1^03. hints on chivalny^ j8<j 



and the javelin, and perform the other exercises. 

 Thus they received a foretaste of the different kinds 

 of tournaments, and began to form themselves to the 

 noble exercises of eqn^rries and knights. In fliort 

 this emulation, so necefsary in all ages and states, 

 increased more and more every day, whether through. 

 an ambition of going into the service of some other 

 knight of a higher dignity, or of a greater repuf.- 

 tion, or through the desire of rising to the rank 

 of equerry in the house of the lady or lord whom 

 they served j for this was usually the last step which 

 conducted to knighthood. 



But before pafsing from the state of page to 

 that of equerry, relegion had introduced a ceremony, 

 the end of which was to instruct the young men ia 

 the use they ought to make of the sword, which was 

 then for the first time put into their hands. The 

 young gentleman was presented at tlie altar by his 

 father and mother, who each held a wax taper in 

 their hands. The officiating priest then took Irmn 

 the top of the altar a sword, over which having 

 gaid several blefsings, he bound it to the young per- 

 son's side, who from that time continued to wear it. 



These courts and castles were excellent schools of 

 courtesy, politenefs, and other virtues, not only for 

 the pages and equerries, but also for young ladies. 

 There they were early instructed in the most tLen- 

 tial duties they would have to perform. There they 

 cultivated and brought to p' ruction, those gruccs 

 and tender sentiments with which nature set.ns to have 

 formed them. They, by their attention, gained the 

 esteem of the different knights who arrived in the 

 castle ; they took off their armour at their return 

 from tonrnaments, and warlike expeditions. The 1 1- 



VOL xvi. ' 60 ' t ' 



