CHAP. IX.
POTON DE SAINTRAILLES AND LYONNEL DE WANDONNE PERFORM A COMBAT AT ARMS AT ARRAS, IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DUKE OF BURGUNDY.
IN these days, a combat at arms was performed at Arras, in the presence of the duke of Burgundy as judge of the lists, between Poton de Saintrailles and Lionnel de Wandonne. Poton had demanded of Lyonnel to break six lances with him, and Lyonnel, in return, had required, afterward, a combat with battle-axes so long as they should hold out.
When the preparations had been finished, and the day of combat was arrived, Poton entered the lists first as the appellant, handsomely accompanied by his friends, and having made his reverence to the duke, who was seated as judge, he retired to his pavilion. Soon after, Lyonnel, entered the lists, attended by sir John de Luxembourg, who, during the fight, supplied him with lances, and some other lords and friends. He, like Poton, went to make his bow to the duke, and then retired to the end of the lists, when the combat began. Many strokes were given with great vigour, and several lances broken and damaged on both sides. However, toward the end, the helmet of Lyonnel was somewhat fractured by the point of the lance of his adversary, and his head slightly wounded. When the duke saw this, he put an end for this day to any further combat on horseback.
On the morrow, the duke of Burgundy returned to the lists about ten o'clock in the morning, accompanied by the count de Richemont and the lords of his council, to be ready for the champions who were to fight on foot. Shortly after came Lyonnel, attended, as before by sir John de Luxembourg, and, having made his obeisance to the duke, withdrew to his pavilion to wait for his opponent. Poton was not long in making his appearance, and, saluting the duke retired to his pavilion also.
Upon this, the usual proclamation was made by an herald, for all persons to clear the lists, and to give no hindrance to the champions on pain of death. Lyonnel de Wandonne then, as appellant, issued from his tent, his battle-axe on his wrist, and marched with long strides toward his adversary, who, seeing him approach, advanced to meet him. Lyonnel made a gallant attack, and gave Poton many back-hand strokes with his battle-axe, without drawing breath. Poton coolly received and parried them as well as he could; but, watching his opportunity, closed with Lyonnel, and struck him such repeated blows with the point of his axe under the vizor of his helmet that he broke it, and the face of his opponent was clearly seen. On finding his danger, Lyonnel grappled and seized the end of the axe under his arm, and Poton, taking hold of the broken part of the helmet, scratched his face with his gauntlet. While the struggle lasted, Lyonnel nearly replaced his vizor but the duke put an end to the contest, by causing them both to be conducted to him by those who had charge of the lists, and ordered them henceforth to be good friends, for that they had well performed their combat. On this, they returned to their lodgings, where Poton kept up a great expense with his companions.
The next day a tilting took place with lances between Rifflard de Champremy, attached to king Charles, and the bastard de Rosebecque. They broke many lances, but, in the end, Rifflard was pierced through his armour and side but not mortally hurt. The duke then put an end to the business; and each party retired to his lodgings with his friends. Within a few days after this last combat, Poton, with his companions went back to the county of Guise.