29. Divorce Duels Were Not to the Death, but Death Was the Ultimate Outcome
In 1467 Hans Talhofer, a German combat instructor and court adviser in regard to judicial duels, wrote Fechtbuch (“Fencing Book”). The illustrated tome included techniques for couples who wanted out of the marriage and wanted to settle things via a divorce duel. Since men have obvious physical advantages, efforts were made to even things out. Husbands, armed with three clubs, had to fight from inside a waist-high hole about three feet wide, with one hand tied to their body. Wives were armed with three rocks that weighed up to fight pounds, tied in a cloth-like a battery in a sock, and could move around the hole freely. Both sides’ weapons had to be of equal length.
If hubby touched the edge of the hole, he forfeited a club, and if he did so three times, he would have to continue unarmed. If that happened, he would presumably have to try and wrestle her into the hole before she bashed his head in. Talhofer’s manual offered advice about appropriate clothes, best techniques for each gender, and step-by-step instructions to exploit the opponent’s vulnerabilities. The duels were surprisingly fair, and there are numerous accounts of women coming out victors. Although Middle Age divorce duels were not to the death, death was the ultimate result: if the wife won, her husband was executed, and if the husband won, the wife was buried alive.
