They were, for the most part, somewhat older than the apprentices, but as the latter consisted chiefly of young men nearly out of their term the difference was not great.

Walter's armour was a suit which the armourer had constructed a year previously for a young knight who had died before the armour could be delivered.

Walter had wondered more than once why Geoffrey did not endeavour to sell it elsewhere, for, although not so decorated and inlaid as many of the suits of Milan armour, it was constructed of the finest steel, and the armourer had bestowed special care upon its manufacture, as the young knight's father had long been one of his best customers.

Early that morning Geoffrey had brought it to his room and had told him to wear it instead of that lent by the city.
"But I fear it will get injured," Walter had urged.

"I shall not spare myself, you know, Geoffrey, and the blows will be hard ones.
"The more need for good armour, Walter.