Meet Michel

Meet Michel
The historical records from Stavanger in the 14th and 15th centuries offer only small glimpses of ordinary everyday people. Michel Suenson is one such person. The reason his name has been preserved is because he did something he was not allowed to do.

On Thursday, 20 June 1482, the verdict was delivered in the case against Michel Suenson. It was Torkel Ormson and Hawardh Tosteinson who accused Michel of having had intercourse with their sister-in-law (her name is not given), that is, the sister of their wives. The sister-in-law was obviously unmarried or a widow, and sex outside of marriage was strictly forbidden in the Middle Ages.

The trial took place in the Kriken estate, which was likely owned by the lawman (judge) Torer Torkelson. The importance of the case is confirmed by the presence of four other jurors and a councilman who supported the verdict.

The court decided that Michel should pay a fine of 3 marks of silver to Torkel and Hawardh. But even more importantly, Michel was also sentenced to enter into a betrothal, that is, an agreement to marry. Usually, couples moved in together after the betrothal.

It is interesting how passive and somewhat invisible the female party in this case is. But Michel’s case shows that Stavanger’s civil legal system functioned well. His case was also a matter for canon law. Michel had also violated the Church’s regulations on marriage and sexual conduct. This required confession and penance. That is, performing good deeds, supporting the poor, or reciting the canonical hours.

We do not know what profession Michel had. But if he was, for example, a blacksmith, he would likely have confessed to the canon responsible for the St. Giles altar, which we know was in the Cathedral. St. Giles was the patron saint of blacksmiths.