From Belt and Spur, Stories of the Knights of the Middle Ages from the Old Chronicles, by E. L. S. (Emma L. Seeley), New York: Scribner and Welford, 1883; pp. 181-201.
CHAPTER XI.
THE JOUSTS OF SAINT INGHELBERTH.
There were three valiant knights of France, to wit, Sir Boucicault the Younger, Sir Regnault de Roye, and the Lord de Saint-Py, who undertook to be under arms during the summer, on the frontier of Calais, to meet all comers, knights or esquires, being foreigners, during the term of thirty days, and to joust with whomsoever would, with blunted lances or otherwise.
Now since the enterprise of the three knights seemed to the King of France and to everyone somewhat presumptuous, he showed them how it would be for the best to write the terms of it on a sheet of paper that the King and his council might see and consider it; and if anything out of order should appear in it, they would cancel or amend it for the King and his council would allow nothing to be done that was unreasonable.
To this demand the three knights answered and said, ‘What you say is right, and we will do it willingly.’ So they took a clerk, and ink, and paper, 182 and shut themselves into a room, and the clerk wrote the terms of their challenge: —
‘For the great desire that we have see and to have the acquaintance of noble gentlemen, knights and esquires, strangers of the kingdom of France, and of other more distant kingdoms, we intend to be at Saint Inghelberth the twentieth day of May coming, and to be there thirty days together; and each day excepting the Fridays, we will be ready to ride five courses with any knight or esquire, being gentlemen and strangers, from whatever country, who chose to come, with a sharp or blunt lance, as he pleases, or with both. Our shields will be found on the outside of our tents, painted with our arms, — that is to say, our shields of war and our shields of peace.
‘And whoever will joust, let him come or end the day before to touch with a wand whichever he may choose; and if he touch the shield of war, the next day he shall have the joust of war; and if touch the shield of peace, he shall have the joust of peace. And it is agreed that whoever will touch or send to touch, shall tell or shall have told their names to the persons to whom we shall commit the care of our shields. And all the foreign knights or esquires who wish to joust shall bring with them each a noble friend, and we will do the same on our part, and these shall take order for everything that is to be done.
‘And we pray all noble knights and esquires who may come, that they will not think or imagine that we do this thing from pride, hatred, or ill-will, but only in order to see them, and have their noble company and acquaintance, which is what we desire with all our hearts.
‘And none of our shields shall be covered with steel or iron, any more than those belonging to those with whom we shall joust; and no other advantage, fraud, or deceit, shall be 183 used, except such as may be allowed by those to whom the care of the jousts is committed by both parties.
‘And that all noble gentlemen, knights and esquires, who may take knowledge of this thing, may hold it as true and authentic, we have sealed these letters with the seals bearing our arms.
‘Given at Montpellier, the twentieth day of November, in the year of grace, thirteen hundred and eighty nine.’
And underneath was written: —
‘Regnault de Rove,
‘Boucicault,
‘Saint-Py.’
The King of France was greatly pleased with this high and courageous enterprise of the three knights. But before he would consent that the thing should take place, the work was very well examined and considered, lest any wrong should be understood by it. And it seemed to some that there were called to the council that the thing was not reasonable, in that the place was so near to Calais, and that the English might take it for arrogance and presumption; which it was needful to consider well, for a truce for three years had been made and sworn to between France and England, so at nothing was to be allowed which might bring about dissension between the two kingdoms. The council were more than a day in considering this matter, and they knew not what to do, and would have broken it off, for those who were wise said that it was not good to consent to all the proposals of the young knights, and that as much evil as good might come of it. Nevertheless the King 184 who was young, inclined to the side of his knights, and said, ‘Let them do their emprise; they are young and of high courage, and have sworn and vowed before the ladies of Montpellier; it is our will that the thing begin and be carried out according to their loyal power.’
