trial by ordeal
Painful innocence test
Trial by ordeal was a method of determining guilt or innocence in medieval Europe by subjecting the accused to a dangerous physical test, such as holding a hot iron or being submerged in water.
The outcome was believed to reveal divine judgment—survival or healing indicated innocence, while injury or death proved guilt.
The phrase now describes any severe test or harrowing experience someone must endure: Getting through airport security with three kids was a trial by ordeal.
- boiling waterH2O at 212°F
- oath-takingFormal vow ceremony
- pilloryPublic punishment restraint
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
guilty or innocent · Malleus Maleficarum · rite · spectral evidence · verdict · sentence · medieval · Dark Ages · canon law · swimming test · justice · judiciary · holy · crucible · fire · witch · water · divine
- medieval societyserfs, noble lineage, peasants, serf, heir
- mythsmyth, legend, fable, fairy tale, folk tale
- Medieval Englandking, kings, castle, castles, knight
- ancient justiceSanhedrin, Mosaic law, Twelve Tables, magistrate, tribune
- ancient practicesalchemy, astrology, bloodletting, mummification, ritual sacrifice
- ancient ritesritual sacrifice, human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, blood sacrifice, burnt offering
trial by ordealtrial by jury
Legal proceeding with citizen judges
forensic investigation · witness testimony · documentary evidence · circumstantial evidence · cross-examination
trial by ordealdue process
Guaranteed judicial fairness
fair trial · presumption of innocence · constitutional protections · rule of law · habeas corpus
trial, ordeal, trials, retrial, ordeals, pretrial, trialist, retrials, triable