The man said he had better stay where he was, and serve with him under Master Lacy, who was mean enough in the city, but liked to appear liberal when thus consorting with knights and gentlemen.
Master Lacy was a merchant of Aisi, an owner of vessels.

Like most of his fellows, when war came so close home, he was almost obliged to join the king's levy.

Had he not done so it would have been recorded against him as a lack of loyalty.

His privileges would have been taken from him, possibly the wealth he had accumulated seized, and himself reduced to slavery.

Lacy, therefore, put on armour, and accompanied the king to the camp.