The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-19
RULERS DUELS.
EXAMPLES OF THE CODE OF HONOR AMONG
NATIONAL RULERS.

duels, says: Among the royal duelists of Eng
land, Edward the Third may be special.
mentioned. In 1349, while he was in France
lenged French knight on the field of battle
| The monarch was ''twice beaten to the
ground" The combat, however, was despe-
rate, and the knight finally was obliged tc
yield. Edward, admiring his bravery, placed
a string of jewels over his head and released
him without ransom. He had previously in
1920 challenged Philip of valois, King Of
France. This challenge was declined.
In 1897, Henry, afterward the Fourth, but
at that time Duke OF Hereford engaged in an
affair of honor with the Earl Marshal of En-
gland. They had arranged to settle per-
sonal difficulty according to the code. More
than ten thousand persons had assembled
upon the ground, when King Richard the
Second appeared, and putting an end to the
proceedings, sentenced the combatants to
Punishment Two years later Hereford sue
ceeded to the title Of Duke of Lancaster He
returned to England, and driving Richard
from the throne, was himself crowned king
of Orleans. He replied: 81 know of no pre-
cedent which offers thesexample of crowned
king entering the lists to fight q duel with
subject, however high the rank of that sub
ject may be-.
Richard the First Occur de Lion) chal-
lenged the Emperor of Cyprus while in battle
His challenge dismayed the foe, who fed and
left the field to Richard. Richard was chal-
lenged by Philip the Second of France Both
Kings, at the beginning of their quarrel, were
engaged in the Crusade. The English mon
arch accepted conditionally, bst Philip OBJ
jected to the terms desired. At the time of
this challenge War had been declared between
the two nations.
Richard the Second, at the time he claimed
the crown of France, offered to engage King
Charles as means of terminating their con-
troversy.
1t was the famous field of Bosworth that
Richard the Third engaged in single combat
with the Earl of Richmond. 1t is regarded
as, perhaps, fortunate for the Earl that in the
midst of the duel body OF troops appeared
and put an end to the life of the king. His
adversary succeeded him as Henry the
Seventh.
1t was in 1414 that Henry the Fifth, of Eu-
gland, claimed the French crown and chal-
lenged the Dauphin, who ridiculed the offer.
The Dauphin seems to have acted very much
in this matter as did King Philip of France,
III llJO. Wueu TluCc JOuu, WHO dItoTWdTu
became King of England, importuned him to
fight.
Henry the Fourth Of England, at the time
he invaded Scotland also treated with con-
tempt a similar proposal OF the Duke of Roth
say.
Going back, again, to 1866, it appears that
William the Conqueror was duelist. Before
The battle of Hastings he offered to fight with
Harold. The Saxon replied: "The God of
battles will soon be the arbiter of all our diff
ferences.' But in the conflict the Norman
triumphed, and the Saxon king was slain.
The Conquerer, later in life, engaged in
single combat with his own son. The duel.
if such it may be called took place on the
field where the two had met at the head of the
armies. The flther was dis
and wounded
Among other "stfairs of honor" in which
national rulers have been involved, it may be
mentioned that in 555 B. c., the King of Per-
;ia sought to end quarrel between himself
md the King of Assyra by means of duel.
1t was in the eghty-seventh year of Rome,
Turing the war with the Adams. that propo-
ition was made to refer the destiny OF both
peoples to duel to be fought with three
,ombatants on side. The plan was carried
'ut. On the Roman side were "the three
doratii;' on the Alban, "the three Curatii"
doratius was the only survivor, and he saved
Rome. His sister was in love with one of
he Curatii. She expressed such grief at his
leath that in fit of indignation the cham
Dion pierced her to the heart with his
word.
The Roman Emperor Manuel, in the yelfth |
century. was a noted duelist. and his combats
we're numerous.
In 1745, Ferdinand, King of Spain, chal-
enged Alfonso, of Portugal. His proposition
vas to enter the field with the entire armies, or
o engage each other in single combat. The
King of Portugal accepted upon certain con-
litions, but the purties did not meet.
In 1475, Macmillan, of Germany. fought
With French knight. This act put in peril |
he existence Of the royal house.
gCharles the Tenth, King Of France, while
,nown as Count d'Artos, was challenged by
he Duke Of Bourbon. The Duke, for offer
ng to fight, was banished to Chautily.
In connection with a review of these histor-
cal deeds of mistaken valor, it is interesting
D refer to the poetry of Shakespeare. The
ing of poets would seem to have fathomed
he thoughts of julius Caesar when challenged
y Marc Antony. Cesar, at the time was in
he midst of mighty and ambitious projects.
l am not aware that any person while hold
az the Office of President of the United
tates has engaged in duel. or offered or
ccepted challenge. In ITS George Wash
ngton was drawn into dueling inbroglio
trough Lafayette. The Marquis had chal-
epged the Earl Of Carlisle. The Earl during
be Revolution) was a Commissioner of Eng
md to the United States. His mission, in
onpection with others, was to effect a recon-
iliation between the two countries. The
(having failed in their Efforts
ave expression to certain remarks that were
onsidercd by French officers serving
congress as derogatory to France, and
.afayette,' +" in behalf of his country,
ent Carlisle challenge In doing so he OPP
osed the advice of Washington, who, in an
wer to a note from the Marquis, without
irectly condemning the practice of dueling,
resent various considerations against chal-
enge in that particular CASE The Elrl de-
lined to fight. In the same year Washing
on's name figured in connection with the
conway -Cadwalader duel. These men were
officers in the army of the revo-
1tion. 1t is said that Conway's support to
n intrigue to displace the COMMANDMENT
}hief gave rise to this duel. Conway, re-
ewing a wound which he believed to be
MORTAL addressed the following letter to