What does the term 'trial by ordeal' mean?

Trial by ordeal refers to various methods used historically to determine guilt based on physical tests.

Corsned: The Ancient Legal Ordeal and Its Historical Context

Q: Is corsned still used today?

No, corsned is not a legal practice in modern law.

Definition & Meaning

Corsned is a historical practice from old English law used to determine the guilt or innocence of a person accused of a crime. In this ordeal, the accused was given a one-ounce piece of bread or cheese. A priest would declare the morsel charged with divine judgment, meaning that if the person choked on it, they were deemed guilty. Conversely, if they were able to swallow it without choking, they were considered innocent. This practice is also known as the ordeal of the morsel, trial by corsned, and morsel of execration.

Table of content

Key legal elements

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

(hypothetical example) In a historical context, a person accused of theft might be subjected to corsned. If they choked on the morsel, they would be declared guilty, while successfully swallowing it would result in their innocence being proclaimed.

Comparison with related terms

Term	Definition	Key Differences
Trial by ordeal	A method of justice where the outcome is determined by a physical test.	Trial by ordeal encompasses various methods, including corsned.
Judicial trial	A legal proceeding where evidence is presented before a judge or jury.	Judicial trials rely on evidence and legal standards, unlike corsned.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are researching historical legal practices, consider exploring resources on US Legal Forms for templates that can assist in understanding these concepts. For any legal matters, consult with a qualified attorney to ensure you receive appropriate guidance.

Find the legal form that fits your case

Browse our library of 85,000+ state-specific legal templates.

This field is required

Quick facts

Attribute	Details
Historical Context	Old English law
Type of Practice	Trial by ordeal
Materials Used	Bread or cheese
Judgment Basis	Choking or swallowing

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

What is corsned?

Corsned is a historical legal practice where a morsel was used to determine guilt or innocence.