Interesting historical facts about the duel. The most famous duelists. How to organize a duel

Duel

DUEL-and; and.[French] duel]

1. In a noble society: an armed duel to call one of the opponents in the presence of seconds on predetermined conditions (as a way to protect personal honor). Mortal d. duel conditions. Call to d. Fight duels. D. on pistols, on swords. // About the shootout of the two sides. Tank d. Artillery preparation moved into the fire department

2. Contest, competition between two sides. Chess d. D. two recognized acting talents. Correspondence duel(About a dispute between two people. // About a dispute between two people. Verbal, d.

◁ Dueling, th, th. D rules. D. pistol.

(French duel, from Latin duellum - war), a duel (with the use of weapons) between two persons on the call of one of them. AT figuratively- struggle, competition of two sides.

DUEL (French duel, from Latin duellum - war), a duel (with the use of weapons) between two persons on the call of one of them. In a figurative sense - a struggle, a competition between two sides.
The history of duels (fights) is closely connected with society's ideas about how to protect honor. Tacitus (cm. TACITUS) testifies to the custom of the ancient Germans to resolve quarrels with weapons. But the duels among the medieval knights of Europe were of particular importance. In France, a dueling code was developed, borrowed from other countries, where it was processed according to local customs. In almost all countries, duels were prosecuted by law, and at the same time, public opinion condemned the avoidance of duels. The right to a duel was recognized only for the nobles.
The first duels in Russia took place at the end of the 18th century. Peter I (cm. PETER I the Great), despite his predilection for European orders and customs, immediately entered the fight against this phenomenon. According to the Code of Sheremetev (1702), even a challenge to a duel was severely punished, the Short Article (1706) prescribed the death penalty for the participants in the duel, even if it did not have tragic consequences.
Subsequently, in accordance with the “Military Regulations” (1715), persons were punished not only for challenging and participating in a duel, but also those who did not inform the military court about this fact. For a challenge to a duel, the duelist was deprived of his rank, a fine was levied from him, and part of his property was confiscated. Seconds were also punished for entering a duel.
Under Anna Ioannovna (cm. Anna Ivanovna) and Elizabeth Petrovna (cm. ELIZAVETA Petrovna) fights become more frequent. Catherine II (cm. EKATERINA II) publishes the “Manifesto on duels” (1787), according to which duels were recognized as “foreign for Russia planting”. Nevertheless, it was not possible to eradicate the duel.
Nicholas I was a fierce opponent of duels. (cm. NICHOLAS I Pavlovich) who considered them a manifestation of barbarism. Despite the sharp negative attitude to this phenomenon Russian emperor, the number of duels grew. As a result of the fights, the great Russian poets Pushkin and Lermontov died.
Only Nicholas II (cm. NICHOLAS II ALEXANDROVICH) allowed duels for Russian officers, and, moreover, in case of insult, the officer was obliged to fight in a duel.

encyclopedic Dictionary. 2009 .

See what "duel" is in other dictionaries:

Duel and... Russian word stress

- (French duel, lat. duellum, from bellurn war). Duel. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. DUEL duel between 2 opponents, to please public opinion who believes that in some cases ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

DUEL, duels, women. (French duel). A duel that takes place according to certain rules, a battle between two opponents on the call of one of them. A duel between someone and someone. Duel of Pushkin with Dantes. Fight someone in a duel. Summon… … Dictionary Ushakov

Cm … Synonym dictionary

duel- and, well. duel m., germ. Duell, it. duello. A duel that took place with the use of weapons between two opponents at the call of one of them. ALS 2. A duel, single combat, a battle between two, or many especially on swords, or on pistols in ... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

- (duel, one on one, one on each side). Wed The duel is ugly, absurd, barbaric, a remnant of the Middle Ages, we repeat all this, and with complete conviction, but what is better: to remain forever with a brand on your forehead, or take a chance ... ... Michelson's Big Explanatory Phraseological Dictionary (original spelling)

- (duel) a medieval institution that directly arose from the practice of private wars and is an ennobled form of self-reprisal revenge, developed among the knightly feudal nobility. In the XVI XVII centuries. D. is banned in Western Europe and equated to ... Law Dictionary

- (French eduel, from Latin duellum war), a duel (with the use of weapons) between two persons to challenge one of them on predetermined conditions. In a figurative sense, a struggle, a competition between two sides ... Modern Encyclopedia

- (French duel from Latin duellum war), a duel (with the use of weapons) between two persons on the call of one of them. In a figurative sense, a struggle, a competition between two sides ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

DUEL, and, for women. 1. The same as a duel (in 1 value). Summon to the village. Killed in a duel. 2. trans. Struggle, competition of two sides. Chess village. Verbal village. Artillery village (shootout). | adj. dueling, oh, oh (to 1 value). Dueling Pistols... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov

The word "duel" is of Latin origin and is translated as "duel". Usually two people participate in this event. So, one of them is considered an offender, and the other is a defender of his honor. At the same time, it was not excluded that in such an action one of the duelists could die tragically.

In our time, such confrontations are extremely rare, and punishment for this can be received to the fullest extent of the law. AT modern society humiliated and offended people should seek the truth in court, and not engage in arbitrariness.

