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diverted from his purpose, partly by his own attendants, who gathered

around him conjuring him to be patient, partly by a general exclamation

of the crowd, uttered in loud applause of the spirited conduct of

Cedric. The Prince rolled his eyes in indignation, as if to collect some

safe and easy victim; and chancing to encounter the firm glance of the

same archer whom we have already noticed, and who seemed to persist

in his gesture of applause, in spite of the frowning aspect which the

Prince bent upon him, he demanded his reason for clamouring thus.

" I always add my hollo, " said the yeoman, " when I see a good shot, or a

gallant blow. "

" Sayst thou? " answered the Prince; " then thou canst hit the white

thyself, I'll warrant. "

" A woodsman's mark, and at woodsman's distance, I can hit, " answered the

yeoman.

" And Wat Tyrrel's mark, at a hundred yards, " said a voice from behind,

but by whom uttered could not be discerned.

This allusion to the fate of William Rufus, his Relative, at once

incensed and alarmed Prince John. He satisfied himself, however, with

commanding the men-at-arms, who surrounded the lists, to keep an eye on

the braggart, pointing to the yeoman.

" By St Grizzel, " he added, " we will try his own skill, who is so ready

to give his voice to the feats of others! "

" I shall not fly the trial, " said the yeoman, with the composure which

marked his whole deportment.

" Meanwhile, stand up, ye Saxon churls, " said the fiery Prince; " for, by

the light of Heaven, since I have said it, the Jew shall have his seat

amongst ye! "

" By no means, an it please your Grace! --it is not fit for such as we

to sit with the rulers of the land, " said the Jew; whose ambition for

precedence though it had led him to dispute Place with the extenuated

and impoverished descendant of the line of Montdidier, by no means

stimulated him to an intrusion upon the privileges of the wealthy

Saxons.

" Up, infidel dog when I command you, " said Prince John, " or I will have

thy swarthy hide stript off, and tanned for horse-furniture. "

Thus urged, the Jew began to ascend the steep and narrow steps which led

up to the gallery.

" Let me see, " said the Prince, " who dare stop him, " fixing his eye on

Cedric, whose attitude intimated his intention to hurl the Jew down

headlong.

The catastrophe was prevented by the clown Wamba, who, springing

betwixt his master and Isaac, and exclaiming, in answer to the Prince's

defiance, " Marry, that will I! " opposed to the beard of the Jew a shield

of brawn, which he plucked from beneath his cloak, and with which,

doubtless, he had furnished himself, lest the tournament should have

proved longer than his appetite could endure abstinence. Finding the

abomination of his tribe opposed to his very nose, while the Jester,

at the same time, flourished his wooden sword above his head, the Jew

recoiled, missed his footing, and rolled down the steps, --an excellent

jest to the spectators, who set up a loud laughter, in which Prince John

and his attendants heartily joined.

" Deal me the prize, cousin Prince, " said Wamba; " I have vanquished my

foe in fair fight with sword and shield, " he added, brandishing the

brawn in one hand and the wooden sword in the other.

" Who, and what art thou, noble champion? " said Prince John, still

laughing.

" A fool by right of descent, " answered the Jester; " I am Wamba, the

son of Witless, who was the son of Weatherbrain, who was the son of an

Alderman. "

" Make room for the Jew in front of the lower ring, " said Prince John,

not unwilling perhaps to, seize an apology to desist from his original

purpose; " to place the vanquished beside the victor were false

heraldry. "

" Knave upon fool were worse, " answered the Jester, " and Jew upon bacon

worst of all. "

" Gramercy! good fellow, " cried Prince John, " thou pleasest me--Here,

Isaac, lend me a handful of byzants. "

As the Jew, stunned by the request, afraid to refuse, and unwilling

to comply, fumbled in the furred bag which hung by his girdle, and

was perhaps endeavouring to ascertain how few coins might pass for a

handful, the Prince stooped from his jennet and settled Isaac's doubts

by snatching the pouch itself from his side; and flinging to Wamba a

couple of the gold pieces which it contained, he pursued his career

round the lists, leaving the Jew to the derision of those around him,

and himself receiving as much applause from the spectators as if he had

done some honest and honourable action.

CHAPTER VIII

At this the challenger with fierce defy

His trumpet sounds; the challenged makes reply:

With clangour rings the field, resounds the vaulted sky.

