The origin of this code, for me, comes from a book written
in 1841 by J. G. Millingen, M.D. F.R.S. called
The History of Duelling. Millingen
states the following : The French
admit three sorts of offences: 1st a simple offence; 2nd
an offence of an insulting nature; and 3rd an offence with personal
acts of violence. In these cases,
they have established the following rules; which, indeed, so long as duelling is
tolerated, may be considered most judicious, and such as should regulate the
arrangements of all quarrels.
Rule #1
If in the course of a discussion an offence is offered, the person who
has been offended is the injured party. If
this injury is followed by a blow, unquestionably the party that has been struck
is the injured one. To return one
blow by another of a more serious nature, - severely wounding, for instance,
after a slap in the face, - does not constitute the person who received the
second blow, however severe it may have been, the party originally insulted.
In this case, satisfaction may be demanded by the party that was first
struck. Such a case must be referred
to the chances of a meeting.
Rule #2 If
an insult follows an impolite expression, -if the aggressor considers himself
offended, or if the person who has received the insult, considers himself
insulted, -the case must also be referred to a meeting.
Rule #3
If in the course of a discussion, during which the rules of politeness
have not been transgressed, but in consequence of which, expressions have been
made use of, which induce one of the party to consider himself offended, the man
who demands satisfaction cannot be considered the aggressor, or the person who
gives it the offender. This case
must also be submitted to the trial of chance.
Rule #4
But if a man sends a message, without a sufficient cause, in this case he
becomes the aggressor: and the seconds, before they allow a meeting to take
place. Must insist upon a sufficient reason being manifestly shown.
Rule #5
A son may espouse the cause of his father, if he is too aged to resent an
insult, or if the age of the aggressor is of great disparity; but a son cannot
espouse the quarrel of his father if he has been the aggressor
Rule #6
There are offences of such a galling nature, that they may lead the
insulted party to have recourse to acts of violence.
Such acts ought invariably to be avoided, as they can only tend to a
mortal combat.
Rule #7
The offended party has the choice of arms.
Rule #8
When the offence has been of the a degrading nature, the offended has the
right to name both arms and duel.
Rule #9
When the offence has been attended by acts of violence, the offended party has the right to name his duel, his arms, the distance, and may insist
upon the aggressor not using his own arms, to which he may have become a custom
by practice; but in this case, the offended party must also use weapons in which
he is not practiced.
Rule #10
There
are only 3 legal arms: 1st,
the sword; 2nd, the sabre; 3rd, the pistol.
The sabre may be refused even by the aggressor, especially if he is
retired officer; but it may be always objected to by a civilian.
Rule
#11
When a challenge is sent,
or a meeting demanded, the parties have a mutual right to the name and address
of each other.
Rule #12
The parties should immediately after seek their seconds, sending to each
other the names and addresses of their seconds.
Rule #13
Honor can never be
compromised by the offending party admitting that they were in the wrong.
If the apology of the offending party is deemed sufficient by the seconds of the
offended; if the seconds express their satisfaction and are ready to affirm this
opinion in writing; or if the offender has tendered a written apology,
considered of a satisfactory nature;-in such a case, the party that offers to apologize
ceases to be the offender; and if his adversary persists, the arms must be
decided by drawing lots. However, no apology can be received after a
blow. An amicable arrangement of a quarrel should take place before the
parties meet on the ground, unless circumstances prevent a prior
interview. Howbeit, if when upon the ground, and even when armed, one of
the parties thinks proper to apologize, and the seconds of the offended party
are satisfied, it is only the party that tenders the apology upon whom any
future unfavorable reflections can be cast.
Rule #14
If
the seconds of the offending party come to the ground with an
apology, instead of bringing forward their principal, it is only to them that
blame can be attached, as the honor of their principal was placed in their
hands.
Rule #15
No challenge can be sent by
collective parties. If any body or society of men have received an insult,
they can only send an individual belonging to it to demand satisfaction. A
message collectively sent, may be refused; but the challenged party may select
an antagonist, or leave the nomination to chance.
Rule #16
All duels should take place during the forty-eight hours that have
succeeded the offence, unless it is otherwise stipulated by the seconds.
Rule #17
In a duel with pistol or saber, two seconds to each combatant are
indispensable: one will suffice when the sword is used.
