The theater of honour and knight-hood. Or A compendious chronicle and historie of the whole Christian vvorld Containing the originall of all monarchies, kingdomes, and estates, with their emperours, kings, princes, and gouernours; their beginnings, continuance, and successions, to this present time. The first institution of armes, emblazons, kings, heralds, and pursuiuants of armes: with all the ancient and moderne military orders of knight-hood in euery kingdome. Of duelloes or single combates ... Likewise of ioustes, tourneyes, and tournaments, and orders belonging to them. Lastly of funerall pompe, for emperours, kings, princes, and meaner persons, with all the rites and ceremonies fitting for them. VVritten in French, by Andrew Fauine, Parisian: and aduocate in the High Court of Parliament. M.DC.XX.

The Articles agreed on, by the Commis∣sioners, concerning the most Noble Exercises of Tilting, Iousts and Tourneyes.

I. FIrst, that in following time, a Custome should be obserued and kept in Ger∣manie, and the Countreyes thereto belonging,* 1.1 from Three yeares to Three yeares, (at the least) to celebrate Iousts and Tourneyes for exercise, and to know the Nobility resorting to them. That all Princes, Lords, Barons, and Gentlemen of Noble extraction, being well Armed and Honourably accoustred, should be wel∣come to them. From these Tourneyes were to be excluded, all such as could be de∣tected of blaspheming the Great and Sacred name of God, the most Holy Trinity, and Christian Catholique Religion. If any such persons, (standing vpon the No∣bility of their extraction) durst be so bold, as to present themselues in this Assem∣bly: We ordaine, Will, and it is Our pleasure; that they shall be dismounted, and depriued of their Horses and Launces. And, as a noate of infamy for euer after, so long as the Tourney shall endure: such a one must ride vpon the Barres or Rayles, as a man exposed to the scorne of the whole Assembly.

II. Whatsoeuer person of the Nobility, that shall (aduisedly and wilfully) speake euill of the Emperours person blame or contemne his Ordenances and Commandes,* 1.2 and resist against them in deed or word: he shall bee ignominiously expulsed from the Tourney, loose his Horse, and ride the Rayles.

III. Any man of the Nobility, that shall outrage or abuse (by word or deed) the honor of a Wife, Maide or Widdow,* 1.3 and shall possesse himselfe (by force and violence) of their goods and possessions, or shall giue ayde and helpe, to such as shall so wrong and abuse them: he shall loose his Horse, and ride the Rayles.

IIII. From these Tourneyes are likewise excluded, all Gentlemen attainted and conuinced of Crimes, either of Falshood, Periurie, or breach of faith.* 1.4 Whosoeuer being such an offender, shall dare to present himselfe within the Lists: it is the losse of his Horse, and riding the Rayles.

V. Whosoeuer hath betrayed his Lord, and by fraude or craft hath forsaken him, either in going, being there, or returning from Warre,* 1.5 or else hath perswaded his Lords seruants to doe so: Whosoeuer hath not assisted and defended his fel∣low-Cittizen, his Seruants or other persons, (that did put themselues into his safe∣gard and protection) from all iniustice and violence, but hath councelled and pro∣cured the contrary, and by feare and cowardise, by intelligence and wicked practise, left and forsooke them, when hee ought and might haue protected and defended him o•• them: For euer he is to be excluded from Iousts and Tourneys. But if hee dare presume to present himselfe at any; as a manifest noate of shame and infamie, he must loose his Horse, and ride the Rayles.

VI. Whosoeuer shall haue procured the death of his Wife,* 1.6 or practised and gi∣uen consent thereto. Whosoeuer also hath fauoured, giuen councell, or lodged the murderers of his Soueraigne Lord, either before, or after his death: Hee shall (to all perpetuity) stand banished from these Tourneys, with the losse of his Horse, and ri∣ding the Rayles in sted thereof.

VII. Whosoeuer hath perpetrated or committed Sacriledge, and despoyled sanctified places of their goods and riches: Or hath vsurped by force and violence,* 1.7 those belonging to Widdowes and Orphanes, without making restitution (vices

which ought to be reproued, and punished aboue any other, especially in a Gentle∣man of Honor) He is to be expulsed from these Iousts, after he hath lost his Horse, and ridden the Rayles.

