Of two knightes agreed to fighte for Lyfe wth maces of yron. One of them bringeth a hollowe mace full of pestiferous powder wherby he became Victorious.
Ca. 10.
Two gent beinge at deffiaunce and agreed to fight for lyffe & deathe wth maces of yron, doe enter into the lists, the one of them havinge wthin the handle of his mace certeine pestiferous poulder, and strikinge his ennemie vppon his viserue did so sodenlie amaze him as he lost his sighte & was forced for sounde, by wch subtletie he gained the feilde. Neverthelesse it was called in question whether this manner of fight were lawfull or not, and whether victorie might in this sorte be gained. The auntient lawe of Lombardie saith that no man oughte to come to the feilde & bringe wth him any poyson pestiferous herbe or other poulder havinge force to offende thennemie wthout his owne virtue, and thoughe no prouise or othe were to the contrarie, yet sholde he not in anye wise doe it, also the saide lawe willeth, that no privie weapon shalbe vsed, wch wthout the violence of man might offende, because a man ought to be victorious thorough magnanimitie and force, and not theffect of vile venom or pestilent poysons, victorie sholde be soughte wth weapon meete for a gent & not wth poyson or such like pestiferous deuises not mencioned in the arte of Chevalrie. Whosoever at daye of battle weareth abowte him any venemous thinge (as the lawe affirmeth) committeth a kinde of treason. Tullio saith that in contendinge with an ennemie, a man ought to vse the nobilitie of minde, & force of bodie & not by malicious meanes to prevaile Isodoro writeth that victorie gotten thorough crafte is vile dishonorable & ought not to be commended Hieronimo saith that a Certeine skolemaster to the Children of Falentia ennemies to the Romaines Empire, thorough fravde & cullour of his aucthoritie brought the [?] infants to the pnce of the Romaine Capteine, & in hope of great rewarde for his treason did offer to deliuer them to his hande. To whome the noble & virtuous Capteine gave this golden answere worthie to be registered in
