“Yet being by the noblemen pressed again and again to try my fortune with another, I sayd, That if their Graces and Greatnesses would give me leave to play at mine owne Countrey weapon, called the Quarter-staffe, I was then ready there, an opposite against any comer, whom they would call foorth; and would willingly lay doune my life before those princes, to doe them service, provided my life might by no foule means be taken from me.
“Hereupon, the head of a halbert which went with a screw was taken off, and the steall [staff] delivered to me; the other but-end of the staffe having a short iron pike in it. This was my armor, and in my place I stood, expecting an opponent.
“At last, a handsome and well-spirited Spaniard steps foorth with his rapier and poignard. They asked me what I sayd to him. I told them I had a sure friend in my hand that never failed me, and made little account of that one to play with. Then a second, armed as before, presents himselfe. I demanded if there would come no more. The Duke asked, how many I desired. I told them any number under six. Which resolution of mine they smiling at it in a kind of scorne, held it not manly nor fit for their own honors and glory of their nation, to worry one man with a multitude; and therefore appointed three only to enter the lists.
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Three to One:
Being, An Engliſh-Spaniſh Combat,
Performed by a Weſterne Gentleman, of Tauyſtoke in Deuon ſhire, with an Engliſh Quarter-Staffe, againſt Three Spaniſh Rapiers and Poniards, at Sherries in Spaine,
The fifteene day of Nouember, 1625.
In the Preſence of Dukes, Condes, Marqueſſes, and other Great Dons of Spaine, being the Counſell of Warre.
The Author of this Booke, and Actor in this Encounter, Richard Peecke.