Rule #18
It is the duty of the
seconds to decide upon the necessity of the duel, and to state their opinions to
their principals. After having consulted with them in such a manner as not
to allow any chance of avoiding a duel to escape, they must again meet, and
exert their best endeavors to settle the business amicably. If they fail
in this attempt, they must then decide upon arms, time, place, distance, and
mode of fighting; and at the same time they must endeavor to come to some
arrangement regarding any difficulties that might arise, when the parties are on
the ground.
Rule #19
Seconds are not witnesses;
and each second should have a witness.
Rule #20
No second, or witness,
shall become a principal on the spot. Any insult received by them
constitutes a fresh offence.
Rule #21
The seconds should not remain more than ten minutes on the ground without
a combat.
Rule #22
The seconds in a duel with swords, may request that the offended party
shall be allowed to ward off a lounge with the left hand. This, however,
may be refused by the seconds of the aggressor.
Rule #23
The seconds of the aggressor may, if they think proper, refuse to fire by
signal, if the aggressor had not struck his antagonist.
Rule #24
The seconds must determine whether the combatants in sword duels shall be
allowed to take breath.
Rule #25
The seconds will also decide (without acquainting their principals of
this decision), whether the parties are to be separated after the first
wound. In this arrangement, they will be guided by the nature of the
quarrel.
Rule #26
They will also decide whether a fencing glove, or any other article to
wrap round the hand, is to be allowed; a string, or a common glove, are always
allowed.
Rule #27
The seconds are never to let their principals know that they are of
opinion, that the nature of the insult received is such as to render a mortal
combat necessary.
Rule #28
The seconds may refuse the sword if the principal is unable to use it
from any infirmity, unless the offended party has received a personal injury.
Rule #29
The seconds of a person blind of one eye, may object to the pistol,
unless the aggressor had struck him.
Rule #30
The sword or saber may be declined by the seconds of a person with only
one leg or arm.
Rule #31
The seconds of a young man shall not allow him to fight an adversary
above sixty years of age, unless this adversary had struck him; and, in this
case, his challenge must be accepted in writing. His refusal to comply
with this rule is tantamount to a refusal to give satisfaction, and the young
man's honor is thereby satisfied.
Rule #32
If any unfair occurrence
takes place in a duel, it is the duty of the seconds to commit the circumstance
to paper, and follow it up before the competent tribunals, when they are bound
in honor to give true evidence.
Rule #33
It is the duty of seconds to separate the combatants the very moment that
the stipulated rules are transgressed.
Rule #34
A father, a brother, a son, or any relative in the first degree, cannot
serve as second, for or against his relative.
Rule #35
In sword duels, the seconds
will mark the standing spot of each combatant, leaving a distance of two feet
between the points of their weapons. The standing ground to be drawn for
by lots.
Rule #36
The swords must be measured to ascertain that they are of equal
length. In no instance must a sword with a sharp edge or a notch be
allowed.
Rule #37
The combatants will be requested to throw off their coats, and lay bare
their breasts, to show that they do not wear any defense that could ward off a
thrust. A refusal to submit to this proposal is to be considered a refusal
to fight.
Rule #38
The offended party can always use his own weapons, if they are considered
of a description fitting the combat. If, on comparing arms, the swords
should be found to differ, the choice must be decided by chance, unless the
disproportion is of a material nature.
Rule #39
When the hand is wrapped up
in a handkerchief, an end of it is not to be allowed to hang down: should the
party refuse to draw it up, the seconds may insist that he throws it off
altogether, and is only allowed a sword-knot. If fencing-gloves are
allowed, and one party declines their use, the other is not to be deprived of
them; but, if only one glove has been brought to the ground, it cannot be used.
Rule #40
When the combatants are on
the ground, the seconds are to explain to them all the stipulated arrangements,
that they may not deviate from them on the plea of ignorance. This being
done, the signal of the attack is given in the word "Go" (allez); but,
if before this signal, the parties have already crossed swords, the signal is
not necessary; but the first who advanced without it is liable to censure.
Rule #41
The seconds shall hold a sword or a cane, bearing the point downwards,
and, standing close to each combatant, be prepared to stop the combat the moment
that the rules agreed upon are transgressed.
