ABSTRACT
The central elements in the nightmen’s relation to the world around them were dishonour or ignominy and their curious position embedded within but at the same time entirely outside society. Nightmen lived at the heart of society in provincial towns and villages and performed their vital social tasks with financial support from towns and manor lords, but were nevertheless forced to dwell in deep social isolation. To understand the concept of dishonour involves knowing that honour in the eighteenth century was seen as a value almost material in nature that was attached to the position in society. The nightman himself was not the only one to benefit from his work. With the nightman’s help, the owner could make use of the hide of the dead animal. The peasants estimated the trade value of some of the stolen animals at between four and six rigsdalers.
