Judicial combat, also known as trial by combat, was a legal practice in medieval Europe where two parties in a dispute would settle their case through physical combat. This method was believed to allow divine intervention to determine the rightful party, as the victor was seen as having the favor of God. It was often used in cases where evidence was scarce or when one party challenged the other's claims. The practice was formalized in various legal systems, including those of England and Germany. Over time, judicial combat fell out of favor, largely replaced by more evidence-based legal proceedings. By the late medieval period, it was largely abolished, reflecting a shift towards a more rational approach to justice.