Rule #42
Unless previously
stipulated, neither of the combatants shall be allowed to turn off the sword of
his adversary with the left hand: should a combatant persist in thus using his
left hand, the seconds of his adversary may insist that the hand shall be
confined behind his back.
Rule #43
In a sword duel, the
combatants are allowed to raise themselves, to stoop, to vault to the right or
to the left, and turn round each other.
Rule #44
When one of the combatants
exclaims that he is wounded, or that a wound is perceived by his second, the
combat is to be stopped; with the consent of the wounded man, the combat may be
renewed.
Rule #45
If the wounded man,
although the combat is ordered to be stopped, shall continue to press upon his
adversary with precipitation, this act is tantamount to his desire to continue
the conflict, but he must be stopped and reprimanded. If, under similar
circumstances, the combatant that is not wounded continues to press on his
antagonist, although ordered to stop by the seconds, he must immediately be
checked by them, and considered as having infringed the stipulated rules.
Rule #46
When a second raises his
sword or cane, it must be considered as the signal to stop; in such cases, the
other second shall cry out "Stop," when the parties must recede one
step, still remaining in guard.
Rule #47
In pistol duels the nearest distance should be fifteen paces.
The sight of the pistol should be fixed, and not more than fifteen lines
difference be allowed in the length of the barrel:
it is also desirable that the barrel should not be rifled, and that the
pistols should be of a similar description.
Rule #48
The stand of each combatant to be decided by lot.
Rule #49
It is desirable that the same pair of pistols be used by both parties.
Rule #50
The seconds shall load the pistols with the most scrupulous care, and in
the presence of each other. If one
pair of pistols is used, each second will use a similar charge, by allowing the
other to try the charge with a ram-rod, or by loading in the presence of four
witnesses.
Rule #51
The combatants must be placed on the ground by their respective seconds;
if thirty-five paces have been fixed upon, the offended party has a right to the
first fire; if only fifteen paces are marked, the first fire must be decided
drawing lots.
Rule #52
The seconds have a right to ascertain that the principles do not carry
any defense about their persons. A
refusal to submit to this examination is to be considered as a refusal to fight.
Rule #53
The seconds of both parties shall stand together; having taken their
ground, they first command, “Make ready,” which is followed by the word
“Fire.”
Rule #54
A miss-fire is considered a shot, unless stipulation to the contrary has
been made.
Rule #55
If one of the party is wounded, he may fire upon his antagonist, but not
after the expiration of two minutes.
Rule #56
When both parties have fired without effect, the pistols are to be
reloaded in the same manner as before.
Rule #57
In the pistol duel a volonte, the seconds are to mark out the
ground, at a distance of thirty-five to forty paces; two lines are then to be
traced between these two distances, leaving an interval of from twenty to
fifteen paces. Thus each combatant
can advance ten paces.
Rule #58
The ground being taken, one of the seconds, drawn by lot, gives the word
‘March”
Rule #59
The combatants then advance upon each other, if they think proper,
holding their pistols vertically while advancing; but they may level the weapons
and take aim on halting, although they may not fire at the time, but continue to
march on unto the line of separation marked with a cane or a handkerchief, where
they must stop and fire. But,
although one of the parties may thus advance to the limits, his antagonist is
not obliged to move on, whether he has received the fire of his antagonist, or
reserved his own.
Rule #60
The moment one of the combatants has fired, he must halt upon the spot,
and stand firmly to receive the fire of his adversary, who is not, however,
allowed more than one minute to advance and fire, or to fire from the ground he
stands on.
Rule #61
The wounded party is allowed one minute to fire upon his antagonist from
the moment he is hit; but if he has fallen on the ground, he will be allowed two
minutes to recover.
Rule #62
In this form of duel, a pair of pistols may be allowed each combatant;
but this is only allowed when one of the parties has received a blow.
In these cases, a pistol of a different pair is to be given to each
combatant. The affair cannot be
considered terminated, unless the four pistols have been discharged.
Rule #63
When four pistols are used, if one of the party is wounded, the contest
must cease, and the wounded man not be allowed to fire, as it is evident that
the antagonist, who might remain with a loaded pistol, would have an unfair
advantage over him in a cool deliberate fire.
Rule #64
When one of the parties is wounded, the affair must be considered ended,
even though the wounded party should express his wish to proceed, unless the
seconds consider him in a fit state to continue the combat.
