Medieval Ordeals: Faith and Justice

This chapter explores the historical practice of judicial ordeals in medieval Europe, focusing on methods like the hot iron and boiling water tests to determine guilt or innocence. It discusses the role of priests who could manipulate these trials and examines the societal beliefs that influenced defendants' expectations of divine judgment. The narrative also highlights the biases within the judicial system, particularly how different religious groups faced varied ordeals, showcasing the intersection of belief, law, and social norms.