144 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period II 



Europe, was nevertheless closely connected with the 

 feudal system, and was to a certain extent affected by 

 the variations in that system in different countries. 

 Where the aristocracy w^ ; limited in number, the rules 

 for admission into the order were more stringent, and 

 those attaining to the dignity of knighthood less nume- 

 rous. In France and Arragon there were few initiated, 

 while in England and Castile they were admitted in 

 great numbers. 



The rules for deciding whether a candidate for the 

 honour of knighthood was eligible or not seem to have 

 varied mainly as to the question of birth ; in France, 

 for instance, noble birth being absolutely essential, while 

 in Spain, England, or Germany, it was not always required. 

 The code of St. Louis was so strict as to enact that " if 

 any man whose father is a plebeian be made a knight, 

 the king or baron on whose estate he is domiciled may 

 order that the spurs of such a pretender be struck off on 

 a dunghill."^ 



Philip le Hardi in 1281 fined the Count de Nevers 

 for knighting two brave brothers who lacked the requi- 

 site degree of nobility on the father's side, and fined the 

 two knights also ; but afterwards learning that they were 

 very gallant soldiers, he relieved them of a great portion 

 of the fine, and confirmed them in their rank. 

 • Chivalry placed the feudal nobles and knights of all 

 nations upon an equal footing with each other, and gave 

 to the younger sons of the nobility, who could not hold 

 the position of feudal barons, an opportunity of winning 

 by their swords and prowess a rank which, while not 

 representing the possession of wealth or land, still placed 

 theim socially, and in a military point of view, on a par 

 with the senior members of their families. 



These young men usually attached themselves to the 

 following of some rich lord or prince, at whose court 

 they could look for constant employment, for opportuni- 

 ties for advancement, and for maintenance and support. 

 They usually received pay in some form or other, and 

 were, virtually, stipendiary soldiers. Their great ambi- 



' Lowv, 30. ^ : 



^ 



