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.