When they saw the King’s inclination no one ventured to contradict or withstand him, at which all the knights rejoiced, and it was agreed that it should take place according to the form and manner written and sealed by the three knights. The King sent for these to his chamber, and said to them, ‘Boucicault, Regnault, and you, Saint-Py, see that you defend the honour of yourselves and of the kingdom well in this matter, and spare nothing in maintaining your rank and state, for we will be answerable for you up to ten thousand francs.’ Then the three knelt before the King, and returned him many thanks.
Then the three knights took great pains to accomplish their desire and fulfil their promise; for they notified and published it everywhere, especially in the kingdom of England, where it was heard gladly, and by it many knights esquires were pricked to the heart. The younger of them, who longed to distinguish themselves, pondered much what they should do in the matter. Some among them did that great blame and reproach would be theirs if, the place being so near Calais, they did not cross the sea and see and fight with these knights. I will name those who chiefly held this language. First, Sir John Holland, earl of Huntington, the brother of the King of 185 England, and Sir Peter Courtenay, besides Sir John Drayton, Sir John Walworth, Sir John Russel, and many other, more than a hundred in all, who said, ‘Let us arrange to go across to Calais, for these knights of France have ordered this game only that they may see and know us. Certainly thy have done well and they are good companions. Let us not fail them.’
The thing was made so public in England that those who had no desire themselves to fight declared they would be there on the appointed day to look on. So these and those who would fight sent over their arms and their horses and equipage before them; then when the day itself drew near they crossed the sea. Sir John Holland was the first to go, and more than sixty knights and squires with him, and he came to Calais and lodged there.
At the beginning of the fair month of May the three young knights of France were prepared and ready. They came first to Boulougne-sur-Mer, and tarried there some days, and then departed and came to the Abbey of St. Inghelberth. Being there, they heard what plenty of knights and squires had come out of England and were now at Calais. At this they rejoiced much, and to hurry on the work and in order to warn the English, they sent to have three vermilion-covered pavilions, very fine and rich, pitched on the plain between St. Inghelberth and Calais; and at the entrance of each pavilion in front were hung two shields bearing the arms of the knights — the shield of peace and the shield of war.
186Now, on the 21st day of May, as had been proclaimed, the three knights were ready, with their horses, ordered and saddled as the joust required, and the knights and squires, desirous of tilting or of seeing the combat, came out of Calais and rode to the place, when they drew up on one side. The place of the tournament was large and wide and smooth, and well grassed. Sir John Holland was the first to begin, and he sent a squire to touch the war-shield of Sir Boucicault. Then Sir Boucicault came out of his pavilion, ready armed, and mounted his house, and took his shield and a good lance, strong and well made; then then the two took up their distances, and when they had well eyed one other, they spurred and came, without sparing themselves, with great force against one another, and the spear of Sir Boucicault pierced the Earl of Huntingdon’s shield, and the point ran along his arm, but without wounding him. Then the knights passed on and stopped in their positions. This course was much praised. In the second they struck one another slight, but did each other no harm; nd in the third the horses refused course.
The Earl of Huntingdon, who was heated and would fain go on with the joust, came back to his place, expecting that Sir Boucicault would take up his lance. But this he did not do, and signified that he would do nothing more that day with the Earl.
When the Earl saw that, he sent his squire to touch the war-shield of the Lord de Saint-Py, and he, who never refused, came from his tent, and mounted and took his shield and lance; and when the Earl saw that he was ready for the tilt; he spurred his horse with right good will, as did Saint-Py, couching their lances. But as they met the horses crossed, and in the crossing the Earl was unhelmed.
So he returned to his men and put on his helmet and grasping his lance and the Lord de Saint-Py his, they met full, striking their shields with great force, so that they would both have been unhorsed if they had not kept their saddles by clasping the horses firmly with their legs; so they returned to their places and refreshed themselves a little, taking breath and cooling themselves. Sir John Holland, who had a great love of arms, took his lance again; and when the Lord de Saint-Py saw him coming, he did not refuse, but met him as well as he could. The two knights encountered one another so that the lances rang on the steel helmets, and the red sparks flew, and the Lord de Saint-Pys was unhelmed.
