• OneCardboardBox@lemmy.sdf.org
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    9 months ago

    In truth, there were several reasons that one could decline a duel without loss of honor. For example if the duel challenge was issued with obvious quarrelous intent.

    Eg:

    “You’re a liar”

    “No I’m not. What are you talking about?”

    “Ah, so you deny being a liar?”

    “Yes, wtf are you getting at?”

    “Then by your denial, you accuse me of being a liar! This insult shall not stand. I demand satisfaction.”

    “Lol, fuck off”

    Another case would be if one duelist was not of sufficient station to match the honor of their opponent. A freshly-minted bourgeoisie vs a nobleman, for example.

    Lastly, duels might be turned down if it were obvious to all that that a significant skill mismatch were at play. For example, a military officer might not be allowed to duel a civilian with sabres. Guns, however, were generally considered more egalitarian.

    • CheeseNoodle@lemmy.world
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      9 months ago

      To be fair only because pistols at the time were so innacurate that even the worlds best shot wouldn’t have been able to garauntee a hit. Modern pistols would be a different story.