georgina smalley

In parts of the medieval Holy Roman Empire, husbands and wives could have a legal fight, called a marital duel, to solve their arguments. Interestingly, the husband had to fight in a hole and with one arm tied. The wife could move around freely but had to carry weighted cloth. Her weapon was usually a bag filled with rocks, while the man got three clubs. If he touched the hole's edge during the fight, he lost one club. Before the fight, couples were given a month or two to try and solve their problems. If they couldn't agree, then the duel would happen. If the husband lost, his head would be cut off. If the wife lost, she would be buried alive.