VIII. Whosoeuer shall surprize his enemy by treason, either before hee hath challenged him,* 1.8 or after, and shall pursue him in any other sort, then as is allowed by the lawes of Warre; burning his Houses and Grandges, tearing vp his Vines and Corne, by meanes whereof, dearth of these fruits of the earth, may bring hurt and damage to the Common-Wealth: Whosoeuer also, either by himselfe, or some other by his intelligence, shall lye theeuishly lurking, and waiting on the high-wayes for him: Omnes hi, adempto equo, Septis pro eo, insidere cogantur.

IX. Whosoeuer shall oppresse his Subiects or Seruants, with nouell imposi••i∣ons,* 1.9 Taxes and Subsidies, either by Land or water (without the knowledge and per∣mission of his chiefe Soueraine Lord) for augmenting and encreasing his owne pr••∣uate demeanes: And whosoeuer in the lands and Marches vnder his Gouernemen••, shall impose any taxation vpon forraigne commodities, by meanes whereof, Stran∣gers shall be robbed and ill entreated, and Traffick and Commerce hindered: Cum infamiae nota, adempto, Septis imponatur.

X. Whosoeuer (being maried) shall be conuicted of Adultery: If he be a Wid∣dower, and shall maintaine a married Wife, a Religious Sister, or a deuout Woman: If he be shall be a Messenger to the Low-Countries of Women, or of deuoted Si∣sters,* 1.10 or Nunnes, or forcibly taketh them for his vse: Let him be banished for euer, from the Noble Assembly of Iousts and Tourneys, depriued of his Horse, and sent away in a Shirt of Maile, or set to ride on a Woodden Hobby-Horse.

XI. If any one of Noble Extraction, being not satisfied with such goods, as came to him by birth,* 1.11 Kinred and Inheritance, or otherwise wonne and conquered, or by Wadges and Pensions from his Prince; but shall make himselfe a Farmer of goods, fruites or commodities of any other, vnder borrowed names, because he dare not himselfe auouch it:: He is (for euer) to bee banished from this Noble Assembly of Iousts and Tourneyes. But if his bouldnesse maketh him to presume thither, and is seene there: Equo Multatus, Septa cogatur inscendere.

XII. If any man shall present himselfe at a Iousts and Tourneye, vnder shadow and pretence, that he hath bin ennabled by his Prince, and therefore presumeth to Marche equall,* 1.12 and as a Peere with them of Auncient Nobility, and cannot be iusti∣fied by his owne Birth in the Fourth degree, by the Fathers Stock, or by the Mo∣thers side at the least: Such a Gentleman of the first Edition: ought to be beaten with Roddes and Swiches, his Horse taken from him, and he to ride the Rayles.

Quisquis recentioris sit notae Nobilis, & non talis vt à stirpe Nobilitatem suam, & ori∣ginem quatuor saltem generis Auctorum Proximorum Gentilitiis Insignibus, probare pos∣sit. Is quoque Ludis his & Decursionibus Equestribus existo. Aut si Vnus, Plures u•• emendicatae huiusmodi Nobilitatis, cum ijs, quibus iuris est decurr••ndi, sese permiseuerint, Hi talis verberibus multentur, ex hastiludiorum consuetudine pri••entur, & vbi de Equo concurrerint, Septis, notae causa inequitare adigantur.

Whatsoeuer Nobleman being but of a late stampe, and not such a one, as can proue his No∣bility and beginning, from the first foundation (at least) by fower customary Armes of the last Aduancers of his pedigree: Let him also bee exempted from these pastimes and Tour∣naments. Or if one or more of this begged-kind of Nobility, shall sort themselues with those, to whom the right of Tilting appertaineth; let such bee punished with stripes, bee kept from frequenting these Tournaments, and whereas they should haue Iousted together ••n Horseback, let them be forced to ride vpon a Staffe, or the Railes, that they may be noted from the rest.

