Ivanhoe - Penn State University

which it was couched, was expressed as follows.—
Ivanhoe
bat, the place being the enclosure called the lists of Saint George,
“Rebecca, a Jewess, daughter of Isaac of York, being attainted near to the Preceptory of Templestowe. And the Grand Master
of sorcery, seduction, and other damnable practices, practised appoints the appellant to appear there by her champion, on
on a Knight of the most Holy Order of the Temple of Zion, pain of doom, as a person convicted of sorcery or seduction;
doth deny the same; and saith, that the testimony delivered and also the defendant so to appear, under the penalty of being
against her this day is false, wicked, and disloyal; and that by held and adjudged recreant in case of default; and the noble
lawful essoine* of her body as being unable to combat in her Lord and most reverend Father aforesaid appointed the battle
own behalf, she doth offer, by a champion instead thereof, to to be done in his own presence, and according to all that is
avouch her case, he performing his loyal devoir in all knightly commendable and profitable in such a case. And may God aid
sort, with such arms as to gage of battle do fully appertain, the just cause!’’
and that at her peril and cost. And therewith she proffered her “Amen!” said the Grand Master; and the word was echoed
gage. And the gage having been delivered to the noble Lord by all around. Rebecca spoke not, but she looked up to heaven,
and Knight, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, of the Holy Order of and, folding her hands, remained for a minute without change
the Temple of Zion, he was appointed to do this battle, in of attitude. She then modestly reminded the Grand Master,
behalf of his Order and himself, as injured and impaired by that she ought to be permitted some opportunity of free com-
the practices of the appellant. Wherefore the most reverend munication with her friends, for the purpose of making her
Father and puissant Lord, Lucas Marquis of Beaumanoir, did condition known to them, and procuring, if possible, some
allow of the said challenge, and of the said essoine of the champion to fight in her behalf.
appellant’s body, and assigned the third day for the said com- “It is just and lawful,” said the Grand Master; “choose what
*Essoine signifies excuse, and here relates to the appellant’s privi- messenger thou shalt trust, and he shall have free communilege
of appearing by her champion, in excuse of her own person
on account of her sex.
cation with thee in thy prison-chamber.”
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