I do not say that, in the press of a battle, where your activity would count for little, a good man-at-arms would not get the better of you; but in a single combat, with plenty of room, it would be a good man, indeed, who would tackle you; especially were he clad in armour, and you fighting without it.

His only chance would be to get in one downright blow, that would break down your guard.

As Marsden says, you fight like a wildcat, rather than as a man-at-arms; but as the time may come when you will ride in heavy armour, and so lose the advantage of your agility, you had best continue to practise regularly with us, and the men-at-arms, and learn to fight in the fashion that would be needed, were you engaged in a pitched battle when on horseback, and in armour." "I shall be glad, indeed, to do so," Oswald said modestly.

"I know that I am very ignorant of real swordsmanship, and the men-at-arms have me quite at their mercy, when they insist upon my not shifting my ground.
At home, I have only practised with my father's troopers, and we always fight on foot, and with stout sticks instead of swords, and without defences save our head pieces; but fighting in knightly fashion I knew nothing of, until I came here." "You will soon acquire that, lad.

With your strength of arm, length of wind, quickness of eye, and activity, you will make a famous swordsman, in time.
"Ah! Here is Sir Henry." "Have you been trying the lad's metal ?" Hotspur asked, as he saw Oswald in the act of taking off his steel cap.