Weird Tales/Volume 4/Issue 2/Singular Combat

Singular Combat

In the reign of Henry IV., twelve English Barons gave out that certain ladies, whom they named, were not entitled, by birth, beauty, or education, to the high rank they held at court; and that they would take up arms against any twelve champions in Europe who dare come forth in their defense. Intimation of this challenge was received in Portugal, and as none had hitherto undertaken to appear in defense of the injured ladies, Magrico, with eleven other Portuguese cavaliers, set out from Oporto to espouse their cause; having previously obtained permission from their sovereign, John I. The English monarch, on being apprised of their arrival, prepared a splendid banquet suitable to the occasion; to him was left to choose the arms to be used by the combatants, and to appoint the day and the situation, which was on the south banks of the Thames. The spectators being assembled in a vast amphitheatre, the champions rode into the arena at the sound of the trumpet, each armed with a sword and lance. Upon the appearance of the Portuguese, the circle resounded with applause, particularly on the part of the ladies, who were present. As soon as the king, who presided at the spectacle, had given the signal, the attack commenced, and was maintained for a considerable time with great skill and courage on both sides, insomuch, that victory for some time remained doubtful. The Portuguese, however, being very expert at the lance, and animated by the cheers of the ladies, wounded several of the adversaries, and unhorsed others; so that at length the king proclaimed the conquerors. The ladies now, with acclamations of joy, assembled round the victors; crowned them with chaplets of roses, interwoven with ribbands, which they carried off in triumph. And further to express their gratitude, at the departure of their gallant defenders, they presented them with swords, spears, and shields, ornamented with various devices, as trophies of their victory. Nor were the honors less which awaited them at their return to Portugal; they were received in triumph, and caressed by the ladies, whose cause they vowed to defend all over the world.