Dueling

[Jim Nickles]

Todd,
Wasn't Donald Bane one of the Scottish swordmasters reprinted in Highland Swordsmanship? Of which I desperately want a copy to get in touch w/ Scottish ancestry. Bengte, I don't know about you, but I wish King Frode's law applied over here,it would sure put a major kibosh on all these frivolous lawsuits we have.It might do a lot to improve the "moral quality" of lawyers in general, as you don't slander a victim when you may be facing him/her with rapier and dagger.

Jim Nickles

[BengtAbrahamsson]

Jim,
Well,the law also suggests that skilled fighters abused their ability.But you are right,there were not many lawyers around back then. <img src="/forum/images/icons/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[John_Clements]

Bengt,
Where is this King's duelling material from?
Can you please supply us the full text and translation, or rellevant parts? it's fascinating and I've never run across it before, though I know Saxo.
Thanks.

JC

[Scott Anderson]

All I really know about duelling, and I'll admit it's mostly hearsay, has to do with the seconds. This being that the seconds had two primary duties involving the duel.
1- They were first to try to work out an apology so delicatly phrased that both duelists were satisfied. and
2- Failing to avoide a fight, to arrange all the little details, location, weapons, surgeon, etc.

Because of the first item I have heard that certain people were forbidden from being a second. Followers of Islam because they would enjoy seeing christian blood spilled, and Irishmen as would never even think of stopping a good fight.

If I could I would add documentation of this, but I don't remember any of the half dozen places I've encountered this concept over the last 20 years.

SPA

[BengtAbrahamsson]

John,
It's from a Swedish book about Vikings.Print on demand,so it's not available in English.
The book has the original latin text,if you're interested in that.
It's not very long.

BTW,nice article on you in the Swedish Fighter Magazine.
Bengt
EHCG

[John_Clements]

Yes, I would very much like the latin if you could send it please.

The Swedish mag looked very good. Thanks.

JC

[Jamie Fellrath]

Todd (and all),

The History Channel's <B>Conquest</B> is featuring a show on dueling tonight at 10:30 ET. Here's the show description for those interested:

<blockquote>
<B>The Duel</B>
With actor and fight master Peter Woodward as guide, we see how the duel developed from trial by combat. The duel of honor was always the gentleman's recourse against slander and insult--in the 16th century, the duel had become epidemic, with half of Europe's nobility injured or killed! Our team investigates the intricate laws of dueling, and in an arranged duel, two team members face off with blunt weapons and eyeguards. We also look at some famous historical duels and the variety of weapons used. TV PG </blockquote>

Hope this interests everyone... this show has so far been VERY well done IMHO.

[Guest]

"Our team investigates the intricate laws of dueling, and in an arranged duel, two team members face off with blunt weapons and eyeguards."

My thoughts are no one can truly investigate a duel unless actually fighting in a real one using historically accurate arms. Mr Woodward is a fine actor but the producers of "Conquest" should have conducted more research on subject matter of ancient arms and armor. A lot of what they show is very misleading to the public and brings about more misconceptions in the use of ancient arms. Before they even started picking up weapons, such as the sword, they should have researched the fechtmeisters and the wards. This would have shown the public where these fighting arts emerged from and how the soldier of the middle ages and the street fighter of the renaissance learned how to fight using these weapons and who taught them.

Todd