Middletown transcript., 1870-05-07
LE0WN NEW CASTLE COUNTY, SATURDAY MORNING. MAY I, 1870

knights and ladies of the court attended
on him, and delivered to him the various
pieces of his harness The armour varied
at different periods and in different coun-
tries, but some matters were OF permanent
usage. The spurs were always put on
first, and the sword belted on last. Prln-
ces were exempted from the laborious OFF,
ces of page and squire.
The horse of the cavalier was his pecu-
liar pride, and skill in the management OF
the management of the animal was dis
tinction deemed worthy of every effort.
The knight bore about with him variety
of weapons. The lance was the chief in
strument of offence His other offensive
weapons were sword, dagger, battle-axe
and maces. His defensive armor was also
various. He had his shield, helmet with
its visor aud beaver, and body harness
made of plates of steel A long flowing |
robe, reaching down to the heels, constl-
tuted the dress of the knight.
Some of the defensive armour was SO
constructed that it could be rolled up and
carried by the squire on horseback. 1t
was too rigid, heavy and cumbersome to
be worne for long time together, though
the knights were often subjected to that
inconvenience. When they were COM
pletely armed no weapon could reach the
BODY. 1t was not often that knight
could be killed, except by being unhorsed.
In that event thin dagger worn by each
assailant was employed This could be
thrust into the body between the plates.
1t is only in romance that We read OF
swords cutting through that solid front OF
iron by which knight was protected; the
only way in which death could be inflicted
when he was mounted, was by thrustlnS
a lance through the small hole IN the VISOR
Such mode of death was not very com
mon. for the cavalier always bent his face
almost to the saddle-bow when he charged.
He might, however, be unhorsed in the
shock Of meeting. In that case, he was
at the mercy of the foe, who was in the
better condition The horse of the knight
was defended by mail, or plate, agreeably
to the fashion Of the age. His head, chest
and tanks, were either wholly or partially
protected, and sometimes, on occasions OF
, nomp, he was clad in complete steel.
, In the character of a true knight were
combined many virtues and noble endow-
ments. 1t included, also, some prominent
a defects. Companionship in Arms, was q
: sacred principle, and knight would fly
: to the relief of his companion in arms
even were his services demanded by lady
, at the time. His valor was connected
: with modesty, and both were in the high
e est degree conspicuous. In chivalric wal
K. much humanity was displayed, though IL
q contentious of a different kind it was un
/, happily suppressed AS a knight Tough
/ for the church, he was intolerant, and to
d wards infdels and heretics he ceased t.
# exhibit his wontcd forbearance. His sens
n of honor was keen, and his independents
l. was consistent with discipline and submls
sion. His course was mainly dictated b
:. regard to religion. His devotions wer
i freouent. Religion entered into all til
~ observancos of chivalry, but it was onl
oI the religion of the times-a form rathe
= than sprt-too corrupt to be safe guide
=, The knight, finally, was characterized b
N N very remarkable fidelity to obligations
10 by generosity and by courtesy.
~ Their common life was one of amus'
4 ment and revelry They passed most I
II their hours of peace in the diversions
l., E falconry and chess-playing, in listening
=, the minstrels who sung the feats of chiva
NJ ry, in reading romances, and IN convers
- ton, which turned almost wholly on lo'
,;r and war. Entertainments, also, at ea'
,st others castles, were frequent, at whlt
ro the utmost merriment prevailed. II
,;- minstrcrs lay, the poetry of the troub
NJ dour, the romance of the learned clerk,
&c spoke of arms and amours-of the dutl
ts and sports of chivalry. Every baron
nd knight had his gay troop of minstrels tn
of accompanied him to the field, and afte
10 wards chantad in his hall the martial dee
w. which had renowned his family.
aas The lady, like the knight, was regular
ns trained up, to become at length the IN
li III trcss of his affections. She was common
af educated in the castle of acme knight
~ baron, her fathers friend. One of
or first duties or accomplishments she leal
do ed, was that of courtesy and condesc'
M sion to her interiors. In those days
tho mental education was not of high poll
rod Some knowledge of medicine was deem
lin. desirable, as chivalry required her to tt
! At care of her wounded knight Her DR.
his was required to be plain, except on fest
Tho occasions. The only tasks imposed
tho her intellect were to repeat the prayers
bar the church, to sing brief piece OF poet
nbi- or the longer romaunt. She could
y Of play on the harp, and sometimes the
= yer sciences were introduced into fen
Tho education. In chivalry there was alw
,,n: generous consideration for woman; he
,an proceeded the honorable maxim chat it
Oicd not just or courteous to take ladies P
hich oners IN WA, war III ''io ""ls y, VIZ rnn,
y of ana the y uh,pelllhes' 'le eipS'0. pa ,ofsaa
over as an onehueu Sone'e'sn' n"N .,;aa,
lark terms OF cap'tuia''oh " V"o
the WlnnisoerS, pu'' as ooul'ooIs - nt' :
rites he permitted the women to depart
nrcb such of their precious effects as they th
,aco selves could transport. The gates OF