A Regency Tale - On the Art of Duelling

[ismenin]

The Lady Hannah Wood




The Most Noble Elijah, Duke of Stanford




Lord Dominic Monaghan


First of all, these are the latest from Primula Baggins - beautiful, beautiful pics. Thank you, darling! xxx



The second part is the reply to all your lovely comments on A Regency Tale part 17 - when it became apparent to me that some of you thought Dom had acted badly. I therefore have put up this short explication for your perusal! Some of it is taken from the C4 tv programme, "A Regency House"(Just saved me time!).

Thank you all for reading and taking the time to comment - it makes my day! Loves to you all xxx







It has come to my notice that some of you may be unaware of the rules governing polite society in Regency England, and have taken exception to Dom's behaviour in calling Elijah out for a duel.

I must tell you it would have been thought far more uusual if he had not challenged Elijah, who was supposed to be a virtual stranger, and whose behavior in striking Dom with his foil in the way he did, would have given rise to much comment and speculation as to the specific reasons why Dom had not "called him out!" (Challenged him to a duel)

A Regency gentleman was expected to defend his 'honour' in response to any insult or innuendo directed against him personally, or any threat to his pursuit of romance. Although it was an illegal sport, duelling was common amongst the monied classes.

The playwright, Sheridan, fought two duels with the same man over the same girl. He was nearly killed, but survived to marry her. The dandy Alvanley tipped his jarvey (hackney-cab driver) a whole sovereign after he drove him to a duel. When the driver exclaimed at being tipped so much just for going to Wimbledon, the wit replied, 'No, my good man. I give it to you for bringing me back.'

The rule of honour was so rigid that the smallest infringements could lead to a duel. 'If you looked at a man, (be he an acquantance or stranger,) it was enough; for without having given the slightest offence, cards were exchanged and the odds were that you stood a good chance of being shot, or run through the body, or maimed for life,' wailed Gronow, a perceptive Regency observer.
As you see, men were called out on the slightest provocation - even on no provocation at all.

It was the way things were. I think that sometimes we are all guilty of using present day standards as a bench-mark for what happened in earlier times, so I just thought I'd put this up as a guideline. In fact, Dom had done Elijah a great service by calling him out, because he saved him from unwanted gossip and surmise - now we can only wonder if Elijah realises it!! xxxx

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

First of all, these photo-manips are exquisite. That's how I envision the characters (so romantic!).

I agree with you with the era standards, but, ouch, poor Elijah! It wasn't his fault the foil wasn't covered. Can't the crowd understand that? Actually I'm more angry at the crowd who exacerbated both men's pride than at Dom itself (who tried to spare the Duke's pride during the fencing exchange). One thing is sure this love is not a walk in the park, with Monaghan's will to save appearences.
I also understand Dom prevented his lover to expose their mutual affection . Lij had forgotten all propriety and called him "Dom", wanted to hold his wounded arm. I understand all that, still at this point, I believe Lij is more genuine and passionate, whereas his grace is all careful, calculating and back in the lesson-giving mode that has already hurt the young Duke three times since they are back.

It's very captivating and I can't wait to see how it develops.

Nimue

[(Anonymous)]

Hee! There is even a little dog with the Elijah manip! Prim thought of everything!

Also forgot to add that poor Lij must have the feeling he isn't in control of anything regarding his relationship with Dom (with him haughtily deciding when they should meet and all).

Really this last chapter has generated a lot of questions and comments!

Nimue

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thank you my dear, and I hope that as the story progresses you will see why Dom did as he did! Hugses! xxx

[ladysunrope.livejournal.com]

What great manips- love the one of Dom. Yum! Prim is a clever lady!

I'd love to have enough money to make a TV series of this fic.

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

: ) Thanks, LSR! Dom was the one I struggled with the most, so I'm glad that you approve.

[ladysunrope.livejournal.com]

Really? I think its wonderful. And sexy as hell :)

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

Prim, you have outdone yourself! Wonderful manips, even better than the last ones you did for Issi's Regency universe. Brava!

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

Thank, Laelia. It was fun.

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Please excuse me interrupting, but I just wanted to say how much I love these new Regency pics!

Brilliant work!

[mother2012.livejournal.com]

I love them too, Prim! Especially Dom and Hannah. Maybe I'm just too picky about Elijah ...

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

They are great, aren't they? And I'd love to see a series of this, too. Now, whom could we get to play Dom n Lij? Giggles

[mother2012.livejournal.com]

Hey, y'know? There's this pair of actors I know of ... The looks are really just about right, and there's a rumour that they're lovers ...

