"What a thoroughly stupid idea. Battle is the sacred duty of the nobility, the very source of our inherent privileges and glory. Authority, status, dignity—which of these can be maintained without fighting? It is blood and violence that allow one to establish rule.
If a Norman does not devote most of his life to war, then he is not a proper Norman.
Father would never have done this. It's a foolish idea, and a true Norman Knight would see it as an insult. So, I say, to hell with it.
But considering it came from my idiotic older brother, I suppose it's understandable.
I've always suspected he has trouble even getting on a horse with those short little legs. Let me think, what's that Earl of Gloucester's job? He must be the one who shoves his ass up!" Rufus, recently made Earl of York by Robert, sneered at Robert's proposal amidst the murmuring of the other Barons.
He said, looking at the Lord of Leicester, Beaumont, who sat beside him.
