Gardens -- England -- London; London (England) -- Description and travel; Parks -- England -- London
Hyde Park has witnessed other gloomy pictures from time to time.
Although the colouring of fashion and romance has endeavoured to
make these incidents less repulsive, duels cannot be otherwise than
distressing to the modern sense. For generations Hyde Park was a
favourite place in which to settle affairs of honour. The usual
spot is described by Fielding in “Amelia.” The combatants walked up
Constitution Hill and into Hyde Park “to that place which may properly
be called the Field of Blood, being that part a little to the left of
the Ring, which Heroes have chosen for the scene of their exit out of
this World.” One of the most famous duels was that fought between Lord
Mohun and the Duke of Hamilton on November 15, 1712, which resulted
in the death of both the combatants--the Duke, whose loss was a great
blow to the Jacobite cause in Scotland, and the Whig opponent. All
through the eighteenth century Hyde Park was frequently the place in
which disputes were settled, and one of the last duels recorded, which
resulted in the death of Captain Macnamara (his antagonist, Colonel
Montgomery, being tried for manslaughter, but acquitted), although
fought on Primrose Hill, originated in Hyde Park. The cause of quarrel
was that the dogs of these two gentlemen fought while out with them in
the Park, whereupon the respective masters used such abusive language
to each other that the affair had to be settled by a duel.
Military displays, for which Hyde Park is still famous, have taken
place there from early times. The works of defence were thrown up,
and Fairfax and the Parliamentary army arrived there in the times of
civil strife, but soon after the Restoration Charles II. had a peaceful
demonstration, and there reviewed his Life Guards. Again, in September
1668, there was a more brilliant review, when the Duke of Monmouth took
command of the Life Guards, and the King and Duke of York were both
present. Pepys was there, and wrote, “It was mighty noble, and their
firing mighty fine, and the Duke of Monmouth in mighty rich clothes;
but the well ordering of the men I understand not.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account