CHAP, v.] 



CHIVALRY. 



153 



the fourteenth century a rowel was adopted, of the style 

 used in modern times, but the rowels were of a far larger 

 size than are now worn anywhere, except, perhaps, in 

 Mexico and South America. The spurs of the knights 

 were of gold, and were the best known mark of his rank ; 

 " winning his spurs " being synonymous with attaining 

 the grade of knighthood. A surcoat of fine cloth or silk, 

 adorned with the colours and devices of the knight, was 

 worn over the armour. 



Saddles are said to be first mentioned by Sidonius 

 ApoUinaris in reference to the Visigoths.' In the 

 eleventh century large projections were added to the 

 saddle in front and rear, to support the heavy armed 

 knights, and make their seats more comfortable and 

 more secure. 



The principal weapon was the lance, which was looked 

 upon as the most noble of all arms, its use being forbid- 

 den to the plebeian ranks. They were of great size, and 

 made of the wood of the aspen, pine, sycamore, or ash 

 trees, with an u'on head, heavy, blunt, and broad. A 

 flag was attached, just below the iron head, which indi- 

 cated the rank of the bearer,^ for although the knights 

 Avere all considered to be upon an equality, there was a 

 distinction between those who were wealthy and able to 

 furnish a contingent of armed men at their own expense 

 and the knight who went to the field with his personal 

 attendants only. The former was entitled a knight, or 

 chevalier banneret, while the latter was simply a knight 

 bachelor. The bannerets carried a small pennon, or 

 square banner, attached to their lances,' while the ordi- 

 nary knight carried a small flag which was indented, and 

 terminated in one or two points. 



The lance had a small shield or vamplate screwed to 

 the shaft just above the gripe, fti the protection of the 

 hand. Sometimes it had a hole in the centre, and was 

 slipped on over ^he point and pushed back to tb*^- handle, 

 where the increased size of the wood held it firm. 



In addition to the lance the knight was armed with 

 a sword which varied much in shape, sometimes being 



^ Lowy, 93. 2 Ibid. 62. ^ ibid. 38, 39. 



