Trial By Ordeal Essay, Research Paper
Trial by Ordeal
I personally feel that trial by ordeal was a rather, how should I put this,
“unjustified” way of determining guilt. Trial by ordeal was a type of “trial” that was used
troughout history. Trial by ordeal usually consisted of a rather brutal, and often deadly test,
determining guilt or innocence. The most famous time in history when trial by ordeal was
popular was probably during the Salem witch hunts. During this time period, if a person
was accused of being a witch, they would be burned at the stake. If the person survived he
or she was found guilty and was to be executed. If he or she burned, the person was
innocent and subject to a proper burial. This is where the illogic of trial by ordeal comes
in. The innocent person dies and if the person happens to live they will be killed or
sentenced to life in prison anyway. It is a no-win situation. Another time when trial by
ordeal was popular was during the “dark ages”. During this time, the accused was usually
tied up and thrown in a river. Those who sunk were innocent and those who floated were
guilty. Once again this proves my point. The innocent person usually drowned and the
guilty probably were sentenced to a life in prison, if not executed. And who’s to say that a
guilty person is more boyant or “flame retardant” than an innocent person? This is why I
feel that trial by ordeal was an unjust and downright ignorant system of justice. I am
excessively glad that we have our own judicial system today. Not that it is much better.
But that is for a different report.