Conquest — Season 1, Episode 8: The Duel
Documentary • 30 min • 2 seasons, 28 episodes • ★ 7.0/10
Episode synopsis
With actor and fight master Peter Woodward as guide, we see how the duel developed from trial by combat. The duel of honor was always the gentleman's recourse against slander and insult--in the 16th century, the duel had become epidemic, with half of Europe's nobility injured or killed! Our team investigates the intricate laws of dueling, and in an arranged duel, two team members face off with blunt weapons and eyeguards. We also look at some famous historical duels and the variety of weapons used. TV PG
About Conquest
Conquest is a TV show on the History Channel hosted by Peter Woodward. In each 30 minute episode, Woodward teaches his small group of assistants a particular type of weapon, or a set of weapons from a particular time period, while demonstrating their function, describing their comparative advantages and disadvantages, and discussing their history. Episodes have ranged widely across history, from "Stone-Age Weapons" to "Air Combat" and even including "Unarmed Combat". As examples of the broad spectrum, Roman weapons and tactics, SWAT tactics and ninjutsu have all featured.