Proclamation was made throughout the kingdom, that on the 15th of June

in the City of Paris, his most Christian Majesty, and the Princes

Alphonso d'Ete Duke of Ferrara, Francis of Loraine Duke of Guise, and

James of Savoy Duke of Nemours would hold an open tournament against

all comers. The first combat to be on horse-back in the lists, with

double armour, to break four lances, and one for the ladies; the second

combat with swords, one to one, or two to two, as the judges of the

field should direct; the third combat on foot, three pushes of pikes,

and six hits with the sword. The champions to furnish lances, swords,

and pikes, at the choice of the combatants. Whoever did not manage his

horse in the carreer to be put out of the lists; four judges of the

field to give orders.

The combatants who should break most lances and

perform best to carry the prize, the value whereof to be at the

discretion of the judges; all the combatants, as well French as

strangers, to be obliged to touch one or more, at their choice, of the

shields that should hang on the pillar at the end of the lists, where a

herald at arms should be ready to receive them, and enroll them

according to their quality, and the shields they had touched; the

combatants to be obliged to cause their shields and arms to be brought

by a gentleman and hung up at the pillar three days before the

tournament, otherwise not to be admitted without leave of the champions.

A spacious list was made near the Bastille, which begun from the

Chateau des Tournelles and crossed the street of St. Anthony, and

extended as far as the King's stables; on both sides were built

scaffolds and amphitheatres, which formed a sort of galleries that made

a very fine sight, and were capable of containing an infinite number of

people. The princes and lords were wholly taken up in providing what

was necessary for a splendid appearance, and in mingling in their

cyphers and devices somewhat of gallantry that had relation to the

ladies they were in love with.

A few days before the Duke of Alva's arrival, the King made a match at

tennis with the Duke de Nemours, the Chevalier de Guise, and the

Viscount de Chartres. The Queens came to see them play, attended with

the ladies of the Court, and among others Madam de Cleves. After the

game was ended, as they went out of the tennis court, Chatelart came up

to the Queen-Dauphin, and told her fortune had put into his hands a

letter of gallantry, that dropped out of the Duke de Nemours's pocket.

This Queen, who was always very curious in what related to the Duke,

bid Chatelart give her the letter; he did so, and she followed the

Queen her mother-in-law, who was going with the King to see them work

at the lists.




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