Ancient Games and Pastimes. 561 
themselves at their stations and expose their helmets to 
view at the windows of their pavilions; they might then 
depart, “to make merry, dance, and live well.” 
At ten o’clock on the day appointed, the speakers or 
judges examined the arms of the combatants, which they 
might allow or reject at their pleasure. 
The baron, who was challenger, caused his banner 
to be placed in front of his parade, and the blazon of his 
-arms to be nailed tothe roof of his pavilion. The speakers 
then went from pavilion to pavilion crying out, “To 
achievements, knights and esquires, to achievements.” This 
was the signal for arming. The heralds then went round 
to the pavilions crying, “ Come forth, knights and esquires, 
come forth.” The barons having taken their places in the 
list, the knights and esquires arranged themselves behind 
their respective leaders, each by the side of his own banner, 
two cords were then stretched between the select bands, 
which were not removed till the judges gave the signal to 
engage, which they did by crying, “Lazzez les aler”— 
Let them go on. 
The combatants were each armed with a pointless sword, 
and a baton or truncheon, which hung from their saddles. 
They might use whichever weapon they pleased, and, 
doubtless, they laid about them lustily. The combat con- 
tinued till the judges considered that all present had been 
sufficiently belaboured, when they called to the heralds, 
“ Pleyez vos baniers”—-Fold your banners. This was the 
signal for the cessation of hostilities. 
Every knight in earlier times was allowed one page, but 
afterwards three to wait upon him. These pages were not 
allowed to have any offensive weapon. Any knight who was 
fatigued might unhelm himself if he pleased, and no one 
was allowed to touch him till he had resumed his helmet 
In the evening, those who had taken part in the tourna- 
ment, and the ladies and others who had been spectators 
met together, and the time was passed in feasting, dancing, 
and making merry. 
After supper, lists of the names of those who had most 
distinguished themselves were presented to the ladies, and 
it rested with them to select one person from each side to 
receive the prize of valour. The fortunate individuals thus 
selected received their prizes from the fair hands of two 
young maidens of high rank. 
The jousts, according to Strutt, differed essentially from 
