saint george for england-第22章
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ave had no practice at tilting； or at the ring； or other knightly exercises。〃
〃That matters not at all；〃 the knight said。 〃All these knightly exercises which you speak of are good in time of peace； for they give proficiency and steadiness； but in time of war he who can sit firmly in his saddle and wield sword and battle…axe lustily and skillfully is equal to the best； but never fear； when this expedition is over； and we have time for such things； I will see that you are instructed in them。 One who has achieved so much martial skill as you have done at so early an age will have little difficulty in acquiring what may be termed the pastime of chivalry。〃
Ralph arrived just as Walter was setting out。 The latter presented him to the knight； who spoke with praise of the gallantry which he had displayed on the previous day； and then handed him over to John Mervaux； with instructions to enroll him as a man…at…arms among his followers； to inform him of his duties； and to place him with those who attended upon the other esquires。
After seeing Ralph disposed of； Walter went across to the Earl of Talbot and was again conducted to the presence of Dame Vernon。
〃You have changed since we met last； young sir；〃 she said with a smile； 〃though it is but a month since。 Then you were a 'prentice boy； now you are an esquire of Sir Walter Manny； and on the highway to distinction。 That you will win it I am well assured； since one who risked his life to rescue a woman and child whose very names were unknown to him is sure to turn out a noble and valiant knight。 I little thought when my daughter called you her knight； that in so short a time you might become an aspirant to that honour。 I hope that you do not look askance at us； now that you know I am in possession of the lands of your parents。 Such changes of land； you know； often occur； but now I know who you are； I would that the estates bestowed upon Sir Jasper had belonged to some other than you； however； I trust that you will hold no grudge against us； and that you may win as fair an estate by the strength of your arm and the king's favour。〃
〃Assuredly I feel no grudge； madam；〃 Walter replied； 〃and since the lands were forfeited； am pleased that of all people they should have gone to one so kind and so fair as yourself。〃
〃What； learning to be a flatterer already！〃 Dame Vernon laughed。 〃You are coming on fast； and I predict great things from you。 And now； Edith； lay aside that sampler you are pretending to be so busy upon and speak to this knight of yours。
Edith laid down her work and came forward。 She was no longer the dignified little queen of the tournament； but a laughing； bright…faced girl。
〃I don't see that you are changed；〃 she said； 〃except in your dress。 You speak softly and naturally； just as you used to do； and not a bit like those little court fops； Uncle Talbot's pages。 I am afraid you will not want to be my knight any more； now that you are going to get great honours at the war； for I heard my Uncle Talbot tell my lady mother that he was sure you would gain great credit for yourself。〃
〃I shall be always your knight；〃 Walter said earnestly； 〃I told you I should； and I never break my word。 That is；〃 he went on； colouring； 〃if Dame Vernon makes no objection； as she well might。〃
〃If I did not object before； Walter；〃 she said smiling； 〃why should I do so now？〃
〃It is different； my lady； before； it was somewhat of a jest； a sort of childish play on the part of Mistress Edith； though so far as I was concerned it was no play； but sober earnest。
〃It needs no permission from me；〃 Dame Vernon replied； 〃for you to wear my daughter's colours。 Any knight may proclaim any lady he chooses the mistress of his heart； and a reigning beauty will often have a dozen young knights who wear her colours。 However； I am well content that one who has done me such great service and who has shown such high promise should be the first to wear the gage of my little daughter； and if in after years your life fulfils the promise of your youth； and you remain true to her gage； there is none among all the youths of the court whom I would so gladly see at her feet。 Remember；〃 she said； as Walter was about to speak； 〃her hand will not be at my disposal； but at that of the king。 His majesty is wont to bestow the hands of his wards upon those who most distinguish themselves in the field。 You have already attracted his royal attention and commendation。 Under Sir Walter Manny you will be sure of opportunities of distinguishing yourself； and the king may well be glad some day at once to reward your services and to repair a cruel injustice by bestowing upon you the hand of the heiress of your father's lands。 If I mistake not； such a thought has even now crossed his majesty's mind； unless I misinterpreted a glance which yesterday passed between him and our sweet queen。 I need not tell you to speak of your hopes to none； but let them spur you to higher exertions and nobler efforts。 Loving my little Edith as I do； I naturally consider the prize to be a high one。 I have often been troubled by the thought that her hand may be some day given to one by years or temper unsuited for her； and it will be a pleasure to me henceforth to picture her future connected with one who is； I am sure； by heart and nature fitted for her。 And now； farewell； young sir。 May God protect you in the field； and may you carry in the battle which awaits you the gage of my daughter as fairly and successfully as you did in the mimic fray of yesterday！〃
CHAPTER VIII： OFF TO THE WARS
Two days later Walter started with Sir Walter Manny； with a large number of knights； squires； men…at…arms； and archers； for the Orwell。 Walter was mounted； as were the other squires and men…at…arms； and indeed many of the archers。 Ralph Smith； in the attire of a man…at…arms； rode behind。
Walter was in the highest spirits。 A brilliant career was open to him under the most favourable circumstances； he had already distinguished himself； and had gained the attention of the highest personages in the realm； his immediate lord was one of the bravest and most chivalrous knights in Europe； and he had to sustain and encourage him the hopes that Lady Vernon had given him； of regaining some day the patrimony of his father。 It was a satisfaction to him that he was as well born as those who surrounded him； and his purse was well lined as any in the company。 Although he had spent the largess which had been bestowed upon him at the tournament in procuring clothes fitted for his rank； he was yet abundantly supplied with money； for both Geoffrey Ward and Giles Fletcher； having no children of their own and being both well…to…do men； had insisted upon his accepting a sum which would enable him to make a good appearance with the best。
A large number of squires followed the banner of Sir Walter Manny。 The records of the time show that the barons were generally accompanied in the field by almost as many squires as men…at…arms。 The former were men of good family； sons of knights and nobles； aspirants for the honour of knighthood； and sons of the smaller gentry。 Many were there from pure love of a life of excitement and adventure； others in fulfilment of the feudal tenure by which all land was then held； each noble and landowner being obliged to furnish so many knights； squires； men…at…arms； and archers； in accordance with the size of his holding。 The squires fought in the field in the front rank of the men…at…arms； save those who； like Walter； were attached to the person of their leader； and who in the field fought behind him or bore his orders to the companies under his banner。
In the field all drew pay； and it may be interesting in the present day to know what were the rates for which our forefathers risked their lives。 They were as follows： each horse archer received 6 deniers； each squire 12 deniers or 1 sol； each knight 2 sols； each knight banneret 4 sols。 20 sols went to the pound； and although the exact value of money in those days relative to that which it bears at the present time is doubtful； it may be placed at twelve times the present value。 Therefore each horse archer received an equivalent to 6s。 a day； each squire 12s。； each knight 24s。； and e
