Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-25

Bretons: Perrot de Commelain lie Gaillart,
d'Aspremont and d Ardaine, who fought against
their own countrymen because they were par
tizans of the Countess of Montfort. Her en-
grailed silver cross upon blue field was carried
at their head In the rear were five German or
Hainaut mercenaries, the tall Hulbltee and the
men-at-arms. Altogether of these combatantS
twenty were of English birth, four were Bretons
and six were of German blood.
So, with glitter of armor and Haunting of
pennons, their warehouses tossing and paving,
the champions rode down to the midway oak.
Behind them streamed hundreds of archers
and men-at-arms whose weapons had been
wisely taken from them lest a general battle
should ensue With them also went the towns
folk, men and women, together with wine
sellers, provision merchants armorers, groorns
and heralds, with surgeons to tend the wounded
and priests to shrive the dying. The path
was blocked by this throng but all over the
face of the country horsemen and footmen,
gentle and simple, men and women, could be
seen speeding their way to the scene of the
encounter.
The Journey was not a long one, for presently,
as they threaded their way through the fields,
there appeared before them great gray oak
which spread its gnarled leahess branches over
the corner of green and level meadow. The
tree black with the peasants who had
climbed into it, and all round it was huge
throng, Chattering and calling like rookery
at sunset. A storm of hooting broke out
from them at the approach of the English,
for Bambro' was hated in the country where
he raised money for the MontfoTt cause by
putting every parish to ransom and matreat
ing those who refused to pay. There )
little amenity in the wa1ike ways which hal
been learned upon the Scottish border. The
champions rode onward without deigning
to take notice of the taunts of the rabDle,
but the archers turned that way and soon beat
the mob to silence. Then they resolved them
selves into the keepers of the ground, and
pressed the people back until they formed
a dense line along the edge of the field, leaving
the whole space clear for the warriors.
The Breton champions had not yet arrived,
so the English tethered their horses at one
side of the ground, and then gathered round
their leader. Every man had his shield sung
round his neck, and had cut his spear to the
length of five feet, so that it might be more
manageable for fighting on foot. Besides
the spear, a sword or battle-ax hung at the
side of each. They were clad from head
to foot in armor with devices upon the crests
and surcoats to distinguish them from their
antagonists. At present their vizors were
still up and they chatted gaily with each other.
81 By Saint Dunstan!" cried Percy slapping
his gaunteted hands together and stamping
his steel feet, g shall be right glad to get to
work for my blood is chilled
Il warrant you will be warm enough ere
you get through" said Calverley.
Or cold forever Candle shall burn and
bell toll at Alnwick Chapel if | leave this
ground alive; but come what may fair sirs,
it should be a famous joust and one which
will help us forward Surely each of US will
have worshipfully won worship if we chance
to come through
You say truth, Thomas" said knoes,
bracing his girdle. For my own part, have
no ioY in such encounters when there is war
fare to be carried out; for it standeth not
Alright that a man should think of his own
pleasure and advancement rather than of the
Kings cause and the veal of the army. But
in times of truce | can think of no better way
in which day may be prohtably spent. Why
so silent, Nigel"
Indeed, fair sir, l was looking towards
Tosselin, which lies as l understand beyond
those woods. l see no sign of this debonair
gentleman and of his following. 1t would be
indeed grievous pity if any cause came to
hold them back
Hugh Calverey laughed at the words.
you need have no fear. young sir, said he.
"Such a spirit lies in Robert de Beaumanoir
that if he must come alone he would ride
against us none the less. | warrant that if
he were on a bed of death he would be borne
here and die on the green field
You say truly, Hugh, said Bambro'. Il
know him and those who ride behind him.
Thirty stouter men or more skilled in arms are
not to be found in Chrstendom 1t is in my
mind that come what may there will be much
honor for all of us this day. Ever in my head
| have rime which the wife of a Welsh archer
gave me when l crossed her hand with golden