Friday, November 30, 2007

Ayre, Picardy 1494

Pierre de Bayard, a young gentleman and apprentice of arms, a native of Dauphiny, ruled by the king of France, under the charge and conduct of the high and powerful lord of Ligny, would have a tourney cried and issued outside the town of Ayre, to meet outside the walls with all comers on the twentieth day of July, for three strokes with the lance without lists, with sharp lances in harness of war; and a dozen strokes with the sword, all mounted. And he who does best will be given a gold bracelet enameled with his livery worth thirty escus.

The next day will be fought on foot at the push of the lance, at a barrier at the height of the navel, and after the lance is broken strokes with the axe, according to the discretion of the judges and those that guard the field. And whoever does best will be given a diamond worth forty escus.

Clephan, R. Coltman. The Medieval Tournament (New York, 1995)
Translation copyright 2007 Will McLean

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