each, to which said parties shall
be added one other knight for each party, which knight shall have the
honourable post of leader, each of his particular party, by whom he
shall be drawn.

"In tilts of courtesy lances without heads must alone be used. In the
more warlike contests both knightly weapons may be used at the
discretion of, and the manner most pleasing to, the combatants.

"Any contest shall be considered at an end only at such time as his
Majesty, King Richard, shall see fit to signal for its stoppage by the
honourable marshals of the field, or when one or the other of the
opposing champions shall have owned himself up defeated.

"His Most Gracious Majesty will decide who is the victor in each
separate contest; and to the victor shall go the arms and armour,
together with the charger and its equipment.

"In the more fiercer contest of the thirteen good knights on each side,
they shall fight with pointed lance and with the sword until his
Majesty doth see good to cause the contest to be stopped. Then will
his Majesty decide which is the winner in the contest. And to the
victors shall go the spoils, the same as in the single contests.

"God save King Richard!"

"God save King Richard!" replied the other heralds.

"God save King Richard!" cried the people, as though they meant the
words they said.

"God save King Richard!" echoed the city's walls.

Then the herald at the southern extremity of the lists sang forth the
same long-winded recitation in the self same monotone, that added
nothing to the clearness of the rules, which might have been said in
two score of words.

When the third had followed the example of his fellows they all three
withdrew from the lists, and the marshals of the field rode forth from
where they had been waiting, drawn up in line, armoured and armed as
though for a day of battle, and took their posts in groups at the four
corners of the field, ready to do their duty.

My horse, fully caparisoned and impatient, like his master, for the
field, my groom now led to where I stood, by Harleston's side, before
my tent. Hastily mounting I rode down to the barrier gate that gave
entry to the lists.

My friend overtook me as I reached the gate. He was mounted upon a
splendid charger of a chestnut hue, as I could see from the only
visible part of the animal, namely, his legs. Frederick sat his saddle
like an armoured statue. Verily, my children, and without conceit I
say it,