The record for the world's worst duel stood for over 300 years!
Previously, in 1645, the most amazing 'un-duel' took place in London, England, over a matter of honour between Sir Hierome Sankey and Sir William Perry.
Now, it seems that Sankey was a pretty tough dude, and, honour or not, Perry would rather have worn ladies bloomers in public than to have had to fight Sankey. And, since Sir Hierome had initiated the duel, it was left to Sir William to select the venue and the choice of weapons.
The 'un-duel' didn't take place in a pitch-dark basement with carpenter axes as the chosen weapon, which, incidentally, neither man was strong enough to even lift!
This record was broken in 1971 when a Uruguayan Field Marshall called a fellow General a 'socialist'. Taking the comment to heart, the General demanded a duel to return his honour.
The two men met at dawn in one of Montevideo's public parks. With pistols in hand and standing 'cheek to cheek' (so to speak), the two dualists set out in opposite directions, taking a single pace for each of the 25 called.
At the count of 25, the two men turned to face each other, and, between the two, fired off 37 rounds of ammunition.
Neither man was hurt.
Apparently, both men had forgot to put on their eyeglasses.
