In previous centuries, it was considered a perfectly normal way for men to settle their differences through duels. But it was not just men among the highest members of society who engaged in duels, it also happened that traditional women resorted to it, although it was much rarer.
One of the most famous duels of noblewomen took place in 1892 between Countess Anastasia Kielmanssegg and Princess Pauline von Metternich.
Struggle for flower arrangements
There are mainly two things that make the duel extremely interesting.
On the one hand, there is reason, but it was fought because of a dispute over flower arrangements, and on the other hand, that noble women fought naked from above.
Women had done naked fencing before, but never ladies of such nobility.
In fact, it had happened before that women went naked in Holmgang, but what was considered noteworthy was that not only were women of the nobility fighting, but all the people present were also women . Traditionally, a ranger had an assistant (or in this case a woman) at his side, as well as a doctor who was always present, and the doctor was also a woman. So is the judge.
And all were naked from above,
This had never happened before.
There’s actually no consensus among the sources as to whether the assistants, the judge, and the doctor also ripped each other off, but this version is undeniably much more entertaining.
Princess Pauline.
One of the bluest bloods in Europe
The countess and the princess were known in the social life of Europe and the most beautiful families, and in particular Princess Pauline. In his veins flowed one of the bluest blood in Europe. She supported the arts and artists such as Degas and Boudin painted portraits of her, and Pauline was a leader in continental haute couture. She was also central to the music scene of that time and, incidentally, a close friend of composer Richard Wagner.
Pauline was in her fifties when the duel took place, and Anastasia about 20 years younger.
Countess Anastasia was also a fashion and style leader, and the two ladies were so determined to know what was beautiful and presentable in flowers and what was not, that they were ready to die. for their opinion. Maybe not die, but express their opinion honestly.
As mentioned earlier, the dispute was about flower arrangements.
Countess Anastasia.
The two ladies sat on the flower-arranging committee for Vienna’s finest annual music and theater show, but couldn’t agree on which flowers or colors to choose that year.
But in fact, it can be added that there was one thing on which the two noble women were in complete agreement: they were both at the forefront of the struggle for the rights of women of their time and did not did not consider it an obstacle for women to engage in duels, just like men.
Which ended with a walk on the island.
Photo of the duel itself.
The doctor asked for nectar
The doctor invited to attend was a Baroness named Lubinska who had not only graduated from the most prestigious medical academies in Europe, but had worked in war zones and seen the horrific injuries and infections that could result.
The Baroness therefore demanded that the women be naked from above to ensure that any wounds could be seen immediately so that they could be treated.
It’s perhaps no surprise that news of the duel spread like wildfire, and the men in particular were very interested in being there.
But this was totally forbidden and the area was completely fenced, men and women.
Both ladies are very prepared for the green march, their interest in the correct flower arrangement was not so hot that they intended to hurt each other, let alone kill their opponent in the flower war.
Paulina got a cut on her nose and Anastasia got a cut on her arm, so it was a draw.
It turned out that Princess Pauline had a small cut on her nose, while Anastasia had a shallow prick on her arm. The Baroness quickly got to work, cleaning and dressing the wounds and there were no permanent injuries to either woman.
Both came out proud of the duel, it had ended in a draw, which meant that they both kept their honor in full.
But the information about the floral arrangements that ended up on the tables of the Vienna Music and Theater Show that year has sadly been lost to history.
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