Oath helper

The compurgators (also: Eidhelfer - lat . Coniurator ) was named the high medieval process by the parties to the credibility of their own arguments by the insurance company about the reputation to confirm just by the oath helpers. An investigation of the facts in the sense of factual evidence did not take place by the oath helper. Rather, it merely testified to the party's “good reputation”. As a rule, not just one oath, but rather several oaths, usually six. Up to 36 oathsides could be named per party.

The oath assistants - usually relatives - swore that they believed the party's statements to be true. If doubts remained in spite of the oaths, or if no doubts could be found, either a duel between the parties or so-called divine judgments (acid test, etc.) ensued .

With the rediscovery of Roman (and canonical) law, the oath was ousted from the process. Instead, the witness was given real evidence .