Playing with Fire: The Medieval Judicial Ordeals and their Downfall
Aaron Larson
Trials by ordeal in the Middle Ages prove to be some of most complex secular trials all history. Both trial fire, and water looked call God's judgment into play, hoping that He would make decisions guilt or innocence. God is all-knowing. all-powerful. Therefore has relevant information determine fates those who go through ordeals. Despite this, theologians medieval Church lessen clerical involvement In 1215, Fourth Lateran Council met, ordeals ceased exist. Even though they were secular, could not survive without help priests. Why it so desperately wanted end use Europe?
Swarthmore undergraduate history journal|The Knowledge Bank (The Ohio State University)