DUEL, a premeditated and prearranged combat between two persons with deadly weapons, for the purpose of deciding some private difference or quarrel. The combat generally takes place in the pres ence of witnesses, called seconds, who make arrangements as to the mode of lighting, place the weapons in the hands of the combatants, and see that the laws they have laid down are carried out. The origin of the practice of duelling is referred to the trial by "wager of battle" which obtained in early ages. This form of duel arose among the Germanic peo ples, and a judicial combat of the kind was authorized by Gundebald, King of the Burgundians, as early as 501 A. D. When the judicial combat declined the modern duel arose, being probably to some extent an independent outcome of the spirit and institutions of chivalry. France was the country in which it arose, the 16th cen tury being the time at which it first be came common. 6,000 persons fell in duels during 10 years of the reign of Henry IV. In 1602 the king issued a decree against dueling, declaring it punishable with death, but the practice continued.
The practice of dueling was introduced into England from France in the reign of James I.; but it was never so common as in the latter country. Cromwell was an enemy of the duel, and during the Pro tectorate there was a cessation of the practice. It came again into vogue, how ever, after the Restoration. thanks chief ly to the French ideas that then inun dated the court. As society became more polished duels became more frequent, and they were never more numerous than in the reign of George III. Among the
principals in the fatal duels of this pe riod were Charles James Fox, Sheridan, Pitt, Canning, Castlereagh, the Duke of York, the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Camelford. The last mentioned was the most notorious duelist of his time, and was himself killed in a duel in 1804. A duel was fought between the Duke of Well ington and Lord Winchelsea in 1829, but the practice was dying out. It lasted longest in the army. By English law fatal duelling is considered murder, and the seconds are liable to the same penalty as the principals. An officer in the army having anything to do with a duel ren ders himself liable to be cashiered. In France duelling still prevails to a certain extent; but the combats are usually very bloodless. In the German army it is com mon, and is recognized by law.
In the United States duels are nearly everywhere prohibited by State laws. In some of the States the killing of a man in a duel is punishable by death or by forfeiture of political rights, and in a large number the sending of a challenge is a felony. In the army and navy it is forbidden. During the Revolution there were a number of duels. Alexan der Hamilton was slain by Aaron Burr. Decatur was killed and Barron wounded fighting a duel. Andrew Jackson killed Dickinson, and fought several other duels. Henry Clay and John Randolph fought in 1826. De Witt Clinton was a duelist.