rougher classes; and bull baiting, cock-fighting, wrestling for a ram,
pitching the bar, and hand ball, were held in a field some distance away.
Here a large portion of the artisans and apprentices amused themselves
until the hour when the king and queen were to arrive at their pavilion,
and the contests were to commence.

Presently a sound of trumpets was heard, and the royal procession was seen
moving up from Westminster. Then the minor sports were abandoned; the crowd
gathered round the large fenced-in space, and those who, by virtue of rank
or position in the city, had places in the various stands, took their
places there.

There was a flourish of trumpets as the king and queen appeared in front of
the pavilion, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and many of the nobles of
the court, and a shout of welcome arose from the crowd. The shooting at a
mark at once began. The preliminary trials had been shot off upon the
preceding day, and the six chosen bowmen now took their places.

Walter had not entered for the prizes at archery. He had on previous years
shot well; but since he had fully determined to become a man-at-arms he had
given up archery, for which, indeed, his work at the forge and his
exercises at arms when the fires were out, left him but little time. The
contest was a close one, and when it was over the winner was led by the
city marshal to the royal pavilion, where the queen bestowed upon him a
silver arrow, and the king added a purse of money. Then there were several
combats with quarterstaff and broadsword between men who had served among
the contingents sent by the city to aid the king in his wars. Some good
sword-play was shown and many stout blows exchanged, two or three men were
badly hurt, and the king and all present were mightily pleased with the
stoutness with which they fought.