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As a last resort, and extremely rarely, a medieval trial might be decided by Combat or by Ordeal. In the case of combat, the parties could each appoint a Champion to fight for them. The idea was that, in the combat, God would favour the right. Similarly with the ordeal. A common ordeal was to pick an object, with a bare hand, out of boiling water. Again, the theological basis of the ordeal was that God would give courage to the party in the right - maybe even a miracle. Psychologically, of course, it could work too - as the party in the wrong would be less likely to brave the pain. The reason, however, why such trials are rare is that they were only needed in cases which a Judge could not decide; and in cases so marginal, the difference between right and wrong, even in the minds of the parties, is by definition unclear.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThere were many different ways, but the most commonly used was:
- Trial by Fire- The accused had to hold a red hot iron bar for three metres, and the suspects hand would be bandaged up for three days. If it wasn't healed then they were guilty.
- Trial by Cake- The person would have to swear on a piece of cake (or bread) that they were innocent, and then eat it. If they choked they were guilty.
- Trial by Pot- A pot of water was heated till it boiled and three stone were dropped in. You had to collect the stones without being burned.
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What are some disadvantages of trial by ordeal?
what is the disadcantages of trial by ordeal
What is ordeal?
an extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial.
What are some advantages of trial by ordeal?
Trial by ordeal is a form of trial in which the accused is put to a test of strength, ability, will, or even chance, with the decision of innocence or guilt determined by the result. Sometimes the plaintiff is tested at the same time the accused is, as in a case where the two fight to see which wins. Another typical test was having the accused fetch a stone out of a pot of boiling water and observe the condition of the burn after a set time, with festering indicating guilt. And another, less painful, test was to have the accused eat an ounce of bread and cheese that had been blessed for the purpose by a priest, and observing the result, with choking being an indication of guilt. One advantage of this process is that the determination of innocence or guilt can be made with almost no effort by the judge. Another is that it is completely unnecessary to assemble a jury, attorneys, or witnesses. No testimony has to be considered, no facts weighed, and no conclusions reached. There is almost no expense. Furthermore, judges can be appointed without any regard to experience or education. You can have your ears hurt by being too close to people when they scream, so my advise is to stick to the bread and cheese method. The only other disadvantage is that there is a complete absence of fairness, but that only matters to people who care about such things.
A criminal is guaranteed a trial by?
The Constitution
Who was the judge at Matthew weeks trial?
The judge hoo does trials.
What are some disadvantages of trial by ordeal?
what is the disadcantages of trial by ordeal
Was Trial by compurgation used to replace trial by ordeal?
no it was not
What is it meant by 'Trial by ordeal' and 'trial by jury?
Trial by ordeal is where you do trials to see if you were guilty or not and Trail by jury is where you have a group of people who decide or help give a second opinion to the judge with wether you were guilty or not.
What is the difference between trial by jury and trial by ordeal?
baho kag lobot
Why was all fate decided by trial by ordeal in the middle ages?
The belief then during the Middle Ages was that he who has not done wrong will be protected by the gods and that by doing the trial by ordeal, the innocent ones would survive the ordeal as they will be protected by the gods.
Why did trial by ordeal end?
I do not have any idea sorry
When did trial by ordeal in middle ages start?
Trial by ordeal did not originate in the Middle Ages. It probably developed in prehistory, but certainly existed in the earliest historic periods. There is a link below.
What is ordeal?
an extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial.
What are some disadvantages of trial of ordeal?
cant theoretically find truth
What is the meaning of ordeal?
An ancient form of test to determine guilt or innocence, by appealing to a supernatural decision, -- once common in Europe, and still practiced in the East and by savage tribes., Any severe trial, or test; a painful experience., Of or pertaining to trial by ordeal.
What is the origin of the term trial by fire?
The term trial by fire originated from the ancient judicial practice of trial by ordeal. An ordeal was something unpleasant or dangerous that an accused person was subjected to in order to prove innocence. Fire was one of the ordeals used at the time. Many of these trials led to death.
What were the three methods of determining innocence in Germanic law?
compensation trial by ordeal oath swearing
