CAMP-fight, or KAMP-fight, in law writers, denotes the trial of a cause by duel, or a legal combat of two champions in the field, for decision of some controversy.
In the trial by camp-fight, the accuser was, with the peril of his own body, to prove the accused guilty; and by offering him his glove, to challenge him to this trial, which the other must either accept of, or acknowledge himself guilty of the crime whereof he was accused.
If it were a crime deserving death, the camp-fight was for life and death: if the offence deserved only imprisonment, the camp-fight was accomplished when one combatant had subdued the other, so as either to make him yield or take him prisoner. The accused had liberty to choose another to fight in his stead, but the accuser was obliged to perform it in his own person, and with equality of weapons. No women were permitted to be spectators, nor men under the age of thirteen. The priest and the people who looked on, were engaged silently in prayer, that the victory might fall to him who had right. None might cry, shriek, or give the least sign; which in some places was executed with so much strictness, that the executioner stood ready with an axe to cut off the right hand or foot of the party that should offend herein.
He that, being wounded, yielded himself, was at the other's mercy either to be killed or suffered to live. But if life were granted him, he was declared infamous by the judge, and disabled from ever bearing arms, or riding on horseback.