men of iron(ÌúÈË)-µÚ39ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
and¡¡flashing¡¡upon¡¡their¡¡polished¡¡armor¡£¡¡They¡¡drew¡¡rein¡¡to¡¡the¡¡right£»¡¡and¡¡so¡¡
rode¡¡in¡¡a¡¡little¡¡cloud¡¡of¡¡dust¡¡along¡¡the¡¡Strand¡¡Street¡¡towards¡¡London¡¡town£»¡¡
with¡¡the¡¡breeze¡¡blowing¡¡merrily£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡sunlight¡¡shining¡¡as¡¡sweetly¡¡and¡¡
blithesomely¡¡as¡¡though¡¡they¡¡were¡¡riding¡¡to¡¡a¡¡wedding¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡to¡¡a¡¡grim¡¡
and¡¡dreadful¡¡ordeal¡¡that¡¡meant¡¡either¡¡victory¡¡or¡¡death¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡179¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡180¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MEN¡¡OF¡¡IRON¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡32¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡days¡¡of¡¡King¡¡Edward¡¡III¡¡a¡¡code¡¡of¡¡laws¡¡relating¡¡to¡¡trial¡¡by¡¡battle¡¡
had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡compiled¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡sons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Thomas¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Woodstock¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡
work¡¡¡¡¡¡each¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡detail£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡minute£»¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡arranged¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
fixed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡judicial¡¡¡¡¡¡combats¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡regulated¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
accordance¡¡with¡¡its¡¡mandates¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡in¡¡obedience¡¡to¡¡this¡¡code¡¡that¡¡Myles¡¡Falworth¡¡appeared¡¡at¡¡the¡¡
east¡¡gate¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lists¡¡£¨the¡¡east¡¡gate¡¡being¡¡assigned¡¡by¡¡law¡¡to¡¡the¡¡challenger£©£»¡¡
clad¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡full¡¡¡¡¡¡armor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡proof£»¡¡¡¡¡¡attended¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡Gascoyne£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡accompanied¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡
two¡¡of¡¡the¡¡young¡¡knights¡¡who¡¡had¡¡acted¡¡as¡¡his¡¡escort¡¡from¡¡Scotland¡¡Yard¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡barriers¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡met¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡attorney¡¡¡¡¡¡Willingwood£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡chief¡¡
lawyer¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡conducted¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Falworth¡¡¡¡¡¡case¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡High¡¡¡¡¡¡Court¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
Chivalry£»¡¡and¡¡who¡¡was¡¡to¡¡attend¡¡him¡¡during¡¡the¡¡administration¡¡of¡¡the¡¡oaths¡¡
before¡¡the¡¡King¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡Myles¡¡presented¡¡himself¡¡at¡¡the¡¡gate¡¡he¡¡was¡¡met¡¡by¡¡the¡¡Constable£»¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡Marshal£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡immediate¡¡¡¡¡¡attendants¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡Constable£»¡¡¡¡¡¡laying¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
hand¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡bridle¡rein£»¡¡said£»¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡loud¡¡voice£º¡¡¡¨Stand£»¡¡¡¡Sir¡¡Knight£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡
tell¡¡me¡¡why¡¡thou¡¡art¡¡come¡¡thus¡¡armed¡¡to¡¡the¡¡gates¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lists¡£¡¡What¡¡is¡¡thy¡¡
name£¿¡¡Wherefore¡¡art¡¡thou¡¡come£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡answered£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡Myles¡¡Falworth£»¡¡a¡¡Knight¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Bath¡¡by¡¡grace¡¡
of¡¡his¡¡Majesty¡¡King¡¡Henry¡¡IV¡¡and¡¡by¡¡his¡¡creation£»¡¡and¡¡do¡¡come¡¡hither¡¡to¡¡
defend¡¡my¡¡challenge¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡body¡¡of¡¡William¡¡Bushy¡¡Brookhurst£»¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡
Alban£»¡¡proclaiming¡¡him¡¡an¡¡unknightly¡¡knight¡¡and¡¡a¡¡false¡¡and¡¡perjured¡¡liar£»¡¡
in¡¡that¡¡he¡¡hath¡¡accused¡¡Gilbert¡¡Reginald£»¡¡Lord¡¡Falworth£»¡¡of¡¡treason¡¡against¡¡
