Dueling Dudettes: Five Stories of Badass Women from History

History has its share of colorful duels between men, but they weren’t the only ones hurling insults, drawing swords, or trying to make new orifices in their enemies with pistols. Here are five stories of badass women who refused to let men have all the dueling fun.

1. Hyde Park Pistol Duel (1792, London)

Mrs. Elphinstone made a critical error in etiquette when she insulted Lady Braddock’s appearance during a visit. The comment - suggesting Lady Braddock’s youthful beauty had faded - lacked both taste and class.

Lady Braddock was not the type to simply write a scathing letter. She demanded satisfaction.

The encounter began in Hyde Park with pistols. Mrs. Elphinstone fired first and managed to strike Lady Braddock’s hat - close, but not close enough. The combatants then took up swords. Lady Braddock wounded her opponent’s arm, ending the affair and claiming victory.

Mrs. Elphinstone subsequently penned an apology letter. Her insult had cost her blood.

2. The Duel for a Bachelor’s Heart (1552, Naples)

Isabella de Carazzi and Diambra de Pettinella reversed the usual gender roles of the 16th century when they dueled publicly in Naples over a sought-after bachelor named Fabio de Zeresola.

In an era when men typically fought duels for a lady’s affection, these two women chose to settle matters themselves. Their public confrontation generated considerable gossip throughout Naples, though the duel’s outcome was never recorded.

Spanish artist Jose de Riberta immortalized the encounter in his 1636 painting “Duelo de Mujeres” - proof that their story captured imaginations for generations.

3. The Waterloo Field Duel (1886)

Madame Astie de Valsayre and American visitor Miss Shelby clashed over the merits of French versus American physicians. When Miss Shelby called Madame Valsayre “an idiot,” the insult could not stand unanswered.

The women met at the historic field of Waterloo to settle their medical disagreement. Miss Shelby was wounded in the encounter - though Madame Valsayre later praised “the conduct of the fair American.”

Medical professionals, it seems, take their national pride seriously.

4. The Nun Lieutenant (Early 1600s)

Catalina de Erauso’s story sounds like fiction, but she lived every word of it. Abandoning convent life as a teenager, she disguised herself as a man, adopted the name Francisco de Loyola, and enlisted in the Spanish Army.

Known as “La Monja Alferez” (The Nun Lieutenant), she fought numerous duels, participated in the Arauco War, and served with distinction - all without her own brother recognizing her when they served together.

When her true identity eventually emerged, the Pope himself granted her special permission to continue wearing male clothing. She later relocated to the Americas as Antonio de Erauso, working as a mule driver.

Her life proves that the most extraordinary sword fighters don’t always fit the expected mold.

5. The Flower Arrangement Duel (1892, Liechtenstein)

Princess Pauline Metternich and Countess Kielmannsegg made history in Vaduz by fighting what historians call the first “emancipated” duel - one in which all participants, including the seconds, were women.

The cause? A disagreement over a flower arrangement for an upcoming musical exhibition.

Both ladies sustained injuries: Princess Pauline received a cut to her nose while the Countess suffered a light arm wound. The flower arrangement’s ultimate fate was never recorded.

Some might call it petty. Others recognize that honor comes in many forms.