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.