Some of the defensive armour was so constructed, that it could be rolled up, and carried by the squire on horseback. It was too rigid, heavy, and cumbersome to be worn for a long time together, though the knights were often subjected to that inconvenience. When they were completely armed, no weapon could reach the body. It was not often that a knight could be killed, except by being unhorsed. In that event, a thin dagger, which was worn by each assailant, was employed. This could be thrust into the body between the plates.

It is only in romance, that we read of swords cutting through that solid front of iron, by which a knight was protected. The only way in which death could be inflicted, when he was mounted, was, by thrusting a lance through the small hole in the visor. Such a mode of death was not very common, 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 flanks, were either wholly or partially protected, and sometimes, on occasions of pomp, he was clad in complete steel.

6. The Chivalric Character.-In the character of a true knight, were combined many virtues and noble endowments. It necessarily included, also, some prominent defects. Companionship in Arms, was a sacred principle, and a knight would fly to the relief of his companion in arms, even were his services demanded by a female, at the time. His valour was connected with modesty, and both were, in the highest degree, conspicuous. In chivalric war, much humanity was displayed, though in contentions of a different kind, it was unhappily suppressed. As a knight fought for the church, he was intolerant, and towards infidels and heretics he ceased to exhibit his wonted forbearance. His sense of honour was keen, and his independence was consistent with discipline and submission. His whole course was dictated by a regard to religion. His devotions were frequent. Religion entered into all the observances of chivalry, but it was only the religion of the times-a form rather than spirit-too corrupt to be a safe guide. The knight, finally, was characterized by a very remarkable fidelity to obligations, by generosity, and by courtesy. {Companionship in arms, was the strongest tie in chivalry:

"From this day forward ever mo,
Neither fail, either for weal or wo,
To help other at need.

Brother, be now true to me,

And I shall be as true to thee.

Such a thirst for renown in arms, for the display of valiancy, had a knight, that he would sometimes attempt the very height of he roism, and engage in the execution of impossibilities. It was this passion, which dictated many of his vows. Certain young knights of England, during the French wars of Edward III., each bound up one of his eyes with a silk ribbon, and swore before the ladies and the peacock, that he would not see with both eyes, until he had accomplished certain deeds of arms in France.

The valiancy of chivalry was finely chastened by humility:

"And of his port, as meek as is a maid.'

Every hero, as well as Chaucer's knight, demeaned himself in all things, as if God solely had controlled; and in the divine name, used his arms, without vaunting or praising himself; for praise was regarded as blame, in the mouth of him who commended his own actions. The clemency of chivalry was often shown, especially in sparing inferior people. As a knight could gain no honour in slaying an unarmed peasantry, so he seldom attacked one of this class; and even an enemy of his own order, if prostrate and supplicating, was not often despatched.

Still, he was ruthless towards the infidel and heretic. He knew no other argument than the sword, to gainsay the infidel, and he was ready, at all times, to "thrust it into the belly of a heretic as far as it would go."

Of his moral virtues, perfect fidelity to a promise was very conspicuous; for his nobleness disdained any compromise with convenience or circumstances. However absurd the vow, still he was compelled to perform it, in all the strictness of the letter.

Knights were renowned for their courtesy; and this principle, like every other blessing of modern times, had its origin in the Christian religion. The world thought, that courtesy and chivalry accorded together, and that villanous and foul words, were contrary to an order which was founded on piety. A knight was always spoken of as gentle. The following anecdote curiously marks this quality of chivalric manners. The wife and sister of Du Gueselin, were once living in a castle, which was attacked by a force of Normans and Englishmen. The success was great and important; but public indignation was excited against the invaders, because they had transgressed the license of war, in being guilty of the uncourteous action of surprising and disturbing ladies while they were asleep.

7. Every day life of the Knight.-The military and moral qualities of knighthood, were fostered by all the circumstances of chivalric life, even those of a peaceful nature. Their common life was one of amusement and revelry, in which the images of their favourite pursuits were easily recalled to their minds. They passed most of their hours of peace, in the diversions of falconry and chess-playing, in listening to the minstrels, who sung the feats of chivalry, in read

ing romances, and in conversation, which turned almost wholly on love and war. Entertainments, also, at each other's castles, were frequent; in these, the utmost merriment prevailed.

