This
is his trial fight. There he stands at the bridge-head, as was
the wont in our fathers' time, ready to measure himself against
all comers."
Of all Englishmen there was no greater knight errant than the King
himself, and none so steeped in every quaint usage of chivalry; so
that the situation was after his own heart.
"He is not yet a knight?"
"No, sire, only a Squire."
"Then he must bear himself bravely this day if he is to make good
what he has done. Is it fitting that a young untried Squire
should venture to couch his lance against the best in England?"
"He hath given me his cartel and challenge," said Chandos, drawing
a paper from his tunic. "Have I your permission, sire, to issue
it?"
"Surely, John, we have no cavalier more versed in the laws of
chivalry than yourself. You know this young man, and you are
aware how far he is worthy of the high honor which he asks. Let
us hear his defiance."
The knights and squires of the escort, most of whom were veterans
of the French war, had been gazing with interest and some surprise
at the steel-clad figure in front of them. Now at a call from Sir
Walter Manny they assembled round the spot where the King and
Chandos had halted. Chandos cleared his throat and read from his
paper--
"`A tous seigneurs, chevaliers et escuyers,' so it is headed,
gentlemen. It is a message from the good Squire Nigel Loring of
Tilford, son of Sir Eustace Loring, of honorable memory.
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