The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-03-03

A JOUST ON LONDON BRIDGE,
Richard grew up to be tyrant over
both mobiles and people; king Of pa
geauts, bauquets and tournaments only,
with no thought but for his own pleasure
and glory. should be glad to dismiss
him now, If it were not for two strange
spectacles which during his reign, took
place on London Bridge; one OF them
will prove of especial interest to boys,
the other will be better liked by girls.
1t was Saint Georges Day, 1890, that
King Richard appointed for the first OF
these spectaclea. A Scottish knight,
named the Earl of Crsufort, had quar-.
rel, or some dispute, with an English
knight who had been ambassador to
Scotland named Lord de Wells. After
the custom of those days a challenge
passed between them, and they we're to
settle their differences by passage at
arms.
Such things we're of considerable mo-
ment to the parties concerned, even If no
more than friendly struggle to see which
was the better man. Tournaments were
the great amusement of the day, and
they were often held at Westminster.
Whether it was because one OF the pres
ent combatants was from another coun-
try, and the nearest to neutral ground
was required; or whether it was a whlm
of the king to give the greatest possible
number of people chance Of witnessing
the fray, no less dangerous place was
chosen for the combat than London
Bridge. Here accordingly, the lists we're
prepared. Tournaments on the water
with boats were frequent, as well as
tournaments on land with horses, but
this was to be on neither land nor water.
or course they had no doubt that the
English knight would knock over the
Scotchman for the Knights of that coun-
try we're not believed to be formidable.
There was a great array on the bridge,
the king and most of his mobiles being
present there; and the populace covered
the shores. Lord Craufort rode into the
lists with twelve knights, who had been
given a safe conduct to attend upon him.
When everything was ready. the signal
was given, they put spurs to their horses,
and with their lances at rest, met in a
fearful collision midway upon the bridge.
The lances were splintered, neither man
dismounted, but the Scotchman sat as
immovable as a pillar Of iron. The Eng
lishman, though he stood it well, looked
for q moment a little awry, like a tall
stove that had lost one OF it's feet.
After they had recovered their breath,
and the Euglishman bad been set upright
again, the two withdrew for another
charge. Again came tho dash and the
clash and the splinters, and the duet and
the horses on their launches there
sat the two knights, the Scotchman as
firm as the parapet, but the Englishman
somewhat arched over his saddle bow.
Then they drew off again. 1t was sure
ly the best joust of the year. For the third
time they met. But this time Lord de
Wells was hoisted out of his saddle. and
landed on the hard pavement like mass
of old iron. He could not even hear the
cruel clang he made. Hi, breath and
his senses had been knocked out Of him
He did not move limb. Neither for an
instant did the Scotchman, who having
reined in his horse, looked grimly down
upon the ruin he had made.
Such defeat would never do The en-
ragged and ungenerous spectators raised
the shout, "He's tied to his horseP "He's
tied to his horser' Whereupon the knight
lightly vsulted from his steed, and dis
comfited his accus srs at once and what
did he then? Vault back again, amid the
loud plaudits they could not forbe8r to
give? On the contrary he turned his back
upon his horse, and going quickly to the
fallen knight, lifted him tenderly and
took off his helmet to give him air, while
the king and all the rest thought he was
going to ply the dagger. as was now his
privilege. The chivslry in his brave
heart proved to be as true as was the
stroke of his iron arm. His heart had
warmed to his gallant adversary, and to
the amazsment of every one, he watched
by the sick bed of his foe for three
months thereafter, until Lord de Wells
was mended OF all his lille From "Ihe
Storm of nm Old Ry.iC}ore /" in st. Nicholas.