The Coup de Jarnac: Not So Devious! 

"If you find yourself in a fair fight your tactics suck" - John Steinbeck

"Sire, I beseech you very humbly to grant me the privilege of MORTAL KOMBAT" "TEST THY MIGHT"

"I'll give you one last chance to rescind your insult of calling me a common dandy!" "NEVAH!"

Really interesting and fascinating with analysis of historical duels. Please do more if you can find sources!

This was one of my favourite videos from you in a while. Learning more about specific duels in history and breaking down the equipment, tactics, etc was great. Do more of these if possible, great job with the images as well.

"my French is a little rusty"... I would love to speak like that 🤣

The â in "Châtaigneraye" indicates there used to be an s after the a in a former, more archaic version of the word. So yeah Châtaigneraye, Chastaigneraye: same shit. Also your french is very good

They say the most dangerous opponent to a skilled swordsman isn't another skilled swordsman but an amateur since you can't tell what's in their head.

You did not mentionned that the audiance looted the feast that Chataigneray had already prepared for is sure victory while he was bleeding to death

No skall. I can't say I've ever heard of that term.

On one hand I really like this. I wouldn't mind a series about recreations and discussions of duels at all. I'd have liked a bit more history. You covered the setup pretty well, but there was nothing about the aftermath.

I don't particularly know why, but that ending shot of Skall and his instructor menacingly advancing towards the camera was one of the funniest things I've seen in a while.

In France "Coup de Jarnac" describes a surprisingly clever, skilled and violent maneuver, often viewed as a "killing blow". It does sometime have a negative connotation like sneaky or coward, but it really depends on the situation and the "tone" used. Also the expression is only used by grandpas and historians today ^^ I'm french BTW

As a French: you're French accent is excellent ! (I'm truly impressed x)

The Frenchman I am is amazed by your accent Skall, bravo messire! I would add the the "coup de Jarnac" earned a negative connotation because Jarnac was a Protestant, so the latter hostile Catholic authors and rhetoricians turned the manoeuvre into a symbol of cowardice and duplicity.

I am rather curious how a master swordsman would fall for such a basic maneuver. Then again, we all have our bad days. And sometimes, those are our last days.

I think the simplest cut is the most likely, I've landed that strike hundreds of times with dozens of different sword and shield combos. Describing it as a bread-and-butter maneuver is quite apt.

There’s no dirty moves in war and battle only tactics also loved that you played the Mortal Kombat sound when you highlighted the word mortal combat. A lot of history from the medieval and ancient eras seems like legend as if a lot of it is embellished by historians mainly the victors

That Italian fencing master who coached Jarnac, what do we know of him and his style? Edit: Perhaps the phrase carries the same meaning as "hail Mary pass" does for American football, Divine intervention. In the Middle Ages, a duel served to determine Divine favor. In the Renaissance, the better fighter was supposed to win. When the lesser fighter won anyway, who knows?

There's no such thing as "dirty" combat when your life's on the line...Jamac knew that..Lord knows Guy did with his prison inmate tactics.

Jarnac's cut is pretty popular story in fencing, but this analysis is pretty great. I always thought it was just a standard cut at knee from blocking a vertical cut. These other options are really interestling.

I love how guys who out think there enemy are always seen as cowards instead of what they really are is superior the whole goal of combat is defeat your enemy as fast as possible

Fun fact It sounds like "j'arnaque" which means "i scam"

im gonna miss seeing erik once the moves all done

"Confess yourself a liar and restore to me my honor and live!" Haha I was so happy to see this in my feed as the duel between Jarnac and Chataigneraye is one of my favorites. I was just reading the story on The Arma's website the other day which is very informational, by the way. I first heard about the duel in a documentary about duels of chivalry. I thought the story was so interesting I looked up more about it and found The Arma's website. I have even named video game characters I've created Jarnac Hau because I was so captivated by the tale. Thanks for the video on this duel as there are not many in English about it.

I honestly love this kind of video! Recreation of how historical duels went down and the precedents they set a super fucking joy to watch.