However, even some hundred years ago, everything was not quite so. Then the infliction of insults could be washed off only with blood. Nobility or persons of noble origin encountered such a practice. While the public of the lower classes was busy deciding contentious issues with fists. The noble nobles used everything from cold to firearms.

Controversial issues were resolved with swords, sabers and, of course, pistols. AT different times the state treated duelists and duels in a variety of ways, but mostly negatively. And this was a serious challenge for the state. Because young people were dying, and often the military elite, which could bring great benefits to their homeland.

From the history of duels

AT time immemorial duel fights did not have to be engaged. Then they relied on the will of the Almighty. And at the same time, something like the so-called court fights was arranged for people. In those days, it was believed that the Almighty would always be on the side of the innocent, which means that he had nothing to fear, and he must certainly win.

At the same time, any of the duelists was allowed to bring their understudy to the place of the duel instead. All the same, the court is God's, and it doesn't matter who fought. The people of that time were of the opinion that victory went only to the side on which the truth was.

However, practice has shown that the Almighty was not impartial in all cases. Often an outright bandit won, and an honest person had to endure only humiliation or death. As a result, such confrontations ceased to be popular, and gradually they had to be abandoned.

However, they quickly found a replacement in the form of jousting tournaments. To some extent, it can be said that knights are the progenitors of duelists, despite the fact that tournaments were mainly competitive in nature, and the lists were least of all like a place for a duel. The knights mainly demonstrated strength and dexterity. During the clashes, the rivals tried not to kill each other, but only knock them down from their horses.

Duel of knights

In further clashes, the knights were allowed, acting with swords, to inflict only chopping blows. From them they were reliably protected by armor. In addition to high injuries, there were deaths at such competitions, but the matter of honor was then dominant. Actually, these moral foundations began to pass to the nobility of the XV-XVI centuries.

Those, in turn, stopped exhausting themselves with training from the age of five, because there was no longer a need to “hang themselves” with heavy armor and wield huge swords. Since they were replaced by a new generation of weapons in the form of powerful crossbows, and later muskets, but dignity and honor remained, or rather selfishness and pride - that's true reason duel. As a result, dressed-up gentlemen who met in the narrow streets of cities had little space. Nobody wanted to give way to one another - it was bad form. And then the swords went into action. Sometimes the city guards managed to get to the place of the duel, and sometimes they approached the bodies that had already cooled down.

The time of the birth of duels

The concept of the duel, as it is commonly understood, first arose in Italy in the 14th century. Actually here the young nobles originated the tradition of permission conflict situations with the help of weapons. They found a secluded place for a duel, and there they fought until the first blood appeared or until the death of one of the enemies.

Such examples turned out to be extremely contagious and quickly spread to the territory of France. This southern people is also characterized by irascibility. Whereas the British did not practice such showdowns as often, however, as did the Germans.

Knight Tournament

dueling hype

Mass dueling excitement fell on the XVI-XVIII centuries. The mass death of the nobles began. The kings began to issue decrees prohibiting bloody fights, but this did not lead to anything. The nobility continued to persistently destroy itself. It got to the point that pretexts for fights were like a sideways glance or a rude tone.

Deadly duels found a second life in the 19th century. It was then that the time of firearms came. And here it is no longer up to the physical data of rivals, here how lucky anyone is. Since only the lot determined the order of shooting. The duelists were twenty paces away, one opposite the other - try not to hit.

Dueling Code

Actually in the 19th century, it came to the formation of a dueling code. Its violation was considered bad manners. Any deviation from the rules led to the censure of violators. Challenges to a duel were carried out orally or in writing. In addition, the offended was obliged to report on the upcoming duel throughout the day.

The place of the duel was visited early in the morning. The presence of a doctor and seconds was considered mandatory. And one of the latter became the manager. His duties included an offer of reconciliation to the duelists, which was largely not accepted. Next came the loading of pistols with their transfer to duelists. Then they started shooting according to the lot. Enemies were allowed to stand at a set distance or approach each other to the intended barrier.

Duels were considered the most dangerous, when enemies opened fire, guided by the command of the manager. Often in such cases, both died. The maximum distance between the arrows did not exceed 30 steps. It's about 15-20 meters, it was almost impossible to miss. However, if it did happen, then the second sometimes left the right to shoot behind him, and for an indefinite time. With a shot in the air, the conflict situation could be resolved most safely for everyone.

Women's duels

In 1829, a saber duel took place in the Oryol province. As a result, the duelists died. So what? This will not surprise anyone. But it was not a male, but a female duel, with the participation of landowners Olga Zavarova and Ekaterina Polesova, because of a simple quarrel. However, this is not all. Five years later, their grown-up daughters met in a duel. Anna Polesova died.

Women's duels in Russia and Europe were commonplace. In Russia, duels between women and men were exotic, but not for Europe, where it was the norm.

Women's duel

Interestingly, the future Empress Catherine II had to take part in the duel. As a princess in 1744, she fought with swords with her sister. It was Princess Anna Ludwig Anhalt. For fifteen-year-old duelists, everything ended without bloodshed.

