In the olden days Prague, a then modern and enlightened city in the
midst of barbarian Teutonic types, was a target for any petty warlord
who could raise an army.

One of the most serious attacks was mounted in 1330 when several
German princes put the city under siege. The King of Prague used
diplomacy, strategy, and the city's stout walls to keep the enemy at
bay, but still the siege held and the situation was getting desperate.

Finally, the King decided to fall back on the time-honored tradition
of trial by individual combat, and challenged the highest-ranking
German prince to a joust. The German prInce was noted for his
fighting ability, while the King had distinguished himself primarily
by humanistic studies, so this seemed a terrible mismatch, and one
that would lead to the fall of Prague.

But the King had a secret weapon, or rather, defense; his studies had
led to the development of a new sort of armor. He was sure that his
discovery would give him more protection and more flexibility, so
that he would be able to overcome his opponent, who would be
encumbered by rigid, plated armor.

The great day arrived and both heroes rode out for the joust. The
people of Prague watched from their city's walls, with the Queen in
the midst of them. There was great trepidation, of course, and it was
added to by the fact that both men were of about the same height, and
both rode black horses.

In the dust raised by the battle, one figure could be seen moving
swiftly and surely, while the other seemed to lumber about, always a
second too late, or an inch too short. The dust obscured the heroes'
colors, but the Queen raised a shout as the slower figure fell with a
great clattering of his plated armor.

"But how do you know we've won?" asked the anxious town folk.

"I've told you and told you!" said the Queen. "Tbe Czech is in the
mail!"

Dai_Nasty

-=| David |=-

We're not going away anytime soon...