Flashcards on The Medieval Justice System
The Medieval Justice System: A Comprehensive Student Guide
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Medieval Trials
10 cards
Card 1
Question: What was the ordeal by cold water, and how was it performed?
Answer: The ordeal by cold water involved stripping the accused, tying their thumbs and toes together, and throwing them into the water while priests blessed
Card 2
Question: According to the presentation, what sign indicated guilt in the ordeal by cold water, and what punishment was described?
Answer: If the accused floated on the surface, they were considered guilty. The punishment mentioned was having a foot and the right hand cut off.
Card 3
Question: What other ordeal is mentioned besides the cold water ordeal, and what alternative did the Normans introduce?
Answer: The ordeal by hot iron is mentioned. The Normans introduced trial by battle as a way to seek God's judgment.
Card 4
Question: In the 1249 trial by battle in Hampshire, what caused the fight between Walter Blowbeerme and Hamo Stare?
Answer: Walter Blowbeerme accused Hamo Stare of stealing from Edeline Cross's house. Walter offered to prove Hamo's guilt “by his body,” and Hamo agreed to de
Card 5
Question: According to records, what basic equipment was purchased for the trial by battle, and how much did some items cost?
Answer: Two shields (13s 4d), two wooden clubs (3s), and cloth for tunics (8s 3d) were purchased, among other materials.
Card 6
Question: How were combatants dressed and armed in some trials by battle, according to the sources?
Answer: They were dressed in white leather and cloth tunics, carrying wooden clubs with iron heads. No real weaponry or armor was permitted.
Card 7
Question: Describe the atmosphere and conditions during a trial by battle, according to the medieval chronicle (Source 9).
Answer: Combatants did not eat or drink beforehand; if they needed to drink, they had to drink their own urine. They fought until disarmed, biting and causing
Card 8
Question: What question does the material raise about the advantages of trial by battle versus the jury system?
Answer: It questions whether trial by battle had advantages over the jury system, asking to analyze if the case was left entirely to God's decision and to wha
Card 9
Question: What legal changes occurred from the 13th century regarding ordeals and trials by battle?
Answer: From the 13th century onwards, ordeals began to disappear. The Church intervened, and in 1215, ordeals were abolished. Trial by battle continued to be
Card 10
Question: In one sentence, what does 'one person accuses with their body and the other defends with their body' mean in the context of medieval trials?
Answer: It refers to trial by battle: the accuser and the accused confront each other physically; the victor goes free, and the loser is executed or punished.