Duels in the Poldark Novels

Dueling seems a barbaric practice to we  modern people, but for hundreds of years it was considered THE way to settle a matter of honor. There are two duels in the Poldark novels.

 In the 18th c. the small-sword was commonly used but late in the century the pistol replaced the sword as the wearing of swords became less fashionable. By the time of the Regency, dueling was on its way out (and out-lawed) but that doesn't mean the practice died out.

There were rules,  such as a gentleman would not challenge a socially inferior such as a blacksmith. A challenge should never be given at the time of the insult, but sent by letter.  Negotiations were handled by the seconds and even if the firing would be simultaneous or take turns receiving fire, as well as the number of shots and the distance between the duelists.  The meeting would be in a remote place typically so the law would not be alerted.  The seconds would inspect the pistols and a final opportunity to issue an apology was given.  If it was to go on then the seconds determined if the duel was to first blood, until one can no longer stand, or to the death.

"The Art of the Duel," by A Traveller, 1836, the proper technique is described: "A person should stand with his right and left shoulder in a line with the object he wishes to hit...let him raise his right arm steadily into a line with the object, bring that part of the arm between the shoulder and elbow close to the side-throw out the muscle strongly, and let it cover the breast as much as possible."

Apparently it was rare, but there is one known example of women dueling! Lady Almeria Braddock and Mrs. Elphinstone, who fought with both pistols and swords in 1792.

Mrs. Elphinstone expected  a cup of tea when she paid a social call to Lady Almeria Braddock’s London home in 1792. The visit went decidedly into unladylike territory when the hostess, evidently enraged by a casual comment Mrs. Elphinstone made about her age (not very  ladylike!), challenged her guest to a duel in Hyde Park (where Ross fights a duel too). According to reports, Mrs. Elphinstone fired her pistol first, knocking Lady Braddock’s hat to the ground (oh the outrage to the hat!). The women then took up swords, and Lady Braddock got her revenge by wounding her opponent in the arm. The “Petticoat Duel,” as it came to be known, ended without further incident when Mrs. Elphinstone agreed to write a letter of apology.  Let us be good examples of tea etiquette.

Back to Ross Poldark (the book) where the first duel takes place.  Verity sees Captain Blamey at Nampara because Ross felt he could trust her and knew her better than her father and brother.  Naturally, Francis and Charles were displeased when they found out she was meeting him at Nampara.

The scene is very much like the series......Captain Blamey calls Francis an insolent puppy.  Puppy here means an inexperienced young person.  The ultimatum is issued but the standard "cooling off" cannot happen because Captain Blamey sails for Lisbon at tomorrow's tide.  Appeals were made, a request for pistols......

Duelling Pistols in box

Francis told Jud to act as referee and to count out fifteen paces for them; Jud glanced at Ross, who shrugged.  Unlike the series, Verity stayed inside..."At the word fifteen they turned. Francis fired first and hit Blamey in the hand.  Blamey dropped his pistol. He bent and picked it up with his left hand and fired back.  Francis put up a hand to his neck and fell to the ground."  We know he lived....apparently satisfaction on both sides, but of course, Blamey could not stay and woo Verity any longer.

In 1809, Ross's friend George Canning, foreign secretary,  dueled with Lord Castlereagh, war minister.  Apparently Canning was trying to get Castlereagh removed behind his back and he didn't like it one bit!  Letters were exchanged and a duel fought on September 21, 1809. The duel took place at  6 a.m. on Putney Heath. First shots missed, but Canning was shot in the thigh on the second.  He lived until 1827, but his career was damaged by the duel.  He did become Prime Minister in 1827 but died a few months later.

Killing no murder, or a new ministerial way of settling the affairs of a nation!', a satire by Isaac Cruickshank of the duel between Castlereagh (l) and Canning that took place on September 21st, 1809  In The Angry Tide (1798-1799) much happens to Ross and Demelza. They are in London and keep running into Monk Adderley, a rake if ever there was one! Until Monk comes on the scene they are having a fabulous time and their marriage is on the mend.  Unbeknownst to Demelza or  Ross, Monk has a bet with George Warleggan that he could get Demelza into his bed and sets off to pursue her.  Poor Demelza.. she tries not to be rude to anyone, but he is relentless and Ross doesn't understand.  At any rate, it all comes to a head when Monk takes Ross's seat in Parliament.  Monk is sitting on Ross's gloves, he yanks him up by his cravat, snatches his gloves and drops him back with a thump.
Ross receives a letter challenging him to a duel and asks Dwight to be his second.  "I desire that you meet me in Hyde Park on Wednesday at 6 a.m. with a brace of pistols each, to determine our differences.... I desire that this Meeting be kept a dead secret, for reasons which must be plain to you........ Monk Adderley

Hyde Park today, a corner of it. Photo taken by the author in August, 2016

Dwight Enys tries to intervene, but neither Adderley or Ross will have it.  Fourteen paces are counted according to the book. They both fired simultaneously and it seemed both missed. The light was still not too good.  Ross had heard the ball go past.  "That will do!" Dwight said, moving forward.  Adderley dropped the empty pistol and changed hands, raised the other.  As he saw this Ross did the same. Just as he fired the pistol was knocked out of his hand and he felt a searing pain in his forearm.  To his surprise the force of the ball swung him round. He half doubled, clutching his arm, and then through the smoke saw Adderley on the ground.  UPDATE JULY 2018: The duel and other scenes were filmed at Bowood (https://www.bowood.org) a beautiful property that I have been able to visit two times! Its interesting because in later novels Demelza and Clowance visited Bowood.   I am not going to give away the whole story, but needless to say, Demelza was horrified that Ross had needlessly risked his life.  And why? Read The Angry Tide and see what Caroline thought! 
As you might have noticed, I'm crazy for historic fashions.  In The Angry Tide, Caroline takes Demelza shopping as her clothes were not fashionable enough for London.  The style had changed: waists were high, almost under the armpit, both for day and for evening. Neck and bust were much exposed... Ostrich feathers in the hair, or a few pearls.  This illustration could be what Demelza wore, found on Pinterest.

  Ross said: "That is very pretty. But where is the gown?  "This is it! This is what I bought!"  "That's a petticoat."  "Oh, Ross, you are provoking! You know well it is nothing of the sort." (LOL)  and then: "The vexing thing is, good-looking women look good in anything. Or should I say almost anything?  Well..... He stared at her. On longer inspection I like the frock. I think it has a touch of elegance. I am only a little reluctant that so many men should see so much of you."

Author in her Inspired by Poldark ensemble. Would Ross and Demelza approve? I think Caroline would!

Thanks for reading my blog. By the way, I Tweeted after a recent episode of Poldark and it was picked up and appeared in an article in The Daily Mail in London!
Bonny Wise, I amInspired by Poldark