About the hour of ten o'clock
In fact , although the general tournament , in which all knights fought at once , was more dangerous than single encounters , they were , nevertheless , more frequented and practised by the chivalry of the age . Many knights , who had not sufficient confidence in their own skill to defy a single adversary of high reputation , were , nevertheless , desirous of displaying their valour in the general combat , where they might meet others with whom they were more upon an equality . On the present occasion , about fifty knights were inscribed as desirous of combating upon each side , when the marshals declared that no more could be admitted , to the disappointment of several who were too late in preferring their claim to be included . About the hour of ten o'clock , the whole plain was crowded with horsemen , horsewomen , and foot-passengers , hastening to the tournament ; and shortly after , a grand flourish of trumpets announced Prince John and his retinue , attended by many of those knights who meant to take share in the game , as well as others who had no such intention . About the same time arrived Cedric the Saxon , with the Lady Rowena , unattended , however , by Athelstane . This Saxon lord had arrayed his tall and strong person in armour , in order to take his place among the combatants ; and , considerably to the surprise of Cedric , had chosen to enlist himself on the part of the Knight Templar . The Saxon , indeed , had remonstrated strongly with his friend upon the injudicious choice he had made of his party ; but he had only received that sort of answer usually given by those who are more obstinate in following their own course , than strong in justifying it .