 "The Hour of the Pig" is set in 15th-century France and is based upon the career and case files of Bartholomew Chassenee, an actual lawyer of the time who served as an advocate for animals who were accused of crimes.At the time, animal trials were used to determine if animals were the perpetrators of supernatural mayhem.Animals were subject to the same civil laws and penalties as human beings under French law, 1403–1596.