Corsned is a term that refers to an ancient form of trial by food, where a suspect would be fed a piece of bread or cheese, and if they choked or were unable to swallow it, they were deemed guilty. The word is pronounced as /ˈkɔːs.nɛd/ with the first syllable rhyming with "horse" and the second syllable pronounced with a short "e" sound. The spelling may seem unusual, but it is derived from Old English and has been used in various forms over the centuries.
Corsned is a medieval term that refers to a form of trial by ordeal in which the accused was required to undergo a physical test involving the consumption of a piece of bread or cake. It was used primarily in ancient Germanic and Celtic societies to determine the guilt or innocence of an individual accused of a crime.
The corsned involved baking a type of bread or cake that was considered sacred or consecrated. The accused would then be forced to consume this item, typically in front of a jury or group of witnesses. It was believed that if the accused was innocent, they would be able to consume the corsned without any negative effects. However, if they were guilty, it was thought that the curse or divine judgment associated with the sacred bread would cause them to choke or suffer some other physical ailment.
This form of trial by ordeal was often used in cases where there was a lack of credible witnesses or evidence to support or refute the accusations against the accused. The result of the corsned would then be taken as a divine judgment or intervention in the legal process.
Over time, the use of corsned as a trial by ordeal diminished, particularly with the growth of more formal legal systems and the decline of belief in supernatural intervention. Nevertheless, it remains a fascinating historical practice that offers insight into the methods used to determine guilt or innocence in medieval societies.
The word "Corsned" is derived from Old English and has roots in Old Norse as well. The term is a combination of two words: "corsnǫt" in Old Norse and "corsned" in Old English.
The Old English term "corsned" consists of "cors" (meaning "curse" or "ban") and "snǣd" (meaning "piece" or "cutting"). It refers to a form of trial by ordeal in which a person accused of a crime had to eat a piece of specially prepared bread. If the accused person choked or suffered any ill effects, it was believed to be a divine sign indicating their guilt.
The Old Norse term "corsnǫt" has a similar meaning, with "cors" meaning "curse" or "oath" and "nǫt" meaning "use" or "need".