Jews

were depicted as monsters sucking a sow. Such were some of the strange fancies of ecclesiastical artists and writers in our middle ages.. Animals in these ages were held responsible for their acts (because they might be po e ed by devils): they were tried like human beings (see Basques), and counsel for the defence allotted to them. In 1510 the Bishop of Autun cited the rats, but the trial had to be adjourned as the defendants would not appear: the case was dismi ed on the plea of intimidation by the town cats.