Laws and legal issues in the UK
 
Question:
Avatar

Under UK law, does the right of combat and conquest still apply? If I challenged a monarch to a duel, and they accepted and were defeated, would the I become the new monarch?

By DarthFiore Asked Apr 25 2006 5:44PM
0
Pts
 
 
Rate Question
Answer Question Help someone!
Get the latest questions in Laws and legal issues in the UK
flag

Welcome to Answerbag, a community of people sharing what they know.
Sign up now to ask a question or help someone else by giving an answer!

signup now
 

First Answer

by Im Alec on May 5, 2006 at 4:17 pm Permalink

Avatar
This answer was last edited on: May 6, 2006
Almost certainly not. Where do you get the idea that the right ever did apply? Even when an interloper has take the throne by conquest - by the power of their army, not of one-on-one challenge - they have always worked hard to present reasons why their succession was legally correct and not mere power grabbing. As far as I know, no throne in Britain has ever changed hands because of a challenge to a monarh.

I am fairly sure that such a right has never been embodied in statute. To claim it, you would have to show that it was part of the Common Law which has existed "since time immemorial" - which, for legal purposes, I believe to be since the accession of Richard II, the king who created the first formal courts with professional judges. Which, so far as I know, it has not.
9
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar DarthFiore May, 07 2006 at 04:13 AM
*obviously watches far too much TV*
Avatar lady fuschia Aug, 04 2006 at 06:17 AM
I'd like to see someone try it!


Add an Answer

Under UK law, does the right of combat and conquest still apply? If I challenged a monarch to a duel, and they accepted and were defeated, would the I become the new monarch?

How to write a good answer
Your answer:

Display answer in fixed-width font (good for tables or text diagrams)

Answers must adhere to our Terms of Use

To create links, just type the address with no HTML code. Use the Preview button at the bottom to verify.

You can edit your answer at any time.

Add Video Add Iimage


Important: Answerbag cannot guarantee the accuracy of answers submitted by members, and we recommend that you use common sense when following any advice found here. Read full disclaimer.