First Tichborne trial begins in London

Background. The case concerned claims by a man known as the Claimant, sometimes referred to as Thomas Castro or Arthur Orton, to be the missing heir to the Tichborne baronetcy. Protracted enquiries before the case went to court in 1871 revealed details suggesting the Claimant might be Arthur Orton, a butcher's son from Wapping who had gone to sea as a boy and was last heard of in Australia.

Legal Context. The Court of Common Pleas was a common law court in the English legal system covering actions between subjects. The hearing took place within the Palace of Westminster, beginning on 11 May 1871 before Sir William Bovill, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. The court's jurisdiction was later merged into the High Court of Justice by the Supreme Court of Judicature Act 1873.

Proceedings. The civil case came to court in May 1871 after delays caused by the Franco-Prussian War prevented key witnesses from leaving Paris. The case was listed in the Court of Common Pleas as Tichborne v. The hearing began on 11 May 1871, marking the start of one of the lengthiest cases heard in an English court.