THE LISTS AT ASHBY
By Sir Walter Scott
The following is the larger part of chapter eight of Scott's Ivanhoe. The hero of the novel is a Saxon knight, Wilfred of Ivanhoe, son of Cedric. Ivanhoe is in love with his father's ward, Rowena, but Cedric wishes her to marry a thick-headed Saxon thane, or lord, called Athelstane. According to Scott, the period was one of unrest. England had come into the possession of the Normans, and the native Saxons hated their new masters. Richard was king. But since he had gone to the Holy Land as a leader in one of the crusades, his brother, Prince John, ruled in his stead. Both were foreigners, but the common people liked Richard and hated John, who was not only a tyrant, but was also planning to seize his brother's throne. He had had Richard imprisoned in Austria, and had surrounded himself with ambitious and dissatisfied Norman knights. The tournament at Ashby was really a trial at arms between the Prince's followers and those of Richard, of whom Ivanhoe was one.
The lists now presented a most splendid spectacle.
The sloping galleries were crowded with all that was
noble, great, wealthy, and beautiful in the northern and
midland parts of England; and the contrast of the various
dresses of these dignified spectators rendered the view as5
gay as it was rich, while the interior and lower space, filled
with the substantial burgesses and yeomen of merry England,
formed, in their more plain attire, a dark fringe, or
border, around this circle of brilliant embroidery, relieving,
and at the same time setting off, its splendor. 10
The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual
cry of "Largess, largess, gallant knights!" and gold and
silver pieces were showered on them from the galleries,
it being a high point of chivalry to exhibit liberality toward
those whom the age accounted at once the secretaries and
the historians of honor. The bounty of the spectators
was acknowledged by the customary shouts of "Love of 5
Ladies—Death of Champions—Honor to the Generous—Glory
to the Brave!" To which the more humble
spectators added their acclamations, and a numerous band
of trumpeters the flourish of their martial instruments.
When these sounds had ceased, the heralds withdrew from 10
the lists in gay and glittering procession, and none remained
within them save the marshals of the field, who, armed cap-a-pie,
sat on horseback, motionless as statues, at the opposite
ends of the lists.
Meantime, the inclosed space at the northern extremity 15
of the lists, large as it was, was now completely crowded
with knights desirous to prove their skill against the challengers,
and when viewed from the galleries presented the
appearance of a sea of waving plumage intermixed with
glistening helmets and tall lances, to the extremities of20
which were, in many cases, attached small pennons of
about a span's breadth, which, fluttering in the air as the
breeze caught them, joined with the restless motion of the
feathers to add liveliness to the scene.
At length the barriers were opened, and five knights 25
chosen by lot advanced slowly into the area; a single champion
riding in front and the other four following in pairs.
All were splendidly armed, and my Saxon authority records
at great length their devices, their colors, and the embroidery
of their horse trappings. It is unnecessary to be 30
particular on these subjects. To borrow lines from a
contemporary poet, who has written but too little—
"The knights are dust,
And their good swords are rust,
Their souls are with the saints, we trust."
Their escutcheons have long moldered from the walls of
their castles. Their castles themselves are but green 5
mounds and shattered ruins—the place that once knew
them knows them no more—nay, many a race since theirs
has died out and been forgotten in the very land which they
occupied with all the authority of feudal lords. What,
then, would it avail the reader to know their names or the 10
evanescent symbols of their martial rank!
Now, however, no whit anticipating the oblivion which
awaited their names and feats, the champions advanced
through the lists, restraining their fiery steeds and compelling
them to move slowly, while, at the same time, they 15
exhibited their paces, together with the grace and dexterity
of the riders. As the procession entered the lists, the sound
of a wild barbaric music was heard from behind the tents of
the challengers, where the performers were concealed. It
was of Eastern origin, having been brought from the Holy 20
Land; and the mixture of the cymbals and bells seemed to
bid welcome at once, and defiance, to the knights as they
advanced.
With the eyes of an immense concourse of spectators
fixed upon them, the five knights advanced up the platform 25
upon which the tents of the challengers stood, and
there separating themselves, each touched slightly, and
with the reverse of his lance, the shield of the antagonist to
whom he wished to oppose himself. The lower orders of
spectators in general—nay, many of the higher class, and30
it is even said several of the ladies—were rather disappointed
at the champions choosing the arms of courtesy.
For the same sort of persons who, in the present day, applaud
most highly the deepest tragedies were then interested in a
tournament exactly in proportion to the danger incurred by
the champions engaged.
Having intimated their more pacific purpose, the champions5
retreated to the extremity of the lists, where they
remained drawn up in a line; while the challengers, sallying
each from his pavilion, mounted their horses, and
headed by Brian de Bois-Guilbert, descended from the
platform and opposed themselves individually to the knights 10
who had touched their respective shields.
