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these threescore extra men for Dauphiny。〃
Then Myles withdrew； under the charge of Lord George and the Sieur
de la Montaigne and while the King and the two nobles walked slowly up
and down the gravel path between the tall rose… bushes； Myles stood
talking with the gentlemen attendants； finding himself； with a certain
triumphant exultation； the peer of any and the hero of the hour。
That night was the last that Myles and Gascoyne spent lodging in the
dormitory in their squirehood service。 The next day they were assigned
apartments in Lord George's part of the house； and thither they transported
themselves and their belongings； amid the awestruck wonder and
admiration of their fellow…squires。
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CHAPTER 24
In Myles Falworth's day one of the greatest ceremonies of courtly life
was that of the bestowal of knighthood by the King； with the honors of the
Bath。 By far the greater number of knights were at that time created by
other knights； or by nobles； or by officers of the crown。 To be knighted by
the King in person distinguished the recipient for life。 It was this signal
honor that the Earl； for his own purposes； wished Myles to enjoy； and for
this end he had laid not a few plans。
The accolade was the term used for the creation of a knight upon the
field of battle。 It was a reward of valor or of meritorious service； and was
generally bestowed in a more or less off…hand way； but the ceremony of
the Bath was an occasion of the greatest courtly moment； and it was thus
that Myles Falworth was to be knighted in addition to the honor of a royal
belting。
A quaint old book treating of knighthood and chivalry gives a full and
detailed account of all the circumstances of the ceremony of a creation of
a Knight of the Bath。 It tells us that the candidate was first placed under
the care of two squires of honor； 〃grave and well seen in courtship and
nurture； and also in feats of chivalry；〃 which same were likewise to be
governors in all things relating to the coming honors。
First of all； the barber shaved him； and cut his hair in a certain peculiar
fashion ordained for the occasion； the squires of honor supervising the
operation。 This being concluded； the candidate was solemnly conducted to
the chamber where the bath of tepid water was prepared； 〃hung within and
without with linen； and likewise covered with rich cloths and embroidered
linen。〃 While in the bath two 〃ancient； grave； and reverend knights〃
attended the bachelor； giving him 〃meet instructions in the order and feats
of chivalry。〃 The candidate was then examined as to his knowledge and
acquirements； and then； all questions being answered to the satisfaction of
his examiners； the elder of the two dipped a handful of water out from the
bath； and poured it upon his head； at the same time signing his left
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shoulder with the sign of the cross。
As soon as this ceremony was concluded； the two squires of honor
helped their charge from the bath； and conducted him to a plain bed
without hangings； where they let him rest until his body was warm and dry。
Then they clad him in a white linen shirt； and over it a plain robe of russet；
〃girdled about the loins with a rope； and having a hood like unto a hermit。〃
As soon as the candidate had arisen； the two 〃ancient knights〃 returned；
and all being in readiness he was escorted to the chapel； the two walking；
one upon either side of him； his squires of honor marching before； and the
whole party preceded by 〃sundry minstrels making a loud noise of music。〃
When they came to the chapel； the two knights who escorted him took
leave of the candidate； each saluting him with a kiss upon the cheek。 No
one remained with him but his squires of honor； the priest； and the
chandler。
In the mean time the novitiate's armor； sword； lance； and helmet had
been laid in readiness before the altar。 These he watched and guarded
while the others slept； keeping vigil until sunrise； during which time 〃he
shall；〃 says the ancient authority； 〃pass the night in orisons； prayers； and
meditation。〃 At daylight he confessed to the priest； heard matins； and
communicated in mass； and then presented a lighted candle at the altar；
with a piece of money stuck in it as close to the flame as could be done；
the candle being offered to the honor of God； and the money to the honor
of that person who was to make him a knight。
So concluded the sacred ceremony； which being ended his squires
conducted the candidate to his chamber； and there made him comfortable；
and left him to repose for a while before the second and final part of the
ordinance。
Such is a shortened account of the preparatory stages of the
ceremonies through which Myles Falworth passed。
Matters had come upon him so suddenly one after the other； and had
come with such bewildering rapidity that all that week was to him like
some strange； wonderful； mysterious vision。 He went through it all like
one in a dream。 Lord George Beaumont was one of his squires of honor；
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the other； by way of a fitting complement to the courage of the chivalrous
lad； was the Sieur de la Montaigne； his opponent soon to be。 They were
well versed in everything relating to knightcraft； and Myles followed all
their directions with passive obedience。 Then Sir James Lee and the
Comte de Vermoise administered the ceremony of the Bath； the old knight
examining him in the laws of chivalry。
It occurs perhaps once or twice in one's lifetime that one passes
through great happeningssometimes of joy； sometimes of dreadful
bitternessin just such a dazed state as Myles passed through this。 It is
only afterwards that all comes back to one so sharply and keenly that the
heart thrills almost in agony in living it over again。 But perhaps of all the
memory of that time； when it afterwards came back piece by piece； none
was so clear to Myles's back…turned vision as the long