Chapter II.

Ashmole, No. 1116, fol. 109-10b, runs as follows:—“Iustes holden at Westminster the XIIth daie of February by the Kinges grace called Cueur Loyal, the Lord William of Devon Bon Voloir, Sir Thomas Knevit Valiant Desire, and Edward Nevell Joyous Penser, with the articles and courses of the said Iustes,” etc. The articles begin thus—“The noble lady Renowne considering the good and gracious fortune....” The “courses” (checques) were tilting tablets for recording the scores for two days (Wednesday and Thursday, February 12th, 13th, 1511), marked with strokes, and accounts of the “best Ioustres.”

In the tournament illustrated on the Herald’s College Roll it is stated that 264 courses were run at the tilt and but 129 attaints made. The tenans scored seventy-seven of these, the king himself making thirty-eight hits out of fifty-two courses. Of the venans, one made no hits at all and six only struck once in six courses.[210]

Another meeting took place on the 1st May following, at which the tenans were the king, Sir Edward Howard, Charles Brandon and Sir Edward Nevil; the venans being the Earl of Essex, the Earl of Devon, the Marquis of Dorset and Lord Howard.[211]

In the fourth year of King Henry’s reign—

“the King had a solempne iust at Grenewiche in Iune: first came in ladies all in White and Red silke, set vpon Coursers trapped in the same suite, freated ouer with gold, after which folowed a Fountain curiously made of Russet sattin, with eight Gargilles spoutyng water, within the fountain sat a knight armed at all peces. After the Fountain folowed a lady all in black silke dropped with fine siluer, on a courser trapped in the same. After folowed a knight in a horse litter, the Coursers and litter apparareled in blacke velvet with siluer droppes. When the Fountain came to the tilt, the Ladies rode rounde aboute, and so did the Fountain and the knight within the litter. And after them wer brought twoo goodly Coursers appareled for the iusts: and when they came to the tiltes ende, the twoo knightes mounted on the two Coursers, abidyng all commers. The king was in the fountain and Sir Charles Brandon was in the litter. Then suddenly with great noyse of the Trompets, entered Sir Thomas Kneuit in a castle of cole blacke, and ouer the castell was written, ‘The dolorous Castle,’ and so he and the erle of Essex, the lorde Haward and other ran their courses, with the King and Sir Charles Brandon and euer the king brake moste speres.”[212]

There were royal jousts held in October, 1513, the king and Lord Lisle answering all comers. His Majesty was attended by twenty-four knights clad in robes of purple velvet and cloth of gold, and many lances were broken.[213]

In 1515 Henry, with the Marquis of Dorset, challenged all comers to a joust, and the king “brake three and twentie speres beside attaints and bare downe to ground a man of armes and his horse.”[214]

In the same year on twelfth-night the king held a _Scharmützel_, being the attack and defence of a mock fortress, at Eltham.[215]

Royal jousts were held again in June, 1519, at which 506 lances were splintered.[216]

Royal jousts in March, 1520.[217]

In the eighth year of his reign the king proclaimed solemn jousts in honour of his sister, the Queen of Scotland,[218] to extend over two days. The tenans on the first day were the king himself, the Duke of Suffolk, the Earl of Essex and Nicholas Carew, Esquire. The venans numbered twelve. On the second day the king ran against Sir William Kingston, a tall and strong knight, and unhorsed him. The apparel of the tenans and their horses “was blacke velvet, covered all over with braunches of honey suckels of fine flat gold of damaske, of lose worke, every lefe of the braunch moving, the embroudery was very conning and sumptuous.”[219][220]

There was another passage of arms in the year following, at which 506 lances were splintered.[221]

The following documents occur among the Harleian MSS.:—“Justs at Greenwich, the 20th daie of Maye, the 8th yeare of the Raigne of our Soveraigne Ld. K. Henry VIII.” The score of each jouster is given.

“_Coppye de Chapitres (ou Articles) des certaine Faits d’Armes, tant a Pied, comme a Cheval, qui par deux Gentilmomes d’Almaigne touchant une certaine Emprise._”[222]

The jousts and tourneys of the Field of the Cloth of Gold were held on a truly magnificent scale, and, indeed, everything was done to make them a triumphant spectacular success. The cavaliers of the two nations, like the ladies present, vied with each other in the richness of their dresses and appointments, and the two monarchs greatly distinguished themselves in the tiltyard. The lists themselves are stated to have been 150 paces long, and were placed in a plain surrounded by a ditch. Stands were erected for the officials and spectators, and pavilions were pitched for the use of the cavaliers taking part. The jousting was with blunted lances, each challenger to run eight courses. The two kings entered the enclosure on June 11th, 1520, armed at all points, at the time appointed. The horse of his Majesty of France was trapped with purple satin broached with gold and embroidered with raven’s plumes hatched with gold, and on his helm he wore a lady’s sleeve. The trapper of the King of England was of cloth of gold tissue, fringed with damask and knitted together with golden points. In attendance on King Henry were Sir Henry Guilford, Master of the Horse; Sir John Pechie, Governor of Calais; Sir Edmund Guilford, General of the Forces; and Monsieur Morel, attached to his suite by King Francis. They all wore the royal livery.

The jousting began, the onset was sounded, and King Henry ran against Monsieur Grandevile, and the helm of the Frenchman was fractured. The Duc de Vendôme ran five courses against the Duke of Suffolk, each breaking his lance on the other’s body. After many more jousts had been accomplished the signal to cease for the day was given, the heralds crying “_Desarmée_” and the trumpets sounded _à l’hostel_ (to lodgings).

On Tuesday, the 12th, ten gentlemen of the French king’s Swiss Guard tilted against eleven of the band of Monsieur de Tremouille.

On Wednesday, the 13th, the King of France, with his aides, and King Henry, with his following, rode at the tilt, after which there was much jousting between the knights of France and England; and towards evening King Francis left for Ard and the English monarch departed for his castle of Guisnes.

On the Thursday the French king tilted with the Earl of Devonshire and others, and King Henry ran against Monsieur Montmorencie and Rafe Brooke. On the Friday there was fighting at barriers, and on the Saturday a banquet was given by the French king and his suite at the Castle of Guisnes. A Frenchman was killed when fighting on foot.

On the Monday the fêtes were in abeyance, owing to a great storm, but on the Tuesday the two kings came to the lists, armed at all points, and jousting was resumed. Wednesday and Thursday were devoted to the _mêlée_, and on Friday, June 22nd, “the two kings with their retinues did battle on foot at barriers.”[223] The French cavaliers wore doublets of cloth of silver and purple velvet, while those of the English were of cloth of gold and russet velvet. The weapons were spears and swords.

On Saturday, after a banquet, there was again fighting at barriers, first with spears and afterwards with two-handed swords.

The _pas d’armes_ was followed by masks, more banqueting and the dance. Both Hall and Holinshed describe this historic meeting.

Among the Ashmolean MSS. are the following concerning the Field of the Cloth of Gold:—“_Ce sont les noms des princes, prellatz, et grans seigneurs de France, qui estoient en la compaignie de Roy de France quant le Roy_ [_Henry VIII_] _Dengleterre et led’ sr le Roy_ [_François_] _sentrevyrent et ordonnerent les Iousts et Tournoys qui sensuyvent_.” Prefixed to the title is a stanza of five lines inviting to the jousts.

