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Question #2: What qualities should be borne by the ideal knight?
The knightly qualities (and I invite all scurrilous disagreement) are as follows: Prowess, which includes skill on the field, hardiness, courage, good-heartedness, and leadership; Largess, which includes generosity of both body and soul, from coins thrown to crowds to forgiveness of one's enemies; Courtesy, which includes proper behavior to both high and low, with consideration to rank--both natural and endowed; along with a fair portion of humility; Loyalty, to one's fealty, to one's consort, to one's sense of honor and integrity, and most of all to one's self; And franchise, to be at all times a knight, and, when one inevitably fails, to have the strength to stand up and continue on. Consistency, if you will. --Sten Jensen
He should be able to carry heavy boxes and have a mini-van to haul his knight's equippage* around in. --Anonymous
* "equippage" is the editors substitution for the somewhat coarser term in the original response.
Introduction to the Chronicles (page 24) Enguerrand de Monstrelet
Engeurrand de Monstrelet took up the pen to continue to chronicle the history of France, beginning on Easter in the year 1400, after the last year of Froissart's work.
"I, Engeurrand de Monstrelet, descended from a noble family, and residing, at the time of the composing of this present book, in the noble city of Cambray, a town belonging to the empire of Germany, employed myself in writing a history of prose, although the matter required a genius superior to mine, from the great weight of many events relative to the royal majesty of princes, and deeds of arms that will enter into its composition. It requires also a great subtly of knowledge to describe the causes of many of the events, seeing that several of them have been very diversely related....I took pains, according to the extent of my understanding until of mature age, to make very diligent inquiry as to the truth of different events, and questioned such persons as from their rank and birth would disdain to relate a falsehood, and others known for their love or truth in different and opposing parties, on every point in these chronicles from the first book to the last..."
The Interest in a Chivalric Renaissance (page 28) Brian R. Price
Reprinted from Thinkwell # 14, this work identifies a movement by groups within the SCA toward a more authentic re-enactments by including more of the historical concept of chivalry.
"The appearance of this 'movement' begs some important questions for those concerned with SCA philosophy and practice:
"...I cannot speak for others engaged in this effort at a 'chivalric renaissance,' but I believe that these efforts are aimed at constructively channeling both the feeling of dissatisfaction and the romantic spirit of chivalry together into something that can serve as a reminder to ourselves and others why indeed we engage in the SCA."
The Pas d'Armes (page 32) Douglas W. Strong
What is a Pas d'Armes
"...In its simplest form the pas d'armes would have been held by a group of knights, setting up a pavilion, and challenging all comers to a fight. Three shields would be hung up, each signifying the types of combat being offered. Typical weapons used at a pas d'armes included axes, swords, maces and, of course, lances. Knights would usually let it be known that they would hold a piece of ground for a particular period of time."
The Tournament at St. Inglevert (page 34) Sir John Froissart
Excerpted from Sir John Froissart's Chronicles, c. 1390, and translated by Thomas Johnes, Esq., 1857.
"Editor [Brian R. Price]: The following is a very famous passage describing a 14th century tournament, commemorating the 'triumphant' entry of Queen Isabella into London. I have included it in this Chronique because it brings together some of the examples of the 'emprise' and the 'pas d'armes' we have been trying to illumunate in this issue. The language is colorful and evocative: enjoy!"
"...A young and gallant knight of England next came forth, called teh earl-marshal, who sent, according to regulations, to touch the war-target of sir Reginald de Roye. This being done, sir Reginald came from his pavilion completely armed, and mounted his horse that was ready for him; having had his shield and helmet buckled on, he seized his lance and took his distance. The two knights spurred their horses, but, at the first course, failed in their strokes, from their horses swerving out of the line, to their great vexation. Sir Reginald was hit with such force that the fire sparkled from their helmets, and the earl was unhelmed. He continued his career to his own place, but jousted no more that day, as he had done sufficiently."
St. Crispen's Day Pas d'Armes (page 40) The Company of St. George
"On November 7, 1992, the Company of Saint George sponsored a tournament in the style and tradition of the 14th-15th century Pas d'Armes. To my [Brian R. Price] surprise and delight, the event seemed to be a complete success, de-emphasizing the hollow form of victory in favor of the joie de combat and the companionship of the day. In this brief review I hope to chronicle the day's events and to give practical advice so that others interested in holding similar events might gain something from out experience."
Read the Invocation for this event, or the Conditions of Combat on the Company of Saint George pages.
Prizes in Medieval Tournaments (page 52) Douglas W. Strong
"In the late 14th and early 15th century pas d'armes an individual or team declared that they would defend a spot against all comers for a specified period of time. If the challengers were defeated they would give their opponents a token of the victory. If however, the challengers were victorious then one of two courses of action was commonly taken. The first of these was that the losers shoudl also surrender a token of their defeat...."
A Challenge to a Knightly Emprise from an Arragonese Squire (page 54) Engeurrand de Monstrelet
Excerpted from the Chronicles of Engeurrand de Monstrelet, translated by Thomas Jones, Esq., 1867.
"Chapter II--AN ESQUIRE OF ARRAGON, NAMED MICHEL D'ORRIS, SENDS CHALLENGES TO ENGLAND--THE ANSWER HE RECEIVES FROM A KNIGHT OF THAT COUNTRY"
"...First, to enter the lists on foot, each armed in the manner he shall please, having a dagger and sword attached to any part of his body, and a battle-axe, with the handle of such a length as I shall fix on. The combat to be as follows: ten strokes with the battle-axe, without intermission; and when these strokes shall have been given, and the judge shall cry out, 'Ho!' ten cuts with the sword to be given without intermission or change of armour. When the judge shall cry out 'Ho!' we will resort to our daggers, and give ten stabs with them. Should either party lose or drop his weapon, the other may continue to use the one in his hand until the judge should cry out 'Ho!' When the combat on foot shal be finished, we will mount our horses..."
Some Historical Background on the Pas d'Armes (page 57) Brian R. Price
"As I have expounded elsewhere, I believe the Pas d'Armes to be a nearly ideal form of tournament to encourage the chivalric values that I, the American Company of Saint George, and most tourneyers in the SCA, hold dear. The aim of this article is to provide some historical background for the Pas, and to provide some notes and resources for those who are considering the sponsorship of a Pas."
A 15th Century Burgundian Pas d'Armes (page 65) Engeurrand de Monstrelet
Excerpted from the Chronicles of Engeurrand de Monstrelet, translated by Thomas Jones, Esq., 1867.
"During the Duke of Burgundy's residence in that duchy, several gentlemen of his household, with his permission, and for his amusement, had it proclaimed throughout Burgundy, and in other countries, that if there were any men of name desirous of gaining honour and renown by deeds of arms, there were gentlemen, whose names shall be presently declared, who offered to receive and furnish them with arms suitable for the enterprise. The challenges shall likewise be mentioned that were dispersed through divers countries for this purpose, and by Sir Pierre de Bauffremont Lord of Chargny, who was the chief of the enterprise."
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