Gilded Pennoncel

My most recent flag project was a silk pennoncel, with three gold sandglasses on a blue field. Modern fabric paint was the lowest layer of the sandglasses,  with gold leaf burnished atop that with gum arabic.

Flags, coat armor and caparisons were often painted in the Middle Ages, and Cennino Cennini had much useful advice on painting cloth. Both silk and linen was used for surviving flags, and the Earl of Wawick owned standards of worsted. Cennini also described how to paint velvet, and woolen cloth for jousts or tournaments.  Cennini generally sized the cloth where it would be painted, which is essential to protect the cloth if oil based paint or mordant for gilding is used.

I sewed the silk to a peripheral piece of cloth, shaped so it could be stretched over a modern canvas stretcher just like a canvas for easel painting.

Modern acrylic fabric paint can be applied to cloth directly, but has a gloss that is somewhat different from oil paint over size or tempera.

Note that medieval flag makers seem to have been more flexible in arranging charges than their modern emulators, as long as the number was correct. The crowns on Arthur’s pennoncel in the Nine Worthies Tapestry are arranged similarly to here, but those on his shield are two and one.

Using resist and dyes to paint silk seems to have been unknown in Europe before the 19th century.

SCA Errata Sheet: "Only a Knight Can Make a Knight"

There is a very old tradition within the SCA that "only a knight can make a knight"

I am reliably informed that Queen Elizabeth I did not believe this at all, nor did any Pope since knighthood became a thing.

A Painter's Bill to the Earl of Warwick, 1437

Thes be the parcels that Will Seburgh Citizen and Peyntour of London hath delivered in the monthe of Juyli the xv yeer of the reign of Kyng Harry the sixt, to John Ray, Taillour, of the same Citee, for the use and stuff of my Lord of Warwyk.

Ferst, CCCC. Pencels bete with the Raggidde staffe of silver, pris the pece v. d.  8l.  06s. 00.
Item, for the peynting of two Paveys for my Lord, the one with a Gryfon stondying in my Lordis Colours rede, white and russet, pris of the Pavys, 00 06 08.
Item, for the other Pavys peyntid with blak and a Raggid staffe bete with silver occupying all the felde, pris 00 03 04.
Item, one Cote for my Lordis body, bete with fine gold, pris 01 10 00.
Item, other two Cotes for Herawdes, bete with dymy gold, pris the pece xx s. 02 00 00
Item, iii. Banners for Trumpetts bete with dymy gold, pris the pece xiii s. iiii d. 02 00 00.
Item, iiii. Spere shafts of reed, pris the pece xii d. 00 04 00.
Item, one grete Burdon peynted with reed 00 01 02.
Item, 1. nother Burdon ywrithyn with my Lordis Colours, reed, white, and russet, 00 02 66
Item, for a grete Stremour for the Ship of xl. yerdis length, and viii.yerdis in brede, with a grete Bere and Gryfon holding a Raggid staffe,  poudrid full of raggid staves; and for a grete Crosse of S. George, for the lymmyng and portraying, 01 06 08.
Item, a Gyton for the Shippe of viii. yerdis longe, poudrid full of raggid staves, for the lymmyng and workmanship 00 02 00.
Item, for xviii. grete Standards, entretaiilcd with the Raggid staffe, pris the pece viii d. 00 12 00.
Item, xviii. Standardis of worsted, entretallied with the Bere and a Cheyne, pris the pece xii d. 00 18 00.
Item, xvi. othir Standardis of worsted entretailled with the Raggid staffe, pris the pece xii d. 00 05 04.
Item, 3. Penons of Satyn cntreteyllcd with Raggid staves, for the lymmyng full of raggid staves, pris the pece ii s. 00 06 00.
Item, for the Cote armour bete for George by the commandement of my Lord, pris 00 06 08.

Dugdale, William. 1730. The antiquities of Warwickshire illustrated; from records, leiger-books, manuscripts, charters, evidences, tombes, and armes: beautified with maps, prospects, and portraictures. London: Printed for J. Osborn and T. Longman.

I see several interesting points.

Devices are often "bete"which I take as decorated with gold or silver leaf. Silver leaf tarnishes, but these heraldic displays were relatively ephemeral.

The thrifty earl specified fine gold for his own coat armor, but less pure alloy for his heralds and musicians.

The St. George cross was much less universal than it would become on Tudor ensigns.

The flags were often entretailled.  I take this to mean decorated with cloth cutouts sewn down as apppliqués or glued down as Cennini suggests.  In either case, further decoration by a painter was required.

Flags in Medieval England

There were four main types used on land: standards, banners, pennons, guidons and pencels. Ships also used streamers.

I will offer some definitions that are not inconsistent with medieval use, but since medieval definitions were not consistent, they will not agree with all medieval use.

Banners were rectangular or square. The others were triangular.

Standards and guidons had a split end. Pennons and pencels  had a single end, pointed or rounded.

Standards were usually the largest flags and pencels the smallest, sized to be born on a lance without impeding its use as a weapon

One or more badges could be displayed on all of the above. Almost always, arms were only displayed on banners, pennons and pencels. The one exception that I know of included the arms of the Count of Nassau on an escutcheon among other emblems painted on a standard captured at Grandson in 1476.

14th century banners ranged from 60-90% of the height in breadth, with three feet high and two broad being a fairly typical proportion and size, judging from the iconography.  They evolved to square proportions under the Tudors.

Six feet seems to be a good length for a pennon.

Flags and Rank in 16th Century England

THE SIZE OF BANNERS, STANDARDS, PENNONS, GUYDHOMES, 
 PENSILLS, AND STREAMERS.

 An Emperor's Banner shulde be five foote longe, and of the same breadth. A Kinges Banner of five foote.
A Princes and a Dukes Banner four foot.
A Marquess, an Erles, a Viscounts, a Barons, and a Bannerets Banner shulde be but three foote square, and so is the old forme. Some hold that the Banner of a Banneret shulde be but two feet square, and so was the old forme. But nowe because their worshipp and power is increased, they have it of three foote. The usual Banner for the estates last above-named is elle longe and yard broade.

A Banner serveth for a Knight of the Garter, a Bannerett, a Baron, a Viscount, an Earle, a Marquisse, a Duke, a Prince. Place under a Banner an hundred men.

Standards.—The great standard to be sette before the Kings pavilion or tent, not to be borne in battel, to be of the length of two yards. (sic., but 11 was probably intended)
The Kings Standard to be borne, to be of the length of eight or nine yardes.
The Dukes Standard to be borne, to be slitte at the ende and seven yardes longe.
The Erles Standard six yards longe.
The Barons Standard five yards longe.
The Bannerets Standard four yards and a halfe longe.
The Knightes Standarde four yardes longe.

And every Standard and Guydhome to have in the chiefe the Crosse of St. George, to be slitte at the ende, and to conteyne the crest or supporter, with the poesy, worde, and devise of the owner. Place under the Standard an hundred men.

Pennon A pennon must be two and a halfe yardes longe.made rounde at the ende, and conteyneth the armes of the owner, and serveth for the conduct of an hundred men. Every knight may have his pennon, if he be chiefe captaine, and in itt sett his armes; and if he be made a Banneret by the King or the Lieutenant, shall make a slitte in the end of the pennon, and the heraldes shall raze it owte; and when a Knight is made a Bannerett, the heraldes shall bringe him to his tente, and receive for their fees three pounds, eleven shillings, and fourpence, for every bachelor knight, and the trumpettes twenty shillings.

Note that an Esquire shall not have his arms displayed in the field, but hee may weare his cote.

GUYDON.—A Guydhome must be two yards and a halfe, or three yardes longe, and therin shall no armes be putt, but only the mans crest cognizance and devyce, and from that, from his standard and streamer a man may flee, but not from his banner or pennon bearinge his armes. Place under the Guydhome fifty men, by the conduct of an esquire or a gentleman.

Pencells.—Pencills or Flagges for horsemen must be a yarde and a halfe longe with the crosse of St George, the creast, or worde.

Streamer.—A streamer shall stand in the toppe of a shippe, or in the forecastle, and therein be putt no armes, but a mans conceit or device, and may be of the lengthe of twenty, thirty, forty, or sixty yardes, and it is slitte as well as a guydhome or standarde, and that may a gentleman or any other have or beare.

