
Trial By Combat
Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More
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Trial by Combat in the United States
In 18th century Great Britain, trial by combat was a part of British common law that had never formally been revoked. The last case of a trial by combat request being honored in the UK was in 1818. Since the United States was founded, there has never been a law passed that has banned or even addressed the issue of trial by combat. So if you ever see Game of Thrones or some other show where a legal matter is settled by fighting, know it was based on an actual, ancient legal principle.
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