Rule #3: Fight for your honor

The queen valued horsemanship, swordsmanship, and military skill in her male courtiers. Some of these men served as officers in English and foreign wars. Others staged mock battles, keeping their skills sharp at home while entertaining the queen. These fights were about much more than broken lances. Jousting, tourneys, displays of swordsmanship, and foot combat were opportunities to publicly “woo” the queen with one’s bravery, skill, fancy armor, and chivalry.

Jousting for love

To impress the queen and celebrate his recent elevation to the Earldom of Arundel, Philip Howard staged an elaborate jousting tournament. He boasted that he would fight anyone who claimed to love Queen Elizabeth more than he did. Howard gave himself a fake name (“Callophisus”) and challenged others to fight him. Sir Philip Sidney (“the Blue Knight”) and the Earl of Oxford (“the Knight of the Tree of the Sun”) were two of his challengers.

In the accompanying viewer, you can zoom in to read the knight’s challenge.

Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, Callophisus . . . wilbe at the tilts ende . . . to defend and mainetayne against all men (London: John Charlewood, 1581) | Folger STC 4368.5
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To fight or not to fight

This book addresses the question: When is combat necessary to preserve one’s honor and reputation, and when is it more honorable to walk away? It describes situations in which real-life fights are appropriate, as well as “combats for triumph, honor, and love of ladies”—mock combats on horse and foot that existed to entertain the queen and show off one’s battle readiness.

How long is your sword?

George Silver begins his dedication to the Earl of Essex with this declaration: “Fencing in this new fangled age, is like our fashions, every day a change.” The author tries to set the record straight on optimal sword length in relation to dagger length, claiming that it should always be determined by the height and stature of the swordsman.

Learn your formations

Henry Barrett’s manuscript features color-coded diagrams of battle formations for captains to use while training and drilling their men. He describes the captain’s role as a noble duty and heavy responsibility, requiring real-world practice. Manuals like his reflected a shift in elite military culture. Instead of glorifying chivalric duels, this book celebrates fighting as part of a highly organized unit.