When marriage meant combat #MedievalHistory #Marriage Marriage disputes in medieval Germany could take an extreme turn—into literal combat. Under a legal practice known as the “marital duel,” husbands and wives were allowed to physically fight each other to resolve their disagreements. To ensure an even match, the husband was placed in a waist-deep hole with one arm tied behind his back, limiting his movement. Meanwhile, the wife, unrestrained, wielded a sack filled with rocks as her weapon of c