第23章 THE CITY GAMES(3)

The taxes are doubled, and the drain of men is heavy.We armourers, of course, have a busy time of it, and all trades which have to do with the furnishing of an army flourish exceedingly.Moreover, men of mettle and valour have an opportunity of showing what they are composed of, and England rings with the tales of martial deeds.There are some, Walter, who think that peace is the greatest of blessings, and in some ways, lad, they are no doubt right; but there are many compensations in war.It brings out the noble qualities; it raises men to think that valour and fortitude and endurance and honour are qualities which are something above the mere huckstering desire for getting money, and for ignoble ease and comfort.

Some day it may be that the world will change, and that war may become a thing of the past; but to my mind, boy, I doubt whether men will be any happier or better for it.The priests, no doubt, would tell you otherwise;but then you see I am an armourer, and so perhaps am hardly a fair judge on the matter, seeing that without wars my craft would come to an end."Walter remained in thought for some time."It seems to me, Master Geoffrey, that while wars may suit strong and courageous men, women would rejoice were such things to be at an end.""Women suffer most from wars, no doubt," Geoffrey said, "and yet do you mark that they are more stirred by deeds of valour and chivalry than are we men; that they are ever ready to bestow their love upon those who have won honour and glory in war, even although the next battle may leave them widows.This has been always somewhat of a marvel to me; but I suppose that it is human nature, and that admiration for deeds of valour and bravery is ingrained in the heart of man, and will continue until such times come that the desire for wealth, which is ever on the increase, has so seized all men that they will look with distaste upon everything which can interfere with the making of money, and will regard the man who amasses gold by trading as a higher type than he who does valiant deeds in battle.""Surely that can never be," Walter said indignantly.

"There is no saying," the armourer answered; "at any rate, Walter, it will matter little to you or to me, for many generations must pass before such a state of things can come about."Two days later Walter, who had been across into the city, returned in a state of excitement.

"What do you think, Geoffrey? The king, with the Prince of Wales and all his court, are coming to the games next month.They say that the king himself will adjudge the prizes; and there is to be a grand assault-at-arms between ten of the 'prentices with a captain, and an equal number of sons of nobles and knights.""That will be rare," Geoffrey Ward exclaimed; "but there will be some broken limbs, and maybe worse.These assaults-at-arms seldom end without two or three being killed.However, you youngsters will not hit as hard as trained knights; and if the armour be good, no great damage should be done.""Do you think that I shall be one of the ten?" Walter asked anxiously.

"Just as if you did not know you would," Geoffrey replied, laughing."Did you not win the prize for swordplay last year? And twelve months have added much to the strength of your arm, to say nothing of your skill with weapons.If you win this year again - and it will be strange if you do not - you are like enough to be chosen captain.You will have tough fighting, Ican tell you, for all these young aspirants to knighthood will do their best to show themselves off before the king and queen.The fight is not to take place on horseback, I hope; for if so, it will be settled as soon as it begins.""No, it is to be on foot; and the king himself is to give orders as to the fighting.""You had best get out that helmet and coat of mail of yours," Geoffrey said, "I warrant me that there will be none of finer make or of truer metal in the tourney, seeing that I made them specially for you.They are light, and yet strong enough to withstand a blow from the strongest arm.I tried them hard, and will warrant them proof, but you had best see to the rivets and fastenings.They had a rough handling last year, and you have not worn them since.There are some other pieces that I must put in hand at once, seeing that in such a melee you must be covered from head to foot."For the next week nothing was talked of in London but the approaching sports, and the workmen were already engaged in the erection of the lists and pavilions in the fields between the walls and Westminster.It was reported that the king would add valuable prizes to those given to the winners by the city; that there would be jousting on horseback by the sons of the court nobles, and that the young Prince of Wales would himself ride.

The king had once before taken part in the city sports, and with ten of the citizens had held his own against an equal number of knights.This was at the commencement of his reign; but the accident to the queen's stand had so angered him that he had not again been present at the sports, and his reappearance now was considered to be an act of approval of the efforts which the city had made to aid him in the war, and as an introduction of the young prince to the citizens.