creations of the people of Henry II.'s time. 

 Smithfield, then a level expanse of grass 

 where periodical horse markets were held, 

 was the scene of these amusements : 



" Every Sunday in Lent after dinner young men 

 ride out into the fields on horses which are fit for war 

 and excellent for their speed. The citizens' sons 

 issue out through the gates by troops, furnished with 

 lances and shields, and make representation of battle 

 and exercise and skirmish. To this performance 

 many young courtiers yet uninitiated in arms resort, 

 and great persons to train and practice. They begin 

 by dividing into troops ; some labour to outstrip their 

 leaders without being able to reach them ; others 

 unhorse their antagonists without being able to get 

 beyond them. At times two or three boys are set on 

 horseback to ride a race and push their horses to 

 their utmost speed, sparing neither whip nor spur." * 



RICHARD I. (1189-1199). 



Richard I., ignoring the opposition of the 

 Church, which held them dangerous alike to 

 body and soul, encouraged tournaments as 

 valuable training for his knights ; and it may 

 here be observed that from his time through 

 the succeeding ages until 1559, when a fatal 

 accident to King Henry II., of France, in 

 the lists, caused the institution to go out of 

 fashion, tournaments were held from time to 

 time in England. Some of our kings en- 



* " London," by Stephanides. Leland's Itinerary, 

 vol. viii. 



