Povijesni prilozi, Vol. 33 No. 47, 2014.
Original scientific paper
Giochi sotto il Cason del Carbon: Illicit love games in the Momjam region at the end of the 17th century
Doblanović Danijela
Abstract
Court records are very intriguing historical sources. Even though they only record those instances in which the law was not observed, they reveal the beliefs, fears and views of the communities in which people live. The romantic liaisons of the distant past most often come to us by means of court records. These are generally tragic stories in
which women were most often the victims (abandoned, dishonoured, pregnant). One – by all accounts – tragic love story was recorded in the book of the Feudal Jurisdiction of Momjan in 1691. The protagonists in this court case were Martin and Katarina Peroša, first cousins who were reported for an incestuous relationship. Katarina
was a servant in the household of her cousin Martin and his wife. She was accused of improper conduct because she engaged in sexual intercourse with Martin, her cousin and a married man. In the indictment, fear of the potential termination of an unwanted pregnancy is raised, as well as suspicion of possible prior infanticide.
Although only Katarina was charged, the judge (the feudal lord of Momjan) launched an investigation which also placed Martin in an unpleasant position. Through the testimony of many individuals, including relatives, neighbours and acquaintances, the reader becomes familiar with the prevailing views on adultery, bigamy and impermissible relationships in a small community at the end of the seventeenth century. Katarina’s fate is not known, as she fled soon after the indictment was raised. Given the time in which she lived, we can only speculate as to the type of life that awaited her after her flight. The court records contain numerous examples of women who were in similar situations and who were generally rejected by their families. Their existence was then associated with the sale of their own bodies.
Keywords
Momjan; Istria; 17th century; incest; concubinate; illicit relationships
Hrčak ID:
131234
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2014.
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