[1] Charters show Petrus Cantor as a man active in hearing cases, witnessing documents and participating in the business of the chapter of Notre Dame.
He produced many theological works dealing with topics such as sacraments, cannon law, and the equality of men in the absence of sin.
The clergy members in charge of the ordeal held a great amount of power over the results due to their ability to interpret the failure or success of the defendant.
[8] Given the subjectivity with which clergy members could interpret the results of the ordeal, it provided them the opportunity to exercise power over defendants without a proof of wrongdoing.
This is a major topic of concern within 12th century theology influencing theologians like Peter Chanter to argue against the trial by ordeal which was something effectively ended by the Fourth Lateran Council.
[11] Distinctiones Abel is a distinctions genre text completed by Peter the Chanter sometime between 1178-1188, prior to working on Verbum and Sacramentis.
[16] Summa de Sacramentis et Animae Consiliis was a scholastic style text based on Peter the Chanter's lectures.
The master rejects this before explaining the risk that the Jews use magic to elicit rain and that people loose faith in God is too great to accept such a wager.