What a Medieval Duel Really Looked Like (Video)
In medieval Europe, justice was often sought through grim ordeals, and the judicial duel was a stark example. The murder of Charles the Good, Count of Flanders, triggered a brutal confrontation between accused knight Gee of Steinborg and the valiant Herman the Iron. The knights, clad in chainmail, faced off outside a manor, raising shields and lances. The clash was not a display of valor but a desperate plea for divine intervention.
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The duel escalated from lance strikes to sword clashes, and eventually, both warriors resorted to fists. Gee's apparent triumph turned to defeat when Herman, resilient even in his last moments, resorted to a shocking tactic. In a grisly turn, he seized Gee's vulnerable parts, securing victory through a ruthless maneuver. The aftermath, marked by hangings and mockery, reveals the paradoxical nature of medieval justice, where honor and brutality coexisted in a complex tapestry of feudal society.
Top image: Reenactment of two Armored Medieval Knights Fighting with Swords. Source: Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock
