The Thieving Magpie

The Thieving Magpie
Originally La Pie voleuse ou La Servante de Palaiseau
Inspiration
Earliest appearance	1815
Original author	Théodore Baudouin d'Aubigny and Louis-Charles Caigniez
Country of origin	France

The Thieving Magpie was originally a French play called 'La Pie voleuse ou La Servante de Palaiseau' (lit. The thieving magpie or The Maid of Palaiseau) (usually abridged as 'La Pie voleuse') written by Théodore Baudouin d'Aubigny and Louis-Charles Caigniez which premiered in Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin on the 29th of April 1815. This story is said to be inspired by real life events: a servant was accused of a theft that was actually by a magpie.

Gioachino Rossini was inspired to write the Italian melodramma 'La gazza ladra' (lit. The thieving magpie) based on La Pie volouse, which premiered 31st of May 1817 at La Scala in Milan. This version brought the story to an international audience and is the most likely contender to have reached Herman van Veen for him to be inspired to write the general outlines for the story featuring Pikkie de Ekster that started in episode 2 and ended in episode 3 of the animated series.

The Thieving Magpie is a powerful illustration of an innocent victim that's nearly destroyed by judicial error, making it a cautionary tale about justice, truth and the death penalty.

History

The maid of Palaiseau

According to legend, in 1631 a servant girl in Palaiseau (near Paris) was found guilty of stealing her master's silverware. Despite her claims of innocence, she was tried and executed, as no other suspect was identified. Several years later, the missing silver items were discovered in the nest of a magpie, posthumously proving the girl's innocence.

The writers of the play La Pie voleuse ou La Servante de Palaiseau later claimed the story was based on true events. A 19th-century playbill for La Pie voleuse, ou La Servante de Palaiseau describes it as a “mélodrame historique” (lit. “historical melodrama”). However, some scholars such as Marie-Bernadette Bruguière suggest it is just as likely a folk tale.

The tale gained widespread circulation and was frequently retold as a cautionary example of the dangers of relying solely on circumstantial evidence. It was included in 18th-century collections of causes célèbres (famous legal cases) as a classic instance of wrongful conviction. The story also sparked questions about the validity of capital punishment among the public, although it did not result in any immediate legal reforms. It would take another century before Victor Hugo would ignite a renewed public debate on the death penalty.

Playbill for La Pie voleuse, ou La Servante de Palaiseau, describing the story as a “mélodrame historique”, or historical melodrama.

In Palaiseau’s Musée Palaisien du Hurepoix, a section is dedicated to the subject, claiming to recount the true story of the maid of Palaiseau. Additionally, the town has a street named after the tale: la rue de «la pie voleuse» (lit. "The Street of the Thieving Magpie"), which runs from St. Martin Church to the Saclay Plateau.

La Pie voleuse ou La Servante de Palaiseau

Based on the events of 1631, Théodore Baudouin d'Aubigny and Louis-Charles Caigniez wrote the French stage play La Pie voleuse ou La Servante de Palaiseau, which premiered on 29 April 1815 at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin.

The authors significantly altered the original story to suit theatrical conventions of the time. Notably, the ending was changed to have the maid saved at the last moment, in keeping with the expected uplifting resolution of a melodrama. The writers also introduced a romantic interest for the maid and a lecherous, vengeful official who pursues her. Whereas the original legend featured no one advocating for the maid's innocence, the play included multiple characters working to prove her innocence.

The play was highly popular and inspired numerous translations, including versions in English and Italian.