This course was greatly praised, and both French and English said that the three knights had tilted well, neither sparing nor doing themselves damage. The Earl of Huntingdon desired to run yet another course for the love of his lady, but it was refused him. So Sir John left the lists to make room for another for he had run his courses well, and gained much honour from all sides.
Then advanced a gentle English knight, who was 188 called the Earl Marshal, and he sent to touch the war-shield of Sir Regnault de Roye; and this being done, Sir Regnault came out of his pavilion, fully armed, and mounted his horse, which standing ready. They hung the shield round his neck and buckled it, and he took his lance. The knights spurred their horses with great violence, but they failed in the first course because the horses swerved, at which they were greatly enraged. In the second Sir Regnault was struck and his own lance was broken, with such force that fire flew from them and the Earl Marshal was unhelmed. He returned to his place and did no more that day, for he had done enough. Then came forward Sir Thomas Lord Clifford, a valiant knight and cousin to Sir John Chandos, who was so famous and brave a knight; he sent to touch the war-shield of Sir Boucicault. The two knights came on with prodigious force, and struck each other on the helmets till the sparks flew, but the lances did not break nor the knights lose their stirrups, but passed on and stopped to take their places for the second course with great good-will. They spurred their horses and met without sparing one another. Sir Boucicault broke his lance and was unhelmed, but did not lose his seat. Sir Thomas Clifford prepared to tilt again with Boucicault, but Boucicault did not put on his helmet.
Then Sir Thomas resoled to tilt with another, and sent to touch the shield of the Lord de Saint-Py, who came at once out of his tent and mounted and 189 took shield and lance, and prepared to joust. They met with great force, and Sir Thomas broke his lance into three splinters on the shield of Saint-Py, who struck him on the helmet and unhelmed him, and then passed on. The Lord Clifford returned to his people and did nothing more that day, for they said he had borne himself well and honourably.
After this a gentle knight of England, named Henry de Beaumont, sent to touch the shield of Sir Boucicault, who was ready to answer, having just tilted with Sir Thomas, Lord Clifford. The two spurred with great force; but Sir Henry did not use his lance well, and truck Sir Boucicault sideways, while Boucicault struck full in the middle of his shield and bore him to the ground, and passed on. The knight rose, and was helped by his people to remount. Then the Lord de Saint-Py came forward, and they tilted two courses very courteously, without any damage to either.
Sir Peter Courtenay, who had a great desire to run six courses, sent to touch all the three shields of war, which caused great astonishment; and he was asked what he meant by it. He answered, that it was his pleasure to run two courses with each of the three French knights, if no mischief should happen to him meanwhile; and he prayed them to grant him them, which they did.
Sir Regnault de Roye came forward the first; but this first course failed, for the horses refused it, which filled them with rage. So they returned to their 190 places, and spurred again carrying their lances straight, so that this second course did not fail. Sir Regnault unhelmed the English knight, and his two courses being run he returned to his place. Sir Peter Courtenay being re-armed, met the Lord de Saint-Py full gallop, each breaking his lance against his adversary’s helmet. They received fresh ones, and in the second course the Lord de Saint-{y struck Sir Peter sideways, owing to his horse swerving a little. Sir Peter unhelmed him and then passed slowly on to his place.
Then Sir Boucicault came forward, and Sir Peter met him. They met with such a rude shock that the horses stood stock-still in mid-career; but no damage followed. They unhelmed one another in the second course. The six courses being thus run, Sir Peter asked as a favour that he might run one more with any of the three knights who might choose; but this was refused, and he was told that he had done enough for that day.
Another English knight came forward named Sir John Walworth, fully armed, and sent his squire to touch the war-shield of Sir Regnault de Roye. The knight was ready to reply to the summons, and both advanced full gallop, hitting each other on the helmet very sore; yet neither was unhelmed, nor were the lances broken. The second course was spoilt through the swerving of the horses, which greatly vexed them. The third lance they broke in the very centre of their shields. The fourth course was run without anything being done; but the fifth was only too well employed, 191 for they unhelmed one another, and then each returned to his own party.
