En garde!

A gentleman’s guide to restoring his honour through swordplay

1 Issue a formal challenge

If a fellow gentleman makes a rude remark about your wife (or worse) challenge him to a duel. Write down your grievances in a letter and demand satisfaction. In the unlikely event the rapscallion refuses, call him a coward.

2 Arrange a time and place

Choose a friend to be your ‘second’. He will meet with your enemy’s second and the pair will do their best to reach a compromise. If bloodshed is unavoidable, they will arrange a time and place for the duel and prepare the weapons.

3 Abide by etiquette

When gentlemen fight they follow the Code Duello, or ‘code of duelling’, which sets out the rules for dignified duelling behaviour. These can vary, but usually the challenged party has the right to choose the weapon.

4 Prepare to fight

The challenged party gets to choose the location, but your second will scour the ground in search of unfair advantages. The duellists must also prove they’re not wearing any protection. It’s a sensible idea to have a doctor present.

5 Keep calm in combat

Get into position by standing the agreed number of paces apart and only begin duelling once the signal has been given. To uphold your reputation you must show courage at all times during the duel.

6 Honour is restored

The duel is over when blood is drawn and honour is restored. Of course, it’s not always the offended party that declares victory, and sometimes it’s the opponent who gets to add injury to insult.