Ploughshares Ordeal

Ploughshares Ordeal
   Ploughshares were laid across a fire pit in a grid pattern and allowed to become red hot. The victim then walked barefoot across the ploughshares, and if his wounds healed in three days he was innocent. This was also used to select leaders of tribes. Ordeals in other cultures included: Licking a hot iron spoon (Bedouin); Carrying a hot iron (Indian); Taking a stone out of boiling water (Africa); Walking through fire (India).

The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology. 2014.

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