TIL in 1818, an Englishman accused of murder demanded a trial by combat. Surprisingly, the law that allowed for trial by combat was still valid, and the man was acquitted when his accuser declined the
Longpork3 @ Longpork3 @lemmy.nz Posts 0Comments 128Joined 1 yr. ago
Longpork3 @ Longpork3 @lemmy.nz
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No, much like the 'trial by ordeal', in more religious times it was believed that god(s) would grant favour to those who were truly righteous and/or innocent, allowing them to survive an ordeal or win a fight.
It was effectively a verdict rendered by god, rather than the courts.