Some historians believe that during the reign of Catherine II, only three female duels were not very lucky, and they ended in failure. Many ladies of that time were well aware of weapons. And they often sorted things out with his help. In those days, there were often references to the fact that, for example, in 1765, the court ladies participated in 20 duels, and in 8 of them none other than Catherine II herself was a second.

The most famous female duel of that time was the duel of 1770. It was attended by Princess Ekaterina Dashkova and Duchess Foxon. However, it was not in St. Petersburg or Moscow, but in London. And it was like that. Countess Pushkin invited two most educated women to her house for a peaceful conversation. Little by little, the conversation began to develop into a polemic, and then into a heated debate. In general, the dispute ended in mutual accusations. Then it came to slaps in the face and, of course, to the call “to the barrier”. The ladies did not go to reconciliation, and it came to a duel with swords. It all happened right here in the garden. Everything ended fatally. Countess Dashkova was wounded in the shoulder area.

It is known that men's fights usually took place in nature, and the duelists themselves preferred pistols. Whereas Russian women preferred to deal with swords without leaving the premises. In those days, there was even the presence of secular salons organizing ladies' fights. For example, in the salon of Madame Vostroukhova, in 1823 alone, 17 women's fights were organized.

Fascinating entries about the duels of Russian women were made by the Frenchwoman Marquise de Morten. She wrote that Russian ladies love to deal with each other with the help of weapons. These fights are not at all graceful, like the French ladies. In them, there is only a blind rage aimed at exterminating rivals. By the way, at that time, French women in duels were naked to the waist, which could have looked more elegant.

What is interesting is that in Russian literature and painting there is no mention of female duels. But in Europe it was written about in novels and depicted in paintings. The painting "Women's Duel" by the Spaniard José de Rivera in 1636 was the most famous. You can see it in the Spanish capital at the Prado National Museum.

The duel itself took place even before the writing of the canvas in 1552. The duel took place between the Neapolitans Isabella de Carazzi and Diambra de Pettinella, who became interested in the young rake Fabio de Zeresola. In the end, they decided to sort out the duel with swords. The Neapolitan sword was slightly heavier than a sword, and many ladies managed to wield it masterfully. In those days, women's fights were a curiosity, so the rumors about this survived for a long time, which prompted the artist for the idea for the plot of the canvas.

However, at the time of its writing, European ladies are already full swing engaged in clarifying relations with the help of weapons. So, there were many rumors about the duel of the Marquise de Nesle with the Countess de Polignac, which took place in 1624. The confrontation of these women was because of the newly became the first minister of France, a famous character in the books of Alexandre Dumas, Cardinal de Richelieu.

To find out the relationship, the ladies decided to choose pistols. The duel ended with the marquise receiving a slight shoulder injury. Obviously, this high-profile event amused the ambition of the first minister, because he mentioned this in his notes. This piquant story was discussed for a long time by all Parisian aristocratic circles.

Women of that time were so accustomed to owning weapons that they often posed with them for artists. So, on the canvases of Bero one could often see very elegant French women holding swords with ease. Moreover, they looked as if swords were ordinary accessories for ladies' outfits, such as a fan or an umbrella.

Some ladies were so taken with the art of swordsmanship that they often challenged the opposite sex to a duel. The most popular was Mademoiselle de Maupin, who had several successful fights with men. Moreover, she was so popular that Theophile Gauthier wrote the novel Mademoiselle de Maupin about her real adventures.

Duels in Russia

Regarding Russia, here the dueling excitement began towards the end of the 18th century. It was just the time of the decline of the reign of Catherine II. The Empress happened to die in 1796, and there is the most contradictory information about the fights with her. On the one hand, she herself participated in one of these in her youth and more than once was a second for her court ladies.

On the other hand, the "Decree on fights" of the 1787 model. According to him, all the participants in the fights were expected by an indispensable exile to places not so remote, and then this place was Siberia. If, on top of that, the duel ended in a death, then the survivor could go straight to hard labor.

The largest number of duels fell on the reign of Nicholas I. Actually, in those years, many famous people such as Lermontov, Pushkin, Ryleev, Griboyedov, etc. The color of the nation participated and died in duels, and the emperor himself could not stand duels. Duelists were sent to the troops operating in the Caucasus.

If it happened fatal outcome duel, then the winner in it could be demoted to the rank and file. However, even such measures did not stop the nobles. They still continued to shoot with amazing persistence. Participation in such events was considered a good example, from which the authority of the duelist was only added.

Russian duels were characterized by extremely short barrier distances. It was some 10-12 meters. In addition, the duel was considered over only after the death or fainting of one of the participants. Unlike Europe, if both missed after the first shots, then everything was repeated anew.

Duel set

It was forbidden to linger for a duel for more than 15 minutes. It began after the arrival of all the participants. Everything took about 10 minutes. Obtaining weapons, shooting. Someone fell, they picked him up and took him away. The other went to celebrate the happy ending.

In May 1894, Alexander III allowed officer duels due to personal grievances. Until 1914, there were almost 330 duels, but only 32 ended in death. The rest were lightly wounded. To the first world fights were almost never carried out.

