I was conflicted about posting this video, so click the link below with the understanding that:
- I do not condone the behaviour of any person depicted or involved in the video
- I am posting this in order to discuss the historical precedent (below) and not for mere entertainment
- This video and portions reposted are already viral, so I don’t feel like I’m giving it undue publicity
- There is foul language used and real-world violence that you may not be comfortable with
http://theconcourse.deadspin.com/this-girl-fight-is-the-best-comedy-and-action-movie-of-1571846066
The fascinating thing is that these 15-year-olds have created their own code of duelling, and have no reason to refer to tradition or history of duels. Therefore, I’m not going to compare their traditions to ancient or modern codes, but to examine their behaviour in its own context. Let’s look at how strangely their fight mimics the general shape of sword and pistol duels, all but extinct from modern culture today.
Establish the Complaint
For a duel to be legitimate in any society, the complaint must be stated either verbally or in writing. In many codices of duelling, it was spelled out which offences were worthy of a duel, and who could challenge to a duel.
“By the way, before we even fight… I never even knew [him]; I just met him on the street. He told me to call you, and tell you that…”
The other girl interrupts with, “He said that you called him one day saying ‘If you want to f---, come to the park,’ and when he called me, I was like ‘hands up'.”
“No. I met him on the street out of nowhere and he told me to call you and tell you that I was his girlfriend. And so I did, and I’ve never seen him again. I never seen that kid again.”
Sadly, the dispute is over a boy. Although this is a banal reason to fight, the interesting aspect to observe is that the shorter girl completely ignores the other girl’s excuse. There is no discussion about the complaint, but we establish that there is a cause.
“This is like the most awkward fight”
“This is like most of the fights I’ve been in: we talk first.” And my interest was piqued, since this girl has resolved disputes with fisticuffs before, and they were preceded by a conversation each time.
In some rules of duelling, not only must the complaint be legitimate, but the two combatants must have an equal military rank or standing in society.
“When’s your birthday?”
“I’m about to turn fifteen”
“Alright, good, because I wasn’t about to fight a little… kid.”
Seconds
There were two other young women at the duel who were shooting video on their phones. The young man behind the camera seemed to be the only other person present.
The camera operator was mostly impartial in the proceedings, but in helping the injured girl at the end he was shown to be on her side. The two female onlookers seemed to be arbitrators, though one of them took the lead in that role. It was unclear whether they were antagonistic toward each other, or if they were invited by each side.
To invite a trustworthy friend to accompany you to a duel was a firm tradition in Europe. Each combatant would arrive to the field of battle with a “second”, and there would sometimes be an impartial administrator present as well. These helpers had many functions:
- Adjudicating rules infractions from each side
- Relaying messages between the two sides
- Acting as witnesses
The role of the witness was necessary, and each side would want their own witness for the sake of fairness. The entire business of the duel was to avoid people murdering each other and endangering other lives in the process. To arrange to meet to have an equal fight to resolve some matter of honour could only be verified if there were a witness from each side. If one fighter were killed without witnesses, we could not be sure it was done honourably.
Rules of the Fight
“Walk ten paces, turn and fire,” are the iconic gunslinger rules. Every form of duel had different rules.
The rules of this fist fight were not delineated at length, but there were definite rules, some unspoken:
- The grounds are agreed upon before starting.
- “No pulling hair.”
- “No scratching.”
- “When you go to the ground I will tell you to get up or I will pull you both up.”
- No weapons
“You better stop kicking me in the stomach,” seemed to be a threat and thus ignored.
“You better quit hitting me in my face,” was immediately answered by, “That’s the point! It’s a fight!”
However, the reason I’m writing about this today is because of the long intermission after they go to the ground pulling hair. They each re-tie their hair, and before starting again, the shorter girl fixes her pants and while wiping her eyes, the tall girl offers, “Are you ready? I’ll give you a minute. Are you ready now?” The civility of the offer indicated not only confidence, but a natural sense of fairness and honour.
Dishonour
“If you’re done, then you’re done. We can be cool.”
Some duelling codes were specifically designed to minimize the number of killings. There were many chances to apologize and formally end the duel, even after the first shot was fired. However, in those days, as in this example, offering to show mercy is usually interpreted as goading and the hurt fighter would redouble their efforts instead of relenting.
The entire concept of the duel was to restore honour through combat. If an apology was owed but withheld, one could beat an apology out of them, or legitimately threaten them with death. To act dishonourably in a duel makes no sense as a rational choice, from the offender’s point of view or the injured party’s. However, if one were to lose their temper or their good judgment due to blows to the head, one might threaten with a gun or throw a shovel.
In the end, due to a dishonourable attack, the taller girl left the property with honour and a concussion, and the other girl risked her reputation. She may come out the winner, as her reputation may now include that she is ruthless and dangerous. The more likely outcome is that there would be a rematch when the taller girl regains her hearing.
If the history of duelling is any guide, the tall girl will issue the challenge and have the choice of grounds. Unless their parents saw the video.
Read More
You can pick up Jared Kirby's new book, "A Gentleman's Guide to Duelling" in the Academie Duello store. It is Salviolo's treatise on Dueling, translated into modern English with annotations and commentary. Stage combat students will appreciate that it originates in the Elizabethan Era and Shakespeare was familiar with it. Western Martial Artists should be interested in the rules of single combat from a respected Italian master.
Head of Stage Combat at Academie Duello and certified Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Head of Bartitsu at Academie Duello, the longest continuously running Bartitsu program in the world. Read more from David McCormick.