"Pentidattilo, in the Kingdom of Naples, 1710. A peasant woman, Domenica Orlando, is brought to trial for the murder by poison of her husband. Tried with her are Anna de Amico, a neighbor who provided the poison, and Pietro Crea, Domenica's alleged lover. During the trial, it is revealed that over the years Anna had helped Domenica and other village women obtain abortions. After numerous villagers recount the circumstances of both the murder and the abortions, Domenica confesses and all three defendants are tortured, Domenica escapes while awaiting sentencing. Anna receives a fifteen year prison term whereas Pietro is allowed to go free." "Village Justice: Community, Family, and Popular Culture in Early Modern Italy is an analysis of the society and culture in which Domenica and her accomplices lived."--BOOK JACKET.