Warning
Info
Warning
Info
Simple English definitions for legal terms
bread-and-cheese ordeal
Read a random definition: Session
A quick definition of bread-and-cheese ordeal:
The bread-and-cheese ordeal was a way of determining guilt or innocence in the past. The accused person was given a piece of bread or cheese that a priest had charged to stick in the throat of the guilty. If the person choked, they were declared guilty, but if they didn't, they were declared innocent. This was one of several types of ordeals used in Europe until the 13th century to determine guilt or innocence, but it was eventually banned by the Fourth Lateran Council.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: A primitive form of trial in which an accused person was subjected to a dangerous or painful physical test, the result being considered a divine revelation of the person's guilt or innocence. The bread-and-cheese ordeal involved giving the accused a piece of bread or cheese that a priest had charged to stick in the throat of the guilty. If the person choked, they were declared guilty; if not, they were declared innocent.
Example: In medieval Europe, the bread-and-cheese ordeal was used to determine the guilt or innocence of someone accused of a crime. The accused would be given a piece of bread or cheese that had been blessed by a priest, and if they choked on it, they were considered guilty. This was believed to be a sign from God that the accused was guilty and should be punished.
Explanation: The bread-and-cheese ordeal was a way for people in medieval Europe to determine the guilt or innocence of someone accused of a crime. It was believed that God would reveal the truth through this physical test, and the accused would either choke on the bread or cheese or not. This was seen as a divine revelation of their guilt or innocence, and the outcome would determine their fate.