“The proclamacōn in Frenche of the Articles of the Iustes and other feates of armes at the meeting of the aforesaid Kinges [Henry and François] at Guisnes, proclaimed throughout the realme of France by Thomas Benolt al’s Clarencieux King of Armes. _Comme ainsi soit louange._”[224]

Imperial royal jousts were run in the month of March of the thirteenth year of the reign, of which Hall gives an account; and there were others in the year following.

On March 10th, 1524, King Henry ran a great risk of losing his life in the tiltyard, for when jousting with Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, he forgot to shut and clasp down the visor of his helmet. Brandon, who was short-sighted, did not perceive this, and in his career aimed his lance at that part of the king’s head-piece, striking it at the side of the face, unhelming his Majesty, though without causing him any injury. As already mentioned, in a joust held on Shrove Tuesday in the year 1525 Sir Charles Bryan nearly lost an eye from a somewhat similar cause.

King Henry, like his friend Maximilian of Austria, is always represented as the successful jouster, and, although his strength, skill and good fortune are generally admitted, some explanation is required to account for his invariable success. It has been suggested that it may have been due in some measure to the prerogative of the queen, by which a joust could be stopped if there should be any probability of the king’s defeat.[225]

“On May-day _anno_ 1536 was a great jousting held at Greenwich, at which the chief challenger was the Lord Rochford, the queen’s brother; and the defendant was one Henry Norris, of the king’s bed-chamber, with others. They managed their arms with great dexterity, and every course which they ran came off with the loud applause of the people.”[226]

“Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights, viz. Sir John Dudley,[227] Sir Thomas Seimer, Sir Francis Poynings, Sir George Carew, Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel. _Anno_ 1540.”

Royal jousts were run on the thirty-first year of the reign, in celebration of the king’s marriage with Anne of Clѐves.

Lacroix, in _Military and Religious Life in the Middle Ages_, pictures the degradation of a knight convicted of dishonourable conduct, copied from a wood-cut bearing the initials “J. A.” (Jost Amman). The culprit is exposed on a scaffold, clad only in his shirt, his armour is broken in pieces before him and thrown at his feet, and his spurs are cast upon a dunghill. His shield is dragged by a cart-horse through the mire, and the tail of his _destrier_ cut off. A herald-at-arms cries three times, “Who is there?” and each time the name of the knight is given. The herald then cries, “No, it is not so; I see no knight, but only a false coward.” The culprit is borne on a litter into a church, where the burial service is read over him, and the world of chivalry knows him no more.

There is no record of any royal jousts on the accession of Edward VI to the throne, and such pastimes would seem to have been greatly in abeyance during that short reign.

The same would seem to have been the case during the reign of Queen Mary; but there were fights at barriers in 1554, when Philip II arrived in England. The challengers, against all comers, were Don Fredericke de Toledo, the Lord Strange, Don Ferdinando de Toledo, Don Francisco de Mendoça, and Garsulace de la Vega.

The prizes were as follows, viz.:—

“1. He who cometh forth most gallantly, though without superfluities, shall have a rich brooch. 2. The best stroke with the pike shall have a ring with a ruby. 3. The best stroke with the sword shall have a ring with a diamond. 4. He that fighteth most valiantly shall have a ring with a diamond. 5. The prize of all together in rank at the foyle was a ring of gold with a rich diamond. He that giveth a stroke with a pike from the girdle downwards shall win no prize. He that shall have a close gauntlet or anything to fasten his sword to his hand shall win no prize. He whose sword falls out of his hand shall win no prize. He that striketh his hand in fight on the barriers shall win no prize. Whosoever shall fight and not show his sword to the judges shall win no prize.”

The prizes were thus awarded by the judges, in the above order, to:— Don Fredericke de Toledo. Don Diego Ortado di Mendoça. Sir John Parrat. Ruygomez.[228] And King Philip, in highest honour.[229]

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth vigorous efforts were made to revive the ancient glories of the tournament, which were for a time not without a certain measure of success, under the auspices of the maiden queen. Sir Henry Lee rode as the queen’s champion until advancing years caused him to relinquish the self-imposed office in favour of the Earl of Cumberland, who wore a glove of her Majesty’s on his helmet.

A drawing, from a MS., of tilting, tourney and barriers is reproduced in Lord Dillon’s paper in the _Archæological Journal_, Vol. LV, which affords a good deal of information regarding the detail of such combats during the reign.

There were jousts and barriers on the accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne in 1558, in which the Duke of Norfolk and the earls of Surrey, Warwick and Leicester took part.[230]

The _fête d’armes_ at which Henri II of France was fatally injured was held at Paris in 1559. The tenans on the occasion were the king, the Prince of Ferrera, the Duke of Guise and others. The course in which the accident befel was an extra one, run in the face of remonstrances on the part of the other challengers. The cause of the injury would seem to have been that the Comte de Montgomeri, Captain of the Scottish Guard, failed to drop his shivered lance immediately after impact, as he ought to have done, and the jagged end striking the king’s visor, a splinter passed through the slit for vision and pierced his brain. The king’s case was hopeless from the first, though he lingered in agony for nearly a week. The king’s accidental death was not avenged on Montgomeri at the time, but Catherine de Medici had him executed fifteen years later. Lacroix, in _Military and Religious Life in the Middle Ages_, gives a picture of this fatal encounter, copied from an engraving of the sixteenth century.

Viscount Dillon, in his paper “Barriers and Foot Combats,” reproduces a picture of Spanish officers “At Barriers” in Brussels, 1569 (after Hogenberg). The details are interesting as showing the manner of fighting on foot at the time.

As stated in the Ashmolean MS., No. 837, fol. 245, a tournament was proclaimed at Hampton Court by Clarencieulx, King of Arms, on Twelfth-night, _anno_ 1570, to take place in the month of May following. The MS. begins with a preamble, being a general exhortation to revive the tournament, which “had of late fallen a sleepe.” Next come the _chapitres d’armes_ (the articles) for the tilt, tourney and barriers. A copy of the document follows here:—

“For as much most noble Queene, as ther ar within this yoʳ maᵗⁱᵉˢ Courte a greate nombre of noble menne and gentlemenne excellent men of Armes, and yet (as it wer) of late fallen a sleepe from eny kinde of such exercyse: Therfore by your maᵗⁱᵉˢ lycense, to revyve theim withall, ther ar fower Knightes Errant which haue thought goode to challenge all commers at Shrovetyde next as followeth. Videlicet.

_Tilt_ Vpon Shrouesonday at the Tylt, six courses a pece. And who so doth best of the Defendanntes in those six courses, shall have for his prize a cheyne of gold.

_Tourney_ Vpon Shrovemonday at the Tourney, two blowes at the passage, and tenne at the ioyninge. All grypes, shockes, and fowle playes forbidden. And who so doth best of the Defendantes at that feate, shall haue a Diamonde.

_Barriours_ Vpon Shrouetuesday at the Barriours, three pusshes with the short pyke, and tenne blowes with the sworde with open gauntlet: no Barriours to be layde hande vpon, nor eny weopen to be taken holde of. And he of the Defendantes that doth best ther at, shall haue a Rubie.

[The entire page is scored out. On the back of the page, which is written by Glover, a second hand has written, the other way up:—]

The proclemacion that was procleamed at hampton court by Clarencieulx Kyng of armes on twelffe daye at nyght in Aᵒ/1570/ the chalengers names was the erle of Oxfford Charles howard Sʳ henry Lee and christoffer hatton a pencioner.

Theys excercyses was not Fulffylled tyle maye deye next after on which daye was the tylte at westmynster and the second daye of maye the torney and on Sonday byeing the vj of maye the barrioures.”

