To cry a Joust of Peace, 15th c.
We Heralds of Arms bearing shields of
devise here we give in knowledge unto all gentlemen of name and of arms. That
there be six Gentlemen of name and of arms. That for the great desire and
worship that the said six Gentlemen hath taken upon them to be the third day of
May next coming before the high and mighty redoubted ladies and Gentlewomen in
this high and most honorable court. And in their presence the said six Gentlemen
there to appear at nine of the bell before noon. And to joust against all comers
without the said day unto six of
the bell at after noon. And then by the advice of the said ladies and
Gentlewomen to give unto the best Jouster without a Diamond of 40 pounds.
And unto the next the best jouster a ruby of 20 pounds. And
unto the third well jouster a sapphire of 10 pounds.
And on the said day there being officers
of arms showing their measure of their spears garnished. That is, Coronel,
vamplate and grapers all of a size that they shall joust with. And that the said
Comers may take the length of the said spears with the advice of the said
officers of arms that shall be indifferent unto all parties unto the said day.
The Coming into the Field
The six Gentlemen must come into the
field unhelmed and their helms borne before them and their servants on horseback
bearing either of them a spear garnished. That is the said six spears the which
the said six servants shall ride before them into the field and as the said six
Gentlemen be coming before the ladies and Gentlewomen. Then shall be sent an
herald of arms up unto the ladies and Gentlewomen, saying in this wise: "High
and mighty redoubted and right worshipful ladies and Gentlewomen, these six
Gentlemen be come in to your presence and recommended them all unto your good
grace in as lowly wise as they can, beseeching you for to give unto three best
Jousters without, a Diamond, and a Ruby, and a sapphire unto them that ye think
best can deserve it."
Then this message is done. Then the six
Gentlemen goeth unto the tiltways (tellws) and doeth on their helms. And when
the heralds cry "a l'ostell, a l'ostell", then shall all the six
Gentlemen within unhelm them before the said ladies,
and make their obeisance and go home unto their lodgings and change them.
Now be come the Gentlewomen without into the presence of
the ladies
Then cometh forth a lady, by the advice
of all the ladies and Gentlewomen, and gives the Diamond unto the best Jouster
without. Saying in this wise: "Sir these ladies and Gentlewomen thank you for
your disport and your great labor that ye have this day in their presence. And
the said ladies and Gentlewomen sayen that the ye have best Joust this day.
Therefore the said ladies and Gentlewomen given you this Diamond and send you
much worship and joy of your lady." Thus shall be done with the Ruby and with
the Saphire unto the other two next the best Jousters. This done then shall the
herald of arms stand up all on high and shall say with a high voice “John hath
well jousted, Richard hath Jousted better and Thomas hath jousted best of
all.”
Then shall he to whom the Diamond is
give unto take a lady by the hand and begin the dance. And when the ladies hath
danced as long as them liketh then spice wine and drink and then avoid.
From Landsdowne Ms. 285(John Paston's copy of the Grete
Booke) fo. 10b, reproduced in Cripps-Day, F.H. The History of the Tournament
(London, 1918; reprint New York, 1982). Appendix, p.xxxiv
An alternate version of the text from a different manuscript To Cry a Joust, 15th Century (KCT)