Chapter V: Institution of Chivalry and Duels

Origin of Chivalric Laws and Customs.--The Assumption of
Arms considered a Religious Rite.--Gallantry.--Union of Love and
Religion.--Institution of Knighthood.--Tilts and Tournaments.--Increase
of Duelling.--Degrading results of Chivalry.--Desperate
pranks of the Crusaders.--Massacre of the Albigenses.--Knighthood
becomes instrumental to Clerical or Military
Ambition.--The Dog of Our Lady.--Francis the First’s
Principle of Honour.--Giving the Lie.--First Chivalric Meeting.--Rules
and Regulations for the Management of Tournaments.--Tournaments
forbidden by the Clergy.--Edward the
First challenged by the Count de Chalons.--His joust with the
French Knights.--The petty Battle of Chalons.--Fatal Encounter
of Henry the Second of France with Count Montgomery.--Ferocity
and absurdity of these “Points of Honour.”--Deadly
Combat between two Spanish Captains at Ferrara.--“Beau
Combat” between M. de Bayard and Don Alonzo de
Soto Mayor.--Punctiliousness in taking Offence.--Object of
Tilts and Tournaments.--Injunction of the Dame des Belles
Cousines to Little Jean de Saintré.--“Love par Amours.”--Influence
of the Clergy.--Origin of the “Truce of God.”--The
Crusades under Godefroi de Bouillon.--Advantages held
out to the Crusaders.--Revolution in Property produced by the
Crusades.--Discovery of the Pandects of Justinian.--Introduction
of Civil Law 66

CHAPTER VI.

EARLY DUELLING IN FRANCE.

France the Classic Ground of Duelling.--Brantôme’s Rules
for Duellers.--Right of a Soldier to call out his Captain.--Opinions
of La Béraudière, Basnage, and Alciat.--Decorations
and button-hole Badges.--The Badge of Love.--Choice of
Arms.--Ancient modes of Fighting.--Fighting with sharp-pointed
daggers in front of the Helmet.--Fighting in Steel
Collars with pointed blades.--Privilege of the Offended to
choose his Arms.--Fighting in Armour.--State of Society in
France during the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries.--Introduction
of the Pistol 94

CHAPTER VII.

DUELLING IN FRANCE DURING THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

Effects of the Gasconading Challenge sent by Francis the
First to Charles the Fifth.--Duel between Chateauneuf and his
Guardian Lachesnaye.--Between the Nephew of Marshal St.
André and M. Matas.--Between a Roman Gentleman and the
Chevalier De Refuge.--Exploits of Baron de Vitaux, the Paragon
of France.--His Duel with Baron de Mittaud.--His Death.--Duel
between Caylus and D’Entragues.--Between Riberac
and Maugerin.--Between Schomberg and Livaret.--Introduction
of the custom of Seconds fighting with each other.--Murderous
Contests of Antoine de Clarmont.--Contest of six
against six 109

CHAPTER VIII.

DUELLING IN FRANCE DURING THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Edicts of Henry the Fourth against duelling.--Desperate
nature of these bloody feuds.--Combat between Joeilles and
Devese.--Celebrated Ruffians.--Trial of Skill between Lagarde
Valoise and Bazanez.--Battle of the Hats.--Pardons
for duelling.--Endeavours of Sully to check the practice.--Edict
of Blois.--“The point of honour.”--Refusal of M. de
Reuly to fight a duel 123

CHAPTER IX.

DUELLING DURING THE REIGN OF LOUIS THE THIRTEENTH.

Ferocity and absurdity of private rencontres during this
reign.--Fighting with knives.--Baron de Luz and his son
killed by the Chevalier de Guise.--Prohibitory edicts.--Anecdotes
by Lord Herbert of Cherbury.--Case of M. Mennon.--“C’est
Monsieur Balaguy!”--Quarrels for top-knots and
ribands.--Duel between the Prince de Chalais and the Count
of Pont Gibaut.--Excesses of “the golden youth of France.”--Conflict
between Boutteville and the Marquis de Beuvron.--Boutteville’s
execution 133