Their visors closed, their lances in the rest,

Or at the helmet pointed or the crest,

They vanish from the barrier, speed the race,

And spurring see decrease the middle space.

Palamon and Arcite

In the midst of Prince John's cavalcade, he suddenly stopt, and

appealing to the Prior of Jorvaulx, declared the principal business of

the day had been forgotten.

" By my halidom, " said he, " we have forgotten, Sir Prior, to name the

fair Sovereign of Love and of Beauty, by whose white hand the palm is to

be distributed. For my part, I am liberal in my ideas, and I care not if

I give my vote for the black-eyed Rebecca. "

" Holy Virgin, " answered the Prior, turning up his eyes in horror, " a

Jewess! --We should deserve to be stoned out of the lists; and I am not

yet old enough to be a martyr. Besides, I swear by my patron saint, that

she is far inferior to the lovely Saxon, Rowena. "

" Saxon or Jew, " answered the Prince, " Saxon or Jew, dog or hog, what

matters it? I say, name Rebecca, were it only to mortify the Saxon

churls. "

A murmur arose even among his own immediate attendants.

" This passes a jest, my lord, " said De Bracy; " no knight here will lay

lance in rest if such an insult is attempted. "

" It is the mere wantonness of insult, " said one of the oldest and most

important of Prince John's followers, Waldemar Fitzurse, " and if your

Grace attempt it, cannot but prove ruinous to your projects. "

" I entertained you, sir, " said John, reining up his palfrey haughtily,

" for my follower, but not for my counsellor. "

" Those who follow your Grace in the paths which you tread, " said

Waldemar, but speaking in a low voice, " acquire the right of

counsellors; for your interest and safety are not more deeply gaged than

their own. "

From the tone in which this was spoken, John saw the necessity of

acquiescence " I did but jest, " he said; " and you turn upon me like

so many adders! Name whom you will, in the fiend's name, and please

yourselves. "

" Nay, nay, " said De Bracy, " let the fair sovereign's throne remain

unoccupied, until the conqueror shall be named, and then let him choose

the lady by whom it shall be filled. It will add another grace to his

triumph, and teach fair ladies to prize the love of valiant knights, who

can exalt them to such distinction. "

" If Brian de Bois-Guilbert gain the prize, " said the Prior, " I will gage

my rosary that I name the Sovereign of Love and Beauty. "

" Bois-Guilbert, " answered De Bracy, " is a good lance; but there are

others around these lists, Sir Prior, who will not fear to encounter

him. "

" Silence, sirs, " said Waldemar, " and let the Prince assume his seat.

The knights and spectators are alike impatient, the time advances, and

highly fit it is that the sports should commence. "

Prince John, though not yet a monarch, had in Waldemar Fitzurse all the

inconveniences of a favourite minister, who, in serving his sovereign,

must always do so in his own way. The Prince acquiesced, however,

although his disposition was precisely of that kind which is apt to be

obstinate upon trifles, and, assuming his throne, and being surrounded

by his followers, gave signal to the heralds to proclaim the laws of the

tournament, which were briefly as follows:

First, the five challengers were to undertake all comers.

Secondly, any knight proposing to combat, might, if he pleased, select

a special antagonist from among the challengers, by touching his shield.

If he did so with the reverse of his lance, the trial of skill was made

with what were called the arms of courtesy, that is, with lances at

whose extremity a piece of round flat board was fixed, so that no danger

was encountered, save from the shock of the horses and riders. But if

the shield was touched with the sharp end of the lance, the combat was

understood to be at " outrance", that is, the knights were to fight with

sharp weapons, as in actual battle.

Thirdly, when the knights present had accomplished their vow, by each of

them breaking five lances, the Prince was to declare the victor in the

first day's tourney, who should receive as prize a warhorse of exquisite

beauty and matchless strength; and in addition to this reward of valour,

it was now declared, he should have the peculiar honour of naming the

Queen of Love and Beauty, by whom the prize should be given on the

ensuing day.