Sir John Russel, a very expert and valiant English knight, well known in divers countries, was the next. He sent to touch the Lord de Saint-Py’s shield, who was already armed and on horseback. They met with such force with the lances against each other’s shield that the horses were stopped short in mid-career. They were not long in returning to their places and beginning the second course, which was spoilt however, for just as they should have met, the horses swerved and refused the encounter, so that they failed of their stroke. In the third course they struck each other with such force the visors that both were unhelmed. The English knight returned to his men and tilted no more that day.
Thereupon, a young English knight of very high courage, named Sir Peter Sherborn, sent to touch the war-shield of Sir Boucicault. The knight was ready and mounted, leaning on his spear and waiting for an adventure. So when he saw that he was challenged to joust, he couched his lance and looked to see what his adversary would do, and seeing that he was handling his horse, he began to rouse his own. Then spurring and couching their lances, they hoped to meet fair, but they were disappointed by the swerving of their horses. They returned to their places determined to manage them better; and the next course was so well performed that they hit each full in the visor. Sir Boucicault broke his lance, and the English knight used his with such force that he unhelmed Sir 192 Boucicault so violently that the blood gushed from his nose. Then Sir Boucicault returned to his pavilion, for it was near upon vespers. But Sir Peter Sherburn would not cease till he had completed his courses; so he sent to touch the war-shield of Saint-Py, who was ready to answer. They spurred their horses as straight towards each other as they could and struck one another on the helmets; but the lances slipped and they passéd on without hurt. Those who were watching said that if the lances had been pointed lower, so that they had struck on the shields, one or both must have been borne to the earth. In the next course they met, striking each other so full upon the shields that both lances lew into three pieces, and the Lord d Saint-Py me the Englishman lose his stirrups and fall on the earth. He rose at once and was aided by his people to retire to his side. The Lord de Saint-Py returned to his place, viewing the English array, and showing the was ready to tilt again, either with the knight whom he had just overthrown, or with any other; but none came forward, for it was time to cease for the day, and to retire to their inns.
The English, therefore, assembled and returned at a good pace to Calais, where they reveled that night and talked amongst themselves of the feats that had been done. The French returned also to Saint Inghelberth; and if the English talked of the things that had fallen out that day, you may believe that the French did the same.
193The Tuesday, after mass and a morning draught, all those who wished to see the jousts, with those who were to tilt, came out of Calais, and rode together in a company, with great order, to the place of arms; and when they were come, the French were ready to receive them, as was right. The day was bright and clear, and warm enough. The English drew up in order and armed those who were to joust.
After many courses had been well and bravely performed without accident, there stepped forward a young knight named Sir Godfrey Seton, known as a good tilter and showing it by his manner of riding and carrying his lance. He sent a squire to touch the war-shield of Sir Regnault de Roye, who readily answered. The two knights spurred at the same moment as straight as arrows, and met, striking each other such blows on their shields that though the lances did not break by reason of their toughness, yet they remained fixed in the shields, and by dint of hard pushing the horses were stopped, and the knights returned to their places without losing their lances, but carrying them fairly before them, and then laying them in rest. Then spurring their horses again, which were good ones, young and strong, they met again, but not straight, by the fault of the horses, not of the knights themselves, and in passing they lost their lances. Those standing by picked them u and gave them to them, and as soon as they had received 194 them they couched them and returned to the encounter, for they were heated and would not spare themselves. The English knight struck Sir Regnault a heavy blow on the upper part of his helmet, but did not hurt him; and in return Sir Regnault who was at that time one of the strongest and toughest tilters in France, being smitten with love for a gay and beautiful young lady, which was a great help to him in all his affairs, gave him a blow on the shield so severe that it pierced it and his arm as well. The lance was broken and the butt end fell to the ground, the upper end remaining fixed in the shield and the steel in the arm. For all this the knight finished his course very handsomely, and returned to his place. His companions came to him, and the splinter and steel were drawn out, and the blood staunched and wound bound up. Sir Regnault returned to his place, and remained leaning on a spear which was given him. He was much praised by his own party, nor did the English say any harm of him although his adversary had been hurt; for such is the fortune of arms #8212; to one good, to another evil; and certainly they tilted without sparing one another.
