Weapons Masters Rate 7 Duels in Movies and TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

Recent questions

• What are some key aspects of historical knightly combat techniques?

  Historical knightly combat techniques involved controlled movements, strategic positioning, and deflections rather than wild swinging. Mental preparation and emotional control were crucial to maintain a dispassionate mindset during combat. Techniques like stabbing in the thigh, using knightly daggers for close-range fighting, and unconventional weapons like giant maces were common in armored combat. Proper combat also included breaks during intense battles, as seen in historical events like the Battle of the Thirty in Brittany in 1351. Knightly treatises even discussed techniques for throwing rocks of various sizes.

• How did historical duels in movies and TV differ from reality?

  In movies and TV, historical duels are often portrayed inaccurately with clunky and cumbersome armor that does not reflect the reality of refined combat techniques. The focus on trial by combat, a medieval legal procedure, is also misrepresented. Judicial duels in the High and Late Middle Ages often resulted in death for the loser, unlike the dramatized outcomes seen on screen. Proper judicial duels required equal weapons for fairness, with mismatched weapons addressing physical inequalities, a detail often overlooked in cinematic portrayals.

• What weapons were commonly used in historical knightly combat?

  Knightly combat involved a variety of weapons, including knightly daggers like the rondel dagger for close-range fighting. Unconventional weapons like giant maces were also used in judicial duels, distinct from regular battlefield weapons. Historical duels often involved stabbing in the thigh, a critical area for quick bleeding. Knightly treatises even discussed techniques for throwing rocks of various sizes, showcasing the diverse arsenal utilized in historical combat scenarios.

• How important was mental preparation in historical knightly combat?

  Mental preparation was crucial in historical knightly combat to maintain a dispassionate mindset during intense battles. Combatants needed to keep their emotions in check and focus on controlled movements, strategic positioning, and deflections rather than succumbing to wild swings. Historical precedent, such as the Battle of the Thirty in Brittany in 1351, allowed for breaks during intense battles to rest and regroup, emphasizing the importance of mental resilience in knightly combat.

• What were some key elements of judicial duels in the High and Late Middle Ages?

  Judicial duels in the High and Late Middle Ages often involved unconventional weapons like giant maces and distinct combat techniques. Combatants were required to use equal weapons for fairness, with mismatched weapons addressing physical inequalities. Historical duels often resulted in death for the loser, highlighting the high stakes involved in these legal procedures. Proper combat techniques, such as stabbing in the thigh and using knightly daggers for close-range fighting, were essential in judicial duels to ensure a level playing field and accurate representation of historical combat practices.