Another MS. in the same collection (No. 845, fol. 164) gives a list of the participants, with their “checques” (which are tablets for recording the scores made). Examples of these registers are given here, under the heading of the document in question:—

[Endorsed:—Tournay.

Two blowes at the passage: and tenne at the ioyninge: All gryppes shockes and foule playe forbidden.]

[A list of names is also on folio 164 b.]

[fol. 164.]

[54 more, as above, 25 without arms.]

The tenans on the occasion were the Earl of Oxford, Lord Charles Howard, Sir Henry Lee, and Christopher Hatton, a “pencioner,” and a list of their opponents, with their “Checques,” is given in the Ashmolean MS. No. 845, fol. 167. (See page 128.)

The prize for the best lance among the tilters was “a cheyne of gold,” which fell to the Earl of Oxford, who ran forty-two courses and splintered thirty-two lances, a very good performance. The prize for the tourney was a “Diamonde”; that for “barriours” a “Rubie,” which was won by Thomas Cecil, one of the venans.

In 1590, after the siege of Paris had been raised, King Henri IV challenged the Duc de Mayenne to single combat, in order that by a decisive result the calamities of France might be stayed, but nothing came of it.

A tournament was held at Westminster under the leadership of Walter, Earl of Essex, which is chiefly remarkable from the fact of its having taken place during the night. It was on the occasion when Anne de Montmorency, Constable of France, came to London to receive the Order of the Garter, in June, 1572. Queen Elizabeth gave a supper in celebration of the event, at which she presided, and in due time she retired to her apartments. The weather being warm, however, it pleased her Majesty to walk from her chamber on to the open terrace of the palace, where the French duke and his suite were assembled, with many of the English courtiers. The Earl of Essex entered the terrace quite suddenly, accompanied by twelve gentlemen armed at all points and well mounted.

“The Earl and his horse were furnished with white cloth of siluer, and the rest in white sattin, who after reuerence done to her Maiesty, marched to the east side of the Court, and there in troope, stood firme. Forthwith entered Edward Earle of Rutland, with a like number, in like sort armed and apparelled all in blew; and hauing presented his reuerence, stayed on the west end. Before either of these bands, one Chariot was drawen, and therein a faire Damsell, conducted by an armed Knight, who pronounced certain speeches in the French tongue, vnto her Maiestie. These Ceremonies passed, the Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight, which they performed with great courage, and commendation, chiefly in the Earl of Essex, a noble personage, valorous in armes, and all other wayes of great vertue.

Of the Actors names in this Triumph (it seemeth) no note is kept: yet are many of them still liuing.”

The ordinances and regulations which controlled the routine of a tournament, some of them compiled for general use and others framed for particular contests, have been repeatedly referred to in these pages; but the method of the keeping of scores is nowhere clearly indicated, and, indeed, is but rarely mentioned. The score was marked in strokes by a king of arms, sometimes by a pursuivant,[231] on a scoring tablet, termed a “checque,” which was tricked with a shield of the arms of the owner, as shown on page 127. The scoring-board itself was in the form of a parallelogram, with three horizontal lines, the middle line projecting some distance beyond the others, and on the projection of this middle line the number of courses run (usually from two to eight) were registered. The attaints were noted on the top line; and they were often differentiated as hits on the body or head, which had a different value in the tale.[232] The middle line inside the parallelogram was for the staves well broken, and the bottom line for those “ill-broken”—that is, broken within a foot of the head of the lance or on the tilt, on the adversary’s saddle, etc.—these being deducted from the score or disallowed. The proportion in the number of attaints varied greatly, though on the average it would appear that the misses made in jousting at the tilt (i.e. when the jousters failed to touch each other in their careers) were greater in number than the hits made; while in jousting “at the wide” the proportion of attaints was much greater. The registration was done by vertical strokes on the horizontal lines.

As many as ten jousting cheques have been found, which help to a knowledge as to how the scoring was managed, though more light is needed on the subject.

The rules and regulations concerning the conducting of tournaments in Tudor times were based on those framed in 1466 by John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester, Constable of England, which are given in our Chapter IV; but there is no rule among them directly mentioned concerning the method of scoring the points. There are, however, pictures of the scoring cheques, reproduced by Mr. ffoulkes in his paper in _Archæologia_, Vol. LXIII, Plate IV, Nos. 2, 3, which appear at the ends of two of the versions of the Tiptoft rules; viz. those in Harl. MS. 2413, fol. 16, and Ashmole MS. 763, fol. 149. Two cheques out of the fifty-six in Ashmole MS. 845, fol. 164, are reproduced on our Fig. 1. They are those of the Earl of Oxford and Charles Howard, being registers of their scores at the passage of arms which was proclaimed by Clarencieulx in 1570.

This somewhat intricate subject can only be lightly touched upon in these pages; but we may refer any of our readers who may wish to pursue the subject further to Lord Dillon’s paper, “Tilting in Tudor Times,” published in the _Archæological Journal_, Vol. LV, and to that written by Mr. Charles ffoulkes in _Archæologia_, LXIII, entitled “Jousting Cheques of the Sixteenth Century.”

Three writers on certain features in the routine of a tournament are mentioned in the last-named monograph, _The Romance of Three King’s Sons_, written about the end of the fifteenth century,[233] from which the following extract is given:—

“All these thinges donne thei were embatailed eche ageynste the othir and the corde drawen ageynste eche partie, and whan the tyme was, the cordes were cutte and the Trumpettis blew up for euery man to do his deuoir. And for to assertayne you more of the Tournay there was on eche side a stake, and at eache stake two Kynges of Armes, with penne, and Inke, and paper, to write the names of all of them that were yolden, for they shold no more Tournay.”

This refers to the _mêlée_, not the joust.

King René d’Anjou, in _Traicte de la forme et Devis d’ung Tournoi_, gives an illustration of a _mêlée_ in which the attendants are seen cutting the cords with axes, but there are no kings of arms present noting the score.

Another reference occurs in the account given in the Landsdowne MS. 285 of the combat between the Bastard of Burgundy and Lord Scales in 1466, a contest which has been already described on these pages. It is entitled _The Ordinaunce of kepyng of the Feelde_, and runs—

“... At ev’y corner a Kyng of Armes crownyd and an Harauld or Pursevaunte within the seide feelde, for reporte makyng of actes doon within the same: Garter and othir Kynges of Armes and Hauraldes to be sett in the scaffolde before the Kyng on the right hande of the staire of the Kynges place judiciall’ to make report generall’ and to marke all that should be doon in the seide feelde.”

And we may infer that a score of the points, for and against, was kept on the occasion.[234] Hall, in his narrative of the Field of the Cloth of Gold, states definitely that the scores of the combatants were marked down by the proper officials, English and French.

The Duc d’Alençon and three French gentlemen, with the earls of Sussex and Leicester, challenged all comers, in 1551, to fight at barriers, and they had forty-five opponents.[235]

Jousts were run at Westminster, in conjunction with a great pageant, on January 22nd, 1581, in the presence of Queen Elizabeth. The fêtes extended over several days, and many lances were broken at the tilting. The crowd was so great at the pageant that many citizens were maimed and some killed. Those taking part in the tilting were Henry Gray, Sir Thomas Perot, Anthony Cooke, Thomas Radcliffe, Robert and Francis Knolles, Rafe Bowes, Thomas Kelwaie, George Goring, William Tresham, Robert Alexander, Edward Dennie, Hercules Meantus, Edward Moore, Richard Skipwith, Richard Ward, Edward Digbie, Henry Nowell and Henry Brunkerd. During the running Sir Henry Lee entered the tiltyard as The Unknown and, after breaking six lances, retired again. The challengers each ran six courses against all comers. A _Scharmützel_, being the attack and defence of a mock fortress on which cannon were mounted, took place later, and this was followed by the tourney and barriers. Taking part in these were the Earl of Arundel, Lord Windsor, Sir Philip Sidney and Fulke Greville, Esquire.[236]

A tournament was held on the 15th May following, as mentioned in Ashmole MS. No. 845, fol. 166, a copy of which follows:—

“The Tournay holden at Westminster on monday the 15. of May. 1581. when as the prince dolphine of Auuergne and other the frenche commissioners were here.