Then, after several English knights had run their courses with honour, there came forward a young knight named Thomalin Messidon, well armed and in good disposition for fighting, and challenged Sir Boucicault, who was ready. In the first course they stuck one another on the helms, and passed on without any accident or damage. They returned to their places, and spurred again to the charge, and in this course 195 they met striking one another with great violence on the shields. The spear of Sir Thomalin broke into splinters, but Sir Boucicault’s blow was so strong that he carried his opponent to the ground over the tail of his horse. Those on his side came and lifted him up and led him away, and he tilted no more that day.
The tilting went on till it grew late and near the time for vespers, and then the English drew together as they had done before, and returned in a company to Calais, and the French to St. Inghelberth.
You must know, although I have made no mention of it as yet, that King Charles of France greatly desire to see the jousts, for at that time he was very lively and loved much to see new things. It was told that he was present from the first the last, but in disguise, so that no man knew it save the Lord de Garenci&egrav;eres, who came with him and was also disguised, and the two returned each day to Marquise.
So Tuesday passed, and Wednesday came, and it was a very fine day, like the preceding one. The English mounted again on horseback after mass and the morning draught, and came out of Calais in great order, and rode along the road of Sangate till they came to the place where the French were rejoiced to receive them.
As soon as the English were come they lost no time, and a squire named John Savage, a good tilter, 196 squire of the body to the Earl of Huntingdon, sent to touch the shield of Sir Regnault. They met with great violence, striking one another full on the middle of the shield so forcibly that both would have fallen to the ground if the shields had not given way. This was a first and perilous course, though the tilters received no hurt, for the lances passed through the targets and slipped off the side armour breaking about a foot from the shaft, and the upper end remaining in the shield, and the knights held the shafts before them while they finished the course. Those who saw doubted not that they were severely hurt and each side surrounded their champion. But when they found they were not touched they were greatly rejoiced, and told them they had done enough for that day. But this did not satisfy John Savage, and he had not crossed the sea to break but one single lance. These words were carried to Sir Regnault de Roye, who answered, ‘He is right, and he ought to be gratified, either by me or by my champions.’
Therefore they returned to their places and obtained fresh spears and endeavoured to meet fairly, but could not, for their horses swerved. So the second course dialed, to their great rage. Then having received their lances, which they had dropped, they placed them in rest, and in the third career they struck each other full on the visors of the helmets, so that in passing they were unhelmed. It was a fine course, and won great praise. Then the 197 English came and told John Savage that he had done very well, and it was now time for him to make way for others. To this he reed, and laid aside lance and shield and dismounted from his charger, taking instead a hackney, which he mounted to see the rest of the jousts.
Then after two more Englishmen had run their courses with the French knights with honour, and a third had been overthrown in tilting with the Lord de Saint-Py, there came forward Sir John Arundel, who was a good knight and renowned both in tilting, dancing, and singing, and who was young and full of courage, and sent to challenge the knight, Sir Regnault de Roye. They spurred against one another with good will, and gave great blows, but neither fell, though they lost their lances. In the second course they struck full upon the helms, so that parks flew, but no damage was done. In the third the horses swerved and they dropped their lances. The fourth blow struck the helmets, but neither was unhelmed; and the fifth the shields, breaking both the spears, and still without damage to the knights. So the tilting went on that day as before, and in the evening they separated again.
