History Main / TrialByCombat

* The Duel Ordained by the Goddess in ''LightNovel/EvenThoughImAFormerNobleAndSingleMother'' is a traditional method that nations can use to settle disputes between each other. One such duel is used to settle the issue of whether Shirley's daughters should be taken to the Empire. [[spoiler:Shirley wins easily, despite her opponent being the Empire's strongest knight and despite attempts to hinder her using hidden traps.]]

* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'': The Clans base their entire culture around this, with seven official Trials (all settled by combat) that dictate Clan life: The Trial of Position [[note]][[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership fighting for a position against other candidates]], required for anyone (trueborn, freeborn or non-Clanners) to enter the Warrior Caste and occasionally for promotions if your superior deems it necessary[[/note]], the Trial of Bloodright[[note]]a RiteOfPassageNameChange earning a Trueborn Warrior the right to use their ancestors' surname, required to enter the Clan Council and vote on decisions[[/note]], the Trial of Refusal[[note]][[AppealToForce an appeal of any decision not already settled by Trial]], with victory against the odds by which you lost the decision nullifying it[[/note]], the Trial of Grievance [[note]]an all-purpose DuelToTheDeath or VictoryByFirstBlood between equals who have failed to settle their problems by all other means available[[/note]], the Trial of Possession [[note]]a formalized, low-scale war over another Clan's possessions, usually through a ''batchall''[[/note]], the Trial of Absorption[[note]]the loser's clan gets assimilated into the winner's; only happened thrice so far[[/note]] and the Trial of Annihilation.[[note]]A death penalty. The target is marked for death by Clan society at a whole and forced to defend themselves in unrestricted warfare until they're killed, following which they're rendered an UnPerson and their Bloodline (if any) is Reaved; usually used on individuals or units who dishonour the Clans but three Clans (The Not-Named, Smoke Jaguar and later Steel Viper) [[FinalSolution were Annihilated as well]][[/note]]. Duels are fought "unagumented" or "augmented", with the former meaning "fists or melee weapons only" and the latter involving [=BattleMech=], PowerArmor or aircraft duels. The Clans instituted such a system in order to militarily resolve conflicts (being a ProudWarriorRace, military resolution was seen as an inevitable outcome) using a minimum of forces without it spilling over into full-blown civil war.

[[folder:Fan Fic]]
* In ''FanFic/TheBasaltCityChronicles'', the Empire of Smilodons has a hand-to-hand version of this as a civil, rather than criminal, trial. Only in extreme cases are the fights declared to be to the death, and almost always as a means of getting powerful nobles (who would be otherwise forced into a death match) to stop the feuds between their factions (if you win, your faction wins, but you yourself are exiled).

[[folder:Live Action TV]]
* In ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "The Omega Glory," Kirk fights Captain Tracey to prove to the Yangs that he (and not Tracey) is trying to help them (the Yangs believe that Good is stronger than Evil).
** In "Arena", he had to face an alien captain in order to determine which spaceship would be destroyed" by {{Sufficiently Advanced Alien}}s who didn't like less advanced races bring their disputes into their territory. [[spoiler:In the end, Kirk "won" the fight, but by showing mercy to the Gorn who had been prepared to kill him, and by showing a willingness to settle the misunderstanding that had caused the conflict in the first place, Kirk convinced the aliens to spare ''both'' their ships. [[SecretTestOfCharacter Actually killing the Gorn, it's implied, would have doomed Kirk's own ship]].]]
** While there are Klingon lawyers, trial by combat is a means of resolving legal disputes for the Klingons. For example, in the ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'' episode, "House of Quark", Quark had the information to show that a Klingon used unhonorable finical manipulations to undermine a rival house, but even with his proof he was forced into a Trial by Combat over the accusation. [[spoiler:Quark threw his weapon down in the fight. When the rival moved to strike Quark down, it showed that the rival truly was dishonorable.]]

* ''Series/LoisAndClark'': [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Lord Kal-El]] became the ruler of New Krypton to prevent Lord Nor from doing so. Lord Nor charged Kal-El with treason and a KangarooCourt held under Kryptonian Law sentenced him to death. A few minutes later,, Nor drops the VillainBall hard enough to swing [[TheAtoner the main prosecutor]] to [[WhatHaveIDone Kal-El's side]]. Said prosecutor was only all too happy when it was pointed out to him that the defendant wasn't informed he had the right to invoke this trope - this means that Kal-El is OffOnATechnicality.

