Superstition and Force
Essays on the Wager of Law, the Wager of Battle, the Ordeal, Torture
Superstition and Force, first published in 1866 and revised through four editions, is Henry Charles Lea's study of the irrational methods by which medieval law tried to reach the truth. Its four essays treat the wager of law, in which an accused cleared himself by oath with the help of sworn supporters; the wager of battle, or judicial duel, with its champions and regulations; the ordeal by boiling water, red-hot iron, fire, cold water, the cross, the Eucharist and the bier; and the use of torture from antiquity through its revival in the later Middle Ages to its slow abolition. Lea, a Philadelphia publisher who taught himself medieval history, writes from the legal sources of every European country. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Superstition and Force
Superstition and Force by Henry Charles Lea can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Superstition and Force online?
Yes. Superstition and Force opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Superstition and Force free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Superstition and Force is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Superstition and Force in the public domain?
Yes. Superstition and Force by Henry Charles Lea is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Superstition and Force?
About 15 h 15 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Superstition and Force?
Superstition and Force by Henry Charles Lea is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