At the flourish of clarions and trumpets they started out
against each other at full gallop; and such was the superior
dexterity or good fortune of the challengers that those
opposed to Bois-Guilbert, Malvoisin, and Front-de-Bœuf, 15
rolled on the ground. The antagonist of Grantmesnil,
instead of bearing his lance point fair against the crest or
the shield of his enemy, swerved so much from the direct
line as to break the weapon athwart the person of his opponent—a
circumstance which was accounted more disgraceful 20
than that of being actually unhorsed; because the
latter might happen from accident, whereas the former
evinced awkwardness and want of management of the
weapon and of the horse. The fifth knight alone maintained
the honor of his party and parted fairly with the 25
Knight of St. John, both splintering their lances without
advantage on either side.
The shouts of the multitude, together with the acclamations
of the heralds and the clangor of the trumpets,
announced the triumph of the victors and the defeat of 30
the vanquished. The former retreated to their pavilions,
and the latter, gathering themselves up as they could,
withdrew from the lists in disgrace and dejection, to agree
with their victors concerning the redemption of their arms
and their horses, which, according to the laws of the
tournament, they had forfeited. The fifth of their number
alone tarried in the lists long enough to be greeted by the 5
applauses of the spectators, amongst whom he retreated, to
the aggravation, doubtless, of his companions' mortification.
A second and a third party of knights took the field; and
although they had various success, yet, upon the whole,
the advantage decidedly remained with the challengers, 10
not one of whom lost his seat or swerved from his charge—misfortunes
which befell one or two of their antagonists
in each encounter. The spirits, therefore, of those opposed
to them seemed to be considerably dampened by their continued
success. Three knights only appeared on the fourth 15
entry, who, avoiding the shields of Bois-Guilbert and
Front-de-Bœuf, contented themselves with touching those
of the three other knights, who had not altogether manifested
the same strength and dexterity. This politic selection
did not alter the fortune of the field: the challengers 20
were still successful. One of their antagonists was overthrown
and both the others failed in the attaint, that is,
in striking the helmet and shield of their antagonist firmly
and strongly with the lance held in a direct line, so that the
weapon might break unless the champion was overthrown. 25
After this fourth encounter, there was a considerable
pause; nor did it appear that anyone was very desirous
of renewing the contest. The spectators murmured among
themselves; for, among the challengers, Malvoisin and
Front-de-Bœuf were unpopular from their characters, and 30
the others, except Grantmesnil, were disliked as strangers
and foreigners.
But none shared the general feeling of dissatisfaction
so keenly as Cedric the Saxon, who saw, in each advantage
gained by the Norman challengers, a repeated triumph
over the honor of England. His own education had taught
him no skill in the games of chivalry, although, with the 5
arms of his Saxon ancestors, he had manifested himself on
many occasions a brave and determined soldier.
He looked anxiously to Athelstane, who had learned the
accomplishments of the age, as if desiring that he should
make some personal effort to recover the victory which was 10
passing into the hands of the Templar and his associates.
But, though both stout of heart and strong of person,
Athelstane had a disposition too inert and unambitious to
make the exertions which Cedric seemed to expect from
him. 15
"The day is against England, my lord," said Cedric, in
a marked tone; "are you not tempted to take the lance?"
"I shall tilt to-morrow," answered Athelstane, "in the
mêlée; it is not worth while for me to arm myself to-day."
Two things displeased Cedric in this speech. It contained20
the Norman word mêlée (to express the general
conflict), and it evinced some indifference to the honor of
the country; but it was spoken by Athelstane, whom he
held in such profound respect that he would not trust himself
to canvass his motives or his foibles. Moreover, he 25
had no time to make any remark, for Wamba thrust in his
word, observing, "It was better, though scarce easier, to be
the best man among a hundred than the best man of
two."
Athelstane took the observation as a serious compliment; 30
but Cedric, who better understood the jester's meaning,
darted at him a severe and menacing look; and lucky it
was for Wamba, perhaps, that the time and place prevented
his receiving, notwithstanding his place and service, more
sensible marks of his master's resentment.
The pause in the tournament was still uninterrupted,
excepting by the voices of the heralds exclaiming—"Love 5
of ladies, splintering of lances! Stand forth, gallant knights,
fair eyes look upon your deeds!"
The music also of the challengers breathed from time to
time wild bursts expressive of triumph or defiance, while
the clowns grudged a holiday which seemed to pass away 10
in inactivity; and old knights and nobles lamented in
whispers the decay of martial spirit, spoke of the triumphs
of their younger days, but agreed that the land did not now
supply dames of such transcendent beauty as had animated
the justs of former times. 15
Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making
ready the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the
prize to Brian de Bois-Guilbert who had, with a single
spear, overthrown two knights and foiled a third.
