Trial by combat, also called trial by battle or wager of battle, was a way of settling legal disputes in the Middle Ages. Noblemen used it for many years. Trial by combat differed from other fights or duels because people believed that God would interfere and help the righteous person to win. The general procedure was for the accused to fight the accuser. Noblemen sometimes appointed champions to do their fighting for them. Women and priests were generally represented by others. William the Conqueror introduced trial by combat into England. Trial by jury gradually took its place.
Trial by ordeal was another way of determining a person’s innocence or guilt during the Middle Ages. In trial by ordeal, a person was subjected to various forms of physical torture. If the injuries healed within three days, the person was considered innocent.