our¡¡beloved¡¡Lord£»¡¡his¡¡Majesty¡¡the¡¡King£»¡¡and¡¡may¡¡God¡¡defend¡¡the¡¡right£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡he¡¡ended¡¡speaking£»¡¡the¡¡Constable¡¡advanced¡¡close¡¡to¡¡his¡¡side£»¡¡and¡¡
formally¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡raising¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡umbril¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡helmet£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡£¡¡
Thereupon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡having¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡approved¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡identity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡ordered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡gates¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡be¡¡
opened£»¡¡and¡¡bade¡¡Myles¡¡enter¡¡the¡¡lists¡¡with¡¡his¡¡squire¡¡and¡¡his¡¡friends¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡the¡¡south¡¡side¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lists¡¡a¡¡raised¡¡scaffolding¡¡had¡¡been¡¡built¡¡for¡¡the¡¡
King¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡those¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡looked¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡unlike¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡180¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡181¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MEN¡¡OF¡¡IRON¡¡
erected¡¡at¡¡Devlen¡¡Castle¡¡when¡¡Myles¡¡had¡¡first¡¡jousted¡¡as¡¡belted¡¡knight¡¡
here¡¡were¡¡the¡¡same¡¡raised¡¡seat¡¡for¡¡the¡¡King£»¡¡the¡¡tapestries£»¡¡the¡¡hangings£»¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡fluttering¡¡¡¡¡¡pennons£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡royal¡¡¡¡¡¡standard¡¡¡¡¡¡floating¡¡¡¡¡¡above£»¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡
were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡fair¡faced¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ladies¡¡¡¡¡¡looking¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡instead£»¡¡¡¡¡¡stern¡¡¡
browed¡¡Lords¡¡and¡¡knights¡¡in¡¡armor¡¡and¡¡squires£»¡¡and¡¡here¡¡were¡¡no¡¡merry¡¡
laughing¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡buzz¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡talk¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡flutter¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡fans¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡kerchiefs£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡
very¡¡quiet¡¡and¡¡serious¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡¡¡¡¡riding¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡horse£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡Gascoyne¡¡¡¡¡¡holding¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bridle¡rein£»¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡attorney¡¡¡¡¡¡walking¡¡¡¡¡¡beside¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stirrups£»¡¡
followed¡¡the¡¡Constable¡¡across¡¡the¡¡lists¡¡to¡¡an¡¡open¡¡space¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡the¡¡seat¡¡
where¡¡the¡¡King¡¡sat¡£¡¡Then£»¡¡having¡¡reached¡¡his¡¡appointed¡¡station£»¡¡he¡¡stopped£»¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡¡¡Constable£»¡¡advancing¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡foot¡¡of¡¡the¡¡stair¡way¡¡¡¡that¡¡led¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡the¡¡
dais¡¡above£»¡¡announced¡¡in¡¡a¡¡loud¡¡voice¡¡that¡¡the¡¡challenger¡¡had¡¡entered¡¡the¡¡
lists¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡called¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡defendant¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡straightway£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡King£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨for¡¡¡¡¡¡noon¡¡
draweth¡¡nigh¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡warm£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sun£»¡¡¡¡¡¡bright¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡unclouded£»¡¡¡¡¡¡shone¡¡
fiercely¡¡down¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡open¡¡lists¡£¡¡Perhaps¡¡few¡¡men¡¡nowadays¡¡could¡¡bear¡¡
the¡¡scorching¡¡heat¡¡of¡¡iron¡¡plates¡¡such¡¡as¡¡Myles¡¡wore£»¡¡from¡¡which¡¡the¡¡body¡¡
was¡¡¡¡¡¡only¡¡¡¡¡¡protected¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡leathern¡¡¡¡¡¡jacket¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡hose¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡men's¡¡¡¡¡¡bodies¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
