The young princes Robert and William after attending Count Stephen to the bath clothed him in white garments, and covered him with a crimson cloak, the one symbolical of the purity of his soul, the other of his determination to shed his blood in the cause of heaven. Arrayed in this simple garb, after the celebration of the high mass, he entered the hall and approaching the altar, presented his sword to the bishop, who blessed and consecrated it to the service of religion and virtue. Lanfranc then addressed him thus. "Thou seekest, Count of Blois, to become a knight--thou art of noble birth--of liberal gifts and high in courage.--Thou must be strong in danger--secret in councils--patient in difficulties--powerful against enemies--prudent in deeds. Lay thy hand upon this holy missal, and swear to observe the following rules." And Stephen laid his hand upon the clasped volume, and repeated slowly, after the priest. "I do solemnly promise and swear to spare neither my blood nor my life in defence of the Catholic faith,--to aid all widows and orphans--to protect the innocent and oppressed--to be humble in all things--to speak the truth from the heart--to seek the welfare of my vassals--to regard the rights of my sovereign--and to live righteously before God and man." Then rising from his knees and throwing off his cloak the neophyte stood with his head reverently inclined toward the priest, while Prince William buckled on the spurs of knighthood, and Edgar Atheling fastened the greaves, and Robert belted the corselet; gracefully he sank upon his knee, when Maude advancing adjusted the helmet upon his closely curling locks, and Constance presented the spear with its drooping pennon; but his head bowed in conscious devotion, and the warm blood glowed eloquently on his manly cheek, while Adela, the lady of his love, tremulous with agitation, passed the scarf about his neck--fitted the silken folds across his breast, and belted the jewelled knot upon the ivory sheath of his sword. Appareled in his splendid armor the young count took the consecrated weapon from the altar, and presenting it to the king, knelt before the throne while the monarch rose and laid upon his shoulder three gentle blows, saying in a voice whose deep tones echoed to the farthest end of the hall, "In the name of St. Michael, and St. Stephen, I make thee knight. Be loyal, bold and true." Following the example of the Conqueror, each knight advanced a step, drew his sword from the sheath, and while the hall gleamed with the flash of burnished steel, the man of God again took up the word, blessing him who had newly undertaken, and those who had long been engaged in holy warfare, and praying that all the hosts of the enemies of heaven, might be destroyed by christian chivalry.