Training as a Knight
4. Arévalo
When Iñigo reached 15, a friend of his father, Juan Velazquez de Cuellar, who was the treasurer of the Kingdom of Castile, and married to Doña Maria, a distant relative of Iñigo’s mother, took him into courtly circles and trained him as a knight. By all accounts Iñigo enjoyed his nine years in Arévalo where Juan treated him as a son.
Here Iñigo became part of a group of young men who trained in sword-fighting, warfare, jousting, and courtly manners.
A thought to ponder
When you look at your young adulthood were there skills you wanted to master, people you wanted to emulate?
What did you most enjoy doing?
Did you behave in a way that was counter cultural in comparison to other young adults of your day?
Scripture for the Day
As a way of praying today’s Scripture we suggest, Lectio Divina?)
Proverbs 8:1-7 NRSVACE
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:
‘To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.
O simple ones, learn prudence; acquire intelligence, you who lack it.
Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right;
for my mouth will utter truth;
Music for Today
Lead Kindly Light – sung by Aled Jones – written by Saint John Henry Newman
Purchase more of the music of Aled Jones
The Castle at Arévalo
Ignatius’ home for nine years, where he learned his skills in fighting and negotiating. The castle was much bigger in Ignatius’ day.
Photo: Wikimedia ‘Borjaanimal’