The Carleton Bigamy Trial

This collection explores the fragmented nature of truth in seventeenth-century England through the bigamy trial of Mary Carleton, highlighting the social status quo and the precarious relationship between words and the world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 394 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2023
Publisher: Iter Press

This collection brings together a diverse range of perspectives to present a Rashomon-style account of marriage, fraud, and trickery in seventeenth-century England. The story revolves around Mary Carleton, an ordinary woman from Canterbury who gained historical significance when she was accused of bigamy. The seven pamphlets included in this edition delve into the trial of Mary Carleton, where the accused presented a compelling defense and ultimately secured an acquittal. These pamphlets, written in the early years of the English Restoration, shed light on the fragmented nature of truth in various domains such as law, love, and politics. Through their contrasting accounts of a troubled marriage, these pamphlets both reinforce and challenge the social status quo, ultimately questioning the inherent foundations upon which it rests. By prompting readers to question absolutes, these pamphlets expose the delicate interplay between words and the world, highlighting the inherent complexities and uncertainties of human relationships and societal structures.

Dimension: 9 x 6 x 1 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781649590756