An Impartial Glance at the Ancient Magistracy — The Hunchback of Notre-Dame

Since 1465 Robert d'Estouteville has held the rich provostship of Paris, with sergeants under his command and high justice in his hands. Even so, he wakes in a bad temper on 7 January 1482 and must hold court at the Grand Châtelet. The court has begun without him. Master Florian Barbedienne, the auditor, is deaf, and he hides it. He fines people almost at random, while Jehan Frollo and Robin Poussepain laugh from the crowd.

Quasimodo is led in, bound. Florian asks his name, his age, and his trade. The prisoner hears nothing, so he says nothing. The judge hears nothing either, and supposes the answers have been given, until the hall laughs. The provost demands what he has done. Quasimodo thinks he has been asked who he is. He gives his name, says he is bellringer of Notre-Dame, and adds that he will be twenty at Saint Martin's day. Robert d'Estouteville takes this for mockery. He orders a flogging and an hour on the pillory of the Grève, and he fines the prisoner for an oath Jehan shouted. The clerk whispers that the man is deaf. Florian misses the whisper, and adds a second hour.