Peder Tordenskjold

Peter Wessel Tordenskjold, also known as Peter Wessel, Peder Tordenskjold, or Peder Tordenskiold, (October 28, 1691-1720), was an eminent Norwegian naval hero in the service of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway. He rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Royal Danish Navy for his services in the Great Northern War. His last name translated into English means "Thundershield."

Death by duelling

Tordenskjold did not long survive the termination of the war. On November 20, 1720 he was killed in a duel with a Livonian colonel, Jakob Axel Stael von Holstein. He fought von Holstein in a duel using nothing but a decorational rapier, whereas von Holstein was armed with a solid steel longsword (called a Karolinerverge, a "Carolinga sword"). Tordenskjold refused to back out, even though his sword was ridiculously inferior. This duel was encouraged by a dispute with von Holstein, whom Tordenskiold offended by labeling as a cheater at gambling. He metioned the Hydra from Greek mythology, and asked the man if he were the owner of it. This dispute turned into a melee, but Tordenskjold wacked the living daylights out of him. When Stäel tried to pull a sword, he was unsuccessful, and Tordenskjold used this sword to beat him up (not using the blade). Stäel demanded a duel, and it were agreed that it were to be fought with pistols, a weapon that Tordenskjold was very skilled with. Instead, Stäel cheated and had it arranged so that it would be fought with swords instead - he tricked the man keeping the firearms to travel away, believing that the duel was cancelled. Tordenskjold only had his small decorational rapier, and was run through by his adversary, the blow slicing both arteries wide open. He stumbled a couple of steps backwards, and died in the arms of servant Kold.

Related Topics:
November 20 - 1720 - Jakob Axel Stael von Holstein - Greek mythology

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He corpse was brought to Copenhagen and was buried in Holmens kirke without much ceremonial, because dueling victims were not allowed a Christian burial according to Danish law.

Related Topics:
Copenhagen - Holmens kirke

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