According to these Artices and Statutes, the first Assembly or meeting was re∣solued on,* 1.13 and appointed to be at Magdebourg, where the Lists and Barres for the Field were prepared; as well for Iousts at the Lance, man to man, and Running at the Ring, as the Barriers and Tournaments of Companies on Horseback. The Scaffoldes, (which our Romaines called Hourds) for the Emperour (defrayed at the cost of the Assembly) for the Princes and Princesses of the traine; for the Iudges of the Field, whom the Germaines named and called Kings of the Sportes; for the Se∣natours

and Bourgo-Maisters, of the place where the meeting was made, fairely hung with Tapistries, and adorned with the Armes of the Emperour, the Iudges of the Field, and the assigned Citty; with the place and Scaffold for the Kings Heraulds and Poursiuants of Armes, Trompets, Dromes and Fifes.

The day for perfourmance of these Iousts and Tournaments, was proclaimed by the King of Armes, or Herauld of the Prouince; and the place of the meeting,* 1.14 as well without as within the said Prouince: And said to be in the safegard, protection and defence of the Emperour, or of the Prince that caused the Assembly. With Prohibition vpon paine of death, to all Heretiques, euill members against the Faith, with all Theeues, Banished persons, and such as haue bin detected by Iustice, to come neere he Round by the space of Tenne miles.

Eight dayes before the beginning of the Iousts and Tournements, a generall Pro∣clamation was made, which we tearme A publique Crye;* 1.15 whereby was forbidden to any man, of what quality or degree soeuer he were; to commit any trespasse and offence (either by word or deed) vpon the penalty of paying twenty Markes of Money, which pecuniarie punishment was applicable to the Iudges of the Tourney: with the confiscation of Armes and Horses, which appertained to the King, He∣rauldes and Poursiuants of Armes.

No man was to outrage and defame the Honour of Ladies, Gentlewomen and their Daughters: vpon paine of imprisonment, and Arbitrary amends.

That no Gentleman should presume to the Tourney, or to run at the Ring: if he were not a Gentleman of three descents at the least, as well by the Fathers side, as the Mothers.

Euery, or any Gentleman of Noble extraction,* 1.16 presenting himselfe at the Tour∣ney; that had maried for couetousnesse, or delight in a Woman of meane conditi∣on: was to be switched with wands, like to a Peazant and villaine, despoyled of his Armes and adornements, his Horse and Furniture taken from him▪ and he to ride the Barres or Rayles, so long as the Assembly lasted. At the ending whereof, he was to be proclaimed by the King or Herauld of Armes, incapable and vnworthy (for euer after) to appeare among Noble men: his Children and descendants borne, and to be borne, so farre as to the third degree; to be declared as Boores and infa∣mous, excluded and prohibited from Noble Assemblies, vpon indicted pe∣nalties.

That all such as were receiued and admitted into the Assembly, stood bound,* 1.17 to confesse their sinnes to such Priests, as were appointed by the Bishop of the place: After they had presented their Helmets, Armes and deuises to the Iudges of the Assembly: who caused their Admission to be faithfully Registred, with their Names, Armes and Seigneuries; as also the furnishment or Equipage, and traine.

And to this effect, they which were admitted to be in the Tourney, stood likewise by Oathe obliged, to present themselues to the Iudges,* 1.18 and perticulerly to him of his Iurisdiction and Prouince: to the end, of being matriculated in the Register of Noblemen of the same Prouince, in the presence & conduct of the King of Armes, or Herauldes thereunto belonging. By whom hee must be forbidden, to furnish himselfe with any vnfitting Horse, which may offend such as are, or shall be neere him: vpon paine of loosing him, as also his Armes and other furnishments.

Forbidding bringing into the said Assembly, any Armes offensiue, but only the Club and Sword, custommably vsed by a man on Horseback Aptata sua Arma ha∣beat, vt Nemini nocere possint, aut extantibus acuminibus,* 1.19 praeacutisque extremitatibus quemquam laedere valeant. Talis etiam non alijs vtantur, quam Claua Equestri, & Gla∣dio. Let him haue his Armes so fitted and prepared, that they may not be hurtfull to them∣selues, or to any other of the by-standers, in any manner whatsoeuer. Let him vse also no other Weapons, then a Knights Battaile Axe or Club, and a Sword. They may vse a Lance with a blunted head, to Iouste each against other, that it may not be dangerous or harmefull to either: but not with a sharpened head. And for running at the Ring, the pointe must be rebated.

