y. The queen and her ladies were in great peril, being thrown
from a considerable height, and a number of persons were severely
injured. The king, who was furious at the danger to which the queen had
been exposed, would have hung upon the spot the master workman whose
negligence had caused the accident, but the queen went on her knees
before him and begged his life of the king. The love of Edward for
warlike exercises caused England to be regarded as the most chivalrous
court in Europe, and the frequent tournaments aroused to the utmost the
spirits of the people and prepared them for the war with France. But of
the events of that war I will tell you some other night. It is time now
for us to betake us to our beds."

CHAPTER V: THE CITY GAMES

The next evening the armourer, at Walter's request, continued his
narrative.

"Soon after the tournament we began to fight again with Scotland. For
some years we had had peace with that country, and under the regency
a marriage was made between David, King of Scotland, son of Robert the
Bruce, and the Princess Joan, sister to our king, and a four years'
truce was agreed to."

"But why should we always be fighting with Scotland?" Walter asked.

"That is more than I can tell you, Walter. We were peaceful enough with
them until the days of Edward I; but he set up some claim to the throne
of Scotland, the rights of which neither I nor anyone else, so far as I
know, have ever been able to make out. The fact was he was strong,
and thought that he could conquer Scotland. The quarrels between
her nobles--most of them were allied by blood with our own and held
possessions in both kingdoms--gave Edward an excuse to interfere.
Scotland was conquered easily enough, but it was a hard task to hold it.
Sir William Wallace kept the country in a turmoil for many years, being
joined by all the common people. He inflicted one heavy defeat upon us
at Stirling, but receiving no support from the nobles he was defeated at
Falkirk, and some years afterwards was captured and executed here. His
head you may see any day over London Bridge. As he fought only for his
country and had ever refused allegiance to our king, it seems to me that
his fate was a cruel one. Then when all appeared quiet, Robert Bruce
raised Scotland again, and was crowned king. There was war for many
years, but at last, at Bannockburn he inflicted such a defeat upon us
as we have never had before. After that there were skirm