Public disgrace and financial gain: Punishment of suicide in Mechelen (Belgium) 1366-1795

Abstract

Suicide was treated as a crime in medieval Europe. However, knowledge regarding the actual penal practice of suicide by the local courts is limited. Based on the published records of the city court of Mechelen, Belgium, 1366-1795, the current study provides an overview of the punishment of suicide and other capital crimes by this city court over a 430 years period during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The study revealed that punishment of suicide was a rare event. The findings are discussed with reference to the historical context.