Duels: A guide to throwing down the gauntlet

This episode explores the fascinating and deadly world of formal dueling, from medieval sword fights to pistol duels at dawn. Josh and Chuck dive into the elaborate rules and codes that governed these honor-based combats, including the famous Irish Code Duelo that was actually printed in U.S. Navy handbooks until 1862. They discuss everything from the role of "seconds" (your dueling wingman) to famous historical duels like the fatal encounter between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, revealing how these ritualized fights evolved from a noble pastime into a democratic - and ultimately doomed - tradition.