But had it been otherwise I would have gone to the king and protested that the advantage of age was so great that it would be murder to place you in the lists together." "There is," Cuthbert said, "at most no greater difference between us than between a strong man and a weak one, and these, in the ordeal of battle, have to meet in the lists.

Indeed I doubt if the difference is so great, for if he be a foot taller than I, methinks that round the shoulders I should have the advantage of him." "Send hither my armorer," the earl said; "we must choose a proper suit for you.

I fear that mine would be of little use; but doubtless there are some smaller suits among my friends." "The simpler and lighter the better," Cuthbert said.

"I'd rather have a light coat of mail and a steel cap than heavy armor and a helmet which would press me down, and a visor through which I could scarce see.

The lighter the better, for after all if my sword cannot keep my head, sooner or later the armor would fail to do so too." The armorer speedily arrived, and the knights and followers of the earl being called in and the case stated, there was soon found a coat of fine linked mail, which fitted Cuthbert well.