This course received its name in contradistinction to the “Welsches Gestech,” because it was run in the free field or lists, without any barrier between the combatants. In this respect it resembled the old German “Stechen,” and to a certain extent grew out of it. This form however does not occur, under the name, before the second half of the sixteenth century. The armour for the Freiturnier differs from that of the “Welsches Gestech” (Italian Course) in the particulars that a grand-guard was screwed on to the left shoulder and chest, instead of the tournament shield used in the Italian course. To the left elbow was screwed a garde-de-bras of larger dimensions than that used for the Welsches Gestech. Armour for the tournament was now usually so arranged that by the interchange of reinforcing plates the same suit could be made available for both these forms of tournament. The lance and horse furniture were exactly the same in both cases, and the body armour of the rider very similar, subject to the interchange of the reinforcing pieces already alluded to. The suit selected for illustrating the armour used for this course (Fig. 9) forms part of the remarkable collection at Dresden. It is a fine example in plain armour of about 1580. The breastplate, it will be observed, is the “peascod.” THE FUSSTURNIER. This is the foot-tournament which originated in the sixteenth century, and is very different from the courses on horseback. Full particulars can be seen in the _Akten des Dresdener Oberhof-marshallamtes_, anno. 1614. An extract (in translation) from this work by Dr. Cornelius Gurlitt runs as follows, viz.:-- “The one who shivers the greatest number of lances in the most adroit manner shall have the lance prize; and he who in five courses strikes the bravest and strongest with the sword shall have the sword prize.” This extract furnishes a sufficient outline of the game. Like the “tourney,” it was troop against troop. Each combatant had to exchange three charges with the lance across a sort of barrier; and five strokes with the sword, all directed towards the head, not only with one but with every opponent on the opposing side; and prizes were awarded as set forth in the extract. No prize was awarded unless the lance splintered, nor was any given in cases where a combatant had stepped or been driven backwards in any way. Striking below the belt was forbidden, for no leg armour was worn. The locking gauntlet was expressly forbidden. [Illustration: Fig. 9.--Armour for the Freiturnier at Dresden.] It is very interesting to find that a suit used in a “fussturnier” by Kurfürst Johann Georg I. of Saxony is now in the Dresden collection. It is by Anton Peffenhauser of Augsburg. The harness used was the ordinary fighting kind. The lance was held in both hands. KOLBENTURNIER, OR BASTON COURSE.