Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1908 — Weger of Battle [ARTICLE]

Weger of Battle

In 1817 one Richard Thornton, called to the,bar of the king’s bench charged with the murder of Mary Askford, In open court threw down his glove and defied his accuser, ! whereupon there was a pretty to do. Wager of battle, it was supposed, had died a natural death in the dark ages, but Lord Elleuborough, after much consultation of precedent held that it was still the law of England and ordered a field to be prepared. Thornton’s accuser thereupon declining combat, the prisoner .was discharged. Next year parliament passed an act abolishing this privilege of appeal to the strong right arm. ? 7 *•"