Etiquette, Insults and Duels

“Prior to its demise a ‘Royal Code of Honor’ existed and was adhered to by dueling Principals and Seconds. The code stated, ‘No duel can be considered justifiable, which can be declined with honor, therefore, an appeal to arms should always be the last resource.’” according to historian, Geri Walton – Dueling is said to have thrived for nearly three hundred years, but it’s believed the practice ended in 1852, the year of the last recorded English duel. Dueling was outlawed in France in the 17th century, but it stopped very few men. It's estimated that between 1685 and 1716, French officers alone, fought in as many as 10,000 duels, which led to over 400 deaths. Dueling in the US was not uncommon in the West and South, even after 1859, when 18 states had outlawed the practice, but it became a thing of the past in the United States by the early 1900’s.

Defending One’s Honor

The much-talked-of duel between Prince Henry of Orleans and the Count of Turin was fought in Paris at 5 o'clock yesterday morning. It is of little interest to Americans whether the Frenchman or the Italian was the victor in this combat, but it shows conclusively that the matter was a more serious affair than the comments of the English press would imply.

The usual mode of dueling in France, which consists of using sharp-pointed florettes on which buttons are attached one and a half inches from the point, was entirely set aside and rapiers were used instead. Rapier and saber duels are considered in Europe, fully as dangerous as pistol duels, and it cannot, therefore, be said that this affair was anything but a mortal combat.

According to the Code of Honor acknowledged in all Continental armies, no officer of one array is allowed to say anything to a representative of the press detrimental to the honor of another army. Prince Henry, when making his famous criticism of the Italian army in Abyssinia, knew full well that he was committing a breach of etiquette which could not result in anything but a challenge from a representative from the insulted army.

The Italian honor having thus been vindicated, the little episo will be talked of for a few days in France and Italy, and then be entirely forgotten. That any international or even diplomatic controversy should arise from this affair is entirely out of the question, even if Prince Henry should be so unfortunate as to pay with his life for his indiscretion. – San Francisco Call, 1897

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Dueling Gents

“I cannot speak of the matter, for it would be contrary to French etiquette and custom.” — Guy de St. Brisson — Dueling tradition was at one point, deeply rooted in European culture. The gentlemen of the day, saw dueling as the aristocracy's perogative. French King, Louis XIII tried outlawing the deadly custom in 1626, with a law which remained in force forever afterwards, however the law seemed to have little affect. His successor to the throne tried as well. Louis XIV intensified efforts to end the practice. But dueling continued unabated. It's estimated that between 1685 and 1716, French officers alone, fought in as many as 10,000 duels, which led to over 400 deaths.

Promises Not to Violate the Laws of California
Changes Scene of Duel to His Beloved Paris

MATTERS in the controversy between Guy de St. Brisson and Ensign Rey, told of in The Call yesterday, have reached a new phase and no less than three nations are brought into the heated arguments that are in progress— the United States, France and Turkey. 

First of all it may be stated that M. Brisson has listened to, and heeded calm counsel and will allow his wrath against Ensign Rey to smolder until both parties shall have reached Paris, when Brisson will assuredly demand satisfaction from the naval officer.

When seen at the Lick House the very excellent Administrator of the Marquesas Islands had this to say:

"I cannot speak of the matter, for it would be contrary to French etiquette and custom. I appreciate that we, that is M. Rey and myself, are in a foreign land and it is my intention to do nothing here that would violate the law. However, when M. Rey is on French ground the matter, I assure you, will be different. I wait for that time."

"M. Rey feels, on his side, aggrieved because of your calling him a 'hog,'" was remarked to M. Brisson. "M. Rey! poof! poof! poof! I call him a hog! Ah! It is rediculous (sic). But when we meet in France, aha! When we meet in France, then — well, I have told you we shall see! I can say no more; It would be a breach of the etiquette of my country. Oh! that we should be on foreign soil!"

The Administrator of the Marquesas Islands, having excitedly given vent to his regrets, hastened to his rooms with fire in his eyes and anger in his heart. Ensign Rey on the other hand, was decidedly cool and collected throughout the day. He received many visitors and also went out visiting many places of interest.                        

“Dueling gentlemen” is an oxymoron — “A duel was indeed considered a necessary part of a young man’s education…When men had a glowing ambition to excel in all manner of feats and exercises they naturally conceived that manslaughter, in an honest way (that is, not knowing which would be slaughtered), was the most chivalrous and gentlemanly of all their accomplishments. No young fellow could finish his education till he had exchanged shots with some of his acquaintances. The first two qualifications always asked as to a young man’s respectability and qualifications, particularly when he proposed for a lady wife, were ‘What family is he of? And ‘Did he ever blaze?” -19th C. Irish Duelist

The gallant Ensign declares that he has no desire to fight and still cannot understand the cause he has given M. Brisson for so great an exhibition of anger. He will be in Paris about the same time the Administrator of the Marquesas Islands arrives there, but he has also determined to do nothing that might bring him within the pale of the laws of California.

But the affair has taken deeper root than was ever contemplated by those concerned in the proceedings, for the French Consul made no secret of his vexation over the matter. He has made his feelings known to the principals in the affair and suffers from the fear that the dispute in the United States, between an officer of the French navy and an official representing the French Government may bring ridicule upon that Government. 

Representative Frenchmen of the city, on the other hand, take issue with the French Consul and declare that he is wrong in supposing that the quarrel can possibly bring ridicule on his Government. There are Frenchmen, and M. Brisson is among the number, who declare that Captain Lawless of the Australia is to blame for not allowing the duel to take place aboard his ship, the point raised in support of their contention being the fact that the Australia, though an American vessel, was carrying French mail and flying a French flag, and, therefore, the parties to a duel would not, as they contend, under those circumstances, be amenable to the laws of the United States. 

Now comes the Imperial Consul General of Turkey in the controversy. One of the parties to the dispute waited upon that gentleman and begged that he accept the position of a second at the duel, which was expected to take place in the vicinity of Golden Gate Park yesterday morning. George Eli Hall, the Consul General, listened to all the arguments put forward to induce him to accept the position, but declined the honor with many thanks. 

The Consul General therefore may have to explain to his Majesty, the Sultan, even the innocent and unlooked for part he has played in the drama. The French Consul will, in the course of his duty, report the whole matter to his Government, the official position of the chief parties to the quarrel making such a proceeding necessary. — The San Francisco Call, 1902

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia