Morton's fork

A Morton's fork is a type of false dilemma in which contradictory observations lead to the same conclusion.

Its name dates back to the rationalising of a benevolence by the 15th century English prelate John Morton.

The earliest known use of the term dates from the mid-19th century and the only known earlier mention is a claim by Francis Bacon of an extant tradition.

[1] Under Henry VII, John Morton was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486 and Lord Chancellor in 1487.

[1][2] Morton's Fork may have been invented by another of Henry's supporters, Richard Foxe.