CHAP, v.] 



CHIVALRY. 



147 



id 



las 



victorious and captured any prisoners, it was the duty of 

 +he squires to receive and guard them. 



These officers, thus close and interested spectators of 

 the manner of carrying on war, were taught by example 

 how to conduct themselves in action. In this way they 

 served a species of apprenticeship, and were qualifying 

 themselves for the dignity of knighthood. 



The squire arriving at the age of twenty-one years 

 was then considered sufficiently educated and eligible for 

 admission to the order, which was only conferred upon 

 his jiving proofs of valour and skill m the use of arms 

 in the field. He was, however, invested with arms, and 

 entitled to engage in the front line, from which he had 

 hitherto been debarred. 



The investiture of the knight was more formal than 

 the granting of arms to the squire. The young gentle- 

 man passed the night before the ceremony in prayer 

 with a priest and his sponsors, in a church or chapel. 

 In the morning he took a bath, put on a white dress as 

 a symbol of purity, and listened to a sermon on the 

 duties he was about to assume. He then advanced to 

 the altar with a knight's sword slung around his neck, 

 which he presented to the priest who blessed it. The 

 novice then kneeling down was invested with a complete 

 suit of armour. The ceremonies varied somewhat in 

 different countries and at different times, but the acco- 

 lade or stroke on the shoulder with the sword was never 

 omitted, and was generally given with the words, *' In 

 the name of God, of St. Michael, and St. George, I make 

 you knight." Sometimes the words were added, "Be 

 brave, bold, and loyal." 



Knights were made on the field of battle by the 

 simple accolade, and the formula of words mentioned. 



There were two elements connected with chivalry at 

 different periods, which, although not of much interest 

 in a military point of view, yet cannot be passed without 

 notice, namely, religion and love. The Crusades, partly 

 the outcome of this religious feeling, had the efi'ect of 

 increasing it very materially, so that when the institu- 

 tion was in its highest vigour, its connection with the 



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