Picture the scene. It is Hyde Park in central London. The year is 1792 and the cold of the early morning is leaving a low blanket of mist across the grassland. Two horse-drawn coaches appear and make their way towards each other. They stop and a coachman steps down from each and opens the door for the occupant to climb down.
The two passengers face each other. Another two men approach. Each is holding a black leather case. A few words are spoken. The cases are opened and from one of them each passenger takes out a loaded pistol. There is a matter of honour to settle in the way that only a gentleman of the time can settle; a duel. But this is no disagreement between two gentlemen. Both protagonists are women.
Their names are Lady Almeria Braddock and a Mrs Elphinstone. So, why are they about to set about each other with the likely result that only one of them will walk away? It must have been something terrible to bring them to this outcome? Well, you decide if it is worth dying over. It began when Mrs Elphinstone went to the home of Lady Almeria Braddock. Both, it should be noted were leading ladies of society at that time. The intention was nothing more serious than taking afternoon tea with each other and probably partaking in some idle chat and gossip.
But it didn’t work out that way. The conversation turned to looks and Mrs Elphinstone remarked to Lady Almeria that, “You have been a very beautiful woman.” With the emphasis on “you have been” was going to ignite a response. Lady Almeria replied that this was patently not true as she was still only 30 years of age. Now, a difficult turn of events was about to get a lot worse.
Mrs Elphinstone remarked that Lady Almeria was not 30 years old but 61. That was enough. Lady Almeria called her out which was the term for challenging her companion to a duel. Mrs Elphinstone stuck to her guns and yes, the pun is on purpose, and accepted the challenge. And that is how both ladies ended up facing each other with loaded pistols.
The command was given and the first exchange of fire only resulted in Lady Almeria’s hat receiving a wound. The seconds who were on hand pleaded with them both to stop now before any real harm was done and accept that honour had been restored. Both ladies declined the offer and proceeded to take out a sword each from the other case.
After a short time, Mrs Elphinstone received a wound to her arm. This now appeared to be enough for both ladies as they then agreed that honour had been served and that they could now go their separate ways with the heads’ held high. Honour had been satisfied. But there is always some paperwork in almost everything you do and this case was no exception. They each signed a document that honour had been served. With that done, they apparently curtsied to each other and mounted their coaches. Whether or not they ever took tea together again, I do not know. But the event down in history as the “Petticoat Duel.”
John Pullen 