Fourthly, it was announced, that, on the second day, there should be a

general tournament, in which all the knights present, who were desirous

to win praise, might take part; and being divided into two bands of

equal numbers, might fight it out manfully, until the signal was given

by Prince John to cease the combat. The elected Queen of Love and Beauty

was then to crown the knight whom the Prince should adjudge to have

borne himself best in this second day, with a coronet composed of thin

gold plate, cut into the shape of a laurel crown. On this second day

the knightly games ceased. But on that which was to follow, feats of

archery, of bull-baiting, and other popular amusements, were to be

practised, for the more immediate amusement of the populace. In this

manner did Prince John endeavour to lay the foundation of a popularity,

which he was perpetually throwing down by some inconsiderate act of

wanton aggression upon the feelings and prejudices of the people.

The lists now presented a most splendid spectacle. The sloping galleries

were crowded with all that was noble, great, wealthy, and beautiful

in the northern and midland parts of England; and the contrast of the

various dresses of these dignified spectators, rendered the view as

gay as it was rich, while the interior and lower space, filled with the

substantial burgesses and yeomen of merry England, formed, in their more

plain attire, a dark fringe, or border, around this circle of brilliant

embroidery, relieving, and, at the same time, setting off its splendour.

The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of

" Largesse, largesse, gallant knights! " and gold and silver pieces were

showered on them from the galleries, it being a high point of chivalry

to exhibit liberality towards those whom the age accounted at once the

secretaries and the historians of honour. The bounty of the spectators

was acknowledged by the customary shouts of " Love of Ladies--Death of

Champions--Honour to the Generous--Glory to the Brave! " To which the

more humble spectators added their acclamations, and a numerous band of

trumpeters the flourish of their martial instruments. When these sounds

had ceased, the heralds withdrew from the lists in gay and glittering

procession, and none remained within them save the marshals of the

field, who, armed cap-a-pie, sat on horseback, motionless as statues,

at the opposite ends of the lists. Meantime, the enclosed space at the

northern extremity of the lists, large as it was, was now completely

crowded with knights desirous to prove their skill against the

challengers, and, when viewed from the galleries, presented the

appearance of a sea of waving plumage, intermixed with glistening

helmets, and tall lances, to the extremities of which were, in many

cases, attached small pennons of about a span's breadth, which,

fluttering in the air as the breeze caught them, joined with the

restless motion of the feathers to add liveliness to the scene.

At length the barriers were opened, and five knights, chosen by lot,

advanced slowly into the area; a single champion riding in front, and

the other four following in pairs. All were splendidly armed, and my

Saxon authority (in the Wardour Manuscript) records at great length

their devices, their colours, and the embroidery of their horse

trappings. It is unnecessary to be particular on these subjects. To

borrow lines from a contemporary poet, who has written but too little:

" The knights are dust,

And their good swords are rust,

Their souls are with the saints, we trust. " [17]

Their escutcheons have long mouldered from the walls of their castles.

Their castles themselves are but green mounds and shattered ruins--the

place that once knew them, knows them no more--nay, many a race since

theirs has died out and been forgotten in the very land which they

occupied, with all the authority of feudal proprietors and feudal

lords. What, then, would it avail the reader to know their names, or the

evanescent symbols of their martial rank!

Now, however, no whit anticipating the oblivion which awaited their

names and feats, the champions advanced through the lists, restraining

their fiery steeds, and compelling them to move slowly, while, at the

same time, they exhibited their paces, together with the grace and

dexterity of the riders. As the procession entered the lists, the

sound of a wild Barbaric music was heard from behind the tents of the

challengers, where the performers were concealed. It was of Eastern

origin, having been brought from the Holy Land; and the mixture of the

cymbals and bells seemed to bid welcome at once, and defiance, to the

knights as they advanced. With the eyes of an immense concourse of

spectators fixed upon them, the five knights advanced up the platform

upon which the tents of the challengers stood, and there separating

themselves, each touched slightly, and with the reverse of his lance,

the shield of the antagonist to whom he wished to oppose himself. The

lower orders of spectators in general--nay, many of the higher class,

and it is even said several of the ladies, were rather disappointed

at the champions choosing the arms of courtesy. For the same sort

of persons, who, in the present day, applaud most highly the deepest

tragedies, were then interested in a tournament exactly in proportion to

the danger incurred by the champions engaged.

Having intimated their more pacific purpose, the champions retreated

to the extremity of the lists, where they remained drawn up in a line;

while the challengers, sallying each from his pavilion, mounted their

horses, and, headed by Brian de Bois-Guilbert, descended from the

platform, and opposed themselves individually to the knights who had

touched their respective shields.

