British Library, Add. MS. 12514, fos. 135-6
Text of the
challenge
challenge on a bifolium, bound in
a folio-sized composite volume of miscellaneous seventeenth-century papers of
heraldic interest. The text is written in a single hand, which is not
Jonson
's. The
bifolium was folded four times horizontally for despatch, addressed to Garter King
of Arms (Sir William Segar); fo. 136v has the address, 'Mr Garter', written at
right-angles to the rest of the text at the top of the second quadrant of the
vertical folding; it is otherwise blank except for scribbles, some in a different
hand and ink from the rest of the text. Each of the articles of engagement, except
the first, has a vertical mark beside it, as if they were being checked off one by
one. First identified by Martin Wiggins: for discussion, see The Times
Literary Supplement, 22 March
2013.
[135r]
Melyadus Lord of the Isles, to the valorous Knights, of ye Courte of greate Bryttayne,
wisheth the contynuance of noble thoughtes, & happie accomplishment of highe enterprises.
Were I posessed with an overweaninge humor, that euer late repentes the rashnes of a braveinge tongue,
I might presume to make your valours the Trophoe of my vyctorye. But I haue learnt,
in the schoole of Chyvalrye, to temper wordes accordinge to the readinesse, and vigour
of the hande, and to make lesse shewe of courage in exercises of disporte, then in
the feilde where death and honor contend for superyoritye. The fervent desyre that
provokes me, to preferre the howre wherein my reputacion advaunced, before the daye of my birth, makes me to sende (vnto you the knightes
of greate Bryttaine) such greetinge, as requires noe other answere then the push of
the pyke and stroake of the sworde. Armes are the subiecte of your Ambycion: Armes, equall listes and a tyme certaine to vent your gallant spiryttes, are hereby denounced vnto euery one of you vpon the groundes and assertyons ensueinge.
| Firste | That noe garment beseemeth a knight soe well, as that which is soyled with the rust of Armour. |
| Secondly | That a knight ought to be as readye, to maintayne a Ladyes honour, as his owne worde. |
| Thirdlye | That it is more glorious to be overcome in the defence of an honorable cause, then to remayne victorious in an ill quarrell. |
All which the foresayd Artycles, shalbe averred by me Melyadus Lord of the Isles, and sixe
othere my noble asocyates, in presence of the kinge of greate Brytaine, on the sixth daye of the newe yeare, as beseemeth
good knightes that will not subscribe to that, which they are not vowed to make good by the hazard of Armes.
This vpon good advise haue I sayde
and as resolutely will I maintayne
Melyadus Lord of the Isles
And to the ende that your francke acceptance of this my challenge, seeme not vnworthelye
bestowed, on a person that is neither sensyble of that which aperteyneth to your honnors, or knowes rightlye howe to value his owne reputacion. I Melyadus Lord of the Isles, haue thought yt meete, to propose three prises
[135v]
for the three best deservers in handlinge the pike and sworde, hopeinge that all curteous
knightes will assuredly beleeue, that I and my asistantes shall esteeme those worthiest
of respect that with brauest resolucion will incounter vs vpon these condycions.
Noe pyke nor sworde shalbe allowed which hath not first bin viewed by the Constable or Marshall.
Euery defendant shall at the least twoe dayes before the hower assigned for the Barryers,
whither he determyne to enter alone into the Lystes, or with consortes, deliuer the name of himself seuerally; or ioyntlye with his consortes (if he haue any,) to the Constable or Marshall.
The Challenger with his aydes, demaundes to be answered twoe pushes with the pyke and ten stroakes with the sworde; namelye Armes one push wth the pyke, and then ten stroakes of the sworde
successiuelye \the Armes/ one after the other.
He that breaketh his pyke aboue the beaver shalbe accompted to haue broken three pykes.
He that breaketh on the Coller or beaver, or any where aboue the higher part of the Poulron shalbe accompted twoe pikes broken
He that breaketh his pyke vpon any other parte of the bodye, shalbe allowed one pyke broken.
Whoe soe pusheth with the pyke vnder the barre, or vnder the girdle shall receaue noe prise.
Noe pyke shalbe held for broken, whereof the attaintes are not to be seene on the
morne.
He that with the sworde fighteth most gallantlye and in good order, shall by the Iudges be thought
worthie of a pryse.
Whoe soe shall offer gripes, reverses, or other fowle play, shall loose the honor
\gained/ at the push of the pyke, and receaue noe pryse.
He that looseth his sworde in fightinge, or stayeth himself wth his sworde, body,
hand, or knee, on the barre, shall haue noe prise, though he hath before borne himself
brauelye with the pyke.
If there be an equalitye in breakinge pykes and swordes, he that carryes himself with most comely grace& valour shalbe preferred.
Noe man shall vse any close gauntlett, or fasten his sword to his hand.
[136r]
If any controversye arise, concerninge these artycles, they are to be referred to
the decydinge of the Iudges; wherein if any scruple remayne vndecyded by them. the
Constable and Marshall shall take notyce thereof, And if they shall fortune to differ
in opynion the fynall deter= mynacion is referred to the kings Majestie.
If any of these Artycles be not cleerely vnderstood by the defendantes, the Constable,
or Marshall, are to resolue them of their doubtes.
Lastly the honor of distributinge the seuerall prises, by the assent of the Iudges
shalbe referred to the worthiest Ladye.
Meliadus Lor d of the Isles.