Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-04-30

was placed crimson vest. expressive Of
the blood he would be called upon to
ehed in his warfare against wrong; while
he received complete suit of black arm
or, emblematic OF death, which he must
ever be prepared to meet. His sword,
laid on the altar as sign that he bound
himself to the service of religion and to
lead pure life; communion was taken.
After the blessing of the sword it was
handed to the candidate with a few re-
marks. The knights or ladies present put
on his golden spurs, his sword was then
buckled about his waist in belt of white
leather, embroidered with gold and the
party comforting the rank gave him kiss
of peace and taking the sword struck him
with its fat side upon the cheek or shout
der as the last indignity to be received
unavenged. Then the words, II proclaim
you Knight" and all was over and the
new knight rode out into the world to
seek honor, fame and glory.
Many knight is worthy of attention,
but time forbids, hence will only mem
ton "The Great Chevalier," Bayard Of
France, who is known in history as the
GOOD knight. without fear and without
reproach." His mother on his departure
from his fathers castle when but six
years old, said: 81 have but three re-
quests to make: First, love, fear and serve
God; second, be gentle and courteous to
all, and third, be charitable to the poor
and needy" These words from his moth.
er he never forgot; for he was faithful and
brave, reverent and generous throughout
his entire active career, and when he fell
80 Strong says-pierced by a missile
shot from an arquebus, while CALAMITY
guarding the rear of his army, his coun-
try mourned his loss; aye, a grander
knight never fell. His statue was erected
in Grenoble.
The armor and equipments of the
knights varied much at different periods.
The earlier knight wore a chain armor.
formed of interlinked hooks of steel rings,
which hung to the knees. The head was
protected by hood of chain mail, over
which was worn low, fiat cap of steel;
mittens covered the hands, and pointed
shoes of mail the feet. The horses were
at first unprotected, but afterwards it be-
came customary to sheath them in COM
plete armor.
During the Fourteenth century the
chain mail of the early knights was ex-
changed for armor formed Of overlapping
metal plates, and in the heyday of chiv-
airy the knight must have been truly a
splendid figure, mounted on his richly
caparisoned steed, glittering in his costly
armor of steel, with plume and crest and
visored helmet, with lance and mace and
battle-ax.
The invention of gunpowder put the
knight at great disadvantage. His armor
would not resist the cannon ball. Bat
ties were no longer fought hand to hand,
but at long range and the knight was
practically no more.
Chivalry sent its influence broadcast
through Europe, causing great changes
in politics. She awoke one morning with
a new hope, a new life, and found herself
not in the chrysalis, but spreading her
beautiful wings, bedecked with cities and
castles, filled with people whose ener-
gies had now awakened in them higher
ambitions, loftier purposes, until to-day
she glances back into the history of feu-
dality, sa. ing with proud acclaim: ave
owe to feudalism our prosperity, our
greatness, our nobility"
Though the institution persisted, chiv-
airy lives. The drama has been played
through the ages, until on the stage in
the Nineteenth century who are the
knights? The Chevaliers.
We have found on our own battle fields
as brave chevaliers as Knight Bayard
Cthough his feats are to be commended)
Our generals - Washington, Jackson.
Grant and many others, are worthy of a
higher praise, for they attained, through
their own merits, chivalrons victories.
The teacher, working upon immortal
minds, marching onward to victory with
his little army, however small, is grand
chevalier.
Thus might enumerate and enumer-
ate, bnt with a chivalrous motive in your
heart you will easily find those who sue
cessfolly maintain the qualities OF "Chiv-
airy and Knighthood."
The facts for this essay were cleaned
from the following well-known authors:
Hallam's Works of the Middle Ages;
Walter Scott's Talisman and Ivanhoe;
Burns General History; Swinton's Cen
eral History; Heroes of Knighthood;
Knight of the Nineteenth Century, by e.
P. Roe; British Ency clop@dia, Vol. XIV;
Peoples Encyclopedia, Vol. II; Emer-
son, and from newspaper articles by Phil
lin r Strong