It is used to make the breadth of a banner less than the length; but there is no rule that holdeth therewith'.

 Harleian MS 2358

THE SIZE OF STANDARDS, BANNERS, AND GUYDONS, BANNERELLS AND PENNONS, SETT DOWNE BY THE CONSTABLE AND MARSHALL.

The Standard to be sett before the Kings pavillion or tente, and not to be borne in battayle, to be in lengthe eleven yards.
The Kinges Standard to be borne, in lengthe eight or nine yards.
A Dukes Standard to be borne, and to be in lengthe seven yards di'.
A Marquesse Standard to be in length six yards di'.
An Earles Standard to be in lengthe six yards.
A Viscounts Standard to be in length five yards di'.
A Barons Standard to be in length five yards.
A Banneretts Standard to be in lengthe four yards di'.
A Knights Standard to be in length four yards.

Everie Standard and Guydon to have in the cheife the crosse of St. George, the beast or crest with his devyse and word, and to be slitt at the end.

A Guidon to be in lengthe two yards and a half, or three.

A Pennon of Armes round att the end, and to be in length two yardes.

The Kinges Banner to be in lengthe two yards di', and in bredthe two yards.
A Banner of a Knight of the Garter to be sett up at Wyndeser, two yardes, slete two yards, and one yard and three quarters broade.

 A Banneroll to be in length one ell, in breath one yard.

 Lansdowne MS 255, f. 431.

These both appear to be 16th century, judging by the square banner proportions. Earlier practice was less systematic and restrictive. For example, the squires that served as judges in King René's tournament book displayed banners; perhaps the office of tournament judge was considered of such dignity that you were entitled to display a banner while you held it. Surviving 15th century Burgundian standards did not consistently display the national badge next to the pole.

Also, from reading the above you might well assume that knights bachelor formed the bottom edge of the Tudor standard owning class. You would be wrong. This Tudor record of standards and other armory shows that a substantial number of standards pertained to men below knightly rank: courtiers, politicians, poets, soldiers, wealthy landowners and squires that married well. But I repeat myself.

The book contains about three times as many standards as banners.

Jousting Shield Badges

A fair number of these little pewter badges survive. In some, like the second and third in the first picture, the design is cast with the shield. In others, like the crescent and feather and the wild man, the device or badge is cast separately, with a peg that passes through a hole in the shield  to secure it. I know of no contemporary record of their purpose.

I have three theories, which is two too many. The first is that they are similar to the little shields given out by the pursuivants as the tourney is announced in King René's tournament book, who describes "how the pursuivants give a little shield with the arms of the judges to all who wish to take part."  The accompanying illumination shows the recipients fastening the shields to their hats.  The flaw in this theory is that pewter badges are relatively cheap, low prestige goods, and not very appropriate for the kind of people that can afford to take part in jousts.

The second is that they were inexpensive souvenirs, sold to those attending either a particular joust, or to recurring jousts hosted by the same town.

The third is that they were worn as identifying livery by the many servants; grooms, valets and guards in service to the host of particular joust.

I think the second and third explanations are most likely.

I can also suggest a specific event that may have been associated with the wild man badge: the Pas de la Dame Sauvage held in Ghent in 1470.  The host of the deed of arms was led onto the field by performers dressed as wild men and women.

Reconstruction of a Judicial Duel, c. 1410

Freelance Academy Press sponsored a session at this year's Kalamazoo Congress on Medieval Studies: a paper by Greg Mele on the judicial duel, followed by a reconstruction of a judicial duel performed by members of the Chicago Swordplay Guild and La Belle Compagnie. The script is here. Here are the cartellos. Here is a gallery of photos from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

From about the fifteen minute mark of the first video, when we aren't speaking you can hear the pick-up plainchant choir from down the hall.

Script for a Judicial Duel

Narrator:

In the first place, the quarrels and the bills of the appellant and of the defendant have been posted in the court before the constable and the marshal. 

And when they could not prove their cause by witnesses or by any other manner, but needed to determine their quarrel by strength, the one to prove his intent upon the other and the other in the same manner to defend himself, the constable had power to join the battle as vicar general under God and his lord. 

The battle conjoined by the constable, he assigned them a day and place, so that the day be not within forty days after the said battle so conjoined, unless it be by the consenting of said appellant and defendant. Then he awarded them points of arms otherwise called weapons. Either of them would have, that is to say, lance, long sword, and dagger. 

The appellant and the defendant were required to find sufficient surety and pledges that each of them would come at his said day. And that this may be done, there was given unto the appellant hour, term and so on, to make his prove and dare, and for him to be the first within the lists to quit his pledges. And of the same wise the defendant. . . . 

The lord found the field to fight in. And the lists were made and devised by the constable. It was considered that the lists should be forty paces of length and forty paces of breadth in good manner, and firm, stable, and hard, and evenly made without great stones, and that that it be flat. And that the lists would be strongly barred round about and a gate in the east and another in the west with good and strong barriers of seven foot of height or more. . . . 

The day of the battle the lord shall be in a raised chair or scaffold and a place shall be made for the constable and marshal at the stair foot of the scaffold. Then shall be asked the pledges of the appellant and defendant to come as prisoners into the lists before the lord and those present in the court until the appellant and the defendant have come in the lists and have made their oaths. 

The appellant came to the east gate of the lists in such manner as he would fight, with his arms and weapons assigned to him by the court, and there he shall abide till he be led in by the constable and the marshal. 

Herald:  What man are you who has come armed to the gate of the lists, and what name have you and for what cause have you come? 

Appellant:  I am Sir David Farrell, appellant, come this day to prove my quarrel by my body in the lists. 

Narrator: And then the constable shall open the visor of his basinet or have him discovered so that he may plainly see his visage and if it be the same man that is the appellant. Then shall he open the gates of the lists and make him enter with his said arms, points, victuals, and lawful necessaries upon him; he shall lead him before the lord.

(Does reverence to lord)

and then to his place, where he shall abide till the defendant be come. 

In the same manner shall be done for the defendant, but that he shall enter in at the west gate of the lists. Also the constable shall take heed that no other before or behind the appellant or the defendant bring more weapons or victuals than were assigned by the court. 

And if it be that the defendant come not on time to his day of battle and at the hour and term limited by the court, the constable shall command the herald to have him called at the four corners of the lists, which shall be done in manner as follows: 

Herald: Oyez, Oyez, Oyez. Giacomo Kulla, Squire, defendant, come to your day of battle which ye have undertaken at this day to acquit your pledges before the constable, and marshal in your defense against Sir David Farrel, appellant, and of that that he has put upon you." 

And if he come not betimes, he shall be called the second time:

Herald: Oyez, Oyez, Oyez. Giacomo Kulla, Squire, defendant, come to your day of battle which ye have undertaken at this day to acquit your pledges before the constable, and marshal in your defense against Sir David Farrell, appellant, and of that that he has put upon you. Come, the day passes fast!

…and if he come not at that time, he shall be called the third time, between the third and the ninth hour..

(Defendant appears)

Herald:  What man are you who has come armed to the gate of the lists, and what name have you and for what cause have you come?

Defendant: I am Giacomo Kulla, Squire, come to prove my quarrel as defendant against Sir David Farrel, appellant.

(Examined and brought before the lord, he does reverence and goes to his place)

The appellant and the defendant being entered into the lists . . . they shall be searched by the constable and marshal of their points and that they be true and without any manner of deceit on them, and if they be other than reason asks, they shall be taken away, because reason, good faith, and law of arms will suffer neither guile nor deceit in so great a deed. And it is, to wit, that the appellant and the defendant may be armed as surely upon their bodies as they will. 

Then the constable shall send first after the marshal and then for the appellant with his council to make his oath. The constable shall have his clerk ready in his presence that shall lay forth a mass book, open. 

(Herald reads Cartello of appellant).

Priest: Sir David Farrell, thou knowest well this bill and this warrant and pledge that thou gavest in the court of your lord. Thou shalt lay thy right hand here upon these saints and shalt swear in manner as follows. Thou, Sir David Farrell, this thy bill, is sooth in all points and articles from the beginning continuing therein to the end and that is thine intent to prove this day on the aforesaid Giacomo Kulla, Squire, so God thee help, and these saints.

