The offence wasn't private, and nor was there any question about who did it. They weren't concerned with why he did, only that he shouldn't have done it. So, I think that they didn't need witnesses.
You're right - we forgot Aedre altogether. Oh well.
As for the outcome, it came as much as surprise to me as it did to everyone else. I liked the decision. I don't think it was very humiliating. I think the fact the was tried by the eorl because he hit the eorl's daughter was fitting.
I agree, though, that Aedre does deserve some form of punisment.
Thanks for posting Groin...even if I did write back to refute all your arguments, I still liked hearing your opinion.
I just wanted to try to explain things, not so much as argue things.
-- Foley