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* In ''WebComic/DubiousCompany'', The [[ChurchMilitant Grand Wacinator]] demands the pirates choose a crew member to duel against Lieutenant Leeroy. Victory proves their innocence in [[TheChosenOne Future High Priestess]] Sal's kidnapping. [[spoiler:Given this is the church of the RandomNumberGod, it is a card duel.]]

* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'': The Clans base their entire culture around this, with seven official Trials (all settled by combat) that dictate Clan life: The Trial of Position [[note]][[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking fighting for a position against other candidates for that position]], required for anyone (trueborn, freeborn or non-Clanners) to enter the Warrior Caste and occasionally for promotions if your superior deems it necessary[[/note]], the Trial of Bloodright[[note]]a RiteOfPassageNameChange earning a Trueborn Warrior the right to use their ancestors' surname, required to enter the Clan Council and vote on decisions[[/note]], the Trial of Refusal[[note]][[AppealToForce an appeal of any decision not already settled by Trial]], with victory against the odds by which you lost the decision nullifying it[[/note]], the Trial of Grievance [[note]]an all-purpose DuelToTheDeath or VictoryByFirstBlood between equals who have failed to settle their problems by all other means available[[/note]], the Trial of Possession [[note]]a formalized, low-scale war over another Clan's possessions, usually through a ''batchall''[[/note]], the Trial of Absorption[[note]]the loser's clan gets assimilated into the winner's; only happened thrice so far[[/note]] and the Trial of Annihilation.[[note]]A death penalty. The target is marked for death by Clan society at a whole and forced to defend themselves in unrestricted warfare until they're killed, following which they're rendered an UnPerson and their Bloodline (if any) is Reaved; usually used on individuals or units who dishonour the Clans but three Clans (The Not-Named, Smoke Jaguar and later Steel Viper) [[FinalSolution were Annihilated as well]][[/note]]. Duels are fought "unagumented" or "augmented", with the former meaning "fists or melee weapons only" and the latter involving [=BattleMech=], PowerArmor or aircraft duels. The Clans instituted such a system in order to militarily resolve conflicts (being a ProudWarriorRace, military resolution was seen as an inevitable outcome) using a minimum of forces without it spilling over into full-blown civil war.

---->'''Pate of Longleaf:''' I'll have no songs of how brave you died, kingmaker. There's thousands dead on your account.

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'' has one such duel a minor plot point early in the ''Heavensward'' expansion. The fight is between two knights of the, well, [[TitleDrop Heavens' Ward]], and the accused -- Alphinaud, [[TookALevelInBadass who starts throwing spells around for the first time since his introduction]] and [[TheChick Tataru]], who names the player character as her champion.

* In 1817, Abraham Thornton, out of fear of facing a biased jury when charged with the rape and murder of Mary Ashford, challenged her brother (who was pressing charges) into that kind of trial. William Ashford knew he'd lose regardless of Thornton being guilty or not and it was officially ruled that, if he accepted and Thronton killed him, that death wouldn't be considered a murder. Ashford refused and Thornton was acquitted. However, Thornton was so ConvictedByPublicOpinion he moved from England to America.

** One of the biggest examples of a trial by combat was the Battle of Tukayyid, in which [=ComStar=] wagered Earth itself in a massive ritual battle with the Clans on the titular planet. Seven Clans would attempt to invade the planet and capture specific objectives, and if the Clans won they would gain Earth, while if [=ComStar=] won, the Clans would agree to a fifteen year cease-fire. Several of the Clans who participated fell into the trap of HonorBeforeReason or were otherwise outmaneuvered by [=ComStar=] and defeated, with only Clan Wolf being effective enough to achieve both objectives, while Clan Jade Falcon and Clan Ghost Bear both achieved a draw (the Falcons actually succeeded in completely one objective before being forced to retreat, while the Bears failed to complete either objective but did so much damage before they were repulsed that [=ComStar=] counted it as an effective completion anyway). Thus, the Clans withdrew and the Inner Sphere gained a badly-needed period to recover and re-arm.

