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The confusion around the marshals was now diminishing. Tutors and masters led the boys away for last-minute examinations of their armor, horse, and harness, and sergeants-at-arms led men carrying bundles of lances to each end of the tilting field. Then a single trumpet calledthere would be ten or fifteen to make a joyous noise for the men's joustingand two contestants rode into position at each end. |
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All watched with absorbed interest, even the women, although each contest was, in a sense, identical. The boys settled their lances between arm and body, holding them as steadily as possible with the right hand. The left arm was passed through a loop on the inner side of the shield while the hand gripped a handle fastened near the edge. The reins of the horse were fastened to the pommel of the saddle, the animal being guided by pressure of feet land knees. It was a complex and difficult task to guide the lance, hold and move the shield, and manage the horse all at the same time. |
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Since the boys had been matched as well as possible by size and weight, it was a combination of skill and eagerness that determined their success. However, too-great eagerness could also undo a jouster by making him thrust forward a trifle before the actual moment of impact so that he delivered less than the full blow of which he was capable. This was the most common fault of the young riders, although there were a few who should not have been allowed on the field at all. These were not yet able to coordinate lance, shield, and horse, and missed their opponents totally, either by not being able to aim their lances or by allowing their mounts to wander from the straight line. |
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William ran his courses fairly without any embarrassing inefficiencies; in fact, he overthrew his opponent. However, if he thought he would find praise, he was sadly mistaken. Father, grandfather, uncle, and future brother-by-marriage fell upon him with loud objections to almost everything he had done: His timing was off, he had held his shield wrong, he had steered his horse too wide and started him too slowly, his lance was not at the perfect angle, and he had been thinking too much of his own attack and not enough of positioning himself to avoid or slat off his opponent's lance. If William was a little disappointed, he was not crushed. First of all, he was accustomed to criticism. Second, the vociferous |
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