In the administration of justice, Trial by Battle was introduced in
addition to the Ordeal of the Saxons (S91). This was a duel in which
each of the contestants appealed to Heaven to give him the victory, it
believed that the right would vanquish. Noblemen[2] fought on
horseback in full armor, with sword, lance, and battle-ax; common
people fought on foot with clubs.
[2] See Shakespeare's "Richard II," Act I, scenes i and iii; also
Scott's "Ivanhoe," Chapter XLIII.
In both cases the combat was in the presence of judges and might last
from sunrise until the stars appeared. Priests and women had the
privilege of being represented by champions, who fought for them.
Trial by Battle was claimed and allowed by the court (though the
combat did not come off) as late as 1817, in the reign of George III.
This custom was finally abolished in 1819.[3]
[3] Trial by Battle might be demanded in cases of chivalry or honor,
in criminal actions, and in civil suits. The last were fought not by
the disputants themselves but by champions.