THE FUSSTURNIER.
This is the foot-tournament which originated in the sixteenth century, and is very different from the courses on horseback. Full particulars can be seen in the Akten des Dresdener Oberhof-marshallamtes, anno. 1614. An extract (in translation) from this work by Dr. Cornelius Gurlitt runs as follows, viz.:—
“The one who shivers the greatest number of lances in the most adroit manner shall have the lance prize; and he who in five courses strikes the bravest and strongest with the sword shall have the sword prize.”
This extract furnishes a sufficient outline of the game. Like the “tourney,” it was troop against troop. Each combatant had to exchange three charges with the lance across a sort of barrier; and five strokes with the sword, all directed towards the head, not only with one but with every opponent on the opposing side; and prizes were awarded as set forth in the extract. No prize was awarded unless the lance splintered, nor was any given in cases where a combatant had stepped or been driven backwards in any way. Striking below the belt was forbidden, for no leg armour was worn. The locking gauntlet was expressly forbidden.
Fig. 9.—Armour for the Freiturnier at Dresden.
It is very interesting to find that a suit used in a “fussturnier” by Kurfürst Johann Georg I. of Saxony is now in the Dresden collection. It is by Anton Peffenhauser of Augsburg. The harness used was the ordinary fighting kind. The lance was held in both hands.