The practice of duelling and points of honour settled at Clonmell summer assizes

en · official · sha256:22045b31a039f2466b3de4e602f8e7af639ce3f66c348e45097ad2217a8b76db

RULE 1. The first offence requires the first apology, though the retort may have been more offensive than the insult: example;—A tells B he is impertinent, &c. B retorts, that he lies: yet A must make the first apology, because he gave the first offence, and then (after one fire) B may explain away the retort by subsequent apology.

Referencing norms: FirstOffenceIsTheInsult, FirstOffenceIsTheLie, FirstOffenderApologisesFirst, OneFireForOrdinaryRetort

en · official · sha256:e5f5a791c61f3ee0425d7a761446ccf06e2d2986fa3c15354e09df58b389c947

RULE 10. Any insult to a lady under a gentleman’s care or protection, to be considered as, by one degree, a greater offence than if given to the gentleman personally, and to be regulated accordingly.

Referencing norms: InsultToALadyIsAggravated

en · official · sha256:ff2dccc69f5b079e5cb74f1983e53ff9bed4e81212e16db126cb5afce65ea0fe

RULE 11. Offences originating or accruing from the support of ladies’ reputation, to be considered as less unjustifiable than any others of the same class, and as admitting of slighter apologies by the aggressor:—this to be determined by the circumstances of the case, but always favourably to the lady.

Referencing norms: SupportOfALadyIsMitigated

en · official · sha256:7f3906888b3a2792925bc310aaa6bbc4aee70b0df02f16ebde74a64419e1099e

RULE 12. In simple unpremeditated rencontres with the small sword, or couteau-de-chasse the rule is—first draw, first sheath; unless blood be drawn: then both sheath, and proceed to investigation.

Referencing norms: BloodTurnsRencontreIntoInvestigation, FirstDrawFirstSheath

en · official · sha256:bac95e26ef6161f90a841bcba010a2a18e53918af3660a36630c28b01c47b278

RULE 13. No dumb-shooting or firing in the air admissible in any case. The challenger ought not to have challenged without receiving offence; and the challenged ought, if he gave offence, to have made an apology before he came on the ground: therefore, children’s play must be dishonourable on one side or the other, and is accordingly prohibited.

Referencing norms: ClonmelForbidsTheAirShot, CodesDisagreeOnTheAirShot, DurasovAllowsTheSecondFirersAirShot, FiringInTheAirIsAgainstTheCode, FiringInTheAirIsChildrensPlay

en · official · sha256:123e9f9f39fdb77a30d06b4f55e7239255044a1ea566a821f7ec16f16079ccab

RULE 14. Seconds to be of equal rank in society with the principals they attend, inasmuch as a second may either choose or chance to become a principal, and equality is indispensable.

Referencing norms: ClonmelRequiresEqualRank, CodesAgreeOnTheSecondsRank, DurasovRequiresEqualOrigin, SecondsOfEqualRank

en · official · sha256:baef48b2e51da435f63380b978c0fe7c8caaf33c8632e4aef25ade09cde0a3a4

RULE 15. Challenges are never to be delivered at night, unless the party to be challenged intend leaving the place of offence before morning; for it is desirable to avoid all hot-headed proceedings.

Referencing norms: NightChallengeIsIrregular

en · official · sha256:d8f44e6cc8f57fe0f4439fcc1ecabd6161e6221773852a9a5bd3fb051e5ff1f9

RULE 16. The challenged has the right to choose his own weapon, unless the challenger gives his honour he is no swordsman; after which, however, he cannot decline any second species of weapon proposed by the challenged.

Referencing norms: ChallengedChoosesTheWeapon, ClonmelGivesTheWeaponToTheChallenged, CodesAgreeOnTheWeapon, CodesDisagreeOnTheWeapon, DurasovGivesTheWeaponToTheOffended, NoSwordsmanOnHonourNarrowsTheChoice

en · official · sha256:30377b0316ec1b5242d395d52fdc9b95d1c1b7f9d2bdd1660cf973bdaf3a6821

RULE 17. The challenged chooses his ground: the challenger chooses his distance: the seconds fix the time and terms of firing.