** In the 12th century text ''Literature/LancelotTheKnightOfTheCart'', Lancelot comes to Guinevere at night and has to move the iron bars over her window in order to get in. He injures his finger in the process and proceeds to bleed on her sheets as they have sex. The next morning their host's son Meleagant sees the blood. He puts 2 and 2 together and comes up with 11, alleging that Kay (an injured man who bleed on his own sheets last night) was in the queen's bed. Guinevere swears up and down that she just had a nosebleed and Kay was not in her bed, then calls Lancelot to serve as their champion and defend her and Kay's honor. Before the duel they swear on holy relics to give power and legitimacy to the fight.
--->''[holy relics are brought forth]''\\
'''Meleagant:''' ''[kneeling and laying his hands upon the relics]'' So help me God and this holy relic, Kay the seneschal lay with the Queen in her bed last night and, had his pleasure with her.\\

The idea behind it is very simple, which is probably why it's been used by numerous cultures throughout history (but maynly Germanic ones): someone is accused of a crime, or two parties are descending into conflict over a matter of opinion or policy. In order to resolve this issue with the minimum of bloodshed, an individual is chosen to represent each side, and they fight. Winner takes all.

The idea behind it is very simple, which is probably why it's been used by numerous cultures throughout history: someone is accused of a crime, or two parties are descending into conflict over a matter of opinion or policy. In order to resolve this issue with the minimum of bloodshed, an individual is chosen to represent each side, and they fight. Winner takes all.

* Such a system is in place in the Myth/KingArthur legendarium. Every knight knows that Guinevere is cheating on Arthur with Lancelot, but an accusation without any proof can only be made by challenging the queen's champion- Lancelot himself. Since he's an invincible knight, no one dares asperse her loyalty out loud.

* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekLowerDecks'': Occurs in "Temporal Edict." Under Gelrakian law, the accused must fight the Gelrakian champion. If Commander Jack Ransom wins, he and his away team will be freed. If he loses, he'll die in the arena and the away team will be crushed to death by the adjudication geode.

[[caption-width-right:350:Judicial duel between Marshal Wilhelm von Dornsberg and Theodor Haschenacker in the Augsburg wine market in 1409.[[note]]Painting by Jörg Breu d. Jüngere and Paulus Hector Mair, c. 1544.[[/note]]]]

** In the ''Literature/CodexAlera'' series, there are at least two forms of this: the Marat have a different form of trial for each clan; the Gargant clan go by this method, calling it "Trial By Strength." Then there's the practice of ''juris macto'' among the Aleran people, which is a ritualized and legally binding form of DuelToTheDeath and covered on that page. [[CoolOldGuy Headman Doroga]] [[SarcasmMode has a few things to say]] about the "ritual" part.
*** It is worth noting that the phrase ''juris macto'' gets thrown around a lot, but is only actually invoked twice in six books. Just mentioning it usually hits the pugnacious like a bucket of cold water.
** ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' novel ''Literature/{{Changes}}'', the Harry and Susan are forced to fight one of these when they are pursued into [[spoiler:the Erlking's halls]] by vampires, and [[spoiler:the Erlking]] doesn't know who is right. Besides, he likes a good show. Harry later takes on Duchess Arianna, a severely badass vampire (one level down from and [[spoiler:aspiring to be]] the Lords of the Outer Night, {{Physical God}}s to a being. However by now Harry has [[TookALevelInBadass taken several levels in Badass]] wields Soulfire gifted by the Archangel Uriel and is [[spoiler:the Winter Knight]]. At the end Harry turns Arianna into a crater on the floor.
** At the end of ''Literature/WhiteNight'', when Harry and Ramirez challenge Vitto Malvora and Madrigal Raith to a duel. There is heavy application of sarcasm from the White King of all people when Madrigal and Lady Cesarina Malvora try to duck the challenge.

