Prologue

[145] At the beginning of the world, once God had created man and woman and provided them with all that they could desire, very soon thereafter His peace was broken and war – so contrary to all natural order – broke out between those natural allies and brothers, Cain and Abel. And as the second chapter of the book of Genesis explains, that war stemmed from envy. Genesis shows therefore how the birth of that dreadful scourge was occasioned and triggered and begun by a single person, and yet, over time, it spread prolifically, and multiplied as the generations grew and multiplied. And hence discord and dissension took hold in all parts of the world, and though it might seem to have disappeared in certain places, that is compensated for by renewed and prolonged war elsewhere, for war can take hold just as well between the worthy as between the wicked – and while we should stress that no-one is worthy if he declares war unprovoked, he cannot be condemned if he pursues war in defence of a rightful cause. It was for this reason that the most excellent and most noble order of knighthood was established, in order to protect, safeguard, and defend the common people who are always the most damaged by the perils of war. This means that all good and valiant knights, soldiers, and captains should rely for victory not only on strength [146] of numbers but also on subtlety and due prudence – which, as we read in much of the Bible and especially in the Book of Kings, were what allowed the Israelites to subjugate and subdue large numbers of Philistines and other aliens. What enabled the Israelites to do this was the sagacity and calculation of their commanders, and above all God's help – which should be cited first, for to Him all manner of men should address themselves.

My intention, with God's help, is to write a little treatise, in the form of a story, to inspire all men, and especially those who pursue the extraordinary adventures of a life of war, to seek always to do good and to enhance their fortitude.