The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)

Spanning from the Norman conquest to the late eighteenth century, this volume traces the evolution of personal combat in Britain and Ireland. It examines how the brutal tradition of trial by battle was reshaped into a codified, often clandestine, practice, and it surveys the legal opinions and royal edicts that sought to curb it. The author weaves together statutes, court records, and contemporary commentary to show how duelling reflected shifting notions of honor, status, and authority.

Interlaced with the legal narrative are vivid accounts of the most memorable encounters—duels that pitted nobles against each other, physicians against rivals, and even politicians against their critics. Readers will meet figures such as a daring duke, a formidable fencing master, and a poet whose challenge sparked scandal. Through these stories the book reveals the social currents that fueled the phenomenon, offering a nuanced portrait of a world where reputation could be defended with sword or pistols before the practice finally fell out of favor.