The Genevan Consistory: Case Files

This archive documents 300 cases from the Registers of the Consistory of Geneva and related Small Council records (1542 to 1564). Topics and search terms covered include: adultery, fornication, premarital sex and illegitimacy, marriage disputes and broken engagements, divorce, domestic violence and wife-beating, homosexuality and same-sex relations (sodomy, gay, lesbian, LGBT), witchcraft and divination, fortune-telling, blasphemy, drunkenness and addiction, gambling, usury and lending, Sabbath-breaking, Roman Catholic practices and the Mass, rosaries and saints, baptism and godparents, dancing, child welfare and abuse, reconciliation and slander, excommunication, and the Lord's Supper.

Complete case index:

Pierre Ameaux · Ami Perrin and the Dancing Affair · Jacques Gruet · Philibert Berthelier and the Excommunication Crisis · Jerome Bolsec · Michael Servetus · The Libertine Revolt and Aftermath · Sebastian Castellio · Bernard Mognet (Patavel) · Guillaume Rougement · Boniface Conte · Hudri Langin · Pierre Essautier · Henri de La Mare · Marie de La Pierre and Marguerite Gannerel · Jacob Stordeur · Guyot Veyturier · Pierre Bron and Claude Dravod · Jean Gautier and his son Laurent · Jacques Simond and his son Laurent · Julianne, wife of Jean Murgiet · Jean Chenu and son Aime · Claude Bardet · The Chappe Family and Pastor Louis · Jean Des Moilles and Giron · Nicolas Lenepveux · Bernardine Neyrod · Guillaume Cartier and the Odin Couple · Jeanne-Marie Mallet, widow of Jean Libernet · Pernette Ramel and Pernette Drouet (sisters) · Claude Mauris · Philippa Crespe · Etienne De Lecra · Gaspard de Theys and Madame Dupuy · Jean de Meulle and his wife Claude · Jean Roy · Robert Picquet and Antoina Pelerin · Jacques Chapelle · Bernard Nerod · Pastor Jacques Bernard (Peney) · Antoine Cadran · Doctrinal Examination (categorical pattern) · Moral Conduct (categorical pattern) · Marital and Family Disputes (categorical pattern) · Baptismal Discipline (categorical pattern) · Catholic Devotional Remnant (categorical pattern) · Anabaptist Examination (categorical pattern) · Sunday Work and Sabbath Breaking (categorical pattern) · Slander of Ministers (categorical pattern) · Witchcraft Skepticism (categorical pattern) · Jeanne Bochut · Des Cassines · Jacquème Villette and Antoine Ballard · Michel Ivon · Claude Pascard (fisherman) · Nicolas Baud and the Stillborn Son · Matthieu Gathsiner · Jean Corajod · Nicholas Matringe · François Des Eaux (Fencing Master) · Jean Aubert (Elder) · Jean Barrois and stepdaughter Faronne · François Richard and the Drunken Widow Pape · Jacques Conte and son Michel · Pernette Rey · Pernon Briset · Humberte Farin · Henri Fournier and Nicolarde Guex · Anne Lemoine and Antoine Cossonex · Claude Pirasset and Julienne · Toussaint Alliet and the Fornier Engagement · Amied Badel, François Venier, André Du Monthey · François Sarrasin · Clauda Dupuis (Abandonment Case) · Louise Liffort and Beney (Adultery Divorce) · Henri Morel (Drunken Wife) · Pierre Masson (Mercenary-Vagabond) · Jacques Pertemps · Bernard de Chenelat · Mermet Pascard ("Give Me Work") · Jeanne Bellot (Wife of Syndic Chautemps) · Jean Billiard and the Wise Woman of Challex · Pernette Morel (Accused of Witchcraft) · Pierre Dupuis and the Witch Accusation against Gonin Besson · Jean Perret (Self-Proclaimed Physician) · Paul Humblet and Jacques Duval · Pierre Barbarin (Insults After Communion) · Pernette Dunant and Claude Jernoz (Four-Year Feud) · Jacques Bourdet and Jean Lefebvre (Vinegar-Makers) · Jean Losserand · Françoise Gervais · Jean-Philibert Bonna (Lay Elder) · Don Guillaume Velluti · Louise Berthod · Pastor Jean Ferron · Pastor Jean de Serres · Pastor Georges Druson · The Quarterly Censure (institutional) · The Congrégation (institutional) · The 1546 Baptismal Names Ordinance (categorical) · Ministerial Discipline 1542 to 1609 (categorical statistic) · Antoine Calvin and Anne Le Fert · Jeanne Essautier (Castellio's sister) · Pierre Vandel · Galeazzo Caracciolo, Marquis of Vico · Pierre Caroli (1540s residue) · The Engraisseurs (Plague-Spreader Trials) · Francois Bonivard (Wife-Beating Acquittal) · Pernette Chicand (Defending the Mass) · Lieutenant Jean Pernet and the Banquet Scandal · Pernette Baud's Purgatory Dream · Sumptuary Regulation Campaign (categorical pattern) · Routine Thursday Discipline (categorical pattern) · Domestic Violence Discipline (categorical pattern) · Anti-Catholic Remnant Practices (categorical pattern) · Foreign Exile Congregations (categorical pattern) · Gossip, Slander, and Online Defamation · Anonymous Online Trolling (Placards Pattern) · Premarital Sex (Paillardise) and Sexual Discipline · Flirting, Indecency, and Sexual Pretexts · Drunkenness and Substance Abuse · Pride, Vainglory, and Social Media Narcissism · Ethnic Prejudice and the Refugee Question · Verbal Abuse and Bullying (Online and Offline) · Prostitution and the 1535 Brothel Closure · Lambert LeBlanc of Paris · The Five Boys Sodomy Case (December 1554) · Pierre Tornier and Pierre Malliet · Jacquema Gonet, Esther, and Nicolas (1559) · Blanche Firmin (Consistory-only Same-Sex Case) · Françoise Morel (Lesbian Capital Case) · Same-Sex Conduct in Reformation Geneva (categorical pattern) · Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage, and Pastoral Care · Pierre and Benoite Ameaux: The First Genevan Divorce · Francois Comparet (December 21, 1542) · Claude Macheret (December 1542) · Pierre Rugoz (Shearer) · The Most Devoted Recidivist Catholics (Pertenne, Symond, d'Orsieres, Du Pain) · Loys Franc and Huguyne Dupontz · Jane Clement vs Bertin Vulliens · The Wife of Laurent Symont (the Picard) · Reymond de Veyrier and Aymé Pyaget · Pernete Maystre vs Pierre Rapin · Anthoyne (Anjoz's daughter) and Pierre Rolet · The Pack-Saddler Households: Emyn, Breysson, and their Wives · Emoz Burin, Day-Laborer (1542) · Francese, Wife of Tyvent Bochot, Currier (1542) · The Consistory-Council-Consistory Remand Procedure (categorical pattern) · Pierre Bertet (Tallabard), Armorer of Valleiry · Pierre Gonet vs Macarde's Maid (Claudaz Preudon) · Pierre Costel and Philipaz: A Family Discord Case · Loyse Bozonet vs Thibaud Gauthier · Michel Bossu, Cutler, and Susanne Rosset of St. Claude · Master Tyvent Laurent (Echaquet), Cobbler · Pernete, Widow of Pierre Puvel: A Case of Great Ignorance · Donne Jane Pertennaz: The First Documented Consistory Excommunication (April 1542) · Mermeta Jappaz and the Five-Man Fornication Cluster (April 1542) · Noble Jeanne de Pesmes: An Illustrious Family Embraces the Reform · The 1542 Communion Distribution Ordinance for Three Churches · François Mermiez of Choully and his Wife: Quarrelsome Marriage and Catechetical Ignorance · The Sheath-Maker's Wife (Wife of Louis Pyaget): Creed Only in Latin · Aymoz and Anthoyne Foural, Hosts of the Three Quail Inn · Claude Magnin (Goudon) and Philiberta, Bourg du Four Inn · Pierre Baux: Reformed Faith with Credo Only in Latin · Pierre the Barber on the Molard · Etiennette Castellion's Marriage to Pierre Moussard (April 1542) · Jane Migerand and De Grangia: A La Roche Cross-Jurisdictional Marriage · Claude Curtet: A Second Documented Consistory Excommunication Formula · The Officers of Peney: Justice Officials Examined on Faith · The Satigny Priory Canons (Poutex, Verchiere, Morand) · Michel Julliard the Saddler and his Nephew Mermet: A Family Reconciliation · Uguynaz Depontelaz and the Bastard of Jehan Amici · Jaques Carre, Surgeon-Merchant of Longemale · Mauris Chastel of Cruseilles: A Possible Bigamy Case · Amyed Darnex: A Child Unbaptized for Six Years · The Genevan Excommunication Formula (categorical pattern) · Tevenon Nycod vs. Master Pierre Moussard: A Schoolteacher's Paternity Scandal · Mauris Du Chastel's Bigamy and the Latin Marriage Certificate of May 3, 1542 · Jaques Pernod Boatman: Three Marriages