somewhat of the fashion of the court, wearing their shoes long and pointed,
and their garments parti-coloured. The line of division was down the centre
of the body; one leg, arm, and half the body would be blue, the other half
russet or brown. The ladies' dresses were similarly divided. Mingling with
the citizens, as they strolled to and fro upon the sward, were the
courtiers. These wore the brightest colours, and their shoes were so long
that the points were looped up to the knees with little gold chains to
enable them to walk. The ladies wore headdresses of prodigious height,
culminating in two points; and from these fell, sweeping to the ground,
streamers of silk or lighter material. Cloths of gold and silver, rich
furs, silks, and velvets, were worn both by men and women.

None who saw the nobles of the court walking in garments so tight that they
could scarce move, with their long parti-coloured hose, their silk hoods
buttoned under the chin, their hair braided down their back, would have
thought that these were the most warlike and courageous of knights, men
whose personal prowess and gallantry were the admiration of Europe. Their
hair was generally cut close upon the forehead, and the beard was suffered
to grow, but was kept trimmed a moderate length. Many of the ladies had the
coat-of-arms of their family embroidered upon their dresses, giving them
the appearance of heralds' tabards. Almost all wore gold or silver
girdles, with embroidered pouches, and small daggers.

Thus the appearance of the crowd who moved about among the fields near the
lists was varied and brilliant indeed. Their demeanour was quiet, for the
London merchants deemed a grave demeanour to belong to their calling, and
the younger men and apprentices restrained their spirits in the presence of
their superiors. For their special amusement, and in order, perhaps, to
keep them from jostling too freely against the court gallants and ladies,
the city authorities had appointed popular sports such as pleased the