A champion does not mean a winner, although that is how the word is often used. A champion takes the field ( the "champ" ) for someone else. Remember the story of the trial of Guinevere, from the Arthurian legends? Guinevere was accused of murder. Arthur, her husband, could not be her champion because as the king, he was to be her judge. Since Guinevere was accused of murdering one of the knights of the round table, no on wanted to be her champion. Finally Galahad, not much more than a boy, offered to take the field on Guinevere's behalf. If Guinevere's champion won the contest, it would prove her innocence. If he lost, she would be deemed guilty and be put to death--a "trial by combat". "Kid Galahad" won, and Guinevere was set free, by the prowess of her champion.
The philosophy behind the belief in "trial by combat" is simple, but not readily apparent. It was assumed that the winner had the favor of God, and therefore was not only stronger, or a better fighter, but right--as in "right makes might". If the contestant had been in the wrong, he would have lost, according to this philosophy, played out in uncountable movie westerns, gladiator films, and even war movies.
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