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.
Compurgation was essentially 'trial by popularity contest'—your guilt or innocence depended on how many friends you could convince to risk their own reputations by swearing for you! This system worked surprisingly well in small communities where everyone knew everyone else's character.
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