Before jury trials were common, alleged criminals had to prove their innocence by undergoing painful — and sometimes deadly — tests involving water, fire, or burning metal.

In the modern world, the fate of an accused criminal is decided by a judge and jury. But back in medieval times, there was another method of determining whether someone was guilty or innocent: trial by ordeal.

These trials put the fate of the accused in God’s hands. Suspected criminals would be forced to perform a painful or dangerous task, such as holding hot iron or being thrown into water. If they were innocent, God would step in with a miracle to save their life. If they were guilty, they would face a grisly death.

Priests were initially involved in the process, blessing objects before they were used in the ordea

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