REAL story behind 'The Last Duel': How knights fought to the death in 1386

They had once been good friends, but on a cold winter's day in December 1386, French knights Jacques Le Gris and Jean de Carrouges fought bitterly in front of their king. Above: An illustration of the aftermath of the battle shows Carrouges holding Le Gris's head before the king Afterwards, whilst Carrouges was hailed as hero, Le Gris's naked body was dragged through the streets in Paris to the Gibbet of Mountfaucon – France's main gallows Horrendously, if Carrouges were to lose the fight, Marguerite – who was forced to watch while flanked by guards – would be burnt alive at the stake for lying about her ordeal. Above: Marguerite is played by Jodie Comer in the new film The lives of Jean de Carrouges, his wife Marguerite and his nemesis Jacques Le Gris Jean de Carrouges Sir Jean de Carrouges was a French knight who governed estates in Normandy and served as a vassal to Count Pierre d’Alencon. It was during this battle that King John II was captured by the English Ultimately though, it was Carrouges who triumphed, by gruesomely thrusting his sword through Le Gris's throat, after the accused man insisted for the final time that he was innocent Carrouges and Marguerite married in 1381, three years before his encounter with Le Gris in Paris.