The strangest duel

The strangest duel was recorded in France in 1400. There was a murder of one nobleman by another. He hid the corpse, but the dog of the dead man first pointed people to the grave, and then barked at the killer. They decided to arrange a trial in the form of a duel. The killer couldn't control the dog. He was found guilty and hanged.

Instead of a conclusion

In our time, the duel has lost its former popularity. It was the privilege of the nobles, and in the 21st century, democracy. Dignity and honor are now upheld in the courts. Officers have formal courts of honor that decide nothing. Cowboy duel remained only in westerns. Now life is almost peaceful. Although the number of murders is only increasing every year. This is explained by the fact that crime is constantly growing, and has nothing to do with duels that have sunk into oblivion.

At Pushkin had many duels. There are even more duel challenges, as many as 30!
Fortunately, not all duels took place. Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin was an excellent shooter, but at that time this was not enough. Dueling pistols were specially bought new and never fired. This made even an experienced shooter equal to the one who holds the gun in his hands for the first time and is only able to point it towards the enemy (

During Pushkin's duels, he never shed the enemy's blood (except for the last duel) and never fired first. Duels are a strange feature in Pushkin.

Not an evil person by nature, he suddenly, for no apparent reason, began to show annoying cockiness. Often behaved defiantly. The police had special lists, which included people who were not entirely convenient for public peace. These lists also included the name of Alexander Pushkin. And by no means was he accused of freethinking and other high matters here - he was in these lists in one of the places of honor as a card punter and a duelist.

Pushkin was a great master of the pistol, and was not afraid to challenge any rivals. As we remember from the "faceted barrel" from his "encyclopedia of Russian life" - "Eugene Onegin" - the pistol of the early 19th century was a complex and versatile weapon.

After the first shot, the probability of hitting which was extremely small, due to the long reload time, the pistol could no longer be used in battle as a firearm.

1. 1816. Pushkin challenged Pavel Gannibal, his own uncle, to a duel.
Reason: Pavel recaptured a lady at a ball from a young 17-year-old Pushkin (far from a beauty). Outcome: Duel cancelled.

Even though you, Sasha, are in the middle of the ball
Called Paul Hannibal,
But, by God, Hannibal
Do not spoil the ball with a quarrel! (C) Hannibal

2. 1817 Pushkin challenged Peter Kaverin, his friend, to a duel.
Reason: humorous poems composed by Kaverin. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

3. 1819 Pushkin challenged the poet Kondraty Ryleev to a duel.
Reason: Ryleev retold Tolstoy's joke about Pushkin at a secular salon. As if he had been carved in a secret office. Outcome: The duel did not take place.

4. 1819 Pushkin also challenged Count Fyodor Tolstoy to a duel.
Reason: It's a joke that Pushkin was carved in a secret office. The duelists exchanged caustic epigrams, but never met at the barrier. By the way, the fate of Tolstoy (big happy duelist) is unique and mystical. Pushkin even became friends with him. Below is a post about him, his mystical fate and Pushkin, I recommend. Outcome: The duel did not take place.

5/ 1. 1819. Pushkin was challenged to a duel by his friend Wilhelm Küchelbecker.
Reason: playful poems about Küchelbecker, namely, the passage "Küchelbecker and nauseating." Bottom line: Wilhelm shot at Pushkin, but Pushkin did not shoot at Wilhelm.

6. 1819 Pushkin challenged Modest Korf, an employee of the Ministry of Justice, to a duel.
Reason: Pushkin's servant molested Korf's servant drunk, and he beat him. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

7. 1819 Pushkin challenged Major Denisevich to a duel.
Reason: Pushkin behaved defiantly in the theater, shouting at the artists, and Denisevich reprimanded him. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

8. 1820 Pushkin challenged Fyodor Orlov and Alexei Alekseev to a duel.
Reason: Orlov and Alekseev reprimanded Pushkin for trying to play billiards while drunk and disturbing those around him. Bottom line: The duel was canceled by reconciliation of the parties.

9. 1820? year. Duel with an unknown Greek.
Reason: Pushkin challenged a Greek from Chisinau (his last name was not preserved) to a duel. he was surprised how Pushkin could not know some book, which was accidentally mentioned. Outcome: The duel did not take place.

10. 1821 Pushkin challenged an officer of the French service, Deguilla, to a duel on sabers.
Reason: quarrel with unclear circumstances. Outcome: The duel did not take place Deguilli refused.

11/2. 1822. Pushkin was challenged to a duel by Lieutenant Colonel Semyon Starov.
Reason: they did not share the restaurant orchestra at the casino, where both indulged gambling. Outcome: shot, but both missed.

12. 1822 Pushkin challenged 65-year-old State Councilor Ivan Lanov to a duel.
Reason: quarrel during a festive dinner. Lanov called the poet a sucker, and in return received from Pushkin the title of wine-sucker and a challenge to a duel. Outcome: The duel was cancelled, Pushkin was put under arrest.

13/3. 1822. Pushkin challenged the Moldavian nobleman Todor Balsh, the owner of the house where he was staying in Moldavia, to a duel.
Reason: Pushkin was not sufficiently politely answered by Maria to a certain question of her husband Balsh. Outcome: shot, but both missed.

