CHAP, v.] 



CHIVALRY. 



UO 



tion was to win the spurs of knighthood in their master's 

 service, an object of ambition earnestly toiled for and 

 eagerly desired, as it raised the recipient to a certain 

 equality with his lord, and entitled him to privileges that 

 wealth alone could never give. 



The young lad commenced his education for the 

 dignity of knighthood at his seventh year, prior to which 

 time he was in the care of the females of the family.^ 

 At the age of seven he v/as either sent from home to the 

 castle of some friendly lord, where he acted as a page, 

 and serv ad his master in that capacity, or he was set to 

 perform the same duties for his own parents. Until the 

 age of fourteen the lad served as page, his position not 

 being much better than that of the domestics of the 

 household, and during the whole period he was constantly 

 trained in bodily exercises, and to a certain extent in 

 horsemanship. At fourteen he . ttained the rank of 

 squire. This was considered a position of importance, 

 and the promotion was marked by a religious ceremony, 

 to impress upon the youth the use he was expected to 

 make of the sword, then for the first time placed in his 

 hands. 



The page was led to the altar by his father and mother 

 carrying lighted tapers.^ The officiating priest took from 

 the altar a sword which had been placed there, and after 

 blessing it, girded it al vit the young nobleman, who 

 from that time had the right to carry arms. The squire 

 then devoted himself to the use of arms, and to a variety 

 of exercises calculated to increase his bodily vigour and 

 activity, and in company with his comrades continually 

 practised the management of the lance and sword on 

 hoiseback. There were many distinctions mainttdned 

 between the squires and the knights, both in dress and 

 equipment. 



The squires were only allowed ornaments of silver ; 

 gold being reserved for the exclusive use of the knights. 

 Their defensive armour was much lighter than that used 

 by their masters, both at war and in the tournament. 

 They were forbidden to wear scarlet, though they might 

 ' Lowy, 30. 2 ste. Pdaye, i. 9. 



