Summary

Part 2 opens with Chapter 7, titled “The Judgment of God.” The setting for the duel was Saint-Martin-des-Champs, “a monastery in Paris whose grounds had a special field for combat and enough space to hold thousands of spectators” (110). The Saint-Martin-des-Champs was on 12 acres, surrounded by walls and watch towers. By the 1380s, and entire city had sprang up around the prosperous monastery. The property included running water fueled by an aqueduct. There were religious buildings but also a jail because the priory served as a criminal court. Both people and animals were tried there (a sow was once dragged through the street and hanged after eating an infant). The combat field had been used mainly for tournaments in recent years as judicial combat tapered off. The field had to be refurbished for the duel, including new barriers and stands. There were strict requirements to ensure...