Guilt And Innocence In Medieval Europe

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In medieval Europe, determination of guilt and innocence experienced numerous change and continuity throughout laws and trials. Before King Henry II’s reign, the local lord generally decided law cases, however this was later changed by King Henry II (Johndclare.net, 2018). King Henry II was responsible for introducing the court system as well as introducing the use of juries as opposed to trial by ordeal (Johndclare.net, 2018). By 1215, trial by ordeal was abolished and replaced by trials with juries as the church found this a fairer and more rational way to determine someone’s guilt or innocence. (History Learning Site, 2018). Despite these changes, trial by jury continued throughout the medieval era, enduring the use of punishments to people

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