What is the difference between trial by ordeal and trial by combat?

Answer 1

A trial by ordeal was a primitive method of determining a person's guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under divine control; escape was usually taken as a sign of innocence. in England a woman accused of being a witch was tide to a chair which hung over a pond. She was lowered into the pond for a period of time. If she survived the ordeal she was let go. If she drowned it proved her to be a witch and was buried outside of church grounds.

Trial by combat was between an opposing enemy. Boxing could be classed as a combat. Anything where fighting took place between opposite forces or individuals.