those¡¡days¡¡were¡¡tougher¡¡and¡¡more¡¡seasoned¡¡to¡¡hardships¡¡of¡¡weather¡¡than¡¡
they¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡our¡¡¡¡¡¡times¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡¡¡¡¡thought¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡burning¡¡¡¡¡¡iron¡¡
plates¡¡that¡¡incased¡¡him¡¡than¡¡a¡¡modern¡¡soldier¡¡thinks¡¡of¡¡his¡¡dress¡¡uniform¡¡
in¡¡warm¡¡weather¡£¡¡Nevertheless£»¡¡he¡¡raised¡¡the¡¡umbril¡¡of¡¡his¡¡helmet¡¡to¡¡cool¡¡
his¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡waited¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡coming¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡opponent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡eyes¡¡
upward¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡row¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡seats¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡scaffolding¡¡¡¡¡¡above£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
restless£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡bewildering¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡multitude¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡strange¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡faces¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡towards¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡
recognized¡¡those¡¡that¡¡he¡¡knew£º¡¡the¡¡Prince¡¡of¡¡Wales£»¡¡his¡¡companions¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
Scotland¡¡Yard¡¡household£»¡¡the¡¡Duke¡¡of¡¡Clarence£»¡¡the¡¡Bishop¡¡of¡¡Winchester£»¡¡
and¡¡some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡noblemen¡¡of¡¡the¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡Mackworth's¡¡party£»¡¡who¡¡had¡¡been¡¡
buzzing¡¡about¡¡the¡¡Prince¡¡for¡¡the¡¡past¡¡month¡¡or¡¡so¡£¡¡But¡¡his¡¡glance¡¡swept¡¡
over¡¡all¡¡these£»¡¡rather¡¡perceiving¡¡than¡¡seeing¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡rested¡¡upon¡¡a¡¡
square¡¡box¡like¡¡compartment¡¡not¡¡unlike¡¡a¡¡prisoner's¡¡dock¡¡in¡¡the¡¡courtroom¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡181¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡182¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MEN¡¡OF¡¡IRON¡¡
of¡¡our¡¡day£»¡¡for¡¡in¡¡the¡¡box¡¡sat¡¡his¡¡father£»¡¡with¡¡the¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡Mackworth¡¡upon¡¡
one¡¡side¡¡and¡¡Sir¡¡James¡¡Lee¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡other¡£¡¡The¡¡blind¡¡man's¡¡face¡¡was¡¡very¡¡
pale£»¡¡but¡¡still¡¡wore¡¡its¡¡usual¡¡expression¡¡of¡¡calm¡¡serenitythe¡¡calm¡¡serenity¡¡
of¡¡a¡¡blind¡¡face¡£¡¡The¡¡Earl¡¡was¡¡also¡¡very¡¡pale£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡kept¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡¡¡¡¡fixed¡¡
steadfastly¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡keen¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡searching¡¡¡¡¡¡look£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡
pierce¡¡to¡¡the¡¡very¡¡bottom¡¡of¡¡the¡¡young¡¡man's¡¡heart£»¡¡and¡¡discover¡¡if¡¡indeed¡¡
not¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡fragment¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡dryrot¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡fear¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡uncertainty¡¡¡¡¡¡tainted¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡solid¡¡
courage¡¡of¡¡his¡¡knighthood¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡he¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡criers¡¡calling¡¡the¡¡defendant¡¡at¡¡the¡¡four¡¡corners¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
list£º¡¡¡¨Oyez£¡¡¡Oyez£¡¡¡Oyez£¡¡¡William¡¡Bushy¡¡Brookhurst£»¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡Alban£»¡¡come¡¡
to¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡combat£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡enterprised¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡discharge¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡
sureties¡¡before¡¡the¡¡King£»¡¡the¡¡Constable£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Marshal£»¡¡and¡¡to¡¡encounter¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡your¡¡¡¡¡¡defence¡¡¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡¡¡¡¡Falworth£»¡¡¡¡¡¡knight£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡accepted¡¡¡¡¡¡champion¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡
behalf¡¡of¡¡Gilbert¡¡Reginald¡¡Falworth£»¡¡the¡¡challenger£¡¡¡Oyez£¡¡¡Oyez£¡¡¡Oyez£¡¡¡
