ladies were in great peril, being thrown from a considerable height, and a
number of persons were severely injured. The king, who was furious at the
danger to which the queen had been exposed, would have hung upon the spot
the master workman whose negligence had caused the accident, but the queen
went on her knees before him and begged his life of the king. The love of
Edward for warlike exercises caused England to be regarded as the most
chivalrous court in Europe, and the frequent tournaments aroused to the
utmost the spirits of the people and prepared them for the war with France.
But of the events of that war I will tell you some other night. It is time
now for us to betake us to our beds."



CHAPTER V: THE CITY GAMES



The next evening the armourer, at Walter's request, continued his
narrative.

"Soon after the tournament we began to fight again with Scotland. For some
years we had had peace with that country, and under the regency a marriage
was made between David, King of Scotland, son of Robert the Bruce, and the
Princess Joan, sister to our king, and a four years' truce was agreed
to."

"But why should we always be fighting with Scotland?" Walter asked.

"That is more than I can tell you, Walter. We were peaceful enough with
them until the days of Edward I; but he set up some claim to the throne of