Rule #65
In the pistol duel called a marche interrompue, a distance of forty-five or fifty paces is measured, and two lines are traced and marked
between the distance of fifteen to twenty paces.
Thus the combatants may advance fifteen paces.
Rule #66
On the word “March” the combatants may advance in a zigzag
step, not exceeding two paces. They
may take aim without firing; and while advancing stop when they choose, and
advance again; but once having fired, both parties must halt on the spot.
Rule #67
The combatant who has not fired, may now fire, but without advancing; and
the party who has fired, must firmly stand the fire of his antagonist, who for
that purpose is allowed half a minute; if he allows a longer time to elapse, he
must be disarmed by the seconds.
Rule #68
In the pistol duel, called a ligne parallele, two parallel lines
are traced by the seconds fifteen paces from each other, and from thirty-five to
twenty-five paces in length.
Rule #69
The combatants are placed at the extremity of each line, fronting each
other.
Rule #70
The seconds stand behind their principals in a situation that may not
expose them to the fire of the parties. The
signal is given by the word “March.”
Rule #71
The combatants then advance, not upon each other, but in the direction of
the line that has been traced for them; and, therefore, whether one of the
adversaries has advanced or not, he will find himself placed at fifteen paces
from the other.
Rule #72
The champion who fires must stop; but he may halt without firing, take
aim, and continue to advance.
Rule #73
In the pistol duel called au signal, the signal is to be given by
the second of the offended party by three claps on the hand, three seconds being
counted between each clap, which will take up nine seconds; or two seconds,
which will take up six seconds. In
other cases, the seconds draw lots for giving the signal.
Rule #74
The combatants, when they have received their arms, are to walk, but keep
the muzzles of the pistols pointing to the ground; at the first signal they will
raise their arms, take aim at the second signal, and fire simultaneously at the
third.
Rule #75
If one of the combatants fires before the third signal, or half a second
after it, he is to be considered as a dishonorable man, and, if his antagonist
is killed, an assassin; and if he fires before the signal without effect, his
opponent has a right to take as much time as he thinks proper to level at him
and shoot him.
Rule #76
If one of the parties has fired agreeably to the stipulated signal, and
his antagonist has dishonorably reserved his fire, it is the duty of the seconds,
at all risk and peril, to rush upon him and disarm him.
In this case, the party who had observed the rules has a right to demand
another duel of a different form.
Rule #77
The second who is to give the signal, should warn the combatants of the
nature of the signal, in a loud and audible voice, in the following words:
“Recollect, gentlemen, that honor demands that you should only fire upon the
third signal being given; that you are not to raise your arm until the first
signal, and not to fire until the third. I
am now going to give the signals, which will consist of three claps on the
hand.”
Rule #78
In the duel with sabers,
the seconds should endeavor to have it fought with short sabers, these arms
being less fatal than the long ones.
Rule #79
The ground taken, the antagonists are to be placed opposite each other,
at the distance of one foot from their saber points.
Rule #80
In general these duels are
fought with cuff-gloves; but, otherwise, the parties may wrap a handkerchief
round their hand and wrist, provided that no end is allowed to hang down.
Rule #81
In regiments, the
regimental saber is to be the arm selected, provided that they are of the same
length, and mounted in the same manner. The same precautionary steps are
to be adopted as in a sword duel, to ascertain that no defense is worn by either
party.
Rule #82
The signal of "Allez" (Go) having been given, the combatants
advance on each other, and either give point or cut, vaulting, advancing, or
retreating at pleasure.
Rule #83
To strike an adversary when
disarmed, to seize his arm, his body, or his weapon, is a foul proceeding.
A combatant is disarmed when his saber is either wrenched from him or dropped.
Rule #84
In saber duels in which the
point of the arm is not to be used, sabers without a point are to be
chosen. To give point and kill an adversary by the infringement of this
rule, is to be considered an assassination. These duels should always be
considered terminated on the first loss of blood.
Millingen goes on to say that in many instances the French place the
combatants back to back, to face about and fire at the given signal.
He also says that occasionally French duels were fought with only one
loaded pistol. The preceding rules,
according to Millingen, had been sanctioned by twenty-five General Officers,
eleven Peers of France, fifty Officers of rank, and The Minister of War.
