Over 10,000 Served

When I returned from vacation, my sitemeter tracker told me that this blog has had over 10,000 visits since I installed it. That doesn't count those of you who read it by RSS feed. Woohoo!

How Sir Jacques de Lalaing did arms in Scotland; and of many other particulars in the house of Burgundy. (1449)

And when Sir Jacques saw that he could find nothing more to do there he returned and found the good Duke of Burgundy in his city of Lilles where he received him full lightly and with a great heart. But it was not long before he took leave of the Duke, and took himself by sea to the realm of Scotland. And he was accompanied by Simon de Lalaing, his uncle, and Herves de Meriadet and many other good people. And as I understand Sir James Douglas, brother of the Earl Douglas, and the said Sir Jacques de Lalaing had formerly agreed to do the will of one against the other and each sought each other to meet together, and so Sir James Douglas arranged that a battle would be done before the King between him and Sir Jacques de Lalaing. But the matter increased and multiplied so that a battle to the outrance was concluded, for three noble Scotsmen to meet with Sir Simon de Lalaing, Sir Jacques de Lalaing and Herve de Meriadet, and that they would all do arms at one time for the King of Scotland. And when the day came for the battle, the King received them in the lists most honorably. And because I was not there at that feat of arms I must omit certain ceremonies which occurred, for example in times to come But there were three memorable things in the battle, which was very fiercely fought on one side and the other. The first was that when the three were being armed at the lodgings of the Duke of Burgundy, each one with his coat of arms on his back and about to leave to go to the battle, Sir Jacques de Lalaing spoke to Sir Simon de Lalaing, his uncle, and to Meriadet and told them “My lords and my brother, in this fine day of battle you know that it is for my enterprise that we have come into the realm and that the battle has been put together by agreement with Sir James Douglas, and although each one of us is able to aid his companion, I pray and require of you that whatever happens to me today neither of you come to me or rescue me , because it will seem that you have crossed the sea and entered into this battle only to help me, and that you do not hold or know me as a man to sustain the assault and the battle of a single knight, and holding a low account of me and my chivalry.”

And after that request the champions left their pavilions armed and equipped with axes, lances, swords and daggers, and they were able to either throw or push with the lances as they pleased. The two knights, James Douglas and Jacques de Lalaing were in the middle to encounter each other as they did; and on the right hand was sir Simon de Lalaing, who was to encounter the Scots squire, and Meriadet to encounter with a very powerful and renowned knight ; but they found themselves in the opposite position so that the knight was on the end with Sir Simon. And so Meriadet who desired to meet with the one that he intended , without having regard or thought of the his fame, crossed to put himself before the said Sir Simon to meet with his man. But the good knight with coolness and assurance turned himself towards Meriadet and said to him “Brother let each one hold with the one that he meets and I will do well, if it please God” And the said Meriadet returned before his man and that is the second thing which I wish to recount.And the champions took themselves to march the one against the other, and for this the three of the party of Burgundy doubted that the place was suitable for the lances, and they all at one time threw their lances behind them and that is the third matter of my tale, and taking their axes and running against the Scots, who came to the push of the lance; but it profited them nothing, and while they all fought at one time, I am only able to speak of their adventures one after the other.

The two knights, James Douglas and Jacques de Lalaing approached each other and pressed each other so closely that they had no weapons remaining to them neither the one not the other except for a dagger that the Scotsman held; and the said Sir Jacques held him by the arm near the hand in which he held the said dagger, and he held him with the other hand beneath the elbow, so that they turned themselves around the lists by the strength of their arms, and that went on for along time.

Sir Simon de Lalaing and the Scots knight were two powerful knights and there was no doubt of the subtlety of their axe play, and like two valiant knights and hardy, they so sought each other and found each other so often that in a little while they damaged the visors of their bassinets and their weapons and their harness with the strokes that they had given and received, and they gave up little ground to each other.

