We ran across an old copy of this piece in the Chronique archives; it was printed at the turn of the century, when the study of chivalric topics was far more popular than it is today. Included in the paper are descriptions of the various tracts pertaining to this 15th century manuscripts. It contains several valuable illuminations of jousting and a very fine portrait of a man being armed. We have webbed the entire article, hot-linking the manuscript excerpts into the article proper. The illuminations appear on the site also-we have had quite a bit of fun with some of these, creating image-maps so that you can click on the knight's equipment and automatically look up the listing in the new Knighthood, Chivalry and Tournaments glossary.

The collection of documents consists of:

• The main text of the Archeologia article: The paper delivered at the turn of the century, it describes the manuscript, the history of Sir John Astley, the original 15th century owner, and attempts descriptions of many of the specialized terms contained within. Much of this material is now considered to be outdated, but it is interesting.
• How a Man Shall be Armed (Imagemap): A fine illumination that often appears in books on arms & armour or knighthood, we have taken this illustration a step further and added the imagemap.
• How a Man Schall be armyd at his ese (Modern and Middle English versions): 15th century text describing what a mans shall wear and what he should bring to the field when a foot combat is expected. It is unproven whether this text describes a foot combat à plaisance or whether it represents equipment for a judicial duel.
• The Middle English Coronation Ceremony (And a Modern English Version): The fascinating Middle English translation of the Liber Regalis, the English coronation ceremony probably used for Richard II, and which has very slowly evolved into the present British ceremony. We have provided both the original Middle English text and another document that translates this into modern English, so that it might be more readily consulted by casual students. There are many fascinating elements-we highly recommend a look!
• A Joust in Paris, 1438, between two squires (declaration and rules for a joust): A very fine set of rules for a combat proposed by John Astley, the owner of the Hastings Manuscript, when he was a squire.
• Related Illumination: We have included an image of this joust, detailed in the Archeologia text.
• Challenge between John Astley and Sir Philip Boyle of Castile (declaration and rules for a joust): Another interesting set of rules, this one documenting the emprise at which John Astley was knighted by Henry VI after his martial display with a Castilian knight, Sir Philip Boyle.
• Related Illumination: This is a very good quality illumination showing a foot combat à plaisance, a rare occurrence during the 15th century. Most such illustrations are of judicial duels rather than friendly encounters.
• To Cry a Joust of Peace & Arms, Armour and Accoutrement for the Joust of Peace: A less polished text, this one also describes how a joust should be set up when fought in the presence of ladies. It also has an accompanying list of what a man should bring and wear to a joust of peace; compare this one to the list provided in the How A Man Shall be Armed text.
• Hymn to King Henry VI: The king who patronized and then knighted Sir Astley, in commemoration. Only the Middle English version has been provided. (Coming soon!)
  14th century letter describing how judicial duels are to be conducted. In Middle English only. (In Progress)
• How a Knight of the Bath Shall be Made: Middle and Modern English versions.
• The Oath of the Heralds (Middle English version only)