14. 1822 Pushkin challenges the Bessarabian landowner Scartl Prunculo to a duel.
Reason: He was as a second in a duel where Pushkin was also a second, and they did not agree on the rules of the duel.
Outcome: Duel cancelled.

15. 1822 Pushkin challenges Severin Potocki to a duel.
Reason: Dinner table discussion about serfdom. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

16. 1822 Pushkin was challenged to a duel by staff captain Rutkovsky.
Reason: Pushkin did not believe that there was hail weighing 3 pounds (and hailstones of this weight still exist) and ridiculed the retired captain. Bottom line: the duel is cancelled.

17. 1822 Pushkin challenged the wealthy Chisinau Inglesi to a duel.
Reason: Pushkin harassed his wife, Lyudmila Shekora, a gypsy. Outcome: The duel was cancelled, Pushkin was placed under arrest.

18/4. 1822. Pushkin was challenged to a duel by Ensign of the General Staff Alexander Zubov.
Reason: Pushkin convicted Zubov of cheating while playing cards. Pushkin came to the duel with a cap full of cherries and ate berries while his opponent was aiming at him. Outcome: Zubov shot at Pushkin (by), and Pushkin himself refused to shoot.

19. 1823 Pushkin challenged the young Moldavian writer Ivan Russo to a duel.
Reason: Pushkin's personal dislike for this person. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

20. 1826 Pushkin challenged Nikolai Turgenev, one of the leaders of the Union of Welfare, a member of the Northern Society, to a duel.
Reason: Turgenev scolded the poet's poems, in particular, his epigrams. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

21. 1827 Pushkin was challenged to a duel by artillery officer Vladimir Solomirsky.
Reason: Pushkin, visiting the house of Prince Urusov, enjoyed the attention of his daughter named Sophia, for whom Solomirsky was jealous of him. Bottom line: The duel was canceled thanks to the efforts of the seconds.

22. 1828? year. Duel with the unknown.
Reason: Unknown. " I even managed to take him away from one duel. But it's foreign"... F. N. Glinka. From a letter to Bartenev. Historians know practically nothing about this duel. Bottom line: The duel was canceled thanks to the efforts of F. N. Glinka.

23. 1828 Pushkin challenged the Minister of Education Alexander Golitsyn to a duel.
Reason: Pushkin wrote a daring epigram against the minister, and he gave him an interrogation for this with prejudice. Bottom line: The poet and publicist Fyodor Glinka kept the opponents from dueling.

24. 1828 Pushkin challenged the secretary of the French embassy in St. Petersburg Lagren to a duel.
Reason: an unknown lady at the ball and heard the phrase addressed to Pushkin "Drive him away." Outcome: Duel cancelled.

25. 1829 The poet challenges Khvostov, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to a duel.
Reason: the latter expressed himself badly about Pushkin's epigrams, in which the author compares Khvostov with a pig. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

26. 1836 The poet challenges Repin to a duel
Reason: The same as in the previous case - dissatisfaction caused by Pushkin's poems about himself. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

27. 1836 Duel with an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Semyon Khlyustin.
Reason: The same as in the previous two cases. Result: The duel is cancelled.

28. 1836 The poet challenges Vladimir Sologub to a duel.
Reason: Vladimir's unflattering review of Pushkin's wife, Natalya. Outcome: Duel cancelled.

29. 1936 Pushkin challenges Dantes to a duel.
Reason: Anonymous letters from a "cuckold" alluding to Dantes' relationship with Natalie. Outcome: The duel is canceled, because. Dantes proposes to his sister Natalie - Ekaterina Goncharova.

30/5. 1837. Pushkin is challenged to a duel by the Dutch ambassador Gekkern, but he sends his adopted son Georges Dantes to fight for himself.
Cause : Pushkin's letter, in which he spoke sharply about Gekkerne as the father of Dantes, unflatteringly described his adopted son and "refused them from the house." Outcome: Pushkin killed, Dantes wounded in right hand(The bullet ricochets off the button on his chest.)

It is known that the duel came to Russia from the West. It is believed that the first duel in Russia took place in 1666 in Moscow. Two foreign officers fought... Scotsman Patrick Gordon (who later became Peter's general) and an Englishman Major Montgomery (eternal rest to his ashes...).

Duels in Russia have always been a serious test of character. Peter the Great, although he planted European customs in Russia, understood the danger of duels and tried to immediately stop their occurrence with cruel laws. In which, I must admit, I succeeded. There were almost no duels among Russians during his reign.

Chapter 49 Petrovsky military charter 1715, called “Patent on fights and starting quarrels”, proclaimed: “No insult to the honor of the offended can in any way belittle”, the victim and witnesses of the incident are obliged to immediately report the fact of insult to the military court ... even failure to report was punished. For the challenge itself to a duel, deprivation of ranks and partial confiscation of property were supposed, for entering a duel and drawing weapons - the death penalty! With the complete confiscation of property, not excluding the seconds. At the same time, on the instructions of Peter I, "Societies of Officers" were created to deal with cases that discredited the honor and dignity of officers.

Peter III banned corporal punishment for the nobility. Thus, a generation appeared in Russia for which even a sideways glance could lead to a duel.

