ch furs, silks, and velvets, were
worn both by men and women.

None who saw the nobles of the court walking in garments so tight that
they could scarce move, with their long parti-coloured hose, their silk
hoods buttoned under the chin, their hair braided down their back, would
have thought that these were the most warlike and courageous of knights,
men whose personal prowess and gallantry were the admiration of Europe.
Their hair was generally cut close upon the forehead, and the beard was
suffered to grow, but was kept trimmed a moderate length. Many of the
ladies had the coat-of-arms of their family embroidered upon their
dresses, giving them the appearance of heralds' tabards. Almost all wore
gold or silver girdles, with embroidered pouches, and small daggers.

Thus the appearance of the crowd who moved about among the fields near
the lists was varied and brilliant indeed. Their demeanour was quiet,
for the London merchants deemed a grave demeanour to belong to their
calling, and the younger men and apprentices restrained their spirits
in the presence of their superiors. For their special amusement, and in
order, perhaps, to keep them from jostling too freely against the court
gallants and ladies, the city authorities had appointed popular sports
such as pleased the rougher classes; and bull baiting, cock-fighting,
wrestling for a ram, pitching the bar, and hand ball, were held in
a field some distance away. Here a large portion of the artisans and
apprentices amused themselves until the hour when the king and queen
were to arrive at their pavilion, and the contests were to commence.

Presently a sound of trumpets was heard, and the royal procession was
seen moving up from Westminster. Then the minor sports were abandoned;
the crowd gathered round the large fenced-in space, and those who,
by virtue of rank or position in the city, had places in the various
stands, took their places there.

There was a flourish of trumpets as the king and queen appeared in front
of the pavilion, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and many of the
nobles of the court, and a shout of welcome arose from the crowd. The
shooting at a mark at once began. The preliminary trials had been shot
off upon the preceding day, and the six chosen bowmen now took their
places.

Walter had not entered for the prizes at archery. He had on previous
years shot well; but since he had fully determined to become a
man-at-arms he had given up archery, fo