killed he was absolutely at the mercy of his enemy. It was always made a
ground of complaint against the Spaniards that they attacked the horses of
the foe. In a tournament it was the rule only to strike at the face or the
chest, both well protected by the visor and the breastplate, and to cease
at once if the adversary raised the visor of his helmet. Also no knight was
to fight out of his rank when making a rush together. This was very
important when the champions were divided into two companies under the
order of two chiefs, and were placed exactly opposite each other, at the
two ends of the arena. On a signal made by the marshals of the tournament,
they charged impetuously upon each other, with their horses at full gallop.
They held the lances straight out until the signal came, then lowering the
lances, they rushed forward amid a cloud of dust with loud war-cries and
the fight became a furious scuffle. The knights who had stood the first
shock without being unhorsed or wounded, pressed forward and fought with
the sword, until one of the marshals threw his wand of office into the
arena to show that the contest was over.

In these tournaments the horses were frequently armed as well as their
riders, and they were often gaily caparisoned with emblazoned housings,
sometimes of very costly material, such as satin embroidered with gold or
silver.

At the time when young Bayard joined his company at Aire, there were
stationed in Picardy at no great distance about seven or eight hundred
men-at-arms in these regulation companies (compagnies d'ordonnance) as they
were called. When they were not actually employed on duty, they were very
glad to take their pleasure in all sorts of warlike games. As we may
suppose, they were delighted to take part in the proposed tournament.
Amongst these companies there were some of the famous Scotch Guards, who
had first been taken into the service of France by Charles VII.