Chronique du crime et de l'innocence, tome 3/8 Recueil des événements les plus tragiques;...

A sweeping, chronologically ordered tapestry of France’s darkest episodes, this volume gathers murders, poisonings, massacres and other heinous acts from the dawn of the monarchy to the early nineteenth century. Drawing on court records, gazettes and provincial chronicles, each entry reads like a terse courtroom report, inviting listeners to glimpse the social tensions and legal customs that shaped each tragedy. The tone is sober yet compelling, emphasizing how often fear and prejudice can twist the pursuit of justice.

The centerpiece of the collection is a 1754 case from the Alsace border, where a widow’s robbery accusation leads to the swift arrest of three Jewish men. Despite an elaborate alibi presented by one defendant, the local bailiff ignores the inconsistencies and orders a brutal sentence. The episode starkly illustrates how haste and bias could seal an innocent’s fate, prompting reflection on the fragile balance between law and humanity.