Read more: 15 Unsung Moments From American History That Historians Say You Should Know About The story gets revised by Enlightenment thinkers If the film missteps, it is because it does not allow Comer, and consequently Marguerite’s narrative, more screen time. Jodie Comer’s powerful performance not only does justice to the woman she’s portraying, but also makes her a strong contender for this year’s awards season. However, despite this split focus, Marguerite clearly emerges as the story’s true protagonist. The film splits its focus between Le Gris, Jean, and Marguerite, with Le Gris and Jean’s portions of the story written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and Marguerite’s written by Nicole Holofcener. Though the real duel was between Le Gris and Jean, the film portrays the true conflict as Marguerite de Carrouges versus the political mores of her day, as she struggles to convince those around her, from the Church to her family to the French king to the common peasant, that what she says is true. As Jean Le Coq, Le Gris’ lawyer, wrote in his private diary, “No one really knew the truth of the matter.” After months of futile investigation by the French courts, including Marguerite’s powerful testimony and a counter-witness by Le Gris, the courts had no other choice but to let the duel proceed, allowing God to decide the victor. Enraged, Jean rode to Paris and appealed to King Charles VI, challenging Le Gris to a duel, an uncommon way for nobles to settle capital offenses. On the other, the punishment for false accusations was also death, via burning at the stake.Īttempting to win back the honor of his wife and family, Jean accused Le Gris of rape on Marguerite’s behalf to Pierre d’Alençon but, whether because Le Gris was a favorite of Pierre’s or because Pierre had feuded with Jean on the land dispute-or simply because he didn’t believe Marguerite-the count chalked Marguerite’s testimony up to a dream, a feminine flight of fancy. On the one hand, the punishment for rape, if proven, meant death for the culprit and dishonor for the rapist’s family. Marguerite’s accusations carried serious ramifications for medieval French society. Shortly before Jean departed for Paris, he and Le Gris confronted one another in the court of Count Pierre d’Alençon (played by Ben Affleck) Le Gris learned around this time that Jean would be leaving Marguerite alone. Le Gris and Jean had once been close friends, but their relationship turned to rivalry over a dispute regarding land Marguerite’s family owned. In his personal life, Le Gris had a reputation as a philanderer. Marguerite had no one who could confirm her story: her husband Jean de Carrogues (played by Matt Damon) had set out on a journey to Paris to collect some desperately needed funds and the servants were out for the day with Marguerite’s mother-in-law.ĭespite the lack of witnesses, Le Gris certainly had motive and opportunity. Patrick Redmond-© 2021 20th Century StudiosĪccording to Marguerite, Le Gris (played in the film by Adam Driver) traveled to her family’s chateau in Capomesnil where she was staying on Januand raped her.

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