On the Noble Game in the Italian Fashion, Called the Battle of the Bridge
Article I. On the essence of the game.
The noble game in the Italian fashion, called the Battle of the Bridge, is a contest betwixt companies of valiant knights, pages, squires, or common folk, banded together in parties of three to twelve. Each company faces an equal company of foes. For it is called a game, that both players and onlookers may find delight, and that men may test their mettle in diverse ways.
Article II. On the place of the game.
This game is to be held upon a bridge; but if no bridge be found, then upon a fenced ground or a wooden platform. Let such ground or platform be no less than thirty paces in length, and in breadth no fewer than ten, nor more than twenty paces.
Article III. On the measure of victory.
Let the companies meet in three bouts of five minutes each. Each bout shall last until the time is spent, or until one party is wholly overthrown. At the end of each bout, the just judges shall reckon how many still stand upon each side. For every such man, a single point is granted. And the company that holds the greater tally after three bouts shall be declared the victor.
Article IV. On the vanquished.
Who is deemed vanquished and unable to continue is set forth in detail in the Magna Carta Buhurt Code. Both eager fighters and righteous judges must follow the same even in this game.
Article V. On the arming of the players.
Let the players come to the field arrayed as for a buhurt. Yet instead of steel, they shall bear staves of hard wood, without crack or splinter.
Article VI. On the manner of fighting.
6.1. All lawful blows, throws, holds, and other feats allowed in the Buhurt Code of Magna Carta are here permitted.
6.2. Moreover, all manner of holds upon one’s own staff or that of an adversary, and upon the foe’s hands or body with staff or bare hands, are likewise permitted — even when both hands grasp the staff.
Article VII. On shameful deeds forbidden.
All that is forbidden by the Buhurt Code of Magna Carta is forbidden here also — save only the seizing of an adversary’s staff with both hands, which in the Battle of the Bridge is allowed.
Article VIII. On broken or lost staves.
Should a staff break or be lost, the fighter must return to his own side and take a spare. Let no staff fallen to the ground be lifted again. Without a staff in hand, no man may continue the fight, as the Magna Carta Code declares.
Article IX. On the punishment of shameful deeds.
For every shameful deed, punishment shall fall upon the wrongdoer at the judgment of the fair judges, according to the Buhurt Code of Magna Carta. If the misdeed cause no grievous harm, let the fighter be removed from that bout; if he repeat it twice, let him be barred from the tourney’s end. But if by his deed he harm his foe so that he can no longer fight, then shall he be cast out until the end of the tourney, and his company shall continue in lesser number.
Article X. On the duty of the judges.
Let the judges take the Magna Carta Code for their rule. Let them open and close the bouts, and act in all things as therein prescribed.
Article XI. Final. On the wishes of fighters and lords.
If noble lords or valiant fighters, hosts of tourneys and keepers of lists, desire to alter or amend these ordinances, to add to the goodly or the shameful deeds, or to devise new ways to vary the game, let them be guided by their wisdom. And if all be forewarned and give consent, then let it be so.