Appellant: I so swear.

(Constable signals to appellant. Herald reads Cartello of defendant).

Priest:  Giacomo Kulla, Squire, thou knowest well this bill and this warrant and pledge that thou gavest in the court of your lord. Thou shalt lay thy right hand here upon these saints and shalt swear in manner as follows. Thou, Giacomo Kulla, this thy bill, is sooth in all points and articles from the beginning continuing therein to the end and that is thine intent to prove this day on the aforesaid Sir David Farrell, so God thee help, and these saints.

Defendant: I so swear.

(He is led to his place. Constable signals to appellant, to again lay his hand on the missal)

Priest: Sir David Farrell, thou swearest that thou neither hast nor shalt have more points or any points on thee or on thy body within these lists, but they that be assigned by the court; that is to say, a lance, long sword and dagger, nor any other knife little or big, nor any other instrument or engine of point or otherwise, nor stone of virtue, nor herb of virtue, nor charm, nor drug, nor sign nor any other enchantment by thee or for thee by which thou trustest the better to overcome Giacomo Kulla, thine adversary. . . . Nor that thou trustest in any other thing, but only in God and thy body and on thy rightful quarrel, help thee God and these saints.

Appellant: I so swear.

(Defendant is brought forward)

Priest:  Giacomo Kulla, thou swearest that thou neither hast nor shalt have more points or any points on thee or on thy body within these lists, but they that be assigned by the court; that is to say, a lance, long sword and dagger, nor any other knife little or big, nor any other instrument or engine of point or otherwise, nor stone of virtue, nor herb of virtue, nor charm, nor drug, nor sign, nor any other enchantment by thee or for thee by which thou trustest the better to overcome Sir David Farrell, thine adversary. . . . Nor that thou trustest in any other thing, but only in God and thy body and on thy rightful quarrel, help thee God and these saints.

(swears)

Constable: Thou, Sir David Farrell, appellor, shall take Giacomo Kulla., defender, by the right hand and he thee. And we forbid you and each of you in your lord's name and upon the peril that belongeth thereto and the peril of losing your quarrel, whichever one is found in default, that neither of you be so hardy as to do to the other, ill or grievance or other harm by the hand, upon the peril aforesaid." 

(Constable has them place their right hands together and their left hands upon the missal)

Priest: Sir David Farrell, appellor, thou swearest by the faith that thou givest in the hand of thine adversary, Giacomo Kulla, defender, and by all the saints that thou touchest with thy left hand, that thou this day shall do all thy true power and intent by all the ways that thou best mayst or canst to prove thine intent on Giacomo Kulla, thine adversary and defender, to make him yield himself up to thine hand hand vanquished, to cry, or speak, or else to make him die by thine hand before thou wend out of these lists by the time and the sun that thee is assigned by this court, by thy faith, and so help thee God and these saints. Giacomo Kulla, defender, thou swearest by thy faith that thou givest in the hand of thine adversary, Sir David Farrell, appellor, and by all the saints that thou touchest with thy left hand, that today thou shalt do all thy true power and intent by all the ways that thou best mayst or canst to defend thine intent of all that that is put on thee by Sir David Farrell, thine adversary, by thy faith, and so help thee God and all these saints.

(They swear)

Herald: Oyez, Oyez, Oyez. We charge and command by the lord's constable and marshal that none of great value and of little estate, of what condition or nation that he be, be so hardy henceforward to come nigh the lists by four feet or to speak or to cry or to make countenance or token or semblance or noise whereby either of these two parties Sir David Farrell, appellor, and Giacomo Kulla, defender, may take advantage the one upon the other, upon peril of losing life and limb and their goods at the king's will.

(All leave the lists but the champions and marshals) 

Herald at signal of constable: Lessiez les aler (pause) Lessiez les aler (pause) Lessiez les aler and do their duty in Gods name. 

They fight, and after a time the lord throws down his baton, and the herald cries "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and the guardians of the list part them.

Narrator: And if it happen that the lord would take the quarrel in his hands and make them agree without more fighting, then the constable, taking the one party, and the marshal, the other, shall lead them before the king, and he showing them his will, the constable and marshal shall lead them to the one side of the lists with all their weapons and armor as they are found and have on when the king took the quarrel in his hands. And so they shall be led out of the gate of the lists equally, so that the one go not before the other in any way nor in any thing; for since the lord has taken the quarrel in his hands, it should be dishonest that either of the parties should have more dishonor than the other. . . .

Notes: This is closely based on the Thomas, Duke of Gloucester's text on judicial duels written in the reign of Richard II. I have shifted the authority  governing the duel from the king to a mercenary captain and changed the weapons from sword, short sword and dagger to lance, sword and dagger, another combination used in judicial duels such as that between Anneslie and Katrington in 1380. I have also translated Middle English terms that are either obscure or that had a different connotation in the Middle Ages than today.

Based on: Dillon, "On a MS Collection of Ordinances of Chivalry of the Fifteenth Century, Belonging to Lord Hastings," Archaeologia, LVII (1902), 62-66.

To cry a Joust of Peace, 15th c.

We Heralds of Arms bearing shields of devise here we give in knowledge unto all gentlemen of name and of arms. That there be six Gentlemen of name and of arms. That for the great desire and worship that the said six Gentlemen hath taken upon them to be the third day of May next coming before the high and mighty redoubted ladies and Gentlewomen in this high and most honorable court. And in their presence the said six Gentlemen there to appear at nine of the bell before noon. And to joust against all comers without the said day unto six of the bell at after noon. And then by the advice of the said ladies and Gentlewomen to give unto the best Jouster without a Diamond of 40 pounds.

And unto the next the best jouster a ruby of 20 pounds. And unto the third well jouster a sapphire of 10 pounds.

And on the said day there being officers of arms showing their measure of their spears garnished. That is, Coronel, vamplate and grapers all of a size that they shall joust with. And that the said Comers may take the length of the said spears with the advice of the said officers of arms that shall be indifferent unto all parties unto the said day.

The Coming into the Field

The six Gentlemen must come into the field unhelmed and their helms borne before them and their servants on horseback bearing either of them a spear garnished. That is the said six spears the which the said six servants shall ride before them into the field and as the said six Gentlemen be coming before the ladies and Gentlewomen. Then shall be sent an herald of arms up unto the ladies and Gentlewomen, saying in this wise: "High and mighty redoubted and right worshipful ladies and Gentlewomen, these six Gentlemen be come in to your presence and recommended them all unto your good grace in as lowly wise as they can, beseeching you for to give unto three best Jousters without, a Diamond, and a Ruby, and a sapphire unto them that ye think best can deserve it."

Then this message is done. Then the six Gentlemen goeth unto the tiltways (tellws) and doeth on their helms. And when the heralds cry "a l'ostell, a l'ostell", then shall all the six Gentlemen within unhelm them before the said ladies, and make their obeisance and go home unto their lodgings and change them.

Now be come the Gentlewomen without into the presence of the ladies

Then cometh forth a lady, by the advice of all the ladies and Gentlewomen, and gives the Diamond unto the best Jouster without. Saying in this wise: "Sir these ladies and Gentlewomen thank you for your disport and your great labor that ye have this day in their presence. And the said ladies and Gentlewomen sayen that the ye have best Joust this day. Therefore the said ladies and Gentlewomen given you this Diamond and send you much worship and joy of your lady." Thus shall be done with the Ruby and with the Saphire unto the other two next the best Jousters. This done then shall the herald of arms stand up all on high and shall say with a high voice "John hath well jousted, Richard hath Jousted better and Thomas hath jousted best of all."

Then shall he to whom the Diamond is give unto take a lady by the hand and begin the dance. And when the ladies hath danced as long as them liketh then spice wine and drink and then avoid.

From Landsdowne Ms. 285(John Paston's copy of the Grete Booke) fo. 10b, reproduced in Cripps-Day, F.H. The History of the Tournament (London, 1918; reprint New York, 1982). Appendix, p.xxxiv

An alternate versino from the Hastings MS:

To crie a Justus of Pees

We Herrowdys of Armis beryng sheldis of deviis here we yeve in knowlache un to all Gentill men of name and of armus. That ther ben vj Gentilmen of name & armus. That for the gret desire and worschippe that the sayde . vj Gentilmen hath taken up pon them to be the iij day of May nex comyng be fore the hy & myghtty redowttyd ladys & Gentilmen there to a pere at ix of the belle be fore noone. And to Juste a yens all comers wtoute on the sayd day un to vj of the belle at after noon.

