Trial by Ordeal Definition Judicial practice by which

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