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What was the peculiar lawsuit brought against caterpillars in 16th-century Savoy?. This question explores a bizarre historical legal case where caterpillars were put on trial for damaging vineyards. The outline will detail the proceedings, including the lawyers for the caterpillars and the eventual outcome.

The Savoy caterpillar lawsuit: proceedings, advocates, arguments, and outcome

In 1545, a plague of caterpillars, locally called verpillons, ravaged the vineyards of St. Julien in Savoy near Maurienne, prompting village leaders to bring a formal action for damages against the insects[1].

  • After attempted arbitration failed, the dispute went before the ecclesiastical judge of St. Jean de Maurienne[1].
  • The villagers appeared by counsel, and two brothers described as learned in the law were appointed to act as defense lawyers for the caterpillars[1].
  • Letters admonishing the caterpillars and their counsel were issued, and a commission was named to assess the exact amount of damage in money[1].
  • The judge cautioned against undue haste, suggesting the insects might have been sent as a divine scourge; the initial trial concluded in May 1546 with the farmers paying the bill[1].

Recurrence in 1587 and courtroom arguments

When the caterpillars reappeared in 1587, the farmers promised that if the insects were excommunicated they would provide them with a place containing sufficient food[1].

The judge ordered the plaintiffs to repent of their sins, pay their tithes, and perform processions around the vineyards for three successive days[1].

Defense counsel Peter Rembaud argued that brute beasts could not be regularly summoned before a magistrate, appealed to Scripture to show that vegetables are the food of beasts as well as men, and contended the insects exercised a kind of legal right in devouring the vines, praying that the case be dismissed[1].

Resolution

The matter was compromised when the farmers identified a piece of waste land where the caterpillars might go, and on December 20, 1587, the farmers were ordered to pay the costs of the action, totaling nineteen florins, since the caterpillars had no goods with which to satisfy costs[1].

References


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