A medieval legal procedure where an accused person could clear themselves of charges by gathering a specified number of oath-helpers (compurgators) to swear to their innocence or good character.
From Latin 'compurgatio,' meaning 'complete cleansing,' derived from 'com-' (completely) and 'purgare' (to cleanse). This legal practice evolved from Germanic tribal customs where community standing and personal relationships were considered valid evidence of innocence.
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