And on the morning of Thursday the English looked to see who amongst them there were who had yet to do the feats of arms for which they had come over the sea, and they agreed that such should be 198 satisfied, as was fitting. Therefore they mounted again and return4ed to Saint Inghelberth, where they found the French knights ready and waiting their pavilions. Many fine courses were run; and at length a knight of Bohemia, of the retinue of the Queen of England, whom they called Herr Hans, sent to challenge Sir Boucicault. They spurred with great good will, but failed to meet fairly, owing to the ill conduct of the Bohemian, who, out of the line of tilting, struck Sir Boucicault on the helmet and continued his course. He was greatly blamed, and the English saw that he had forfeited both arms and horse if the French insisted on it They held a long conversation about this, but at last the French pardoned him, the better to please the English. Herr Han begged as a favour that he be allowed to run one course more. They asked him, ‘With whom?’ He sent to say, ‘Sir Regnault de Roye.’ The knight who had done nothing yet that day, replied that he was willing. They met, striking in the centre of the shields, and Sir Regnault, who was one of the best and strongest tilters of his time, struck him in such a manner that he flew clean out of his stirrups and fell so heavily on the earth that they thought he was dead. Herr Hans was raised by his people and carried away. The English were well pleased that it had so happened because of the uncourteous manner in which he had run his first course, and you may be sure he had no wish to do any more that day.
After other English squires had run their courses, there cme forward another, — a fine man, tall and 199 straight, sitting his horse well, fully armed fore tilting. His name was Jaquemin Scrope. He sent to touch the shield of the Lord de Saint-{y. They laid lance in rest and came against one another, with great good will; but the first blow missed, for their horses crossed, which angered them greatly; and they returned to their positions, and without delay spurring their horses, lowering their lances, met again and struck one another a blow so hard on the helmet that sparks flew out. They passed on, for the lances did not remain fixed but flew into shivers. They received fresh lances and met again with great violence, striking each the other’s shield with great force. The lance of Jacquemin was broken, but Saint-Py used his well, for he struck the squire so hard that he threw him from his saddle. He did no more that day, being raised from the ground by his people.
After two more English squires had run their courses with Sir Boucicault and the Lord de Saint-Py, the jousts ceased for that day, nor did any more advance from that party.
Then the Earl of Huntingdon, the Earl Marshal, the Lord Clifford, and all the other knights who had jousted during these four days, came to the French knights and gave them great thanks for the pastime, saying to them, ‘All the knights and squires who desired to joust have done so. Now, therefore, we take leave of you, for we return to Calais, and from thence to England. We know well that whosoever wishes to tilt with you will find you here throughout the thirty days, according to 200 the tenor of your proclamation. When we be come to England, we certify you, we will tell all such as shall meet and speak with us on this matter and pray them that they come to see you.’
‘We thank you greatly,’ replied the three knights, ‘they shall be gladly welcome, and shall be delivered of their vow, as you have been. And withal, we return you hearty thanks for the courtesy you have done us.’
Thus peaceably and gently did the English depart from St. Inghelberth and return to Calais. They stayed there not long, — on Saturday, in the morning, they went onboard the passage-boats. The wind was fair, and before noon they came to Dover. Then they came from the vessels and came into the town, each going to his inn. Thus they passed the Saturday and Sunday, till mass was over, at Dover, and rested themselves and their horses; but they lay on Sunday at Rochester, coming the next day to London. There they took leave of one another and returned each to his home. Meanwhile, the knights of France remained at their posts at St. Inghelberth.
You shall know, as I said above, that when the English had bidden the French knights farewell, the King of France and the Lord de Garencières, who had been there disguised and had witnessed the feats of arms, left, and lay that night at Marquise, and the next day they returned to France and never ceased riding till they came to Cray, n the river Oise, where the Queen held her court at that time. Few knew where the King had be, save his most trusty body-servant.
201After that company of English of whom I have told you had returned into England, I could never heart that any other came out of that country to joust at St. Inghelberth. Nevertheless, the three knights above med remained at that place for the full thirty days and more, and then returned at their ease each to his home, after they had gone to see the King of France, the Duke of Touraine, and the lords at Paris, who made them good cheer, as was right, for they had borne themselves valiantly and had well maintained the honour of the realm of France.