CHIVALRY AND PLATONIC LOVE 61 



bounty of wealthy patrons. The songs of the trouba- 

 dours were a characteristic feature of chivahy, and 

 did much to foster the growth of the cult. 



As one lady might have many attendant cavaliers, 

 there was a regular ceremonial observed at their ini- 

 tiation, and various degrees of attachment were 

 recognised. The ambitious neophyte who joined a 

 lady's train of admirers might hope to rise through 

 all grades of attachment to the enjoyment of exclu- 

 sive privileges ; but in the case of famous beauties 

 there was necessarily much competition. It was 

 customary for the cavalier at his initiation to kneel 

 before the lady with his hands joined, and in that 

 attitude to swear that he would faithfully protect her 

 to the best of his power from all wrong or outrage 

 until death. Upon this she handed him a ring in 

 token of her acceptance of his service, and as he rose 

 she gave him a kiss, which was often the first and the 

 last he could boast of. Sometimes the bond between 

 the knight and the lady was deemed to be of so 

 important a character that a priest was called in to 

 bless it. 



For the settlement of metaphysical difficulties 

 in connexion with the practice of chivalry Cours 

 d'Amour or love-tribunals were established. These 



