英国近代贵族决斗析要

The Aristocratic Duels in Modern Britain

英国近代的贵族决斗主要是"荣誉决斗",它是由中古时期的司法决斗演变而来,受到了文艺复兴人本主义的影响,但其谋杀性质和凶残程度有增无减,并且具有贵族特色,曾屡屡受到君主和民众的鄙视和批评。近代前期,这一残酷的决斗却未被禁止,并逐步扩展到社会中下层,探寻其原因不止一端。19世纪中叶,由于决斗死亡率增高导致参加者望而生畏。其他如近代社会公德意识的普及,君主的反对和立法机构的制止,社会政治和宗教环境的日趋宽容化,上流社会绅士风度的强化和社会舆论对暴力行为的遣责等,终于使英国贵族决斗绝迹。

Under the influence of Renaissance humanism,British duels in the modern times are mainly the 'duel of honor'.It evolved from the medieval judicial duel,but its nature and extent of heinous murder remain unabated.Although modern duels had aristocratic characteristics,they were often despised and criticized by the monarchs and the populace.In the early modern period,honor duel was not prohibited,and also extended gradually to the middle and lower society.By the mid 19th century,participants seemed be terrified due tothe increase of death rate of duels.There are other reasons leading to its extinction,such as universal accession to modern social consciousness of social morality,opposition from monarchs and restrictions by the legislatures,being more tolerant of the socio-political and religious environment,the intension of gentleman manner of the upper society and restriction from public opinion on violence.