And then be there a vise of the sayde ladys & Gentille wymmen to yeve un to the best Juster wtoute a Diamunde of xl li.

And un to the nexte the best juste a rube of xx li. And un to the thyrde well juste a sauffer of x li. And on the sayde day there beyng offecers of armis schuying thayre mesure of thayre speris garnyst. That ys Cornall wamplate & grapers all of asyse that they schall. Juste wt and that they sayde Comers may take the lengthe of the seyde speris wt the a vise of the sayde offecers of armys that schall be in defferant un to all parteys on the sayde day.

The comyng in to the felde

The vj Gentillmen most com in to the felde un helmyd and theyre helm borne be fore tham & thayre servant on horsbake beryng eyther of tham a spere garniste. Yt is the sayde vj speris the wheche the sayde servantis schall ride be fore them in to the felde & as the sayde vj Gentillmen ben com be fore the ladyys & Gentilwime. Then schall be sent an harawde of arm up un to that worschypfull ladys & Gentylwymmen these vj Gentill men ben come in to yowre presens and recomaundit ham all un to yowr goode grace in as lowli wyse as they can besechyng yow for to gyffe un to iij best Justers wtowte a Diamownd & a Rube & a sauffer un to them that ye thenk best can deserve hit.

Thenne this message is doon. Then the vj Gentill men goyth un to the tellws and do on theyr helm. And when the harrawdis cri a lostell a lostell, then schall all the vj Gentill men wtin unhelm them before the seyde ladyys. And make theyre abeisans and go hom un to their loggyng & chaunge them.

Now be com to the Gentyll men withoute in to the presens of the ladyys

Then comyth forth a lady. Be the a vise of all the ladiis & Gentill wymmen & yevis the Dyamund unto the beste Juster wtoute. Sayying in this wise sere these ladiis & Gentill wymmen thank yow for yowr dysport & yowr gret labur that ye have this day in thayre presens. And the sayde ladiis and Gentyll wymmen sayyn that the ye have beste Just this day. There fore the sayde ladys & Gentillwymmen gyff yow this Diamunde & sende yow mych worschyp & ioye of yowr lady. Thus schall be doon wt the Rube & the Sauffer un to the other ij nex the best Justers this don.

Then schall ye harraude of arm stonde up all on hey & schall sey with a hey voyce John hath well justyd. Rycharde hath Justyd better. & Thomas hath justyd best of all.

Then schall he that the Diamonde ys gyf un to he schall take a lady by the honde & be gynnyth the daunce. And when the ladiis hath dauncyd as longe as hem lykyth then spicys & wyne & drynke. And then a voyde.

Lyalton vs. Norreys, 1453

31 Hen. VI. 1452-3.

11th May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Memorandum, stating that on this day, in a Court holden at Whitehall by the lieutenant of the Constable of England, John Lyalton appealed Robert Norreys of high treason; that the 25th of the same month was appointed for them to do battle in Smithfield; that they should fight with glaive, short sword, dagger, and axe, instead of long sword; that council, who are named, were assigned to them; that it was therefore necessary that the sheriffs of London should be directed to gravel and sand the place, to erect a scaffold for the King, and to make lists and barriers for the battle; and that the serjeant of the King's armoury should be commanded to provide armour and weapons for the combatants - - - - - - p. 129

Between the l1th and 25th May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from John Lyalton, who had appealed Robert Norreys of treason, praying that letters of privy seal might be issued for carrying into effect the ordinances which had been made in the Court of the Constable of England :—( Vide the memorandum of the 11th May) p. 132

On or about 23rd May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453—Minutes of the Council. The sheriffs of London to be directed to make a scaffold for the King, and lists and barriers, and to gravel and sand the ground in Smithfield; armour and weapons to be delivered by the Serjeant of the King's arms to John Lyalton, the appellant; and Thomas Bee, painter, to be one of his council - - - p. 133

23rd May, 31 Hen. VI. 1453—Letter from the King to Sir John Asteley, knight, and Thomas Montgomery, esquire, appointing them to be of council to John Lyalton, the appellant - - - p. 134

24th May, 31 Hen, VI. 1453.—Letter of similar import from the King to Thomas Bee, painter - - - - p. 134

Ibid.—Letter from the King to Jenkyn Stanley, Serjeant of arms, commanding him to deliver arms and weapons to the appellant p. 135

Ibid.—Writ to the Sheriffs of London, commanding them to prepare barriers and lists in West Smithfield, to have the same well gravelled and sanded, and also to erect a scaffold - . p. 135

29th May, 31 Hen.VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from John Lyalton, the appellant, praying for a grant of money to enable him to purchase necessaries for the ensuing battle, and that Clampard the smith might be commanded to deliver weapons to him :—Five marks were granted to him - - - - - p. 136

22nd June, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from Robert Norreys, the defendant, to the same effect (mutatis mutandis) as that from Lyalton, the appellant, dated between the 11th and 25th of May - - - - - p. 137

Ibid.—Letter from the King to Sir Hugh John and others, appointing them to be of council to Robert Norreys, the defendant - p. 138

Ibid.—Memorandum containing the names of those who were appointed to be of council to the appellant and defendant in the abovementioned appeal - - - - - p. 139

23rd June, 31 Hen. VI. 1453.—Petition to the King from John Lyalton, the appellant, praying for a tent or pavilion for the day of battle, and that Clampard the smith might be commanded to deliver to him such weapons as were necessary - - - p. 139

England, and Nicholas Harris Nicolas. 1834. Proceedings and ordinances of the Privy Council of England. London: Printed by G. Eyre and A. Spottiswoode. pp. xviii-xix

Both appellant and defendant were assigned an armorer and painter at royal expense for "such things for the said battaille as belangeth to his craft"

For the Astley-Boyle combat of 1442, a painter was directed to provide the following:

The Paynter.
Also one Trappowr of his armes,
Also one Trappoure of his device,
Also iij coates of Armes,
Also vj scochens of his Armes,
Also one phane of his armes for his coate,
Also one pencell beten, to bere in his hande,
Also one pencell beaten of his devise,
Also one castinge speare paynted.

Speeches for a Challenge

The speeches here are extracted from this composite outline of a 15th century deed of arms.

The appellant shall come to the east gate of the lists in such manner as he will fight, with his arms and weapons assigned to him… , and there he shall abide till he be led in by the constable and the marshal. And the constable shall ask him what man he is which is come armed to the gate of the lists and what name he has and for what cause he is come. The appellant shall answer:

"I am

………………………………………………….
the appellant, which is come this journey to accomplish and perform the acts comprised in articles sent unto

…………………………………………………”
(name of the defendant)
(If other appellants come with him they are announced as well)

Then shall he open the gates of the lists and make him enter with his said arms, points, victuals and lawful necessaries upon him and also his council with him; he shall lead him before the judge (where he may do his reverence) and then to his tent, where he shall abide till the defendant be come.

In the same manner shall be done for the defendant, but that he shall enter in at the west gate of the lists....

And when brought before the judge he may say:

"Right high, right mighty and right excellent prince (or lord), I am come hither before your presence as my judge in this party, to accomplish and fulfill the acts of arms contained in certain chapters to me sent by

……………………………………………………….
(name of appellant),
under the seal of his arms, that here is."

And the judge then gives him leave and license to perform them.

