The last day of the tournament, June 30, was Friday, and was intended to be the most brilliant and splendid of the three, and to bring the festivities to a fitting close.
The four challengers were—
The king, who wore a white and black favor,—the colors of Madame de Poitiers;
The Duc de Guise, who wore white and pink;
Alphonse d'Este, Duc de Ferrare, who wore yellow and red; and
Jacques de Savoie, Duc de Nemours, whose colors were black and yellow.
Says Brantôme:—
"These four princes were the most skilful knights who could be found at that time, not in France alone, but in all countries. Thus on that day they performed prodigies of valor; and it was impossible to know to whom the palm should be awarded, although the king was one of the best and most expert horsemen in his realm."
Fortune seemed to divide her favors with impartial hand among these four dexterous and renowned challengers; and as course succeeded course, and the day drew to its close, it was hard to say to which of them the honor of the tournament belonged.
Henri was throughout in an almost feverish state of excitement. He was in his element in all such sports and passages-at-arms; and he was quite as eager to be victorious on such occasions as on a real battle-field.