Let¡¡the¡¡defendant¡¡come£¡¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡continued¡¡¡¡¡¡calling£»¡¡¡¡¡¡until£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sudden¡¡¡¡¡¡turning¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡faces£»¡¡
Myles¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡his¡¡enemy¡¡was¡¡at¡¡hand¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡presently¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡Earl¡¡and¡¡his¡¡attendants¡¡enter¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡gate¡¡
at¡¡the¡¡west¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡barrier£»¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡Constable¡¡and¡¡Marshal¡¡meet¡¡him£»¡¡
he¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡formal¡¡words¡¡of¡¡greeting¡¡pass£»¡¡he¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡Constable¡¡raise¡¡the¡¡
umbril¡¡of¡¡the¡¡helmet¡£¡¡Then¡¡the¡¡gate¡¡opened£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡Alban¡¡entered£»¡¡
clad¡¡cap¡a¡pie¡¡in¡¡a¡¡full¡¡suit¡¡of¡¡magnificent¡¡Milan¡¡armor¡¡without¡¡juppon¡¡or¡¡
adornment¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡kind¡£¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡approached¡¡¡¡¡¡across¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡lists£»¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡¡¡¡¡closed¡¡
the¡¡umbril¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡helmet£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡sat¡¡¡¡¡¡quite¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡motionless£»¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
time¡¡was¡¡come¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡So¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡sat£»¡¡¡¡¡¡erect¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡motionless¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡statue¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡iron£»¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡¡¡¡¡¡hearing¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
reading¡¡of¡¡the¡¡long¡¡intricately¡¡¡worded¡¡bills£»¡¡absorbed¡¡in¡¡many¡¡thoughts¡¡of¡¡
past¡¡and¡¡present¡¡things¡£¡¡At¡¡last¡¡the¡¡reading¡¡ended£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡he¡¡calmly¡¡and¡¡
composedly¡¡obeyed£»¡¡under¡¡the¡¡direction¡¡of¡¡his¡¡attorney£»¡¡the¡¡several¡¡forms¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡ceremonies¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡followed£»¡¡¡¡¡¡answered¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡various¡¡¡¡¡¡official¡¡¡¡¡¡questions£»¡¡
took¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡various¡¡¡¡¡¡oaths¡£¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡Gascoyne£»¡¡¡¡¡¡leading¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡horse¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bridle¡¡¡
rein£»¡¡conducted¡¡him¡¡back¡¡to¡¡his¡¡station¡¡at¡¡the¡¡east¡¡end¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lists¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡faithful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡friend¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡squire¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡searching¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡182¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡183¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MEN¡¡OF¡¡IRON¡¡
examination¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡arms¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡armor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Marshal¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡clerk¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
young¡¡champion¡¡and¡¡administered¡¡the¡¡final¡¡oath¡¡by¡¡which¡¡he¡¡swore¡¡that¡¡
he¡¡carried¡¡no¡¡concealed¡¡weapons¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡weapons¡¡¡¡¡¡allowed¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡High¡¡¡¡¡¡Court¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡measured¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
attested¡£¡¡They¡¡consisted¡¡of¡¡the¡¡long¡¡sword£»¡¡the¡¡short¡¡sword£»¡¡the¡¡dagger£»¡¡the¡¡
mace£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡weapon¡¡¡¡¡¡known¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡gisarm£»¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡glave¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lota¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡
