9 
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. 
