Of the mannor of Defiaunce & Wager of Battell. ca 2
Let vs nowe consyder in what sorte a gentleman ought to geve his pledge of combat to an other, agreeinge wth the difference wherevnto I saye that beinge by distannce of place removed from his ennemye, and desirous to geve him token wherby to pronounce him his ennemye wth deffyannce he muste be called to wage his battell, by somme signe sente him from the Challenger by the handes of somme officer of armes that is the Herehaulte,[1] or Trumpett, who shall presente him a Gauntlett or somme other parte of armour for pledge of battaill, wch shalbe called, The blouddie gloue of battell. And moste commonlye they vse to sende the Gauntlet as the cheife parte of armoure, wthout wch commodiouslie a man cannot handle his sworde, but ever remain fearefull in fighte for defaulte of armour to defende his hande, to his greate dysaduanntage and harme. So as he that dooth receave such token of Challenge shalbe assuredly bounde to fighte wth the challenger, and muste also chuse ye place, the weapon and the iudge, and in case he had refuzed to accept the saide gloue or gauntlet, the officer of armes that caried the same is bounde to leave it in the presence of him to whom it was offred, and in the same place where he maketh te challenge: But yf he accepteth it, alleadginge excuzes or other doubtfull delaies, then the challenger shalbe at libertie, whether he lyste further to prosequute his challenge or not, for that he fineth him selfe delaied at the defendors, who will not directlie accept his offer. And thoughe this maye by lawe of armes be donne, yet so to leave his demannde shalbe thoughte rather slannderous then iuste: But yf the Challenger meaneth to stande to his former determinacion, he maye still pursue his ennemye, till such time as by iuste cause or reason he hathe refuzed his offer and defiannce And
yf wthout iuste cause he be sufficientlie proved not to
- ↑ herald
