Duel

a -¢-—— and prearcombat between two persons with deadly weapons, for the purpose of a, some private difference or quarrel. The combat generally takes place in the presence of witne es called seconds, who make arrangements as to the mode of fighting, place the weapons in the hands of the combatants, and see that the laws they have laid down are carried out. The origin of the practice of duelling is referred to the trial by ‘‘wager of battle’? which obtained in early ages. This form of duel ardse among the Germanic peoples, and a judicial combat.of the kind was authorized by Gundebald, King of the Burgundians, as early as 501 a. p. When the judicial combat declined the modern duel arose, being probably to some extent an independent outcome. of the spirit and institutions of chivalry.