Hgo hints on chivalry. -^^S' ^^ • 



dies destined to have for their hufbands the knights 

 who lived in the same house where they were edu- 

 cated, would not fail to make themselves agreeable by 

 the care and services, and attention they paid them. 



They learned to pay one day or other to their 

 hufband those services which a warrior, distinguifii- 

 cd by valour, could expect from a tender and gene- 

 rous wife, and prepared the most agreeable recom- 

 pence and rest from their toils. Affection inspired 

 them with the desire of being the first to wipe away 

 the dust and blood with which they were covere4 

 for the glory of the ladies; » 



In the new office of equerry, the young men, ap- 

 proaching by degrees nearer and nearer the person 

 of their lord or lady, being admitted with more con- 

 fidence and familiarity to their intertainments and 

 afsemblings, could still better profit by the mo* 

 dels on which they were to form themselves. 

 They paid more attention to gaining the favour 

 of their masters, in seeking opportunities of plea- 

 sing strangers, and other persons of which the 

 court was formed, and in paying to the knights and 

 equerries of other countries their proper honours. 

 In ftiort, they redoubled their efforts to make them? 

 selves appear to the best advantage. 



The equerries were divided into several clafses, 

 according tA their employments, e. q. the equerry 

 who attended the person of his master or mistrefs, 

 which was the most honourable ; the chamberlain, 

 and several others. 



Other equerries had the care of preparing the table; 

 they carried the meat tff each course, and paid an un- 

 remitting attention so that every thing might be 

 right ; they then gave the guests water to \vafh 