Referencing norms: ChallengedChoosesTheGround, ChallengerChoosesTheDistance, SecondsFixTimeAndTerms

en · official · sha256:928c98f3319e0b92ce3a47a0361cb858bf044fa1367933f2169dd85ec9ec5ab7

RULE 18. The seconds load in presence of each other, unless they give their mutual honours they have charged smooth and single, which should be held sufficient.

Referencing norms: LoadingInPresenceIsSufficient, MutualHonourIsSufficient

en · official · sha256:20bc684f6b03a14143fb9249297fd5e84eb1cfc10419e1515e04216d68e9bb45

RULE 19. Firing may be regulated—first, by signal; secondly, by word of command; or, thirdly, at pleasure—as may be agreeable to the parties. In the latter case, the parties may fire at their reasonable leisure, but second presents and rests are strictly prohibited.

Referencing norms: FiringAtPleasureIsRegulated, FiringByCommandIsRegulated, FiringBySignalIsRegulated, SecondPresentsAndRestsAreProhibited

en · official · sha256:27652d0d46393c5cc3a796f60c681044f897eb8fd0dcce3d2c061efa9c467de8

RULE 2. But if the parties would rather fight on, then, after two shots each, (but in no case before,) B may explain first, and A apologise afterwards. N.B. The above rules apply to all cases of offences in retort not of a stronger class than the example.

Referencing norms: FightingOnReversesTheOrderForTheOffender, FightingOnReversesTheOrderForTheRetorter

en · official · sha256:0187bb0a0cd63fb9b86b9024df70b14f595e06e8070d0819a695d8d519c54046

RULE 20. In all cases, a miss-fire is equivalent to a shot, and a snap or a non-cock is to be considered as a miss-fire.

Referencing norms: MissFireCountsAsAShot, SnapOrNonCockIsAMissFire

en · official · sha256:c5e1cf853e982a93c7670d3f881efd4048441825b9c29329a83fe02c5de97da9

RULE 21. Seconds are bound to attempt a reconciliation before the meeting takes place, or after sufficient firing or hits, as specified.

Referencing norms: ApologyAdmissibleAfterSufficientFiring, ApologyAdmissibleBeforeTheMeeting, AttemptReconciliation, ClonmelBindsTheSecondsToReconcile, CodesAgreeOnTheDutyToReconcile, DurasovBindsTheSecondsToReconcile, ReconciliationAttemptClosed, SecondsAreBoundToAttemptReconciliation

en · official · sha256:2e46a8156abbfeea04edc6fc2cf8fad9a052ad53893a4363f8a0655614fae654

RULE 22. Any wound sufficient to agitate the nerves and necessarily make the hand shake, must end the business for that day.

Referencing norms: ShakingHandEndsTheDay

en · official · sha256:4de8d8df15637510f360218f6aafb9767840d4ad716d28a17ce2448105f5434f

RULE 23. If the cause of meeting be of such a nature that no apology or explanation can or will be received, the challenged takes his ground, and calls on the challenger to proceed as he chooses: in such cases, firing at pleasure is the usual practice, but may be varied by agreement.

Referencing norms: NoApologyMeansChallengedCallsOn

en · official · sha256:ea712aa0fcf51f275f1b69ecc68f8cf3e877bb923a057f32ecde2ba45589ac7b

RULE 24. In slight cases, the second hands his principal but one pistol; but, in gross cases, two, holding another case ready-charged in reserve.

Referencing norms: GrossCaseKeepsAReserve, GrossCaseTwoPistols, SlightCaseOnePistol

en · official · sha256:d080fdd474da74a755a59e345695aa070c33eaa4b4e7301648844c4f16a24e64

RULE 25. Where seconds disagree, and resolve to exchange shots themselves, it must be at the same time and at right angles with their principals, thus:— S | | P-----------P | | S If with swords, side by side, with five paces interval. N.B. All matters and doubts not herein mentioned will be explained and cleared up by application to the committee, who meet alternately at Clonmell and Galway, at the quarter-sessions, for that purpose.[6]

Referencing norms: ReconciliationAttemptClosed, SecondsFireAtRightAngles, SecondsWithSwordsStandSideBySide, StrictObservanceClosed

en · official · sha256:77ab074b1de05f2eadb042eecc435e115b4e10d6341d48296b0b5534e15fcace

RULE 3. If a doubt exist who gave the first offence, the decision rests with the seconds: if they won’t decide or can’t agree, the matter must proceed to two shots, or to a hit, if the challenger require it.