Bravo pour l'excellentre prononciation française !!! Très intéressant ! Merci pour la vidéo.

"The more you know!!" (Rainbow star over my head)

It's kind of interesting that in Gautier's "Le Capitaine Fracasse" the expression 'Coup de Jarnac' is used to indicate a masterstroke, a secret move that is almost impossible to parry or counter. Later on, the author actually had the main character (the Baron of Sigognac) parry such an attack twice from two different opponents. The logic was that most of the noblemen and swordmen of the time (the reign of Louis XIII) learned mostly these tricks, whereas Sigognac received a much more intensive training in the fundamentals, making his fencing less ornate and more practical.

This was a really innovative video! Im not sure Ive ever seen anyone else do a video describing their interpretation from a historical narrative like this and I would love to see more of this. It reminds me of matt eastons older videos where he talks about accounts in Kinsleys "swordsmen of the british isles" but adding the interpretation is a whole new level!

Why is it a secret attack? It's a part of the body that is hit and seems a logical move !!

The quality of your videos is getting really great, you kick ass Skall!

Thank you very much for this video. *I'm French and I couldn't find a proper demonstration of the "coup de Jarnac" until I found your video.*

Hi there Skall ! Very interesting video and great French Pronunciation :) A few years back while studying history in France, our Teacher was discussing this duel with us in class, and he told us the same thing, it became known as a synonymous for backstab in the XIXth century, but it was definitely regarded with admiration at the time of Jarnac, who used the saying at that time to describe a skillful move. It's also note worthy that it was seen very positively as it wasn't supposed to be a lethal blow, which protected the life of de Vivonne. However Vivonne died because he ripped off his own bandages out of anger and shame, but people still liked that Jarnac didn't aim to kill.

I'm French and you have a very good pronunciation. It's really cool to hear you saying « baron de Jarnac ». English speaker are in trouble for the french «r» but you say that perfectly

I really liked this video. Explaining a historical technique or action, showing art from the time or from manuals depicting the action and the people involved, a demonstration by you and your instructor, and a verbal explanation. Great video, Skall.

Francois "Train? Nah brah, he's a punk." Fight starts. Francois "What the Schnit?!?"

I love this video! The overall quality is insane. I adore how much effort and passion you put into these videos :)

Enjoyed this. The idea of demonstrating the techniques not just describing them is excellent, please do more.

I Heard that the cut happened inside the leg, and It was lethal because It took one of the biggest artheries of the body. They Said that the italian coach instructed Jarnac to do this because he knew his opponent used to expose his right leg too much

Please make more videos like this it is very interesting and informative. As a fellow martial artist visual demonstration of actual historical duals are much appreciated and sorely needed.

The duel took place at the Château de Saint-Germain, close to Paris, and there is still today a plaque saying "Here took place the famous duel said of the 'coup de Jarnac'." And you are right about Châtaigneraye being written Chastaigneraye, as a common reason for a ^ on a vowel in 'recent' French is that there used to be an S following said vowel. Try it with words like "Forêt", "Hôpital", "Tempête", "Hâte", ...

Love all of your historical and archeological content :)

Very cool, and seeing more historical duel breakdowns would be really interesting

Great video, remember reading an article about it and was struck by how calculating Jarnac and his camp were about the whole thing. Would love more videos where you go over and actually show how actual duels went down.

