A series of extracts from local information sources and publications. Updated by village volunteers on an occasional basis.

A NUN CONVICTED OF ASSAULT
THE DERBY MONITOR December 1885

At the Petty Sessions on Wednesday, Mary Frances (“Sister Mary”) of the Convent, Quorndon, was charged with assaulting Mrs W Wright, wife of an elastic web manufacturer. Defendant went to complainant’s house and asked her to contribute to the relief of tramps. She declined, and defendant then asked her for some brandy for a poor woman whom one of the “sisters” was nursing. Complainant said she would send the brandy if she would tell her the address, but she would not. Complainant refused to give her any money for herself, whereupon defendant, who appeared the worse for liquor, struck her between the shoulders, and caused her to faint.

The servants showed the defendant out, but she forced her way back, and had to be ejected a second time, when she began to shake the doors and windows.

Defendant subsequently wrote to Mrs Wright apologising for anything that had occurred, but saying she was wholly unconscious of it. She now denied the assault, but the Bench fined her 15s including costs, or seven days.

It was stated in court that she had been deprived of her office in the convent.