Attested by reliable, concordant sources; no reasonable doubt.
It is established that the accusation existed: it is attested by Thomas's text (c. 1150) and by the Peterborough Chronicle (c. 1155). This proves the accusation existed — not that it was true.
Assessment Evidence for + Thomas of Monmouth's authentic manuscript develops the accusation around 1150. + The Peterborough Chronicle mentions it around 1155, outside Norwich. Limits of the sources ! The two texts are not fully independent: the chronicle relays a story spread by the Norwich cult. Reasoning Two authentic documents, of different origin, attest that the story circulated in the mid-twelfth century. It is the only point in the dossier that is an established fact in the strict sense — it concerns the accusation, not the alleged acts.
Confidence High
Last reviewed 9 November 2026 Assessment history (1) 9 November 2026
First published assessment (dossier version 1).
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