Your French accent is right, and for the writing, it has evolved since (Chastaigneraye, Chastaigneraie, Châtaigneraie...). I was passing by after watching a French video on Jarnac's armor. As you mentioned, it's a specific type of armor that Jarnac asked to use to the duel (advised by the Italian master). Since Jarnac was the offended, he could impose this armor (at the last moment) for both of them, and it seemed to have put at disadvantage M. de la Châtaigneraie by reducing it's ability to move. Moreover, François de Vivonne have been previously injured at the right arm during the campaign of Piedmont. You can see it in the video I mentioned, timestamp 19:00 (I couldn't find an image): "Ces ARMES ont une histoire INCROYABLE ! 3ème ep. Avec le @MuseeArmeeInvalides" by Histoire Appliquée, and the piece of armor is kept at the Musée de l'Armée des Invalides. This duel is also detailed in French here: fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Vivonne_et_Jarnac,_le_dernier_duel_judiciaire_en_France#cite_ref-44 A quick translation: La Chasteigneraye walked hastly towards Jarnac, and did the first attack, parried that was parried. Jarnac riposted with a blow between the chainmail and the boot, (I'm not a specialist, I'm not sure if the "gousset de mailles" refers to a specific part of the chainmail). La Chasteigneraye overcomes his pain and gains on Jarnac, with the obvious intention of seizing him, but receives at the already injured left leg a backhand blow that leaves a deep wound in his hock (not sure of the English word for it, behind the knee, between the thigh and the calf). Vivonne fells, and it's the end.

As a french dude, I have to bring a contribution and tell how "Le coup de Jarnac" is describe : (with a translation) "Jarnac blessa La Châtaigneraie d'un coup au jarret, inattendu mais non déloyal" [...] "Coup de Jarnac : coup décisif donné par surprise et, par extension, par traitrise." (Source : dictionnaire Hachette) "Jarnac wounded La Châtaigneraie with a stroke on the hock, unexpected but not disloyal" [...] "Coup de Jarnac: decisive blow given by surprise and, by extension, by treachery." Skall, ta prononciation est quasiment parfaite

Great vid, I do like the hema explained vids, working out footwork is very intriguing

Love this docu-drama reenactment style favourite video yet.

This was very interesting. You should do more of these analyses of historical duels if possible.

Une bien belle prononciation, compère Skallagrim ! Anyway, that was very interesting. I heard about the story of Jarnac and it's coup, but never saw a demo like what you did. Makes me want to practice it !

it is said, that the wound wasnt that bad. that vivonne would have easily survived that wound. but that that he refused to accept any doctors, so much shame he felt over his loss to a suposedly inferior opponent. so he died a few days later.

Man I love this format. Keep it up like that.

I loved this video, its very unique and very intriguing and very educating. Please do more if you’re able to. 😄

This was so interesting ! Would love to see more content like this

If a youtuber moves do the people he used to film with still exist?

Good analysis, hope to see more of them :D

I love the historical content you produce by far my favourite type of content from you brilliant 🦁

Great video, more of these!

This is awesome! I would love more videos to be like this. Analyzing old techniques AND reenacting them in armor with a partner is precisely what we need :D I freaking love it when knowledgeable fighters reenact the original fight techniques, then if possible, demonstrate a modification to the techniques for more practicality. You guys should do this with more movies and Netflix series.

Now I know more than I ever could have wanted about a certain french duel. I love it.

That was great! More of these, please! The music was a nice touch too haha

Huh, never heard of it. But I like it. The article you linked was fascinating!!

This was really interesting, do more of these.

Merci pour cette intéressante analyse, et super accent élégant lorsque vous parlez français c'est un régale pour les oreilles. JE vous souhaite une bonne continuation ^^.

Skall, just wanna say that your French pronounciation is really good, especially for a Canadian :p

Ah, great timing, just finished work for today!

As a french i must admit that your accent is really good! The way you say the french R sound that usually cause troubles to English speaker is quite impressive.

This was one of your best videos ever!

I f**** love these type of videos. Thank you.

I used to do a move like that when sparring with sticks/lightsabers/whatever I got my hands on when I was a kid. Nice to know that thing has a fancy French name I cannot pronounce XD

Oooohhhh, more like this please. Very fresh and enjoyable.

Love this video. Learned a new thing today!

Definitely would enjoy this as a series

Good stuff. Interesting to see how techniques taught in HEMA were used in real-life situations.

I found this very interesting and a valuable combat study!

Your French speaking is really good ! - From a French dude.

