The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France

The duel finally began with the herald shouting, “Faites vos devoirs!” (“Do your duty!”) (165). The duel was fought without rules, meaning any type of attack was allowed (167). The battle turned in Le Gris’s favor when he managed to kill Carrouges’s horse. Even unhorsed, however, Carrouges managed to dodge Le Gris’s attacks and mortally wound Le Gris’s horse.

As the two fought on the field without horses, Le Gris managed to wound Carrouges on the thigh. However, Le Gris took his sword from Carrouges’s wound, instead of taking full advantage, and backed away from the knight. This might have actually saved Carrouges’ life (176). Even with the wound, Carrouges managed to topple Le Gris, who could not get off the ground because of his heavy armor. Carrouges cried out for Le Gris to confess. After Le Gris continued protesting his innocence, Carrouges stabbed him to death with his dagger. Carrouges then turned to the crowd and shouted, “Ai-je fait mon devoir?” (“Have I done my duty?”). The crowd responded with, “Oui! Oui!” (“Yes! Yes!”) (179). King Charles gave Carrouges a reward of a thousand francs and sent his personal physician to treat his wounds.

As for Le Gris, his corpse was treated like the body of a condemned criminal.