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The ffowerthe Booke wherin is declared the Election of the weapon and Armes. Cap[itolo] Prim[ero]

In the ffirste chapter of this ffowrth booke is mencioned what weapons are allowed in combatt wch are accordinge to the agrement betwext the parties as lannces swordes daggers maces of Iron or such like It is lawfull for them to weare besides thease somme others of small importannce, as knives and daggers wherof sometimes they maye receave somme commoditie, though in the agrement no mencion be made of them at all. Lykewise in fight on foote a man maye weare a longe or shorte weapon at his plessr, as Tucke or shorte swordes, and such like instrumente of warre. Some are of a opinion to have all weapons measured, somme others make therof none accompte, but when combat is vppon lyfe and death a man maye vse whatsoever weapon him liste, albeit it be not specified wthin the agremente. And in case the defender hath not chosen the weapons, then shall it be free for either of them to make their owne choise. Federick [sic] the Emperor in his constitucion of the kingdome of Sicilia saith that the weapons wolde be eequall, wheruppon it semeth the custome is, that every man may choose his own weapon, so as the same doe not repugne to the agremente.

It is reported, that a contrie man of ours beinge lightlie armed, caused a number of rounde stones to be brought into the lyste wherwth he assailed his enemie, and in that sorte at laste did vanquish him as kinge David did Golias the Giannte who was slaine wth stones, we reade of one other gentleman, who brought certeine pricke of yron into the liste wch he bestowed in divers places of the grounde wherwth in thende he overcame his enemie. Therefore it is to be considered, that thennemye sholde be assayled by all pollecie & endevor for the savetie of lyffe, wch every creature naturallie desireth but when a man fighteth for love or to showe his virtue