Anstey case

The Anstey case (1158–1163) was a notable legal dispute occurring in the 12th century between Richard of Anstey and Mabel de Francheville. The case was recorded in the letters of John of Salisbury, Richard of Anstey's own diary and financial documents from the suit.^[1] The case itself was a land dispute as Richard sought to have the lands of his uncle, William de Sackville, bequeathed to himself rather than Sackville's daughter, Mabel de Francheville. The case has received interest for its movement between secular and ecclesiastical courts, the length of the proceedings and the notable figures, such as John of Salisbury expressing opinions on the court proceedings.