Trial by combat: Dog Vs. Maquer

In early 1400s France it was acceptable to have trial by combat. Presided over by  royalty, the idea was that God would let the innocent live. In this same time period and man named Montdidier and his gentle greyhound lived happily together, until someone murdered Montdidier, buried him, and left a very unhappy Greyhound to his own devices. The hungry, lonely dog journeyed to London and sought out Montdidiers friend Ardilliers. Ardilliers finding it strange that the dog would show up alone payed a visit to Montdidier, and the dog lead Ardilliers to the grave site. The dog dug at the site until Ardilliers got the idea and exhumed the body of his friend. When the dog later saw Maquer, his masters killer, he attacked him. Each time the dog saw this man he would attack with a vengeance, which was strange for a dog that had always been so well tempered. The dogs attacks made Ardilliers suspicious and so he brought the matter before the king. The king ordered a trial by combat, Dog Vs. Maquer, mono a mono. When the dog attacked Maquer couldn't stand it and admitted to murder, leading to his hanging.

J. Wootton, 1738, A Grey Spotted Hound