Penal Methods of the Middle Ages: Criminals, Witches, Lunatics

PENAL METHODS OF THE
MIDDLE AGES
CRIMINALS, WITCHES, LUNATICS
GEORGE IVES, M.A.
PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION
1910
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
FOOTNOTES
So far we have endeavoured to trace the course of the usual punishments inflicted in various ages on the “common” criminals when they were brought up charged with the graver crimes. There were, however, ways of escape open, which are sufficiently general and important to be dealt with separately.
The Ordeals. —The invocation of miraculous guidance, to determine the guilt or innocence of a person accused, has been resorted to from time immemorial by all manner of methods throughout the four continents.