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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Men of Iron by Howard Pyle: awarded by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, when in the jousting
match between Reynand de Roye and John de Holland, the Sieur
Reynand left every point of his helm loosened, so that the helm
was beaten off at each stroke. If he then was justified in doing
so of his own choice, and wilfully suffering to be unhelmed, how
then can this knight be accused of evil who suffered it by
chance?"
"Nevertheless," said the Sieur de la Montaigne, in the same
hoarse, breathless voice, "I do affirm, and will make my
affirmation good with my body, that I fell only by the breaking
of my girth. Who says otherwise lies!"
 Men of Iron |