Trial by combat

[Sir Brian]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Le_Gris

Here is an interesting story relating to the last trial by combat in France sanctioned by the crown. 

[Joshua Santana]

Oh this is awesome!  1300's, even more awesome. 

Only sad part of it, is that Le Gris had to die with no chance of proving his innocence.  That would have helped earlier in the Court and certainly would help with Historians and Jurists of today.

I cannot help but to think that Le Gris's judicial duel in description does sound like a bout in full armor, first started on horseback, then with longswords, finally ended with daggers.

Thank you Sir Brian for sharing!

[Sir Edward]

Man, what a great story! The page notes the possibility of a film adaptation. That would be cool.

[Sir Brian]

Yeah I thought it would make an excellent movie as well, there was certainly enough doubts bandied about after the duel that he was innocent. Martin Scorsese could take it in so many different directions.

[Thorsteinn]

I read a book on that. When the guy told the story it was great, when it strayed into the realm of historian giving a thesis speech it wasn't.

On that topic: Aside from the 13th Warrior, and that scene in The War Gods Own, is their any good films or fiction books you could reccomend that would have a goos scene of Trial By Combat, Holmganga, or Einvigi?

[Sir William]

That was an engaging read...I know the actual spectacle would've been treated how we celebrate events like a championship bout.  I side with Carrouges...he and his wife had a lot to lose and they still stuck with their story. 

A film with a decent trial by combat depiction is Rob Roy; the characters played by Liam Neeson and Tim Roth engage in a seemingly realistic (until you think about what's actually being used here by the combatants, a rapier and Scottish basket-hilted broadsword) duel until the end, which is quite abrupt and more in line with how I view a duel of swords could end, sans Hollywood flash.

[Thorsteinn]

Yep. A great climax fight in a great movie!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27M5KWI_q50[/youtube]

[Sir Wolf]

[Sir Brian]

Ah yes one of the best cinematic duels of all time IMO! 

[Sir Patrick]

Agreed!  No trash-tlking or crazy moves, just two guys who hate each other hacking away!  Very much what you would expect in real life.

[Sir William]

You know Rob was telling himself 'you cannot lose to a fop, you cannot lose to a fop- you are a Scot' over and over again!

[Sir Brian]

So to summarize that Rob Roy movie duel:

Archibald: “I rape your wife!”
Rob Roy: “I end your miserable life”
 

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

I found the book, "The Last Duel" by Eric Jager to be a fascinating read and couldn`t put it down untill I had turned the last page.

G

[Sir William]

I'm putting this book on my Kindle list...man I love that thing.  Altho I still love my paper books, it is quite handy.

[Sir Edward]

So to summarize that Rob Roy movie duel:

Archibald: “I rape your wife!”
Rob Roy: “I end your miserable life”
 

It's almost a summary of the whole film. What's cool is that they worked some real martial techniques into the duel, if I recall. It's been a long time since I've seen it (and I'm not getting a chance to watch youtube stuff this week). I may have to add the film to my collection.