINE YOURSELF UP AND
WE'’LL GO TO A BROTHEL.

A BROTHEL.

THERE WON'’T BE ONE IN
THIS PISS-ASS TOWN, BUT
THERE'’LL BE ONE IN LAVIERS.

MAITRE,
THIS IS THE BROTHEL.

THE ABBEVILLE INN
IS THE ABBEVILLE WHOREHOUSE.

YOU MEAN
THAT SKINNY GIRL?
YOU PAY HER FOR IT?

- I NEVER GAVE MARIA A SOU.
- IT'’S ALL IN THE PRICE
WE PAY BY THE WEEK.

THEY PUT IT DOWN
AS THE LODGING TAX.

[ Whinnies ]

YOU SEE, MAITRE,
THE MIND HAS A LITTLE EYE.

IT SHOWS US IN OUR DREAMS

WHAT WE'’VE LOOKED ON WHEN
WE'’RE AWAKE, BUT NOT SEEN.

THERE IS DARKNESS
ALL ABOUT YOU.
YOU CAN BRING THE LIGHT.

- LOOK TO THE BOY, MAITRE.
- DO NOT BE TOO SURE,
MAITRE COURTOIS.

FOR INDEED I HAVE
RECENTLY SEEN ONE I COULD
WISH TO MAKE A PRISONER.

[ Filette Chortling ]

[ Seigneur'’s Voice ]
IT SEEMS OF NO CONSEQUENCE, BUT
THE BOY'’S DEATH WAS UNNATURAL.

AND A KIND OF FEAR
SPREADS HERE... EASILY.

BEST IF IT'’S
DONE WITH QUICKLY.

[ Courtois. Voice ]
AND IF THE ANIMAL'’S INNOCENT?

IT MAY BE THE PIG
CONTAINS A DEVIL.
OPINIONS DIFFER.

I REMEMBER ONCE
IN JOINVILLE--

WHY DID I SEE
THAT FACE?

[ Boy ]
HERE! HERE!
HELP ME!

HERE!
HEY! HEY!

HERE!

[ Whinnies ]
HEY, HEY, HEY!

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ [ Whistling ]

[ Boy ]
HELP!

HELP! NO!
HELP ME!

[ Groaning ]

- HEY!
- NO! NO!

[ Grunting ]

HEY!

- WHO WAS IT?
DID YOU SEE HIS FACE?
- NO.

[ Loudly ]
DID ANYBODY SEE?

[ Windows, Doors Closing ]

[ Whinnies ]

WHO ARE YOU?

I AM ALL EYES AND ALL EARS,
BUT NOT FOR JEHAN D'’AUFERRE.

WHO THEN?

YOU SAID IT YOURSELF,
MY FRIEND.

I AM THE ONE
WHO HAS NO NEED FOR FEAR.

AH.

HE TRIED TO TAKE
ANOTHER BOY.

NOT JEWISH THIS TIME.
NONE LEFT.

- THEY TOLD ME
IT WOULD BE STOPPED!
- DID THEY?

WELL, IT WON'’T STOP,
NOT WHILE A PRIEST PERJURES
HIS IMMORTAL SOUL...

TO PROTECT A MONSTER,

TO KEEP
HIS COMFORTABLE LIVING AND
ALL HIS LITTLE AMUSEMENTS.

YOU'’RE FUNNY, DOMINI,

WITH YOUR "NEW KNOWLEDGE
WE WISE MEN KEEP
TO OURSELVES,"

AND YOUR SPECIAL KIND
OF SHRIVING
FROM THE LADIES.

IT WAS ONLY A GAME,
I TOLD YOU.

WITH EVERY ONE OF THEM?

OR WERE THERE TWO OR THREE
WHO WERE AFRAID
YOU JUST MIGHT MEAN IT?

- LOOK TO THE BOY.
- WHAT?

YOU SAID THE WITCH SAID,
"LOOK TO THE BOY."
SO, DID YOU?

YES. I FOUND A LITTLE
HEAP OF BONES AND ANOTHER
GOOD CITIZEN TOO SCARED TO--

WRONG--

WRONG BOY.

YOUR SON KILLED THAT CHILD,
MONSEIGNEUR.

YOU'’LL DENY IT, AND
I'’LL PROVE IT IF IT TAKES
20 YEARS OF MY LIFE.

I WON'’T DENY IT.
I DON'’T KNOW IT,
BUT IT IS POSSIBLE.

HE HAS THE DEVIL IN HIM,
CERTAINLY.

AND HE DID INJURE
A CHILD ONCE IN ONE OF
HIS PRIVATE LITTLE GAMES.

I HAD A PRIEST IN JOINVILLE
EXORCISE HIM.
WE SPEND OUR SUMMERS THERE.

IT WORKED FOR A TIME,
THEN WE FOUND HIM
NAILING DOGS TO TREES.

THREE OF THEM CRUCIFIED,
THE MIDDLE ONE
ABOVE THE OTHERS NATURALLY.

THEY'’D HAVE BURNED HIM
IF THEY'’D SEEN IT.

AND THE OTHER CHILD,
THE ONE WHO DIED BEFORE?

YES, THAT ONE AS WELL
PERHAPS.

HE'’S MY BANE, COURTOIS,
ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

BUT THIS KIND OF THING--
WE CAN'’T ALLOW
TO GET OUT.

ONE LAW FOR THE RICH--

YES!
ALWAYS.

SEIGNEUR, I WILL HAVE
YOUR SON ARRESTED ON MY ACCOUNT
AND WITH MY AUTHORITY.

AND I WILL HAVE A NEW TRIAL
UNDER A NEW JUDGE.

AND WHETHER OR NOT
IT BRINGS DOWN ARMAGEDDON
ON OUR HEADS,

I'’LL HAVE THE BOY IN THAT
COURTROOM, AND I CAN GET
TO THE TRUTH.

YOU MAY NOT THINK IT,
BUT I'’M LAWYER ENOUGH
FOR THAT.

OH, I DON'’T DOUBT IT, BUT
I'’M AFRAID IT WON'T BE POSSIBLE.

YOU SEE, MY SON
LEFT FRANCE THIS MORNING
FOR ENGLAND, IN FACT.

THEY HAVE MUSSELMAN SURGEONS
THERE, AND HE MAY BE HELPED.

I THINK WITHOUT AN ACCUSED
IN HUMAN FORM, YOUR STORY WILL
LOSE SOMETHING IN THE TELLING.

LET IT BE, COURTOIS.

I GIVE JUDGMENT TOMORROW,
AND WE'’LL LET THE EGYPTIANS GO
IN PEACE WHEN IT'’S DONE.

IT'’S ONLY A PIG.

NO, NO. NOT THAT PIG.
NOT NOW.

WE CAN STOP THE COACH
FROM ANGERS, MAITRE.

FIND ME THE VILLAIN
WITH THE WIFE, VALLIERE,
THE ONE WHO KILLED THE MAN.

FIND HIM,
BRING HIM HERE.

YOU HAVE HAD YOUR TIME,
MAITRE.

WE MUST GO
TO JUDGMENT.

- I ASK THE COURT'’S INDULGENCE
A LITTLE LONGER.
- NO, THAT'’S IT.

[ Squealing ]

[ Courtois ]
YOU'’LL NOTE, MONSEIGNEUR,
THAT THE TWO PIGS ARE IDENTICAL.

THE ONE COULD EASILY
BE MISTAKEN FOR THE OTHER.

THEY'’RE BLACK HOGS,
PATCH UNDER THE EYE.

THIS MAN WILL SWEAR THAT
HIS PIG HAS ALREADY EATEN
TWO OF ITS OWN LITTERS,

KILLED A NEWBORN CALF
IN FRONT IF ITS MOTHER,
AND ATTACKED A BABY IN THE COT.

IS THIS NOT, MONSEIGNEUR,
A MALICIOUS
AND CRIMINAL BEAST?

AND IT WAS UNTETHERED
AND WENT MISSING
ON THE DAY THE CHILD DIED.

AND WHEN IT RETURNED,
IT HAD BLOOD ON ITS MOUTH.

THIS GOOD CITIZEN
WILL TESTIFY TO ALL OF THIS.

AND IS THIS GOOD CITIZEN
AWARE OF THE PENALTIES
FOR BEARING FALSE WITNESS?

AS WE ALL ARE, MONSEIGNEUR,
IN THIS COURT,

EVEN UP TO MY LORD
THE JUDGE.

PINCHEON?

I'’M NOT HAPPY TO SAY THIS,
BUT THE LAW DEMANDS A RETRIAL.

ALL THIS AGAIN?

ALL OF IT, MONSEIGNEUR,
WITH THE PIG
KEPT IN PRISON...

AT THE STATE'’S EXPENSE
UNTIL A NEW ADVOCATE
ARRIVES AS HIS COUNSEL.

- I WON'’T BE HERE.
- NO, NO,
THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE.

WE'’VE ONLY THE FELLOW'S
WORD FOR IT.

IT'’S NOT AS IF THE PIG
HAD CONFESSED!