And on the other part came Herves de Meriadet and the Scotsman came to hit Meriadet with a push of the lance; but Meriadet turned aside the blow with the handle of his axe, so that the lance fell out of the hands of the Scotsman and Meriadet followed up so vigorously that before the Scotsman was able to unsling his axe he entered within, and with a throw carried him to earth. And Meriadet stepped back to let the Scotsman rise who was quick, light and of great courage, and he lifted himself quickly and ran under at the said Meriadet for the second time, and Meriadet who was a man who was one of the most redoubted squires of his time, strong, light, cool and dexterous in arms and in wrestling, received the Scotsman coolly and with great watchfulness and soon after made an entry on the Scotsman. And with that entry he gave such a great blow that he carried him to earth with a stroke of the axe, and quickly the Scotsman sought to lift himself, but Meriadet put his palm and knee against the back of the Scotsman, and again made him fall and kiss the sand. And despite the request that Sir Jacques de Lalaing had made of him, the said Meriadet, seeing the two knights wrestle together went to aid the said Sir Jacques, but the King of Scotland threw down his baton and had them parted with the said Meriadet free in his battle to rescue his companions at his pleasure . And because this was done against my order I have written of this battle without personally having seen it. I have written the truth according to the report of the Scots and those of our party, so that I was able to recount it without error, because I would charge to sir Jacques the enterprise of this fine adventure and others came about.

Oliver de la Marche, Memories Paris 1884 II. 105 Translation copyright Will McLean 2007

15th Century Deeds of Arms

Challenge by Michel D'Orris 1400

Victory of Seven French against Seven English in a Private Combat 1402

How Jean de Werchin, seneschal of Hainault, sent his letters to diverse countries to do arms, 1402
An Account of those Combats

Richard Beauchamp Jousts at Coronation of Queen Jane, 1403

Orleans vs. Burgundy: an Aborted Outrance Combat of Seven vs. Seven, 1406

The Seneschal of Hainault Performs a Deed of Arms in Valencia, 1407
de Lannoy's account

Richard Beauchamp vs. Pandolfo Malatesta 1408

The Seneschal of Hainault Challenges the Knights of the Garter, 1408

John of Cornwall vs. the Seneschal of Hainault 1409

Richard Beauchamp Tourneys, c. 1410

The Seneschal of Hainault and His Companions Do Arms at Smithfield, 1410

Challenge of the Earl of Warwick 1412-1413
Richard Beauchamp vs. Gerard Herbaumes, 1413
Richard Beauchamp vs. Hugh Launey, 1413
Richard Beauchamp vs. Colard Fynes, 1413

Gerard Herbaumes Issues a Challenge, ca. 1413

How Arms Were Done in the Mines Before Arras,1414

Richard Beauchamp vs. A German Duke c. 1415

The Duke of Bourbon's Enterprise 1415

D’Ollumen vs. de la Haye 1415

Rumaindres vs. de Bars 1415

Alvaro Continge vs. Clugnet de Brabant 1415

Three Portuguese Do Arms against Three French at Paris, 1415

Two Challenges Fought at Arras, 1423

Falces vs.de Guzman 1428

Passo de Fuerte Ventura

Maillotin de Bours vs. Hector de Flavy, 1431

The Passo Honroso, 1434

A Combat between Sir Juan de Merlo and the Lord de Chargny, 1435

Merlo vs de Chargny 1435 

Quijada vs. Haubourdin 1435

De Saxe vs. Pimentel 1435

Merlo vs.Ramstein 1435 or 1436

Squire John Astley meets Pierre de Massy in Paris--1438

Passo de Valladolid, 1440 

Boyle vs.Asteley, January 30, 1442

The Pas d'Armes of Charlemagnes' Tree, 1443
Challenges and Articles for the Deed of Arms
De Vaudrey and de Compais Fight on Foot with Swords

Boniface vs. Lalaing 1445

Jousts at the marriage of Margaret of Anjou at Nancy, 1445

Pas de Chalons-sur-Marne, 1445

Emprise de la gueule du dragon, between Razilly and Chinon 1446

Emprise de la Joyeuse Garde, near Saumur,1446

Galiot de Baltasin and Phillipe de Ternant Fight on Foot with Lances, 1446

Galiot de Baltasin and Phillipe de Ternant Fight with Swords, 1446

Pas du Geant a la Blanche Dame du Pavilion, 1446

L'Emprise du Cœur volant vermeil aux larmes blanches 1446

Pas du Chevalier Aventureux 1447 or 1448

Lalaing vs. Guzman, 1448

How Sir Jacques de Lalaing did arms in Scotland; and of many other particulars in the house of Burgundy. (1448)

Lalaing vs Thomas Kay(?), 1448

Pas de la Belle Pelerin, 1449

Pas de la Bergere, 1449,

Haubourdin vs. de Bearn ca. 1449

Pas de la Fontaine aux Pleurs 1449-1450

Jacques de Lalaing and Jacques d'Avanchies Fight with Swords, 1450
De la Marche's Account
Chastelain's Account.

