Courtesy in Dueling

My fellow guests of the Outer Bailey,

The Courtesy Circle has discussed dueling extensively, and I now present here our thoughts on courtesy in dueling. Please bear in mind that these guidelines are not to be taken as rules that must be followed in every case, but rather as definitions of the best courtesy in Outer Bailey dueling and sparring. Some sword practice instructors, for example, may hold practices of varying levels of formality ... some may not demand great courtesy from their students. We offer these guidelines to aid those who do wish to behave with the best courtesy, whether 'tis required or no.

Respectfully,
Viola, Courtesy Circle Mistress

General Dueling Courtesy (applicable to all duels and practice spars)

• Both participants and audience should respectfully follow instructions from the Instructor (who leads the sword practices) or Marshall (who presides at formal duels).
• Audience should respectfully refrain from eating, drinking, and excessive fidgeting.
• Both participants and audience should maintain a generally respectful attitude toward all persons present and also toward the swords themselves. The sword is an instrument of justice, used for the defense of honor and human life. Even a practice spar is not a game, to be taken lightly.
• Both participants and audience should keep their attention focused on the task at hand.
• Before taking a blade in hand, participants should approach the center of the room, so that they might not risk injuring bystanders.
• After approaching the center of the room, each participant should inspect his or her own blade, to ensure that nothing is amiss.
• Each participant should also politely extend his or her own blade to be inspected by the opponent.
• When ready to begin, each participant should bow or curtsy to show respect for the opponent.
• After the bow or curtsy, a challenge should be issued and accepted.
• After the challenge, both participants should salute before sliding into guard stance.
• Participants should always wait until the opponent is ready, and hold up immediately if asked to do so.
• Participants should always wait until both parties are in guard stance before offering the first strike.
• When a winner has been declared, both participants should bow or curtsy to show their respect for the opponent.
• Before departing the center of the room, each participant should offer some word of appreciation and good will to the opponent.
• In the case of a formal duel, both participants should consider the matter over which they fought to be settled, and not continue to argue it afterward.

Courtesy specific to the Practice Spar

• If sparring in rounds of three and little conversation has occurred between one spar and the next, participants need not bow again before beginning the next spar.
• Both participants and audience should refrain from offering advice unless such is requested. Instructors, of course, may offer suggestions at any time.
• Participants should always return the practice blades to the instructor when their bout is finished.

Additional processes involved in the Formal Duel

• The consent of both parties is officially given (a formal challenge is issued and accepted).
• Each participant appoints a second.
• Participants communicate only through seconds until the duel itself. (This is more a custom than a rule, and is often not followed, depending on the situation at hand.)
• A delay of at least one day is required, to ensure that the duel is not rash or hasty.
• Seconds must make an attempt (even if only pro forma) at reconciliation.
• Seconds must arrange the date and time of the duel.
• Seconds must speak together in advance to choose an impartial Marshall for the duel, who will officially determine the duel's victor.
• Seconds must determine if the duel will be to first cut or to the death.
• If the duel is also to be sanctioned (and unsanctioned duels are frowned upon by the Court), seconds must obtain formal approval from Lord Chamberlain Launfal, the Royal Consort (Sir Boreas), or Her Majesty Queen Vivienne. (This approval is usually obtained from the Lord Chamberlain.)

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