The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Jager, Eric. The Last Duel. Random House, New York, NY, 2004. Kindle AZW file.

Jean de Carrouges IV was a faithful member of the French noble class, following in the footsteps of his father. Jean was the heir to the family estate and the only son who could produce a son to carry on the family name. He married and had a son, but his wife and son died. Later, Jean married Marguerite, daughter of Sir Robert de Thibouville V. She was everything Jean desired in a wife, despite the fact that her father had become infamous because he was twice found guilty of treason for joining rebellions against the French throne. He escaped execution each time, but the family's reputation was damaged. Marguerite was young when she took on the duties of being Jean's wife on the family estate. Jean claimed he and Marguerite were happy despite the fact that she did not become pregnant during the first five years of their marriage.

Jean was a warrior at heart and that made him successful in military campaigns, though he had retained the titled of squire without advancing to knight. He fell out of favor with his overlord, Pierre of Alencon after filing a lawsuit over a piece of land. When Jean's father died, Jean expected to take on his father's title as captain. However, Pierre passed him over and gave the job to someone else. Pierre took that matter to court as well, but he lost the case.

Jean had been close friends with Jacques Le Gris for many years. Jacques was godfather to Jean's son. The two men were often together in Pierre's court. However, as Jeanl out of favor for being jealous and troublesome, Jacques advanced. He became a more integral member of Pierre's inner circle and his financial situation improved. Jean joined a military campaign invading England. He hoped to return with spoils of war to shore up his finances, but he came back with nothing other than having finally been advanced to knight. Soon after his return, Jean left for Paris, leaving Marguerite with Nicole, his mother. He had yet another argument with Jacques before leaving the region, which might have been the catalyst for Jacques' next action of calling on a friend, Adam Louvel, to keep an eye on Marguerite. Adam soon reported that Nicole had been summoned to a court hearing, meaning Marguerite would be alone for a few hours. Jacques and Adam went to the house, and Jacques offered Marguerite money in return for sex. When she refused, he raped her.

When Jean returned, Marguerite told him the story and begged him to get revenge for her. The first step was Pierre, but there was little chance for fairness from Jacques' close friend. Pierre ruled in Jacques' favor. Jean took the case to the Parlement of Paris and King Charles, requesting that he prove Jacques' guilt through judicial combat. It was a risky move because the assumption was that God would ensure victory to the man who told the truth. The loser would die, either on the battlefield or at the hands of the executioner. If Jean lost, God would have ruled in Jacques' favor. Thus, Jean would be executed for bringing false charges.

The men met on the battlefield in front of hundreds of spectators, including Marguerite and King Charles. Jean won, but rumors persisted. Some believed Jacques was innocent, but others believed he had fathered Marguerite's first-born son. Over the next decade, Jean and Marguerite had two more children. Then, Jean joined the crusades and died on foreign soil, leaving Marguerite a young widow.