and the Wife Who Went to the Wars · Jaques Symond (Picard) and the Virgin Mary Error: A Communicant's Lingering Devotion · Johan Constant of Poitou: The Tailor Who Was Suspended from the Sacrament · Gervayse Bochu's Marriage Case: Calvin and Viret Personally in Council · Pierre Magnin and Loyse Du Bioley: A Premarital Pregnancy Resolved by Marriage · Jaqueline Marronne of Bourg: A Languedoc Wife Seeking Separation · Latin Marriage Certificate of Aymo de Barali, Cure of Les Ollieres (May 3, 1542) · Jaques Emyn the Pack-Saddler: A Disobedient Prisoner's Sermon Mandate · Jaqueminaz, Wife of Estienne de La Combaz: Children, an Absent Father, and a Bastard Sister · Vincent Gabornaz and the Marriage of Gonyne Levracte: An Avignon Mystery Husband · Myaz Santouzaz and Francois Perrissod: A Disputed Promise and a Parpaillole Coin · Aymed Curtet's Second Hearing: The Cutler-Brother Still Refusing Reconciliation · Pierre Favre vs. Bernard the Mason's Servant: The Insult That Was Pardoned · The Christmas 1541 Goulaz House Scandal: The Constenary of the Future Libertines · Nycolas Baud of Peycier: A Baby Carried to Catholic Seyssel for Baptism · Aymoz Peronet the Day Laborer: Folk Medicine and the Refusal of Communion · Tevenon Nycod's Direct Appeal to Calvin: The Moussard Scandal Continues (July 13, 1542) · Pierre Viret's Departure for Lausanne: The Last Consistory of July 1542 · Pernet Du Gerdy: A Mother Who Dragged Her Daughter to Mass by the Hair · Tristant de Branges and Madeleine Cornille: Forced Marriage Under Threat of Prison · Pierre Magnin and Loyse Du Bioley: Forced to Marry Under Threat of Prison · Loys Gajoz and Colin Gajouz: Two Brothers, Two Wives, One Broken Communion · Anthoyne Dordotz Goyti: The Writing Master and the Executioner's Wife · Roland Du Verney and Claude Falcaz: Millstone-Cutters Reconciled · Reniere Veilliard and Guigoz: A Mother-in-Law's Insult and a Threefold Reconciliation · Francoys Dupra of Lausanne: A Husband Who Could Not 'Enjoy His Wife' · Huguyne Amici and Huguyne Dupont: Two Bastards and a Mocked Council · Jeneta, Widow of Amy Julliain: The Joke About a Priest's Stole · Bernardaz, Wife of Anthoyne Diard the Haberdasher: A Mother Accused of Her Children's Deaths (July 1542) · Donne Jane Pertennaz: Crosses, Darts, and a Gospel Paper (July 1542) · Mauris de La Ruaz: A Former Priest, His Wife, and "Four Blows" (July 1542) · Jehan Corajoz the Cobbler: A Child at the Catholic School of La Roche (August 1542) · Jehan Benez of Cranves: A Denied Child and a Disputed Baptism (July 1542) · The Maid of the Three Quail: Fornication, a Lost Child, and a Cross-Border Affidavit (July 1542) · Nicolarde, Widow of Mathieu Roland: A Marriage Refused 'in the Papistry' (July 1542) · Andrier Piard the Notary: 'Apocryphal Books' and the Good Bible (July 1542) · Lyonard de Bouge: Anger, Household Strife, and the Sermons (July 1542) · Jane Thorens, 'the Triumphant': 'Things Have Never Gone Well Since This Law Came' (July 1542) · Pernete and Merma, the Fishmonger Widows of the Molard (July 1542) · The Matrimonial Case of Pierre Mamburier: A Disputed Promise and a Denied Vow (August 1542) · Aymoz de Prato: A Denied Threat Against a Pregnant Sister (August 1542) · Vincent de Villa the Hosier: The Old Testament 'Past and Consumed' (August 1542) · Loys Agniol the Purse-Maker: A Denied Indecency in the Public Street (August 1542) · Pernon Chienballiard: A House Suspected of Fornication (August 1542) · Mermet Cathon: A Wife Who 'Went to Germany to Roam the World' (August 1542) · Andrier Piard's Rebellion: 'Calvin Was a Foreigner He Would Not Obey' (August 1542) · Benoyte, Wife of Pierre Ameaux: A Battered Wife and a Famous Marriage (August 1542) · Tevene, Widow of Pierre de Bour: An Unbaptized Child and a Hidden Father (August 1542) · Claude Gindro: A Husband Who Beat His Wife for Brawling (August 1542) · Martinaz, Wife of Claude Soutiez: The Wife Who Lost an Eye (August 1542) · The