CHAMPION, a person who undertakes a combat in the place or cause of another; and sometimes it denotes one who fights a duel in his own cause. Champions properly were persons who fought instead of those who by custom were obliged to accept the duel, but had a just excuse for dispensing with it, as being too old or infirm, &c. Such causes as could not be decided by the course of common law were often tried by single combat; and the victor was always reputed to have justice on his side. Trial by wager of battle was suppressed by St Louis in 1270.