Trial by ordeal facts for kids
Trial by ordeal was an old way to figure out if someone was guilty or innocent of a crime. It usually involved making the person accused do something painful. If they finished the task without injury or if their injuries healed quickly, people believed it was a sign from God. This meant the person was innocent. People thought that God would protect innocent people and help them with a miracle.
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What Was Trial by Ordeal?
Trial by ordeal was a method used in the past to decide if someone was guilty or innocent. It was often used when there wasn't enough evidence to prove what happened. People believed that God would show the truth through these difficult tests.
Different Types of Ordeals
There were a few common ways people were tested in a trial by ordeal:
| Type of Trial by Ordeal | How it worked |
|---|---|
| Ordeal by fire | The accused person had to hold a red-hot iron bar and walk three steps. Their hand was then bandaged for three days. If the wound was healing well after three days, they were innocent. If it wasn't getting better, they were guilty. |
| Ordeal by water | The accused person was tied up and thrown into water. If they sank, they were considered innocent. If they floated, they were thought to be guilty and would be punished. |
| Ordeal by combat | This was a fight between the accused person and the person who accused them. It was often used by nobles. The winner of the fight was believed to be in the right. |
Who Watched Over Ordeals?
A religious person, like a priest, had to be present during these ordeals. This was because people believed the ordeal showed God's decision. In England, trials by ordeal were common until the time of King Henry II. He later introduced a new system called Trials by Jury.
History of Ordeals
In ancient times, before modern legal systems, ordeals were used alongside oaths and witness stories. The word "ordeal" comes from an old English word, ordǣl, which means "judgment" or "verdict."
Ordeals in Europe
In Europe, trials by fire or water were common. The exact rules for these tests changed over time and in different places. In England, ordeals were used by both the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans. Fire tests were often for noble people, while water tests were more common for ordinary folk.
When Did Ordeals Stop?
In 1215, Pope Innocent III made a rule that priests could no longer help with trials by fire and water. This happened at a big meeting called the Fourth Lateran Council. After this, other ways of deciding guilt, like compurgation (where people swore oaths to support someone), became more common. Trials by ordeal became rare in the Late Middle Ages. Sometimes, confessions were forced through torture. However, the practice of trial by ordeal finally ended in the 16th century.
Ordeals Around the World
Trial by ordeal has been used in many different cultures for a very long time. It appeared in ancient laws like the Code of Hammurabi and the Code of Ur-Nammu. It was also found in animist tribal societies. For example, in Sierra Leone, people might drink "red water" (made from the calabar bean) as a test. In these cases, the test was often seen as having a magical effect rather than being a direct message from a god.
See also
In Spanish: Ordalía para niños
