Medieval England - The Joust

19th great grandfather - John de Welles, 5th Baron Welles (1352–1421) was an English soldier and noble the English ambassador to Scotland. He married Margaret "Eleanor," daughter of John, Lord Mowbray by Elizabeth, Baroness Segrave. He was born in Welle, Lincolnshire, England on 20th April 1352. John De Welles died on 26 August 1421.

At a banquet in Edinburgh , after arguing over who was the most gallant of their countrymen, he issued, as Champion of England, the following challenge to David Lindsay (later 1st Earl of Crawford): “Let words have no place; if ye know not the Chivalry and Valiant deeds of Englishmen; appoint me a day and a place where ye list, and ye shall have experience.”

As a result of the challenge, on St George’s Day, 23rd April 1390, in the presence of Richard II of England , he fought David Lindsay in a jousting tournament on London Bridge.

The day for the encounter arrived, and the two knights fully armed in the plate armour of the period were conducted to the Bridge, where a daïs had been erected for Richard II and the members of his Court.

All the suitable positions were occupied by the nobility, and elsewhere the populace crowded every available corner. When all was in readiness the heralds gave the signal and the two horsemen, spurring their heavy horses, charged full at one another.

Spears were broken, but both warriors remained seated firmly in their saddles. "The people beholding how stiffelie earle (sic) David sat without moving, cried that the Scottisman was locked in his saddle. He hearing this, leapt beside his horse, and verie nimblie mounted up againe into the saddle, armed as he was, to the great wonder of the beholders."

With fresh spears a second course was taken and once more the weapons were splintered "and yet without anie great hurt on either part." At the third collision Lord Welles was borne from his saddle and fell heavily to the ground, being "sore hurt." The onlookers appear to have thought he was killed, but Lindsay was quickly off his horse, and, kneeling by his side, he tenderly held him in his arms until the doctor came to tend his wounds.

-------------------------

Ancestry Chain: John DE WELLES Baron V b.1352 / Eudo DE WELLES b.1386 / Sir Lionel (Leo) DE WELLES b.1400 / John DE WELLES Viscount- b.1450 / Robert DE WELLES b.1484 / Thomas DE WELLES b.1501 / Robert WELLES b.1540 / Jane Sarah WELLS b.1572 / Sylvester BALDWIN b.1590 / Mary BALDWIN b.1625 / Deborah PLUMB b.1655 / John ROUNDY b.1681 / Robert ROUNDY b.1704 / John ROUNDY b.1726 / Uriah ROUNDY b.1756 / Shadrach ROUNDY b.1789 /Almeda Sophia ROUNDY b.1829 / Charles PARKERb.1853 / Laura Elizabeth PARKERb 1889 / Kirt De Mar WOOD 1923 / Lark / TR.