History The Middle Ages Questions
During the Middle Ages, the major forms of punishment and justice included trial by ordeal, trial by combat, and corporal punishment. Trial by ordeal involved subjecting the accused to a dangerous or painful test, such as walking on hot coals or being submerged in water, with the belief that God would intervene to determine guilt or innocence. Trial by combat involved a physical fight between the accused and the accuser, with the belief that the winner would be deemed innocent. Corporal punishment, such as flogging, branding, or public humiliation, was also commonly used as a form of punishment for various crimes.