Talk:James Boucher (prisoner)

Orphan article message

Please help this orphan article by adding links to it in related articles and lists. Once it has an incoming link from at least one article or list, the orphan tag can be removed (disambiguation pages, redirects and draft articles do not count). Three or more incoming links are ideal. The Find link tool may help, but not in all cases.

JoeNMLC (talk) 16:23, 27 July 2024 (UTC)

@JoeNMLC: I managed to de-orphan this article by linking to it from Boucher (surname). This article is also mentioned on the disambiguation page for James Boucher. - Cameron Dewe (talk) 01:17, 28 July 2024 (UTC)

Lead section claims this person was a sailor

I have tagged this article's lead section as needing clean-up as it claims this person was a "sailor". However this is not explained in the body of the article and no reliable source is cited. At his trial, Boucher referred to himself as not having a "Commission" only being an "Aid du Camp" to the Duke of Berwick, and later a "Master of Horse" to the same. The House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 12 January 1704', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 17, 1701-1705( London, 1767-1830), from British History Online also says Boucher served as a Major while in Ireland. These positions sound like those of a soldier, not a sailor, so this claim in the lead needs further explanation, and sources. - Cameron Dewe (talk) 02:02, 28 July 2024 (UTC)

Disambiguator

Is "(prisoner)" really the best disambiguator for this person's biography? The examples given when disambiguating people generally use occupations, often because that is what the person is notable for. While the court transcript refers to Boucher, at the time of his trial, as "prisoner", that appears to be a standard legal term used at trial and when passing sentence on any person in such cases. However, the full title and introduction of the case says this person is a "Gentleman", while the House of Lords refers to him as a "Major" among other ranks, which was the case before he was apprehended. Prisoner only describes the subject's status after he was captured, which is not really what he is notable for, which is serving as a soldier in Ireland and France before returning to England without having a license to do so, and committing High Treason as a result. - Cameron Dewe (talk) 02:37, 28 July 2024 (UTC)

Sources

The Journal of the House of Lords appears to be a significant source for this article. On 14 December 1703, the House is informed that Boucher is in custody, with others.[1] The next day the Queen directs the Lords to examine Boucher and all.[2] Over the next few days, progress in the Boucher case is recorded until on the 21 December 1703, he is committed to Newgate Prison for trial.[3] - Cameron Dewe (talk) 20:18, 28 July 2024 (UTC)