§ The minstrel's lay, the poetry of the troubadour, the romance of the learned clerk-all spoke of arms and amours-of the duties and sports of chivalry. Every baronial knight had his gay troop of minstrels, that accompanied him to the field, and afterwards chanted in his hall the martial deeds which had renowned his family.

At their entertainments, the knights were wont to repose on couches, or sit on benches. The guests were placed two by two, and only one plate was allotted to each pair; for to eat on the same trencher or plate with any one, was considered the strongest mark of friendship or love. Peacocks and pheasants were the peculiar food of knights, on great and festival occasions.

8. The Chivalric lady-love. The females of chivalry, possessed a distinct and peculiar character. The lady, like the knight, was regularly trained up to become, at length, the mistress of his affections. She was commonly educated in the castle of some knight or baron, her father's friend. One of the first duties or accomplishments which she learned, was that of courtesy, and condescension to her inferiors. In those days, her mental education was not of a high polish. Some knowledge of medicine was deemed desirable, as chivalry required her to take care of her wounded knight. Her dress was required to be plain, except on festive occasions.

§ The only tasks on her intellect, were to repeat the prayers of the church, to sing a brief piece of poetry, or the longer romaunt. She could also play on the harp. Sometimes the graver sciences were introduced into female education. There were solitary instances, in which might be applied what was sung of Felice, the daughter of the earl of Warwick.

'Busy they (her masters) were that maiden to leer,

And they lered her of astronomy
Of armsmetrick, and of geometry;
Of sophistry she was also witty,
Of rhetorick and of other clergy;
Learned she was in musick,

Of clergy was her none like."

In that singular system of manners which we call chivalric, love, cext to religion, was the most influential principle. In many instan ces, it was doubtless the most influential. The true knight was a more perfect personification of love, than poets and romancers ever dreamed. The fair object of his passion, reigned in his heart, with absolute dominion.

Every gallant spirit of "gentle" Gower's days, the reign of Edward III., said of his mistress.

"What thing she bid me do, I do,

And where she bid me go, I go."

Chivalric love, had both its absurdities and impieties. Knights were not satisfied to fight in defence of the ladies, and to joust in their honour, but from the extravagance of their love, eacli knight maintained at the point of his lance, that his mistress surpassed all other ladies in beauty.

Chivalric love, became a foe to the distictions of wealth and rank, and many a knight, whose whole fortune lay in his prowess, gained the hand of high born beauty.

In chivalry there was always a generous consideration for woman. Hence proceeded the honorable maxim, that it was not just or courteous to take ladies in war.

§ In the wars of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, the emperor Conrad, as an offended sovereign, had refused all terms of capitulation to the garrison of Winnisberg; but as a courteous knight, he permitted the women to depart with such of their precious effects as they themselves could transport. The gates of the town were thrown open, and a long procession of matrons, each bearing a husband or a father, or brother, on her shoulders, passed in safety through the applauding camp.

9. Tournaments and Jousts. Tournaments and jousts, were both the offspring and the cherisher of chivalry. No amusement or exercise was so delighted in by gallant knights and beauteous ladies, by kings, the nobility, and the gentry, as these images of war. They were often splendid beyond description, especially at coronations, the marriage of princes, and important victories.

Tournaments were military exercises, performed by two. parties of cavaliers, with hurtless weapons.

§ If the occasion was high and solemn, it was announced at the courts of different sovereigns, by heralds, sent by the king who proposed to hold the martial exercise; and all those who valued their knighthood, together with respected dames and maidens, were invited to repair to the appointed city, and prove their chivalry. Not knights alone, but kings and princes, pricked over the plain in gallant and graceful array; for though they were not expected to stoop to many knightly observances, they were eager to prove their chivalric character, by deeds of valour. For this they overlooked the pride of station

Not every knight might tourney. He must have been guilty of no unchivalric deportment. He must never have blasphemed God, or offended the ladies; must never have been false, ungrateful, or deserted a brother-in-arms in battle. The rules of tourneying, however, were sometimes evaded. Young knights, particularly, often concealed their names, and came in disguise.

The place of combat was, the lists, a large space, surround

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