Using the coroner's inquest as a lens, this book offers a fresh perspective on the process of death investigation in medieval England. By studying cause of death in the coroners' reports, this study sheds new light on abortion by assault, bubonic plague, cruentation, epilepsy, insanity, senescence, and unnatural death.
"...by effectively framing the inquest socially and legally, her book makes a convincing case for a fundamental shift in the history of coronership and, opening up a wonderful set of sources, it tables fresh questions about medieval life, justice and knowledge." - Silvia De Renzi, Open University
'Butler's understanding of the Coroners' Rolls (their final reports to the Crown) is pro-found, detailed, imaginative, and sympathetic. What emerges is a portrait of the coroner as, in the main, con-scientious and honest...In sum, Butler's latest book, based on a deep knowl-edge of the primary sources, is an excellent study of a ne-glected institution of English medieval law and govern-ment.' - Faith Wallis, McGill University, American Historical Review
'Butler's understanding of the Coroners' Rolls (their final reports to the Crown) is pro-found, detailed, imaginative, and sympathetic. What emerges is a portrait of the coroner as, in the main, con-scientious and honest...In sum, Butler's latest book, based on a deep knowl-edge of the primary sources, is an excellent study of a ne-glected institution of English medieval law and govern-ment.' - Faith Wallis, McGill University, American Historical Review







