64 TILT A L'OUTRANCK. 



is true what I have stated fight boldly, for the cause is loyal and 

 just." 



At these words, the knight bent forward, and affectionately kissed 

 his lady's hand, and having crossed himself, he turned towards the 

 king's gallery, and spoke : " Most excellent and powerful prince 

 and sovereign lord, you see before you Jean de Carrouges, who 

 appears in these lists armed and mounted like a knight, to fight with 

 Jacques Legris, a false and disloyal traitor, for the truth of which 

 assertion I call to witness our Lord, our Lady, and our patron Saint 

 George, the good knight ! I purpose this day to do my devoir faith- 

 fully, and I pray the marshal of the field to allow me my fair share 

 of the sun and wind, and all that of right is given to combatants in 

 like situations. Which being done, I will perform ray duty with the 

 help of God, of our Lady, and of Monsieur Saint George, the good 

 knight 1" 



The same formula was pronounced by Jacques Legris, and the 

 king-at-arms made his second cry. Then the two champions were 

 led before the table on which lay the crucifix and missal, and, as they 

 knelt, the father Cordelier addressed them. " See, noble knights, 

 before you is the true representation of our Lord and Saviour, who 

 gave himself to death for your sakes ; pray then to him for grace, 

 and that he may succour you this day according to your right, for he 

 alone is the Sovereign Judge of all. Remember the oaths you are 

 now to take, lest your souls and bodies be in equal danger." The 

 two champions replying nothing, the marshal of the field placed the 

 crucifix in the right hand of Jean de Carrouges, and the missal in his 

 left, and caused him to repeat after him the following oath : 

 " I, Jean de Carrouges, appellant, swear by the Holy Evangelists, 

 by the faith of a true Christian, and by the Holy Baptism which I 

 received from God, that I have a good and just cause of quarrel with 

 the defendant, Jacques Legris, whom I stigmatise as a false traitor 

 and perjured caitiff, whose cause is unjust and wicked; which I will 

 this day prove by my body against his, by the help of God, our Lady, 

 and Monsieur Saint George, the good knight ! " A similar oath was 

 then taken by the defendant, and the marshal then demanded if the 

 champions were willing to take the final oath, to which both knights 

 having assented, Montjoye, king-at-arms, exclaimed, (t Oyez oyez 

 oyez listen to the last oath !" The Sire de Carrouges then said, 

 <e I, the appellant, swear by the rood, by the Holy Evangelists, by 

 my Baptismal faith, and by the sovereign joys of Paradise, which 

 otherwise I renounce for the bitter pains of Hell, by my soul, my 

 honour, and my life, that I have good and just cause of quarrel with 

 the false traitor whom I see before me. To do this loyally, I declare 

 that I do not bear, either upon my person or my horse, any arms 

 forged by the black art, any characters, words, spells, stones, herbs, 

 charms, conjurations, invocations, or any other thing which may 

 injure the justice of my cause : I have no reliance, save in my God 

 and my good cause, and trust to none other, on which I kiss the 

 crucifix, the Holy Evangelists, and hold my peace." The same 

 formula was in like manner repeated by Jacques Legris, and the two 

 knights, each holding the hand of the other, again repeated the de- 



