Introduction

The year is 19 o five, and france is undergoing seismic cultural change. In the streets, horse drawn carriages jocky for road space alongside shiny new motorized vehicles. Women are still wearing corsets, and they are also joining the work force. But on a rainy march day in the northern city of amen, the townspeople are preoccupied with something else. Everybody has gathered to catch a glimpse of the torious man on trial that day.