Home › Philosophy › Philosophy: Walter

Philosophy: Walter

An honourable trait of character is related by Froissart of the chivalric Sir Walter Manny, who was taken prisoner in France while travelling with a pass-post from the Duke of Normandy. The latter, indignant at this outrage to one who was, for a time, under his protection, applied to the King of France for his release, declaring that unless this was granted he would never serve again in his armies. "There was a knight from Hainault, named Sir Mansart d'Aisnes, who was eager to serve Sir Walter, but had great difficulty in getting access to the Duke of Normandy; however, the king was, at last, advised to let Sir Walter out of prison, and to pay him all his expenses. The king would have Sir Walter to dine with him at the Hotel de Nesle, at Paris, when he presented him with gifts and jewels to the amount of a thousand florins. Sir Walter accepted them upon condition, that when he got to Calais, he should inform the king, his lord, of it, and if it were agreeable to his pleasure he would keep them, otherwise he would send them back. The king and duke said he had spoken like a loyal knight. Sir Walter then took leave of them, and on arriving at Calais was well received by the King of England, who on being informed by Sir Walter of the presents he had had from the King of France, said, 'Sir Walter, you have hitherto loyally served us, and we hope you will continue to do so; send back to Philip his presents, for you have no right to keep them; we have enough, thank God, for you and ourselves, and are perfectly well disposed to do you all the good in our power for the services you have rendered us.' Sir Walter took out all the jewels, and giving them to his cousin, the Lord of Mansac, said, 'Ride into France to King Philip, and recommend me to him, and tell him that I thank him many times for the fine jewels he presented me with, but it is not agreeable to the will and pleasure of the King of England, my lord, that I retain them.' The knight did as he was commanded, but the King of France would not take back the jewels. He gave them to the Lord of Mansac."