Jacques de Lalaing vs. Jean Pientois, 1450

Pas du Pin aux Pommes d'Or Pas du Chevalier au Cygne

1458 Sasse vs. Rebremettes, 1458

Pas du Compagnon a la Larme Blanche, 1458

Pas de Jaen, 1461

Pas de Lille 1461

Pas de la Perron Fee 1463

Pas de la Dame Inconnu 1463 or 1464

Chassa vs. Bretelles, 1466

The Tiptoft Rules, 1466

Bastard of Burgundy vs. Scales 1467

Pas de la'Arbre d'Or, 1468

Pas de la Dame Sauvage, 1470

Ayre, Picardy 1494

Hamilton vs. Caupance, ca. 1500

To Cry a Joust, 15th Century

King Rene's Tournament Book

How I Spent My Summer Vacation: Combat of the Thirty 2007

In this photo I'm the man at arms on the left with the red lance.

Many more photos of the 2007 recreation of the Combat of the Thirty at Pennsic are posted here. Also, here and here.

This event has gotten better every year, although, as Steve Muhlberger points out, much of the armor is a bit later than 1351. And the "English" team, at least, should probably be a bit scruffier, in a 14th c. sort of way.

Cleaning Armor

Klingspor’s Sandflex® Blocks are useful tools for quickly removing rust. Made of some sort of rubbery, eraser-like material impregnated with abrasive, they come in fine, medium and coarse. Most of my current armor is not a mirror finish, but the finish is fine enough that it will show scratches from a Scotch-Brite scouring pad. By ending with the fine block I can remove rust without marring the finish. I also use them to remove rust from sword and dagger hilts. The blocks are also useful for removing corrosion from copper alloy fittings and returning them to a bright finish.

You can read more here.

You can save yourself a lot of later trouble by removing rust before the metal becomes pitted.

Belgian Longsword Rules

Matt Galas has posted an account of longsword fencing rules used in Belgium and Northern France from ca. 1540 to the late 1700s, with more details later in the thread. Very interesting!

Vannes at Pennsic

At Pennsic, Tuesday, August 7
12 Noon, Blue List, Battlefield, Three Hours
Historic Combat Series - The Challenges at Vannes (Counted Blow Tourney with shortened Lances)


This combat will be run the Company of St. Michael, and is inspired by a deed of arms in 1381 described by Froissart. Combatants will be divided into two teams, French and English. We suggest that if you fought in the Combat of the Thirty that you retain your nationality from that encounter. Each combatant from one side will offer a challenge with terms to the other side, and a champion from the other will accept those terms, or offer different terms. The default encounter is five strokes with lance on foot, five with axe, five with sword and five with dagger. Matched pairs of each of these weapons, including tapered rattan lances eight feet in length, suitable for combat on foot, will be available. Read more about the deed of arms here.

Each exchange of blows with a particular weapon will continue until one or the other champion has struck the specified number of blows, the judges stop the fight, or a champion is unable to continue. If the number of blows is accomplished the champions will take up the next weapon, and so on until the enterprise is complete.

A champion is unable to continue if he is struck five good blows according to the custom of the Society in the course of the enterprise, or falls or becomes disarmed, or is crippled or incapacitated as described below. A champion whose weapon breaks is not considered disarmed, and the fight will halt while he replaces it.

Plate is proof against all thrusts except a thrust to a faceplate or plate visor, which counts as a good blow. Breastplates, coats of plate, brigandine and cuirasses are also proof against all cuts to the areas they cover. Good two handed blows to any other plate protection, and good single handed blows to a helmet count as a good blow.

Solid cuts and thrusts to areas protected only by mail count as a good blow.

Other or no protection counts any cut as a good blow. For areas with this level of protection a thrust to the torso is incapacitating and a thrust to the limbs is crippling.

Thrusts to a barred visor are incapacitating. Cuts to a barred visor are crippling.

Champions should not act out wounds other than crippling or incapacitation. An incapacitated champion is lucky to be alive, and should watch the remainder of the enterprise from a chair or litter and consider suitable alms to the church.

Heavy hardened leather and other suitably covered rigid protection will generally count as plate, with debatable cases to be decided by the discretion of the judges. The judges will, as far as seems practical, attempt to match opponents with similar levels of protection like against like, and harness from the same period like against like.

