Anne Green was a scullery maid who was seduced by the grandson of her master, she became pregnant, miscarried, then hid the foetus. The result was that she was charged with infanticide, a hanging offence in those days, and was sentenced to hang at Oxford Castle on 14 December 1650.
After half an hour, they thought she was dead, so they cut her down and give the body to two Oxford University physicians for dissection.
Now we come to the amazing bit, when they opened the coffin, she was still 
breathing!
The physicians felt it was their duty to revive her, so they did.
The authorities believed it was God’s providence telling them she was innocent, so they pardoned her!
History tells us that she went on to have a happy marriage, three children, however, for the rest of her life she kept the coffin!
Isn’t History amazing!
10 questions to discuss:
- How did Anne Green’s social status as a scullery maid influence the outcome of her trial and subsequent events?
- What were the prevailing attitudes towards women’s rights and autonomy during Anne Green’s time, and how did they factor into her legal proceedings?
- Considering the societal norms of the 17th century, how did Anne Green’s pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage impact perceptions of her morality and innocence?
- In what ways did religion and divine intervention play a role in Anne Green’s story, both during her trial and after her miraculous survival?
- What medical knowledge and practices were available in the 17th century, and how did they contribute to the mistaken belief that Anne Green was dead?
- How did Anne Green’s survival challenge the understanding of death and the reliability of medical procedures in the 17th century?
- What were the implications of Anne Green’s case on the legal system of the time, particularly in terms of the use of capital punishment and the potential for miscarriages of justice?
- How did Anne Green’s experience after her revival shape her outlook on life and her interactions with society?
- What do historical records reveal about public reactions to Anne Green’s case, both at the time of her trial and in the years following her miraculous survival?
- How has Anne Green’s story been remembered and interpreted throughout history, and what does it reveal about broader themes such as justice, forgiveness, and the human capacity for resilience?
For more information:
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/anne-greene-0011701
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/months-past/oxford-resurrection
© Tony Dalto
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