Book Review The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France

Eric Jager tells a story set in fourteenth-century France that includes significant detail about the feudal system, the status of women in that society, and the functionality of the legal system. What is Jager’s thesis about this milestone event in French history? How well does Jager prove his thesis? What are the key secondary arguments that Jager employs to convince his readers? How convincing was Jager in his arguments? What worked best? What was least effective? How does the duel described in Jager’s book compare to the excerpts from the trial by ordeal and other legal practices of the Middle Ages? Suggested length: 3-4 pages (no more than 10), standard margins, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font, AND a bibliographical citation in Chicago Manual of Style format for each book/article being reviewed and/or cited.