Night Songs at the Parrot: A Move Against Disorder on the Bourg du Four (August 1542) · Pierre Favre and Franceyse: A Marriage Promised, Then Abandoned for Lyon (July 1542) · Pierre de La Tablaz the Butcher: A Denied Child and Six Refused Summons (August 1542) · Henriete the Seamstress: Hidden Sin and an Old Woman's Plea for Mercy (September 1542) · Jehan Jalliod of Peney: 'This Is Marrying for Money' (September 1542) · Thomas Bonnoz and the Written Spell in His Purse (September 1542) · Anna of Jussy: 'Called a Witch in the Street' (September 1542) · Guygnome of Gex: A Wife Who Hides to Hear the Sermon (September 1542) · Don Pauloz Alliod: Persevering in Papistry and a Bowl of Water (September 1542) · Reconcile Before the Table: A Directive to the Dizainiers (August 1542) · Noble Jehan Gringallet: A Dowry Quarrel and a Feud Before the Table (September 1542) · Tyvent Chenu and Anthoyne de Crouz: Old Enemies Made Friends (September 1542) · Guilliermon Moyne: An Old Woman, Our Lady, and 'I Beg Mercy of God' (September 1542) · Tevene, Widow of Pierre de Bourg · Andriaz, Widow of Gonyn Genod (Midwife) · Jehanete Falquet vs. Donne Jane Mye · Jehan Mouri, Curé of Peissy · Noble Pernete, Wife of Bartholomyer Fouson · Master Claude Convers, Barber · Pierre Falcat and Nycod Moury, Ex-Priests of Jussy · Pauloz Tarex, Merchant · The Wife of Henri Goulaz, Master of the Mint · Mermet Collomb and Pernete Navatier · Jehannette Dentant, the Paternity Suit against Claude Macheret · Claudaz of Bourdigny and Michiel Nergaz · Arthaudaz, Who Sheltered a Pregnant Woman · Pierre Mercier and the Disputed Dowry · Jehan Chappon, Furrier · Pierre Sermod, called Veyron, and the Dice at the Bochet · Pierre Voland and the Written Charm · Mermet Michallet and the Lewd Words to the Maids · Maurisaz Talluchetaz and the Resentful Communion · Pierre Calabri and the Drobliere, Who Defied the Consistory · The Curé of Céligny (Jaques Baud) · Claude Vallouz and Michel Du Mur, the House Quarrel · “Witch! Witch!”: Pernete Bochue and Anne · Aymé Becuel and Glaude, Widow of Gardet · Claude Arthaud, the Tavern-Haunter · Roland Marquerex, Baker, and the Games at His House · Blayse Mugnier and the Oath “The Devil!” · Jaques Des Vignes and the Sisters' Feud · Tybauldaz, Wife of Glaude Martin, on Swearing in Trade · Glaudaz of Thorens, Accused of Being Pregnant · Loys Du Bouloz, Baker, and the Songs · George Lyonet and the Drunken Gaming · Jullian Recouz's Widow, Who Cursed the Gospel · Henri Philippe, Pawnbroker, and His Wife · Clauda, Daughter of Serma Moret, the Abandoned Wife · Tevena Glectire, the Apothecary's Maid · Bocard the Weaver and His Wife Johannete · Order at the Public Baths · Claude Du Chesne, the Blacksmith Who Broke His Marriage · Jane Grenier and the Disputed Child · The Widow Du Pain and Her Sons' Pension · Anthoyne Fraychot, Usurer and Blasphemer · Estienne Fogasse and the Grain Speculation · The Host of the Savage and His Maid Guilliermeta · Noble Bartholemie Richardet and Her Idols · Noble Denys Hugoz, Detained for Gambling · Pernon Comtesse and the Feast of Our Lady · Pernete, Widow of Glaude Guyon: The Diviner and the Lost Golden Chain · Amy Favre of Jussy: Pardoned Adultery and Six Days on Bread and Water · Pierre Dumont, called Perriar, Tailor: Adultery and Planks for St. Peter’s · Anthoyne, Daughter of Just Cristen: Two Children and a Vow Against Relapse · Guillaume Villars, Barber: A Lender’s Ledger of Rose Nobles and Wheat · Petremand Pellouz: Refusing the Supper Because of an Unforgiven Wound · Jaquemetaz, Wife of Pernet Guex: Admonished Against Drunkenness · Gonyn de Soubz-le-Creste, Armorer: Gambling Away the Household in Lyon · Jehan Bennard, Host of the Rock: A Papist Godfather at the Font · Claude Tappugnier, Ironmonger: “Saved by Mercy and by My Good Works” · Claude Curtet the Elder, Butcher: The Pawned Bed-Linen and a Beaten Wife · Jean Fontanna and François Puthod: A 1551 Sodomy Prosecution