The barriers, so often alluded to, are described, by the same admirable historian, to be grated pallisades, the grates being about half a foot wide.  In a skirmish before Honycourt, Sir Henry of Flanders ventured to thrust his sword so far through one of those spaces, that a sturdy abbot, who was within, seized his sword-arm, and drew it through the harriers, up to the shoulder.  In this aukward situation he remained for some time, being unwilling to dishonour himself by quitting his weapon.  He was at length rescued, but lost his sword; which Froissart afterwards saw preserved, as a relique, in the monastery of Honycourt.—­Vol.  I. chap. 39.  For instances of single combats, at the barriers, see the same author, passim.

  And if the twa suld slay ye baith,
  Ye’se get na help frae me.—­P. 34. v. 5.

According to the laws of chivalry, laws, which were also for a long time observed in duels, when two or more persons were engaged on each side, he, who first conquered his immediate antagonist, was at liberty, if he pleased, to come to the assistance of his companions.  The play of the “Little French Lawyer” turns entirely upon this circumstance; and it may be remarked throughout the poems of Boiardo and Ariosto; particularly in the combat of three Christian and three Pagan champions, in the 42d canto of Orlando Furioso.  But doubtless a gallant knight was often unwilling, like young Maitland, to avail himself of this advantage.  Something of this kind seems to have happened in the celebrated combat, fought in the presence of James II. at Stirling, in 1449, between three French, or Flemish, warriors, and three noble Scottishmen, two of whom were of the house of Douglas.  The reader will find a literal translation of Olivier de la Marche’s account of this celebrated tourney, in Pinkerton’s History, Vol.  I. p. 428.

  I am nae king, nor nae sic thing: 
  My word it shanna stand!—­P. 35. v. 2.

Maitland’s apology for retracting his promise to stand neuter, is as curious as his doing so is natural.  The unfortunate John of France was wont to say, that, if truth and faith were banished from all the rest of the universe, they should still reside in the breast and the mouth of kings.

  They maul’d him cruellie.—­P. 35. v. 5.

This has a vulgar sound, but is actually a phrase of romance. Tant frappent et maillent lex deux vassaux l’un sur l’autre, que leurs heaumes, et leurs hauberts, sont tous cassez et rompus.—­La fleur des Battailes.

  But, wi’ the poll-axe in his hand,
  Upon the brigg sprang he.—­P. 36. v. 4.