y of challengers, and even adopted as their
chief and leader, though he had so recently joined them. On one side of
his tent were pitched those of Reginald Front-de-Boeuf and Richard
(Philip) de Malvoisin, and on the other was the pavilion of Hugh de
Grantmesnil, a noble baron in the vicinity, whose ancestor had been Lord
High Steward of England in the time of the Conqueror and his son William
Rufus. Ralph de Vipont, a knight of Saint John of Jerusalem, who had
some ancient possessions at a place called Heather, near
Ashby-de-la-Zouche, occupied the fifth pavilion.

From the entrance into the lists a gently sloping passage, ten yards in
breadth, led up to the platform on which the tents were pitched. It was
strongly secured by a palisade on each side, as was the esplanade in
front of the pavilions, and the whole was guarded by men-at-arms.

The northern access to the lists terminated in a similar entrance of
thirty feet in breadth, at the extremity of which was a large enclosed
space for such knights as might be disposed to enter the lists with the
challengers, behind which were placed tents containing refreshments of
every kind for their accommodation, with armorers, farriers, and other
attendants, in readiness to give their services wherever they might be
necessary.

[Illustration: THRONG GOING TO THE LISTS]

The exterior of the lists was in part occupied by temporary galleries,
spread with tapestries and carpets, and accommodated with cushions for
the convenience of those ladies and nobles who were expected to attend
the tournament. A narrow space between these galleries and the lists
gave accommodation for yeomanry and spectators of a better degree than
the mere vulgar, and might be compared to the pit of a theatre. The
promiscuous multitude arranged themselves upon large banks of turf
prepared for the purpose, which, aided by the natural elevation of the
ground, enabled them to overlook the galleries, and obtain a fair view
into the lists. Besides the accommodation which these stations afforded,
many hundred had perched themselves on the branches of the trees which
surrounded the meadow; and even the steeple of a country church, at some
distance, was crowded with spectators.

It only remains to notice respecting the general arrangement, that one
gallery in the very centre of the eastern side of the lists, and
consequently exactly opposite to the spot where the shock of the combat
was to take place, was raised