human
Ah, squire, quoth the King, fixing his dark, keen eyes upon the young man's face,
gpt
Nothing, sire; 'tis but the law.
human
Thou couldst not have said much less, remarked the King, with a grim laugh.
gpt
How sayest thou, Sir Reginald Scarsdale. Hast thou a desire to press thy claims?
human
Nay, sire, replied the knight stoutly.
gpt
For his father, knowingly and willingly, came to my aid in the thickest of the fight, and but for his courage I should have been worsted.
human
But thine oath of vengeance?
gpt
Sire, my desire for revenge departed the moment I heard from this squire the name of his father, who, in truth, slew my only brother. Furthermore, 'tis my intention to repair, as soon as this war is over, to the shrine of St. Swithin of Winchester and to seek absolution from mine oath.
human
And thou hast no wish to harm this squire?
gpt
None, sire. On the contrary I wish him good----
human
Hold, Sir Knight, interrupted the King sharply.
gpt
We asked thee a plain question, to be answered by 'Yea' or 'Nay,' not by suggestions.
human
And thou, Sir John, continued Edward, addressing the Constable.
gpt
Hast thou aught to add in favour of thy squire, beyond what thou didst tell us but a short time back?
human
Nothing more, sire.
gpt
Then, turning to his barons, he added, with a sly reference to the growing power of Parliament,
human
We take it, fair lords, that we shall not offend our faithful commoners assembled at Westminster by assuming a right to revoke a decree of outlawry?
gpt
Then, Raymond Revyngton, we hereby pardon thee for an offence that thou hast not committed--to wit, thou art no longer the son of an outlaw. Sir William de Saye, our scrivener, will draw up the deed of revocation, and a copy for the Lord Bishop of Winchester. Art content?
human
Sire, I thank thee,
gpt
There is yet another matter. Of thy valour there has been no question. We have in mind the affair with the Count of Tancarville, and, going farther back, thy journey to Hennebon. But more especially thy conduct in yesterday's fight, when our dear son, the Prince of Wales, was succoured by thine aid. We have a mind to inspect thy cloven shield, which, we do perceive, thou hast brought in case our memory were in need of a reminder.
human
A lusty stroke, commented Edward, carefully examining the clean cut in the metal plate.
gpt
Our cousin of France hath men of sinew who in open fight would be worthy and gallant opponents. Had their peasants been as good bowmen as our gallant archers but few of us would be here. Squire, he added,
human
Thine equipment seems at fault, he remarked, smiling a little grimly.
gpt
Nay, we know 'twas done in a gallant fight. Advance, squire, and kneel before us.