According to legend, a French gentleman named Aubry de Montdidier was murdered in 1371 by Richard de Macaire, the only witness to the crime, Aubry’s dog, a Briard. The dog followed Macaire about with such intense focus, howling and barking all the while, that observers couldn’t help but notice.  Once word of Aubry’s death spread, suspicions fell on Macaire, such was the animosity of Aubry’s dog toward Macaire.  The king ordered a trial by combat between the dog and Macaire, armed with a cudgel. The dog won, Macaire confessed to the murder, and was duly hanged.

A vivid sculpture of the event, “Chien d’Montargis”, sculpted by Gustave Debrie in 1870 now stands in the garden of l’Hotel Durzy in Montargis.