Actually, the “Rules” state that the one who has been challenged to a duel gets to choose the weapons used. I believe there was a man who chose pitchforks of pig dung as the weapon (to show his contempt for dueling), but I can’t find the source…
There was another man who chose two wood-axes too heavy for either man to lift as weapons, and a pitch-black cellar as place. You may deduce he was not keen on the duel.
The sausage duel was allegedly proposed by scientist and politician Rudolf Birchow, when Chancellor Otto von Bismark demanded satisfaction for an insult in Parliament; Bismark is supposed to have heard Birchow’s terms and withdrawn his challenge. It seems like a case of a good story running away with an actual event: letters suggest instead that Birchoff withdrew his remarks when he received the challenge.
There are also a number of stories about poison duels ‘fought’ with pills: one harmless, the other deadly, the two indistinguishable. Details and veracity vary, although it seems at least one can be confirmed to have taken place (in 1882, in Poland).
However, given that Llewellyn is the challenging party here and the DMV the respondent, the DMV’s representative is well within his rights to insist on cold steel and hot lead.
The actual rules did limit the one challenged to actual weapons such as pistols, rapiers, and swords and the parties had to agree to the location. (came up in a book written by a historian, checked Wikipedia too). Choosing a weapon you couldn’t use would be saying your honor (which was what was challenged) was worthless.
I’m 99% sure that if both parties agreed, then any “weapon” could be used.
you’re right though that choosing a weapon neither party could physically use would be frowned upon (differences in skill, however, were fine- indeed, that was the entire point of the challenged party getting to choose the weapons, since the idea was to discourage people from issuing duels) though the weapons chosen had to be fair- so choosing a weapon you could physically use but your opponent couldn’t would be deemed illegal- and would be sufficient dishonour to render the duel largely moot anyway. (duels were typically fought over honour- if you acted in bad faith during the duel, it was considered you had no honour to defend)
Not sure, and we aren’t given a lot of clues — long snout, pudgy ears, stripe along snout. However, as far as I know, the teeth are strictly human! Yes, I do know that this is a comic strip so anything goes —
Woo, so I neglect this blog, don’t I? I mostly figure news about what I’m doing is available elsewhere. …mostly I’m just bad at keeping up with details. But this is worth sharing: we’re close to a movie/TV thing with Nickelodeon! Read more →
So the Phoebe and Her Unicorn Amazon storefront, with apparel, backpacks, bags, and cushions, is open! We still have shirts on Topatoco, too. Read more →
So I’ve illustrated a picture book! Its co-author is young Maddox Lyons, a 12-year-old trans boy, and it’s about a little trans boy trying to be understood by his parents and the world. I think this is a wonderful project and I hope it opens some minds! It’s available to preorder now. Read more →
If you’ve gotten fan mail back, it’s my fault. I failed to keep my PO box paid up, and I know some people got mail back. I’m really sorry! Feel free to send stuff along to the new address: Dana Simpson PO Box 6347 Santa Barbara, CA 93160-6347 Again, I’m really sorry for the inconvenience! […]
Actually, the “Rules” state that the one who has been challenged to a duel gets to choose the weapons used. I believe there was a man who chose pitchforks of pig dung as the weapon (to show his contempt for dueling), but I can’t find the source…
I remember that someone who was challenged by someone to chose 2 sausages, with one being poisoned. Might have been somewhere else.
There was another man who chose two wood-axes too heavy for either man to lift as weapons, and a pitch-black cellar as place. You may deduce he was not keen on the duel.
The sausage duel was allegedly proposed by scientist and politician Rudolf Birchow, when Chancellor Otto von Bismark demanded satisfaction for an insult in Parliament; Bismark is supposed to have heard Birchow’s terms and withdrawn his challenge. It seems like a case of a good story running away with an actual event: letters suggest instead that Birchoff withdrew his remarks when he received the challenge.
There are also a number of stories about poison duels ‘fought’ with pills: one harmless, the other deadly, the two indistinguishable. Details and veracity vary, although it seems at least one can be confirmed to have taken place (in 1882, in Poland).
However, given that Llewellyn is the challenging party here and the DMV the respondent, the DMV’s representative is well within his rights to insist on cold steel and hot lead.
The actual rules did limit the one challenged to actual weapons such as pistols, rapiers, and swords and the parties had to agree to the location. (came up in a book written by a historian, checked Wikipedia too). Choosing a weapon you couldn’t use would be saying your honor (which was what was challenged) was worthless.
That last part is so Llewellyn,
I’m 99% sure that if both parties agreed, then any “weapon” could be used.
you’re right though that choosing a weapon neither party could physically use would be frowned upon (differences in skill, however, were fine- indeed, that was the entire point of the challenged party getting to choose the weapons, since the idea was to discourage people from issuing duels) though the weapons chosen had to be fair- so choosing a weapon you could physically use but your opponent couldn’t would be deemed illegal- and would be sufficient dishonour to render the duel largely moot anyway. (duels were typically fought over honour- if you acted in bad faith during the duel, it was considered you had no honour to defend)
What species is the DMV representative?
Not sure, and we aren’t given a lot of clues — long snout, pudgy ears, stripe along snout. However, as far as I know, the teeth are strictly human! Yes, I do know that this is a comic strip so anything goes —