"The Art of the Duel or Killing Each Other Like Civilised ,,," Topic

…Human Beings and Gentlemen…

"Even if such technology had existed in 1805, simply ignoring an insult was not as popular amongst the aristocratic bloods of Georgian Britain as its alternative: transfixing him on thirty-odd inches of Sheffield steel as if he were a newly collected butterfly.

For a myriad of reasons (chiefly the caution-dampening effect of testosterone) the gentlemen of that age were quick to take offense. Granted, by the early 19th century pistols had largely replaced swords as the weapon of choice, but this essay is restricted to affairs of honour settled with the blade.

That item was most often what we now term the small-sword or court sword, a wicked wasp's-sting of a thing, perhaps the best close-combat weapon ever designed. It weighed no more than a pound (an Elizabethan rapier weighs more than thrice that), boasted a speed and balance without peer, and could be thrust with ease completely through a human body…"
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Nice Read. thanks for posting

"Gouge and Bite, Pull Hair and Scratch": The Social Significance of Fighting in the Southern
Backcountry
PDF link
May I add: Yikes!

there really was not much civilized about it.

The last proper duel fought in the UK was fought in Glasgow University Union in 1899 between a Scot and an Italian, the Italian lost.

Glad you enjoyed the reading my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand