from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
WAGER OF BATTEL. A superstitious mode of trial which till lately disgraced
the English law.
2. The last case of this kind was commenced in the year 1817, but not
proceeded in to judgment; and at the next session of the British parliament
an act was passed to abolish appeals of murder, treason, felony or other
offences, and wager of battel, or joining issue or trial by battel in writs
of right. 59 Geo. III. c. 46. For the history of this species of trial the
reader is referred to 4 Bl. Com. 347; 3 Bl. Com. 337; Encyclopedie, Gage de
Bataille; Steph. Pl. 122, and App. note 35.