Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-09-24
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The Kings
ScapegOat
An Account Of q Duel Fought
In the Sixteenth Century.


This story Is more than u story. II
10 a historical account Of duel that
occurred 400 years ago and fine H.
lustration of the difference between
the method OF settling affairs Of hon
or among men In the olden time and
the beginning OF the nineteenth cen
fury, when mortal combat to settle diff
flculties between individuals may be
said to have received It's quietus in the
new world In the death Of Alexander
Hamilton at tho hands Of Aaron Burr. ]
How comes It, Guichot that you
are able to make 80 brave show with
the revenues which you have, for
know that they are not excesslveT
The question was asked Of Guy Cha.
bot Sieur de Jarnac by the dauphin,
who afterward became Henry H., king
Of France.
Jarnac, embarrassed at such II Ques-
ton, was unfortunate In the choice Of
words used In his reply He said that
his stepmother kept him, giving him
everything he required. Henry DELHI
erately misconstrued the statement
and reported to members Of the court
that Jarnac had boosted Of love af.
fair with his stepmother.
Mortified, indignant at such an ac-
cusation, the young man publicly de-
clared that whoever had made the as
sertion was "a malicious villain and
had wickedly lied" Then, Fastening
to his fathers chateau, he threw him.
self ut his feet and protested that he
was innocent Of the charge. Having
convinced his father, no returned to
court intent upon avenging the injury
done him.
The dauphin found himself In very
unpleasant position. When princes err
there must he u scapegoat Francis
VlvOwne, Sieur dc Chatagnerie, cour
tier In favor both with King Francis
and the dauphln, young warrior OF
great prOwess, though n friend Of Jar
nae, seeing that he would confer a
great favor on the future king by do
Ing 80, took up the quarrel In his be
half, declaring that 1t was to him and
him alone that Jarnac had made his
boast.
Duels Mt this time were part OF tho
feudal tradition and law Of France,
requiring the consent OF tho king
Francis referred tho matter to the
privy council, which after long debate
hak 80. n.h
be refused. But no sooner had the
king died and the dauphin assembled
the throne than Chatagnerie addressed
letter to the new king, repeating his
accusation, whereupOn Jarnac made
a request that the duel be permitted to
take place. The king consented, and
arrangements for the contest were
forthwith made.
Chntagnerie was twenty-six years
old, while his adversary was thirty six.
The former was also OF great strength
and very ready with his sword. He
was continually boosting Of his feats
OF arms and ever ready to pick u quar-
rel In short, he was Just the man 10
vindicate his royal master In his con
temptible charge.
At that time the same rule OF the
code. TINT the challenged party should
have the choice of arms, existed as 1t
has since. Jarnac had accused his ad-
vers0ry Of II lie and had been chnlleng-
ed; therefore he was permitted to fight
In any way no pleased Upon the nd
vice OF his fencing muster he demand
ell the heavy armOr and long double
edged swords IN vogue n century be
fore. The reason for this was that his
opponent hnd been wounded IN baltic
In the right arm and had never re-
gained perfect use Of It, and the
heavy Iron gauntlet and sword would
naturally hamper the movements OF
this arm. Chatagnerle's great strength
gave him an advantage In closing with
his enemy. downing him and stnbbing
him while PROSTATE. The nrmor IN this
case would be to his disadvantage.
Jarnac also stipulated for heavy
shields, which would be an advantage
to the wenker party who would nat
urally be on the defensive.
Chatngneric seemed to have no fear
whatever Of making nm easy conquest
" his adversary. Az he was accus-
toned TO boast Of the deeds he had
performed, he now boosted OF the deed
he wns about TO perform. He ordered
n banquet TO be served In his tent on
the field. to which he invited tho court
TO celebrate his victory.
Naturally the affair was the sensa-
ton OF the day. TIE c0urtiers were
largely on the side Of the kings scape-
goat. and Henry did not deny that his
own sympathlos we're with Chata-
gnerie. The provincial nobility, Of
whom the Jnrnac family were mem
bers, regarded Jarnac AZ the defender
Of their honor and looked upon him as
their champion. Ono Of the powerful
Gulse family was TO act as second for
the royal scnpegoat. and the Duke dc
Vendome Of rival family 10 the
Guises asked the kings permission 10
act for Jarnac. He was refused and, dis.
gusted at the kings favOritism, with
drew, followed by the other princes
Of the blood. The constable Of France
then filed the position.
The king having announced his IN.
tentlon 10 preside at tho encounter, the
constable made arrangements IN nc-
cordancc with the dignity OF the occa.
sion. The field having been selected, n
space for the combat was marked out