(There is some variation in custom, and in some places the defendant enters the lists first. The weapons may be examined and measured, and sometimes equal weapons are supplied by the champion issuing the challenge, or a common length for the weapons is specified in the challenge)

And then the constable shall command the marshal for to cry at the four corners of the lists in manner as follows:

"Oyez, Oyez, Oyez. We charge and command by the judge's constable and marshal that none of great value and of little estate, of what condition or nation that he be, be so hardy henceforward to come nigh the lists by four feet or to speak or to cry or to make countenance or token or semblance or noise whereby neither of these two parties



........................
appellor, and



........................
defender, may take advantage the one upon the other, upon peril of losing life and limb and their goods at the judge's will."

or:

"Since it is so that the most christian and victorious prince

……………………………………
by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland, hath licensed and admitted the right noble and worshipful lords and knights,
(or list other rank if applicable)

…………………………………………………………………………
And

…………………………………………………………………………
(Appellant and Defendant’s Names and Titles)

to furnish certain deeds of arms such as be comprised in certain articles delivered unto his highness by the said

……………………………………….
(Appellant’s Name)
sealed by the said

………………………………………
(Defendant’s Name)
with the seal of his arms, for the augmentation of martial discipline and knightly honor, necessary for the tuition of the faith catholic against heretics and miscreants, and to the defense of the right of kings and princes and their estates publics:— for so much we charge and command you, on the behalf of our most dread Sovereign Lord (add here present, if sovereign is present in person) and on my Lords the Constable and Marshall, that no manner of man of what estate degree or condition he be of, approach the lists, save such as be assigned, nor make any noise murmur or shout, or any other manner token or sign whereby the said right noble and worshipful lords and knights which this day shall do their arms within these lists, or either of them, shall move, be troubled or comforted; upon pain of imprisonment and fine and ransom at the King’s will."


And afterward the constable and the marshal shall void all manner of people out of the lists except their lieutenants and two knights for the constable and marshal which shall be armed upon their bodies, but they shall have neither knife nor sword upon them nor any other weapon whereby the appellant or the defendant may have advantage because of negligence in keeping them. But the two lieutenants shall have in their hands either one a spear without iron to separate them if the judge will make them leave off in their fighting, whether it be to rest them or other thing whatsoever pleases him.

The constable sitting in his place before the judge as his vicar general, and the parties made ready to fight as is said by the commandment of the judge, the constable shall say with loud voice as follows: "Lessiez les aler"; (that is to say, "Let them go”) and rest a while; "Lessiez les aler," and rest another while; "Lessiez les aler et fair leur devoir de par dieu"; (that it is to say, "Let them go and do their duty in God's name.") And this said each man shall depart from both parties, so that they may encounter and do that which seems best to them.


And if it happen that the judge would take the quarrel in his hands (by throwing down his baton) and make them agree without more fighting, then the constable, taking the one party, and the marshal, the other, shall lead them before the judge, and he showing them his will, the said constable and marshal shall lead them to the one part of the lists with all their points and armor as they are found and having when the judge took the quarrel in his hands as is said. And so they shall be led out of the gate of the lists evenly, so that the one go not before the other by no way in any thing; for since he hath taken the quarrel in his hands, it should be dishonest that either of the parties should have more dishonor than the other. Wherefore it has been said by many ancient men that he that goeth first out of the lists hath the disworship...

Speeches for the Melee

First, the combatants are summoned together, and the rules are explained to them. They are divided into two teams, under captains A and B. They process to the two gates of the lists. A leads off first so as to arrive slightly before B.

Herald for A:

My honored and redoubted lords, the very high and powerful (rank of A) and my redoubted lord …….................................................my master, who is present as appellant, presents himself to you with all the noble baronage that you see, whom you have placed under his banner, very eager and ready to begin the tourney assigned today with my very redoubted lord ...................................................... and the noble baronage equally ready to fight under him; asking that it please you to prepare for him a place, so that the ladies who are present can see the entertainment.

Herald B:

My Master, ....................................................., and the Baronage under him, are equally ready and eager to take their parts in the tourney.

Chief Herald:

Very high and very redoubted lords, my lords the judges have heard and understood what your heralds have said for you; to which they answer that your presence is very pleasing, and they well perceive the great and high will for honor and desire for valor that is in you and the barons present under you, for which reason and because the tourney was proclaimed several days before, so that it could come to pass on good time and joyously, they assign there the place within the lists on that side to you my lord............................. ........................, and that on the other to you my lord ........................................ And you may enter in God's name when you like.

When they have entered:

High and powerful princes, lords, barons, knights and squires, each and every one of you, please raise your right hand on high, towards the saints, and all together, as you will in the future, promise and swear by the faith and promise of your body, and on your honor, that you will strike none of your company knowingly with the point of any weapon but the spear of peace, or below the knee, and that no one will attack or draw on anyone except when it is permitted, and also that if by chance someone's helm falls off, no one will touch him until he puts it back on, and you agree that if you knowingly do otherwise you will lose your arms and horses and be banished from the tourney; also to observe the orders of the judges in everything and everywhere as they order delinquents to be punished without argument: and also you swear and promise this by the faith and promise of your body and on your honor.

Everyone:

Yes, Yes.

Chief Herald:

Moreover, I advise you that when the trumpets have sounded the retreat...

(trumpeters demonstrate retreat)

...if you stay longer in the lists you may not win the prize. Now make yourselves ready.

(when they are ready)

Laissiez-les aller, Laissiez-les aller, Laissiez-les aller, now do your devoir right readily!

(when they have fought long enough)

Let the banner bearers ride out, leave the lists, and await the words of the heralds. Ride out! Ride out!

For Another Melee on the Same Day

When they are ready:

Chief Herald:
My lords the judges pray and require that none of you gentlemen tourneyers strike at another with the point of any weapon save the spear of peace, nor below the knee, as you have promised, nor strike nor draw except when it is permitted; and also that none of you attack anyone whose helm falls off until he has put it on again, and also that none of you beat anyone more than you should out of anger or malice.
Moreover, you know that when the trumpets have sounded the retreat and the barriers are open, if you stay any longer in the lists you will not win the prize.

Laissiez-les aller, Laissiez-les aller, Laissiez-les aller, let them do their devoir right readily.

When the last melee is done:

Let the banner bearers ride out, leave the lists, and return to your lodgings: for you lords, princes, barons, knights and squires have so done your duty that henceforth you may go out and leave the lists in good time: for already the prizes is awarded, which will be given by the ladies to him who deserves it.
(If only one melee is fought that day, you may use the final paragraph above to end that instead.)

Prize Presentation

If a prize is to be given to the best of each side:

Then cometh forth a lady, by the advice of all the ladies and Gentlewomen, and gives the prize unto the champion who has shown the greatest prowess. Saying in this wise: "Sir these ladies and Gentlewomen thank you for your disport and your great labor that ye have this day in their presence. And the said ladies and Gentlewomen sayen that ye have fought best of the appellants this day. Therefore the said ladies and Gentlewomen given you this …………and send you much worship and joy of your lady."

And then she will say to the one who deserves it: “Sir, these ladies and Gentlewomen say that you have this day fought best of the defendants, and Therefore the said ladies and Gentlewomen given you this ……………and likewise send you much worship and joy of your lady.

Proclamation Made Before the Combat of Lord Scales and the Bastard of Burgundy: 1467

Since it is so that the most christian and victorious prince our liege lord Edward the IVth by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland, hath licensed and admitted the right noble and worshipful lords and knights, the Lord Scales and of Nucelles brother to the most high and excellent princess the Queen our sovereign lady, and the Bastard of Burgundy Earl of Roche and Lord of Bevere and Bev'esse, to furnish certain deeds of arms such as be comprised in certain articles delivered unto his highness by the said Bastard, sealed by the said Lord Scales with the seal of his arms, for the augmentation of martial discipline and knightly honor, necessary for the tuition of the faith catholic against heretics and miscreants, and to the defense of the right of kings and princes and their estates publics:— for so much we charge and command you, on the behalf of our most dread Sovereign Lord here present, and on my Lords the Constable and Marshall, that no manner of man of what estate degree or condition he be of, approach the lists, save such as be assigned, nor make any noise murmur or shout, or any other manner token or sign whereby the said right noble and worshipful lords and knights which this day shall do their arms within these lists, or either of them, shall move, be troubled or comforted; upon pain of imprisonment and fine and ransom at the King’s will.