Although there is no mention of this in accounts of Vannes, in later deeds of arms a champion that was unable to continue not infrequently paid a ransom or forfeit to the other. Pairs of champions may make such arrangements by mutual consent prior to their combat.

The reasoning behind the rules is discussed here and here.

St. Michael’s Activities at Pennsic, August 2007

If you are attending the medieval recreation at Pennsic, you may be interested in the following……

Saturday, August 4
3 PM: Blue List, Battlefield. 1 Hour
Learn about More Authentic Deeds of Arms
Formats, rules and modified combat conventions for more authentic deeds of arms. Also, an introduction to documented medieval combat techniques such as halfswording. Class to be followed by St. Michael’s Vespers, a hastilude where you can use what you’ve learned. Sponsored by the Company of Saint Michael.

4 PM: Red List, Battlefield. 1 Hour
Just What Do the Non-Combatants of Saint Michael's Do?
This class will show how you can be of service and provide invaluable support to a Tournament Company. Many of the non-combatants of the Company of Saint Michael will describe their contributions and answer questions on Company standards.

4 PM: Blue List. Battlefield. 1 hour.

Combatants arm for St. Michaels Vespers and informal Q & A

5 PM: Blue List, Battlefield. Up to three hours
St. Michael’s Vespers
A deed of arms for anyone who wants to learn more about authentic combat, regardless of their persona or armor. This follows a class giving background on the same. Sponsored by the Company of Saint Michael.

Sunday, August 5

Ca. 7:30 PM, Haus von Halstern Camp
Meet and Greet
The Company of St. Michael Meet and Greet, originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, at 7 PM, Haus von Halstern Camp, has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 5 at ca. 7:30 PM, Haus von Halstern Camp. There may be an additional Meet and Greet session on Tuesday, August 7 at the 7 PM, at the Clan Kyle camp on N03.

Monday, August 6

9 AM, AS 04, 1 Hour
Just What Do the Non-Combatants of Saint Michael's Do?
(Repeat of above)

Tuesday, August 7

12 Noon, Blue List, Battlefield, Three Hours

Historic Combat Series - The Challenges at Vannes (Counted Blow Tourney with shortened Lances)
This combat will be run the Company of St. Michael, and is inspired by a deed of arms in 1381 described by Froissart. Combatants will be divided into two teams, French and English. Each combatant from one side will offer a challenge with terms to the other side, and a champion from the other will accept those terms, or offer different terms. The default encounter is five strokes with lance on foot, five with axe, five with sword and five with dagger. Matched pairs of each of these weapons, including tapered rattan lances eight feet in length, suitable for combat on foot, will be available. Read more about the historical deed of arms here.

The Company of St. Michael Meet and Greet, originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, at 7 PM, Haus von Halstern Camp, has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 5 at ca. 7:30 PM, Haus von Halstern Camp. There may be an additional Meet and Greet session on Tuesday, August 7 at the 7 PM, at the Clan Kyle camp on N03.

Current Website of the Company of St. Michael

A Yahoo Group for prospective members of the Company

A Fighting Manual by Paul Hector Mair, c. 1550

The Munich manuscript of Mair’s De arte athletica is online here. Splendidly illustrated, this manuscript is written in Latin, in a very legible humanist hand. The illustrations show a fencing school rather than combat in earnest: the specialized longsword foils are clearly illustrated, and lance combat on foot is fought with headless shafts. Dusacks, wooden or hardened leather simulators of messers or cutlasses, are also clearly shown: note the additional protection over the knuckles.

The manuscript also shows combat with sickles and scythes, which looks pretty scary. I’m still looking for discussion of combat with millstone-handles, the other traditional martial art developed by the Swabian peasantry to resist their feudal overlords.

The Higgins Armory Sword Guild has transcription, translation and interpretation of several of Mair’s sequences for longsword on their site.

Celebrating the 4th

Today is a good day to read or reread Jefferson's last letter.

It’s also a good day to reflect on how fortunate we were in the revolutionaries we had when the crisis broke: Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and John Adams, to name only my personal favorites. John Adams never got to be on Mount Rushmore, but his courage and decency in defending the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre was profoundly admirable. What other country that sought independence or a new order was as fortunate? India had Gandhi, but didn’t have the same bench strength.

And on how fortunate we were in our adversary. We fought against Great Britain, but for the most part we fought against honorable men who shared the same ideals of liberty that we did.