Trial by Ordeal

Definition Judicial practice by which the guilt or innocence of the accused was determined by subjecting them to a dangerous experience The accused was considered innocent if they survived the test or if the injuries healed within a few days

Judicium Dei Based on the idea that God would help the innocent by performing a miracle on their behalf Judicium Dei = God’s verdict, judgment

Different Kinds of Trial by Ordeal Ordeal of Fire Ordeal of Water Ordeal of the Cross Ordeal of Ingestion

Ordeal of Fire Required that the accused walk over red-hot ploughshares or hold a red-hot iron in his hand Complete lack of injury = innocence If the accused was injured the wound was bandaged and reexamined by the priest If the wound was festering the accused was exiled or executed

Ordeal of Water Hot water – the person had to dip his hand into a kettle of boiling water and retrieve a stone Cold water – origin in the Code of Hammurabi, the accused was to be submerged in a stream and acquitted if he survived

Ordeal of the Cross Introduced in the early middle-ages The accuser had to undergo the ordeal along with the accused They stood on either side of a cross and stretched out their hands horizontally The one to first lower his arms lost Abolished in 876 so as to avoid the mockery of Christ

Ordeal of Ingestion Bread blessed by the priest If he choked on the food he was found guilty Later transformed into ordeal of Eucharist – the accused was supposed to take the Eucharist after oath professing his innocence If the oath had been false the criminal would die within the same year