* The Clans of ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' base their entire culture around this, with seven official Trials (all settled by combat) that dictate Clan life: The Trial of Position [[note]][[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking fighting for a position against other candidates for that position]], required for anyone (trueborn, freeborn or non-Clanners) to enter the Warrior Caste and occasionally for promotions if your superior deems it necessary[[/note]], the Trial of Bloodright[[note]]a RiteOfPassageNameChange earning a Trueborn Warrior the right to use their ancestors' surname, required to enter the Clan Council and vote on decisions[[/note]], the Trial of Refusal[[note]][[AppealToForce an appeal of any decision not already settled by Trial]], with victory against the odds by which you lost the decision nullifying it[[/note]], the Trial of Grievance [[note]]an all-purpose DuelToTheDeath or VictoryByFirstBlood between equals who have failed to settle their problems by all other means available[[/note]], the Trial of Possession [[note]]a formalized, low-scale war over another Clan's possessions, usually through a ''batchall''[[/note]], the Trial of Absorption[[note]]the loser's clan gets assimilated into the winner's; only happened thrice so far[[/note]] and the Trial of Annihilation.[[note]]A death penalty. The target is marked for death by Clan society at a whole and forced to defend themselves in unrestricted warfare until they're killed, following which they're rendered an UnPerson and their Bloodline (if any) is Reaved; usually used on individuals or units who dishonour the Clans but three Clans (The Not-Named, Smoke Jaguar and later Steel Viper) [[FinalSolution were Annihilated as well]][[/note]]. Duels are fought 'unagumented' or 'augmented', with the former meaning "fists or melee weapons only" and the latter involving [=BattleMech=], PowerArmor or aircraft duels. The Clans instituted such a system in order to militarily resolve conflicts (being a ProudWarriorRace, military resolution was seen as an inevitable outcome) using a minimum of forces without it spilling over into full-blown civil war.

* Trial by combat is still practiced in certain rural areas of the empire in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}''. ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyRoleplay'' even has a class, the Judicial Champion, who represents the local courts.
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': One method used by the Inquisition to determine whether a person is guilty is to pit them against a Grey Knight (a MagicKnight chapter of SpaceMarines). If the Knight wins, then clearly the GodEmperor struck down the infidel. If he somehow wins, he clearly used daemonic magics to do so and is killed (even if he didn't, there's the fact that he just killed a beyond-rare SuperSoldier).
* In [[TabletopGame/{{Dragonlance}} Ascalon]], the [[TheEmpire Imperial League of Minotaurs]] (Krynn's very own [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Roman Empire]]) arbitrates ''everything'' this way. However, they were wise enough to realize that even this kind of trial needs rules. While even petty larceny must ultimately be arbitrated this way, only the really grave crimes require a DuelToTheDeath; minor crimes can be resolved by disarming or first blood. And for all except the ''really'' bad crimes (like assassinating the emperor), the accused may select a champion to fight in their stead, with evidence determining just how effective a champion one may select.

[[folder:Film]]

* ''Valley of the Kings'': After Akmed Salah accuses Mark of lying, Mark is forced to fight him in a swordfight to prove his innocence.

* OlderThanDirt: The fight of David and Goliath in the Old Testament as a way to avoid a battle between Israelites and Philistines.

* Also occurs in ''Film/ElCid'' between Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar and Jimena's father. The latter ends up killed in it.

* This was used during the Medieval Era as a way to determine "God's Judgement", because (the thinking went) the winner would obviously have been chosen by God to win. Generally, it was easier than the one where you got thrown in the river to see if God wants you to survive. (The medieval Church repeatedly condemned both trial by combat and trial by ordeal as barbaric and un-Christian, notably at the Lateran Council of 1215. Both procedures continued nonetheless, though the bans contributed to the development of more familiar systems like trial by jury.)
** However, in some places, it often wasn't simply because of the justification of God picking the winner. In Germany, in particular, it was seen as an ancient right when justice couldn't be brought about by regular methods. This is because back in the day, even back in Roman times, chieftains, and, later, judges, had a very hard time determining people's guilt or innocence without eyewitnesses, so the result would often be OffOnATechnicality. Generally it never went as far as trial by combat, [[RapeIsASpecialKindofEvil but it often would in cases of rape]]. Because it helped prevent blood feuds, most places in central Europe tolerated it, although by the 15th century people were pushing heavily to replace it with trial by jury.
* In ''The Last Duel'' by Eric Jager, the author describes the last legally sanctioned ([[DuelToTheDeath Duels to the Death]] of course continued to the eighteenth century and beyond, but they were more an aristocratic version of a BarBrawl done with lethal weapons, then a legal practice) judicial duel in France during UsefulNotes/TheHundredYearsWar. A French noblewoman who was pregnant out of wedlock claimed that it was rape by her husband's [[FeudingFamilies enemy]] and her husband, believing her, stood in the lists as plaintiff. The accused stood as defendant. In something of a Zig Zag no one really believed it was an ideal means, the Church condemned it as TemptingFate and there hadn't been such an event in ages. It was only permitted by the French king because the law was still technically on the books because no one had bothered to take it off. And because there was no way to solve a rape case there being no DNA testing at the time. In other words it was permitted not because it was actually believed that God would automatically intervene for the right party but because no one could think of anything better to do and it ''was'' technically legal. In any case, as the title of the book [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin indicates]] it was the last one in France. Creator/RidleyScott [[Film/TheLastDuel adapted it on film]].
* Notch, creator of ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'', [[http://notch.tumblr.com/post/9038258448/hey-bethesda-lets-settle-this challenged Bethesda]] to a 3 vs 3 game of ''VideoGame/QuakeIIIArena'' to settle a legal dispute (referencing the above mentioned ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' series). Sadly, Bethesda chose to ignore this challenge.
* In a French legend, Aubry de Montdidier, a knight of King Charles V, was murdered by [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Macaire Robert Macaire]]. The only witness was Montdidier's dog. In court the dog reacted violently to Macaire, leading the king to order a duel between Macaire and the dog. The dog won, and Macaire confessed to the murder and was hanged. The murder was said to take place in 1371.
* In 1817, Abraham Thornton, out of fear of facing a biased jury when charged with the rape and murder of Mary Ashford, challenged her brother (who was pressing charges) into that kind of trial. William Ashford knew he'd lose regardless of Thornton being guilty or not and it was officially ruled that, if he accepted and Thronton killed him, that death wouldn't be considered a murder. Ashford refused and Thornton was acquitted. However, Thornton was so ConvictedByPublicOpinion he moved from England to America.