At length, as the Saracenic music of the challengers concluded 20
one of those high and long flourishes with which
they had broken the silence of the lists, it was answered
by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note of defiance
from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see
the new champion which these sounds announced, and no 25
sooner were the barriers opened than he paced into the
lists.
As far as could be judged from a man sheathed in armor,
the new adventurer did not greatly exceed the middle size
and seemed to be rather slender than strongly made. 30
His suit of armor was formed of steel, richly inlaid with
gold, and the device on his shield was a young oak tree
pulled up by the roots with the Spanish word Desdichado,
signifying "disinherited". He was mounted on a gallant
black horse, and as he passed through the lists he gracefully
saluted the prince and the ladies by lowering his
lance. The dexterity with which he managed his steed, 5
and something of youthful grace which he displayed in his
manner, won him the favor of the multitude, which some
of the lower class expressed by calling out, "Touch Ralph
de Vipont's shield—touch the Hospitaler's shield; he
has the least sure seat; he is your cheapest bargain." 10
The champion, moving onward amid these well-meant
hints, ascended the platform by the sloping alley which
led to it from the lists, and to the astonishment of all
present, riding straight up to the central pavilion, struck
with the sharp end of his spear the shield of Brian de 15
Bois-Guilbert until it rang again.
All stood astonished at his presumption, but none more
than the redoubted knight whom he had thus defied to
mortal combat and who, little expecting so rude a challenge,
was standing carelessly at the door of the pavilion. 20
"Have you confessed yourself, brother," said the Templar,
"and have you heard Mass this morning, that you
peril your life so frankly?"
"I am fitter to meet death than thou art," answered the
Disinherited Knight; for by this name the stranger had 25
recorded himself in the books of the tourney.
"Then take your place in the lists," said Bois-Guilbert,
"and look your last upon the sun; for this night thou shalt
sleep in Paradise."
"Gramercy for thy courtesy," replied the Disinherited 30
Knight, "and to requite it, I advise thee to take a fresh
horse and a new lance, for by my honor you will need both."
Having expressed himself thus confidently, he reined his
horse backward down the slope which he had ascended and
compelled him in the same manner to move backward
through the lists till he reached the northern extremity,
where he remained stationary in expectation of his antagonist. 5
This feat of horsemanship again attracted the applause
of the multitude.
However incensed at his adversary for the precautions
which he recommended, Brian de Bois-Guilbert did not
neglect his advice; for his honor was too nearly concerned 10
to permit his neglecting any means which might insure
victory over his presumptuous opponent. He changed
his horse for a proved and fresh one of great strength and
spirit. He chose a new and tough spear, lest the wood of
the former might have been strained in the previous encounters 15
he had sustained. Lastly, he laid aside his shield,
which had received some little damage, and received another
from his squires. His first had only borne the general
device of his order, representing two knights riding upon one
horse, an emblem expressive of the original humility and 20
poverty of the Templars, qualities which they had since
exchanged for the arrogance and wealth that finally occasioned
their suppression. Bois-Guilbert's new shield bore
a raven in full flight, holding in its claws a skull, and bearing
the motto Gare le Corbeau. 25
When the two champions stood opposed to each other
at the two extremities of the lists, the public expectation
was strained to the highest pitch. Few augured the possibility
that the encounter could terminate well for the
Disinherited Knight, yet his courage and gallantry secured 30
the general good wishes of the spectators.
The trumpets had no sooner given the signal than the
champions vanished from their posts with the speed of
lightning and closed in the center of the lists with the
shock of a thunderbolt. The lances burst into shivers up
to the very grasp and it seemed at the moment that both
knights had fallen, for the shock had made each horse recoil 5
backwards upon its haunches. The address of the riders
recovered their steeds by use of the bridle and spur; and
having glared on each other for an instant with eyes which
seemed to flash fire through the bars of their visors, each
made a demivolt, and retiring to the extremity of the 10
lists, received a fresh lance from the attendants.
A loud shout from the spectators, waving of scarfs and
handkerchiefs, and general acclamations, attested the interest
taken by the spectators in this encounter; the most equal,
as well as the best performed, which had graced the day. 15
But no sooner had the knights resumed their station
than the clamor of applause was hushed into a silence so
deep and so dead that it seemed the multitude were afraid
even to breathe.
A few minutes' pause having been allowed, that the 20
combatants and their horses might recover breath, Prince
John with his truncheon signed to the trumpets to sound
the onset. The champions a second time sprung from their
stations and closed in the center of the lists, with the same
speed, the same dexterity, the same violence, but not the25
same equal fortune as before.