As for the equipage or furnishment for the day, it is to be prescribed by the Kings of the Tourney, in such manner as it ought to be.

* 1.20A Count may present himselfe there with fiue men on Horsebacke, himselfe mak∣ing the sixt man, but not to haue any more.

A Baron may haue foure Horses.

A Knight three: And

An Esquire with two.

Except they will entertaine and pay an ouer-plus of Men & Horses at their owne cost and expences: but not to be defrayed by the Prince, that occasioneth the mee∣ting, and by monies from the common Purse; excepting also the Nobilitie of such a Circle or compasse, at whose expences such an assembly is to be, and may be in like manner made.

* 1.21Such were the Satutes of these disportfull meetings, where Oath was giuen to all such as came thither: but perticularly they were to depose, to forget and set apart all hatred and rancour, which formerly they had, or instantly bare to one another, vpon any subiect or occasion whatsoeuer. And hereupon it came, that offensive Armes were prohibited, except the Sword, the ordenarie and vsuall Armes for a Knight and Souldiour.

Now, as concerning the Knights Club or Battaile-Axe, all them that haue writ∣ten of Iousts and Tourneyes, haue let it sleepe in silence, and what the fashion of it was.* 1.22 We will therefore set downe such a one, as the French (from all Antiqui∣tie) carried, according to the testimonie of the Monke of Saint Gall in Swetia, in the life of our King and Emperour Charlemaigne.

Erat Antiquorum ornatus, & paratura Francorum Claua, & Baculus de arbore Malo, nodis paribus admirabilis, rigidus, & terribilis, cuspide munuali ex Auro, vel Argent•• cum caelaturis insignibus prae••ixo portabatur in Dextera. Their Club or Battle-Axe was a Staffe of Crab-tree, heauie and very knottie, the hast or handle whereof was garnished with Gold or Siluer, Damasked with diuers Figures and Deuises.

So that although it was an ordenarie Armes of a French Knight; yet neuerthe∣lesse, it was both to offend and defend; and euermore at these Tourneyes, there would be some one peeuish and froward humorist, with one of these Battle-Axes, as we shall speake of hereafter more at large.

After these Tournements were thus performed in grosse, by the Assistants armed at all points, with their Coates of Armes, worne vppermost of all: then each man might deale with his Companion at the blunted Lance.* 1.23 Or else they would chal∣lenge one another, two to two, or else a certaine number of one Circuit or Prouince, smiting at each other with blowes of the Battle-Axe, to lay one another vpon the ground; which in our Romancers was tearmed Changing of Cuffes. And namely in that of Merlin the Prophet, whom they feigne to be Enchanted in a goodly Garden, there to remaine till the worlds ending; by the Lady of Lauall in Bre∣taigne, she being his Loue-Mistresse: Qui portoit de Gueulles, à Cinq Coquilles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ar∣gent. 3.2.

* 1.24These Barriers with Battle-Axes, were performed by troupes and multitudes within compasse of the Barres; each man being guided by foure Deputies, to keepe the Champions in their ranke and order. Foure other also beside, guarded the en∣trance into the Barriers, for directing the Champions to their Tourney, and winning the Barrier from his Contrary, according as they deale in the Bars. Which Barri∣ers were not enclosed fast, but onely with strong Cords, which the Guards vsed to cut in sunder when it was due time, and made the signale of retreate to such, as had sped worst in this manly exercise: whom our Romancers tearmed Faire performers, but ill Speeders, that is to say; Faire goers on, but foule commers off; as being astonned with the blowes, or out of breath, some being smitten downe with the Battle-Axe, and others almost stifled in the crowdes. And oftentimes, by being not well moun∣ted on their Horses, were ouer-borne by others better mounted, and trampled vn∣der-foote. Those to whom such ill successe happened in the Tourney, had their bummes well Sealed vpon the Barre,* 1.25 and afterward were compelled to ride it, bare headed, without Armes, onely his Coate of Armes excepted; to be knowne of all the Assembly, for such a Knight, or such an Esquire, vnskilfull in Armes, or sitting his Hors.

