PURGATION, in Law, signifies the clearing a person's
self of a crime of which he is suspected and accused be-
fore a judge. This purgation is either canonical or vul-
gar. Canonical purgation is prescribed by the canon-
law, and the form thereof in the spiritual court is usual-
ly thus: The person suspected takes his oath that he is
innocent of the crime charged against him; and at the
same time brings some of his neighbours to make oath
that they believe he swears truly. Vulgar purgation
was anciently by fire or water, or else by combat, and
was practised here till abolished by our canons. See
BATTLE, in law; ORDEAL, &c.