A Prize Playing was a test of martial skill popular in Renaissance England with the London-based Corporation of Masters of the Noble Science of Defence.
This practice was revived after a fashion in the late 17th century in the form of "Prize Fights", whence the term prizefighting for modern professional boxing.
Notices called Bills of Challenge were posted of the event and a wooden scaffolding was erected in a public square.
On the appointed day and time, following a procession of drums and flags the Player was paraded to the raised scaffold with much fanfare.
The fight itself consisted of those traditional English weapons as taught in the “Schole” and dating back to the early Middle Ages.
Provosts playing for their “Master's Prize” would face an agonizing ten bouts with eight weapons each, including single dagger, quarterstaff, and two-handed sword.
After collecting thrown change, the Player was escorted back to the school, again with great fanfare, took his oath, paid his fees, and did much drinking (which he was also expected to pay for).
During the late 17th to mid 18th centuries in England, long after the London schools and true Masters had faded, a revival of Prizing took place.