This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ...into which the accused plunged his hand: if he was guilty, the hand was burned: if not, it was uninjured. This ordeal seems to have been often used: it is noticed in the Senchus M6r: and elsewhere in the Brehon Laws it is mentioned as a means of determining certain cases of doubtful family relationship. They will be found described in Ir. Texte, III. 20S. tMan. & Cust., I. 216. J Br. Laws, I., 195, 199; Iv. 285, 295. 9. Crannchur, or lot-casting crann, 'wood' cur, 'casting'), of which two kinds (5 and 9) are mentioned: but it will be sufficient to describe the last one here. Three lots: one for the flailh or local lord, one for the ollave (who conducted the trial), and the third for the accused, were thrown into water. If the accused was guilty, his lot went to the bottom; if innocent, it floated. Ordeal by lot appears to have been oftenest used of any; but other forms, differing from the one described here, were more usual. It is very often mentioned in the Brehon Laws. If a man was accused of wrong by another, and if either demanded trial by lot, then lot was resorted to: and the plan adopted, as described in the Book of Acaill shows that here the ordeal was under the auspices of Christianity. Three lots were put into a vessel or bag, one for guilt, one for innocence, and one for the Trinity. If the accused first draws forth the lot for the Trinity, it is to be put back; and he is to draw again, till he brings forth either of the others, which determines the case. The lot for the Trinity must have been used as a sort of invocation to God for justice, and to add solemnity to the proceeding: otherwise it was useless. If an animal out of some one of several herds did mischief, lots were first cast, as described in...