number of proper and comely gentlemen to attend at the wedding, yet was none so recommended for their behaviour as Fortunatus. After the nobles had finished their triumphs and jovial games, the duke of Cleves, the bride and bridegroom agreed to let their servants try their manhoop at several pastimes, for two rich jewels, estimated at a hundred crowns, and he that obtained the prize should have them, which made all the servants glad, every one, striving to do his best, so that the duke of Burgundy’s servant won one, and Fortunatus, the other; which displeased the other servants: upon this they desired the Duke’s servant to challenge Fortunatus to fight him before all the ladies, whom should have both, which challenge was soon accepted of by Fortunatus; and coming to the tilt yard, they encountered each other very briskly, till at last Fortunatus hoisted the duke’s servant off his horse, at his spear’s length, whereupon he won the victory and obtained the jewels, which encreased the envy of the other servants, but rejoiced the Earl. Among the Earl’s servants, there was a crafty