NO. WOULD YOU LIKE ME
TO PUT IT TO HIM?

I MEAN, AS ADVOCATE FOR
THE FIRST PORKER,

SHOULD I NOT TRY TO GET
THIS ONE TO TAKE THE BLAME?

YOU, PIG, IF YOU HAVE
A DEVIL IN YOU, IF
YOU AND YOUR DEVIL AVOW...

- THAT YOU ARE GUILTY
OF THIS UNNATURAL MURDER--
- SEIGNEUR?

COURTOIS, THIS IS A MATTER
OF SOME GRAVITY.

IF YOU CONFESS TO THIS YOU WILL
GIVE VOICE IN THIS COURTROOM,
TWICE TO BE SURE.

IF YOU ARE NOT GUILTY,
YOU MAY KEEP YOUR SILENCE.

[ Courtois ]
IF YOU DO SPEAK, SPEAK CLEARLY
SO THE WHOLE COURT MAY HEAR YOU.

[ Squeals Twice ]

[ Laughter ]

[ Whispering ]

IN THE CASE OF A FULL
AND OPEN CONFESSION,
IT IS MY JUDGMENT...

THAT THE FIRST ACCUSED PIG
IS NOT CULPABLE
OF THE CHARGE AGAINST IT.

THIS ANIMAL LEAVES
THE COURT WITH NO STAIN
ON HER CHARACTER.

AS TO THE SECOND PIG:

[ Clears Throat ]

"IN DETESTATION AND HORROR
AT ITS UNNATURAL CRIME,

"THIS PORKER WILL BE DETAINED
UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR
SENTENCE CAN BE CARRIED OUT:

"THE WHICH IS THAT
IT BE HANGED AND STRANGLED
UPON A GIBBET...

IN A PUBLIC PLACE
UNTIL IT BE DEAD."

WE'’LL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
I'’LL KEEP YOU IN THE COUNTRY.

AND ONE DAY YOU COME HOME,
AND YOUR HOUSE
IS BURNED DOWN...

AND YOUR BLACK WITCH WIFE
INSIDE IT.

PIG FLESH, ROASTED.

I THINK I'’M A LITTLE BIT
ANIMAL TO YOU;

NOT BRUTE BEAST
LIKE THEY THINK,

BUT YES,

SOME STRANGE FINE CREATURE
YOU'’D LIKE AT YOUR FIREPLACE
AND IN YOUR BED.

GO AWAY FROM HERE.

DO YOUR JOB.
MAKE MONEY.

MARRY THE FINE LADY.

HAVE PRETTY CHILDREN,
ALL SHINING AND WHITE.

I LOVE YOU.

I COULD LOVE YOU.

BUT I COULDN'’T SING YOUR SONGS,
ONLY MY OWN--

LOST SONGS FROM
A LONG TIME AGO,

BUT THEY ARE MINE.

A PART OF YOU
STAYS HERE.

A PART OF ME
GOES WITH YOU.

WHO WAS THAT MAN
WHO SAT HERE?

CALLS HIMSELF FOURNIER.

HE COMES HERE
EVERY SECOND YEAR,

AND THE HOLY FATHERS ARRIVE
SOON AFTER HIM.

HE'’S A SPY
FOR THE INQUISITION.

HE DOESN'’T KNOW
WE KNOW.

WE'’LL GET TO PARIS
BY NIGHTFALL?

YOU WILL, MAITRE.

I'’M STAYING
IN ABBEVILLE.

MAITRE PINCHEON
HAS GIVEN ME A POSITION.

[ Bell Ringing,
Dogs Barking ]

[ Courtois'’ Voice ]
NOW IF YOU RECALL THE PROPHECY
OF JEANNINE THE WITCH,

SHE SAID THESE WERE BAD TIMES,
AND THERE'’D BE MORE.

THEN THERE'’D COME
A FINE KNIGHT IN ARMOR
THAT SHONE LIKE THE SUN.

AND HE'’D CARRY THE WEAPONS
OF STRENGTH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

AND DELIVER US FROM OUR EVIL
AND OUR LIES,

AND MAKE THIS A FIT PLACE
FOR ALL OF US.

[ Screams ]

SHALL WE REACH PARIS
BEFORE DARK?

YES.

I'’M TAKING MY GODDAUGHTER

TO LIVE THERE IN SAINT-DENIS.

WE'’LL BE NEIGHBORS THEN.

I'’M A LAWYER.

I HAD A POSITION IN ABBEVILLE
FOR SOME TIME, BUT...

REALLY THE CITY'’S
THE ONLY PLACE TO...

[ Courtois ]
UH, MAKE A LIVING.