"My good friend Geoffrey, the armourer, advised that I should learn, and frequently hired from the horse-dealer an animal for my use.

I have often backed half-broken horses which were brought up by graziers from Kent and Sussex for use in the wars.

Many of them abode at the hostels at Southwark, and willingly enough granted me permission to ride their horses until they were sold.

Thus I have had a good deal of practice, and that of a rough kind; and seeing that latterly the horses have, for the most part, found it difficult to fling me when sitting barebacked across them, I think I could keep my seat in the high-peaked saddles on the most vicious, but I have had no practice at tilting, or at the ring, or other knightly exercises." "That matters not at all," the knight said.

"All these knightly exercises which you speak of are good in time of peace, for they give proficiency and steadiness, but in time of war he who can sit firmly in his saddle and wield sword and battle-axe lustily and skillfully is equal to the best; but never fear, when this expedition is over, and we have time for such things, I will see that you are instructed in them.
One who has achieved so much martial skill as you have done at so early an age will have little difficulty in acquiring what may be termed the pastime of chivalry." Ralph arrived just as Walter was setting out.