The apprentices then came forward to compete for the prizes for sword-play.
They wore light iron caps and shirts of thickly quilted leather, and
fought with blunted swords, for the city fathers deemed wisely that with
these weapons they could equally show their skill, and that with sharpened
swords not only would severe wounds be given, but bad blood would be
created between the apprentices of the various wards. Each ward sent its
champion to the contest, and as these fought in pairs, loud was the
shouting which rose from their comrades at each blow given or warded, and
even the older citizens joined sometimes in the shouting and took a warm
interest in the champions of their respective wards.

The iron caps had stout cheek-pieces which defended the sides of the face
and neck, for even a blunted sword can deliver a terrible blow if it fall
upon the naked flesh. It took a long time to get through the combats; the
pairs were drawn by lot, and fought until the king decided which was the
superior. Some were speedily beaten, at other times the contests were long
and severe. It was generally thought by the apprentices that the final
contest lay between Walter Fletcher of Aldgate and Ralph Smith of Ludgate.
The former was allowed to be superior in the use of his weapon, but the
latter was also skilful, was two years older, and greatly superior in
strength. He had not taken part in the contest in the preceding year, as he
had been laid up with a hurt in his hand which he had got in his employment
as a smith, and the lads of Ludgate were confident that he would turn the
tables upon the champion of the eastern ward. Both had defeated with ease
the various opponents whom they had met, but it chanced that they had not
drawn together until the last round, when they remained alone to struggle
for the first and second prizes.

The interest in the struggle had increased with each round, and wagers were