Segar's Questions on Combat
Segar's 1st Question
Q:
If two men at Armes doo couenant to fight on horseback, and runne tenne
couses with sharpe Launces, and that hee who worst performeth those
courses should be iudged victored & prisoner to the other: It happeneth
that at the second course the one of them falleth from his horse, and
sodeinly recouering to horsback offereth to performe the rest of the
courses. The question is, whether it be lawfull for him so to doo, or by
the fall be reputed a prisoner?
Answer to Question 1
Segar's 2nd Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen being come into the field to fight for life, the one in
fighting happeneth to fall, the other presentlie sitteth upon him and
saith, yeeld thy selfe, he that lieth under, saith like words, and
therewith woundeth his enemie lying upon him, who feeling the griefe
mortall, striketh the other in the throate, he that was first falne
ariseth and walketh, shortlie after they both die; the question is; which
of them ought be iudged victorious?
Answer to Question 2
Segar's 3rd Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen being on horsebacke, the one challengeth the other, the
fight being begun, the Challenger alighteth & killeth his enemie, the
Question is; whether he may so lawfully doo?
Answer to Question 3
Segar's 4th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen capitulate to fight on horsebacke, & that he who first falleth
shall be vanquished. At the first encounter they fall both at one instants
question is, which of them ought be victorious.
Answer to Question 4
Segar's 5th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen determined to fight on horsebacke for life, the one ouerthroweth
the other : being downe, the enemie commeth vpon him : he that is vnder saith,
I yeeld, and at that same instant with his dagger striketh and killeth him that
is aboue: the question is, which of them ought be pronounced victorious.
Answer to Question 5
Segar's 6th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen being agreed to break certeine Launces for Prize and Honor, the
horse of the one happeneth to stumble upon a broken Launce & falleth ; whether
shall he in respect of that fall be iudged to lose the honor?
Answer to Question 6
Segar's 7th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen determined to fight for life upon an accusation of treason,
whether it is lawfull for the Iudge to depart them, before the Combat may be
performed & fullie ended?
Answer to Question 7
Segar's 8th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen being come to Combat did couenant, that which soeuer of them did
giue vnto his enemie most wounds, that be victorious : the one hath his eye put
out with a shiuer of a Launce, & the other hat his bodie and armour pearced
through: the question is, who ought haue the victorie?
Answer to Question 8
Segar's 9th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen being in fight, the one putteth out the eye of his enemie, and
he in requitall of that hurt, cutteth off his nose; the question is, who is by
those hurts most dishonored?
Answer to Question 9
Segar's 10th Question
Q:
Two Gentleman in fighting on horsebacke with Launces, the one hath his hand
maimed, the other his knee and whole legge made lame, which of them ought
receiue most honor?
Answer to Question 10
Segar's 11th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen come to fight for life, the Challenger being left handed is maimed
on that ha~d, the other being right handed loseth it ; which of them ought
receiue most dishonor ?
Answer to Question 11
Segar's 12th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen in performing a Combat on foote, are hurt in places equall ;
the question is, whether of them is victorious?
Answer to Question 12
Segar's 13th Question:
Q:
Foure Gentlemen determined to fight on horsebacke for trial of trueth and life,
did enter into the Lists: the one partie doo both charge one of the aduersaries
reputed a man of small force, yet valiently defending himselfe, did hurt one
of the assailers. And his companion seeing the matter so handled, sodeinlie
dismounteth, and with his Launce woundeth the other of his enemies in the backe,
and forceth the one of them to denie his words : he that denied fleeth out of
the Listes, perswading his fellow being first hurt to abide there, saying it
was more honorable to dye within, than without the Listes. He who forced
the enemie to flie, pursued him, but not able to take him, compted victorious,
because on either partie one was hurte, and the other two went out of the
Listes without license of the Iudge. Whereto may be sayd.
Answer to Question 13
Segar's 14th Question
Q:
Seauen Gentleman doo compound with seauen other, to runne certeine courses at
the Tilt for honor and loue of Ladies ; in which match, it happened that fiue
of the one partie did commendable qcquite themselues, but the other two of that
side were ouerthrowned. On the otherside, two onlie performed their courses
well, and the rest of that companie exceeding euill, losing many Launces, and
running very foule : whereof a question grewe, whether unto fiue well doers and
two euill, the honor ought be allotted.
Answer to Question 14
Segar's 15th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen being in Combat for life, the Challenger taketh the sword of
the Defender from him, notwithstanding the Defender most valiantlie defendeth
himselfe with his arme and hands all the whole day, during which time he could
not be forced either to denie, yeeld or bee slaine. A question thereupon
arose, whether of them was victorious?
Answer to Question 15
Segar's 16th Question
Q:
Two Gentlemen fighting for life within the Listes, the one yeeldeth himself
a prisoner. Whether may the Prince of the place (who in Combat is elected a
Iudge) saue the life of him that is vanquished? Hereunto may be answered.
Answer to Question 16
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Last modified on 29 May 1998 (updated for change to iceweasel.org)