The original spelling:
The Proclamacion. Sith it is so that the moost cristen and victorious prynce oure liege lorde Edwarde the iiijth by the grace of God Kyng of Englond and of Fraunce and Lorde of Irlond, hath' licencid and admittid the right' noble and worshupfull' lordes and knyghtes, the Lorde Scales and of Nucelles brothir to the moost high' and excellent pryncesse the Queene oure soveraigne lady, and the Basterd of Bourgon' Erle of Roche and Lorde of Bevere and Bev'esse, to furnysshe certeyne dedes of armes such as bee comprisid in certeigne articl'es delyverd unto his highnesse by the seide Bastarde, seald by the seide Lorde Scales with the seall' of his armes, for the augmentacion of marciall' disciplyne and knyghtly honoure, necessarye for the tuicion of the feith catholique ayenst heretikes and miscreantes, and to the defence of the right' of kynges and princes and theire estates publiques:— for so moche we charge and comaunde you, on the behalfe of oure moost drad Soveraigne Lorde here presente, and on my Lordes the Constable and Marschall', that no maner of man' of what estate degree or condicion he bee of, approche the listes, saufe such as be assigned, nor make any noise murmr or shoute, or any othir maner tokyn' or signe whereby the seide right' noble and worshupfull' lordes & knyghtes which' this day shall' doo their' armes within theise listes, or eithir of them, shall' move, be troublid or comfortid; uppon payne of emprisonement and fyne and raunson at the Kynges will'.




Excerpta historica: or, Illustrations of English history [edited by Samuel Bentley] London, 1831 p. 208

Lord Scales Fights the Bastard of Burgundy on Foot, 1467

In the morough' next aftir, the xjth day of Juyn', before the Kyng in the same feelde; the seide Lorde Scales armed all' save his basenet, his cote on his bak as he did fight upon horsbak, richely beseen', came unto the porte of the seide feelde; his hors trappid to the foote in crymsyn velvet, with vij. targes embrowdird with dyvers his armes of his discent, and oon of all' the hole armes coupbled, fixid on the bak of the seide hors; the seide trapper sumyd with garters richely made and bourdrid withe frenge of goolde. Also thir folowid hym viij. coursours; and upon, viij. pages abiled richely in goldsmythis werke; the seide hors' harneisid in harneis of oon sute. The Duke of Clarence beryng his basenet: Therle of Arundell', Therle of Kent, the Lorde Herry of Bokyngham, M' Bourghchier, the Lorde Herberd, the Lorde Stafford; ev'ych' of them' beryng oon of the wepyns: that is to say, two castyng speres, ij axes and ij daggers. The Constable as before demaundyng the cause of his comyng; he answeryng, to pfourme his Armes on foote in Articles sent to the Bastarde of Bourgon; the Kyng certified thereof, licencid hym to coome into the felde. He there lightyng, came in before the Kyng accompanyed with' many noble lordes; dooyng his dewe reverence to his highnes, resortid to his Pavilon' richely beseene of velewet paly, blewe and tawny; the valence of the seide tente crymesyn' cloth' of goolde; the seide pavylon' beryng in fassion .viij. squares, on ev'ych corner a banner ficchid of his armes; upon the pomell' of the seide pavylon', a gryffyn' of golde holdyng a banner' of his hole armes: his banner holdyn' by Clarenceux Kyng of Armes before his tente.

The Bastarde come ridyng to the barres, and there light', worshupfully accompanyed; before hym the Duke of Suffolk, Therle of Shrewysbury, the Lorde Mountjoy, S' Thomas Mongomery, with many othir lordis: demaundid at the porte of the listes by the Constable as byfore, by the Kynges licence entrid, and came before the Kyng syttyng in his magestee justifieng the feeld; and there with dewe reverence shewid the cause of his comyng, to accomplisshe his seconde Armes as before; and resortid to his pavylon' fixid in feld, in a long gowne of blewe veluet aboute hym, and legge harnesshid, his armes beyng afore in his pavilon', which was of white and purpill' damaske paly; the pomell' of the seide pavylone, gold; the valence of the seide tente, grene velvet, embrowdird with' his worde, that is to say, Null ne cy frete.

And in the meane tyme, the wepyns were p'sentid to the Kyng; the counsell' of bothe pties beyng p'sente. The Kyng beholdyng' the castyng speres right jepdous and right plious, saide, in as muche as it was but an acte of plesaunce, [he] wolde not have noon suche myschevous wepens usid before [him]; and comaundid the seide speres to be leide aparte, and ordeyned the toothir wepens, that is to sey, axes and daggers: the Bastarde to have the chois, accordyng to the Articl'es conteyned in the chapitre.

And then incontinent aftir the pclamacion made as before, the Constable of Englond visitid first the Lorde Scales in his tente, and founde him redy: and than' went unto the Kyng, and shewid that he was redy. And then went the seide Lorde Constable to the Lorde Basterd in his tente. And whan he had so visitid bothe, and shewid them by ij. Kynges of Armes, the Constable then sittyng in the place hym assigned, the seide Kynges of Armes shewyng of them at oo tyme to oothir to p'sente theire charges unto the lordes pavylons waytyng up on the .lesses aler'. all' at oo tyme, the Kyng of Armes spake theis wordes the tyme of lesses aler'. nowe is comaundid to be cried. And then' at the seide Kyng of Armes comyng before the place judiciall', the Kyng comaundid the lesses aler'. And right as the Kyng of Armes made the crye, the Lorde Scales openyd his pavylon'j and at the s'c'de lesses aler' entrid into the felde oute of his tente, and gafe a tarying & bode; and gafe contenaunce that he was redy with hande & fote & axe, in asmuche as he leide his axe upon his shuldre, and eftsones chaungid his axe from honde to hande. And then they avaunsed: and so right' afore the Kyng, either assaillid othir in suche wise, as the Lorde Scales at the recountre with' the poynte of his axe stroke thorugh' oon of the ribbes of the Bastardes plates; as the seid Basterd shewid hym aftir the feeld. And so they fought togidre; the Lorde Scales with the hede of his axe afore, the toothir with' the small end ; and smote many grete combres and thik strokes; till' at the laste that they fill' towardes a closse, at which' tyme the Lorde Scales stroke hym in the side of the visern' of his basenet. Then the Kyng pceyvyng the cruell' assaile, cast his staff, and with' high' voices cried, Whoo ! Notwithstondyng' in the departyng there was yoven .ij. or .iij. grete strokes; and oon of the ascotes stafes brake betwene them'. And they, so departid, were brought' afore the Kynges gode grace. The Lorde Scales fought' with his visern opyn ; which was thought jepdous: the Lorde Bastard fought closid, and there openyd it. And so they were brought up before the Kyng. He commaundid them ych' to take othir by the handes, and to love toogedirs as brethirs in amies; which they so did. And there they immediatly yafe yche to othir as courteis godely and frendely langage as coude be thought*; and went togidre into the middes of the felde. And there depart id iche man' to his loggyng. Finis &c'.1



1 " And on the morrow, at the hour appointed, appeared in the field Mons. the Bastard and Mons. d'Escalles; and my said Lord the Bastard was always accompanied with the Duke of Suffolk, who very heartily accompanied him; and after cries and ceremonies done, Mons. d'Escalles sent three kinds of weapons to present to the King, to furnish and achieve these arms on foot: and of these weapons the Bastard was to have the choice. The two first were two lances to throw, and two Knights bore them: the second were two axes, and two Barons bore them: the third weapons were two ' dagues,' and two Earls bore them. And when these weapons were presented to the Kiug, the King withheld in his hands the two casting-lances, and the four other weapons he sent to Mons. the Bastard, to take his choice according to the contents of the chapters. Mons. the Bastard kept one axe and one dagger, and the rest were brought by the Constable to Mons. d'Escalles. And there came the footscouts (les ecoutes de pie), to wit, six men of arms on foot, in good array, each having a staff of wood in his hand. The Bastard of Burgundy was dressed with his coat of arms, of Burgundy, with a bar traverse, to show that he was a bastard; and the Lord Scales had his coat of arms on his back, and bore his axe on his neck and in guize of an "espieu," and came crying 'Saint George!' three times. The champions set together fiercely, and assailed one another with great courage: and this battle was very fine; I never saw fight with axes so fiercely: and surely Mons. the Bastard showed well that he was a true knight, experienced in arms and in craft. And they were both taken and parted one from the other, without much hurt: and thus were these arms done and accomplished. And in truth, I saw afterward the harness of Mons. d'Escalles, where Mons. the Bastard had made great gashes with the under-point of his axe, {de la dague de dessous de sa hache): and as to the daggers that were given to them, they did not use them in this battle. And so the champions took leave of the King, and went away both at one time from the lists, their axes on their necks, to show that they had not been unweaponed: and so each retired to his lodging."—Olivier de la Marche, p. 492-3.

