Rules for the Contest of Arms within the Bounds of Chivalry

His Majesty Beram, High King of Westrun and the Free Provinces by the Gift of the Gods and Faithful to the Grand Temple and its High Priest Verco.

To all the lords and ladies, knights and gentry of the Eight Kingdoms and the Free Provinces.

We decree that the following norms be observed in all Westrun wheresoever such contests be held.

• Every contest of arms will appoint a Tournament Queen with title embellishment.
• Only knights may serve as contestants and each knight must own horse and armor as they will be forfeit to the winner by the vanquished. Those things may be kept as a trophy or ransomed to their previous owner under agreed terms.
• Each contestant may be attended to by one squire only. Only a squire shall re-arm a contestant, help him regain his feet, tend to his wounds, or else conduct him from the field. In the case of severe wounds, unconsciousness, or delirium, only the squire may forfeit the contest on behalf of his knight.
•  If a bloom is spotted upon a contestant, quarter will be offered by him striking the blow. If the wounded should continue to fight, the contest will continue until a fresh wound is struck, or until a combatant is begged for quarter, or by the granted mercy of the Tournament Queen.
• For total contestants, only the even numbers shall be observed: two, four, six, and so on.
• Combat is to commence with a loud cry, a blown horn, a struck cymbal, or else by dropped scarf. 

At the Joust 

• Contestants will try at three passes, or until a rider is unhorsed.
• Unhorsing a rider will score four points, breaking a lance upon a shield will score one point and breaking a lance upon the chest will score two points.
• Deliberately striking the helm or steed shall not score, but shall disqualify.
• A contestant may yield without loss of honor at the end of three passes, but must surrender his horse and armor.
• An unhorsed or unlanced contestant may opt to continue in close combat with only one shield, and will keep all previously earned points intact. 

 At Close Combat 

• Contestants will have recourse to three shields.
• In lieu of shield, contestants may carry a second or use a weapon which requires two hands.
• A broken shield will score one point.
• Ejection or retreat from the square will score one point.
• A contestant who yields, is disarmed, or knocked senseless shall have lost.
• A contestant may yield without loss of honor, but must surrender horse and armor.

It is common that ten percent of all the silver gained by ransoming men, horses, arms and armor will be paid to the Tournament Queen.