The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France

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The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France is a 2004 book by American author Eric Jager about the last officially recognised judicial duel fought in France.

Plot[]

The story tells of the 29 December 1386, trial by combat (duel) in which the Norman knight Jean de Carrouges dueled squire Jacques Le Gris. Carrouges had accused Le Gris of raping his wife, Marguerite de Carrouges, née de Thibouville, some months before. He had gone to King Charles VI, seeking an appeal to the decision handed down by Count Pierre d'Alençon, who Carrouges believed favoured Le Gris. Whichever combatant was still alive at the end of the duel would be declared the winner, as a sign of God's will. If Jean de Carrouges had lost the duel, his wife would have been burned at the stake, as punishment for her false accusation.

In the centuries since Le Gris's death, the case has become an important cultural legend in France, and the guilt or innocence of its participants has been a source of great debate among historians and jurists.[1]

Though this was the final judiciary duel held in France, it was not the last legal duel. Subsequently authorised duels were not judicial duels deciding the guilt and innocence of the participants, but duels for honour to avenge an affront. The last duel to be publicly authorised took place on 10 July 1547 at the castle of Saint-Germain-en-Laye: it opposed Guy Chabot de Jarnac against François de Vivonne, following a request by Jarnac to King Henry II for permission to duel to regain his honour.[2] Jarnac went on to win the duel after injuring Vivonne. Vivonne later died of the sword wounds inflicted by Jarnac during the duel.[3]

Adaptations[]

An abridged version of the book was read by Robert Glenister on BBC Radio 4 as Book of the Week between Monday 10 and Friday 14 January 2005.[4]

The Last Duel, a drama documentary based on the book and including comments by Jager, was broadcast by BBC Four as part of a medieval-themed season on 24 April 2008.

In July 2019, it was reported that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon would star in, co-write, and produce a film adaptation of the novel, with Ridley Scott to direct. Jodie Comer joined the cast as Marguerite de Carrouges and Adam Driver was confirmed as Le Gris.[5][6] Filming began in Dordogne, France, in February and March 2020 and resumed in Ireland.[7] The film was originally scheduled to begin a limited release on 25 December 2020, before going wide on 8 January 2021.[8] Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was eventually released on 15 October 2021.[9]

References[]

  1. ^ Jager, Eric. "The Last Duel". Retrieved 4 August 2007.
  2. ^ Moskowa, M. le prince de la (1854). "Vivonne et Jarnac, le dernier duel judiciaire en France". Revue des Deux Mondes: 931–964.
  3. ^ "Le "coup de Jarnac" fête son anniversaire". LEFIGARO (in French). 10 July 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  4. ^ Daoust, Phil (10 January 2005). "Radio Pick of the Day". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  5. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (22 July 2019). "Ridley Scott, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck & Nicole Holofcener Huddle On 14th Century Tale 'The Last Duel'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (22 October 2019). "Adam Driver in Talks to Join Matt Damon in Ridley Scott's 'Last Duel' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  7. ^ "The Last Duel Film Extras Open Casting". Retrieved 13 February 2020 – via Facebook.com.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (16 November 2019). "Ridley Scott's 'The Last Duel' Gets the Greenlight as Disney Dates Multiple Titles". Variety. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  9. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (23 July 2020). "'Star Wars' Films, 'Avatar' Sequels Pushed Back a Year in Disney Release Calendar Shakeup". Variety. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
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