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

OK - I'm trying real hard to understand Dom and this explanation helps some. But how does Dom not kill/hurt Elijah if he is such a good shot? If he misses, then wouldn't that be as obvious as not challenging Elijah to a duel? I just LOVE this story!! Would it be ok if I friended you?

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Friend me with my pleasure, my dear! The more friends, the merrier. And have faith! The Rules of Engagement in duelling allow for a few alternatives to death. So wait and see! xxx

[frolijah-fan-54.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I can't wait!!

[primula-baggins.livejournal.com]

*squee* I'm happy that you enjoyed the manips. I just love how pretty Lady Hannah turned out.

I think I understood why Dom did what he did now. I did realize that duels could be fought with little provocation. Perhaps my real concern is that I also realize that someone usually dies in a duel! I can't see how this can end up well, but I have faith in your writing talents. : )

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I loved thjem, my dear. Yummy! :D And I hope you'll continue to like the story! xxx

[lisabellex.livejournal.com]

What great manips, and a fascinating explanation. I'm looking forward to starting this story!

:D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to writing it, lovely!! xxx

[elisamaria.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the explanations - and the photos. I must admit, I was a bit perplexed as to why he would challenge Elijah to a duel, however, now I understand. I am enjoying the story very much - as I do all your writings.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Hope it made things a bit clearer - and there will be more explanations later. xxx

[verangel.livejournal.com]

I love these manips...even better than the first...Its terrific that you would respond to the outcry by giving this information. I pretty much thought this was the case. I also did not blame Dom..I was upset because now we have a situation where I think Elijah is going to be very low. Since duels usually are to injure to maim or kill...it doesn't seem as if Dom will be able to get out of what he will have to do. Elijah, will be hurt. but...it is a private affair, with few observing..so we'll see...
Does it have to be anotherfull week!???
hugs you..v

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

There is more to duelling than one might think, my dear! have faith!

Pity my poor beta, LSR, who has to work and write and beta, when all I have to do is write! Hugs xxx

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

The manips are exquisite, and I'm glad you gave us this explanation, but I'm still very anxious to find out what will happen and how the two will ever resolve this intense situation.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Wicked grin. I is cruel! I like to keep a bit of suspense going! :D xxx

[lireeli.livejournal.com]

Well, I understand better now but I'm still uneasy ... What will happen now, Someone might be hurt and it's not good...well, I think I just have to wait the next Sunday...

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Keep your chin up, my dear. It will all resolve itself...some time! ;D xxx

[http://users.livejournal.com/saura_/]

I've realized that I've lost the chapter somewhere and reading this would be very spoilering so I won't. But I have to say that manip of Hanna is AMAZING!!! Really good :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

It is a smashing pic, I agree! xxx

[laeliacatt.livejournal.com]

I do remember reading somewhere about dueling being the result of the least provocation but I thought it almost always ended in the death of at least one of the participants. Considering the sieve-like state of my memory these days, I'm almost assuredly wrong. I hope there are alternatives!

Knowing you, you will find a clever alternative and will not let one of them die on us. :)

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Deloping was a handy alternative - but don't tell a soul! xxx

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

Those pics are totally awesome! Kudos to Prim. :D

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yup, I totally agree, me dear! xxx

[summershobbit.livejournal.com]

Beautiful pictures. I especially love Dom and Elijahs. Wow! Yes, I have read about those times and familiar with that proper way of keeping ones honour. Very intersting that someone would question you on that. As that was the way it was back then. I look forward to see where this goes.

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Thanks, dear! Hope you continue to enjoy it! xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

Many thanks for clarifying the issue of duelling.

Wonderful pics, btw!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Yes, they are, aren't they? xxx

[janejanejane.livejournal.com]

They sure are! Especially like the one of Dom, very sexy, as is Lij... and Hannah is very clever, she looks *real*!

[mother2012.livejournal.com]

I had known enough about dueling not to be terribly surprised, but didn't realize just how de rigeur it was. And I too was under the impression that it nearly always resulted in a death.

But I suppose there *had* to be an alternative, or there wouldn't have been anyone left!

[ismenin.livejournal.com]

Well, we shall see! I just find the mores of different times in history fascinating. xxx

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

OK

I thought the blood letting, since it was obviously an accident would be explained away and not become a point of honor. Dom had been so obtuse as to seemingly toy with Elijah, dragging out the length of the fencing contest when he could have ended it rather quickly that I thought the worse of him. I assumed Dom's calling Elijah out was an extension of his embarrassing treatment of him during the fencing.