* Being based on Mtyh/KingArthur and other medieval literature, the country of Arendia in ''Literature/TheBelgariad'' uses this system as well. It comes up in the second book when, because Garion is unable to prove that an ambassador is plotting to kill the king in order to foment war without naming his friend Lelldorin as a co-conspirator, the renowned and eminently honourable Mandorallan challenges the ambassador in order to prove his misdoings.

* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': One method used by the Inquisition to determine whether a person is guilty is to pit them against a GreyKnight (a MagicKnight chapter of SpaceMarines). If the Knight wins, then clearly the GodEmperor struck down the infidel. If he somehow wins, he clearly used daemonic magics to do so and is killed (even if he didn't, there's the fact that he just killed a beyond-rare SuperSoldier).

** It should be noted that act of choosing a champion is largely reserved for political bodies (example, a Grand Council. MechWarrior Aidan Pryde had to [[NeverTellMetheOdds fight four to one odds with his fellow witnesses]] when he challenged a Coucil decision). The act of an individual trying to name a champion can be [[DirtyCoward interpreted as an admittance of weakness]] if not by the rival fighter, but by a political rival in the same Clan. More than one Clan leader has been called out for hiding behind rank and [[MightMakesRight brutally killed in a Circle of Equals.]]

* This gets brought up multiple times in the ''Literature/{{Deverry}}'' novels, but only actually happens once. In that one, Rhodry serves as champion in the duel, as he had argued before the malover (court) that as Otho was 1: a dwarf, and as such had a substantially shorter reach than his human accuser, 2: very old, even by dwarven standards, and as such in much poorer health than his younger accuser, and 3: totally untrained in swordfighting, a trial by combat would be a one-sided farce rather than a divine demonstration of justice.

* The Autobots and Decepticons in ''FanFic/ThingsWeDontTellHumans'' are both pretty okay with this version of resolving a conflict, especially if honor is at stake, or if someone doubts if a character is adult enough for a responsibility. It leads to some pretty epic throw downs.

* ''FanFic/RobbReturns'': After his affair with Cersei is exposed, Jaime demands one of these to defend himself. This backfires on him rather badly, as his opponent ends up being Robert, who has spent most of the story [[TookALevelInBadass getting himself back into fighting shape]].
* Subverted in ''FanFic/TheRavensPlan'' when Black Walder demands one [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown and Edmure pummels him to death with a rock instead]].

* ''Fanfic/MyFathersSon'': On his way through The Reach to reach his main army, Rhaegar is stopped at Highgarden by Jon Fossoway to try and curry favor with King Aerys. Since there's no easy way out for him being accused by The Septon, The Maester, and Fossoway, Rhaegar invokes Trial by Seven as a way to get out of this mess cleanly. Even promising no blood spilled in the process. The lady of Highgarden, glad to support Rhaegar in secret, gives it blessing and Rhaegar wins.

* ''Film/TheLastDuel'' adapts the Eric Jager book of the same name about the last legally sanctioned duel in France in [[TheLateMiddleAges 1386]]. More details in the Real Life folder below.