I never heard of the coup de Jarnac before. Very interessting, well explained and i especially appreciate the demonstration with your swords master. Though i agree with some other comments - a little bit about the aftermath (if sources mention it) would have been nice too. Lol those faces in the ending scene xD you guys are great

With the third interpretation I find it more likely that instead of disengaging over the top in the awkward manner shown, the feint was a full cut aimed deliberately low to avoid making contact with the opponent's defenses followed by a rising false edge cut into the leg from the post cut recovery position. This is one of my bread and butter moves and the body mechanics feel right. BTW when I do this I normally aim for my opponents lower torso or sword arm because using this against the leg has a high probability of a crotch shot and I don't want to do that to my sparring partner.

So once again youtube has turned the notification bell off and I have had to turn it back on again, I don't know what's going on there, great video though skal, keep it up

SkallPerfect: "Boom, son!" Or was it "Boom, monsieur!"

Brilliant! Being French, I have spent all my life with that phrasing lingering in the background but I never looked into the fencing of it!

As a historian this pleases me Great video!

Nice video skall like the idea behind it

This is fucking amazing Skall. Any chances we will get more videos analyzing historical duels?

This was super fun! If there's more sources of historical duels, this could be a really fun series

I'm here from reading GURPS Martial Arts. In the section for "secret techniques" the coup de jarnac is described as follows: "This doesn’t stop rumors about secret techniques from arising when one man defeats another with a strike to an unusual target. An example is the coup de Jarnac. Guy de Chabot de Jarnac killed François de Vivonne de La Châtaigneraie (one of France’s greatest swordsmen) on July 10, 1547, in France’s last legal duel. He used a feint followed by a cut to the hamstring. This is immobilizing but not usually fatal, but La Châtaigneraie - mortified that an inferior defeated him in this way - refused medical aid and bled to death. It wasn’t long before dishonest masters were offering to teach the coup de Jarnac to gullible, wealthy students!"

That moment of "MORTAL COMBAT!!" was hilarious!

Hello. "Coup de Jarnac" became an idiomatic phrase after the duel meaning a quick and skillfull shot. 200 years later (1771), the Jesuits published a dictionnary saying the phrase "coup de Jarnac" means "unfair shot". Jesuits are catholic and Jarnac and his descendants were protestant, this explains that. It has been a long time since I've heard somebody saying "I keep a coup de Jarnac for him" or "And then, a coup de Jarnac!" I mean the idiom is rarely used nowadays but "rarely" is not "never". The mass-media use sometimes the phrase to describe political shenanigans.

I always love it when you have Erik in your videos. You two seem to have a good chemistry together. It's going to be sad when you move all the way across the country and he is no longer in your videos.

I'm a huge fan of all your vids. Pretty sure ive "Liked" everyone one over the last year-ish...but, these historical moments and short dissertations on historical moments are my favorite.

In french the "^" on some letter could indicate that there was an s after the letter the "^" is now on. For exemple the french translation of forest is forêt (see the "^" replace the "s") or rather forest is the old version of forêt, english people borrowed the former and the french turned it into the newer version later on. So Châtaigneraye could probably be written Chastaigneraye before, and the pronunciation is not the same because you pronunce the "s". Final note: the modern version of La Chastaigneraye is La Châtaigneraie. Your french is really good!

"My french is rusty" Your french is clear and you're pronouncing the R proprely, perfect !

Your French is on point good Sire. As a fully bilingual individual (French being the first one I learned), I guarantee you, I heard better French from you than most in Ottawa...

Loved this video!

There are no such things as "cowardly moves". When you fight, you fight to win.

The circonflexe above the "a" in "Châtaigneraye" is taking the place of the "s" is the other pronunciation if im not mistaken.

Im french Im so fucking proud ! Hearing Skall saying Châtaigneraie ça m'émoustille ;) If u read this comment Skall, read and translate this sentence: Tes vidéos sont géniales, j'apprends beaucoup de choses et je peux enfin rivaliser avec mes frères qui sont experts en escrimes. Nice vidéo As always !

Hey I m French , your accent is good , love your work , pls continue !

You acquired my like through that glorious outro!