The Story of Elizabeth Canning Considered

"The Story of Elizabeth Canning Considered" by John Hill is a captivating exploration of a controversial 18th-century case. The book unpacks the story of Elizabeth Canning, a young woman who claimed to have been kidnapped, which caused a major stir in the courts and the public. It closely examines the details of Canning's story along with the court case, wanting to find out the truth behind the conflicting stories and what drove the people involved. Hill defends Canning, picking apart the evidence against her and taking a hard look at Virtue Hall's damaging testimony. Hill points out problems in both Canning's story and the claims against those accused of her abduction and presents the argument that questionable stories and public feeling, rather than real proof, were the foundation of the case, throwing light on the effect of public excitement and prejudice on how guilt and innocence were seen at the time. Hill makes an appeal for fairness and comments on how society influenced the views of guilt and innocence in a time of trouble.