Empress Catherine II signed her "Manifesto on duels" dated April 21, 1787, which reflected Peter's view of duels as a crime against state interests. In this manifesto, the one who created the conflict by his actions was subject to punishment. Repeated participation in duels entailed the deprivation of all rights, status and a link to an eternal settlement in Siberia. Later, the link was replaced by demotion to the rank and file and imprisonment in a fortress.

Yet punitive measures have not been able to eradicate duels. After graduation Patriotic War 1812 fights in Russia intensified. The heyday of duels was during the reign of Alexander I and they continued until Alexander III. It is interesting to note that Emperor Paul I seriously proposed to resolve interstate conflicts not through war, but by holding a duel between emperors ... in Europe, this proposal did not receive support. In 1863, on the basis of the Societies of Officers, the Courts of Societies of Officers were created in the regiments and, with them, the Councils of Mediators. Councils of mediators (3-5 people) were elected by the officers' meeting from among the staff officers and were intended to clarify the circumstances of quarrels, attempts to reconcile the parties and authorize the fights. Two years later, the Courts of the Society of Officers were also created in the Maritime Department in the person of the "General Meetings of Flag Officers and Captains" (Court of Flag Officers). Emperor Alexander III approved the "Rules for dealing with quarrels that happened among the officers" (order by the Military Department N "18 of May 20, 1894). Thus, fights were legalized in Russia for the first time.

Call

Traditionally, duels began with a challenge. The reason for it was an insult, when a person believed that he had the right to challenge his offender to a duel. This custom was associated with the concept of honor. It was quite broad, and its interpretation depended on the specific case. At the same time, material disputes about property or money were resolved in the courts among the nobility. If the victim filed an official complaint against his offender, he no longer had the right to challenge him to a duel. The rest of the fights were arranged because of public ridicule, revenge, jealousy, etc. To offend a person, according to the concepts of that era, could only be equal to him in social status. That is why duels were held in narrow circles: between nobles, military men, etc., but it was impossible to imagine a battle between a tradesman and an aristocrat. If a junior officer challenged his superior to a duel, the latter could reject the challenge without damage to his honor, although there are cases when such battles were nevertheless organized.

Basically, when the dispute concerned people from different social strata, their lawsuit was resolved exclusively in court. In the event of an insult, one could calmly demand an apology from the offender. In case of refusal, a notification followed that seconds would arrive at the enemy. A challenge to a duel was carried out in writing, orally, or by inflicting a public insult. The call could be sent within 24 hours (unless there were good reasons). After the call, personal communication between the opponents ceased and further communication was carried out only through seconds.

A written challenge (cartel) was delivered to the offender by the cartelist. Among the ways of inflicting public insult was the phrase: "You are a scoundrel." When physically insulted, a glove was thrown at the enemy or a blow was struck with a stack (cane). Depending on the severity of the insult inflicted, the offended person had the right to choose: only weapons (with a slight insult, these could be sarcastic statements, public attacks against appearance, manners of dressing, etc. e); weapons and a kind of duel (with an average, such could be an accusation of deceit or obscene language); weapons, type and distance (in case of serious, aggressive actions were classified as such: throwing objects, slaps, blows, betrayal of the wife).

There were cases when a person insulted several people at once. The rules of duels in the 19th century in Russia in this case established that only one of them could challenge the offender to a duel (if there were several calls, only one of your choice was satisfied). This custom ruled out the possibility of reprisals against the offender by the efforts of many people.

Only the duelists themselves, their seconds, as well as the doctor could attend the duel in Russia. The 19th century, whose rules were based on generally accepted principles, is considered the heyday of this tradition. Women, as well as men with serious injuries or illnesses, could not become participants in the battle. There was also an age limit. Calls from older people over 60 were not welcome, although there were exceptions. If a person who was not able or did not have the right to participate in a duel was insulted, he could be replaced by a "patron". As a rule, these people were the next of kin. The honor of a woman theoretically could be defended with a weapon in the hands of any man who volunteered, especially if the insult was inflicted on her in a public place. When a wife was unfaithful to her husband, her lover turned out to be in a duel. If the husband cheated, he could be called by a relative of the girl or any other man who wished.

Seconds

The next step after the call was the choice of seconds. Each side was allocated an equal number of seconds (1 or 2 people each). The duties of the seconds included the development of mutually acceptable conditions for the duel, the delivery of weapons and a doctor to the place of the duel (if possible from each side), preparing the place for the duel, setting up barriers, monitoring compliance with the terms of the duel, and so on. The conditions of the duel, the procedure for their observance, the results of the meeting of the seconds and the course of the duel were to be recorded.

The minutes of the meeting of the seconds were signed by the seconds of both sides and approved by the opponents. Each protocol was made in two copies. The seconds elected elders from among themselves, and the elders elected the manager, who was charged with the functions of the organizer of the duel.

When developing duel conditions, the choice was agreed upon:

place and time;

Weapons and the sequence of their use;

Final terms of the duel.

For the duel, sparsely populated places were used, the duel was scheduled for the morning or noon hours. The permitted weapons for duels were sabers, swords or pistols. For both sides, the same type of weapon was used: with an equal length of blades or a single pistol caliber with a difference in barrel length of no more than 3 cm.

Sabers and swords could be used in a duel on their own or as weapons of the first stage, after which the transition to pistols followed.

