< previous page page_172 next page >

Page 172
the day. There was plenty of time for blood and screaming. Meanwhile, Richard and Ian had brought their horses back to the center of the field and both had dismounted and embraced, each more delighted that the other had withstood the match without shamealthough every man mouthed the words that there was no shame in being unhorsed by a stronger opponentthan that he himself had escaped.
Yet in a way it was true that shame did not necessarily follow defeat in a jousting. Now that Richard and Ian had proved each other "invincible," the marshals were besieged by appeals to joust against each of them. No man who offered his name as an opponent had any hope of unhorsing either, but to withstand a shock against one of them would be high honor, and even to be put down would win a man notice for his courage. All offers, however, were refused, the marshals explaining that each man would run only three more passes and that these had been prearranged.
In fact, these six passes provided considerable amusement for the audience. Ian and Richard ran alternately, and on each pass they unhorsed an opponent with such skill that none was hurt beyond the bruising of the fall. And with each fall, the men and women in the lodges cheered and shouted louder. It was as good as a play, and when it was over, everyone, including those men who had been overthrown, were in high good humor.
It was a most auspicious beginning and fortunately an accurate prediction for the remainder of the contest. Through a long day's jousting, no one was seriously hurt and, owing to Richard and Ian's good example and Prince Llewelyn's careful preparations, no one lost his temper and cried for a duel à outrance. And when at last the trumpets blew for an end, all were able to walk back to the keep to warm themselves and fall like ravening beasts on the lavish dinner provided, for the ladies had expended almost as much energy as the men, jumping up and down and cheering on their favorites.
Nor was it only the gentlefolk who fed well. Out on the field, whole oxen and hogs were roasting, hogsheads of bread were being emptied, and barrels of beer broached. The fires leapt man-high, and the coarser type of minstrels twanged their instruments, juggled, and danced. It was a night that

 
< previous page page_172 next page >