` It is knightly to keep faith -- even after a thousand years . ' Sir Richard bowed a little and went on : -- ' `` Gold horseshoes on black ? '' said De Aquila . `` I had heard Fulke had joined the Barons , but if this is true our King must be of the upper hand . No matter , all Fulkes are faithless . Still , I would not have sent the man away empty . '' ' `` He fed , '' said Jehan . `` Gilbert the Clerk fetched him meat and wine from the kitchens . He ate at Gilbert 's table . '' ` This Gilbert was a clerk from Battle Abbey , who kept the accounts of the Manor of Pevensey . He was tall and pale-coloured , and carried those new-fashioned beads for counting of prayers . They were large brown nuts or seeds , and hanging from his girdle with his pen and inkhorn they clashed when he walked . His place was in the great fireplace . There was his table of accounts , and there he lay o ' nights . He feared the hounds in the Hall that came nosing after bones or to sleep on the warm ashes , and would slash at them with his beads -- like a woman . When De Aquila sat in Hall to do justice , take fines , or grant lands , Gilbert would so write it in the Manor-roll . But it was none of his work to feed our guests , or to let them depart without his lord 's knowledge . ` Said De Aquila , after Jehan was gone down the stair : `` Hugh , hast thou ever told my Gilbert thou canst read Latin hand-of-write ? '' ' `` No , '' said Hugh . `` He is no friend to me , or to Odo my hound either . '' '
`` No matter , '' said De XXXXX .
Abbey Aquila Fulke Fulkes Jehan King Pevensey hand-of-write inkhorn nights