The challengers were Monsieur the brother of the French King, the Prince Delphine,[237] the earls of Sussex and Leicester, the Count S. Aignon, Messires Chamuallan and Bacqueuile. The venans were led by Lord Thomas Howard.

Another tournament took place at Westminster on November 17th in the same year, and a list of names of those taking part is given in Ashmole MS. No. 845, fol. 165:—

“1581. 24. R. R. Elizabeth Therle of Arundell )____ The Lord Windesore Henry Greye )____ Henry Windesore Sʳ Henry Lee )____ Phellip Sidney Sʳ Thomas Perot )____ Thomas Ratclyff Foulke Grevill )____ Rawffe Bowes Edward Norrys )____ Thomas Knevet Anthony Cooke )____ John Pagingeton George Gyfford )____ Thomas Kailloway Robart Alexander )____ George Goringe Edward More )____ Henry Bronkard William Tresham )____ Rychard Warde Everard Digby )____ Tyrrell Storry )____ William Knolles )____ Robart Knolles.

These be the names of the noblemen and gentlemen, that for the honour of the Queenes Majestie did their endevour at the Tylt at Westminster on the xvijᵗʰ day of Nouember, beinge the first day of the xxiiijᵗʰ yere of the reigne of queene Elizabeth, whome God of his greate mercy longe contynue to reigne over this sinnefull realme of England. Amen.”

In 1585 there is what is described as “the last joust on the Thames,” but which was really a form of water quintain:—

“From ech end of the riuer came a bote running with six ores, in the stern of which on the top stood a man armed in a red wastcote, with a staffe in his reste, hauing a but end of corke; now ech meeting other with their staues, both fell into the water, where spare botes were redi to succour them, for ouer went their horsses.”[238]

Ashmole MS. No. 1109, fol. 154b, gives a list of names of persons taking part in a tournament held at Windsor on November 17th, 1593.

“[In Officio Armorum Lib.] M. 4: Justes. fo: 42

Course at Feild at Windsor the 17ᵗʰ of Nov: 1593. Aᵒ regni Reginæ 36.

The Earle of Cumberland The Earle of Southampton. The Earle of Essex Robert Knowles. The Lord Fitzwalter Cary Reynolds. The Lord Compton Henry Nowell. Sʳ Charles Blount Sʳ Tho. Gerrard. Sʳ Vnknowen Robert Dudley. The E. of Essex [sic] Sʳ William Knowles.

{ The Earle of Worcester Judges { The Lord Sandes { Lord North { The Lord Norrys”

In 1606, in the reign of James I, there was a fight at barriers in celebration of the ill-fated marriage of the Earl of Essex. Sixteen combatants fought on each side, first singly and then in threes. One party was led by the Duke of Lennox, the other by the Earl of Sussex.[239]

Another fight at barriers took place on Twelfth-night, 1610, when Henry Prince of Wales, with six aides, met sixty-five defendants at Whitehall. The weapons were pikes and single swords, and the prince, then in his sixteenth year, is stated to have greatly distinguished himself.[240]

Harleian MS., III, 215, 4888, 20, is a general challenge at tilt, tourney, and barriers, “signed Lenox, Southampton, Pembroke, Montgumbray,” dated 1612. It was in defence of these propositions—“1. That in Service of Ladyes, Knights have no free-will. 2. That it is Beautie maintains the World in valour. 3. That noe fare Ladie was ever false. 4. That none can be perfectlye wife but Lover.” The challenge was addressed, “To all honourable men, Men at Armes, and Knight Adventurers of hereditarie note, ＆ examplarie noblesse, that for most memorable actions doe wield either Sword or Launce in quest of glorie.”

Ashmole MS. No. 837, fol. 129-32, gives a long account of “The manner of first cominge into the Tiltyard” of Charles Prince of Wales in the year 1619. It is interesting from many points of view, and we reproduce it here nearly _in extenso_. Like all accounts of the tournament of the period but little information is given of the martial sports themselves, though a great deal is written concerning the dresses, etc. This MS. affords abundant evidence that the last stage of the tournament had been reached.

“The manner of the first cominge into the Tiltyard of the Most high and mighty Prince Charles Prince of Wales sonne and heir apparent of our Souereign Lo: Kinge James on Friday the xxiiijᵗʰ of March 1619 wͨͪ was in the most princely and Royall manner that had been sene many yeares before.

[Sidenote: [fol. 129 b]]

The day and tyme drawing neare the Tiltyard at Whitehall was prepared wᵗʰ many scaffoldes on both sides ＆ the vpper end where stood his Majestie himself wᵗʰ many other great estates and on the one side sate in a place prepared of purpose at the vpper end the Embassadors on the other side next to Sᵗ James parke gate was erected a most rich ＆ stately Pauillion of green yellow ＆ white damaske laid on wᵗʰ broad lace of siluer ＆ gold wᵗʰ a very deep valence of cloth of silver frendged about wᵗʰ a deep freng of gold ＆ siluer garnished about wᵗʰ The princes Armes ＆ badges. on the top of it was set an Eglet in her nest loking vp at the sonne wᵗʰ this motto at it Nec Degener heres. All wᵗʰ being ready ＆ exceedingly well cleared ＆ ordered by Sʳ Edw; Zouch Kᵗ Marshall. The E: of Arrundell being appointed to be Erle Marshall of England for that day about 12 of the clok came into the Tiltyard on horseback attended by diuers of his owne gent on foot wᵗʰ truncheons in their handes on whome likewise attended the Kᵗ Marshall ＆ all the officers of Armes in their Coates of Armes on horseback vntill his Majestie was ready to come thither. All things beinge / in a readines ＆ the tiltyard in a very good order his Lordship attended wᵗʰ the Kt Marshall Clarenceux ＆ Norry ＆ all the heralds ＆ pursuiantes of armes rode to Denmarke house to fetch the Prince his highnes and let him vnderstand that his Majestie were [sic] redy ＆ expected his coming wherevpon he proceeded in manner followinge.

First marched on foote all the Princes band of his Artillery yard led by their captaine, Mʳ Conisby. next to them went many of the Kᵗ Marshalls men well suited wᵗʰ truncheons in their handes before their Master who for the most part coasted vp ＆ downe to keep the street ＆ passage clene from people. /

[Sidenote: The reason why the Princes trumpets did intercede betw: the officers of Armes and the Prince and had place of them ＆ the Kinges trompetts was because they were part of the Princes Show, and therefore not thought fitt to be diuided.]

Then six of the Kings Trumpetters sounding the sergᵗ Trumpeter wᵗʰ his mace before them riding.

