Traditional Nordic Duel

A Traditional Nordic Duel, or Traditional Way, also known as the Old Way was a duel used by the Nords of Skyrim to determine a ruler over a certain Hold, and sometimes, the province itself.

The duel
The duel was fought between two Nordic people (most often Jarls) who sought to rule over a Hold of Skyrim, or Skyrim itself.

According to Jorunn the Skald-King, the duel goes as follows.
 * A challenger challenges the opposition, and the opposing party accepts.
 * They fight until one of the two is bested.
 * The victor banishes the loser from the lands he won.

According to Ulfric Stormcloak, the duel goes as follows.
 * A challenger challenges the opposition, and the opposing party accepts.
 * They fight until one of the two has died.
 * The victor takes the land from the defeated.

Jorunn
Jorunn the Skald-King fought against his brother, Fildgor Orcthane, in the Second Era over the throne of Windhelm. The duel was fought until Fildgor was bested in combat. Upon defeat, the Jorunn banished his brother from his lands, and started his rule as Jarl and later on, King.

Ulfric
Ulfric Stormcloak fought against his High King, Torygg, in the Fourth Era over the throne of Skyrim. Unlike the duel between Jorunn and his brother, Ulfric used the Thu'um against Torygg, and killed him (by Ulfric's account with his sword , by the words of most of the court of Solitude, as well as Torygg, through the voice) , instead of besting and banishing him. Many in Skyrim consider Ulfric a murderer, while others claim Ulfric simply followed Nordic tradition. The outcome of this duel worsened the Civil War in Skyrim.

Trivia

 * It is possible that Ulfric misinterpeted the ways of the duel, since unlike Jorunn (during whose time it was still a normal tradition) he killed Torygg instead of besting and banishing him.
 * It could be that Ulfric interpeted "besting" as "killing", though no mention of this is made in.