Final answer:
In Medieval England, the three types of trials were trial by fire, trial by water, and trial by combat. These methods were based on the belief that divine intervention would reveal the truth of the accused's guilt or innocence. Additionally, various punishments and tortures were used for discipline or confession.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Medieval England, there were several methods of trial used to determine a person's guilt or innocence. Three of the most common were:
- Trial by fire: This ordeal involved the accused walking over hot coals or holding a red-hot iron. The wound was then bandaged and inspected a few days later; if it was healing cleanly, it was taken as a sign of innocence.
- Trial by water: In this method, the accused was thrown into water. If they floated, it was believed that they were guilty, as the water was rejecting them; if they sank, they were considered innocent (although they risked drowning).
- Trial by combat: This was a fight to the death or submission between the accused and the accuser, or in some cases, champions fighting on behalf of the disputing parties. The belief was that God would help the innocent party to prevail.
Apart from these trials, there were various other forms of medieval punishments and tortures employed to exact discipline or extract confessions. These included hanging, whipping, and the use of devices designed to inflict pain, such as the rack or the stocks.