The Humbugs of the World · Chapter
Ordeals—Duels—Wager of Battle—Abraham Thornton—Red Hot Iron—Boiling Water—Swimming—Swearing—Corsned—Pagan Ordeals explained
This chapter examines the historical practice of ordeals as a means of determining guilt or innocence, rooted in superstition and the belief that God would intervene miraculously.
What happens
This chapter examines the historical practice of ordeals as a means of determining guilt or innocence, rooted in superstition and the belief that God would intervene miraculously. It details various forms such as trial by battle, fire, water, swearing, and corsned, highlighting the case of Abraham Thornton (1817) who exploited the obsolete 'assize of battle' to escape conviction for murder. The chapter traces the evolution of these practices from religious ceremonies to brutal absurdities, noting their eventual abolition in England in 1819, and draws parallels to pagan ordeals still in use, ultimately critiquing the corruption that arises when religion meddles in secular justice.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Superstition
Ordeals are presented as a superstitious belief that God would miraculously intervene in legal disputes, with priests managing the ceremonies to maintain control.
Universality of Deception
The chapter shows how ordeals were manipulated (e.g., by priests or clever rogues) and how the system allowed guilty parties like Thornton to escape justice.
Gullibility and Human Nature
The widespread acceptance of ordeals across cultures illustrates human readiness to believe in divine intervention in mundane affairs, a form of gullibility.
Characters to notice
- Abraham Thornton
Murdered his sweetheart Mary Ashford, was acquitted due to lack of proof, then challenged his accuser to mortal combat under the obsolete 'assize of battle,' leading to his discharge.
- Mr. Barnum
Narrator and commentator throughout the chapter, analyzing the superstitious and humbug nature of ordeals.
Key passages
“Nowadays nobody believes that skill with a pistol is going to be specially bestowed by the Almighty, without diligent practice at a mark.”
In modern times, no one thinks God will grant marksmanship without practice.
Critique of the superstitious basis of trial by battle.
“The court, taken by surprise, spent five months in studying on the matter. At last it decided that the fighting man had the law of England on his side, admitted his demand, and further, found that the matters alleged for exemption from combat were not sufficient.”
The court was shocked, deliberated for five months, and ultimately ruled that Thornton's challenge was legally valid, rejecting the accuser's arguments for exemption.
Illustrates the absurd persistence of archaic legal practices.
“If he floated he was guilty, and must be killed. If he sank and drowned, he was innocent—but killed. Trial was therefore synonymous with execution.”
In the water ordeal, floating meant guilt and death; sinking meant innocence but drowning. So trial and execution were the same.
Highlights the brutal and illogical nature of the ordeal by water.