The origin for most copies of this code seems to come from
a book written in 1855 by Lorenzo Sabine called Notes on Duels and Duelling.
It is a fun book to read, but the author clearly states that they were
“the thirty-six commandments” he then proceeds to provide twenty-five of
them with two “Additional Galway Articles”.
I have not seen two sources that use the exact same wording or
punctuation. The following group of
rules is what Sabine published, and what I have seen referred to as “The
Code”. I have seen them referenced
as the twenty-six commandments? Further
research should turn up 10 more original Irish rules!
Rule #1
The first offence requires the first apology, though the retort may have been
more offensive than the insult. Example: A tells B he is impertinent, etc. B
retorts that he lies; yet A must make the first apology, because he gave the
first offence, and then (after one fire) B may explain away the retort by
subsequent apology.
Rule #2 But
if the parties would rather fight on, then, after two shots each (but in no case
before), B may explain first and A apologize afterwards.
The above rules apply to all cases of offences if retort not of stronger
class than the example.
Rule #3
If a doubt exists who gave the first offence, the decision rests with the
seconds. If they will not decide or cannot agree, the matter must proceed to two
shots, or to a hit if the challenger requires it.
Rule #4 When
the lie direct is the first offence, the aggressor must either beg pardon in
express terms, exchange two shots previous to apology, or three shots followed
by explanation, or fire on till a severe hit be received by one party or the
other.
Rule #5
As a blow is strictly prohibited under any circumstances amongst
gentlemen, no verbal apology can be received for such an insult. The
alternatives, therefore, are: The offender handing a cane to the injured party
to be used on his own back, at the same time begging pardon; firing until one or
both are disabled; or exchanging three shots and then begging pardon without the
proffer of the cane. If swords are
used, the parties engage until one is well blooded, disabled, or disarmed, or
until, after receiving a wound and blood being drawn, the aggressor asks pardon.
A disarm is considered the same as a disable.
The disarmer may (strictly) break his adversary’s sword, but if it be
the challenger who is disarmed it is considered ungenerous to do so.
In the case the challenged be disarmed and refuses to ask pardon or
atone, he must not be killed, as formerly; but the challenger may lay his own
sword on the aggressor’s shoulder, then break the aggressor’s sword, and say," I
spare your life!” The
challenged can never revive that quarrel,-the challenger may.
Rule #6
If A gives B the lie and B retorts by a blow (being the two greatest
offences), no reconciliation can take place till after two discharges each or a
severe hit, after which B may ask A's pardon for the blow, and then A may
explain simply for the lie, because a blow is never allowable, and the offence
of the lie, therefore, merges in it. Challenges for undivulged causes may be
reconciled on the ground after one shot. An explanation or the slightest hit
should be sufficient in such cases, because no personal offence transpired.
Rule #7
But no apology can be received in any case after the parties have
actually taken their ground without exchange of fires.
Rule #8
In the above case no challenger is obliged to divulge his cause of
challenge (if private) unless required by the challenged so to do before the
meeting.
Rule #9
All imputations of cheating at play, races, etc., to be considered
equivalent to a blow, but may be reconciled after one shot, on admitting their
falsehood and begging pardon publicly.
Rue #10
Any insult to a lady under a gentleman's care or protection is to be
considered as, by one degree, a greater offence than if given to the gentleman
personally, and to be regulated accordingly.
Rule #11
Offences originating or accruing from the support of ladies' reputations
are to be considered as less unjustifiable than any others of the same class,
and as admitting of slighter apologies by the aggressor. This is to be
determined by the circumstances of the case, but always favorably to the lady.
Rule #12
In simple unpremeditated
rencontres with the small-sword, or couteau-de-chasse, the rule is, first draw,
first sheathe, unless blood be drawn; then both sheathe and proceed to
investigate.
Rule #13
No dumb firing or firing in the air is admissible in any case. The
challenger ought not to have challenged without receiving offence, and the
challenged ought, if he gave offence, to have made an apology before he came on
the ground; therefore children's play must be dishonorable on one side or the
other, and is accordingly prohibited.
Rule #14
Seconds to be of equal rank in society with the principals they attend,
inasmuch as a second may either choose or chance to become a principal and
equality is indispensable.
Rule #15
Challenges are never to be delivered at night, unless the party to be
challenged intends leaving the place of offence before morning; for it is
desirable to avoid all hot-headed proceedings.
Rule #16
The challenged has the right to choose his own weapon, unless the
challenger gives his honour that he is no swordsman; after which, however, he
cannot decline any second species of weapon proposed by the challenged.
Rule #17
The challenged chooses his ground, the challenger chooses his distance;
the seconds fix the time and terms of firing.
Rule #18
The seconds load in the presence of each other, unless they give their
mutual honours that they have charged smooth and single, which should be held
sufficient.
Rule #19
Firing may be regulated, first by signal; secondly, by word of command;
or thirdly, at pleasure, - as may be agreeable to the parties. In the latter
case, the parties may fire at their reasonable leisure, but second presents and
rests are strictly prohibited.
Rule #20
In all cases a misfire is equivalent to a shot, and a snap or a non-cock
is to be considered a misfire.
Rule #21
Seconds are bound to attempt a reconciliation before the meeting takes
place, or after sufficient firing or hits, as specified.
Rule #22
Any wound sufficient to agitate the nerves and necessarily make the hand
shake, must end the business for that day.
Rule #23
If the cause of meeting be of such a nature that no apology or
explanation can or will be received, the challenged takes his ground and calls
on the challenger to proceed as he chooses. In such cases firing at pleasure is
the usual practice, but may be varied by agreement.
Rule #24
In slight cases the second hands his principal but one pistol; but in
gross cases two, holding another case ready charged in reserve.
Rule #25
Where the seconds disagree and resolve to exchange shots themselves, it
must be at the same time and at right angles with their principals.
If with swords, side by side, with five paces interval.
All
matters and doubts not herein mentioned will be explained and cleared up by
application to the Committee, who meet alternately at Clonmel and Galway at the
quarter sessions for that purpose.
Additional Galway
Articles
Rule #1
No Party can be allowed to bend his knee or cover his side with his left hand;
but may present at any level from the hip to the eye.
Rule #2
None can neither advance or retreat if the ground be measured. If no
ground be measured, either party may advance at his pleasure, even to the touch
of muzzles; but neither can advance on his adversary after the fire, unless the
adversary steps forward on him. The
seconds on both sides stand responsible for this last rule being strictly
observed, bad cases having occurred from neglecting of it.
Further research: I
have found Rule # 5 written as three different rules, Rule #25 written as two
rules one for pistols, one for swords.
Other rules found associated with 1776 Irish Code:
1) The sword shall in all cases be the default weapon of
choice, and the rapier is the default among swords.
2) Any other sword, such as saber, cutlass, katana, etc.,
must be by mutual agreement among the Seconds.
3) Any additional weapon, such as main gauche, buckler with
pike, wakizashi, etc., must be by mutual agreement among the Primaries.
4) In all cases a misfire is equivalent to a shot, and a
snap or non-cock is to be considered as a misfire.
5) The terms of Firing shall be regulated by signal from
the Presiding Officer. The signal
will be a single shot from the Presiding officer’s gun
6) If the degree of Offense is slight, reconciliation may
happen at this point (after first round of firing).
7) If the degree is gross, they must remain at station and
the armourer must reload all gun sets, then they will continue until Just
Resolution.