Next to them the pursuiantes ＆ heraldes of Armes wᵗʰ the two provinciall kings of Armes Clarenceux ＆ Norry vnto all whome the Prince his highnes had very bountefully distributed to euery of them 9 yardes of rich taffata of his coullors vist 3 yardes of white 3 yardes of yellow ＆ three yardes of green all fringed very richly wᵗʰ a deep frenge of silver ＆ gold spangled and likewise to each of them a white Bever hatt wᵗʰ a fair gold ＆ siluer band and larg plumes of his coullors. /

Then followed 6 of the Princes Trumpettes very richly clad in grene veluet coats laid wᵗʰ gold ＆ silure lace ＆ white Beruers ＆ fethers

[Sidenote: [fol. 130 a]]

Next them rode his 3 pages one after another brauely mounted very richly clad aleso in grene sattin suits laid exceding thich [sic] wᵗʰ gold ＆ siluer lace white beuers ＆ plumes, ＆ their horses in rich caparasans of greene velvet embrodered wᵗʰ gold ＆ siluer each of them / of [sic] attended by querries in rich suites of the Princes coullors on foot.

Next rode the Erie Marshall wᵗʰ his marshalls rod

Then the Prince his highnes alone all armed in white armour ＆ bravely mounted on horseback wᵗʰ wonderfull rich caparisans ＆ plumes attended by diuers of his cheife gent on foot most richly araied in greine suites of sattin laid very thick wᵗʰ siluer ＆ gold lace white bevers ＆ fethers each of them carying in their handes one of the Princes staues / After the Prince rode Sʳ Tho: Howard Master of the Princes horse.

And after him followed 3 spare horses wᵗʰ plumes ＆ rich embrodered caparisans of his coullors: / led by Querryes or officers of the stable. /:

In this manner they proceeded from Denmark howse to the Tiltyard gate where the artillery men first made a stand ＆ deui(d)ed themselues in a lane for the Prince to passe When his highnes came at the vpper end of the tiltyard he alighted ＆ went into his pavillion to sitt ＆ repose himself whilst the other Tilters were brought in who tarried at the mewes vntil the Kᵗ Marshall ＆ the officers of Armes came for them who proceded in manner following every one in his rank the officers of Armes going before the new runners.

[Sidenote: [fol. 130 b]]

euery one in his rank

Thus appointed to Runn. new The Prince ＆ The E: of Dorset new Marquess Bucks ＆ Sʳ Sigismond Alexander new Marquess Hamilton ＆ E: of Warwick new E: of Oxford ＆ The lo: walden E of Rutland ＆ E of Salsbury new / E of Montgomery ＆ Sʳ Thomas Somerset E of Desmond ＆ Sʳ Hen Riche The lo: Gerard ＆ Mʳ Hen: Alexander

it is to be noted that because the: E of Montgomery was hurt in the arme in practisinge about 3 dayes before Mr Cary 2 sonn to Sʳ Robt Cary the Princes chamberlein was appointed to Runn for him at wͨͪ tyme it was concluded that hereafter if at any tyme any man shold be hurt that he could not run himself but that he appointed another to run for him (if he were inferior to him hurt and desyred to run in his place) he should come into the tilt wᵗʰ his beuer close or if he would haue his beuer open he should then come in the due of his place. /

[Sidenote: [fol. 131 a]]

Judges./. [fol. 131 a] The Prince brake —-—-—- staues The E: of Dorset —-—-—- The Marques of Buck —-—- The marquess Hamilton ——

After all was done the Prince and all the Tilters once passing round the tilt passt round on alonge before the Prince and so attended him to Somerset howse again.

Fees giuen to the officers of Armes Of the Prince in scarfes of his coullors each scarfe coat 9 yards of rich taffata fringed wᵗʰ deep frenge of gold ＆ siluer, and 12 white beuer hats wᵗʰ gold ＆ siluer bandes and faire fethers of his coullors yellow white ＆ grene. And 20ˡⁱ money for his fee

of the marquess Buck 13ˡⁱ 6ˢ 8 for his fee of the E: o(f) Oxford 10ˡⁱ for his fee of the E: of Salsbury 10 for his fee ＆ scarfes of his coullors

[Sidenote: [fol-131 b]]

xxiiij⁹ Martij Aᵒ dni 1620./ Aᵒ Regni Regis Jacobi i9

The Prince The E: of Dorsett Marquess of Buckingham The marquess Hamilton new The E: of Lincolne Sʳ Sigismond Alexander The E of Desmond Lo: Walden new The lo: Compton Lo: Gerard new The lo: Scroope Sʳ Tho: Somerset Sʳ Hen: Riche Mʳ Hen: Alexander Sʳ Hen. Mildmay Sʳ Sigismond Alexander

Judges: The E: of Bridgwater The viscount Doncaster The viscount Falkland Sʳ Fulk Greville T: Arrundell

At this tyme the Prince his highnes came from Denmark howse to the Tiltyard through the Strand as followeth /

First went the band of Artillerymen marching along vntill they came to the gate of the Tiltyard and there made a stand ＆ deuided themselves in a lane for the Princes highnes to pass through

The seriant Trompetour and the K. Trompettes.

Next followed on horsback the officers of Armes in their coates.

Then the Princes Trumpetes richly clad in coates of grene velvet laid wᵗʰ gold lace /

Then the Princes 3 pages one after another bravely mounted ＆ most richly clothed. /

Then the Prince his highnes alone armed wᵗʰ [Blank] of his gent on foot carrying his staves most richely arayed going on both sides./

Then followed Sʳ Tho: Howard master of the Princes horse on horsback

After whom followed seuerall spare horses led by the Querryes or officers of the stable and in this manner they preceeded into the Tiltyard and at the vpper end of the tiltyard by the parke gate was set vp a pauillion of yellow ＆ grene damask laced wᵗʰ gold ＆ siluer lace where the Prince reposed himself vntill the rest of the runners were brought in who stand at the mewes in a redines vntill they were sent for by the Kt marshall ＆ the officers of Armes. and then they cam in according to their degrees two ＆ two together before the E: of Lincolne being a new runner went 4 officers of Armes ＆ 4 before the lo: Compton ＆ two before Sʳ Henry Mildmay being allso new runners.

The E: of Lincolne gaue to the officers of Armes 10¹ and fouer scarfes of his coullors of 3¹ prise ＆ fethers each of them

The lo: Compton gaue them 6 13ˢ 9ᵈ ＆ 4 scarfes of like valew ＆ fethers

[‘This is an original paper, with notes and corrections by one of the Heralds. This art. is recorded in the Heralds’ MS. M. 3, f. 1-3ᵇ. Ashm. Catal.]”

One more illustration of a tournament of the seventeenth century is afforded by Ashmole MS. No. 1127, fol. 196-99b, and it aptly illustrates the advanced stage of degeneration now reached by these once brilliant and chivalrous martial games:—

“Extracted out of P. Boitells Generall history of all that hapned most remarkeable as well in France as in other forrain Country’s in the yeares 1618: 1619: 1620. Printed at Paris in the year. 1620.

[Sidenote: p. 87, 88]

The Colours of the Madame are Blew Incarnate, White ＆ Amaranthus, the Blew represents heavenly ＆ exalted thoughts, the Incarnate chast and honest Inclinations, the White purity ＆ sincerity of faith, the Amaranthus Constancy.

[Sidenote: p. 90]

The Knight of the Royall Amaranthus sends his Challenge abroad for the Celebrating of a solemn Turneament, the Princesses ＆ Lady’s of the court had scaffolds erected for them, ＆ for judges of the Combatt were chosen the Count Guy St George, the Count de la Bassie, ＆ the Count de la Valdisere.

