320 hints on chivalry, Aug. %%, 



tered into the church, and advanced to the altar with 

 his sword hanging from his neck. He presented 

 it to the officiating priest, who blefsed it, and again 

 put it on the neck, of the young man, who went 

 with his hands clasped, and placed himself on his 

 knees at the feet of the person who was to invest 

 him with the order. The knight then asked him 

 with what intention he wirtied to enter into the or^ 

 der ; and having received his oath that his views ten- 

 ded only to the maintainance of religion and chival- 

 ry, agreed to fulfil his desire. Immediately the 

 young man was clothed by the knights, and some- 

 times by the ladies, with all the exterior marks of 

 chivalry. He was armed in the following order : 

 they first put on his spurs, beginning with the left j 

 after that his coat of mail, his cuirafse, and his 

 gauntlets ; then his sword : being thus armed he re- 

 mained on his knees. The knight then rising 

 from his throne, gave the young man three strokes 

 with his naked sword on his ftioulder, pronoun- 

 cing at the same time, these or the like words : 

 •' In the name of God, and St Michael, and St 

 George, I make you a knight." A helmet, buck- 

 ler, and lance were then given him ; after that he 

 mounted a horse and rode round brandiihing his 

 sword in order to display his new dignity and ad- 

 drefs. In speaking of these ceremonies, I wilhed to 

 fhew what was the idea of the duty of a knight, and 

 what means were employed to make them feel the 

 extent and purity of their engagements, which 

 they could not violate without perjury and sacri- 

 lege. 



