Robin Hood / Рассказы о Робин Гуде - страница 2

A very large crowd gathered on the day of the tournament. Most of them were Saxons. Trumpeters heralded the arrival of Prince John, Sir Guy, the Bishop, the Sheriff and other guests, all dressed in silks and velvet. Once they were seated, hasty preparations were made to start the tournament. A horseman in armour rode up and took his position. He was the scorer – the one who recorded the names of the participants, the score of the matches, the wins and defeats. Musicians took their places behind him with their instruments. Their work was to loudly celebrate a win or a brilliant stroke. A trumpeter stood in attention, to trumpet the start of the matches.

A long strip of land at the centre of the town square had been cleared and swept for the match. All eyes were on this area.

The trumpeter heralded the start of the tournament, and the first pair of knights on horseback took up their positions on either side of the jousting area. Then they galloped towards each other at great speed. Their lances clashed with a deafening clang. The crowd went mad with excitement. Prince John and his guests sat on the edge of their chairs, as excited as the rest of the spectators. One knight fell off his horse, the lance having pierced him right through his armour. The victor, a Norman, was congratulated by the Prince.

The tournament continued. Match after match was played and was won by Norman knights. There was great excitement in the royal box. The crowd had become very quiet. Before the final match, a herald announced, “The next match will be between the valiant Norman knight, Sir Guy of Gisbourne and the Saxon knight, Sir Robin of Locksley.”

The two knights, who were wearing helmets with the visors down, held their lances under their arms and galloped towards each other. They met with such terrific force, that their lances broke, but both men remained seated on their horses.

Armed with new lances, the knights again galloped towards each other. This time Sir Robin’s lance hit Sir Guy with such force that he was thrown off his horse.

A loud applause rose from the spectators when Sir Robin was declared the winner. He left his horse in the care of his attendant, Will Scarlet, and walked to the royal box to receive his prize. Lady Marian was the Maid of Honour, who would hand out the prize to the winner.