Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-26
MODERN TOURNAMENT
REVIVAL OF CHIVALRY AND
ARMoR IN BELGIUM.

Antwerp Correspondence Of the London Telegraph
The Belgians are renowned for their his
tcrical reproductions, and many a histori-
cal pageant at both Antwerp and Brussels
has been witnessed by tourists who have
come from the remotest corners of Europe
to enjoy what 1t Is impossible to see else
where. Among the festivities organized for
the celebration of the seventy-fifth anniver-
sary of Belgium's independence is the faith
full reproduction of one of the fitting jousts
given by Philip the Good Of Burgundy in
Charolais, afterward Charles lie Temeraire,
came off victor and broke sixteen lances,
In the presence Of Isabella of Portugal
Duchess of Burgundy.
Requires Pen Of Scott.
1t requires the pen of the author Of
"lvanhoe" to do justice to the 'splendors Of
the scenes, enacted for the first time before
King Leopold and the Belgian royal family
at the hall In the Pare du Cinquantenaire"
at Brussels, and over which whole year
has been spent and one million francs in
money for preparation. Students of the
middle ages have been busy for two years
examining the details of armor and cos
tunes and the various rules and forrna IL
ties to be observed in the proper conduct
OF such an event, and to the credit of the
committee. may 1t be said that the ensemble
was as perfectly correct as modern condi-
lions would allow. The museums OF the
country were called into service for some Of
the armor for both man and beast, as well
as for the musical instruments employed by
the Ministries and some of the trappings,
cloth of gold and silver, etc No stage pro-
auction has ever been presented to the
public in London. New York, Paris or Ber-
lin with such lavishness, for the dresses
are of the richest materials to be found.
the coats of arms, devices, etc. being most
exqufsitely embroidered. Glittering Jewels
flash from the horses harness; the eccle-
siastical dignitares represented fairly
SHINE with fair raiment and sparkling
stones; while the suite of Isabella Of Portu-
gal are most magniflcently attired in costly
dresses.
First Part of Program.
The first part of the program consists of
the jousts between the Comte de Charolais
and Adolphe de Cleve both of whom are
clad in gold armor. crowned with magnifi-
cent plumes. These two principal charac-
tiers enter the lists. followed by a glittering
band of knights and squires and serving
men, numbering five hundred. all of whom
enter In the general melee which closes this
remarkable spectacle. AS in the historical
1oust. the Comte de Charolais Represented
by Baron de Trannoy) actually breaks six
teen lances before being declared victor.
and the gold arn1or worn by him Is the ac-
tual armor worn by the Comte de Cha roIa 10
himself in 1452
There is, however one dfscerdant note.
out this Is forgotten as soon as the spec
tacle begins. Instead of being played in
the open air, with some old chateau for a
background and a forest in the distance
the lists are in the iron and glass structure
built as part of the Brussels exhibition of
1871 twentieth century knights and squires
are more fearful of the rain, and so are
the stately danes of present-day chiyaIry
whose magnificent dresses are probably not
so easily replaced as were those of the
middle ages, when dreSsmakers bills were
probably a lesser source of anxiety. In
1891 chivalry tournament was held in that
wonderful frame, the Grand Palace of
Brussels. with those gems of architecture,
the Hotel de Vile and the Maison du Rof
as part of the natural scenery. Then 1t
was that the spectators lost themselves in
the general Illusion, and, with the windows
of the old Spanish guild buildings crowded
with human faces and everything modern
concealed from view, fully believed they
were part and parcel of the age of chiv-
sale times only when the last knight had
ridden out of sight behind the Hotel de
Vile. followed by his suite.
Correct in Every Detail.
The actual combats. however, In the
tails so faithfully executed, that the iron
roofwork and pillars seem to vanish for the
time being, and when the general melee
takes place and the lists are like a huge
kaleidoscope of dazzling brilliancy all
thoughts of anything incongruous are dis
sipated. The shade of Sir Walter Scott and
his Ivanhoe. of the fair Lady Rowena and
Cedric the Saxon, rise up before me as
Charolais goes to take his prize from the
fair Duchess of Burgundy while the ladies
of her suite throw flowers and ribbons to
their favorite knights Nothing has been
forgotten. The pages, the Ministries, the
testers, Judges, kng-at-arms, heralds spec
tators, are there, all taking as keen an IN
terest in every movement as those of old.
Twelve thousand people witness this mar
Vicious spectacle each time 1t Is produced
and the gate money is all for Brussels
charities.
One of the prettiest sights is the tour
noi' proper, the moving about in elaborate
figures of the entire company with the
most remarkable precision, the participants
In this unique performance being for the
most part the officers and men of the Bel
gian crack regiment of cavalry the Guides.
The general opinion is that nothing Of
the kind has ever been done so elaborately
anywhere. and the regret Is expressed that
only three performances have been arrang-
ed for.
/ am told by one of the officers taking
part in the jousts that the heat under the
suits of armor Is almost intolerable, ne
cessitating a considerable modification OF
the accouterments. and he wonders how II
was possible for the oldtime knights to take
part In these festivities. 1t must be remem-
bered, however, that the very tourna-
ment represented now in Brussels was held
in 1452. in the month of February, and in
the open air. while the present Comte de
charolais does combat with his opponents
In August, under the glass roof of the Hall
du Cinquantenaire, before a human throng
numbering twelve thousand