[Sidenote: p. 92]

[Sidenote: [fol. 198b p. 92]

The trompetts beginning to sound from the new palace, there appeared presently after 12. trompeters clad in Blew, Incarnate White ＆ Amaranthus representing yᵉ winds after whom a Camell was led by fowr African Moores, habited in the same livery ＆ bearing lances cover’d with blew damask, twelv Lackey’s follow’d clad after the same manner ＆ after them 12 Pages upon spanish Genetts richly harness’t ＆ representing the 12 houres of the day, their cloakes were of the same colours, their heads cover’d with perrukes compos’d of golden threads with crowns composed of flowrs de Lyses / roses, heyacynthusses ＆ Amaranthusses beneath each of which there seem’d to shine a Great Sun made of plates of Gold ＆ at their shovlders they had two wings of silver. In their left hands they carry’d sheilds which had devises painted on them, ＆ the name of yᵉ Knight written, ＆ in their hands silver lances with bannerolls of the same colour.

[Sidenote: p. 93]

After which came six winged coursers drawing slowly a tryumphall Charriott wͨͪ signify’d the Charriott of the morning, it was of a great heigth ＆ vast biggness adorn’d all about with paintings, ＆ built with rare workmanship. On the top of this Charriott was plac’t Aurora or the Morning quaintly attir’d ＆ accompany’d with joy ＆ Laughter who playing upon the Lute ＆ the Theorbo, after they had taken a round about the place, address’d themselves at length to the Infanta’s, ＆ both of them together joining in Consort with Aurora sung certain Italian verses.

[Sidenote: p. 94]

After the tryumphall Charriott follow’d six peers magnificently attir’d, with a great number of Heron’s plumes ＆ Jewells about their hose, ＆ scarfs of the same colour, ＆ these were the Marquese of Lullin, the Marquese of Vogueres, the Baron of St George, the Marques of Caraglio, the Marquese of Pallavicini, ＆ Mounsieur de Lodes.

[Sidenote: [fol. 199]]

At Length the Prince enter’d the lists as Challenger as being of the most active address ＆ most skillfull of his weapon of all the rest, ＆ the Combatants were these following knights.

[Sidenote: p. 95]

[Sidenote: [fol. 199b]]

Mounsieur de St Reran, under the name of Almidour the Constant, the Count de Montué, Sirnamed Fulginart without fear, Mounsieur de Cavorrett stlled the Fierce Dragon, Mounsieur de Maserez call’d Palmiades the faithfull, Mounsieur de Roussillon tearmed Learques the Couragious, Don Astanio Bobba named Primislas the Strong, Mounsieur de Druent entitled Cloridant the brave, Fulvio Delle Lanze, stiled Altomar the bloody, the Knight d’Aglie with the title of Prodicles the warriour, the Count de Ferrusasque titled Termodont the angry, the Marquese Formo call’d Erolind the Cruell, this noble troop made their Entry three ＆ three in a rank, their livery consisting of all yᵉ fowr colours, but the Prince made choice cheifly of the Amaranthus, ＆ therefore his plume of that colour shew’d it self eminently above the rest, his mantle was of cloth of silver, ＆ under it he had a rich suit of armour made after the manner of the ancients with breeches of silk made after yᵉ same fashion, sprinkled all about with pearles ＆ Jewells, he was mounted upon a stout prancing horse, cover’d with stately capparisons of the same livrie, with / the laces fringes ＆ tassells of silver, ＆ all inrich’t with floures ＆ roses of the same mettall he enter’d in between two knights whereof the one was clad in blew, the other in Incarnate.

After the severall Combats were ended the prise was adjudg’d to the Knight of the royall Amaranthus, which donne the trompettes sounded a retreat, ＆ then the Knights each of them retir’d in their Order to the new palace.

[Sidenote: p. 85]

This Ceremony was celebrated by the Prince of Savoy, upon occasion of the marriage between him ＆ Christina the sister of Lewis the just King of France at his return to Turin from Rivolles where Inviting the Lady’s to a Ball he Instituted a Turneament under the title of the Knight of the Royall Amaranthus fighting under the Colours of Madame, the Princess.”

The tournament lingered long in Germany.

The decline of armour had become acute by the close of the sixteenth century, and to this there were many contributory causes. Far too much stress has been laid on the extended use of firearms as being the main reason for this, though the ever-increasing penetrative force of the musket-ball had tended greatly to diminish the value of steel harness as a sure means of defence. As a matter of fact, full armour could not be constantly worn during a long campaign without injury to health, besides being a great clog to mobility on the march and in the field. Another potent factor towards the disuse of armour lay in the fact that harness for the soldiery was made in certain standard or arbitrary sizes, each piece being numbered, so that the suits rarely fitted individual cases. They were thus apt to chafe the bodies of the wearers and to cause sores beyond endurance, so that pieces of armour were frequently cast away on the march, all penalties notwithstanding. The man-at-arms of an earlier age became the pistolier, _Landsknecht_ and cuirassier of later times.

Early in the seventeenth century another decided change took place in the form of the breastplate, which followed the cut of the doublet of civil life, in the gradual shortening of the waist, and body-armour became stumpy and inelegant.

The latest phase of cap-à-pie armour is well illustrated by a harness in the Musée d’Artillerie, Paris, which was presented by the Republic of Venice to Louis XIV, in 1688. It is very uncouth in form. During the last half of the century plate-armour gradually disappears, the pikemen being the last infantry arm to employ it. A “pair of plates” were the last pieces worn, and, except in the case of the cuirassiers, they also were abandoned in favour of the buff coat pure and simple.

After a career of six centuries, the tourney had practically run its course, and had now become almost a thing of the past. Its influence on the ages had been in the main for good, in restraining the licence of troublous times and in inculcating a respect for women. It had fostered a spirit of courtesy, honour and chivalry, sentiments which extended themselves far beyond its borders, Sainte-Palaye remarks, “_Chevalerie est la fontaine de courtoisie, ce qui arrose le reste du monde_”; but as the means for luxury increased, and as time rolled on, the old simplicity fell away and corruption set in, and though the forms remained the spirit had fled. All _raisons d’être_ for the tourney beyond those of exercise and pastime had long since passed away, through the continuous decline in the importance of the man-at-arms in warfare, the ever-increasing efficiency of firearms, and the necessity for greater mobility of armies in the field.

* * * * *

The history of the tournament would not be complete without some account of the revivals attempted in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They lack, however, a sense of reality, being, in fact, merely more or less well-staged plays.

The Eglington Tournament, held in Ayrshire in 1839, though a good deal based on Sir Walter Scott’s legend, the “Gentle and Joyous Passage of Arms of Ashby de la Zouche,”[241] was, in many respects, also a revival of a _pas d’armes_ of Tudor times. It was carried through in the face of some ridicule, much discouragement and many difficulties; but all obstacles were gallantly surmounted by the enthusiasm, tenacity and liberality of the Earl of Eglingtoun and his coadjutors. The very elements were against it, for torrents of rain fell frequently during its course, converting the lists into a pond, spoiling the decorations of the stands, and wrecking the temporary banqueting-hall erected at the castle. The training of the horses in so short a time presented the greatest practical difficulty, for here the promoters were at a great disadvantage as against the early and persistent drilling of the chargers for employment in the _fêtes d’armes_ of the olden times. The lists at Eglington Park measured 600 yards by 250, the tilt or barrier being 300 yards long, running down the centre. A handsome pavilion was pitched for the use and comfort of the Queen of Beauty (Lady Seymour) and her train of ladies. There were other tents for the accommodation of the knights taking part, and a grand stand was erected for the presiding queen, her maidens, and the guests of the promoters. Seats were placed at the eastern end of the arena for about two thousand spectators. Thirty-five knights took part in this passage of arms, and among them were Prince Louis Napoleon, the Marquis of Waterford, Earls Eglingtoun, Craven and Cassilis, Lords Alford, Glenyon, Cranstoun, A. Seymour, W. Beresford, Drumlanrig and Maidstone. Lord Gage and Sir Charles Lamb acted as Marshals of the List, the rôle of King of Arms being sustained by the Marquis of Londonderry. There were several rehearsals, the last of which took place on July 13th. The first to joust at the tilt on that occasion were the Earl of Eglingtoun and the Lord Cranstoun. Several courses were run by these champions and two lances were broken. Other encounters followed with varying fortune. The “Lord of the Tournament” was the Earl of Eglingtoun; the Judge of the Lists, Lord Saltoun; and the inevitable Jester, a Mr. M’Ian from London.

