The History of Duelling

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: hanged on the 29th of June, 1612, in front of the entrance of Westminster-hall. In a MS. paper found in the library of Mr. Goodwin, author of the Life of Henry VIII, the following account, signed by R. Deerhurst, of a desperate duel fought by two noblemen of that period, was found: ? HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF...
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Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: hanged on the 29th of June, 1612, in front of the entrance of Westminster-hall. In a MS. paper found in the library of Mr. Goodwin, author of the Life of Henry VIII, the following account, signed by R. Deerhurst, of a desperate duel fought by two noblemen of that period, was found: ? HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF B TO THE LORD . The affront which you gave me at the imperial minister's ball last night, would argue me a person very unworthy of the character I bear, to let it pass unregarded. To prove me that adventurous knight, which your evasive expression would have given the noble Lady to understand, may perhaps be the most acceptable means to reconcile your spleen; convince me then that you are more of a gentleman than I have reason to believe, by meeting me near the first tree behind the lodge in Hyde-park, precisely at half an hour after five tomorrow morning; and that there may be no pretension to delay, I have sent by the bearer of this two swords, of which I give you the privilege to make a choice. I shall approve of whatever terms of fighting you shall please to purpose. In the interim I wish your Lordship a good rest. Nine o Clock. B. LORD B 'S ANSWER TO THE ABOVE. I received your Grace's message, and accept the contents. It would give me a sensible concern to be obliged to give up the pretension which your Grace is doubtful of. It was from an oversight, I presume, that your Grace gave me the privilege to choose my sword, except your Grace has been so little used to this sort of ceremony as to have forgot that it is the challenger's choice. This, however, is but a trifle (if anything). The terms I leave to our seconds, and will not fail to appear at the time appointed, and in the interim I wish your Grace a very good night. Eleven o'Clock. B. ...