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galleries were raised parallel to the princi pal front of the barriers; the tents of the combatants were placed right and left of the pavilion occupied by the King; the canopies of the poursuivants-at-arms were at the four corners. It was found neces sary to have present a large body of sol diers, to prevent the crowd from forcing their way into the reserved enclosure, for an immense' multitude came from Paris to witness the combat. It is not known whether Catherine de Medicis was present; but the King's sister, his aunt Marguerite de Valois, all the prin cesses, Diane, and most of the ladies of the court, and all the principal nobles of France were there. Out of all this host of courtiers there was scarcely one who did not believe that Vivonne would gain an easy victory. The presence of the King and the court invested the scene with unusual dignity, and nothing was neglected by the Consta ble to give every possible effect to the cere monial according to the rules prescribed by antique legislation. At sunrise on the tenth of July, 1547, Guienne, the herald-at-arms, made the fol lowing proclamation at each extremity of the lists : — "This day, tenth of the present month of July, the King, our Sovereign Lord, has permitted and granted the free and safe field, for mortal combat, to Francois de Vivonne and the Sieur de Monlieu, defend ant and assailant, to put an end by arms, to the quarrel of honor which is between them in question; for which cause I make known to all, on the part of the King, that none are allowed to prevent the effect of the present combat, nor to assist in it, nor to annoy either of the combatants on pain of death." The lists were double, the empty space between the first and second barriers being

occupied by the soldiers of the Constable and the Royal Guards. At each end of the field was a door of entrance for the com batants, and another door opened beneath the gallery of the Constable, to the right of which were placed four of the provost's sergeants and the principal executioner, with a bundle of cords, foreshadowing the disgraceful penalties which the law allowed to be visited on the corpse of the van quished. Beneath the seat of the judge of the field was a table covered with cloth of gold, supporting a missal and a crucifix; while a priest stood silently on one side. Immediately after the herald had finished his proclamation, Vivonne left his hotel, accompanied by his seconds and his friends to the number of more than five hundred, dressed in his colors, which were of white and carnation. His shield and sword were carried before him, and in advance of these a banner, bearing the image of St. Francis, his patron; the cortege was also preceded by musicians with tambourines and trum pets playing lively airs. The procession made the circuit of the lists; then the shield of Vivonne was attached to a pillar on the right of the royal gallery. Received at the inner barrier by the Constable, Vivonne was conducted to the tent on the right hand, to wait there till it was time for him to enter the field. The same ceremonial attended the arrival of Jarnac. He was accompanied by his sec onds and a hundred and twenty gentle men, wearing his livery of black and white. Before him was carried a banner, with the image of the Holy Virgin. Jarnac, like Vivonne, was entirely armed, with the exception of his helmet, which was carried by his squires, the bearers also of his sword and shield. The combatants went to their tents while their seconds proceeded to examine the