> Thanks John. I seem to recall a few blurbs in the newspapers about cases
> where "the real criminal" confessed on his death bed, and it seemed to be
> assumed he was telling the truth because a dying person has nothing to gain
> by lying.
...or nothing to fear. In his 16thC codification of Hungarian law
Stephen Werbocsy, discussing valid circumstances for a wife's
transfer of her dowry to her husband, includes her last will on her
deathbed "when the fear and dread of their husbands is unlikely to a
factor" (quando de metu et timore viri suspitio tollitur)
Frank Schaer
Medieval Studies, Central European University
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|