At the flourish of clarions and trumpets, they started out against

each other at full gallop; and such was the superior dexterity or

good fortune of the challengers, that those opposed to Bois-Guilbert,

Malvoisin, and Front-de-Boeuf, rolled on the ground. The antagonist of

Grantmesnil, instead of bearing his lance-point fair against the crest

or the shield of his enemy, swerved so much from the direct line as

to break the weapon athwart the person of his opponent--a circumstance

which was accounted more disgraceful than that of being actually

unhorsed; because the latter might happen from accident, whereas the

former evinced awkwardness and want of management of the weapon and of

the horse. The fifth knight alone maintained the honour of his party,

and parted fairly with the Knight of St John, both splintering their

lances without advantage on either side.

The shouts of the multitude, together with the acclamations of the

heralds, and the clangour of the trumpets, announced the triumph of the

victors and the defeat of the vanquished. The former retreated to

their pavilions, and the latter, gathering themselves up as they could,

withdrew from the lists in disgrace and dejection, to agree with their

victors concerning the redemption of their arms and their horses, which,

according to the laws of the tournament, they had forfeited. The fifth

of their number alone tarried in the lists long enough to be greeted

by the applauses of the spectators, amongst whom he retreated, to the

aggravation, doubtless, of his companions' mortification.

A second and a third party of knights took the field; and although

they had various success, yet, upon the whole, the advantage decidedly

remained with the challengers, not one of whom lost his seat or

swerved from his charge--misfortunes which befell one or two of their

antagonists in each encounter. The spirits, therefore, of those opposed

to them, seemed to be considerably damped by their continued success.

Three knights only appeared on the fourth entry, who, avoiding the

shields of Bois-Guilbert and Front-de-Boeuf, contented themselves

with touching those of the three other knights, who had not altogether

manifested the same strength and dexterity. This politic selection

did not alter the fortune of the field, the challengers were still

successful: one of their antagonists was overthrown, and both the others

failed in the " attaint", [18] that is, in striking the helmet and shield

of their antagonist firmly and strongly, with the lance held in a direct

line, so that the weapon might break unless the champion was overthrown.

After this fourth encounter, there was a considerable pause; nor did

it appear that any one was very desirous of renewing the contest.

The spectators murmured among themselves; for, among the challengers,

Malvoisin and Front-de-Boeuf were unpopular from their characters,

and the others, except Grantmesnil, were disliked as strangers and

foreigners.

But none shared the general feeling of dissatisfaction so keenly as

Cedric the Saxon, who saw, in each advantage gained by the Norman

challengers, a repeated triumph over the honour of England. His own

education had taught him no skill in the games of chivalry, although,

with the arms of his Saxon ancestors, he had manifested himself, on

many occasions, a brave and determined soldier. He looked anxiously

to Athelstane, who had learned the accomplishments of the age, as if

desiring that he should make some personal effort to recover the victory

which was passing into the hands of the Templar and his associates.

But, though both stout of heart, and strong of person, Athelstane had a

disposition too inert and unambitious to make the exertions which Cedric

seemed to expect from him.

" The day is against England, my lord, " said Cedric, in a marked tone;

" are you not tempted to take the lance? "

" I shall tilt to-morrow" answered Athelstane, " in the 'melee'; it is not

worth while for me to arm myself to-day. "

Two things displeased Cedric in this speech. It contained the Norman

word " melee", (to express the general conflict, ) and it evinced

some indifference to the honour of the country; but it was spoken by

Athelstane, whom he held in such profound respect, that he would not

trust himself to canvass his motives or his foibles. Moreover, he had

no time to make any remark, for Wamba thrust in his word, observing, " It

was better, though scarce easier, to be the best man among a hundred,

than the best man of two. "

Athelstane took the observation as a serious compliment; but Cedric,

who better understood the Jester's meaning, darted at him a severe and

menacing look; and lucky it was for Wamba, perhaps, that the time and

place prevented his receiving, notwithstanding his place and service,

more sensible marks of his master's resentment.

