Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/370

 Wager of Battle. arms and armor for the duel, and to argue about various points. Some two hours were spent in this conference, for Jarnac in spite of all the elaborate demands he had made for horses and their equipment, an nounced through his seconds that the duel should be on foot and in plain armor, and that Vivonne should wear the arm-piece we have mentioned. At ten o'clock the duel-

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or eye, that can aid, harm, or prejudice either of the combatants. And, further, by the express command of the King, I forbid all persons, of whatsoever quality or degree, to enter the field during the combat, or to afford any kind of assistance to one or the other, on any excuse or necessity whatso ever, without permission of the Constable and Marshals of France, on pain of death."

THE JUDICIAL DUEL. THE PLAINTIFF OPENING HIS CASE BEFORE THE JUDGE. From " Clrlmonies dtt Gages de Batailles" a manuscript of the Fifteenth Century, lists were prepared for the contest, and a herald advanced to the centre of the lists and made the following proclamation : — "Hearye! Hearye! Hearye! Lords, knights, and squires, and persons of every degree! On the part of the King, I issue an express command, that, as soon as the combatants shall have begun to fight, all present shall keep silence, and neither speak, cough, spit, nor make any sign of foot, hand,

Vivonne then marched around the lists, preceded by a band of music, and followed by a number of his friends. Jarnac made a similar procession, and then each of the combatants knelt down before the King's gallery on a velvet cushion ornamented with gold. A priest then asked them to think upon the solemnity of the quarrel before them, and that each should feel confident of the justice of his cause before engaging in