The procession was arranged by Sir Charles Lamb and Lord Saltoun. The tournament began on August 28th, 1839. The morning was fine, and by one o’clock some ten thousand persons had assembled, and crowds continued to arrive. A pitiless rain much delayed the starting of the procession from the castle, and it was sadly shorn of its fair proportions; for the Queen of Beauty and her maidens had to betake themselves to carriages instead of riding on horseback as intended. The procession reached the lists in the afternoon, about three, in a much bedraggled condition, and the presiding queen, her attendants and the castle house-party, took their seats on the grand stand prepared for them. After flourishes of trumpets, the rules, regulations and limitations for the guidance of the proceedings were proclaimed by a herald. The number of courses to be run by each pair of jousters was settled at three, or at most four. The harnesses employed, some of them collected in England, the rest abroad, varied greatly in regard to period: the armour of the Earl of Craven is amusingly stated to have been worn by an ancestor of the Earl’s (Baron Hilton) at the field of Cressy. Reinforcing pieces were employed.

On the weather clearing a little, the scene presented was a brilliant one. There were the knights armed at all points, and their horses gaily trapped in cloth painted in rich colours with their arms and devices. Merging with the rich dresses of the ladies, they offered a fine and moving spectacle. The _pas d’armes_ commenced with the quintain, after which jousting at the tilt began. The tilting was far from satisfactory, for the attaints achieved were very few in number. This was owing to the lack of skill on the part of the riders, the insufficient training of the horses, and the mistaken notion that the careers were to be run at the gallop instead of at an amble. The first joust was run between the “Knight of the Swan” (the Hon. Mr. Jerningham) and the “Knight of the Golden Lion” (Captain J. O. Fairlie). They took up positions for their careers, and the trumpets sounded the onset. There were no attaints in the first three courses, but in the fourth the Knight of the Golden Lion broke his lance on the shield of his adversary. The second challenge was by the Earl of Eglingtoun to the Marquis of Waterford, and in the first course both lances were splintered. There was no attaint in the second, but in the third the Earl again splintered his lance. The third joust was between Sir Francis Hopkins and R. J. Lechmere, Esq. In the first encounter Sir Francis shivered his lance, and in the second both lances were broken, but that of Sir Francis was disallowed as being “ill-broken.” In the fourth career Sir Francis again shivered his lance. The fourth tilt was between the Lords Glenlyon and Alford. There were no attaints in the first two courses, but in the third Lord Alford broke his spear. Next came combats on foot at barriers with two-handed swords, after which jousting was resumed. The last joust of the day was between the Marquis of Waterford and Lord Alford. The first course was without attaint, and in the second a hit was disallowed, the lance breaking just above the head; but in the third the Marquis shivered his lance “as it ought to be broken.” During all this the rain fell at intervals and with increasing violence, which sadly marred the brilliancy of the scene, and the banquet had to be abandoned owing to the wrecking of the temporary banqueting-hall by the storm. In the evening there were combats with broadswords in the drawing-room of the castle, and a duel between Prince Louis Napoleon and Mr. Lamb is stated to have afforded some excellent sword-play. The tournament was to have been continued on the following Thursday, but the weather was so boisterous that the completion of the _pas d’armes_ was postponed to Friday, August 30th. The weather was fine and sunny, and the procession to the lists was this time complete in all its parts, the queen and her ladies being on horseback. The first tilt of the day was between the Lords Glenlyon and Alford, and there was but one attaint in the three courses. The Earl of Craven and Captain Fairlie then took up positions for their careers. Both lances were shivered in the first course, in the second there was no attaint, but in the third the Earl again shivered his lance. This was the best joust of the tournament. To be brief, there were six more jousts, making altogether nineteen courses, and but two attaints. Running at the Ring followed, and a _mêlée_ brought the tournament to a close. The combatants in the latter were—The Lord of the Tournament (Earl of Eglingtoun), the Knight of the Dragon (Marquis of Waterford), the Black Knight (W. L. Gilmour, Esq.), and the Knight of the Gael (Lord Glenlyon): _against_ the Knight of the Black Lion (Viscount Alford), the Knight of the Red Rose (R. J. Lechmere, Esq.), the Knight of the White Rose (Charles Lamb, Esq.), and the Knight of the Swan (Hon. H. Jerningham). Mr. Jerningham was hurt in the wrist by a sword-stroke in the _mêlée_, but this was the only casualty worth recording during the tournament. Several of the knights were unseated, and in one case both horse and rider fell, a few bruises resulting. The prize was awarded to the Earl of Eglingtoun. It was a coronet, with which the Queen of Beauty gracefully crowned him, in the manner of the Lady Rowena in the lists at Ashby de la Zouche. There was a banquet in the evening, at which Lord Eglingtoun expressed the hope that this attempt at a revival of the tournament might result in its being continued among the nobility and gentry of these islands. This pious wish, however, failed to be realised, the very ethics of the institution being so totally at variance with the sentiment prevailing in modern times. The banquet was followed by a dance.

THE TOURNAMENT AT BRUSSELS IN 1905

In marked contrast to the Eglingtoun Tournament, in the way of accuracy of detail and historic truth, was the _pas d’armes_ in the Rathausplatz, at Brussels, in 1905, held nearly three-quarters of a century later. This revival in what was once Burgundian territory was most appropriate, the more so as it took place in Brussels itself. It was in the Rathausplatz there, one of the most striking sites in Europe, that the Comte de Charolais, afterwards Charles the Bold, ran in his first tournament in 1452. The Comte was then but eighteen years of age, and tilted in as many courses on that occasion, breaking sixteen lances “as they ought to be broken”—a very good performance, viz. sixteen attaints out of eighteen runs. It was this tournament, held in the city of Brussels some four and a half centuries before, in the reign of Philippe le Bon, that was selected for reconstruction in the months of July and August, 1905.[242] Charles was born in November, 1433, and the tournament in question was held in commemoration of the anniversary of his birthday. He was killed in battle on the fatal field of Nancy in 1477. In the month of August of the same year his daughter and heiress, the Princess Maria, was wedded to Maximilian of Austria, and the brilliant traditions of the tournament passed over to his court.

