{"id":8028,"date":"2021-11-30T13:05:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-30T12:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1293721"},"modified":"2021-11-30T13:37:18","modified_gmt":"2021-11-30T12:37:18","slug":"the-last-duel-true-story-real-history-behind-ridley-scotts-movie","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/the-last-duel-true-story-real-history-behind-ridley-scotts-movie\/","title":{"rendered":"The Last Duel true story: Real history behind Ridley Scott\u2019s movie"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Daniel Furn\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 30 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Warning: this article touches on subject matter that some readers may find distressing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ridley Scott\u2019s Gladiator was a huge success, if a very\u00a0<\/em>fictionalised account of ancient Rome \u2013 but his next historical epic looks to stick very closely to a true story.<\/p>\n

Despite taking place in the fourteenth century, The Last Duel<\/a> tells the surprisingly timely story of a rape case, the judicial proceedings that follow and the treatment of victims that speak out.<\/p>\n

The film is based on The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France<\/a>, a non-fiction book by medieval literature specialist Eric Yager that recounts the story of how the case led to the last legally sanctioned duel in France\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

The Last Duel stars Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck in major roles and arrives on Disney Plus in December<\/a> after its theatrical run earlier this year.<\/p>\n

So, how much of the film matches up to historical records? Read on for the true story below.<\/p>\n

Beware of possible spoilers for the film below \u2013 particularly on the outcome of the titular duel.<\/p>

The Last Duel true story explained<\/h2>\n

The film \u2013 co-written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck \u2013 takes place around halfway through the Hundred Years War, a series of conflicts between England and France over claims to the French crown. French knight Jean de Carrouges (played by Matt Damon in the film) took part in several campaigns against the English in the Fourteenth Century, in locations such as Scotland and Normandy.<\/p>\n

In 1380 Carrouges married Marguerite de Thibouville (Jodie Comer), daughter of the controversial known traitor Robert de Thibouville who had sided against multiple French Kings in territorial disputes. It seems Carrouges wished to use his father-in-law\u2019s claim to win back a valuable estate that was given to a man who would become very important later on \u2013 Jacques Le Gris (portrayed by Adam Driver).<\/p>\n

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\""The\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Jodie Comer as Marguerite de Thibouville in The Last Duel<\/span><\/figcaption> 20th Century Studios<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, Le Gris was a favourite of property owner Count Pierre d\u2019Alen\u00e7on, who dismissed Carrouges\u2019s lawsuit. Carrouges, therefore, lost favour in the court while Le Gris became wealthy and popular while developing a womanising reputation, but nonetheless the two eventually reconnected and put an end to their feud \u2013 with Carrouges even introducing Le Gris to his wife Marguerite.<\/p>\n

Then on 18th January 1386, Marguerite was home alone \u2013 a rarity for a noblewoman in the Middle Ages \u2013 when Le Gris then apparently arrived with his friend Adam Louvel, claiming that he was in love with her. Despite Marguerite\u2019s protestations, Le Gris is said to have forced himself into her house and attempted to bribe her into having an affair. When she again refused, Le Gris then violently raped her with the help of Louvel, threatening to kill her if she told anyone.<\/p>\n