ABSTRACT
Defamation was not one of the seven deadly sins, yet it arose frequently from envy and wrath between people. In effect, defamation in the church courts became the equivalent of slander in the secular courts. In his account of the working of courts spiritual, H. Consett states that a cause of defamation or reproach was an action cognizable in church courts. He then defines such a cause as
the word (convitii or reproach) is wont to be writ in every citation together with the word (defamationis or defamation), the reason is … because if the plaintiff doth not provide that the defendant uttered words which of their own nature were defamatory, yet if he proves the words were reproachful, he shall obtain the victory … the reason is because these words were uttered out of a malicious and angry mind, and against all fraternal charity. 1
