During the early periods of our history, many challenges were sent, and combats have been prevented by regal and judicial interference. In the reign of Edward III, 1361, Henry, Duke of Lancaster, was challenged by the Duke of Brunswick to a combat before John, king of France, on account of some insulting language which the Duke of Lancaster had made use of. The challenge was accepted, and both parties appeared at the appointed time and place. But after they had entered the lists, the King of France interposed, and reconciled the parties. The field was in a plain near the Abbey of St. Germain des Prés, and the Bishop of Paris, Jean de Meulan, not to miss the sight, had slept at the Abbey the preceding night. In the reign of Richard II, Henry, Duke of Hereford, sent, by Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, good advice and counsel to the King, which was purposely misrepresented, and mixed with offensive words, of which the Duke of Hereford being informed, he went to the King and explained the message he had sent; but denied the false one delivered in his name, and begged that he might combat the Duke of Norfolk, and maintain the truth. Leave was granted, and time and place appointed; but when they appeared and were ready to draw their swords, the King, who had submitted the matter to Parliament, commanded them to forbear, banished the Duke of Norfolk for ever, and his cousin of Hereford for a term of years: the meeting took place in 1398, near Coventry. In the reign of Edward III, a most singular meeting took place between William Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, and Robert, Bishop of Salisbury, for the right of the castle of Old Sarum. The Bishop had laid claim to it, but the Earl declared himself ready to defend his possession by duel, to which the prelate consented. The day and place were appointed, when the parties were to fight by proxies. The Bishop brought to the lists his champion, cloaked with a white garment down to the knee, above which was a cassock embroidered with the episcopal arms, and with him a knight carrying a shield and staff. The Earl also led his champion by the hand into the lists, cloaked in the same manner, with two knights attending him; but while they were viewing and comparing arms, and searching whether any of them had amulets, charms, or enchantments about them, an order came from the King to adjourn the combat, and the matter was arranged.