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Summary Of A House In Gross Disorder, By Cynthia Herrup

1159 Words5 Pages

A House in Gross Disorder, by Cynthia Herrup, provides a relatively holistic account of the trial and crimes committed by Mervin Touchet, the second Earl of Castlehaven. The trial takes place in 1631, and in that same year he is found guilty of rape, and sodomy, and sentenced to death by the guillotine. Herrup does not write the account in order to prove guilt or innocence, as she is aware that its impossible to conclude one or the other. Rather she focuses on the societal, cultural, and political factors surrounding the case, and this in turn sheds light on the role that patriarchy, order, and reputation played in the 17th century of England in terms of law and order. The case of Castlehaven was significant and unique for a number of reasons: He was a landowning nobleman, he was Catholic and had ties to Ireland, he was accused by his son and his wife of gross and irrefutable offences, and the case against him set a precedence for the future. To …show more content…

Her comprehensive interpretation of Castlehavens crime and trial demonstrates the considerable role that individual and familial reputation played in society. Herrups analysis of the crimes themselves, as well as the trial, presents a view of a society that craved order, and the preservation of patriarchal relationships. Throughout the discourse, the importance of the head of a household maintaining order is obvious. The king is responsible for the maintenance of order, and the husband or father of a household is expected to act in a similar manner. Herrups account of Castlehavens trial and the repercussions of it on his family provides a fair and unbiased report on the whole of English society in the sixteen hundreds. The value of A House in Gross Disorder lies in the light shed on the societal, political, and cultural factors of society that led to Castlehavens trial and

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