In 'Superstition and Force', author Henry Charles Lea explores the history of jurisprudence and its relationship to civilization. Through an investigation of laws and customs used to settle disputes, Lea sheds light on the development of human society from primitive times to the Enlightenment era. Lea examines the strange mysteries of the human mind that led to the use of compurgation, the wager of battle, the ordeal, and ultimately, torture. This edition includes new insights into the origins of superstitions and their slow disappearance, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the history of law and human psychology.