134 STAR-CHAMBER DECREE AGAINST DUELS. 



sions and fancies, insomuch as the very practice of 

 chivalry in justs and tournays, which are but images 

 of martial actions,, appear by ancient precedents not 

 to be lawful without the king s licence obtained. 

 The court also noted, that these private duels or 

 combats were of another nature from the combats 

 which have been allowed by the law as well of 

 this land as of other nations for the trial of rights or 

 appeals. For that those combats receive direction 

 and authority from the law ; whereas these contrari 

 wise spring only from the unbridled humours of 

 private men. And as for the pretence of honour, 

 the court much misliking the confusion of degrees 

 which is grown of late, every man assuming unto 

 himself the term and attribute of honour, did utterly 

 reject and condemn the opinion that the private 

 duel, in any person whatsoever, had any grounds of 

 honour ; as well because nothing can be honourable 

 that is not lawful, and that it is no magnanimity or 

 greatness of mind, but a swelling and tumour of the 

 mind, where there faileth a right and sound judg 

 ment ; as also for that it was rather justly to be 

 esteemed a weakness, and a conscience of small value 

 in a man s self to be dejected so with a word or 

 trifling disgrace, as to think there is no re-cure of it, 

 but by the hazard of life : whereas true honour in 

 persons that know their own worth is not of any 

 such brittle substance, but of a more strong com 

 position. And finally, the court shewing a firm and 

 settled resolution to proceed with all severity against 

 these duels gave warning to all young noblemen 