Excerpta historica: or, Illustrations of English history [edited by Samuel Bentley] London, 1831 pp. 210-212

Sticklers

"Now were the sticklers in a readinesse, and the combattors with their weapons drawne fell to it, so that betwixt them were striken six or seuen blowes right lustilie."

Raphael Holinshed Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland London, 1587, Volume 6, p. 992 (describing a 1548 duel)

"Thus talked Basilius with Zelmane, glad to make any matter I subject to speake of, with his mistresse, while Phalantus in this pompous manner, brought Artesia with her gentlewomen, into one Tent, by which he had another: where they both wayted who would first strike upon the shielde, while Basilius the Judge appointed sticklers, and trumpets, to whom the other should obey."

"But Basilius rising himselfe to parte them, the sticklers authoritie scarslie able to perswade cholerike hearers; and parte them he did."

Sir Philip Sydney The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia Cambridge 1912 (First printed 1590)


"A stickler betweene two, so called as putting a sticke or staffe betweene two fighting or fencing together."

John Minsheu, Ductor in Linguas 1617


This seems very similar to:

"But the two lieutenants shall have in their hands either one a spear without iron to separate them if the king will make them leave off in their fighting, whether it be to rest them or other thing whatsoever pleases him."

The Ordinance and Form of Fighting Within Lists

These men are called ascotes in the contemporary English account of the combat between Lord Scales and the Bastard of Burgundy, and écoutes in de la Marche's account of the same combat, as well as in descriptions of other combats on the continent.

"I styckyll between wrastellers (wrestlers) or any folkes that prove mastries, to see that none do other wronge, or I part folke that be renay to fight. Je me mets entre deux."

John Palsgrave L'esclarcissement de la langue francoyse London 1530

The earliest example of stickle or stickler in this sense that I can find is Palsgrave, in the context of wresting, and umpires in Cornish wrestling are still called sticklers, and still carry sticks.

A scrupulous umpire would be strict and unyielding in the application of the rules, and so we see the roots of stickler in the ordinary sense used today.

Musician Locations at Jousts and Tournaments

In front of gallery on viewer's left:

Tournament of the Giant's Pine, Guiron le Courtois (BNF NAF 5243, fol. 55), c. 1370-1380

The Beauchamp Pageant, after 1483

In front of gallery on viewer's left and right:

Tournament of Camelot, The Quest for the Holy Grail (BNF Fr. 343, fol. 4v), c. 1380-1385

In gallery on viewer's right:

Tournament, Composition de la Sainte Escriture, 1462

In gallery on viewer's left:

Unidentified 15th c. Illumination

In each end zone:

The competitors are gathered (fols. 97v-98), and the tournament (fols. 100v-101), The book of the tournament of René d'Anjou (BNF Fr. 2695), c. 1460

Les mémoires de messire Jean, seigneur de Haynin et de Louvegnies, 1465-1477

This work contains a detailed description of the Pas d'armes de l'Arbre d'Or of 1468.

Le romant des chevaliers de Thrace, 1605

Le romant des chevaliers de Thrace

Memoirs of one of the participants

15th Century German Tournament Rules

An article from the Journal of Sport History.

These present an interesting comparison to King Rene’s rules and those implied by de Charny’s questions. In the 1479 rules horses may be seized for ransom. “When the tournament is started everybody shall draw his sword and aim at the crest of his opponent; and not at parts where he is unarmed.” This is followed by combat with clubs. “After the announcement that the tournament begins no other weapons than the club must be used. No aiming at parts below the saddle where the opponent is unarmed.....Every participant to have one master at arms only, who has to wear a helmet and protection for his legs. This master is only allowed a stave and a rebaited knife...A prince shall be allowed 4 squires, an earl or lord 3 squires, a knight 2 squires, and a nobleman 1 squire...The squires may escort their masters taking hold of the bridle; they must not push away opponents by the help of their weapons…. Squires are not allowed to grasp the bridles of opponents’ horses.”

TREATISE OF WORSHIP IN ARMS, BY JOHAN HILL

TRAYTESE OF THE POYNTES OF WORSHIP IN ARMES BY JOHAN HYLL,
ARMORER SERGEANT IN THE KINGE’S ARMORY 1434
Bod. Lib., Ashmole. MS. 856, art. 22, pp. 376—~83

[376] Too my leve Lordes here nowe next folowinge is a Traytese compyled by Johan Hyll Armorier Sergeant in the office of Armory wt, Kinges Henry ye 4th and Henry ye 5th of ye poyntes of Worship in Armes and how he shall be diversely Armed & gouverned under supportacion of faveurof alle ye Needes to coverte adde & amenuse where nede is by the high comandement of the Princes that have powair so for to ordeyne & establishe

The first Honneur in Armes is a Gentilman to fight in his Souverain Lords quarell in a bataille of Treason sworne withinne Listes before his souverain Lorde whether he be Appellant or Defendant ye houneur is his that winneth ye feelde.

As for the appellant thus Armed by his owne witte or by his counsaille wch is assigned to him before Conestabie & Marchall ye wch Counsaille is ordeyned & bounden to teche hym alle maner of fightynge & soteltees of Armes that longeth for a battaile sworne

First hym nedeth to have a paire of hosen of corde wtoute vampeys And the saide hosen kutte at ye knees and lyned wtin wt Lynnen cloth byesse as the hose is A payre of shoen of red Lether thynne laced & fretted underneth wt whippecorde & persed, And above withinne Lyned wt Lynnen cloth three fyngers in brede double & byesse from the too an yncle above ye wriste. And so behinde at ye hele from the Soole halfe a quarter of a yearde uppe this is to fasten wele to his Sabatons And the same Sabatons fastened under ye soole of ye fote in 2 places hym nedeth also a petycote of an overbody of a doublett, his petycote wt oute sleves, ye syses of him 3 quarters aboute wt outen coler, And that other part noo ferther thanne [377] ye waste wt streyte sleves and coler and cutaine oylettes in ye sleves for ye vaunt bras and ye Rerebrase

Armed in this wise First behoveth Sabatouns grevis & cloos quysseux wt voydours of plate or of mayle & a cloos breche of mayle wt 5 bokles of stele ye tisseux of fyne lether. And all ye armyng poyntes after they ben knytte & fastened on hym armed that ye poyntes of him be kutte of

And thanne a paire of cloos gussetts strong sclave not drawes and thatye gussets be thre fingers withinne his plates at both assises And thanne a paire of plattes at xx li lib weight his breste & his plats enarmed to wt wyre or wt poyntes.

A pair of Rerebraces shitten withinne the plates before wt twi forlockes and behinde wt thre forlocks. A paire of vaunt bras cloos wt voydours of mayle & fretted. A pair of gloves of avantage wche may be devised. A basnet of avauntage for ye listes whiche is not goode for noon other battailles but man for man save that necessitie hath noo lawe, the basnet locked baver & vysour locked or charnelled also to ye brest & behynde wt two forlockes. And this Gentilman appellent aforesaide whanne he is thus armed & redy to come to ye felde do on hym a cote of armes of sengle tarten ye beter for avauntage in fighting. And his leg harneys covered alle wt reed taritryn the wche ben called tunictes for he coverynge of his leg harneys is doen because his adversarie shal not lightly espye his blode. And therefore also hen his hosen reed for in alle other colours blode wol lightly be seyne, for by the oolde tyme in such a bataile there shulde noo thing have be seyn here save his basnett & his gloves. And thanne tye on hym a payre of besagewes. Also it fitteth the [378] foresaide counsaille to goo to ye kyng the daye before ye bataille & aske his logging nigh ye listes. Also ye foresaide Counsaille must ordeyne hym the masses ye first masse of ye Trinitie ye seconde of ye Holy Goste & ye thirde of owre Ladye or elles of what other sainte or saintes that he hath devocion unto