The collection of illuminated MSS. in the Burgundian Library, now transferred to the National Library at Brussels, with the _Armorial de la Toison d’Or_ and other Burgundian records, now in the National Library at Paris,[243] furnish reliable and inexhaustible material for the correct staging of a modern revival of a tournament on the lines of one of the fifteenth century. It is thus no wonder that the reconstruction, in the summer of 1905, of the _pas d’armes_ of 1452 was attended by such success as to prove of great educational value. The middle of the fifteenth century was, perhaps, the most picturesque period of the tourney: its rich weapons and armour, the caparisons of the horses, the arms of the champions and others, the lists, the music, and even the very musical instruments of the period, together with the sumptuous accessories of the brilliant Burgundian Court, were reproduced in 1905 to a marvel.

The reconstruction, as presented at Brussels, began with the entry of Duke Philip of Burgundy into the lists in the Rathausplatz, with a splendid train of the ladies of his court, the Marshal of the Lists, the King of Arms (Jean Lefébre de Saint-Remy, the reputed writer of the _Armorial de la Toison d’Or_), the Comte de Charolais, with his five jousting associates and many historic figures of the camp and tourney throughout Christendom, the four judges of the tournament, heralds, pursuivants, etc. The Duke having taken his seat as supreme umpire on the gaily decked tribune prepared for him, the trumpets sounded and the jousting began. Many courses were run in character. This was followed by the quintain, and afterwards by combats on foot and a _mêlée_; then the prizes were presented. Figures of the knights of 1452, such as those of the Comte de Charolais, Jacques de Lalain and Fredrich de Renesse, were faithfully reproduced in all their details. Some excellent post-cards were published in Belgium, picturing some of the principal scenes of the tournament. Plate XII (1) depicts the Comte de Charolais armed at all points for the _mêlée_, and Plate XII (2) Jean de Clèves. The _fêtes d’armes_ and its rehearsals extended over several weeks.

“TRIUMPH” HELD AT EARL’S COURT, LONDON, ON JULY 11TH, 1912

The object of the promoters of this revival was to reproduce an Elizabethan tournament of about the year 1580, such an one as is described in this chapter. This idea was very creditably carried out, though falling short of the Brussels reproduction of 1905 in the matters of technique and minuteness and correctness of detail. It must be remembered, however, that in 1580 the tournament, then itself a revival in England, had reached an advanced stage of decadence, and that the materials available for reconstruction are scanty and uncertain, as contrasted with the ample records of the century preceding. The Earl’s Court reproduction is stated to have been devised by Mrs. George Cornwallis-West and Mr. Seymour Lucas, R.A., with the technical assistance of Mr. (now Sir) Guy Laking. The stage management of the play was in the competent hands of Mr. (now Sir) Frank R. Benson. It is interesting to see so many historic names and titles, corresponding with those of Tudor times, borne by the jousters at Earl’s Court. The rôle of Marshal of the Lists was sustained by Lord Lonsdale, and the judges were Lords Shrewsbury and Talbot, Essex, and Dudley, with Major-General Brocklehurst. The Queen of Beauty was the Viscountess Curzon.

The procession to the arena was headed by trumpeters and four pursuivants, marching on foot; then rode the marshal, armed at all points, with the herald (Sir F. R. Benson). The four judges, clad in black robes, followed, their esquire (Sir Guy Laking) bearing the umpire’s bâton. After their entry into the lists the trumpets again sounded and the Queen of Beauty, with her train of maidens, all mounted on palfreys, gaily decorated with roses, each led by a henchman, rode into the arena. The Queen was attended by an esquire, and her palfrey was caparisoned in silk. She was clad in a ruff, a robe sparkling with diamonds, and a long mantle.

The knights were arranged in trios, each cavalier preceded by an esquire, bearing his lance, and followed by other esquires. The first champion was the Duke of Marlborough; his motto was _Fiel pero desdichado_, his colours a dark blue, and his proof armour was etched with gold. The second was Lord Craven; his motto was _Virtus in actione consistet_, his colours green, and he wore the famous armour made for Philip II of Spain. Lord Compton completed the first trio, and his motto was _Je ne cherche qu’un_. The second trio followed, and all did homage to the Queen of Beauty, now seated on her throne. The herald then proclaimed that the six knights would joust at the tilt, for a rich and noble prize. The Lord Chrichton and the Duke of Marlborough were the first to joust, and five courses were run by each pair. On completion the verdict of the Queen of Beauty was that the Duke had well jousted, but that Lord Ashby St. Ledgers, whose motto was _Ferro non gladio_, had jousted best, and he received the prize, viz. a gold cup of the value of £600, from her hands. The tilt was then removed and a _mêlée_ followed, in which twelve knights were engaged. There was, of course, a banquet in the evening followed by a dance.

There was also a revival at Rome.

There now only remains the judicial duel to be described, an institution which had much affinity with the tournament, and which, indeed, formed an integral part of it, both in sentiment and fact. This important branch of the subject is dealt with at some length in the next chapter.

FOOTNOTES:

[191] Chapter X, 1.

[192] Chapter XIII.

[193] Without a tilt.

[194] The term “tourney” is very frequently employed by chroniclers to express the mêlée, though also often applied in a general sense.

[195] _Waffenkunde_, Fig. 631.

[196] Monstrelet, _Continuation_, Chap. CCXXXIX.

[197] _Arch. Journ._, LV, 306.

[198] Reinforcing pieces.

[199] Without a tilt.

[200] _Chronicles_, III, 605.

[201] See Appendix A.

[202] _Archæological Journal_, LV, 302.

[203] Hall’s _Chronicle_, p. 513.

[204] Hall, 516.

[205] The italics are ours.

[206] Disallowed?

[207] Created Duke of Suffolk in 1514.

[208] Father of Anne.

[209] Hall’s _Chronicle_, p. 516.

[210] _Arch. Journ._, LV, 338.

[211] Hall’s _Chronicle_, 520.

[212] Hall’s _Chronicle_, 533.

[213] _Ibid._ 564.

[214] Holinshed, III, 609.

[215] _Ibid._ III, 613.

[216] _Ibid._ III, 625.

[217] _Ibid._ III, 636.

[218] Margaret Tudor, afterwards married to the sixth Earl of Douglas.

[219] Hall, 584.

[220] Probably the same meeting mentioned by Holinshed under 1519.

[221] _Ibid._ 591.

[222] See Appendix B.

[223] Another account says that on that day the two kings preferred to look on.

[224] See Appendix A.

[225] _Archæologia_, LXIII, 32.

[226] _Harleian Miscellany_, X, 306.

[227] Afterwards Duke of Northumberland.

[228] The famous minister of Philip II.

[229] See Ashmolean, MS. 845, 171a; and Harl. MS., Codex 69, Art. 20.

[230] _Archæological Journal_, LXI, 304.

[231] The duties of “pursuivants d’armes” are given by Sainte-Palaye in his _Mémoires sur L’Ancienne Chevalerie_ (I, 32), and among them is that of registering the scores, “_＆ afin de n’en point perdre la mémoire, on y portoit des tablettes pour enregistrer les faits ＆ les circonstances les plus remarquables_.”

[232] “He that on horsebacke directeth his Launce at the head, is more to be praised, than he that toucheth lower. For the higher the Launce hitteth, the greater is the Runners commendation.”

[233] Harl. MS. 326, fol. 113 vᵒ.

[234] _Archæologia_, Vol. LXIII.

[235] _Archæological Journal_, LXI, 305.

[236] The Continuation of the _Chronicles of England_, by John Stow and others.

[237] The Prince Dauphin, not the Dauphin of France.

[238] Continuation Holinshed, IV, 645.

[239] _Archæological Journal_, LXI, 305.

[240] _Ibid._

[241] _Ivanhoe_ was published in 1820.

[242] A short account of the _pas d’armes_ of 1452 is given in our