The final conditions of the duel were: to the first blood, to the wound, or after using up the prescribed number of shots (from 1 to 3).

Neither side was to wait more than 15 minutes for the other to arrive at the duel site. If the participant was late for more than 15 minutes, his opponent could leave the place of the duel, and the one who was late in this case was recognized as deviant and deprived of honor.

The duel was to begin 10 minutes after the arrival of all participants.

The participants and seconds who arrived at the place of the duel greeted each other with a bow. The second - manager made an attempt to reconcile opponents. If the reconciliation did not take place, then the manager instructed one of the seconds to read the challenge aloud and ask the opponents whether they undertake to comply with the conditions of the duel? After that, the manager explained the conditions of the duel and the commands given.

Melee duel

Standard options for duels were established in the aristocratic environment by the 19th century. First of all, the nature of the duel was determined by the weapon used. Duels in Russia in the 18th century were carried out with swords, sabers and rapiers. In the future, this generally accepted set was preserved and became a classic. Dueling with bladed weapons could be mobile or stationary. In the first version, the seconds marked out a long area or path, on which the free movement of fighters was allowed. Retreats, detours and other fencing techniques were allowed. A motionless duel assumed that the opponents were located at a striking distance, and the battle was fought by the duelists who stood in their places. The weapon was held in one hand, and the second remained behind the back. It was impossible to beat the enemy with their own limbs.

The seconds prepared the places for the duel, taking into account equal opportunities for each duelist (the direction of the rays of the sun, wind, etc.).

Most often, identical weapons were used, but with the consent of the parties, each opponent could use his own blade. The duelists took off their uniforms and remained in their shirts. Watches and the contents of the pockets were handed over to the seconds. The seconds had to make sure that there were no protective objects on the body of the duelists that could neutralize the blow. The unwillingness to undergo this examination was regarded as avoiding the duel.

At the command of the manager, the opponents took their places, determined by the seconds. The seconds stood on both sides of each duelist (at a distance of 10 steps) according to the principle: friend or foe; someone else's. Doctors were at a distance from them. The second-manager stood in such a way as to see both the participants and the seconds. Opponents were placed against each other and the command was given: "Three steps back." The duelists were given weapons. The manager commanded: "Get ready for battle" and then:

"Begin". If during the duel one of the duelists fell or dropped his weapon, then the attacker had no right to take advantage of this.

If necessary, to stop the fight, the manager, in agreement with the second of the opposite side, raised his melee weapons up and commanded "Stop". The fight stopped. Both junior seconds continued to stay with their clients, while the seniors negotiated. If in vehemence the duelists continued the duel, then the seconds were obliged to parry the blows and separate them.

When one of the duelists received a wound, the fight stopped. Doctors examined the wound and gave a conclusion about the possibility or impossibility of continuing the fight.

If one of the duelists violated the rules or conditions of the duel, as a result of which the enemy was wounded or killed, then the seconds drew up a protocol and initiated prosecution of the perpetrator.

Fights with pistols

Dueling pistols ("gentleman's set") were used for the fights. Pistols were bought new, and only exclusively smooth-bore pistols were suitable for duels, and not shot, i.e. no smell of gunpowder from the barrel. The same pistols were not fired again in duels. They were kept as a souvenir. This rule was necessary in order not to give any of the opponents a noticeable advantage.

Participants arrived at the place of the fight with their untouched pair sets. The rules for dueling pistols in Russia stated that the choice between sets was made by drawing lots.

The loading of pistols was carried out by one of the seconds in the presence and under the control of the others. Pistols were drawn by lot. Having received pistols, the duelists, holding them with their barrels down with the triggers not cocked, occupied the places established by lot. The seconds stood at a distance from each duelist. The manager asked the duelists:

"Ready?" - and, having received an affirmative answer, commanded:

"To fight." At this command, the triggers were cocked, the pistols rose up to head level. Then followed the command: "Start" or "Shoot."

There were several options for duels with pistols:

1. Stationary duel (duel without movement).

a) The right of the first shot was determined by lot. Dueling distance was chosen in the range of 15-30 steps. According to the dueling code, the first shot must be fired within one minute, but usually, by agreement between the parties, it was fired after 3-10 seconds. after the start of the countdown. If, after a specified period of time, a shot did not follow, then it was lost without the right to repeat. The return and subsequent shots were fired under the same conditions. The seconds were counted out loud by the manager or one of the seconds. A pistol misfire was counted as a perfect shot.

b) The right of the first shot belonged to the offended. The conditions and order of shots remained the same, only the distance increased - up to 40 steps.

c) Shooting on readiness.

The right of the first shot was not established. The shooting distance was 25 steps. Opponents with pistols in their hands stood in designated places with their backs to each other. At the command "Start" or "Shoot", they turned to face each other, cocked the hammers and began to aim. Each duelist fired on readiness in a time interval of 60 seconds (or by agreement from 3 to 10 seconds). The second manager loudly counted the seconds. After counting "sixty" the command followed: "Stop". Blind duels were also practiced. In such a duel, men fired shots over their shoulders, standing with their backs to each other.

d) Dueling on a signal or command.