After this Sport of Tourney and Barriers, the Germaines (for their last exercise in these Tournaments) came to manage the Sword, not for any offence to bloud; but to cut the Leather straps or thongs, and make the Armes of his Contrary fall from him in the Field, for aduauntage and benefit to the Herauldes.* 1.26 For it belonged to them and the Iudges, before the beginning of the Tourney (which ordenarily lasted Fifteene dayes) to visite and reuisite their Armes, and the furnishment of such as were admitted to the Tourney, and making the ignorant or ill Armed, to ride the Barre.

This last Exercise being done, they went to Suppe at the generall Banquet,* 1.27 each man to that of his owne Circuite or Prouince: where the Ladies, as well married, as Widdowes, and yonger Gentlewomen, applauded the praises of them, whom the Iudges had commended for fairest performance; & deliuered the Prizes, which were ordained by the Prince that made the Tourney. An Act thereof is made, Signed then, one King of Armes, and two Heraulds (at the least) of euery Prouince.

Afterwards, thankes is giuen and returned on all sides, as well to the Prince, that defraied the charges of so solemne an Assembly; as to the Iudges of the Tourney,* 1.28 and them that carried away the Honour, by commendation of well deseruing. Then began the Dances, wherein the Ladies and Gentlewomen extended their gracefull fauours to the Champions: who led them in the Dance, to the end, that Feminine Nobilitie might pertake in the Exercise of Honour, as well as that of Men.

From being present in these Iousts and Tourneyes, dispensation was granted to Kings, Princes, Dukes and high Barons. Regiae, Ducalis, & Principalis dignitatis per∣sone ab his ludis Equestribus se abstinent, quoniam Reges sui Regni Corona, Principes,* 1.29 & Duces Serto caput adumbrare contenti, non solent, Perinde vt alij, in his Ludicris pug∣nis decertare, nec vlli Sodaletati se inserire debent. Persons bearing the Dignity of King, Duke, and Prince, may abstaine from these Tournaments; because Kings being con∣tent to adorne their heads with the Crownes of their Kingdomes, Princes and Dukes with a Garland or Wreath; are not wont (as others) to contend in these Tilting sports, nor ought to ioyne themselues to any society. They ought not expose themselues to such Exerci∣ses; but onely take pleasure in beholding them, and to giue presents to them, who are iudged to be best worthy of recompence.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The exercise appointed at euery three yeare••
• * 1.2

  Wrong a∣gainst the Emperour.
• * 1.3

  Preseruation of Womens honor.
• * 1.4

  Gentlemen conuicted of crimes.
• * 1.5

  For treachery persidie and cowardise
• * 1.6

  For treason in a man to his Wife, and to his Soue∣raigne.
• * 1.7

  Against Sacri∣ledge and rob∣bing widowes and Orphanes
• * 1.8

  Of vniust pur∣••uing an ene∣mie.
• * 1.9

  Against op∣pression and extortion.
• * 1.10

  Against adul∣trie and lewde life.
• * 1.11

  Against base minded coue∣tousnesse.
• * 1.12

  Of made▪ Noblemens presuming.
• * 1.13

  The first ap∣poynted place of meeting at Maydebourg.
• * 1.14

  Appointment of the day and place.
• * 1.15

  Publique Pro∣clamation for committing offences.
• * 1.16

  Disgraces ari∣sing to Noble Gentlem••n by base mariages
• * 1.17

  Duty to be done after Admission.
• * 1.18

  Of presenta¦tion to the Iudges.
• * 1.19

  For hurtfull or offensiue Armes, either for thems••lues, or the by stan∣ders.
• * 1.20

  Allowance for presentation at the To••rney in their de∣gres.
• * 1.21

  The Oathe giuen vpon these occasions
• * 1.22

  Of the Knights Club or Bat∣tle-Axe.
• * 1.23

  Sport with the Battle-Axe called Change∣••ng of Cuffes.
• * 1.24

  The manly Exercise of fighting at the Barriers.
• * 1.25

  Disgraces happening in the Barriers.
• * 1.26

  Managing of the Sword, but not to bloud.
• * 1.27

  Supper at the generall Ban∣quet.
• * 1.28

  The thankfull gratitudes, and Dauncing.
• * 1.29

  Who were dispenced with for pre∣sence at the••e Tourneys.