The History of Chivalry; Or, Knighthood and Its Times, Volume 1 (of 2)
John Stuart Mill · en
Item, he that striketh the sight three times shall have the price before
him that breaketh the most spears.
Item, if there be any man that fortunately in this wise shall be deemed he
bode longest in the field helmed, and ran the fairest course, and gave the
greatest strokes, helping himself best with his spear.
Antiquarian Repertory, l. 145, &c.
[310] Olivier de la Marche, a hero of Burgundy in the fifteenth century,
thus describes a warder:--"Et tenoit le Duc de Bourgogne un petit blanc
baton en sa main pour jetter et faire séparer les champions, leurs armes
achivees, comme il est de coustume en tel cas." Memoires, p. 71.
[311] Walsingham, p. 8. In early times, in England, those tournament
festivals were held about a round table, and therefore the tournaments
themselves were often called round tables. Walter Hemingford, vol. i. p.
7. ed. Hearne.
[312] This was the address of the heralds after a tournament in the days
of Edward IV.:--
"Oyez, oyez, oyez, we let to understand to all princes and princesses,
lords, ladies, and gentlewomen of this noble court, and to all others to
whom it appertaineth, that the nobles that this day have exercised the
feats of arms at the tilt, tourney, and barriers, have every one behaved
themselves most valiantly, in shewing their prowess and valour worthy of
great praise.
"And to begin, as touching the brave entry of the Lord ----, made by him
very gallantly, the King's Majesty more brave than he, and above all, the
Earl ----, unto whom the price of a very rich ring is given by the Queen's
Majesty, by the advice of other princesses, ladies, and gentlewomen of
this noble court.
"And as touching the valiantness of the piques, the Duke of M. hath very
valiantly behaved himself, the Earl of P. better than he, and above all
others, the Earl of D., unto whom the price of a ring of gold with a ruby
is given, by the most high and mighty Princess the Queen of England, by
the advice aforesaid.
"And as touching the valiantness of the sword, ---- knight hath very well
behaved himself, the Earl of N. better than he, and Sir J. P., knight,
above all the rest, unto whom is given the price of a ring of gold with a
diamond, by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by the advice of other
princesses, ladies, and gentlewomen.
"And as touching the valiantness of the sword at the foil, Sir. W. R.,
knight, hath very valiantly behaved himself, the Marquis of C. better than
he, and above all others, the King's Majesty, unto whom was given the
price of a ring of gold with a diamond, by the Queen's Majesty, by the
advice of other princesses, ladies, and gentlewomen.
"Finally, touching the valiancy of the pique, the point abated, Thomas P.
hath well and valiantly behaved himself, Charles C. better than he, and
above all others, Z. S., unto whom was given by the Queen's Majesty a ring
of gold, by the advice of other princesses, ladies, and gentlewomen."