The duelists, being in their places face to face at a distance of 25-30 steps from each other, had to shoot simultaneously at the agreed signal. Such a signal was clapping hands given by the second-manager with an interval of 2-3 seconds. After cocking the hammers, the pistols rose up to the level of the head. With the first clap, the pistols lowered, with the second - the duelists aimed and fired at the third clap. This type of duel was rarely used in Russia and was widely used in France and Germany.

2. Mobile duel

a) Rectilinear approach with stops.

The starting distance was 30 paces. The distance between the barriers is at least 10 paces. Being in the starting positions face to face, the opponents received pistols. Seconds took places on both sides of the barriers in pairs with a lateral removal of 10 steps. At the command of the second-manager "Cock up" - the triggers were cocked, the pistols were raised up to the level of the head. At the command "Forward March", the duelists began to move towards the barrier. At the same time, in the interval from the starting point to the barrier, they could stop, aim and shoot. The shooter was obliged to remain in his place and wait for a return shot for 10-20 seconds. The one who fell from wounds had the right to shoot while lying down. If during the exchange of shots none of the duelists was injured, then, in accordance with the rules, the exchange of shots could occur three times, after which the duel was terminated.

b) Complicated approach to stops.

This duel is a variation of the previous one. Initial distance up to 50 steps, barriers within 15-20 steps. At the command "To battle", the opponents cocked their hammers and raised their pistols up to head level. Movement towards each other on the command "Forward March" occurred in a straight line or in a zigzag with an amplitude of 2 steps. Duelists were given the opportunity to shoot on the move or with a stop. The shooter was obliged to stop and wait for a return shot, for the production of which 10-20 seconds were allotted (but not more than 30 seconds). A duelist who fell from a wound was given twice as much time to return a shot.

c) Opposite-parallel approach.

The approach of the duelists took place along two parallel lines, 15 steps apart from each other.

The initial positions of the duelists were located obliquely, so that at opposite points of their lines, each of them saw the enemy ahead and to his right at a distance of 25-35 steps.

The seconds took places on the right behind the opponent of their client, on safe distance. Having taken their place on parallel lines, inherited by lot, the duelists received pistols and, at the command "Forward March", cocked the triggers and began to move along their lines on the opposite side (it was also allowed to remain in their place).

For a shot, it was necessary to stop, and after it, to wait for a response in a motionless position for 30 seconds.

Some duels were arranged according to the principle of Russian roulette. It was resorted to in case of irreconcilable hostility between the arrows. Opponents stood at a distance of 5-7 steps. Of the two pistols, only one was loaded. Weapons were distributed by lot. Thus, the rivals maximized the risk and randomness of the outcome. The lot gave equal chances, and it was on this principle that the rules of dueling with pistols were based. The rules also included a barrel-to-mouth duel. The difference with the previous one was only that both pistols were loaded. Such showdowns often ended in the death of both shooters.

The ending

If in the end the duelists remained alive, at the end they shook hands with each other. The perpetrator apologized at the same time. Such a gesture did not humiliate him in any way, since the honor was restored by a duel. Apologies after the fight were considered only a tribute to tradition and the norm of the code. Even when duels in Russia were distinguished by cruelty, the seconds after the end of the battle necessarily drew up a detailed protocol of what had happened. It was certified by two signatures. The document was necessary to confirm that the duel took place in full accordance with the norms of the code.

In the 16th century, there was a tendency to resolve conflict situations that arise between high-ranking persons (including crowned ones) through duels. It is known that Charles V (of Germany) threw Francis I (of the French king). Napoleon Bonaparte himself, at one time, received an invitation to take part in the Swedish King Gustav IV. History also keeps information about the unfavorable outcomes of such confrontations, for example, King Henry II of France was mortally wounded in a duel with the Count of Montgomery. However, with the end, equality of estates reigned, which led to the general permission to sort things out in such a noble confrontation.

At first, duels proceeded solemnly and were a public action. In France, a duel required the approval of the king, who was present at the duel. If desired, the ruler could at any time stop what was happening with a gesture. So, if the king dropped the scepter to the ground, the confrontation immediately ended.

Dueling Code

The case that occurred in 1578, when in addition to the duelists themselves, four seconds were also involved in the duel, served as a pretext for the creation of punitive measures, as well as for the regulation of the dueling code.

Only two people take part in a duel: the offender and the one who has been insulted.

You can only claim satisfaction once.

The purpose of the duel is to increase respect for one's own honor and dignity.

If one of the duelists was late for the event by more than 15 minutes, he was considered to have evaded the duel.

Fighting was allowed only with sabers, swords, and pistols.

The right to choose, as well as the first one, is automatically given to the offended, otherwise it is decided by lot.

The seconds undertook not only to take part in the development of the strategy, but also to strictly monitor the observance of the rules.

The shooter does not have to shoot in the air.

The shooter must stand motionless at the barrier in anticipation of a reciprocal step.

In addition, it was forbidden to put on chain mail, start a duel without a signal from a second, retreat, and the like.

At the end of the battle, the opponents shook hands, and the incident was considered settled.

It should be noted that by the end of the 19th century, the dueling code had become many times more humane than the one that was typical even for the first half of the same century.