Ordeal

or ORDEL. The most ancient species of trial, called also judicium Dei (the judgment of God), and based generally on the notion that God would interpose miraculously to vindicate the guiltless. This was of two sorts: Fire ordeal, which was performed either by taking up in the hand, unhurt, a piece of red-hot iron; or else by walking barefoot and blindfold over nine red-hot plowshares, laid lengthwise at unequal distances. If the party escaped being hurt, he was adjudged innocent; otherwise, he was condemned as guilty. Water ordeal, which was performed either by plunging the bare arm up to the elbow in boiling water, and escaping unhurt therefrom; or by casting the person suspected into a river or pond of cold water; and, if he floated therein without any action of swimming, it was deemed an evidence of his guilt; but, if he sunk, he was acquitted. Mozley & W. There were four sorts of ordeal: campfight, duellum, or combat; fire ordeal; hot-water ordeal; and cold-water ordeal.