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Tales of Love, Lead and Longswords: Dispatches from the World of Dueling


Dueling has a long history as a prescription for bruised egos, and while the practice was illegal in most places, dueling as a means of resolving disputes and restoring honour found a surprising degree of acceptance amongst elites across the world. The Watson has collected some of the strangest and spectacular stories borne of a duel, spanning centuries and several continents.

 

#1. Julie D'Aubigny

Julie D'Aubigny's life was truly unusual, especially given the time in which she lived. While a successful opera career and the burning down of a convent provide enough fodder for an entire article on her life, it was D'Aubigny's acumen with the sword that compelled us to include her here.

She was married off to an older noble at the age of 14, but life on the road would begin for her when the court fencing master, whom she had become involved with, killed a man during a duel, forcing both to flee. They would not stay together long; one of her lovers would be the son of the Duke of Luynes, into whose shoulder she plunged her sword during a duel after he insulted her penchant for wearing men's clothes. He would later apologize, and even after D'Aubigny had moved on to the Paris Opera in 1690 they would remain lifelong friends.

That brings up a final point about her; the bulk of her escapades while on the run from the law happened before she had even turned 20! One account from her later life tells of how she confronted a singer who had been berating some of her female colleagues at the Opera, challenging him to a duel. When he refused, she proceeded to beat him anyway, armed solely with a wooden stick. She'd pass away at the age of 33, but her short life was indeed a rich one.

#2 Abraham Lincoln

This duel was truly bizarre. In 1842 Lincoln, then a state legislator, was engaged in a heated debate over the seemingly mundane issue of banking. His eventual adversary was colleague James Shields, who took great offence to the tongue lashing he received in an editorial penned under pseudonym by Lincoln. Published in a Whig paper, the polemic ridiculed not only Shields's politics but also his supposed vanity and corruption. But unbeknownst to most, the author of the article's most pointed barbs was not Lincoln but rather his then-fiance, Mary Ann Todd.

Given Lincoln's "prairie lawyer" persona, his attempt to paint a contrasting portrait of Shields as self-indulgent was quite embarrassing for the congressman. Incensed, Shields became further enraged when he discovered it was his erstwhile rival who had written the "slanderous" piece. When his demand for a retraction was rebuffed, he would insist on a duel to take place in Missouri, where the practice remained legal.

Lincoln had little desire to actually duel Shields, but refusing a challenge was considered cowardly, rendering that option moot for an elected official with any semblance of ambition. While most duels by this time were conducted using flintlock pistols, rules dictated that the party who was challenged could choose the weapons to be used. Lincoln would write "I didn't want the fellow to kill me, which I think he would have done if we had selected pistols". Instead he opted for cavalry broadswords. Knowing that he possessed significant advantage in reach and height, there would be a plank between them that neither party could cross, instead striking over it at the other. By tilting the conditions so comically in his favour, he hoped Shields would abandon the duel.

But Shields had a reputation as being stubborn, and insisted on going forward. So both Lincoln and Shields would arrive in Missouri on September 22nd, with a seething Shields ready to kill or be killed. The duel itself would never commence however, thanks to two associates of Mary Ann Todd who interceded at the last minute at her behest, convincing Shields he was about to embark on a folly. The story doesn't end there though; Shields served as a Brigadier General in the Union Army, where he would hand famed General Stonewall Jackson his sole tactical defeat during the Battle of Kernstown. In recognition of his valour President Lincoln would, against the advice of his generals, nominate Shields for promotion to the rank of Major General. The nomination would ultimately be rejected, but the old rivals had buried old grievances.

#3 German Dueling Scars

Fencing became immensely popular during the late 19th century in Germany, especially amongst the children of the elite. Academic fencing, as it was called, differed significantly from fencing as we know it today. Sharp blades were employed, and it was less sport than fraternal activity; there were no winners, and little to no protective equipment was worn.

While academic fencing, also known as Mensur, was not strictly speaking considered dueling, its roots date back to the Reformation years, when the Germanic states were in a near-constant state of strife. Duels emerged as an attempt to regulate the violence that was commonplace during the period. By the time of renewed prosperity during unified Germany's early years, Mensur had become highly ritualized. It was believed that one could discern a person's character by watching them fight, because the best combatants were perceived as even-handed and fair in the face of danger.

Because combatants wore little protection, scarring was common. Much to the shock of foreign visitors to German university campuses, they were proudly displayed as badges of honour. Many prominent 19th and early 20th century German figures bore them as examples of their bravery, including several members of the Nazi party.

Despite this, Mensur would come under threat during the years of Nazi rule in Germany, with matches outlawed and fraternities disbanded. It would not end however as members continued to meet and practice in secret, despite attempts by the Gestapo to crack down on these underground meetings. Today Mensur still exists, notable for being the only Western variant of fencing to use live (sharp) blades. Something to keep in mind when you're thinking about picking up a new hobby, maybe?

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