Trials

Trial by Hot Iron

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Usually taken by men.
Water believed to be pure so would reveal the truth.
The accused was lowered into the water on the end of a rope (rope knotted above the waist).
If they sank and the knot went below the water they were innocent as the water was allowing them beneath its surface.
If floated then they were guilty because the water was rejecting them.

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Taken by priests.
The priest would pray and ask that he choke on the bread if he was lying.
He would eat a piece of consecrated bread and if he chocked he was guilty.
It was believed that God wouldn't allow a sinner to eat it.
It was the most effective of ordeals because people believed God would punish a lying priest.

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These were used in times when the jury didn't agree, usually for crimes such as theft and murder.
Trial by ordeal was the solution.
A religious ritual was followed - the person would fast for 3 days before the trial and hear mass in the church.
Trials took place inside of the church, apart from trial by cold water.
God would decide innocence.
Abolished in 1215 because the church was against it.

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These were safe areas in churches and cathedrals, once a criminal reached sanctuary the sheriff could not take him out by force.
A careful ritual was followed when someone claimed sanctuary.

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The accused would try to avoid the death penalty by claiming the benefit of the clergy because the clergy couldn't be punished in the King's court.
To claim the benefit, the accused had to read a specific Bible passage - the neck verse.
Only those who could read could claim it, and it was usually priests.
Instead, they were handed to the local Bishop for punishment and the church didn't execute people for crimes.
It didn't avoid full punishment, however, as the church preferred mutilation to give the convict a chance to repent.

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