Abstract
Although James I declared duelling illegal in 1613, his edict failed to lessen the popularity of the custom. The English duel of honor had arisen in the 1580s, when Italian weaponry and customs had reshaped the single combat. Unlike the more traditionally “English” broadsword, the rapier gave no advantage to superior strength but, on the contrary, rewarded superior expertise. Its lightness made the rapier popular; ease and popularity altered the nature of its use.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 2003 Jennifer Low
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Low, J. (2003). Introduction. In: Manhood and the Duel: Masculinity in Early Modern Drama and Culture. Early Modern Cultural Series. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-05589-7_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-05589-7_1
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-73109-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-05589-7
eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)