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objections proved that his male relatives had high hopes for him. Had he failed miserably, he knew they would have offered consolation. |
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"You watch your grandfather," Geoffrey ended. "He is a jouster who knows what he is doing. You will not see his horses wandering all over the field or his shield inviting a lance point to slide off into his belly." |
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Still, a slight curve of the lips and the brightness of his eyes betrayed that Geoffrey knew this was a little unfair. After all, Ian had almost fifty years of experience beyond William. |
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By the time the boys' jousts were finished, the lodges were crowded to capacity. Now the full panoply of chivalry was displayed. First came the blare of trumpets, then came the heralds, gorgeously arrayed, and following them, the contestants armed and mounted. The knights rode two by two, down the field and around, parading before the lodges, dipping lance tips in saluteupon which the excited ladies hung favors. Laughing like girls, Alinor and Joanna bestowed bright-colored and specially embroidered stockings upon their husbands' lances, to be carried for their honor. |
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In the interests of preventing what was meant as a joyous occasion from turning into a bloodbath, pursuivants who would boast of their patrons' skills and insult their opponents' had been forbidden. Although there were hard feelings between some of the guests, who were long-standing opponents in the never-ending minor wars of the Welsh Marches, all had been urged to put away old animosities for this time, and most came with the intention of doing so. However, Llewelyn was taking no chances that were not intrinsic in simply mixing Welsh and English. Only his own heralds called the challenges, and only good words were said of each man. |
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When the cavalcade had gone round, the knights divided into two groups, each of which moved toward one end of the field. Most of the men dismounted; there was no sense in tiring their horses when they would have to wait a considerable time for their turns to joust. Richard and Ian, however, made ready, testing shield straps, helmets, and stirrups for security and coming to the head of the lists when they were satisfied. There, each was handed a lance, specially blunted |
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