The appellation that was given to these youths from the age of seven to that of fourteen, was that of Pages, Varlets, or Damoiseaux: in our old English ballads and romances, Child was a common name for them. These appellations, however, were sometimes applied to those who had reached the higher rank of Esquire.
The pages were kept in constant and active employ ment: they waited on the master and mistress of the castle, both at home and abroad ; during their jour neys, their visits, their walks, and even at the chace, it was the duty of the pages to be in attendance. They even waited at table, and acted in the capacity of cup-bearers. The renowned chevalier Bayard, in his early youth, was placed in the house of his uncle, the Bishop of Grenoble ; and, we are told, that when the latter paid a visit to the Duke of Savoy, he was accom panied by Bayard, who attended upon him at dinner.
The first impression that was made on the minds and feelings of the pages, were those of love, gallantry, honour, and bravery. Surrounded by noble ladies and valiatit knights, the instructions they received, and the examples that were displayed before them, all had this tendency. Chivalry they were taught to reverence, as containing every thing that was alluring, grand, and de sirable : and the only means by which they could gain this object, they easily and early perceived, were those of devotion to the female sex, and skill and courage in warfare.
They were taught, at the same time, by the ladies of the castle, the rudiments of religion and of love. The love of God and of the Ladies was constantly impressed On their minds :—it was the first lesson they received. In order that they might have opportunities to in some degree, the instructions they received, it was customary for each youth to select sonic young, accom plished, and virtuous lady ; at her feet he displayed all his gallantry ; to her he disclosed all his thoughts ; her he made the judge of all his actions. She was autho rised and called upon by him to polish his manners, and to render him fit for the softer and more elegant duties of chivalry, The emulation natural to youth ; the martial sports and exercises which they daily witnessed ; the discourses of war and of feats of arms which they heard from their master and his guests, all conspired to give them a pas sion for the sterner and more laborious duties of chival ry. The sports in which the pages employed and amused
themselves, were of a military nature : unable, from their extreme youth, to hurl the lance, they gradually trained themselves up to that exercise, by throwing the dart ; their hoods (chaperons) they used as helmets ; and, in short, by every method in their power, exhibited and fulfilled their desire of becoming expert warriors.
In this manner was their time spent, till they reached the age of fourteen years : when they passed from the care of the women into the rank of pages, no ceremony was deemed necessary ; but their introduction into the rank of esquire was thought to require some solemnity. Now, for the first time, arms were about to be placed in their hands ; they were about to have a foretaste of those honours and dignities, surrounded by which they had passed the last seven years of their life. The ceremo nies used at the introduction of the page to the rank of esquire, were very similar to those employed at the mi litary investiture which have already been described, and noticed, as having been confounded with those of perfect chivalry.
As soon as the youth had reached his fourteenth year, he was led to the altar by his father and mother, each carrying a wax taper in their hands. The officiating priest took from the altar a sword and belt, which, having pre viously bestowed his benediction on them, he fastened to the side of the youth, who, from that moment, was au thorised to carry arms.
The esquires, the second degree of rank, consisted of several classes and departments, each of which bad their respective duties and employments: there were esquires of the body, who were attached to the person, first of the lady, and afterwards of the lord ; esquires of the cham ber; esquires of the stable ; and carving esquires ;—be sides these, the inferior departments of the household, such as the wine cellar, and the pantry, had their re spective esquires.