Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 of 8): Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain — John Shaqi
Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 of 8): Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great BritainRuskin, John
General
Fors Clavigera (Volume 3 of 8): Letters to the workmen and labourers of Great Britain
Ruskin, John
Aesthetics; Conduct of life; Great Britain -- Social conditions -- 19th century; Social problems; Working class -- Great Britain
end gave his sword to the King, saying, 'Sire Chevalier, I render me
your prisoner, for the day must remain to the English.' For by that
time they were all taken or killed who were with My Lord Geoffrey
of Chargny; and the last who was taken, and who had done most, was
Master Eustace of Ribaumont.
"So when the need [5] was past, the King of England drew back into
Calais, into the castle; and made be brought all the prisoner-knights
thither. And then the French knew that the King of England had been
in it, in person, under the banner of Master Walter de Manny. So
also the King sent to say to them, as it was the New-year's night,
he would give them all supper in his castle of Calais. So when the
supper time came," (early afternoon, 1st January, 1349) "the King
and his knights dressed themselves, and all put on new robes; and the
French also made themselves greatly splendid, for so the King wished,
though they were prisoners. The King took seat, and set those knights
beside him in much honour. And the gentle [6] Prince of Wales and the
knights of England served them, at the first course; and at the second
course, went away to another table. So they were served in peace,
and in great leisure. When they had supped they took away the tables;
but the King remained in the hall between those French and English
knights; and he was bare-headed; only wearing a chaplet of pearls. [7]
And he began to go from one to another; and when he addressed himself
to Master Geoffrey of Chargny, he altered countenance somewhat, and
looking askance at him, said, 'Master Geoffrey,--I owe you by right,
little love, when you would have stolen by night what had cost me so
dear. So glad and joyous I am, that I took you at the trial.' At these
words he passed on, and let Master Geoffrey alone, who answered no
word; and so came the King to Master Eustace of Ribaumont, to whom
he said joyously, 'Master Eustace, you are the chevalier whom in
all the world I have seen most valiantly attack his enemy and defend
his body: neither did I ever find in battle any one who gave me so
much work, body to body, as you did to-day. So I give you the prize
of the day, and that over all the knights of my own court, by just
sentence.' Thereupon the King took off the chaplet, that he wore,
(which was good and rich,) and put it on the head of My Lord Eustace;
and said, 'My Lord Eustace, I give you this chaplet, for that you
have been the best fighter to-day of all those without or within,
and I pray you that you wear it all this year for the love of me. I
know well that you are gay, and loving, and glad to be among dames
and damsels. So therefore say to them whither-soever you go, that I
gave it you; and so I quit you of your prison, and you may set forth
to-morrow if it please you.'"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account