Duels

By the Regency period, pistols were more frequently used in duels than swords. Duels were meant to settle disputes of “honor” in the Norman tradition of “trial by combat” (a la Lancelot fighting other knights to clear Guinevere’s name). After a challenge had been issued, the offending party could apologize, but if he opted not to, then he and his opponent would have to meet on the “field of honor.” Technically, duelling was illegal, but it was rarely prosecuted, probably because it was the rich and privileged who were the main participants. The where and when of a duel was worked out by the “seconds,” and friend and representative of the participant who would have to fight in his place if the guy chickened out and didn’t show up. A duel required the presence of at least one surgeon to give immediate medical care to the wounded. After the Regency, the authorities began prosecuting duels more seriously, until they eventually died out. Famous Regency figures who participated in duels included Byron, Fox, Pitt, Canning, and Wellington.

Found at: http://www.gaelenfoley.com/archive-history-def.html