HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 89 



and acted as cup-bearer. His remaining time was occupied in gymnastic 

 training, together with a very limited instruction in reli^j^ion. On all 

 occasions care was taken to impress him with a love of chivalry, and the 

 most ardent veneration for the gentler sex. 



Having reached his fourteenth year, he was armed with a sword, and 

 elevated to the rank of squire. Thenceforth practice at arms, acqui- 

 sition of knowledge of tactics, and of weapons and chivalrous pursuits, 

 prepared the squire for his future dignity of knight. He accompanied his 

 master in battle, and if he showed faithful attachment to him, if, above all, 

 he succeeded in saving him from danger, sword in hand, and at the hazard 

 of his own life, his glorious reward was that of being pointed out as a brave 

 and noble youth. 



When the squire had attained his twenty -first year he could claim the 

 honor of knighthood. Occasionally that rank was conferred at an earlier 

 age, provided the squire had obtained a prize in a contest with light arms, 

 or had performed any remarkable feat of courage in the games which the 

 squires celebrated on the day previous to a tournament. 



The preparation for this ceremony consisted in fasting, nightly prayers, 

 with a priest and godfather, in a church or chapel, penance and bathing, 

 the whole concluding with the sacrament of the Holy Supper. These 

 preliminaries over, he proceeded to the church, dressed in simple, generally 

 white clothing, with his sword fastened to his shoulder, approached the 

 altar, when the priest consecrated his sword, and then knelt down at the 

 feet of the count, duke, or prince, who was to dub him. None but a knight 

 could assist at this ceremony. He was now asked whether his intentions in 

 assuming this profession were perfectly pure ; if he would always defend the 

 weak and oppressed, and particularly the widows and orphans, and the fair 

 sex ; if he was steadfast in his regard for religion and for the honor of 

 chivalry ; and if he would ever maintain an unflinching love for the truth. 

 After answering these questions in the affirmative, he took an oath to obey 

 the statutes of the order ; after which the other knights and the ladies, 

 friends of the novice, gathered around, and commenced equipping him, first 

 with his left spur, then the right ; next came the greaves and coat of mail, 

 and finally the sword. 



At the conclusion of this service he again knelt before the officiating 

 knight, who rose from his seat and conferred upon the candidate the order 

 of knighthood, by applying three blows with a naked sword upon the neck 

 or shoulders, or sometimes a gentle touch on the cheek, accompanying the 

 strokes with the words, " In the name of God, St. Michael, and St. George, 

 I confer upon thee the honor and dignity of knighthood. Be brave, bold, 

 and true !" 



The young knight now rose from his knees, and after being greeted with 

 the fraternal kiss or salutation, he proceeded to take his helmet, shield, 

 and lance, sprang into the saddle, oftentimes without touching the stirrup, 

 and rode forth among the people. 



The times usually selected for these ceremonies were the leading church 

 festivals, coronations, celebrations of victories, and other holidays. They 



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