Page 81 - All About History - Issue 09-14

Killing for honour

according to the defence, might not even have been been partly accepted, but politicians had imposed husband Henry was assaulting Lieutenant Henry
necessary. Just as in Pym’s trial, the judge made it this and old ways die hard. Not long after the trials, Swain with his stick and fists. At the subsequent
quite clear that this was no defence in law. Seton’s both Pym and Hawkey were quietly reinstated court martial, the whole humiliating story came
surgery was performed in good faith and only into the Royal Marines and in fact were promoted out. Isabella had been having an affair with Swain
as a direct result of his being shot, but again the within two and four years, respectively. Pym went that everyone seemed to know about, including
jury blithely ignored him. A verdict of innocence on to have a successful career, retiring as a general. Hawkey, but he had been kidding himself. When
was announced and cheers echoed around the Hawkey was not so fortunate. he and Isabella came upon the man at the centre of
Winchester courtroom. Hawkey left the building a Seven years after the duel, a Royal Marines the rumours, Hawkey snapped. At the subsequent
free man, blissfully unaware this would not be his officer riding his horse to the Woolwich barracks court martial, Swain’s regular calls on Isabella when
last courtroom appearance. Duelling was by now intervened when he saw one fellow officer Hawkey was on duty – echoes of James Seton –
officially banned in all branches of the military, attacking another while a distressed woman looked were revealed in lurid detail. One servant spoke of
one of the last vestiges of society where it had still on. The woman was Isabella Hawkey, and her entering a room and witnessing Swain jumping
Weapon
Even as prime minister, Wellington was
prepared to duel to gain ‘satisfaction’

of choice

Short sword
The British originally preferred a relatively
short, broad-bladed sword with sharp edges,
with an emphasis on slashing rather than
thrusting. A shield called a ‘buckler’ could also
be used in combat – hence ‘swashbuckler’.
At close range, grappling was common, and
considered a skill in its own right.
Wellington’s duel

When he became prime minister, stubbornly refused to provide the the command to fire was given,
Wellington supported the Catholic apology Wellington demanded. This Wellington raised his pistol but
Emancipation movement and the resulted in a letter from the latter Winchilsea kept his arm by his side Rapier
allowing of Catholics to become which said: “I now call upon your in a tacit admission of culpability. The longer, thinner European rapier eventually
members of Parliament. Emotions lordship to give me that satisfaction Wellington therefore fired into the gained favour among duellists in the 16th
ran high, and in particular the Earl for your conduct which a gentlemen air, after which Winchilsea did the century, and Italian fencing masters set
of Winchilsea accused Wellington of has a right to require, and which a same. The idea that the country’s themselves up to teach London gentlemen
treachery and plotting to destroy the gentleman never refuses.” leader could have been maimed in its use. Writer George Silver complained in
Protestant constitution. He probably They met in a field in what is or killed over a political squabble 1599 that, “these toys are fit for children, not
realised he had gone too far, but now Battersea Park, London. When helped seal the fate of duelling. for men”, but the tide had turned.

O The last O Famous duel O Articles of War O Last fatal duel
fatal duel in between the in England in England
Scotland in then Prime prohibits takes place Pistols
Fife between Minister issuing or between Duelling pistols usually came in pairs in a
Morgan and Wellington accepting French exiles baize-lined case containing powder flask,
Landale. and the Earl of challenges to Bathelemey
The pair had Winchilsea in a duel and is and Cournet, ramrods, and sometimes a mould for making
argued over a Battersea Park, banned in the in which the extra bullets from moulten lead. Barrels were
bank loan. London. British military. latter is killed. up to ten inches in length and smooth-bored.
1826 1829 1844 1852 A calibre of half to three-quarters of an inch
was common, as was a hair-trigger.
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