sentencing
TRIAL BY ORDEAL |
BY IRON-
The accused people had to hold a red-hot iron bar and walk for three steps. Their hands were then bandaged and left for three days without any treatment. They were innocent as if their hand got any better after three days, if not, they were guilty. BY WATER- The accused people were tied up and thrown into the water. If they float, they were innocent, if not, they were guilty. BY BOILING WATER- The victim had to pick an object from the boiling water, usually rings, stones, piece of wood. If he burned himself, he was guilty, if not, he was innocent. BY COLD WATER- In certain cases, the accused was thrown in a barrel full of cold water. If the accused drowned, he was considered guilty and if not, he was innocent. BY COMBAT- Were used for nobleman. They had to fight with the other accuser. Who ever won if right and whoever lost, was usually dead at the end of the fight. BY FIRE- The accused people had to pick an object out from within flames, or walk over hot coals. If it burned them, they were guilt, if not, they were innocent. BY BREAD- The victim had to eat a full bread without chewing, if he ate it in silent, he was innocent, if not, he was guilty, because people in the medieval Europe believes that the God would help them to chew if they were innocent. BY HOST- The priest would go before the altar and pray aloud that God would choke him if he were not telling the truth. He would then take The Host and if he was guilty of perjury or the crime, he would either choke or have difficulty swallowing. BY CALABAR BEAN- A common use was in trials where someone was accused of witchcraft. The defendant would ingest the calabar beans. If they vomited up the beans, they were presumed innocent, and if they digested the beans they were presumed guilty. TRIAL BY TAGENA- Very similar to “trial by ordeal bean,” but used in Madagascar. The nut of the tagena tree (Cerbera odollam) contains cerberin, which is related to the toxin found in foxglove (digoxin). This causes the heart to fibrillate (an uncoordinated spasmodic contraction that fails to pump blood), and in many cases, completely stop beating. The “trial by Tagena” has been used against alleged witchcraft practitioners in Madagascar for over 500 years, and in the mid-19th century, was responsible for over 2 percent of the deaths (3,000) in Madagascar every year. TRIAL BY DIVING- Two stakes were secured beneath the water of a clear pond, and both parties involved in the dispute would dive and grasp onto a stake. Whichever claimant stayed beneath the water longest was declared to have truth on his side. TRIAL BY SNAKE- The victim had to get a ring that have been placed right next to a hungry snake without been bitten, if they did, they were innocent. |