Legal Definitions - men of straw

The term men of straw historically refers to individuals who acted as professional false witnesses in courts, particularly in England during earlier centuries.

These individuals were paid to provide untrue testimony, fabricating stories or corroborating false claims to influence legal outcomes. They were reportedly identifiable by stuffing straw into their shoes, a signal to certain unscrupulous advocates that they were available for hire to give perjured evidence.

• Example 1: A Land Dispute in 17th Century England

  Imagine a wealthy landowner in 17th-century England who wished to acquire a neighboring plot of land. Unable to do so legally, he might secretly hire several impoverished individuals, known as "men of straw," to appear in court. These individuals would then falsely testify that they had witnessed the neighbor forging documents related to the land deed, even though they had no such knowledge. Their fabricated testimony, given for a fee, was intended to sway the court's decision in favor of the landowner.

• Example 2: A Criminal Trial in a Medieval Town

  Consider a powerful merchant accused of theft in a medieval town. To avoid conviction, his legal representative might arrange for two "men of straw" to appear as witnesses for the defense. These individuals would falsely claim to have seen another person commit the crime, providing detailed but untrue accounts designed to mislead the jury and cast doubt on the prosecution's evidence, all in exchange for payment.

• Example 3: Political Rivalry in the Early Modern Period

  During a period of intense political maneuvering, one faction might seek to discredit a rival by bringing a baseless accusation against them in court. They could employ "men of straw" to present fabricated evidence and give perjured testimony. These paid witnesses would hope to sway public opinion and judicial decisions against their opponent, despite having no actual knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing, thereby serving the political agenda of their employers.