Referencing norms: DoubtfulFirstOffenceGoesToTheSeconds, SilentSecondsAndAHitIfRequired, SilentSecondsSendThePartiesToTwoShots, seconds_decide_first_offence, seconds_decide_first_offence/external

en · official · sha256:2152d2785b319b89cb525a2fe0dbf4b4ced2102fcee869f17e47c3f2db80fcbb

RULE 4. When the lie direct is the first offence, the aggressor must either beg pardon in express terms; exchange two shots previous to apology; or three shots followed up by explanation; or fire on till a severe hit be received by one party or the other.

Referencing norms: TwoShotsForTheLieDirect

en · official · sha256:fefd8efe2921d91a6fe63b257a8a35f5db500b4335270d82276f4f8a60464ce9

RULE 5. As a blow is strictly prohibited under any circumstances amongst gentlemen, no verbal apology can be received for such an insult: the alternatives therefore are—first, the offender handing a cane to the injured party, to be used on his own person, at the same time begging pardon;—second, firing on until one or both are disabled; or thirdly, exchanging three shots, and then asking pardon, without the proffer of the cane. If swords are used, the parties engage till one is well blooded, disabled, or disarmed; or until, after receiving a wound, and blood being drawn, the aggressor begs pardon. N.B. A disarm is considered the same as a disable: the disarmer may (strictly) break his adversary’s sword; but if it be the challenger who is disarmed, it is considered as ungenerous to do so. In case the challenged be disarmed, and refuses to ask pardon or atone, he must not be killed, as formerly; but the challenger may lay his own sword on the aggressor’s shoulder, then break the aggressor’s sword, and say, “I spare your life!” The challenged can never revive that quarrel—the challenger may.

Referencing norms: BlowAtonedByCane, BlowAtonedByFiringOn, BlowAtonedByThreeShots, ThreeShotsForABlow

en · official · sha256:3ae6a17dab04e5b18b44451873e164ede16ecd3f3435a8dfa9083eb1c3a9a546

RULE 6. If A gives B the lie, and B retorts by a blow (being the two greatest offences), no reconciliation can take place till after two discharges each, or a severe hit;—after which, B may beg A’s pardon humbly for the blow, and then A may explain simply for the lie;—because a blow is never allowable, and the offence of the lie therefore merges in it. (See preceding rule.) N.B. Challenges for undivulged causes may be reconciled on the ground, after one shot. An explanation or the slightest hit should be sufficient in such cases, because no personal offence transpired.

Referencing norms: LieAndBlowRequireTwoDischarges, UndivulgedCauseReconcilableOnTheGround

en · official · sha256:931f5b9a0907955dd6b04fca89b817715e7637e7c4ebaaa4c37027ed6132b722

RULE 7. But no apology can be received, in any case, after the parties have actually taken their ground, without exchange of fires.

Referencing norms: ApologyAdmissibleAfterSufficientFiring, ApologyBarredOnTheGround

en · official · sha256:92df2c201b04660822ae2f5b7cfc603ac44b175359287dd127b2e76ed6d01d32

RULE 8. In the above case, no challenger is obliged to divulge his cause of challenge (if private), unless required by the challenged so to do before their meeting.

Referencing norms: CauseMustBeDivulgedIfAskedInTime, PrivateCauseNeedNotBeDivulged, UndivulgedCauseReconcilableOnTheGround

en · official · sha256:2364b8fd857f81cb975a7fa75f9338e3069597bbc7fb6507d3ed2a2d55d3dab5

RULE 9. All imputations of cheating at play, races, &c. to be considered equivalent to a blow; but may be reconciled after one shot, on admitting their falsehood, and begging pardon publicly.

Referencing norms: CheatingRequiresPublicRetraction, OneShotForCheating

en · official · sha256:c5ed1b5657c9342f3932ec94320ec9b781b86220b7579af86956345b3100aea7

Crow Ryan, President, James Keogh,} Amby Bodkin,} Secretaries.

en · official · sha256:a63d3e0596a56f735b72853c7b6f073d13ffb4d42e5aa356783261efb1dbf654

The practice of duelling and points of honour settled at Clonmell summer assizes, 1775, by the gentlemen delegates of Tipperary, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and Roscommon, and prescribed for general adoption throughout Ireland.