ON GENTLEMEN’S QUARRELS, 1685

[Imperium-Septimus 368]

 

ON GENTLEMEN’S QUARRELS, 1685

Issued and Confirmed by his Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Man, Aurelius of the House of Horen, 5th of Horen’s Calling, 1685.

 

TO ALL LOYAL SUBJECTS OF THE IMPERIAL CROWN,

 

In the lands of civilized men, it is not unexpected for some of these men to come to disagreements. Whether these be of opinion, politic, land or marital feuds, or simply the result of an abrasive and improper man’s acts, many a men of Empire has, at some time or another, felt the need to draw their blade on their peers. But the resolution of quarrels, regardless of cause, shall never be performed in the streets, for the common eye to see. Thus the well-educated, proper man of noble blood and birth shall look to the duel for resolution.

 

A morally acceptable duel shall start with the challenger issuing a traditional, public, and personal grievance, based on whatever has driven them to such a declaration, directly to the single person who offended the challenger who is of equal or lesser status. The challenged person has the choice of public apology, restitution, or refusal. Refusing peaceful resolution, the challenged individual has the right of choosing the weapons appropriate for the duel. The challenger shall then propose a place for the ‘field of honor’, the place where the duel shall occur. The field of honor shall always be private land, away from the eyes of the prying masses, and preferably shall either be on the lands of a neutral third-party or the Emperor’s. The challenged may either accept or propose an alternative, with just cause.

 

A challenged may only refuse if the challenge is not based on proper moral grounds, and then must seek alternate resolution. The Grand Knight or a person that he appoints must then mediate the feud and determine who is the correct party, and if the duel is rightfully refused.

 

At the field of honor, both challenger and challenged shall bring a medic or healer and seconds. The seconds shall try to reconcile the parties by acting as go-betweens to attempt to settle the dispute with an apology or restitution. If reconciliation succeeded, all parties shall consider the dispute to be honorably settled and return to their homes. Each side shall have at least one second, though three is the traditional number. To be a man’s second in a duel is a great honor and typically one given to close friends or allies.

 

Should one party fail to appear to the field of honor, he shall be accounted a coward. The appearing party will be considered the victor by default, and the seconds, assembled nobles, genty and the appointed arbitrator shall all bear witness of the cowardice. When using swords, the two parties shall start on opposite sides of a square twenty paces wide and twenty paces long. The square shall be marked at the corners, typically with dropped handkerchiefs. To leave the marked square is a show of cowardice.

 

The two opponents shall agree upon a condition to which to duel, first blood being the most common. Other conditions include dueling until either one party was physically unable to fight or the present medics call a halt to the fight.

 

When one grievously offended wishes to duel to the death of another man, the requested challenge must first be brought before the Emperor. Only with His Imperial Majesty’s express consent shall such a duel to the death occur.

 

After a duel is concluded the duelists must then shake hands, agreeing upon the offense or disagreement having been settled. They shall then depart on good terms, as it is dishonorable and undignified for the victor to slander or taunt the defeated or speak ill of him to others after a duel.

 

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In Nomine Dei,

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Aurelius I of the House of Horen, Emperor of Man, King of Renatus, Marna, Mardon, Salvus, Seventis, Savoy, Courland, and Norland, Duke of the Crownlands, Cascadia, Avar, and Frederica, Count of Carolustadt, Alamar, Frederica, Thesmer, Thelen, Lorath, and Cantal, Baron of Darkwood, Gravelhold, Fidei Defensor, Protector of the Heartlanders, Highlanders, Farfolk, etcetera.