See Also: BATTEL, in French Bataille; Old English law(law)
Bataille, Georges(encyclopedia)
battel(dictionary)
Battel(medicine)
WAGER OF BATTEL(law)
BOROUGH ENGLISH, English law(law)
English(2)(dictionary)
pre-English(dictionary)
english(medicine)
English(1)(dictionary)

BATTEL, in French Bataille; Old English law (law)


BATTEL, in French Bataille; Old English law. An ancient and barbarous mode of trial, by Bingle combat, called wager of battel, where, in appeals of of trial, by Bingle combat, called wager of battel, where, in appeals of felony, the @appellee might fight with the appellant to prove his innocence. felony, the @appellee might fight with the appellant to prove his innocence. It was also used in affairs of chivalry or honor, and upon civil cases upon It was also used in affairs of chivalry or honor, and upon civil cases upon certain issues. Co. Litt. 294. Till lately it disgraced the English code. certain issues. Co. Litt. 294. Till lately it disgraced the English code. This mode of trial was abolished in England by stat. 59 Geo.,III. c. 46. This mode of trial was abolished in England by stat. 59 Geo.,III. c. 46. 2. This mode of trial was not peculiar to England. The emperor Otho, A. 2. This mode of trial was not peculiar to England. The emperor Otho, A. D. 983, held a diet at Verona, at which several sovereigns and great lords D. 983, held a diet at Verona, at which several sovereigns and great lords of Italy, Germany and France were present. In order to put a stop to the of Italy, Germany and France were present. In order to put a stop to the frequent perjuries in judicial trials, this diet substituted in all cases, frequent perjuries in judicial trials, this diet substituted in all cases, even in those which followed the course of the Roman law, proof by combat even in those which followed the course of the Roman law, proof by combat for proof by oath. Henrion de Pansey, Auth. Judic. Introd. c. 3; and for a for proof by oath. Henrion de Pansey, Auth. Judic. Introd. c. 3; and for a detailed account of this mode of trial see Herb. Antiq. of the Inns of detailed account of this mode of trial see Herb. Antiq. of the Inns of Court, 119-145. Court, 119-145.