In this second encounter, the Templar aimed at the center
of his antagonist's shield and struck it so fair and forcibly
that his spear went to shivers, and the Disinherited Knight
reeled in his saddle. On the other hand, that champion 30
had, in the beginning of his career, directed the point of his
lance toward Bois-Guilbert's shield, but changing his aim
almost in the moment of encounter, he addressed it to the
helmet, a mark more difficult to hit, but which, if attained,
rendered the shock more irresistible. Fair and true, he
hit the Norman on the visor, where his lance's point kept
hold of the bars. 5
Yet, even at this disadvantage, the Templar sustained
his high reputation; and had not the girths of his saddle
burst, he might not have been unhorsed. As it chanced,
however, saddle, horse, and man rolled on the ground under
a cloud of dust. 10
To extricate himself from the stirrups and fallen steed
was to the Templar scarce the work of a moment; and,
stung with madness, both at his disgrace and at the acclamations
with which it was hailed by the spectators, he
drew his sword and waved it in defiance of his conqueror.15
The Disinherited Knight sprang from his steed and also
unsheathed his sword. The marshals of the field, however,
spurred their horses between them and reminded them
that the laws of the tournament did not, on the present
occasion, permit this species of encounter. 20
"We shall meet again, I trust," said the Templar,
casting a resentful glance at his antagonist; "and where
there are none to separate us."
"If we do not," said the Disinherited Knight, "the fault
shall not be mine. On foot or horseback, with spear, 25
with ax, or with sword, I am alike ready to encounter thee."
More and angrier words would have been exchanged,
but the marshals, crossing their lances betwixt them,
compelled them to separate. The Disinherited Knight
returned to his first station, and Bois-Guilbert to his 30
tent, where he remained for the rest of the day in an
agony of despair.
Without alighting from his horse, the conqueror called
for a bowl of wine, and opening the beaver, or lower part
of his helmet, announced that he quaffed it "To all true
English hearts, and to the confusion of foreign tyrants."
He then commanded his trumpet to sound a defiance to 5
the challengers, and desired a herald to announce to them
that he should make no election, but was willing to encounter
them in the order in which they pleased to advance
against him.
The gigantic Front-de-Bœuf, armed in sable armor, was 10
the first who took the field. He bore on a white shield a
black bull's head, half defaced by the numerous encounters
which he had undergone, and bearing the arrogant motto,
Cave, adsum. Over this champion the Disinherited
Knight obtained a slight but decisive advantage. Both 15
knights broke their lances fairly, but Front-de-Bœuf, who
lost a stirrup in the encounter, was adjudged to have the
disadvantage.
In the stranger's third encounter, with Sir Philip Malvoisin,
he was equally successful; striking that baron so 20
forcibly on the casque that the laces of the helmet broke,
and Malvoisin, only saved from falling by being unhelmeted,
was declared vanquished like his companions.
In his fourth combat, with De Grantmesnil, the Disinherited
Knight showed as much courtesy as he had 25
hitherto evinced courage and dexterity. De Grantmesnil's
horse, which was young and violent, reared and plunged in
the course of the career so as to disturb the rider's aim,
and the stranger, declining to take the advantage which
this accident afforded him, raised his lance, and passing30
his antagonist without touching him, wheeled his horse
and rode back again to his own end of the lists, offering
his antagonist, by a herald, the chance of a second encounter.
This De Grantmesnil declined, avowing himself
vanquished as much by the courtesy as by the address of
his opponent.
Ralph de Vipont summed up the list of the stranger's 5
triumphs, being hurled to the ground with such force that
the blood gushed from his nose and his mouth and he was
borne senseless from the lists.
The acclamations of thousands applauded the unanimous
award of the prince and marshals, announcing that day's 10
honors to the Disinherited Knight.
—Ivanhoe.
1. Describe the lists as Scott makes you see them. What was the order of proceeding at the outset?
2. Who were the Norman knights upon whom Prince John relied to win the tournament? Which of these was considered the best lance?
3. Where does the interest in the story begin suddenly to increase? How does Scott make the situation exciting?
4. Describe the combat between Bois-Guilbert and the Disinherited Knight. Why did they not fight to a finish? What makes you think they do before the novel is finished? Tell of the succeeding combats in turn.
5. As you have probably guessed, the Disinherited Knight is Ivanhoe. Did anybody present recognize him? How do you think Prince John felt at the outcome?
6. Gare le Corbeau means "Look out for the raven," a boast that the ravens would pick the bones of Brian's enemies. Cave, adsum means "Beware, I am here." Select a list of ten other words or phrases for your classmates to explain.
7. Report either on Scott's life and writings or on another chapter from Ivanhoe.