Winning His Spurs 3

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 5-6

If you are looking for the beginning of the study for G. A. Henty’s Winning His Spurs then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Truth, Prudence, Education, Indulgence

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. According to the author, what was commonly believed at the time this story takes place about making a “pilgrimage to holy places?”

2. What kind of men, in particular, did the Friar try to persuade to join the crusade?

3. According to the text, why was it necessary that not all able bodied men should go on this Crusade?

4. What is one thing which Cuthbert had, although he fought against gaining it, which set him apart from many others who sought to be knights?

5. According to Henty, what other motivations (besides religious sincerity) caused certain men to join the Crusade?

6. What was one major logistical difficulty caused by so many people traveling together?

7. What was the joint camp of the English and French like?

8. How is the King of England (Richard) described by the author?

9. What incident occurred between Sir Walter and Cuthbert and Sir Jaquelin de Barras and his page?

10. What was decided upon as a result of their disagreement which would also provide some entertainment to the soldiers?

11. What requests did Cuthbert make as far as his armor for the fight?

12. What addition to a suit of armor specifically marked a man as having the rank of “knight?”

13. What did King Richard give Cuthbert and what promise did he make with it?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. Why were the Christian ministers the ones trying to persuade people to go to war? Why not civil leaders (kings, barons, etc.) in particular?

2. Why might it be important that the story notes Cuthbert’s education as contrasted with others of his same class?

3. What might explain why the French and English soldiers were not getting along?

4. G. A. Henty referred to England as being in a time of “semi-civilization.” What does this mean?

5. How did Cuthbert demonstrate the virtue of prudence in his preparations for the fight with the other page?

6. Compare and contrast the King of England (Richard) and the King of France (Philip). What is similar and what is different about them? Why might their differences be important to the story and success of the Crusade?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. In classical Rhetoric there are three means of persuasion, Logos (reason), Pathos (emotion), and Ethos (character of the speaker). In the beginning of this present reading assignment we see Father Francis and the Friar preaching to the crowd at Evesham and attempting to persuade them to support the Crusade. Give an example of how each means of persuasion is present here. Which mode do you think has the most effect upon the people? Why do you think it is effective given the current audience?

2. When it comes to rhetorical discourse, what ethical considerations should there be in regard to the means we use to persuade someone to do or believe something? What is and is not permissible? Do these standards change depending upon that which we are attempting to persuade people to do or believe or are they always the same? If you think the standards are changeable, give an example of a case where it would be permissible to change your standards in order to persuade someone to a belief or course of action. If they are immutably fixed (unchanging) why is this so?

3. Father Francis pleaded with the people of Evesham (who were not themselves going to the Crusade) to make sacrifices to support those who were by giving money and other provisions. Is there a similar instance in our nation’s history where citizens have been asked to sacrifice like this? What responsibility do citizens have to support the war efforts of their nation? What kind considerations should be made as to whether we ought to sacrificially give our lives and goods to support such an effort? Do you think the Crusade as described by Father Francis and the Friar is worthy of such support? Why or why not?

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. What does Proverbs 25:15 mean and what principle of persuasion should we learn from it?

2. Read Exodus 35. Compare and contrast the recruitment of supplies for the building of God’s tabernacle with the recruitment of men and supplies for the Crusade. What are some similarities and differences? 

3. Read Deuteronomy 24:5. How might we relate this to our present reading?