(1) From the mass of biblical commentaries and theological questiones, as yet unpublished, Langton formulated political propositions of which the most striking included the necessity of written law to protect the people from the king and, in particular, the people's right to resist a decision that was rendered without a judgment of the king's court (sine sententia).

(2) After his return to England in 1213 as archbishop, Langton mediated between the king and barons by resurrecting at St Paul's in London the coronation charter of Henry I that provided a written basis for the present baronial demands. A copy of this charter has surfaced in Paris at the Archives Nationales to which is attached the "Unknown Charter" of King John that responds directly to the issues raised in Henry's charter and specifically promises not to condemn anyone without judgment (absque judicio). This principle of "due process" became one of the celebrated clauses of Magna Carta. Admittedly this account of Langton's role relies on the chronicler Roger of Wendover, generally distrusted by modern historians, but Roger provides a compelling context to Langton's application of his Parisian teaching in England. (3) How the "Unknown Charter" came to Paris is resolved by a close examination of the fonds d'Angleterre in the Archives Nationales. Simon Langton, the archbishop's brother, and Elias de Derehem, both clerics and collaborators of the archbishop and Prince Louis undoubtedly brought it to Paris at the conclusion of the latter's unsuccessful expedition to England in 1217.

This article analyzes the case – from coroner's examination, through jury verdict, to attempted rehearing – within the contexts of developments in forensic practice, and the rise of the adversarial trial in England. It offers particular insight into the ways in which early modern ideas about women and gender influenced the evolution of English forensic science. Contemporaries’ attitudes towards female bodies, standards of female and male honour, concepts of female and male rationality and emotion, and ideas about the proper arenas of female and male expertise all contributed to the development of medico-legal practice. Finally, in paying equal attention to both the Stout prosecution and the Cowper defence, this article reconsiders the narrative of lovesickness and suicide that remains the accepted justification for Cowper's acquittal. While most contemporary historians accept Cowper's claim that he was the victim of a malicious prosecution, this article revisits the verdict and also highlights the questionable actions taken by William Cowper (later Lord Chancellor Cowper) in mounting his brother's defense.