The pause in the tournament was still uninterrupted, excepting by

the voices of the heralds exclaiming--" Love of ladies, splintering of

lances! stand forth gallant knights, fair eyes look upon your deeds! "

The music also of the challengers breathed from time to time wild bursts

expressive of triumph or defiance, while the clowns grudged a holiday

which seemed to pass away in inactivity; and old knights and nobles

lamented in whispers the decay of martial spirit, spoke of the triumphs

of their younger days, but agreed that the land did not now supply dames

of such transcendent beauty as had animated the jousts of former times.

Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making ready

the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the prize to Brian de

Bois-Guilbert, who had, with a single spear, overthrown two knights, and

foiled a third.

At length, as the Saracenic music of the challengers concluded one of

those long and high flourishes with which they had broken the silence of

the lists, it was answered by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note

of defiance from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see

the new champion which these sounds announced, and no sooner were the

barriers opened than he paced into the lists. As far as could be judged

of a man sheathed in armour, the new adventurer did not greatly exceed

the middle size, and seemed to be rather slender than strongly made.

His suit of armour was formed of steel, richly inlaid with gold, and the

device on his shield was a young oak-tree pulled up by the roots, with

the Spanish word Desdichado, signifying Disinherited. He was mounted on

a gallant black horse, and as he passed through the lists he gracefully

saluted the Prince and the ladies by lowering his lance. The dexterity

with which he managed his steed, and something of youthful grace which

he displayed in his manner, won him the favour of the multitude, which

some of the lower classes expressed by calling out, " Touch Ralph de

Vipont's shield--touch the Hospitallers shield; he has the least sure

seat, he is your cheapest bargain. "

The champion, moving onward amid these well-meant hints, ascended the

platform by the sloping alley which led to it from the lists, and,

to the astonishment of all present, riding straight up to the central

pavilion, struck with the sharp end of his spear the shield of Brian

de Bois-Guilbert until it rung again. All stood astonished at his

presumption, but none more than the redoubted Knight whom he had thus

defied to mortal combat, and who, little expecting so rude a challenge,

was standing carelessly at the door of the pavilion.

" Have you confessed yourself, brother, " said the Templar, " and have you

heard mass this morning, that you peril your life so frankly? "

" I am fitter to meet death than thou art" answered the Disinherited

Knight; for by this name the stranger had recorded himself in the books

of the tourney.

" Then take your place in the lists, " said Bois-Guilbert, " and look your

last upon the sun; for this night thou shalt sleep in paradise. "

" Gramercy for thy courtesy, " replied the Disinherited Knight, " and to

requite it, I advise thee to take a fresh horse and a new lance, for by

my honour you will need both. "

Having expressed himself thus confidently, he reined his horse backward

down the slope which he had ascended, and compelled him in the same

manner to move backward through the lists, till he reached the

northern extremity, where he remained stationary, in expectation of his

antagonist. This feat of horsemanship again attracted the applause of

the multitude.

However incensed at his adversary for the precautions which he

recommended, Brian de Bois-Guilbert did not neglect his advice; for

his honour was too nearly concerned, to permit his neglecting any means

which might ensure victory over his presumptuous opponent. He changed

his horse for a proved and fresh one of great strength and spirit. He

chose a new and a tough spear, lest the wood of the former might have

been strained in the previous encounters he had sustained. Lastly,

he laid aside his shield, which had received some little damage, and

received another from his squires. His first had only borne the general

device of his rider, representing two knights riding upon one horse, an

emblem expressive of the original humility and poverty of the Templars,

qualities which they had since exchanged for the arrogance and wealth

that finally occasioned their suppression. Bois-Guilbert's new shield

bore a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing

the motto, " Gare le Corbeau".

When the two champions stood opposed to each other at the two

extremities of the lists, the public expectation was strained to the

highest pitch. Few augured the possibility that the encounter could

terminate well for the Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and

gallantry secured the general good wishes of the spectators.

The trumpets had no sooner given the signal, than the champions vanished

from their posts with the speed of lightning, and closed in the centre

of the lists with the shock of a thunderbolt. The lances burst into

shivers up to the very grasp, and it seemed at the moment that both

knights had fallen, for the shock had made each horse recoil backwards

upon its haunches. The address of the riders recovered their steeds

by use of the bridle and spur; and having glared on each other for an

instant with eyes which seemed to flash fire through the bars of their

visors, each made a demi-volte, and, retiring to the extremity of the

lists, received a fresh lance from the attendants.

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