swordlike¡¡blade¡¡eight¡¡palms¡¡long£»¡¡a¡¡palm¡¡in¡¡breadth£»¡¡and¡¡riveted¡¡to¡¡a¡¡stout¡¡
handle¡¡of¡¡wood¡¡three¡¡feet¡¡long¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡usual¡¡lance¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡included¡¡in¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡list¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡arms£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡¡¡
gisarm¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡substituted¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡fearful¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡murderous¡¡
weapon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cumbersome£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Unhandy£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ill¡¡¡¡adapted¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡quick¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡
dexterous¡¡stroke£»¡¡nevertheless£»¡¡the¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡Alban¡¡had¡¡petitioned¡¡the¡¡King¡¡
to¡¡have¡¡it¡¡included¡¡in¡¡the¡¡list£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡answer¡¡to¡¡the¡¡King's¡¡expressed¡¡desire¡¡
the¡¡Court¡¡had¡¡adopted¡¡it¡¡in¡¡the¡¡stead¡¡of¡¡the¡¡lance£»¡¡yielding¡¡thus¡¡much¡¡to¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡royal¡¡¡¡¡¡wishes¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Nor¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡small¡¡¡¡¡¡concession¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡hand¡gisarm¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
been¡¡a¡¡weapon¡¡very¡¡much¡¡in¡¡vogue¡¡in¡¡King¡¡Richard's¡¡day£»¡¡and¡¡was¡¡now¡¡
nearly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡entirely¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡fashion¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡younger¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡generation¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
warriors¡£¡¡The¡¡Earl¡¡of¡¡Alban¡¡was£»¡¡of¡¡course£»¡¡well¡¡used¡¡to¡¡the¡¡blade£»¡¡with¡¡
Myles¡¡it¡¡was¡¡strange¡¡and¡¡new£»¡¡either¡¡for¡¡attack¡¡or¡¡in¡¡defence¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡With¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡administration¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡final¡¡oath¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡examination¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
weapons£»¡¡the¡¡preliminary¡¡ceremonies¡¡came¡¡to¡¡an¡¡end£»¡¡and¡¡presently¡¡Myles¡¡
heard¡¡the¡¡criers¡¡calling¡¡to¡¡clear¡¡the¡¡lists¡£¡¡As¡¡those¡¡around¡¡him¡¡¡¡moved¡¡to¡¡
withdraw£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡young¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡knight¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡drew¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡mailed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡gauntlet£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡gave¡¡
Gascoyne's¡¡hand¡¡one¡¡last¡¡final¡¡clasp£»¡¡strong£»¡¡earnest£»¡¡and¡¡intense¡¡with¡¡the¡¡
close¡¡friendship¡¡of¡¡young¡¡manhood£»¡¡and¡¡poor¡¡Gascoyne¡¡looked¡¡up¡¡at¡¡him¡¡
with¡¡a¡¡face¡¡ghastly¡¡white¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡all¡¡were¡¡gone£»¡¡the¡¡gates¡¡of¡¡the¡¡principal¡¡list¡¡and¡¡that¡¡of¡¡the¡¡false¡¡
list¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡closed¡¡¡¡¡¡clashing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Myles¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡alone£»¡¡¡¡¡¡face¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡face£»¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡
mortal¡¡enemy¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡183¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡184¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡MEN¡¡OF¡¡IRON¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡33¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡a¡¡little¡¡while¡¡of¡¡restless£»¡¡rustling¡¡silence£»¡¡during¡¡which¡¡the¡¡
Constable¡¡took¡¡his¡¡place¡¡in¡¡the¡¡seat¡¡appointed¡¡for¡¡him¡¡directly¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡
and¡¡below¡¡the¡¡King's¡¡throne¡£¡¡A¡¡moment¡¡or¡¡two¡¡when¡¡even¡¡the¡¡restlessness¡¡
and¡¡the¡¡rustling¡¡were¡¡quieted£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡the¡¡King¡¡leaned¡¡forward¡¡and¡¡spoke¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡C