Compurgation

Compurgation
Related Category: Legal Terms and Concepts
(km´´prg´shn), in medieval law, a complete defense.

COMPURGATION - Obs. A person of good birth and reputation could bring two witnesses of good standing, to swear he was telling the truth. Should the accuser bring co-accusers, the defendant had to bring an equal number of compurgators.

Reform, and radical reform, was indeed sadly needed throughout a system which was encumbered by noxious rubbish, the useless leavings of the middle ages: trial by battle and compurgation, deodands and benefit of clergy, John Doe and Richard Roe.

It was the basis of the medieval process of compurgation. It is still used in legal proceedings today: Thus, a jury is sworn in, and a witness takes an oath before testifying.

See also: Law, Person, Civil, Question, Swear