And that he be watched alle that night hym that he is watched and light in his Chambre alle that night that his counsaille may wite how that he slepeth, And in ye mornyng whanne he goeth to his Masses that his herneys be leyed at ye North end of ye Auter and covered wt a cloth that ye gospell may be redde over it and at ye laste masse for to be blessed wt ye preist and whanne he hath herde his Masses thanne to goo to his dyner. And soo to his Armyng in ye forme aforesaide. And whanne he is armed and alle redy thanne to come to ye feelde in forme to fore rehersed, thanne his counsaille bounden to counsaille hym & to teche hym how he shal gouverne hym of his requests to ye kyng or he come into ye feelde and his entrie into ye felde and his gouvernance in the feelde for ye saide Counsaille hath charge of hym before Constable and Mareschal til that Lesses les aller be cryed. The whiche requestes ben thus that ye saide Appellant sende oon his counsaille to the kyng for to requeste hym that whanne he cometh to ye barrers to have free entrie wt his counsaille Confessour & Armorers wt alle maner of Instruments wt breede & wyne hymnself bringing in in an Instrument that is to saye a cofre or a pair of bouges. Also their fyre cole & belyes and that his chayre wt [379] certaine of his Servants may be brought into ye feelde and sette up there the houre of his comyng that it may cover hym and his counsaille whanne he is comen into ye feelde this forsaide gentilman Appellant comyng to ye Listes whether he wol on horsebak or on fote wt his counsaille Confessour & other Servaunts aforesaide havyng borne be fore hym by his counsaille a spere a long swerde a short swerde & a dagger fastined upon hymself his swerdes fretted and beasagewed afore ye hiltes havyng noo maner of poyntes for and ther be founden that day on hym noo poyntes of wepons thanne foirre, it shall tourne hym to gret reproof. And this gentilman appellant that come to ye barrers at ye Southeest sone, his visier doune And he shal aske entrie where shal mete hym Constable and Mareschal and aske hym what art thou. And he shal saye I am suche a man & telle his name to make goode this day by ye grace of God that I have saide of suche a man and tell hys name bifore my Souain Lord and they shal bidde hym putte up his visier and whanne he hath put up his visier they shal open the barrers and lette hym inne and his counsaille before hym & wt hym his Armorers & his servaunts shal goo streight to his chayer wt his breed his wyne & alle his instruments that longe unto hym save his weppons. And whanne he entreth into the felde that he blesse hym soberly and so twys or he come to before his Souverain Lord And his Counsailles shall do thair obeisaunce before thair souverain Lord twys or they come to the degrees of his scaffolde and he to obeye him wt his heed at both tymes Then whanne they to fore thair souverain Lord they shal knele a downe and he also they shal aryse or he aryse he shal obeye hym at his heed to his souverain Lord and then aryse and whanne he is up on his feete he shal blesse hym and turne hym to his chayre and at the entryng of his chayr [380] soberly tourne hym his visage to his souverain Lord wards and blesse hym and thanne tourne hym againe and soo go into his chayre and there he maye sitte hym downe and take of his gloves and his basnet and so refresh hyrn till the houre of hys Adversarie approche wt breed and wyne or wt any other thing that he hath brought in wt hym. And whanne the Defendaunt his Adversarie cometh in to the feelde that he be redy armed againe or that he come into the feelde standing withoute his chayre taking hede of his Adversaries comyng in and of his countenance that he may take comfort of. And whanne the defendant his Adversarie is come int ye felde and is in his chayre thanne shal the kyng send for his wepons and se him and the Conestable and the Marschal also and if they be leefull they shal be kept in the feelde & kutte the same day by ye comaundement of the kyng and the Conestable and Mareschal in ye kynge’s behalve. And thanne fitteth to the foresaide counsaille to arme hym and to make hym redy against that he be called to his first ooth and whanne he is called to his first oothe thanne fitteth it to alle his counsaille to goo wt hym to his first ooth for to here what the Conestable and Mareschal seyen unto hym and what contenaunce he maketh in his sweryng And whanne he hath sworne they shl ryse up by ye comaundement of the Conestable and Mareschal. And whanne he is on his feete he shal obey hym to his Souverain Lord and blesse hym and thanne turne hym to his chayre his visage to his souveraine Lord wards and in his goinge blesse hymn twys by ye weye or he come to his chayre. And at ye [381] entryng to his chayre soberly tourne hym his visage to his Souverain Lord wards and blesse hym and soo go into his chayre. Thanne fitteth it to his fore saide Counsaille to awayte where the defendaunt shal come to his first ooth and that they be ther as sone as he for to here how he swereth for he must nedes swere that al that ever th appellant hath sworne is false substance and alle, And if he wol not swere that every worde & every sillable of every worde substance and alle is false the Counsaille of ye saide appellant may right wisly aske jugement by lawe of Civile and raison of Armes forafter ye juge is sette there shulde noo plee be made afore hym that daye.

And if so be that the Defendant swere duly thanne ye Counsaille of the foresaide Appellant shal goo to his chayre agayne and abide ther til they be sent for. And thanne shal they bringe hym to hys second Ooth and here how he swereth and whanne he hath sworne they shal goo wt hym to hys chayre againe in the forme aforesaide. And whanne he is in his chayre the saide Counsaille shal awayte whanne ye Defendaunt cometh to his seconde ooth and here how he swereth and if he swere under any subtil teerme cantel or cavellacion the foresaide Counsaille of th appellant may require the jugement. And if he swere duely thanne shal ye Counsaille of ye foresaide Appellant goo to his chayre againe and abide there til they be sent for.

And thanne shal they brynge hymn to his thirde ooth and assuraunce. And whanne they be sworne and assured the saide appellant wt his Counsaile shal goo againe to his chayre in the fourme afore saide and there make [382] hym redy and fastene upon hym his wepons and so refresche hym til ye Conestahie and Mareschal bid hym come to ye feeld. Thanne shal his Armorers and his Servaunts voyde the Listes wt his chayre and alle his Instruments at ye Comandement of ye Conestable and Mareschal. Thanne fitteth it to the Counsaille of the saide Appellant to ask a place of ye kyng afore hym withinne the barres upon his right hande that ye saide Counsaille of th appellant may come and stande there whanne they be discharged of ye saide Appellant.

The cause is this that suche pyte may be given to ye kyng if God that noon of hem shal dye that daye for he may by his prowaie royal in such a cas take it into his hande the foresaide Counsaille of the Appellant to abyde in the saide place til the kyng have geven his jugement upon him—And thanne ye Conestable and Mareschal shal deliwer the foresaide Appellant by ye Comandement of the kyng to his foresaide Counsaille to govern hymn of his going out of ye feelde as wele as they did of his comyng in his worship to be saved in al that lyeth en hem. And soo to bryng hymn to his Logging agayne to unarme hymn comforte hymn and counsaille hym And some of his Counsaille may goo to the kyng and comon wt hymn and wite of the kyng how he shal be demeaned. This enarmyng here aforesaide is best for a battaille of arreste wt a sworde a dagger an Ax and a pavys til he come to th asseblee his sabatons & his tunycle evoyded And thanne the Auctor Johan Hyll dyed at London in Novembre the xiii th yere of kyng Henry the Sixt so that he accomplished noo mor of ye compylyng of this [383] trayties on whose soulle God have mercy for his endles passion Amen.

This as an informative treatise, but very specialized to the requirements of the judicial duel. The author devotes considerable ingenuity to giving his reader every possible advantage in a life or death fight at a predetermined time with complete support staff on hand. A sleeveless, collarless “petycote… of a doublet” is worn, which would support the legharness without binding the shoulders. Over that is an “other part noo ferther thane ye waste wt streyte sleves and coler and cutain oylettes for ye vaunt bras and ye Rerebrase”. This could support the armharness while allowing relatively free movement. Once the arming points are tied the ends are cut away.

Hill suggest that the the body armor be closed up with “wire or points”. Wire would be less vulnerable than buckles, but impractical on campaign. Similarly, instead of buckles and hinges, the rerebrace is closed with forelocks, metal wedges driven into holes in the end of bolts. Again, this provides a very secure closure, but requiring the assistance of an armorer to remove. He recommends a “basnet of avauntage”, useful only for single combat, with locked “baver and vysour”, with the helmet also locked to breast and backplate with two forelocks.

Finally, he suggests that the legharness by covered with red fabric “tunictes” to conceal any loss of blood. "Tunictes" might be translated as vestments or jackets. He says that the champion’s swords should be be “fretted and besagewed” before the hilts. He condemns the practice of adding additional points to the weapon by sharpening the ends of the cross of the hilt or adding a point to the pommel, both of which appear in Continental fighting manuals.