DUEL, a single combat, at a time and place appointed, in consequence of a challenge. This custom came originally from the northern nations, among whom it was usual to decide all their controversies by arms. Both the accuser and the accused gave pledges to the judges on their respective behalf; and the custom prevailed so far amongst the Germans, Danes, and Franks, that none were excused from it but women, sick people, cripples, and such as were under twenty-one years of age, or above sixty. Even ecclesiastics, priests, and monks, were obliged to find champions
to fight in their stead. The punishment of the vanquished was either death, by hanging or beheading; or, mutilation of members, according to the circumstances of the case. Duels were at first admitted not only on criminal occasions, but on some civil ones for the maintenance of rights to estates, and the like: in latter times, however, before they were entirely abolished, they were restrained to these four cases. 1. That the crime should be capital. 2. That it should be certain the crime was perpetrated. 3. The accused must, by common fame, be supposed guilty. And, 4. The matter not capable of proof by witnesses. At present it is used for a single combat on some private quarrel, and must be premeditated, otherwise it is called a renconter. If a person be killed in a duel, both the principals and seconds are guilty of murder, whether the seconds engage or not. It is also a very high offence to challenge a person, either by word or letter, or to be the messenger of a challenge. The severe edicts made by Lewis XIV. against duels have, in a great measure, put a stop to the custom in France.