Challenge of Arms of Piers de Masse,
1438
In the worship and in the name of God
our blessed lady Virgin Mary and my lord Saint Denis mine avower and condider. I
Piers de Masse Squire of the Realm of France born de quater Cotes of my arms
without any reproach hath required in the town of Pounteis John Astley Squire
born within the Realm of England de quater Cotes of his arms, without any
reproach for to do Arms on horseback half at my Request and half at his request.
And that we twain be appointed for to do and accomplish the said arms on
horseback before le treshaulte et tres excellent et tres puissaunt prince le Roi
de France my sovereign lord of the which he of his good grace hath appointed
that he himself will be our judge that same day of these articles here ensuing.
The first Article is that we twain shall
be armed upon horseback in harness double without any shield and rest of vantage
and either of us to be armed as us seemeth best for to break either of us twain,
six spears that is twelve spears in the whole and all of one length. And of such
greatness as either of us may bear at our pleasure.
The second Article is that I Piers de
Masse shall let make the said twelve all of one length. And I the said Piers
will that ye have the choice of the said twelve spears.
The third article is that I the said Piers de Masse shall
make that field and the Tilt in the midst for to keep our horses God save and
keep them from harm.
The fourth article is that which of us
twain that God of his high grace will that hath the better shall have of the
other his helm or other habillement the which he bears upon his head for to bear
upon his lady.
These be the arms that John Astley
squire did accomplish within the town of Paris in Saint Anton’s street. And
smote the said Piers de Masse through the head with a spear in the year of our
lord 1438 before King Charles of France was done the 29th day of August, the
16th year of the reign of King Henry the VIth.
From Landsdowne Ms. 285(John Paston's copy of the Grete
Booke) fo. 15b, reproduced in Cripps-Day, F.H. The History of the Tournament
(London, 1918; reprint New York, 1982). Appendix, p.xxxv
An alternate version of the text from a different manuscript Squire John Astley meets Pierre de Masse in Paris--1438 (KCT)