settled, and if you will come down to Westminster, to Sir Walter Manny's
lodging, this afternoon, I will tell you what he says touching the matter.
You will, of course, need arms and armour."

"I can provide that," Ralph replied, "seeing that his worshipful the
lord-mayor bestowed upon me yesterday five gold pieces as the second in
command in the sports. I have already a steel cap and breast and back
pieces, which I have made for myself in hours of leisure, and warrant will
stand as hard a knock as the Frenchmen can give them."

Going across into the city with Geoffrey, Walter purchased, with the
contents of the purse which the king had given him, the garments suited for
his new position. He was fortunate in obtaining some which fitted him
exactly. These had been made for a young esquire of the Earl of Salisbury;
but the tailor, when he heard from Geoffrey for whom they were required,
and the need for instant despatch, parted with them to Walter, saying that
he for whom they were made could well wait a few days, and that he would
set his journeymen to work at once to make some more of similar fit and
fashion.

Walter felt strange in his new attire, and by no means relished the
tightness of the garments, which was strictly demanded by the fashion of
the day. His long hose, one of which was of a deep maroon, the other a
bright yellow, came far up above the knee, then came a short pair of trunks
of similar colours divided in the middle. The tight-fitting doublet was
short and circled at the waist by a buff belt mounted in silver, and was of
the same colours as the hose and trunks. On his head was a cap, peaked in
front; this was of maroon, with a short erect feather of yellow. The
long-pointed shoes matched the rest of the costume. There were three other
suits similar in fashion, but different in colour; two like the first were