Duels have been fought for hundreds of years for a variety of reasons with a multitude of weapons. With today being St. Valentine's Day, we are going to take a look back into the pages of history where people hurled insults, hauled out swords, or came armed with pistols in order to prove a point in the name of love. Here are five examples of duels that were fought over matters of the heart (and a healthy dose of pride, too).
Of Poets & Pistols
19th century painting depicting the duel between Alexander Pushkin & George d'Anthès
It has often been said that poets and artists can be some of the most passionate people and Alexander Pushkin of Russia was no exception. Pushkin was married to the Russian beauty Natalya and his wife’s charm and good looks were noticed by many -- including the French military officer and politician George d’Anthès.
Alexander Pushkin was used to other men pursuing his very flirtatious and beautiful wife, but George d’Anthès aggressively courted her in a way that really got under the famous poet’s skin. This went on for years and in 1837 the French officer wed Natalya’s sister -- many believed as a means to dispel any rumours of an affair -- yet even this act did not quell Pushkin’s anger towards d’Anthès.
Just a few weeks after the wedding, Pushkin and George d’Anthès met to settle the matter once and for all with a duel. This would not be the first duel for either of these men, but it would be one of their last. The Frenchman fired first and managed to mortally wound the Russian poet in the stomach. However, Pushkin -- despite his injury -- managed to rise and fire a shot into d’Anthès’ arm, wounding the officer. One of the last things the famous poet Alexander Pushkin would ever write would be from his deathbed as he pardoned George d’Anthès of any wrongdoing.
The Ladies Who Were Both Lovers & Fighters
Jose de Riberta's famous painting of the duel between Isabella de Carazzi and Diambra de Pettinella
In a time when duels were often fought by men for a lady’s affection, these two women decided to switch the gender roles of the 16th century around. Isabella de Carazzi and Diambra de Pettinella had a very public duel in Naples, 1552 over the the highly sought-after bachelor Fabio de Zeresola. Apparently, Fabio had been romancing both women and when they found out that they shared a common lover, the only way to settle the matter was to draw their swords.
The outcome of the duel was never recorded, which was odd considering the event was such a huge public draw at the time and the popularity of the story was on the tongues of gossips for years to follow. The duel was also made famous by Spanish artist Jose de Riberta and immortalized in his famous painting “Duelo de Mujeres” (“Duel of Women”) in 1636.
One for Love, Two for Honour
Elizabeth Ann Linley inspired the duel between Richard Brinsley Sheridan & Thomas Matthews
Yet another poet (and playwright), Richard Brinsley Sheridan fought a duel over a newspaper article that was written about his love, Elizabeth Ann Linley, by Captain Thomas Matthews. The Irish poet ended up having to fight for his lady’s honour not once, but twice!
The first duel between Sheridan and Matthews was fought in London. They first opted for Hyde Park (a very famous spot for other well-known duels) but seeing the grounds were too crowded, the men then ventured to another location. The first duel was over very quickly and without bloodshed when Captain Matthews lost his sword and subsequently had to beg the Irish playwright for his life. Matthews also had to sign a retraction for the unkind article he had written about the lady Elizabeth. When his apology was made public -- as well as the embarrassing circumstances of his defeat -- Thomas Matthews decided to challenge Richard Sheridan to yet another duel.
The second duel could not have been more unlike the first. It was a long and bloody battle where both men broke their swords yet carried on fighting despite this and despite their both being wounded. Sheridan received the most brutal of the injuries and had to be carried off the field. It was reported that the poet’s face had been beaten to a pulp by the hilt of Matthews’ sword, his body was covered in open wounds and bruises, and part of his opponent’s broken sword was sticking through one of his ears. Meanwhile, Captain Matthews escaped in a carriage. Despite the gruesome defeat, and numerous injuries, Sheridan pulled through -- though the playwright might have something to say in regards to the whole “the pen is mightier than the sword” thing....
Broken Hearts & Broken Friendships
St. John's Newfoundland was the setting of the last duel fought in Canada
In August of 1867 St. John’s Newfoundland was not Canadian territory at the time -- but for the sake of this article I am going to say that this was the last duel to be fought on Canadian soil. Like so many duels, this one was also fought over the affections of a young lady.
When lifelong friends Mr. Dooley and Mr. Healey fell in love with the same woman, the two agreed that the only way to settle the matter was over pistols at dawn. Rumour has it that this bright idea of theirs was planned after spending an evening together during which more than a few alcoholic beverages had been consumed. When the morning of the duel was upon them, both men were less enthused about the idea than they had been in the midst of their heated argument from a few nights before (or conversely, a few beers ago). The love of a lady be damned -- these two men had been longtime companions and now they were going to meet and fire shots at each other.
When the men walked ten paces, turned and fired it was who Dooley hit the ground. Healey gasped, stricken with horror. Thinking he had killed his friend, Healey rushed over along with both of their seconds towards Dooley’s limp body. However, it turned out that Dooley had merely fainted. Healey was overcome with relief. Both Healey and Dooley’s seconds (who were longtime friends of the two) confessed that they had been worried about the outcome of the duel, and -- despite it being a major breach of proper dueling etiquette -- loaded each duelist's pistol with blanks. Having realized that the lady of their affections was not worth the life of a good friend, both parties decided that honour had been satisfied and everyone got to walk away with their lives.
From all of us at Academie Duello we wish you a happy Valentine's Day and hope that no duels need to be fought in the name of love -- or lust -- unless such a match is fought over a beer pong table, or by thumb-war!
Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques. Read more from Devon Boorman.