Anonymous: King René's Tournament Book (1480-1488)

(Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris, France)

An illuminated page made by an unknown French artist. This page comes from the "Le Livre des tournois or King René's Tournament Book. This book is attributed to René of Anjou (1409–1480), brother-in- law of King Charles VII of France, Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence, titular King of Jerusalem, Naples and Aragon. Besides a political figure, René was also a patron of the arts and wrote several books - including this one. René of Anjou organized several tournaments and this book describes "on the form and way in which I think a tourney ought to be undertaken at court or elsewhere in the marches of France". The tournament described in this book is different from the ones held at Razilly and Saumur: it has no allegorical or literary theme, no elaborate vows or challenges. Instead, René says that he is describing a tournament adapted from the ancient customs of France, Germany, and the Low Countries. He describes the heraldic ceremonial, the layout of the lists, the costumes of heralds and judges, the weapons and armor, the arrangements for lodgings for the tourneyers, and the prizes:

- the duke of Brittany gives a sword (a symbol of a challenge) to his king of arms, to be given to the duke of Bourbon.

- The duke of Bourbon accepts the challenge and four judges are appointed to select the time and place for the tournament

- heralds announce the tournament and invite other nobles to join.

- the tournament begins with a solemn entry of the judges, heralds, kings of arms and the attendees in the city which is organizing the tournament.

- that night a banquet is held for all the attendees

- on the second day, all the coat of arms of the attendees are displayed (in a local monastry of castle). These are inspected by the judges and ladies. Knights who display bad behavior are removed form the tournament. another banquet is held that night.

- on the third day an honorary knight is selected. His job is to halt the fighting if it becomes too brutal and may invoke the protection of a lady to a specific knight - after that this knight may no longer be attacked. All the attendees then swear that they will fight with honor. The day is closed with another banquet

- On the fourth day the actual tournament is held (shown here): a large melee. After the fight, the judges allocate their points and all the attendees parade through the city. That night the winner is announced who is given a price (usually a jewel) from the honorary knight and the ladies.

Page from 1480-1488.