a history of dueling

[rm]

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/books/2007/03/12/070312crbo_books_krystal?printable=true

Duelling is an anachronism, of course. This is true because it may still crop up. In 1954, Ernest Hemingway was challenged to a duel in Cuba, but declined. In 1967, two French politicians literally crossed swords in Neuilly. And four years ago a Peruvian legislator challenged his nation’s Vice-President to meet him on a beach near Lima. No one anticipates such shenanigans at Buckingham Palace, but the Queen, as it happens, still retains an official champion who stands ready to challenge anyone who disputes her sovereignty.

Comments

[spiralflames.livejournal.com]

thought of you immediately when i read the article and was going to bring it to your attention, but KNEW you'd get to it :-D

[rm.livejournal.com]

My desire to research this matter of the Queen's champion and write an odd little short story about the fellow who trains to do a job that will never be done, is, at the moment, immense.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

That the Queen still has a champion is kind of the most awesome thing ever.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

The House of Commons has lines on the floor which neither party may cross, forming a wide aisle across the commons. The lines are there because they are the length of a drawn sword and arm; it's to keep the political parties from stabbing each other.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

And I can't help but mention that I challenged someone to a duel with wooden bokken, some years ago; he was a sexist jerk, and I thought a duel was a language he might understand, not to mention point out the level of silliness to which things had risen. ("Oh, I don't doubt your courage - you're like a librarian with the heart of a lioness - but you might get hurt" was the reply. Grr.) I suppose I should also mention that this was social drama connected with a Vampire live-action roleplaying game, for extra drama wangstery points. Out of character but at least as ridiculous - I wore leggings under a ballgown skirt for the game, and whipped off the skirt for the sword fight, after throwing a glove down at the feet of the opponent - for various reasons, someone else took up the sword on his behalf, and I think we went 2-3 in his favor in the end. It was a good fight, and boy was it ridiculous.

[themacguffin.livejournal.com]

I just watched the I Love Lucy episode where Ricky and the french acting coach get into a duel over Lucy...