king handed him a heavy purse of gold pieces, saying:

"This may aid in purchasing your freedom."

Walter bowed deeply and murmured some words of thanks, and was then led off
by the marshal. After this many of the young nobles of the court jousted on
horseback, ran at the ring, and performed other feats of knightly exercise
to the great pleasure of the multitude. The marshal on leading Walter away
said to him, "You will be captain of the city band tomorrow, and I must
therefore tell you what the king purports. He has prepared a surprise for
the citizens, and the present show will be different to anything ever
before seen in London. Both to show them somewhat of the sieges which are
taking place on the borders of France and the Low Countries, in which Sir
Walter Manny and many other gallant knights have so greatly distinguished
themselves, and as an exercise for the young nobles, he has determined that
there shall be a castle erected. It will be built of wood, with battlements
and towers, with a moat outside. As soon as the lists are over a large
number of workmen will commence its erection; the pieces are all sawn and
prepared. There will be machines, ladders, and other appliances. The ten
champions on either side will fight as knights; you will have a hundred
apprentices as men-at-arms, and the court party will have an equal number
of young esquires. You, as winner of today's tourney, will have the choice
of defence or attack. I should advise you to take the defence, since it is
easier and requires less knowledge of war, and many of the other party have
accompanied their fathers and masters in the field and have seen real
sieges carried out."

"Can you show me a plan of the castle," Walter said, "if it be not contrary
to the rules, in order that I may think over tonight the plan of fighting
tomorrow?"