Many personal disputes in the past have been settled by one-to-one combat.
The winner of the fight was proclaimed to be right.
A trial by combat taking place in Augsburg in 1409, between Marshal Wilhelm von Dornsberg and Theodor Haschenacker.
Also in attendance was 24 years old Abraham Thornton, the son of a builder from Castle Bromwich.
During his trial, various witness described him as a well-looking young fellow.
Others found him to be of repulsive appearance.
Throughout the evening, Thornton showered Mary with attention, and she also appeared to enjoy his company.
Just before 4 AM, Hannah was awakened by Mary who had come to collect her work clothes.
Mary changed and hurried off, stating she needed to be home before her uncle left for market.
She was last seen alive, walking towards her home, by a reveler returning from Tyburn House.
At around 6 AM in the morning, her body was discovered in a water-filled pit.
Examination of the cadaver revealed that Mary had been violated.
Thornton was immediately arrested, but he denied the accusation.
The footprint of his shoes was taken and they matched those in the crime scene.
Searching about his body revealed bloodstains in his underclothing.
Mary was menstruating at the time of her rape and death.
Thornton admitted having sex with Mary, but that it was consensual.
Marys brother William Ashford was enraged at the verdict.
In fact, the entire town was outraged at Thorntons acquittal.
Newspapers across the country published letters from citizens being openly hostile towards Thornton.
Soon funds were raised and William Ashford filed an appeal for retrial.
William refused to accept the challenge.
The bill was passed by the parliament in haste.
William Ashford died in 1867 at the age of seventy.
