let us look at the word 'Duel' the Concise Oxford Dictionary, the "go to" in English speaking countrys, I don't know whether it is in the USA, states
"Fight with deadly weapons between two persons, in the presence of two seconds, to settle a quarrel."
The seconds were there to make sure nobody fired before the time, only going 9 paces instead of the full 10 for example. They could report on the so called fairness of the murder.
This would tend to take out your example. "the duel itself can be anything from physical combat to a quiet game of chess." I think you were mixing the word competition with duel. Possibly to make your point, but by doing so ruined the whole piece.
In your reply you called 'Billy the Kid' a murderer, but. both men were armed with similar weapons, they had a quarrel. it was an agreement that both men went for their guns at the same time, there were witnesses, they fought a duel. Billy walked away. Might was right.
Was the practice of dueling ever legal in any country? or was it the aristocrats that flaunted the law for their own purpose, and if caught used the 'self defense clause' to escape. Also the quickness and lack of thought that a duel could be called. a swipe at the face of your opposition with an empty glove, and it was all on.
The have nots had to have a larger degree of moderation , no access to weapons, unable to have a 'high manner' or 'Honour' aka Pride. [also no gloves]. therefor history doesn't record them dueling.
You are viewing a single comment's thread from: