37 pages • 1 hour read
Eric JagerThe Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Last Duel by Eric Jager recounts a 1386 legal battle in Paris where Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris duel to resolve accusations of rape by Carrouges’s wife, Marguerite, with the outcome determining her fate and Le Gris's guilt. Set against the backdrop of feudal Normandy and involving King Charles VI, the duel marks one of the last sanctioned by the Parlement of Paris. The story includes sexual violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Eric Jager's The Last Duel is lauded for its vivid, well-researched recount of medieval France, bringing historical characters and legal drama to life. Critics praise its engaging narrative style but note occasional anachronistic language and a somewhat slow middle section. Overall, it successfully blends historical accuracy with captivating storytelling.
Who Should Read The Last Duel?
Readers who enjoy The Last Duel by Eric Jager are fascinated by medieval history, true crime narratives, and legal dramas. Fans of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall or Erik Larson’s The Devil in the White City will appreciate Jager’s meticulous research and gripping storytelling set against a backdrop of 14th-century France.